1

Antenna Simulation

Using Electromagnetic Simulation tool FEKO

Suite

By

Altair | Innovation Intelligence

Antenna Simulation
Using electromagnetic simulation tool FEKO

Copyright2011 by Techno Altair India Pvt LTd All rights reserved.

No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the
Authors.

CONTENTS

1. FEKO Overview.
About
MOM..
6
Application of
MOM

General

Meshing

Rules.. 7
FEKO

7.0

package
Introduction
CADFEKO

Suit

8
to

Examples

with

FEKO. 1 1
2. Example-1: Dipole antenna 12
3. Example -2: Monopole antenna . 22
4. Example -3: Microstrip circular patch antenna 31
5. Example -4: Horn antenna 38
6. Example-5: Yagi Uda antenna..................................... 50
7. Example-6: LEPO/MLFMM Horn Fed Reflector........... 52

FEKO OVERVIEW
FEKO (FEldberechnung bei Krpern mit beliebiger Oberflche) is an Electromagnetic
Simulation tool by which we can perform field analyses on arbitrary geometries

and

structures like wire structures, planner structures, antennas, waveguides etc.

FEKO uses various numerical solution techniques namely MOM (method of
moments), FEM (finite element method), UTD (uniform theory of diffraction), PO
(physical optics), GO (geometrical optics) and MLFMM (multilevel fast multipole
method), depending on electrical size of structure and complexity of material, to solve
the structure.
For electrically small structures FEKO use MOM technique to solve the geometry.
About Method of Moments
MOM method is efficient for radiation and scattering analysis of structures.

Structure is decomposed into segments (i.e. Meshing)

The MOM calculate the currents on each segment, or the strength of each
moment, by using a coupling Green's function.
(Moment = electrical size of segment i.e. current times the segment vector
(segment length and segment orientation) Green's function incorporates electrostatic coupling
between the consecutive moments.)

If the current distribution over space is known then charge build up at each point
of the structure can be calculated.
Applications of MOM
Metal surface and wires
Dielectric coating
Dielectric sheet

 Infinite planner media

GENERAL MESHING RULES

Rule-1: Each primitive must be unioned together.

(E.g. for horn antenna cuboid and flare should be unioned together)

Rule-2: Segment length should be less than one tenth of wavelength

Rule-3: Segment current should flow only in the axial direction. This
implies that segments should not be too short relative to the wire radius.
Therefore the segment length should be at least four times the radius of
wire.
Rule-4: In a conductive surface modeling by means of a wire grid, the
wire radius should be chosen so that the wire area in one direction is
approximately the same as the area of the original surface.
Rule-5:
more number of triangles requires large memory, if memory consumption is
not an issue; an edge length of
interface finer element size (approx

holds good accuracy and at the FEM/MOM

) is required.

 FEKO 7.0 SUITE PACKAGE

FEKO 7.0
CADFEKO EDITFEKO POSTFEKO PREFEKO OPTFEKO TIMEFEKO

FEKO 7.0 component hierarchy

GUI (Graphical User Interface) components of FEKO are as follows CADFEKO is used to create model, mesh model, specify solution settings and
specify requests in a graphical environment.
EDITFEKO is used to construct model using high level scripting language.
POSTFEKO is used to view the results from binary output file and to display the
results such as near field, far field, current distribution, s parameters etc on 2D or 3D
view. POSTFEKO can also show the meshed FEKO model with or without excitation
before the actual FEKO run.

INTRODUCTION TO CADFEKO
The component CADFEKO is used to perform following tasks in graphical environment Creation of model
Meshing geometry
Specifying electromagnetic parameters
Solution configuration
Optimization

Features of CADFEKO

 Supports parametric model construction

o If model is created using variables then by changing variables value the model
can be altered.
o Used in optimization process.
Maintains the construction history
o After union operation, change in any block will be reflected in whole unioned
model.

Starting of CADFEKO
To start CADFEKO Click:

Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO

Following window will be displayed-

At this window there are some quick access points 1. Create a new model: To create a structure that is to be simulated
2. Open an existing model: To open previously saved model
3. Recent models: To open recently used models
CADFEKO window
Clicking on Create a new model opens CADFEKO window shown in following fig.

1. Quick access toolbar: In this bar some quick access controls such as New model,
Open model, Save model, undo, redo and Application launcher such as FEKO SOLVER,
POSTFEKO, EDITFEKO, PREFEKO are given.
2. Ribbon: The ribbon contains the application menu, default tabs, contextual tabs and
contextual commands.
3. Model tree: The model tree has all necessary information about the model in
expand/collapse fashion that can be altered such as parametric variables, creation of
named points, workplanes, defining media, defining cables, mesh refinement, non-radiating
networks, adding of ports and excitations, setting the frequency, requesting calculations
and setting up optimization runs.

4. Details tree: The details tree consist the geometry object details such as edges, faces
and regions.
5. Active status bar: The active status bar gives quick access to general display settings,
tools and selection method and type.

6. 3D view: The 3D view facilitates to visualize the geometry and solution settings (such as
far field requests, etc.). Additional visualizations such as cut planes and symmetry can also
be displayed.
7. Help: The Help button gives quick access to the FEKO manuals.
8. Notes view: The notes view is be used to document a model here additional comments,
explanations or descriptions can be added.

EXAMPLES WITH FEKO

This manual demonstrates Simulation and Calculation of basic parameters of the following
Antennas:1. Centre fed Half-Wavelength Dipole antenna
2. Monopole antenna on a finite ground plane
3. Microstrip Circular patch antenna
4. Waveguide fed Horn antenna

Example 1: Simulation of Wire dipole antenna.

Specifications

Solution requests

Dipole length:

Feeding
Centre feed

technique:

Centre
900MHz

frequency:

Radiation patterns

Current distribution

Reflection coeficient

1. DIPOLE OVERVIEW

Dipole antenna is composed of two parallel, collinear,

metal conductors of specific length with a small space
between them at which the radio frequency voltage
source is applied to the antenna.

Polarization of EM field radiated by this antenna depends

on its orientation.

For good performance, a dipole antenna should be situated at least

above the

ground, water surface or other conducting medium.

The voltage and current distributions in dipole antenna are as follows-

Fig: voltage distribution

Fig: Current distribution

11

 SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW

Step-1: Start CADFEKO

Step-2: Set the model unit
Step-3: Define variables
Step-4: Create a line primitive
Step-5: Define a wire port
Step-6: Add a voltage source to the wire port
Step-7: Set the solution frequency
Step-8: Set solution request
Step-9: Mesh the model
Step-10: Run the FEKO solver
Step-11: Go to POSTFEKO and view the results

SIMULATION STEPS
Step-1: Start CADFEKO
To create structures in FEKO the CADFEKO must be launched by clicking on
Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO -> Create a new model

Step-2: Set the model unit

Meter unit is convenient to define lengths in this example. To

change model unit Click on Construct tab -> Model unit
icon in define section -> model unit dialog box will
be appeared -> select unit as meter (m) -> OK.

Step-3: Define variable

To define model using variables, the variables must be
defined first. To define variable click on Construct tab ->
Add variable icon in define section -> create variable
dialog box will open -> enter the name of variable in
name space -> enter the numeric value or the
expression that evaluate the value of the variable ->
click on evaluate button-> click on Add button.

Multiple variables can be added by repeating the same

procedure. For this example enter the following variables:
Variable Description

Variable Name

Expression

Frequency

freq

900e6

Free space wavelength

lambda

c0/freq

Length of dipole

lambda/2

Step-4: Create a line primitive

To create a dipole model, a line of dipole length is created.
To create line click on Construct tab -> click on Line
icon in create curve section -> create line dialog
will be displayed -> under geometry tab define start
and end points.

Step-5: Define a wire port

Port is nothing but a point at which source or load can be
connected. To energized dipole antenna a wire port is connected
at the middle of the wire. To create a wire port click on
Source/Load tab-> click on Wire Port button in geometry
port section -> select the edge at which port is to be
connected->define the location of the port-> click on
Add.

Step-6: Source / Excitation

After creation of the port a voltage source is to be connected to the port. To excite the port
click on source/load tab-> click on voltage source icon in sources on port
section-> add voltage source dialog will be displayed ->select the port at which
the source is to be connected-> OK.

Step-7: Setup Solution Frequency

The frequency of the source must be defined in order to
simulate the geometry. A range of frequency can be
entered to the source in order to view the results at a
continuous range of frequency. To define frequency click
on source/load tab-> click on frequency button
in setting section-> solution frequency window will
be

displayed->

select

continuous

(interpolated

range) -> set start and end frequency -> ok

Step-8: Setup the solution request

It is the time to request the parameters of interest, in this
example we are requesting far field, current and s
parameters.
To request Far fields click on Request tab -> click on
far field button->request far field window appears->
define the region in spherical coordinate system->
click on horizontal cut (UV plane)-> create .

Similarly request vertical cut (UN plane) and 3D pattern.

To request current distribution click on request -> current ->
create. To request s Parameters click on request -> s
Parameters-> create.

Fig: Model after placing all the requests

Step-9: Meshing
Before solving the geometry it must be meshed. To create
meshing click on mesh tab -> click on create mesh
button in meshing

section

->

create

mesh

window opens -> select standard mesh size ->

enter wire segment radius -> mesh.

Step-10: CEM validate

After meshing, run CEM validate (computational electromagnetically validate), it will take
a note of warnings and errors regarding frequency, meshing, geometry and solutions.

Step-11: Save the model

Save the model before run FEKO solver.
Step-12: Step Run FEKO solver
To run the FEKO solver click on solve/run tab-> FEKO Solver button in run and
launch section->
executing runfeko window will open and execution of model will take place.

Copyright Techno India NJR Institute of Technology, Udaipur

17

Step-13: Viewing Result

Click on solve/run tab -> POSTFEKO -> POSTFEKO window will appear.

18

To see results like Radiation pattern (E-plane, H-plane and 3-D view) click on 3D view
construct tab and select the configuration for which you want to see the result.
In this example we have requested for radiation pattern (all types), current distribution in
dipole and S11 parameter. To see radiation pattern click on Far field and select the field for
which you have requested so, you will see radiation pattern as shown below:

Fig: 3D Radiation pattern

Fig: Elevation view of Radiation pattern

To see polar plot, select polar (on create new display tab) and select the required field from
Far field tab.

19

To see reflection coefficients (in dB) versus frequency plot, click on Cartesian button, and
you will see a Cartesian plot now On Source data tab ,select voltage source. This will show
a plot of reflection coefficient Vs frequency. Click on dB on right hand side window to
see values in dB.
You can also select the quantity from trace window.

Fig : Reflection coefficient Vs frequency plot

To see Current distribution in dipole, select the configuration from 3D view and add current
fron Add result tab. The results are shown in following figure.

Fig: current distribution

Example-2: Simulation of Monopole Antenna on a fnite

ground plane

Specifications

Solution requests

Centre frequency : 95MHz

Radiation patterns

Current distribution

Reflection coeficient

VSWR plot

2. MONOPOLE ANTENNA OVERVIEW

Straight conductor perpendicular on a conductive surface (i.e. ground plane), in which RF
signal is taken or applied between bottom end of straight conductor and ground plane, is
known as monopole antenna.
Generally it is made up of a vertical element over a circular ground plane having diameter
of (3*lambda)/(2*pi).
The radiation of the monopole antenna is of an omnidirectional pattern, depends on the size of
the ground plane. Monopole antenna having finite ground plane radiates in a skewed direction,
away from the horizontal plane.

Fig: Monopole antenna

21

 QUICK STEPS TO CREATE AND RUN MODEL

Step-1: Start CADFEKO by clicking

Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO -> Create a New Model
Step-2: Set the model unit to meters.
Step-3: Define the following variables:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Operating frequency : f = 95e6 Hz

free space wavelength : lambda = c0/f
length of monopole : h = lambda/4
radius of finite circular ground plane : R = 3*lambda/(2*pi)
Radius of wire segment : r = lambda*1e-5

Step-4: Create a line primitive with the start and end coordinates as
(0,0,0) and (0,0,h) respectively.
Step-5: Create finite ground plane using ellipse primitive.
Step-6: Union monopole line and ground plane.
Step-7: Define a wire port at one end of monopole line.
Step-8: Add a voltage source to the wire port.
Step-9: Set the solution frequency in continuous frequency range and
set start and end frequency .
Step-10: Set solution request e.g. Far field region, S-parameter, Current
etc.
Step-11: Mesh the model and run the FEKO solver.
Step-12: Launch POSTFEKO and view the requested results.

SIMULATION STEPS
Step-1: Start CADFEKO
To create structures in FEKO the CADFEKO must be launched by clicking on
Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO -> Create a new model.

Step-2: Set the model unit

Meter unit is convenient to define lengths in this example. To
change model unit Click on Construct tab ->
Model unit icon in define section -> model unit
dialog box will be appeared -> select unit as
meter (m) -> OK.

Step-3: Define variable

To define variable click on Construct tab -> Add variable icon in define section ->
create variable
dialog box will open -> enter the name of variable in name space ->
enter the numeric value or the expression that evaluate the value
of the variable -> click on evaluate button-> click on Add button.
Similarly add the following variable:
Variable Description

Variable

Expression

Name
Frequency

95e6

Free space wavelength

lambda

c0/f

Length of dipole

lambda/4

Radius of monopole

lambda*1e-5

Radius of ground plane

3*lambda/(2*pi)

Step-4: Create a line primitive

To creat a monopole model, a line of dipole length is created.
To creat line click on Construct tab -> click
on Line icon in create curve section ->
create line dialog will be displayed -> under
geometry tab define start and end points.
Step-5: Creation of finite ground plane using Ellipse
primitive
Select ellipse (from create surface section) on
construct tab and set centre point as (0, 0, 0)
and dimensions R on both radius of ellipse.

Step-6: Union
Select line and ellipse using ctrl key -> click on
Union button on Construct tab.

Step-7: Create wire port

To create wire port at intersection of line and
Ground plane select the Source/Load tab and
click on the Wire port ( in Geometry ports
group).The Create wire port dialog is displayed on
window. Before this, wire should be selected from detail
tree or we can select the line1 in the 3D view also. The
Edge field of dialog box indicates the selected wire. Set
the location on wire to the start. This will indicate a port
at start position of the monopole on the 3Dwindow.

Label it as port1.A completed Create wire port dialog is

shown in the image.
Step-8: Source / Excitation
To excite the port click on source/load tab-> click on voltage source
icon in sources
on port section-> add voltage source dialog will be displayed ->select
the port at which the source is to be connected-> OK.
Step-9: Solution frequency
To define frequency click on source/load tab->
click on frequency button in setting
section-> solution

frequency

window

will be displayed-> select continuous

(interpolated range) -> set start and
end frequency -> ok

Step-10: Setup the solution request

To view required result in POSTFEKO window the solution request is setup by Selecting
the Request tab and click on the Far fields button (in Solution requests group). Click on the
Horizontal cut (UV plane) to request the far field gain which to be calculated in the azimuth
direction. Label it as FarField1. Click on Create to request the far field and close the dialog,
as shown in figure. Similarly request for Vertical cut (UN plane and VN plane) and 3D
pattern. And create them.

To request for current distribution in dipole length, Select the Request tab and
click on the current button. Click on create to request current distribution
through length of dipole.
To request for S-parameter of dipole. Select the Request tab and click on the Sparameter button. Click on create to request for S-parameter.

Step-11: Meshing
The geometry is created, but before run FEKO
solver it is to be meshed for this select the Mesh
tab and click on the Create mesh button. Select
the standard mesh size and set the wire segment radius
equal to lambda*1e-5 and click on mesh. Dialog create
mesh is shown in fig.

Step-12: CEM validation

After the model has been meshed, run CEM validate. And check for any error. And save the
model.

Step-13: Run FEKO solver

After executing FEKO solver, run POST FEKO to display requested result

Step-14: Viewing Result

Click on solve/run tab -> POSTFEKO -> POSTFEKO
The model of monopole in POSTFEKO window will be displayed as shown in
figure below.

To view results like Radiation pattern (E-plane, H-plane and 3-D view) click on 3D view
construct tab and select the configuration for which you want to see the result.
Select the far field and see the result

Fig:3D radiation pattern(Top view)

Fig: polar plot

To see reflection coefficient (in dB) versus frequency plot click on Cartesian button, on
Source data, select voltage source. This will show a plot of reflection coefficient Vs
frequency. Click on dB on right hand side window to see reflection coefficient in dB.
You can also select different quantity from trace window like Gain, VSWR etc. The results
are shown in following figure:

Fig: Reflection coefficient (dB) Vs frequency plot

Fig: VSWR Vs frequency

Fig: Current distribution through monopole

Fig: Smith chart

Example 3: Simulation of Microstrip Circular Patch

Antenna
Specifications

Solution requests

Substrate height : 6.36mm

Radiation patterns

Substrate dielectric constant

:2.0
Centre frequency : 1GHz

Current distribution

Reflection coeficient

Feeding method: Pin feed

3. MICROSTRIP CIRCULAR PATCH ANTENNA OVERVIEW

Microstrip patch antenna consists of a flat conductive sheet i.e. patch of a particular shape
like rectangle, triangle, circular etc., mounted over a larger sheet of metal called a ground
plane.
In this example, patch antenna (pin feed) designed to operate close to 1.0 GHz. The model
is constructed using a finite size substrate. The dielectric substrate (permittivity of 2.0 and
tangent loss = 0) used is modeled with a finite substrate.

Fig: patch on a finite substrate

QUICK STEPS TO CREATE AND RUN MODEL

Step-1: Start CADFEKO by clicking

Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO -> Create a New
Model
Step-2: Set the model unit to millimeters.
Step-3: Add variables to model.
Step-4: Create finite ground plane using cuboids primitive.
Step-5: Create circular patch using ellipse primitive.
Step-6: Add new dielectric medium type.
Step-7: Specify fed position.
Step-8: Union the all above three structure.
Step-9: Set properties of substrate.
Step-10: Set patch and Ground Face as PEC (perfect electric
conductor).
Step-10: Add wire port.
Step-11: Add Voltage source/Excitation.
Step-12: Set the solution frequency in continuous frequency range
and set start and end frequency .
Step-13: Set solution request e.g. Far field region, S-parameter,
current etc.
Step-14: Mesh the model and run the FEKO solver.
Step-15: Launch POSTFEKO and view the requested results.

SIMULATION STEPS

Step-1: Start CADFEKO

To create structures in FEKO the CADFEKO must be launched by clicking on
Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO -> Create a new model
Step-2: Set the model unit
To change model unit Click on Construct tab -> Model unit icon in define
section ->
model unit dialog box will be appeared -> select unit as millimeter
(mm) -> OK.
Step-3: Add variables
To define variable click on Construct tab -> Add variable icon in define
section ->
create variable dialog box will open -> enter the name of variable in
name space -> enter the numeric value or the expression that evaluate the
value of the variable -> click on evaluate button-> click on Add button.
Similarly add the following variables.
Variable Description

Variable Name

Expression

Frequency

1e9

Free space wavelength

lambda

(c0/f)*1e3

Substrate width

sw

160

Substrate depth

sd

160

Substrate height

6.360

Dielectric constant

epsr

2.0

Radius of patch

57.9

Radius of wire pin

0.8

Feed distance

Sf

13.36

Step-4: Create finite ground plane

Create the substrate using cuboid primitive with the Base centre, width, depth,
height definition method. Set the Base centre to (0, 0, 0) and dimensions as
Width = Sw, Depth = Sd, Height = -H. Label it as substrate. Click on OK.

Step-5: Create circular patch

A circular patch on substrate may be
created using ellipse primitive. Select
ellipse primitive from construct tab and
set

centre

point

as

(0,

0,

0)

and

dimensions Radius (U) & Radius (V) as

R. Label this to Patch, as shown in Fig.

Step-6: Add a new dielectric medium type

To define properties of substrate, a
new dielectric medium is to be added.
This can be defined by selecting the
Construct tab and clicking on the Media button (in
Define group). All dielectric should be created
before use in the model. In this example we select
a dielectric material with zero loss tangent and
having relative permittivity of 2.0. For this select
the Dielectric modeling tab. Set the Definition
method to Frequency independent. We have
ready

created

variable

for

the

relative

permittivity which is epsr, so write epsr in the

Relative

permittivity

field.

Write

0.0

for

the

Dielectric loss tangent and label it as substrate

into the Label field and click on create button.
Step-7: Create wire pin (Fed position)
Now we create the wire pin that shows fed
position from the centre of circular patch. Click
on the Line button (in Create curve group) to
create the fed pin. Since we have created variables for the
distance of the fed pin from the centre of the patch. Simply
enter the values as shown below:
Start point (U, V, N) => (0, Sf, 0)
End point (U, V, N) => (0, Sf, -H)

Step-8: Union
Select the three geometry parts (substrate, ground and line 1) in the model tree
and click on the Union button (in Modify group) of construct tab.

Step-9: Set properties of substrate

Set the properties of substrate (cuboid)
as substrate (dielectric medium) by right
clicking on Region (in detail tree) and in
properties tab set Region medium as
substrate because it is already created
by us.

Step-10: Set patch and Ground Face as PEC (perfect

electric conductor)
To set circular patch and Ground plane medium as PEC,
these faces should be selected. From detail tree we select
the required face. The selected face will be highlighted in

3-D view. Right click on selected face and select

properties of it. This opens Face properties dialog box,
change medium to perfect electric conductor. Click on OK.

Step-11: Add a segment wire port

To add a wire port on the middle of the
wire, Select the Source/Load tab and
click on the Wire port button. This opens
create wire port dialog box. Set location of wire to
middle and click OK.

Step-12: Add voltage source

Voltage source to the port1 is added by
selecting the Source/Load tab and click on
the Voltage source button (in Sources on
ports group). Magnitude and phase of applied
voltage source is set to 1 and 0 respectively. Click on
Ok.

Step-13: Setup solution frequency

Click on the Frequency button (Settings group) to set the frequency range of the
simulation. Select the Continuous (interpolated) range and enter the starting and
ending frequency as 0.8e9 Hz and 1.5e9 Hz respectively.
Step-14: Requesting calculations
Request S-parameter by clicking on S-parameter on request tab.
Step-15: Meshing
The geometry is created, but before run FEKO solver it is to be for this select the
Mesh tab and click on the Create mesh button. Select the mesh size to standard

setting and wire segment radius equal to r. And click on mesh.

Step-16: CEM validation

After the model has been meshed, run CEM validate. And check for any error. And save the
model.
Step-17: Run FEKO solver
After executing FEKO solver, run POST FEKO to display requested result

Step-18: Viewing Result

The model creation and execution process is complete. Now run POSTFEKO to view the
results. We are going to view the reflection coefficient Vs frequency plot of the patch
antenna.
In POSTFEKO window, create a Cartesian graph, Click on the
Source data and select VoltageSource1. On right side of the
POSTFEKO window (Traces section), set the quantity to Reflection
coefficient. Display shows the reflection coefficient Vs frequency plot
on Cartesian graph.

Fig: Reflection coefficient (dB) Vs frequency

4. RECTANGULAR HORN ANTENNA OVERVIEW

A horn antenna consists of a flaring metal waveguide
shaped like a horn to direct the radio waves.
Features of horn antenna are moderate directivity (gain),
low SWR, broad bandwidth, and simple construction and
adjustment.
Fig: Illustration of the horn antenna

A horn antenna is used to transmit radio waves from a waveguide (a metal pipe used to
carry radio waves) out into space, or collect radio waves into a waveguide for reception. It
typically consists of a short length of rectangular or cylindrical metal tube (the waveguide),
closed at one end, flaring into an open-ended conical or pyramidal shaped horn on the
other end. The geometry used in this example is a rectangular horn that is excited by a
waveguide feed.

Copyright Techno India NJR Institute of Technology, Udaipur

37

 QUICK STEPS TO CREATE AND RUN MODEL

Step-1: Start CADFEKO by clicking

Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO -> Create a New Model
Step-2: Set the model unit to meters.
Step-3: Add variables to model.
Step-4: Create Waveguide section using cuboids primitive.
Step-5: Create Horn using flare primitive.
Step-6: Union the all above structure.
Step-7: Delete face of flare and waveguide section.
Step-8: Create Waveguide port to bottom face of waveguide section.
Step-9: Add Waveguide Excitation to waveguide port.
Step-10: Set the solution frequency in continuous frequency range
and set start and end frequency .
Step-11: Set solution request e.g. Far field region, S-parameter,
current etc.
Step-12: Define symmetry. (It is optional).
Step-13: Mesh the model and run the FEKO solver.
Step-12: Launch POSTFEKO and view the requested results.

SIMULATION STEPS
Step-1: Start CADFEKO
To create structures in FEKO the CADFEKO must be launched by clicking on
Programs -> FEKO -> Suite 7.0 -> CADFEKO -> Create a new model.
Step-2: Set the model unit
Meter unit is convenient to define lengths in this example. To change model unit
Click on Construct tab -> Model unit icon in define section -> model
unit dialog box wil be appeared -> select unit as meter (m) -> OK.
Step-3: Define variable

To define variable click on Construct tab -> Add variable icon in define
section -> create variable dialog box will open -> enter the name of
variable in name space -> enter the numeric value or the expression
that evaluate the value of the variable -> click on evaluate button->
click on Add button.
Similarly add the entire variable as shown in table:
Variable Description

Variable Name

Expression

Frequency

2e9

Maximum frequency

fmax

1.2*f

Minimum frequency

fmin

0.8*f

Free space wavelength

lambda

c0/f

Height of aperture

aperture_height

0.4117

Width of aperture

aperture_width

0.53555

Flare length

flare_length

0.45151

Waveguide length

waveguide_length

0.2248

Waveguide height

waveguide_height

0.05883

Waveguide width

waveguide_width

0.1177

Mesh size

mesh_port

lambda/20

Step-4: Creation of waveguide section

Create the waveguide section using a cuboid
primitive and set definition method to Base
corner, width, depth, height. The Base corner
coordinates are set to (-waveguide_width/2,
-waveguide_height/2,
dimensions

width

-waveguide_length/2),
as

waveguide_width,

depth

and
as

waveguide_height and height as waveguide_length (in

the y-direction). Label it as waveguide_section.as shown
in Fig.

Step-5: Create Horn using flare primitive

Create

the

horn

using

the

flare

primitive with its base centre at the

origin and using the definition method
to: Base centre, width, depth, height, top width,
top depth. The bottom width and bottom depth are
waveguide_width , waveguide_height. The height,
top

width

and

top

depth

are

aperture_width, aperture_height

flare_length,
respectively.

Label it as horn_flare. Dialog box for this is shown

in Fig.
Step-6: Union
Union the two structure (Waveguide_section and horn_flare) by union button on
construct tab.

Step-7: Delete faces

Delete the face lying on the uv-plane of horn_flare. And
Also delete the face opposite to the face at the origin(uv
plane) of waveguide_section. This can be done by
selecting individual faces from Detail tree on left-hand side.
Step-8: Waveguide port
Now select the bottom face of waveguide_section
and create waveguide port on it, this can be done by
selecting waveguide port on create

ports (in construct

tab).

Selected face will be displayed in Face field of opened dialog

box. In this dialog box set Rotate reference direction as 0 degree.
And label it as port1. Click on OK.

Step-9: Waveguide excitation

A

waveguide

excitation

is

applied

to

the selected

waveguide

port.

For

this

select waveguide excitation from source/Load

tab. In
port field the selected port will be displayed. Select
excite fundamental
it

mode

only

and

Label

as

WaveguideExcitation1.

There is also option to manually specify the mode of

excitation.

Step-10: Solution frequency setup

Select
start

continuous
frequency

as

range

and

set

fmin

and

end

frequency as fmax.

Step-11: Solution request setup

To request for Far field click on far field
button on Request tab and select vertical cut
(UN plane) and specify range of theta and phi as shown in Fig. and label it as E_plane_cut.
Similarly for 3D pattern select 3D pattern and specify range of theta and phi as shown
in
Fig. and label it as 3D_pattern.
To request for S-parameter click on S-parameter button (in Request tab)
and create it.

To request for current distribution in antenna, click on current button and

create it.

Step-12: Symmetry
For Waveguide port we have selected the reference
direction

as

degree

so

the

model

has

magnetic symmetry at x=0 and electric symmetry at

y=0.
Click on the Symmetry button (Solution settings group)
on solve/Run tab. set the symmetry.

Step-13: Meshing
The geometry is created, but before run FEKO
solver it is to be for this select the Mesh tab
and click on the Create mesh button. Select the
custom mesh size and enter triangle edge
length to be mesh_port.

Step-14: CEM Validate

After the model has been meshed, run CEM validate. And check for any error. And save
the model.
Step-15: Run FEKO solver
After executing FEKO solver, run POST FEKO to display requested result.
Step-16: Viewing Results
Click on POSTFEKO opens POSTFEKO window.

To see results like Radiation pattern (E-plane, H-plane and 3-D view) click on 3D view
under construct tab and select the configuration for which you want to see the result.
Select the far field and see the result.

Fig: Radiation pattern (polar plot)

Fig: Radiation pattern (polar plot)

Fig: Beam width calculation

Fig: S-parameter Vs Frequency plot

Fig: Current distribution

5. YAGI-UDA ANTENNA
Keywords: antenna, Yagi-Uda antenna, real ground, infinite planar Greens function,
optimisation
In this example we consider the radiation of a horizontally polarised Yagi-Uda antenna
consisting of a dipole, a reflector and three directors. The frequency is 400 MHz. The
antenna is located 3 m above a real ground which is modeled with the Greens function
formulation. Note that the model provided with this example includes a basic optimisation.
The optimization is set up such that the optimal dimensions of the antenna may be
determined to achieve a specific gain pattern (maximize the forward gain and minimize
back lobes).

5.1 Antenna and ground plane

Creating the model
The steps for setting up the model are as follows:
1. Define the following variables:
freq = 400e6 (Operating frequency.)
lambda = c0/freq (The wavelength in free space at the operating frequency.)
lr = 0.477*lambda (Length of the reflector.)
li = 0.451*lambda (Length of the active element.)
ld = 0.442*lambda (Length of the directors.)
d = 0.25*lambda (Spacing between elements.)
h = 3 (Height of the antenna above ground.)
epsr = 10 (Relative permittivity of the ground.)
sigma = 1e-3 (Ground conductivity.)

 wireRadius = 1e-3 (Wire radius (1 mm).)

2. Create the active element with start point as (0, -li/2, h) and the end point as (0,
li/2,h). Set the label as active Element.
3. Add a vertex port in the centre of the wire.
4. Add a voltage source on the port. (1 V, 0_, 50 )
5. Create the wire for the reflector. Set the Start point as (-d, -lr/2, h) and the End point
as (-d, lr/2, h). Set the label as reflector.
6. Create the three wires for the directors.
Director
director1
director2
director3

Start point
(d, -ld/2, h)
(2*d, -ld/2, h)
(3*d, -ld/2, h)

End point
(d, ld/2, h)
(2*d, ld/2, h)
(3*d, ld/2, h)

7. Create a dielectric called ground with relative permittivity of epsr and conductivity
equal to sigma.
8. Set the lower half space to ground. This can be done by setting the infinite plane to
use the exact Sommerfeld integrals.
9. Set the frequency to freq.
Requesting calculations
A single plane of electrical symmetry on the Y=0 plane is used in the solution of this
problem.
The solution requests are:
_ Create a vertical far field request above the ground plane. (-90____90_, with _=0 and
_=0.5_ increments)
_ Set the Workplane origin of the far field request to (0, 0, 3).
Meshing information
Use the standard auto-meshing option with the wire segment radius equal to wireRadius.
CEM validate
After the model has been meshed, run CEM validate. Take note of any warnings and errors.
Correct any errors before running the FEKO solution kernel.
Note that a warning may be encountered when running the solution. This is because losses
cannot be calculated in an infinitely large medium, as is required for the extraction of
antenna directivity information (gain is computed by default). This warning can be avoided
by ensuring that the far field gain be calculated instead of the directivity. This is set on the
Advanced tab of the far field request in the tree.
A-5.2 Results
The radiation pattern is calculated in the H plane of the antenna. A simulation without the
ground plane is compared with the results from the model provided for this example in
Figure A-5-2. As expected, the ground plane greatly influences the radiation pattern. (Note
that the graph is a vertical polar plot of the gain in dB for the two cases.)

Directivity pattern of Yagi-Uda antenna over a real ground and without any ground.
Note that the optimised pattern is also shown.

6. HORN FED REFLECTOR ANTENNA

Creating the model

The model is created in two parts; create the horn first and second the parabolic dish. Start
by defining following variables:

freq = 12.5e9 (The operating frequency.)

lam = c0/freq (Free space wavelength.)
lam_w = 0.0293 (The guide wavelength.)
h_a = 0.51*lam (The waveguide radius.)
h_b0 = 0.65*lam (Flare base radius.)
h_b = lam (Flare top radius.)
h_l = 3.05*lam (Flare length.)
ph_centre = -2.6821e-3 (Horn phase centre.)
R = 18*lam (Reflector radius.)
F = 25*lam (Reflector focal length.)
w_l = 2*lam_w (The waveguide length.)

The steps for creating the horn are as follows:

Create a cylinder along the Z axis with the base centre at (0,0,-w_l-h_l), a radius h_a
and a height w_l. Label the cylinder waveguide.
Create a cone with a base centre (0,0,-h_l), a base radius h_b0, a height h_l and a
top
radius h_b. Label the cone flare. Union the two parts and then simplify the resulting
union. Rename the new part to horn.
Delete the face on the end of the horn.
Rotate the horn with -90_ after setting the axis direction to (0, 1, 0).
Set a local mesh size of lam/20 on the face at the back of the waveguide section.
Create a waveguide port on the same face.
Add a waveguide excitation on the waveguide port (Excite the fundamental mode use the default settings).

The horn is now complete. The next step is to create the parabolic reflector.

Create a paraboloid at (0, 0, F) with radius R and depth -F.

Label the paraboloid reflector.
Rotate the reflector with -90_ after setting the axis direction to (0, 1, 0)
Solve the model with the Multilevel Fast Multipole Method (MLFMM).
Couple the MLFMM and PO by enabling the Couple PO and MoM/MLFMM solutions
(iterative technique) option on the High frequency tab under Solve/Run -> Solver
settings.
Set the face properties of the reflector to use PO - always illuminated, during the
solution.

References
1. Antenna theory by C.A Balanis.
2. Microwave engineering by David M Pozar.
3. Antennas for all applications by John D Kraus.
4. Users manuals of Feko suite
5. Getting started manual feko suite.