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Comprehensive Electromagnec Soluons

www.feko.info  FEKO is a product of EM Software & Systems - S.A. (Pty) Ltd

 Antenna Design and Placement with

FEKO and Antenna Magus A case study, showing the design of an array antenna for the proximity fuse of an air

defence missile, is performed to illustrate the combined use of Antenna Magus* and

FEKO.

The array synthesis tool in

 Antenna Magus is used to design

a linear array with a 45° scan

angle and a Dolph- Chebyshev

excitation taper (the latter

chosen to control the side

lobes to below -20 dB). Due

to conformal requirements, a

microstrip patch antenna with

FR4 as substrate is selected as

the radiating element. Antenna

Magus is used to estimate the

performance of the array. These

results are saved in a FEKO

file format. The antenna model

is exported from Antenna Magus to a CADFEKO file format for further analysis in FEKO.

Two simulation methods are used to test the antenna design in FEKO:

• A model based on the MoM planar Green’s function (MoM-GF) to quickly verify the

design. This method takes into account mutual coupling, but not nite ground plane

effects.

• A model based on the FEM-MLFMM, a full-wave solution method that includes both

mutual coupling and finite ground plane effects, to accurately determine performance.

POSTFEKO is used to compare the antenna’s predicted performance, estimated with

antenna theory in Antenna Magus, to its performance accurately simulated with FEKO.

The results show good comparison and confirm that the antenna adheres to design

specifications.

The final part of the case study investigates the functioning of the antenna in its

intended operating environment. The antenna is integrated onto a mock-up of an

air defence missile in CADFEKO. The problem can be dealt with effectively using the

FEM-MLFMM hybrid formulation, treating the complex conformal dielectric antenna

and the cavity it resides in with the FEM and the electrically large missile with

the MLFMM. The analysis shows that the antenna’s performance is not degraded

significantly by conforming it to the missile body and little spurious effects are

introduced by the proximity of the missile.

Estimation of array performance using the 

array synthesis tool in Antenna Magus 

The currents flowing on the missile body 

and the farfields radiated by the conformal 

array, plotted in POSTFEKO 

*Antenna Magus is a product of MAGUS (Pty) Ltd. It can be obtained through FEKO distribution channels.

The main lobe of the mounted antenna 

(blue) has the required 45° squint,

comparing well to the planar antenna (red) 

CADFEKO model of a mock-up air defence missile with 

conformal microstrip antenna array 

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www.feko.info  Copyright © 2013 EM Software & Systems - S.A. (Pty) Ltd

THE FIRST ANTENNA DESIGN TOOL OF ITS KIND

 Antenna Magus* is a software tool that assists engineers in the process of designing and modelling antennas. It has an extensive,searchable collection of antennas that can be used with ease to design an antenna for a given set of specifications. The models of

the designed antennas can be exported to FEKO for further analysis.

 Antenna Magus is suitable

for a broad range of

applications due to the large,

ever increasing number of

antennas in its database. Its

feature set is aimed at helping

engineers in the early stages

of a design by providing a comprehensive overview of literature, general information, design guidelines and first approximation

results. Customised antenna designs and information can be added by the user, for later redesign or to share with colleagues.

 Antenna Magus also provides antenna engineers with utilities such as an array synthesis tool, a chart tracing tool and substrate

and waveguide libraries.

Its seamless integration with FEKO quickly leads the design engineer to the customisation phase of an antenna design. After

visualising performance graphs and validating the initial design, a parametric model can be exported to FEKO for customisation

and in-depth analysis. These

features simplify the day-to-day

work of antenna designers and

creators of electromagneticmodels, ensuring that projects are

completed within specification and

on time.

The combination of Antenna

Magus with FEKO also provides

a powerful solution for antenna

placement analysis. Representative

models of customised or standard

third party antennas can easily be

exported from Antenna Magus into

FEKO where they can be placed

onto platforms for comprehensive

performance analysis in their

operating environments.

• Verify performance by simulating accurately

• Customize for optimised performance

• Consider operating environment

• Create final design

Build and

measure

prototype• Select suitable antenna configuration

• Create first order design

• Estimate performance

• Export parametric CADFEKO model

Define

system

specifications

 Antenna Magus

Explore  Estimate performance 

Design  Export 

*Antenna Magus is a product of MAGUS (Pty) Ltd. It can be obtained through FEKO distribution channels.

Where does Antenna Magus fit into the design process?

FREE EVALUATION AND MORE INFORMATIONIf you are interested in learning more about Antenna Magus, please visit the

 Antenna Magus section of the FEKO website.