Numerical Modeling In Antenna Engineering
Abstract
The principal computational electromagnetics techniques for solving antenna problems are reviewed. An introduction is given on a historical review of how antenna problems were solved in the past. The call for precise solutions calls for the use of numerical methods as found in computational electromagnetics. A brief introduction on differential equation solutions and integral solutions is given. The Green's function concept is introduced to facilitate the formulation of integral equations. Numerical methods and fast algorithms to solve these equations are discussed. Then an overview of how electromagnetic theory relates to circuit theory is presented. Then the concept of partial element equivalence circuit is introduced to facilitate solutions to more complex problems. In antenna technology, one invariably has to have a good combined understanding of the wave theory and circuit theory. Next, the discussion on the computation of electromagnetic solutions in the "twilight zone" where circuit theory meets wave theory was presented. Solutions valid for the wave physics regime often become unstable facing low-frequency catastrophe when the frequency is low. Due to advances in nanofabrication technology, antennas can be made in the optical frequency regime. But their full understanding requires the full solutions of Maxwell's equations. Also, many models, such as perfect electric conductors, which are valid at microwave frequency, are not valid at optical frequency. Hence, many antenna concepts need rethinking in the optical regime. Next, an emerging area of the use of eigenanalysis methods for antenna design is discussed. This can be the characteristic mode analysis or the natural mode analysis. These analysis methods offer new physical insight not possible by conventional numerical methods. Then the discussion on the use of the domain decomposition method to solve highly complex and multi-scale antenna structures is given. Antennas, due to the need to interface with the circuit theory, often have structures ranging from a fraction of a wavelength to a tiny fraction of a wavelength. This poses a new computational challenge that can be overcome by the domain decomposition method. Many antenna designs in the high-frequency regime or the ray optics regime are guided by ray physics and the adjoining mathematics. These mathematical techniques are often highly complex due to the rich physics that come with ray optics. The discussion on the use of these new mathematical techniques to reduce computational workload and offering new physical insight is given. A conclusion section is given to summarize this chapter and allude to future directions.
Recommended Citation
W. C. Chew et al., "Numerical Modeling In Antenna Engineering," Handbook of Antenna Technologies, vol. 1, pp. 111 - 195, Springer, Sep 2016.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4560-44-3_6
Department(s)
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Antenna modeling; Calderon preconditioning; Characteristic mode analysis; Circuit theory; Computational electromagnetics; Design rules; Directivity; Domain decomposition; Equivalence principle algorithm; Fast algorithms; Gain; High-frequency asymptotics; Low-frequency breakdown; Nanoantennas; Normal mode expansion; Numerical steepest descent path; PEEC; Wave theory
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-981456044-3;978-981456043-6
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2024 Springer, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
15 Sep 2016
