Tips for Using UTD

Several tips are presented to reduce runtime and memory consumption when using hybrid methods involving the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD).

  • Decouple the MoM and UTD parts if the coupling is negligible
    If the UTD part of the model does not significantly influence the MoM part of the model, then the MoM and UTD can be decoupled. This removes the coupling matrix and saves computational resources.
  • Minimize the number of field points and MoM elements (or source points)
    Each far field point or near field point requires a ray to be traced to that point from each MoM element or source via all the UTD interaction points. Reducing the number of field points and MoM elements (sources) reduces the computation time. A radiation pattern point source in a UTD solution is at least M times faster than a near field source where M is the number of near field points in the source.
  • Reduce the number of polygonal plates
    The UTD method traces an optical ray from each MoM element (or source point) to each far field or near field point. Although no mesh elements are stored for UTD parts, a ray is traced to each edge, corner and plate centre of each polygonal plate in the model. Therefore removing unnecessary geometry from the UTD model reduces the runtime.