Feko is a comprehensive electromagnetic solver with multiple solution methods that is used for electromagnetic field analyses
involving 3D objects of arbitrary shapes.
3D views are used to display and interact with the model. You can zoom, rotate and pan around a 3D model using the keyboard,
mouse or a combination of both. You can use a 3D mouse, specify a view or select specific parts of a model. Multiple 3D
views are supported.
Define field or current data using either far field data, near field data, spherical mode data or PCB current data. Use
the field/current definition when defining an equivalent source or a receiving antenna.
Define a medium with specific material properties, import a predefined medium from the media library or add a medium from
your model to the media library.
Defined media can be applied to the model in various ways. Some media settings are applied to regions, others on faces
and wires. The rules for defining media varies between the different solution methods.
Use a periodic boundary condition (PBC) to analyse infinite periodic structures. A typical application of PBC is to
analyse frequency selective surface (FSS) structures.
Create an arbitrary finite antenna array that consists of an array of contributing elements, either with direct feeds for
each element or via indirect coupling, and solve with the efficient domain Green's function method (DGFM).
Use the windscreen tools to define a curved reference surface constrained by a cloud of points, normals and optional U′V′ parameters. The constrained surface is then used as a reference to create a work surface where windscreen layers and curved
parameterised windscreen antenna elements can be created.
Many electromagnetic compatibility and interference problems involve cables that either radiate, irradiate or cause coupling
into other cables, devices or antennas. Use the cable modelling tool and solver to analyse the coupling and radiation.
For a frequency domain result, the electromagnetic fields and currents are calculated at a single frequency or frequency
range. When the finite difference time domain (FDTD) solver is used, the frequency must be specified to convert the native time domain results to the frequency domain.
The excitation of an antenna is normally specified as a complex voltage, but it may be useful to specify the total radiated
or source power instead. The result is then scaled to yield the desired source power level.
A port is a mathematical representation of where energy can enter (source) or leave a model (sink). Use a port to
add sources and discrete loads to a model.
An “equivalent” source is a numerically equivalent (simulated or measured) of a complex source. Significant reductions in computational
requirements is achieved when solving a complex problem through model decomposition and using an equivalent
source.
Apply an array of electric and magnetic dipoles in the model (in the form of a planar, cylindrical or spherical aperture)
that is equivalent to measured or calculated field values.
Apply an impressed spherical mode excitation based on pre-calculated spherical modes. The spherical modes are either
radiating to infinity or incident onto a structure (converging on the coordinate system origin).
Apply impressed line currents in the model to represent a printed circuit board (PCB). The impressed line currents
are equivalent to the current values calculated for the traces and vias of a PCB.
Obtain multiple solutions for a single model using multiple configurations. Multiple configurations remove the requirement
to create multiple models with different solution requests.
Use an infinite plane or half-space to model a ground plane efficiently. The number of triangles in the model is reduced
as the ground plane is not discretised into triangles.
A CADFEKO.cfm file can be imported into EDITFEKO to make use of more advanced features available in EDITFEKO and to directly edit the .pre file for more flexible solution configurations.
During the design process, the development of a model can introduce a range of issues that can lead to a non-simulation-ready
model. Use the validation toolset to verify that the model is simulation-ready or to search, detect and flag discrepancies.
The default solver used in Feko is the method of moments (MoM) - surface equivalence principle (SEP). Whether a solver is specified per model, per face or per region, depends on the solver in question.
CADFEKO has a collection of tools that allow you to quickly validate the model, for example, perform calculations using
a calculator, measure distances, measure angles and export images.
EDITFEKO is used to construct advanced models (both the geometry and solution requirements) using a high-level scripting language
which includes loops and conditional statements.
One of the key features in Feko is that it includes a broad set of unique and hybridised solution methods. Effective use of Feko features requires an understanding of the available methods.
Feko offers state-of-the-art optimisation engines based on generic algorithm (GA) and other methods, which can be used
to automatically optimise the design and determine the optimum solution.
Feko writes all the results to an ASCII output file .out as well as a binary output file .bof for usage by POSTFEKO. Use the .out file to obtain additional information about the solution.
CADFEKO and POSTFEKO have a powerful, fast, lightweight scripting language integrated into the application allowing you to create
models, get hold of simulation results and model configuration information as well as manipulation of data and automate
repetitive tasks.
An “equivalent” source is a numerically equivalent (simulated or measured) of a complex source. Significant reductions in computational
requirements is achieved when solving a complex problem through model decomposition and using an equivalent
source.
Apply an impressed spherical mode excitation based on pre-calculated spherical modes. The spherical modes are either
radiating to infinity or incident onto a structure (converging on the coordinate system origin).
Apply an impressed spherical mode excitation based on pre-calculated spherical modes.
The spherical modes are either radiating to infinity or incident onto a structure
(converging on the coordinate system origin).
This excitation option can be used for the synthesis of an arbitrary electromagnetic
field as well as determining the response of a receiving antenna due to the incident
modes.
On the Source/Load tab, in the
Equivalent sources group, click the Spherical modes icon.
In the Magnitude scale factor field, specify the scaling
factor.
In the Phase offset (degrees) field, specify the phase
(in degrees) to be added to the phase of the fields.
In the Field data field, specify the field data to be used to define the spherical modes source.
In the Position field, specify where the source is to be
placed.
In the Orientation field, specify the orientation of the
source.
In the Label field, add a unique label for the spherical
modes source.
Click the Create button to create the spherical
modes source and to close the dialog.