Altair Feko 2021.1 Documentation
Altair Feko 2021.1 Documentation

  1. Home
  2. CADFEKO

    CADFEKO is used to create and mesh the geometry or model mesh, specify the solution settings and calculation requests in a graphical environment.

  3. Quick Tour of the CADFEKO Interface

    View the main elements and terminology in the CADFEKO application window.

  • Release Notes
  • Get Started
  • Examples
  • Introduction to Feko
  • CADFEKO
  • POSTFEKO
  • EDITFEKO
  • Feko Solution Methods
  • Optimisation in Feko
  • Feko Utilities
  • Description of the Output File of Feko
  • Feko Application Macros
  • Scripts and Application Programming Interface (API)
  • Appendix
Index
Altair Feko 2021.1 Documentation

Altair Feko 2021.1 Documentation
  • Release Notes

    See what's new in the latest release.

  • Get Started

    The Feko Getting Started Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to get started with Feko.

  • Examples

    The Feko Example Guide contains a collection of examples that teaches you Feko concepts and essentials.

  • Introduction to Feko

    Feko is a comprehensive electromagnetic solver with multiple solution methods that is used for electromagnetic field analyses involving 3D objects of arbitrary shapes.

  • CADFEKO

    CADFEKO is used to create and mesh the geometry or model mesh, specify the solution settings and calculation requests in a graphical environment.

    • Introduction to CADFEKO

      Use CADFEKO to configure a solver-ready input file for Solver simulations.

    • Quick Tour of the CADFEKO Interface

      View the main elements and terminology in the CADFEKO application window.

      • Quick Access Toolbar

        The quick access toolbar is a small toolbar that gives quick access to actions that are often performed.

      • Ribbon

        The ribbon is a command bar that groups similar actions in a series of tabs.

      • Configuration List

        The configuration list displays all configurations in the model.

      • Model Tree

        The model tree contains the variables, named points, the model-creation hierarchy, ports and configuration-specific items of the model. The model tree is split between construction and configuration items.

      • Details Tree

        The details tree panel displays the relevant wires, edges, faces and regions for the geometry or mesh part selected in the Construction tab.

      • Status Bar

        The status bar is the small toolbar that provides access to macro recording, general display settings, tools, selection method and type, snap settings and the model unit.

      • Message Window

        The message window panel displays general information as well as error and warning messages. Error and warning messages include links to the relevant wires, edges, faces or regions that resulted in the warning or error.

      • Notes View

        The notes view is a rich-text editor tool that allows you to add comments to your model.

      • 3D View

        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.

      • Navigate the 3D View Using Keyboard and Mouse

        Navigate the 3D view using a mouse, a keyboard or a combination of both.

      • Help

        The Help icon provides access to the Feko documentation.

      • Search Bar

        The search bar is a single-line text field that allows you to enter search terms and find relevant information in the GUI or the documentation.

      • Application Launcher

        The application launcher toolbar is a small toolbar that provides quick access to other Feko components.

      • Application Menu

        The application menu is similar to a standard file menu of an application. It allows saving and loading of models, print functionality and gives access to application-wide settings.

      • Scripting

        Use the application programming interface (API) to control CADFEKO from an external script.

    • Preferences

      CADFEKO has various default settings that you can configure to customise it to your preference.

    • Saving a Model

      Store the unmeshed CADFEKO model and calculation requests to a .cfx file to reopen later.

    • 3D View

      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.

    • Model Definitions

      Define the model unit, variables, named points, workplanes and the model extents for the model.

    • Constructing Geometry

      Create fully parametric and complex CAD geometry using canonical structures and perform Boolean operations on these.

    • Component Library

      The component library contains an extensive list of common components, such as antennas and platforms.

    • Assemblies

      An assembly is a tool that is used to organise geometry and mesh parts. It allows you to group the geometry or mesh parts in the model tree.

    • Repairing Geometry
    • Repairing Mesh Parts

      Mesh parts can be manipulated in CADFEKO. Basic mesh editing and fixing capabilities allow triangles to be added, removed and mesh parts to be merged.

    • Importing Models into CADFEKO

      Import a CAD (geometry) model or mesh model from a wide range of industry formats into CADFEKO to save time and development costs.

    • Exporting Models from CADFEKO

      A CADFEKO model can be exported to a variety of industry standard geometry and mesh formats to be used in other applications.

    • Field/Current Data

      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.

    • Defining Media

      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.

    • Applying Media Settings

      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.

    • Periodic Boundary Condition (PBC)

      Use a periodic boundary condition (PBC) to analyse infinite periodic structures. A typical application of PBC is to analyse frequency selective surface (FSS) structures.

    • Finite Antenna Arrays

      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).

    • Windscreen Tools

      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.

    • Cables

      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.

    • Solution Frequency

      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.

    • Power

      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.

    • Ports

      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.

    • Sources

      A source is used to excite or illuminate the model and cause current to flow.

    • Loads and Non-Radiating Networks

      Complex feed networks can be simplified by including them as a circuit representation using general network blocks.

    • Multiple Configurations

      Obtain multiple solutions for a single model using multiple configurations. Multiple configurations remove the requirement to create multiple models with different solution requests.

    • Requesting Calculations

      Before running the Solver, define the output requests.

    • Infinite Planes and Half-Spaces

      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.

    • Meshing the Geometry / Model Mesh
    • Working with CADFEKO Models in EDITFEKO

      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.

    • Validating the CADFEKO Model

      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.

    • Solver Settings

      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.

    • Component Launch Options

      Specify the command-line parameters for the Feko components.

    • Tools

      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.

    • Model Tree Icons

      View the icons that are found in the model tree.

    • Details Tree Icons

      View the icons that are found in the details tree.

    • Files Generated by CADFEKO

      View the files associated and generated by CADFEKO.

    • Shortcut Keys

      View the shortcut keys available for POSTFEKO for faster and easier operation of POSTFEKO.

  • POSTFEKO

    POSTFEKO, the Feko post processor, is used to display the model (configuration and mesh), results on graphs and 3D views.

  • EDITFEKO

    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.

  • Feko Solution Methods

    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.

  • Optimisation in Feko

    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 Utilities

    The Feko utilities consist of PREFEKO, OPTFEKO, ADAPTFEKO, the Launcher utility, Updater and the crash reporter.

  • Description of the Output File of Feko

    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.

  • Feko Application Macros

    A large collection of application macros are available for CADFEKO and POSTFEKO.

  • Scripts and Application Programming Interface (API)

    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.

  • Appendix

    Reference information is provided in the appendix.

Altair Feko 2021.1 Documentation
Altair Feko 2021.1 Documentation

  1. Home
  2. CADFEKO

    CADFEKO is used to create and mesh the geometry or model mesh, specify the solution settings and calculation requests in a graphical environment.

  3. Quick Tour of the CADFEKO Interface

    View the main elements and terminology in the CADFEKO application window.

  • Release Notes
  • Get Started
  • Examples
  • Introduction to Feko
  • CADFEKO
  • POSTFEKO
  • EDITFEKO
  • Feko Solution Methods
  • Optimisation in Feko
  • Feko Utilities
  • Description of the Output File of Feko
  • Feko Application Macros
  • Scripts and Application Programming Interface (API)
  • Appendix
Index

Quick Tour of the CADFEKO Interface

View the main elements and terminology in the CADFEKO application window.



Figure 1. The CADFEKO window.
  1. Quick access toolbar
  2. Ribbon
  3. Configuration list
  4. Model tree
  5. Details tree
  6. Status bar
  7. Message window
  8. Notes view
  9. 3D view
  10. Help
  11. Search bar
  12. Application launcher
  • Quick Access Toolbar
    The quick access toolbar is a small toolbar that gives quick access to actions that are often performed.
  • Ribbon
    The ribbon is a command bar that groups similar actions in a series of tabs.
  • Configuration List
    The configuration list displays all configurations in the model.
  • Model Tree
    The model tree contains the variables, named points, the model-creation hierarchy, ports and configuration-specific items of the model. The model tree is split between construction and configuration items.
  • Details Tree
    The details tree panel displays the relevant wires, edges, faces and regions for the geometry or mesh part selected in the Construction tab.
  • Status Bar
    The status bar is the small toolbar that provides access to macro recording, general display settings, tools, selection method and type, snap settings and the model unit.
  • Message Window
    The message window panel displays general information as well as error and warning messages. Error and warning messages include links to the relevant wires, edges, faces or regions that resulted in the warning or error.
  • Notes View
    The notes view is a rich-text editor tool that allows you to add comments to your model.
  • 3D View
    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.
  • Navigate the 3D View Using Keyboard and Mouse
    Navigate the 3D view using a mouse, a keyboard or a combination of both.
  • Help
    The Help icon provides access to the Feko documentation.
  • Search Bar
    The search bar is a single-line text field that allows you to enter search terms and find relevant information in the GUI or the documentation.
  • Application Launcher
    The application launcher toolbar is a small toolbar that provides quick access to other Feko components.
  • Application Menu
    The application menu is similar to a standard file menu of an application. It allows saving and loading of models, print functionality and gives access to application-wide settings.
  • Scripting
    Use the application programming interface (API) to control CADFEKO from an external script.

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