Equivalent near field source using Cartesian boundary definition method
Altair EmployeeThe use of equivalent sources in Feko is helpful in many cases to significantly reduce the runtime and memory required for simulations. In principle, a model (classically an antenna/array etc.) is replaced by the radiated field (near field or far field), which is then used instead of the antenna/array in other models. Eqiovalent sources are often used for antenna placement in particular.
In this article I would like to point out an important feature, which is very important for the use of near-field data as an equivalent source: The "Cartesian boundary" definition method. Although it has been available in CADFEKO for several years, it is still not known to all users.
Brief background: A few years ago, it was not always easy to use the near field as an equivalent source, at least if you did not want to use a spherical near field. A spherical near-field request may be suitable for some antennas, but for patch antennas, for example, you would prefer a cuboidal near-field.
When there was no "Cartesian boundary" definition method in Feko, one was actually forced to use the six outer surfaces of the cuboidal near field individually as six nearfield sources, which was quite complex. It was also relatively easy to make mistakes in the definition.
With the "Cartesian boundary" definition method, on the other hand, this is very simple. With a single request, you automatically have the six (or fewer if required) boundary surfaces of the near field and can use them directly as a source. The video shows the entire workflow.