Antenna Design

Spiral Antennas

In this note, we analyze two spiral antennas, one with an air substrate and the other with a dielectric substrate between spiral arms and metallic reflector. In WIPL-D Pro, a spiral can be easily created and modified using the built-in flexible Helix object. Especially when the same mesh over close surfaces is required (antenna reflector and spiral arms), the built-in Copy\Layer manipulation is very useful and simplifies model setup significantly. The antennas are simulated from 0.3 GHz to 6 GHz in a wide frequency band. Number of frequencies is reduced using logarithmic scale and built-in interpolation. Simulation was carried out on a regular desktop PC with low number of unknowns, and simulation times measured in seconds, showcasing efficiency.

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Dielectrically Loaded Circular Horn Antenna

In this note, two models of circular horn antenna were simulated using WIPL-D software, with attention to the dielectrically loaded horn antenna. The influence of dielectric loading is noticeable in the back lobe of radiation, which is significantly suppressed when a dielectric load is applied. To reduce the number of unknowns and simulation time, two symmetry planes were used in each model. Both models were simulated fast with minimal computational requirements, and the simulation lasted seconds. These results demonstrate efficiency and accuracy of WIPL-D for modeling such antennas and its suitability for parametric studies, design optimization, and evaluation of different configurations and dielectric materials under realistic conditions.

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Ultra-Wide Band Elliptical Antenna

The note presents the simulation of a UWB elliptical antenna, covering 5–14 GHz. The antenna is electrically small and requires few unknowns. Simulation results demonstrate accurate performance across the frequency band, with VSWR, radiation patterns, and key parameters. Several features improve simulation time: usage Method of Moments with higher order basis functions, symmetry halving unknowns, and reduced frequency points via built-in interpolation, ensuring fast, accurate results for complex designs. Although WIPL-D is a frequency-domain solver, it handles UWB antennas efficiently. With execution on multicore CPUs, simulations run on an inexpensive desktop quad-core PC and last only a couple of seconds per frequency point.

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Wideband Monopole Antenna with Rotational Symmetry

Two models of the wideband monopole antenna were efficiently simulated using WIPL-D Pro Software. S-parameters and radiation patterns at 0.6 GHz were accurately calculated and compared. Key details regarding monopole modeling and the powerful Rotational Symmetry feature are highlighted. The first simulation was performed without simplifications, while the second leveraged Rotational Symmetry to model only the n-th part of the structure. Results clearly confirm that using this option delivers precise outcomes in much shorter time. All modeling and simulations were executed using WIPL-D full-wave 3D electromagnetic Method-of-Moments software with Surface Integral Equations. Simulations remain extremely efficient even on a standard laptop.

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Yagi-Uda Antenna

The Yagi-Uda antenna is a dipole antenna whose radiation is focused by a series of parallel dipoles and a reflector behind. It is mostly used in radio links for computer networks, TV, and FM reception. Two Yagi antenna models are simulated in WIPL-D. In the first, the radiating element, ten directors, and reflector are modeled as wires, while in the second they are made of plates (solid body). Symmetry is discussed in detail. Simulations are done extremely quickly (in seconds) on a regular desktop PC with a low number of unknowns. The note shows advantages of wire models, easier to develop and simulate, enabling the solution of very complex problems with thousands of wire elements without using more precise and demanding plate models.

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UHF Panel Antenna

Ultra-High Frequency Panel antennas (UHFP) consist of radiating surfaces and a reflector, and have been widely used in TV and modern communication systems worldwide. In this application note, the antenna is fully covered with a protective radome and fed by coaxial cable. To speed up simulations and simplify modeling, two symmetry planes are applied. The antenna is simulated in the 0.47–0.86 GHz band. Built-in interpolation allows simulation with minimal frequency points. WIPL-D efficiently analyzes this antenna in a fraction of a second on a standard desktop or laptop, using the Method of Moments with unique higher-order basis functions, generalized quadrilateral mesh requiring fewer unknowns, and no bounding box for open region problems.

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