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Get Started
The Feko Getting Started Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to get started with Feko.
GPS Patch Antenna
The example considers a left-handed circular polarised GPS patch antenna on a finite substrate.
Creating the Model in CADFEKO
Create the model geometry using the CAD component, CADFEKO.
Modifying the Auto-Generated Mesh
When the frequency is set or local mesh settings are applied to the geometry, the automatic mesh algorithm calculates and creates the mesh automatically while the GUI is active using default mesh settings. When required, these mesh settings may be modified.

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Get Started
The Feko Getting Started Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to get started with Feko.
- Creating a Rectangular Horn
  The example is intended for users with no or little experience with CADFEKO. It makes use of a completed rectangular horn model to familiarise yourself with model creation in CADFEKO and viewing the simulated results in POSTFEKO.
- Creating CADFEKO Models
  The example is intended for users with no or little experience with CADFEKO. This example is not an example intended for simulation, but rather to familiarise yourself with model creation in CADFEKO.
- GPS Patch Antenna
  The example considers a left-handed circular polarised GPS patch antenna on a finite substrate.
  - Example Overview
    Calculate the input reflection coefficient and circular components of a left-handed circular polarised GPS patch antenna on a finite substrate close to 1.57 GHz.
  - Topics Discussed in Example
    Before starting this example, check if the topics discussed in this example are relevant to the intended application and experience level.
  - Example Prerequisites
    Before starting this example, ensure that the system satisfies the minimum requirements.
  - Creating the Model in CADFEKO
    Create the model geometry using the CAD component, CADFEKO.
    - Launching CADFEKO (Windows)
      There are several options available to launch CADFEKO in Microsoft Windows.
    - Launching CADFEKO (Linux)
      There are several options available to launch CADFEKO in Linux.
    - Activating Macro Recording of Model
      Use macro recording to record actions in a script. Play the script back to automate the process or view the script to learn the Lua-based scripting language by example. Macro recording allows you to perform repetitive actions faster and with less effort.
    - Setting the Model Unit
      Set the model unit to millimeters.
    - Adding Variables
      Define variables to create a parametric model.
    - Defining a Dielectric Medium
      Define a lossy frequency-independent dielectric with a relative permittivity ( ) = 5.6 and a dielectric loss tangent ( ) = 0.0041 to be used as the patch substrate.
    - Creating the Patch
      Create the chamfered¹ patch using a polygon.
    - Creating the Patch Substrate
      Create a finite substrate¹ by creating a cuboid. Set the region of the cuboid to the medium, ceramic.
    - Setting a Region to a Dielectric
      Change the region property of the substrate to dielectric.
    - Creating the Feed Pin
      Create the feed pin using a single line element.
    - Unioning the Geometry for Mesh Connectivity
      Union the geometry (feed_line, patch and substrate) to create a single geometry part. A single geometry part will ensure mesh connectivity when the model is meshed.
    - Setting Faces to PEC
      Change the surface property of the patch to perfect electric conductor (PEC).
    - Ports, Sources and Loads in CADFEKO
      Voltage sources and discrete loads are applied to ports and not directly to the model geometry or mesh. A port must be defined before a source or load can be added.
    - Setting the Simulation Frequency
      Specify the frequency range of interest. For this example continuous frequency sampling is used where Feko automatically determines the frequency sampling for optimal interpolation.
    - Modifying the Auto-Generated Mesh
      When the frequency is set or local mesh settings are applied to the geometry, the automatic mesh algorithm calculates and creates the mesh automatically while the GUI is active using default mesh settings. When required, these mesh settings may be modified.
    - Setting Local Mesh Sizes for Chamfered Edges
      Refine the mesh locally at the chamfered edges.
    - Adding a Far Field Request
      Add a far field request to the model.
    - Deactivating Macro Recording
      Deactivate the macro recording of the model, inspect the resulting Feko Lua script and use the script to recreate the model.
    - Macro Recording of Example 3
      The CADFEKO macro recorded Lua script for Example 3 is given below.
    - Saving the Model
      Save the model to a CADFEKO.cfx file.
  - Launching the Solver
    Launch the Solver to calculate the results. No requests were added to this model since impedance and current information are calculated automatically for all voltage and current sources in the model.
  - Viewing the Results in POSTFEKO
    Display the model as well as the results using the post-processor component, POSTFEKO.
  - Final Remarks
    This example showed the construction, configuration and solution of a left-handed circular polarised GPS patch antenna on a finite substrate.
- GPS Patch on Quadcopter
  The example considers the antenna placement of a GPS patch antenna on a quadcopter.
- EMC Coupling
  The example considers the coupling between a typical monopole antenna and a loaded transmission line above a ground plane.
- Waveguide Power Divider
  The example considers the transmission and reflection coefficients of a waveguide power divider.
- Optimisation of Bent Dipole and Plate
  The example considers the optimisation of the gain of a bent dipole in front of a plate.
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.
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.

Modifying the Auto-Generated Mesh

When the frequency is set or local mesh settings are applied to the geometry, the automatic mesh algorithm calculates and creates the mesh automatically while the GUI is active using default mesh settings. When required, these mesh settings may be modified.

The patch requires a finer mesh as the standard mesh size¹ and a wire segment radius needs to be specified.

Open the Modify Mesh Settings dialog using one of the following workflows:
- On the Mesh tab, in the Meshing group, click the Modify Mesh icon.
- Press Ctrl+M to use the keyboard shortcut.
Set the Mesh size to Fine.
Set the Wire segment radius to 0.7.

Figure 1. The Modify Mesh Settings dialog.
Click OK to create the mesh and to close the dialog.

Figure 2. Top view of the patch and substrate showing the mesh.
View the effect in the 3D view of specifying a Wire segment radius.
1. Press F5 to use the keyboard shortcut to zoom to extents the 3D view.
2. Enable a default cutplane. In the model tree (Construction tab), under Cutplanes, click the icon next to XZ‑Cut² and from the right-click context menu, select Flip cutplane.
  
  Figure 3. Note that a cutplane icon is greyed out when the cutplane is not active.
  
  Figure 4. The cutplane shows a cross-sectional view of the patch substrate. Note the thick feedpin as specified by the Wire segment radius.
3. Disable the cutplane. Click the button next to XZ-Cut again.

¹ See the Feko User Guide Appendix A-3 for more information regarding automatic mesh sizes.

² To change the default cutplane settings, double-click on the cutplane text (for example, XZ-Cut).