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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 on Quadcopter
The example considers the antenna placement of a GPS patch antenna on a quadcopter.
Creating the Model in CADFEKO
Create the model geometry using the CAD component, CADFEKO.
Placing the Patch on the Quadcopter
To assist in placing the patch antenna, two workplanes are defined and used in the Align tool.
Defining a Workplane on the Patch
Define a workplane on the top face of the patch.

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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.
- GPS Patch on Quadcopter
  The example considers the antenna placement of a GPS patch antenna on a quadcopter.
  - 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 placed on a quadcopter. Compare the results with that of Example 3.
  - Topics Discussed in Example
  - 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.
    - Setting the Model Unit
      Set the model unit to millimeters.
    - Adding a Quadcopter from the Component Library
      Select a simplified quadcopter model from the Component library and add it to the project.
    - Importing the GPS Patch
      Import the GPS patch antenna (.cfx file) created in Example 3.
    - 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.
    - Hiding Parts of the Model
      Entities in the model tree and details tree can be hidden by clicking on the entity’s icon.
    - Hiding the Simulation Mesh
      Make the simulation mesh hidden in the 3D view focus on the geometry.
    - Placing the Patch on the Quadcopter
      To assist in placing the patch antenna, two workplanes are defined and used in the Align tool.
      - Rotating the Quadcopter
        Rotate the quadcopter by 45°.
      - Defining a Workplane on the Quadcopter
        Define a workplane on the top face of the quadcopter.
      - Defining a Workplane on the Patch
        Define a workplane on the top face of the patch.
      - Aligning the Patch and Quadcopter
        Align the patch to the quadcopter.
      - Unioning the Model for Mesh Connectivity
        Create a single geometry part from the patch antenna and quadcopter to ensure mesh connectivity when the model is meshed.
    - 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 examples showed how to place a GPS patch antenna on a quadcopter that was obtained from the component library.
- 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.

Defining a Workplane on the Patch

Define a workplane on the top face of the patch.

On the Construct tab, in the Define group, click the Add Workplane icon.
Press Ctrl+Shift+left click to snap the workplane to the top face centre of the patch.
Click Create to create Workplane1 and to close the dialog.

Figure 1. Workplane has snapped to the top centre of the quadcopter.
In the model tree, under Workplanes, select Workplane1, press F2 and rename the workplane to Workplane_patch.

Tip: Transforms can be applied to workplanes. In the model tree, select the workplane and from the right-click context menu, click Transforms.

Figure 2. A workplane can be rotated by using the right-click context menu option.