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Appendix
Reference information is provided in the appendix.
How-Tos
A collection of how-tos are included that covers advanced concepts.
How to Construct a Conformal Patch Antenna
A method is presented on how to construct a conformal patch antenna in CADFEKO.

Welcome
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.
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.
- Application Programming Interface (API)
  CADFEKO and POSTFEKO have a powerful, fast, lightweight scripting language integrated into the application that allows you to create models, get hold of simulation results and model configuration information and much more.
- EDITFEKO Cards
  Each geometry and calculation request are entered on a separate line in the .pre and are referred to as cards.
- How-Tos
  A collection of how-tos are included that covers advanced concepts.
  - How to Use a Job Scheduling / Queuing System
    Feko integrates into job scheduling and queuing systems such as Altair PBS Professional, Torque, IBM Platform LSF, Parallelnavi NQS, SLURM and Univa Grid Engine.
  - How to Feed a Grounded Coplanar Waveguide
    A method is presented on how to feed a grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) in CADFEKO. The same method can be used to feed a coplanar waveguide (CPW).
  - How to Estimate Memory Requirements for the MLFMM
    A method is presented that allows you to estimate the memory requirements for a model solved using the multilevel fast multipole method (MLFMM).
  - How to Construct a Conformal Patch Antenna
    A method is presented on how to construct a conformal patch antenna in CADFEKO.
    - Constructing a Conformal Patch Antenna
      Create the conformal patch antenna in CADFEKO.
  - How to Construct a Complementary Slotted Two-Arm Spiral Antenna
    A method is presented on how to construct and feed a complementary slotted two-arm spiral antenna in CADFEKO.
  - How to Improve Convergence for the MLFMM
    The MLFMM is an iterative solution method, and under certain conditions, the iterative solution may fail to converge. Several model or solution settings are presented that could improve the model's convergence behaviour.
  - How to Improve Convergence for the MLFMM /FEM
    The hybrid multilevel fast multipole method (MLFMM) / finite element method (FEM) is an iterative solution method and under certain conditions, the iterative solution may fail to converge. Several model or solution settings are presented that could improve the model's convergence behaviour.
  - How to Improve Convergence for the MoM / FEM
    The hybrid method of moments (MoM) / finite element method (FEM) is an iterative solution method, and under certain conditions, the iterative solution may fail to converge. Several model or solution settings are presented that could improve the model's convergence behaviour.
  - How to Improve Convergence for the FDTD
    The finite difference time domain (FDTD) is a solution method that may fail to converge under certain conditions. Several model or solution settings are presented that could improve the model's convergence behaviour.
  - How to Reduce Computational Resources
    Several tips and tricks are presented to reduce runtime and memory consumption. A few general tips are given as well as solution method-specific tips.
  - How to Feed a Microstrip Line Using an Infinite Substrate
    Various methods are presented on how to feed a microstrip line using an infinite planar multilayer substrate in CADFEKO.
  - How to Connect an Antenna to a HyperMesh Generated Mesh
    A workflow is presented on how to connect an antenna model designed in CADFEKO to a platform model that was meshed with Altair HyperMesh.
  - How to Interpret Far Fields Calculated from a PBC Solution
    This How-To helps to interpret far-fields (total and scattered) calculated with the periodic boundary condition (PBC) solution.
  - How to Install CADFEKO [LEGACY] Using the Standalone Installer
    This How-To provides background on the standalone legacy CADFEKO installer as well as the installation process.
  - How to Migrate Legacy CADFEKO Lua Scripts to the New CADFEKO API Format
    The ConvertLuaScript utility can be used to migrate legacy CADFEKO Lua scripts to the latest CADFEKO API format.
  - How to Calculate the Time Response for a Given Input Signal
    This How-To describes how to calculate the time response for a given input signal in POSTFEKO.
- FAQ
  A collection of frequently asked questions (FAQ) relating to advanced concepts are included.
- Troubleshooting
  Common problems that you may encounter are discussed as well as their solutions.
- Meshing
  When meshing a model, you can either use the automatic meshing algorithm to calculate the appropriate mesh settings or you can specify the mesh sizes. When you specify the mesh sizes, the mesh sizes should adhere to certain guidelines.
- SAR Standards
  Feko makes use of a local peak SAR algorithm.
- Solution Control
  Control the execution of Feko by specifying the memory management and environment variables.
- Read MAT, LUD, RHS and STR Files
  The .mat file, .lud file and .rhs file are not generated by default, but can be read externally.
- Integration With Other Tools
  Feko integrates with various products within Altair HyperWorks Products such as HyperStudy. Integration with third-party products is also supported through the powerful scripting and plug-in infrastructure.
- SPICE3f5
  Use the correct structure, convention and syntax for a SPICE circuit definition in Feko.
- List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
  View the list of commonly used acronyms in Feko.
- Summary of Files
  Feko creates and uses many different file types. It is useful to know what is stored in the various files and weather they were created by Feko and if it is safe to delete them. The files are grouped as either native files that have been created by Feko or non-native files that are supported by Feko. Non-native files are often exported by Feko even if the formats are not under the control of the Feko development team.
- Common Errors and Warnings
  A Feko Errors, Warnings and Notes Reference Guide is available as a reference for messages that may be encountered in Feko.

How to Construct a Conformal Patch Antenna

A method is presented on how to construct a conformal patch antenna in CADFEKO.

The conformal patch antenna consists of a finite dielectric substrate with a metallic (or PEC face) on the top surface and a PEC ground plane at the bottom. The patch is fed with a voltage source on a wire port. The patch antenna will be constructed as if attached to a larger metallic cylinder with a specific radius.

Figure 1. A graphical representation of a conformal patch antenna - top view (left) and bottom view (right).

Dimensions

The patch antenna has the following dimensions:

Patch dimensions: 31.1807 mm x 46.748 mm
Ground plane: 50 mm x 80 mm
Substrate height: 2.87 mm
Relative permittivity: 2.2
Feed pin location is 8.9 mm from the centre of the model.
The patch is bent onto a cylinder of radius 40 mm.
Variable alpha is used for the angle subtended by the ground plane at the centre of the cylinder.
Variable beta is used for the angle subtended by the patch at the centre of the cylinder.