The new release of Remcom’s XFdtd introduces a suite of tools designed to address the evolving challenges of modern antenna design, including a phase difference post-processing tool for phased array analysis, enhanced flexibility for far-zone pattern visualization and significant performance improvements to expedite workflows.

A new far-zone post-processing tool enables engineers to calculate and plot the phase difference between antenna elements, a critical capability for designers of phased arrays used in angle of arrival estimation for direction-finding systems. With the rapid growth of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for high-precision indoor localization and tracking, accurately simulating the phase difference of arrival is essential for predicting system performance. By including a phase unwrapping option, XFdtd provides engineers with unambiguous results that are comparable to real-world measurements and eliminates a manual correction step.

Additionally, the far-zone spherical coordinate system can be reoriented, allowing users to generate 2D pattern cuts along any arbitrary plane. This provides a more discerning method for analyzing as-installed antenna performance on intricate platforms such as vehicles and aircraft. By providing insight into an antenna’s full 3D radiation characteristics, XFdtd enables engineers to evaluate devices’ real world performance.

Further enhancements focus on simulation fidelity, including support for waveguide ports utilizing XFdtd’s XACT Accurate Cell Technology® conformal meshing feature. This sub-cellular conformal meshing technique allows the FDTD solver to represent curved surfaces and fine geometric features with high precision without the need for an excessively fine and computationally expensive grid. Applying this technology to waveguide ports improves simulation accuracy and higher-fidelity results for components like filters and couplers without sacrificing speed and efficiency.

Remcom
State College, Penn.
www.remcom.com