Modeling phased array antennas in Ansoft HFSS

A number of algorithms and procedures have been developed for the commercial 3D finite element solver Ansoft HFSS, to model antennas. Primary among these is the application of periodic boundary conditions and array factors to speed up the simulation of phased arrays. Another key component is a new procedure for mesh truncation called adaptive PML that improve upon traditional PML and eliminate the layers used in earlier publications. And still another is the parametrics and optimization module Optimetrics/sup TM/ by which design studies of antenna metrics such as directivity and gain can be efficiently automated.