Time domain method of characteristic modes for the analysis/design of reconfigurable antennas

An alternative tool for antenna analysis, namely the method of characteristic modes is proposed in this paper. The proposed method is performed in the time domain using the FDTD technique. One major advantage of the method is that the resonances of the structure can be captured in just a single FDTD run. Once the resonances are known, the eigencurrents as well as the fields radiated by any current mode at the frequency of interest could be computed. It is clear that the information captured by the proposed method could be very useful in the design and analysis of reconfigurable antennas, as it provides better physical insight into the surface and volumetric currents induced in the structure.