Advanced Fast Hybrid MM/FE/MoM CAD Techniques for Antennas and Feed-Networks

The paper presents an overview on recent progress in the application of hybrid mode-matching (MM) / finite-element (FE) / method-of-moment (MoM) techniques for the rigorous, fast computer-aided-design (CAD) and optimization of waveguide feed components and antennas. Advanced aspects include the application of the PMCHWT (Poggio, Miller, Chang, Harrington, Wu, Tsai) method for dielectric loaded structures, the utilization of higher-order vector basis functions, and the adaptive integral method (AIM) for large arrays. The employed divergence-conforming basis functions, which have hitherto mostly been applied for scattering and microstrip antenna problems, achieve - together with curvilinear triangles for adequately modelling of curved surfaces - high efficiency, accuracy and flexibility. The versatility of the reported techniques are demonstrated at typical examples of practical importance, including dielectric loaded structures and large slot arrays.