Applications of GTD to Antenna Problems

A general computer program package based on the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) is presented. The programs are based on a modular approach such that a complex geometry is broken down into smaller and simpler substructures. The applicability of the program package is illustrated by a number of examples ranging from dipole antennas mounted on simple geometrical structures to reflector antenna systems. A GTD-solution for a circular symmetric focus-fed reflector antenna is compared to a physical optics solution. It turns out, that with a uniform aperture illumination the two methods give almost identical results in the complete side-lobe region. The results expected for more realistic illuminations are discussed.