Feko is a comprehensive electromagnetic solver with multiple solution methods that is used for electromagnetic field analyses
involving 3D objects of arbitrary shapes.
3D views are used to display and interact with the model. You can zoom, rotate and pan around a 3D model using the keyboard,
mouse or a combination of both. You can use a 3D mouse, specify a view or select specific parts of a model. Multiple 3D
views are supported.
Define field or current data using either far field data, near field data, spherical mode data or PCB current data. Use
the field/current definition when defining an equivalent source or a receiving antenna.
Define a medium with specific material properties, import a predefined medium from the media library or add a medium from
your model to the media library.
Defined media can be applied to the model in various ways. Some media settings are applied to regions, others on faces
and wires. The rules for defining media varies between the different solution methods.
Use a periodic boundary condition (PBC) to analyse infinite periodic structures. A typical application of PBC is to
analyse frequency selective surface (FSS) structures.
Create an arbitrary finite antenna array that consists of an array of contributing elements, either with direct feeds for
each element or via indirect coupling, and solve with the efficient domain Green's function method (DGFM).
Use the windscreen tools to define a curved reference surface constrained by a cloud of points, normals and optional U′V′ parameters. The constrained surface is then used as a reference to create a work surface where windscreen layers and curved
parameterised windscreen antenna elements can be created.
Many electromagnetic compatibility and interference problems involve cables that either radiate, are irradiated or cause
coupling into other cables, devices or antennas. Use the cable modelling tool and solver to analyse the coupling and radiation.
Cable harnesses are becoming increasingly complex with innovations in the automotive industry. Import a complex cable harness
from a .kbl file using the “harness description list” (KBL) specification.
When creating a cable shield, you need to specify the impedance and admittance for each layer. The following combinations
are supported when defining the impedance and admittance for a shield layer.
Create a single layer, braided (Kley) cable shield. The relevant braid parameters, weave metal and braid-fixing materials (optional) are specified
and the Solver determines the frequency-dependent impedance (Zs + Zt) and admittance (Yt) matrix using the Kley formulation.
Create a single layer, braided (Vance, Tyni, Demoulin) cable shield. For a braided shield layer, the relevant braid parameters and weave metal are specified and the
Solver determines the frequency-dependent impedance (Zs + Zt) and admittance (Yt) matrix using the Vance, Tyni or Demoulin formulation.
The transfer capacitance shield layer is used with a braided and frequency-dependent impedance definition to represent
the transfer admittance matrix of the shield layer.
A double cable shield consists of two shield layers. CADFEKO supports any combination of the shield types, solid, braided and frequency-dependent for the inner and outer layer
of the shield.
Create a cable instance consisting of a single cable (for example, ribbon, cable bundle, coaxial cable) with its cable
connectors that is routed along a cable path.
Create a cable harness consisting of a collection of cable instances routed along a cable path with a solution method
specified for the outer conductor.
The cable schematic view allows you to add cable ports, complex loads, resistors, capacitors, inductors, external SPICE
circuits, general networks (defined using N-port Touchstone files) and probes to a specific cable harness as well as connecting
cables to one another.
For a frequency domain result, the electromagnetic fields and currents are calculated at a single frequency or frequency
range. When the finite difference time domain (FDTD) solver is used, the frequency must be specified to convert the native time domain results to the frequency domain.
The excitation of an antenna is normally specified as a complex voltage, but it may be useful to specify the total radiated
or source power instead. The result is then scaled to yield the desired source power level.
A port is a mathematical representation of where energy can enter (source) or leave a model (sink). Use a port
to add sources and discrete loads to a model.
Perform multiple solutions for a single model using multiple configurations. Multiple configurations remove the requirement
to create multiple models with different solution requests.
Use an infinite plane or half-space to model a ground plane efficiently. The number of triangles in the model is reduced
as the ground plane is not discretised into triangles.
A CADFEKO.cfm file can be imported into EDITFEKO to make use of more advanced features available in EDITFEKO and to directly edit the .pre file for more flexible solution configurations.
During the design process, the development of a model can introduce a range of issues that can lead to a non-simulation-ready
model. Use the validation toolset to verify that the model is simulation-ready or to search, detect and flag discrepancies.
The default solver used in Feko is the method of moments (MoM) - surface equivalence principle (SEP). A solver is specified per model, per face or per region, and depends on the solver in question.
CADFEKO has a collection of tools that allows you to quickly validate the model, for example, perform calculations using
a calculator, measure distances, measure angles and export images.
EDITFEKO is used to construct advanced models (both the geometry and solution requirements) using a high-level scripting language
which includes loops and conditional statements.
One of the key features in Feko is that it includes a broad set of unique and hybridised solution methods. Effective use of Feko features requires an understanding of the available methods.
Feko offers state-of-the-art optimisation engines based on generic algorithm (GA) and other methods, which can be used
to automatically optimise the design and determine the optimum solution.
Feko writes all the results to an ASCII output file .out as well as a binary output file .bof for usage by POSTFEKO. Use the .out file to obtain additional information about the solution.
CADFEKO and POSTFEKO have a powerful, fast, lightweight scripting language integrated into the application allowing you to create
models, get hold of simulation results and model configuration information as well as manipulation of data and automate
repetitive tasks.
Many electromagnetic compatibility and interference problems involve cables that either radiate, are irradiated or cause
coupling into other cables, devices or antennas. Use the cable modelling tool and solver to analyse the coupling and radiation.
A double cable shield consists of two shield layers. CADFEKO supports any combination of the shield types, solid, braided and frequency-dependent for the inner and outer layer
of the shield.
A double cable shield consists of two shield layers. CADFEKO supports any combination of the shield types, solid,
braided and frequency-dependent for the inner and outer layer of the shield.
When creating a double cable shield, you need to specify the shield layer impedance
and admittance for the inner layer and outer layer of the shield. A gap size also needs
to be specified between the inner and outer layer of the double shield.
Note:
The total shield radius is the outer radius of the shield. The radius is used as
a common reference point between the inner and outer layer when stretching the
shield.
The stretching range is applicable when a braided (Kley, Vance, Tyni and
Demoulin) layer definition is used on the inner
layer or outer layer.
On the Cables tab, in the
Definitions group, click the Cable Shield icon.
Under Shield layer(s), click
Double to create a double layered shield.
Under Shield layer(s), in the Gap between
layers field, enter a value for the gap between layers. The gap
should be greater than 0.
On the Inner layer tab, create a solid, braided or
frequency dependent shield layer.
On the Outer layer tab, create a solid, braided or
frequency dependent shield layer.
On the Advanced tab, under Stretching of the
shield, for the Optimisation methoddrop-down list, select Maximise optical
coverage, to automatically calculate the optimal weave angle and
optical coverage for maximum shielding for the braided inner or braided outer
layer.
The minimum and maximum radius of the double shield is indicated by the top
and bottom entry in the Total shield radius
column.
Note: For a double braided shield, the stretching of the shield is limited to
the stretching capability of both braided layers. The stretching range
(Total shield radius range) could be smaller for
a double braided shield than for a single braided shield, depending on the
braid parameters selected for each shield.
On the Advanced tab, under Stretching of the
shield, from the Optimisation methoddrop-down list, select Specify manually to
manually define values in the stretching table:
In the Total shield radius field, edit an
existing radius.
In the Inner layer or Outer
layerWeave angle column, enter a value for the weave angle
in degrees.
Note:
Total shield radius must be between the
minimum radius (first row, first cell) and maximum radius (last
row, first cell).
The values in the Inner layer Optical
coverage and Outer layer Optical
coverage columns, are calculated automatically
from the Total shield radius,
Inner layer Weave angle and
Outer layer Weave angle.
The Inner layer Weave angle or
Outer layer Weave angle values must
be between the minimum angle (first row, third cell) and maximum
angle (last row, fifth cell).
In the Label field, add a unique label for the double
cable shield.
Click Create to create the double cable shield and
to close the dialog.