Reference information is provided in the appendix.
CADFEKO and POSTFEKO have a powerful, fast, lightweight scripting language integrated into the application that allows you to create models, get hold of simulation results and model configuration information and much more.
The CADFEKO application programming interface provides details regarding the hierarchy of the object as well as the methods, functions and properties available for each object.
A table (2 dimentional list) of PointExpression items.
See what's new in the latest release.
The Feko Getting Started Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to get started with Feko.
The Feko Example Guide contains a collection of examples that teaches you Feko concepts and essentials.
Feko is a comprehensive electromagnetic solver with multiple solution methods that is used for electromagnetic field analyses involving 3D objects of arbitrary shapes.
CADFEKO is used to create and mesh the geometry or model mesh, specify the solution settings and calculation requests in a graphical environment.
POSTFEKO, the Feko post processor, is used to display the model (configuration and mesh), results on graphs and 3D views.
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.
The Feko utilities consist of PREFEKO, OPTFEKO, ADAPTFEKO, the Launcher utility, Updater and the crash reporter.
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.
A large collection of application macros are available for CADFEKO and POSTFEKO.
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.
ADAPTFEKO launch options.
A list of ADAPTFEKOLaunchOptions items.
A finite antenna array which includes mutual coupling and edge-effects in the analysis.
An abstract (base) object for FEM line ports.
An abstract (base) object for ideal sources.
An abstract (base) object for mesh edges.
An abstract (base) object for mesh ports.
An abstract (base) object for mesh triangle faces.
An abstract (base) object for mesh triangle wires.
An abstract (base) object for point sources.
An abstract (base) object for curves.
An adaptive refinement meshing rule. Reads the error estimates from an earlier solution and adds Point refinement rules in the areas where the errors are estimated to be the highest.
Advanced solver settings.
A list of AdvancedSolverSettings items.
An align transform.
An analytical curve.
The degrees of an angle.
A list of AngularDimension items.
A 3D anisotropic medium.
Layer properties of the layered anisotropic dielectric medium.
A list of AnisotropicDielectricLayers items.
A finite antenna array element source.
A list of AntennaArraySource items.
The CADFEKO Application.
An base object for mesh triangle faces.
Basis function control.
A list of BasisFunctionGlobalSolverSettings items.
Solution basis function control properties. Only applies if basis function control has been enabled in the global solver settings.
A list of BasisFunctionLocalSolverSettings items.
A Bezier curve.
A box in 3D space. The box is defined by its two corners.
The CADFEKO model (*.cfx file) import settings.
The CADFEKO model (*.cfx file) importer.
The type and position of a cable in a cable bundle.
A list of CableBundleCableSpecification items.
A cable bundle cross section.
A coaxial cable cross section.
A cable connector.
A cable connector pin.
A cable cross section.
A cable general network component.
A cable harness.
A cable instance.
A non conducting element cable cross section.
A cable path.
A cable path terminal.
A cable port is created on a cable harness schematic.
A cable probe.
A ribbon cross section.
A cable voltage current component.
A cable voltage probe component.
A cable shield.
The cable signal.
A single conductor cable cross section.
A cable spice network component.
A twisted pair cable cross section.
Cable definitions and harnesses.
A cable capacitor component.
The description of an analytical curve using the Cartesian coordinate system.
A list of CartesianDescription items.
The Cartesian request point positions.
A list of CartesianRequestPoints items.
The cartesian coordinate system source description.
A list of CartesianStructure items.
A characterised surface medium.
A solution characteristic modes analysis request.
A characteristic modes configuration.
A core insulating layer for a CoaxialCableCrossSection.
A list of CoaxialInsulationLayer items.
A complex number.
A cable complex load component.
The rows of the tensor defined using complex expressions.
A list of ComplexTensor items.
The components launch options that specifies the command line parameters for the various Altair Feko components.
A group or collection of properties.
A list of CompositeValue items.
A cone.
The conical request point positions.
A list of ConicalRequestPoints items.
A constrained surface.
A point used to define a constrained surface.
A list of ConstrainedSurfacePoint items.
A cuboid.
A current source, similar to a voltage source, but the current is impressed in the model.
A solution currents request.
Currents export options.
A list of CurrentsExportSettings items.
A finite antenna array element.
The cutplane object that will cut various items in the 3D View.
A cylinder.
A finite antenna array with a cylindrical or circular distribution.
The description of an analytical curve using the cylindrical coordinate system.
A list of CylindricalDescription items.
The cylindrical request point positions.
A list of CylindricalRequestPoints items.
The cylindrical coordinate system source description.
A list of CylindricalStructure items.
The cylindrical (X axis) request point positions.
A list of CylindricalXRequestPoints items.
The cylindrical (Y axis) request point positions.
A list of CylindricalYRequestPoints items.
A non-physical medium that can be applied to a face or region. It allows the properties to be inferred from the surrounding face or region settings.
A dielectric medium.
A non-physical medium that can be applied to a face to describe the separation between two dielectric regions.
The dielectric modelling frequency point properties.
A list of DielectricFrequencyPoint items.
Dielectric modelling properties.
A list of DielectricModelling items.
A dimension is a measurable extent of some kind, such as height or length.
A list of Dimension items.
Domain decomposition solver settings.
A list of DomainDecompositionSettings items.
A geometry edge entity. When the edge is not connected to any faces it is considered to be a wire.
An edge mesh port which is created along an edge defining the boundary between two sets of mesh faces.
An edge port is created along an edge defining the boundary between two sets of faces.
The electric dipole source represents an elementary dipole element with the specified orientation, magnitude and phase.
An ellipse.
An elliptic arc.
Error estimation is an a-posteriori error indicator which gives feedback on the mesh quality.
The model (geometry and mesh) exporter.
A list of Expression items.
A table (2 dimentional list) of Expression items.
An FDTDBoundaryConditions request.
The settings for an FDTD boundary.
A list of FDTDBoundarySettings items.
Settings for the finite difference time domain solver.
A list of FDTDSettings items.
Feko Solver graphical processing units (GPU) launch options.
A list of FEKOGPUOptions items.
A list of FEKOLaunchOptions items.
Feko Solver parallel diagnostic test launch options. These settings should be disabled for normal Feko Solver runs to not degrade performance.
A list of FEKOParallelDiagnosticTests items.
Feko Solver parallel execution launch options.
A list of FEKOParallelExecutionOptions items.
Feko Solver remote execution launch options.
A list of FEKORemoteExecutionOptions items.
A FEM line mesh port is used to define the location of an impressed current source and load in the FEM region.
A FEM line port is used to define the location of an impressed current source and load in the FEM region.
A FEM modal mesh port is used to apply a modal port boundary condition on the boundary of a finite element (FEM) region.
A FEM modal port is used to apply a modal port boundary condition on the boundary of a finite element (FEM) region.
A FEM modal source.
FEM solver settings.
A list of FEMSettings items.
A geometry face entity.
A solution far field request.
The advanced far field settings.
A list of FarFieldAdvancedSettings items.
A far field data using file structure import.
Far field export settings.
A list of FarFieldExportSettings items.
A far field optimisation goal.
Far field periodic boundary condition settings.
A list of FarFieldPBCSettings items.
A solution far field receiving antenna request.
A solution far field source.
Far field spherical mode settings.
A list of FarFieldSphericalModeSettings items.
A field data definition.
A reference to a file.
A list of FileReference items.
A settings object for filling a geometry hole.
The find tools.
A fitted spline.
A flare.
A fully customisable dialog. The form can be used as the base component for facilitating feedback from interactive scripts.
The form buttons.
A check box item. Check boxes are used mainly in two cases. The first case is when a simple yes/no response is required. The second case is when multiple selections from a number options is permitted. In this case each option will be presented by a separate check box.
A combo box item. A combo box provides a list of options of which at least one must be selected.
A directory browser item. When working with multiple files, it is often simplest to specify only the directory where the files are located. When generating multiple files, it is also useful to specify where the files should be stored. The directory browser is then a tool for navigating through the operating system's directory structures to set an active directory of interest.
A spin box item supporting doubles. Spin boxes are sometimes also referred to as numeric steppers or spinners. Spin boxes are used to obtain a numerical value. Up and down arrows are provided to increment or decrement the value respectively. Alternatively, the numerical value can be typed into the input field.
A file browser item. The file browser can be used to navigate an operating system's directory structure to look for and select a file.
A group box is a type of frame that contains other items. Group boxes are often used to make logical groupings of items and are therefore mainly design components. Functionally, group boxes make it easier to hide or disable several items simultaneously by simply modifying the properties of the group box container.
An image item. Images can be added to any form or group box. Supported formats include PNG, BMP and JPG/JPEG files.
A spin box item. Spin boxes are sometimes also referred to as numeric steppers or spinners. Spin boxes can be used to obtain an integer value. Up and down arrows are provided to increment or decrement the value respectively. Alternatively, the numerical value can be typed into the input field.
The structure of all form items. All form items share a set of common properties that are listed here.
A label item or a simple string of text. Labels are typically used to explain the contents of a form. Note that most form items already have a built-in label associated with it.
Allows access to built-in label objects associated with the derived form item.
A layout is a type of frame that contains other items. Layouts are often used to make logical groupings of items and are therefore mainly design components. Functionally, layouts make it easier to hide or disable several items simultaneously by simply modifying the properties of the layout.
A line edit item; also known as a text box or text field. A line edit is used to obtain text-based input from a user.
A progress dialog provides feedback for actions that take a long time to execute.When the progress value reaches 100 the dialog automatically closes.
A push button item. Push button are used to trigger a function/call back that is associated with the button.
A radio button group item. Radio button groups are used when precisely one option out of a set of options can be selected.
A scroll area is a type of frame that contains a scrolling view of other items. Scroll areas are often used to make logical groupings of items where many items need to be displayed.
A Separator item. Separators are used to visually group (or separate) items on a form. Both horizontal and vertical separators are available.
A tree.
A tree item.
The default free space medium.
A solution frequency range.
Advanced frequency properties.
A list of FrequencyAdvancedSettings items.
Quantities to include for adaptive frequency sampling.Quantities not included will be calculated at discrete solution frequency points.
A list of FrequencyContinuousQuantities items.
Advanced continuous frequency properties.
A list of FrequencyContinuousSettings items.
Properties that control how continuous frequency is sampled for exporting. These properties are only valid when Frequency Type is Continuous.
A list of FrequencyExportSettings items.
Advanced FDTD time interval properties.
A list of FrequencyFDTDSettings items.
The waveguide source fundamental mode options.
A list of FundamentalModeOptions items.
A general non-radiating network.
General solution solver settings.
A list of GeneralSolverSettings items.
A geometry object. All derived geometry objects share a set of common properties and methods that are listed here.
The geometry exporter. Geometry can be exported to a variety of formats.
The geometry importer.
The rebuild tools.
A grouping of various geometry repair tools.
Global coordinates define positions relative to the global coordinate system.
A list of GlobalCoordinates items.
The global mesher settings.
Global origin defines an origin position relative to the global coordinate system.
A list of GlobalOrigin items.
The global coordinate system plane.
A list of GlobalPlane items.
Global vector defines a vector relative to the global coordinate system.
A list of GlobalVector items.
A cable ground component.
The model's infinite plane/ground. The following may be defined: PEC, PMC ground planes, homogeneous half space and planar multilayer substrate (finite and infinite).
The finite ground plane medium.
A helix.
High frequency solver settings.
A list of HighFrequencySettings items.
A hyperbolic arc.
An impedance optimisation goal.
An impedance sheet medium.
The model (geometry and mesh) importer.
An impressed current may be defined as a source in a model.
Imprint points onto geometry.
A cable inductor component.
Integral equation settings.
A list of IntegralEquation items.
An intersect operator.
Layer properties of the layered dielectric medium.
A list of IsotropicDielectricLayers items.
Settings for the iterative solver.
A list of IterativeSolverSettings items.
The KBL file importer.
The result of last Feko or external process run.
The object coordinating the launching of Feko and external processes.
A layered anisotropic dielectric medium.
A layered isotropic dielectric medium.
A medium from the MediaLibrary.
A straight line.
A finite antenna array with a planar or linear distribution.
A solution load.
Local coordinates typically define positions relative to the coordinate system of a 'LocalWorkplane'.
A list of LocalCoordinate items.
A list of LocalInternalCoordinate items.
Mesh settings that can be applied to root-level geometry or mesh parts.
The workplane.
A list of LocalWorkplane items.
A loft operator.
MLFMM / ACA solver settings.
A list of MLFMMACASettings items.
MLFMM solver settings.
A list of MLFMMSolverSettings items.
A magnetic dipole source can be either an electric ring current or a magnetic line current.
The magnetic modelling frequency point properties.
A list of MagneticFrequencyPoint items.
Magnetic modelling properties.
A list of MagneticModelling items.
The main window of the application.
A ManuallySpecifiedOrDerivedValue is a value that can be specified by a user or calculated automatically.
A list of ManuallySpecifiedOrDerivedValue items.
A 3D model view window.
The media section of the definitions of the CADFEKO model.
A medium.
An editable mesh object.
Properties controlling advanced mesh creation.
A list of MeshAdvancedSettings items.
A mesh entity representing a wire meshed using curvilinear segments.
A mesh entity representing a face meshed using curvilinear triangles.
An abstract (base) object for curvilinear mesh segment wires.
A mesh entity representing one or more unmeshed cylinders. This type of mesh is typically solved using a solution method that does not require fine subdivision, like the uniform theory of diffraction.
The mesh exporter.
The mesh find tools.
The mesh importer.
The quality of the mesh can be examined through these properties.
A mesh entity representing one or more unmeshed polygons. This type of mesh is typically solved using a solution method that does not require fine subdivision, like the uniform theory of diffraction.
A mesh refinement rule.
An abstract (base) object for mesh regions.
A segment in 3D space. Exists as part of a mesh.
A reference to a mesh segment.
A mesh entity representing a wire meshed using segments.
The model mesher.
A mesh entity representing a region meshed with tetrahedra.
A mesh entity representing a face meshed using triangles.
A reference to a mesh vertex.
An abstract (base) object for mesh segment wires.
The application message window. Messages with various formatting can be written to the message window.
A metallic medium.
Metallic medium frequency point properties.
A list of MetallicFrequencyPoint items.
A microstrip mesh port is used to represent a feed line on a microstrip structure.
A microstrip port is used to represent a feed line on a microstrip structure.
The mirror transform.
A table (2 dimentional list) of MockParametricExpression items.
A table (2 dimentional list) of MockParametricPoint items.
The CADFEKO Model.
The model attributes.
The contents section of the CADFEKO model.
A solution model decomposition request.
The definitions section of the CADFEKO model.
The model symmetry planes.
A named point in 3D space. This object lives in the CADFEKO project. NamedPoints are defined by expressions. Mathematical operations cannot be done on NamedPoints, use 'Point' instead.
A solution near field request.
The advanced near field settings.
A list of NearFieldAdvancedSettings items.
The near field Cartesian boundary surface settings.
A list of NearFieldBoundarySurface items.
A near field data file structure specification.
An aperture data using full file import.
Near field export options.
A list of NearFieldExportSettings items.
A near field optimisation goal.
A solution near field receiving antenna request.
A solution aperture source.
The wire that connects schematic terminals.
An abstract (base) object for non-radiating networks.
An amount measured in regular units, such as metres or feet.
A list of NormalDimension items.
The numerical Green's function (NGF) applied to the model.
A table (2 dimentional list) of NurbsControlPoint items.
A NURBS surface.
OPTFEKO launch options.
A list of OPTFEKOLaunchOptions items.
An object is anything that can be selected in CADFEKO.
A list of ObjectReference items.
A table (2 dimentional list) of ObjectReference items.
An optimisation object.
A combined set of goals where only the minimum, maximum or average value of all of the errors of all of the goals in the set is taken.
Constraint.
A list of OptimisationConstraint items.
An optimisation goal.
The optimisation goal objective.
Focus processing steps.
A list of OptimisationGoalProcessingSteps items.
An optimisation mask.
The graph value pairs of the optimisation mask.
A list of OptimisationMaskValues items.
An optimisation operator.
An optimisation parameters object that defines the variables which may be used during the optimisation process.
An optimisation search object.
The Advanced optimisation search settings.
Variable.
A list of OptimisationVariable items.
Output file solver settings.
A list of OutputFileSolverSettings items.
The PCB importer.
PCB current data using PollEx.
A solution PCB source.
PREFEKO launch options.
A list of PREFEKOLaunchOptions items.
PREFEKO variables (names, values, comments) export launch options.
A list of PREFEKOVariableExportOptions items.
A parabolic arc.
A paraboloid.
A table (2 dimentional list) of ParametricComplexExpression items.
An expression is a Lua string containing variables and numbers. Eg: “(1+5)*10”.
A list of ParametricExpression items.
A path sweep operator.
The default perfect electric conductor medium.
The default perfect magnetic conductor medium.
The periodic boundary condition (PBC) for the model. PBCs are used to simulate structures that repeat to infinity. PBC is often used to simulate frequency selective surfaces (FSS) and infinite antenna arrays.
Beam pointing (squint) angle used for modelling arrays by using periodic boundary conditions.
A list of PeriodicBoundaryBeamSquintAngle items.
The phase shift to be applied in the direction of each of the vectors defining the unit-cell.
A list of PeriodicBoundaryPhaseShift items.
The planar substrate properties.
A list of PlanarSubstrate items.
A plane wave may be defined as a source in a model.
A point in 3D space. This object lives in the Lua session only. Points are defined by numbers and cannot be defined with expressions. Mathematical operations can be done on points.
A range of points defined between a start and end point.
A type of parametric expression used in point ranges.
A list of PointRangeExpression items.
A list of PointRange items.
A point refinement meshing rule. Objects in the vicinity of the point are meshed finer.
The parameters used to define a Polder tensor.
A list of PolderTensor items.
A polygon.
A polyline.
A point refinement meshing rule. Objects in the vicinity of the polyline are meshed finer.
A port.
The S-parameter port properties.
A list of PortProperties items.
The power settings.
A power optimisation goal.
Preconditioner solver settings.
A list of PreconditionerSettings items.
A primitive operator.
Project geometry onto a part.
A concealed password protected component.
The face absorption, reflection and transmission properties with regards to rays.
A list of RLGOFaceAbsorbingSettings items.
Ray contribution settings.
A list of RayContributionsFacetedUTD items.
A list of RayContributionsRLGO items.
A list of RayContributionsUTD items.
A receiving antenna optimisation goal.
A rectangle.
The reference direction vector components.
A list of ReferenceDirection items.
A geometry region entity.
A settings object for removing small geometry features.
Represents a geometry object that has been repaired and sewn.
A settings object for repairing and sewing geometry faces.
A settings object for repairing geometry edges.
Represents a geometry object that has been repaired.
A settings object for repairing geometry parts.
A cable resistor component.
A rotate transform.
A SAR request.
A SAR optimisation goal.
A solution S-parameter request.
An S-parameter configuration.
An S-parameter optimisation goal.
A scale transformation.
A schematic.
A schematic view window.
Limits the field calculation to only use the sources on the specified elements.
A list of ScopeSettings items.
The shield layer settings.
A list of ShieldLayerSettings items.
Simplify a part.
Edge and wire simplification settings.
A list of SimplifyEdgeSettings items.
Face simplification settings.
A list of SimplifyFaceSettings items.
A settings object for simplifying part representation.
Point simplification settings.
A list of SimplifyPointSettings items.
Region simplification settings.
A list of SimplifyRegionSettings items.
Solution coefficient data.
A solution SolutionCoefficient source.
A solution configuration.
The model solution settings.
The solution solver settings.
An abstract (base) object for sources.
The Specified request point positions.
A list of SpecifiedRequestPoints items.
A spheroid.
The description of an analytical curve using the spherical coordinate system.
A list of SphericalDescription items.
A spherical modes data using full file import.
A spherical modes data using manual specifications.
For manual specification, each mode must be defined separately per specification entry.
A list of SphericalModeOptions items.
A solution spherical modes receiving antenna request.
A solution spherical modes source.
The spherical request point positions.
A list of SphericalRequestPoints items.
The spherical coordinate system source description.
A list of SphericalStructure items.
A spin operator.
A split operator.
A standard configuration.
A stitch operator.
A subtract operator.
A surface Bezier curve.
Surface coordinates are used to define a 2D position (U', V') on a work surface.
A list of SurfaceCoordinate items.
Surface impedance modelling frequency point properties.
A list of SurfaceImpedanceFrequencyPoint items.
A surface line.
Regular surface lines.
A sweep operator.
A terminal of a component or a net.
An abstract (base) object for elements with topology information.
A transform on a 3d object, e.g. geometry or mesh.
A cable transformer component.
A translate transform.
An ideal non-radiating transmission line.
A transmission / reflection coefficient calculations request.
A transmission / reflection optimisation goal.
The uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) solution settings for cylinder regions.
A list of UTDCylinderTerminationType items.
A point in 2D space. This object lives in the Lua session only. Points are defined by numbers and cannot be defined with expressions. Mathematical operations can be done on points.
A union operator.
Provides public information about the protected component.
A variable expression.
A Cartesian vector (direction). This object lives in the Lua session only. Vectors are defined by numbers and cannot be defined with expressions. Mathematical operations can be done on vectors.
An object that describes that application version in detail.
The view 3D axes properties.
A list of View3DAxesFormat items.
The view display mode properties.
A list of ViewDisplayMode items.
The view rendering properties.
A list of ViewRenderingOptions items.
A 3D model view where results can be plotted.
A cable voltage controlled voltage source component.
A voltage source, impresses a voltage on the model.
Properties controlling advanced voxel mesh creation.
A list of VoxelAdvancedSettings items.
Information about the voxel grid setup.
A list of VoxelGridSummary items.
Settings applicable only to the creation of the voxel mesh.
A waveguide mesh port is used to define a plane of excitation for a waveguide structure.
The waveguide mode properties.
A list of WaveguideModeOptions items.
A waveguide port is used to define a plane of excitation for a waveguide structure.
A waveguide source.
A windscreen medium.
Windscreen solution method properties.
A list of WindscreenSolutionMethod items.
A port on a wire mesh segment or vertex.
A wire port is created on a wire edge, i.e. a free edge that does not form a face boundary.
A work surface.
A workplane.
A non-physical medium that can be used with 3D anisotropic media. It represents no coupling to the particular tensor component.
Many objects have static functions, but only a limited number of functions are available directly in the application namespace (cf) or sub-namespace.
Enumerations are lists of values that can be used. The enumerations CADFEKO are available under the cf namespace and grouped together under enums.
Constants have been defined for use in expressions and calculations.
The POSTFEKO application programming interface provides details regarding the hierarchy of the object as well as the methods, functions and properties available for each object.
Each geometry and calculation request are entered on a separate line in the .pre and are referred to as cards.
A collection of how-tos are included that covers advanced concepts.
Common problems that you may encounter are discussed as well as their solutions.
When meshing a model, you can either use the automatic meshing algorithm to calculate the appropriate mesh settings or you can specify the mesh sizes. When you specify the mesh sizes, the mesh sizes should adhere to certain guidelines.
Feko makes use of a local peak SAR algorithm.
Control the execution of Feko by specifying the memory management and environment variables.
The .mat file, .lud file and .rhs file are not generated by default, but can be read externally.
Feko integrates with various products within Altair Simulation Products such as HyperStudy. Integration with third-party products is also supported through the powerful scripting and plug-in infrastructure.
Use the correct structure, convention and syntax for a SPICE circuit definition in Feko.
View the list of commonly used acronyms in Feko.
Feko creates and uses many different file types. It is useful to know what is stored in the various files and weather they were created by Feko and if it is safe to delete them. The files are grouped as either native files that have been created by Feko or non-native files that are supported by Feko. Non-native files are often exported by Feko even if the formats are not under the control of the Feko development team.
A Feko Errors, Warnings and Notes Reference Guide is available as a reference for messages that may be encountered in Feko.