Antennas and Beyond!
This is a blog dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of antenna design and simulation. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced engineer, you’ll find valuable insights into antenna modeling, theory, numerical methods, and practical examples of antenna models using AN-SOF Antenna Simulation Software.
Featured
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Introducing AN-SOF 10.5 – Smarter Tools, Faster Workflow, Greater Precision
We’re excited to announce the release of AN-SOF Antenna Simulator version 10.5, bringing a powerful set of new features and enhancements designed to improve your workflow and elevate your modeling precision.
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Exploring an HF Log-Periodic Sawtooth Array: Insights from Geometry to Simulation
This article explores the design and analysis of log-periodic sawtooth arrays (LPSA) for HF communications. It covers their geometric principles, frequency-independent characteristics, and demonstrates how AN-SOF simulation software models these antennas, providing valuable insights into their performance and behavior.
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Evaluating EMF Compliance – Part 2: Using Near-Field Calculations to Determine Exclusion Zones
In this article, we dive deep into near-field calculations to establish RF exclusion zones. By understanding near-field and far-field regions, occupational vs. public exposure, health impacts, and practical methods, we ensure compliance with EMF guidelines and safeguard human health.
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Sections
The Antenna Lab
Unlock the world of antenna design! This section offers engaging resources for educators and students, fostering a deeper understanding of antenna theory and practice.
The Ham’s Corner
Take your ham radio skills to the next level! This section offers practical tips, tutorials, and project ideas specifically designed for the needs and interests of radio enthusiasts.
Advanced RF Edge
Delve into the cutting edge of antenna design. This section explores industry trends, insightful case studies, and advanced technical insights to empower antenna professionals.
Categories
1. Ideal Antennas 2. Antenna Metrics 3. Linear Antennas 4. Advanced Antennas 5. Simulation Methods Adding Wire Grids/Solid Surfaces Adding Wires Antenna Feeder Calculator Apertures & Reflectors Array Antennas Background Theory Book Complex Environments Current Distribution Curved Antennas Displaying Results Drawing Wires Editing Wires FAQs Far Field Fractal Antennas Getting Started Grids and Surfaces Ground Planes Guides Guides & Tools Incident Field Input Impedances Linear Antennas Load Impedances Microstrip Antennas Modeling Guidelines Models Near Field Numerical Methods Release Notes Results Display Running Calculations Scripts & Optimizers Setup Guide Simulation Setup Sources and Loads Step By Step Transmission Lines Traveling Wave Validation Wire Antennas
Tags
advanced RF (19) antenna arrays (18) antenna design (9) antenna lab (30) blog (94) broadband (3) dipole (12) directional (22) featured (3) fractal (1) ham radio (25) helix (6) loop (13) microstrip (2) monopole (6) multiband (4) omnidirectional (16) quad (3) release notes (22) tips & tricks (14) transmission lines (4) validation (3) yagi (7)
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Recent Articles
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Experimenting with Half-Wave Square Loops: Simulation and Practical Insights
Explore the unique behavior of half-wave square loop antennas through AN-SOF simulations. Learn how conductor length affects current distribution and radiation patterns, with practical experiments to validate theory. Download our template to test configurations yourself!
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Radar Cross Section and Reception Characteristics of a Passive Loop Antenna: A Simulation Study
This article analyzes radar cross section (RCS) and reception properties of a passive loop antenna via full-wave simulation. We demonstrate how loop resonance manifests in both RCS patterns and load voltage characteristics.
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Design and Simulation of Short Top-Loaded Monopole Antennas for LF and MF Bands
This article explores the design and simulation of compact top-loaded monopole antennas for LF and MF bands, highlighting efficiency optimization through top-loading and radial ground screens using AN-SOF. Ideal for AM broadcasting and low-frequency communications.
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Understanding the Folded Dipole: Structure, Impedance, and Simulation
Explore the fundamentals of folded dipole antennas. Learn how accurate simulations using conformal modeling in AN-SOF reveal the true behavior of curved wire geometries and confirm the expected input impedance.
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Broadband Directional Antenna
This is a 4 element broadband directional antenna. More than 50 MHz of bandwidth (SWR < 1.5) around 285 MHz. Gain 7 to 8 dBi. Length 0.52 m and maximum width 0.6 m.
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Modeling a Circular Loop Antenna in AN-SOF: A Step-by-Step Guide
This step-by-step guide empowers you to simulate circular loop antennas in AN-SOF. We’ll configure the software, define loop geometry, and explore how its size relative to wavelength affects radiation patterns and input resistance. Gain valuable insights into this fundamental antenna type!
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Modeling Helix Antennas in Axial Radiation Mode Using AN-SOF
Perfect for Beginners: Quick Guide to Helix Antenna Simulation. Master axial-mode helix design in AN-SOF with this easy step-by-step tutorial. Learn ground plane setup, helix creation, and radiation pattern analysis. Start modeling professional antennas today!
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Monopole Antennas Over Imperfect Ground: Modeling and Analysis with AN-SOF
Explore the design and simulation of monopole antennas over imperfect ground using AN-SOF. Learn how ground conditions impact performance and optimize efficiency for LF/MF broadcasting applications.
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Step-by-Step: Modeling Basic Yagi-Uda Arrays for Beginners
Master Yagi-Uda simulation in AN-SOF! This quick guide walks you through modeling a 3-element array (reflector, driven element, director). Analyze radiation patterns with professional results.
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Modeling a Center-Fed Cylindrical Antenna with AN-SOF
Learn how to simulate a center-fed cylindrical antenna using AN-SOF software. This step-by-step guide covers setup, geometry creation, simulation, and result analysis. Understand dipole characteristics through practical examples.
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AN-SOF Data Export: A Guide to Streamlining Your Workflow
Unleash the power of your AN-SOF simulations! This article explores the software’s data export features, enabling you to seamlessly transfer results to spreadsheets for further analysis, report generation, and clear communication of your antenna design findings.
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Enhancing Antenna Design Flexibility: Project Merging in AN-SOF
Discover how AN-SOF’s project merging feature enhances antenna design flexibility by seamlessly integrating supporting structures, enabling performance comparisons with and without a support.
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An Efficient Approach to Simulating Radiating Towers for Broadcasting Applications
Learn an efficient method to simulate radiating towers for broadcasting applications. This article explores detailed modeling and a simplified approach for analyzing radio mast designs, calculating near-field patterns with minimal effort, and applying these techniques to real-world antenna systems.
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RF Techniques: Implicit Modeling and Equivalent Circuits for Baluns
Explore how AN-SOF simplifies the process of modeling transformers and baluns with implicit techniques. Learn to transform antenna impedance using equivalent circuits. A must-read for engineers and RF enthusiasts!
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How to Adjust the Radiation Pattern Reference Point for Better Visualization
From the far field point of view, the whole structure of an antenna and its surroundings is reduced to a single point at the origin (X,Y,Z) = (0,0,0).
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H-Field Option in Preferences
We see that most of the time we are interested in calculating only the E-field in antenna projects when we are talking about the near field. For this reason, we have added an option to enable or disable the automatic calculation of the H-Field.
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New AN-SOF User Guide
Explore the new AN-SOF User Guide >, where you will find detailed information about its many features, as well as step-by-step examples and tips to help you quickly move forward with your antenna modeling projects.
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Explore 5 Antenna Models with Less Than 50 Segments in AN-SOF Trial Version
Discover 5 antenna models with less than 50 segments in AN-SOF Trial Version. These examples showcase the capabilities of our software for antenna modeling and design, allowing you to evaluate its features for your projects.
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A Closer Look at the HF Skeleton Slot Antenna
Explore the intricacies of the HF Skeleton Slot Antenna – a bi-directional marvel offering versatile HF communication.
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The 5-in-1 J-Pole Antenna Solution for Multiband Communications
Experience versatile communication with this 5-in-1 J-Pole Antenna – your go-to solution for multiband excellence.
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The 17m Band 2-Element Delta Loop Beam: A Compact, High-Gain Antenna for DX Enthusiasts
Conquer the 17-meter band with the 2-element Delta Loop Beam antenna. This compact, high-gain design boasts near-perfect impedance matching, making it perfect for DX enthusiasts. Download the AN-SOF model and unlock its potential!
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AN-SOF 7.20 is ready!
See how the radiation pattern changes with frequency in AN-3D Pattern. The near field heatmap and current distribution can also be viewed dynamically by changing the operating frequency.
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The Moxon-Yagi Dual-Band VHF/UHF Antenna for Superior Satellite Link Performance
Elevate your satellite connections with the Moxon-Yagi Dual-Band VHF/UHF Antenna. This innovative design optimizes signal reception for seamless communication.
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New Release :: AN-SOF 7.10 ::
AN-SOF 7.10 is now available for download! Access the input impedance and VSWR easily by going to the Main menu > Results. This avoids selecting the segment where the source is located to access the input impedance.
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Automating 2-Element Quad Array Design: Scripting and Bulk Processing in AN-SOF
Struggling to design optimal 2-element quad arrays? This article explores automating the process using Scilab scripts and AN-SOF’s bulk processing. Generate & simulate multiple configurations with varying element spacing, saving time and uncovering potential performance improvements!
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Exploring the Spiral Loop Antenna: A Compact Solution for 80m DXing
Discover the spiral loop antenna, a compact alternative for 80 meters band DXing. Explore its challenges and benefits, and learn how AN-SOF enables accurate modeling of its intricate wire geometry for optimal performance.
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AN-SOF 7.0 is Here!
AN-SOF 7.0 is Here! Run bulk simulations and process multiple input files with just one click. We have chosen the NEC format for the input files as it is a standard adopted by many users. Forget about running the simulations one by one, run them all at once.
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New Release :: AN-SOF 6.40 ::
New Release :: AN-SOF 6.40 :: Tabular input of linear wires as well as sources and loads. List of recently open projects in the File menu. Zoom in and out by rotating the mouse wheel.
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Indexed Articles
- 2.5 Antenna Effective Length
- 1.3 Arrays of Point Sources
- Aborting the Calculations
- Accurate Analysis of Solid Wheel Antennas at 2.4 GHz Using Cost-Effective Simulation
- Adding a Custom Lossy Line
- A Closer Look at the HF Skeleton Slot Antenna
- Adding a Dielectric Substrate
- Adding a Feed Line and Transformer
- Adding a PEC Ground Plane
- Adding a Real Ground Plane
- Adding Loads
- Adding Sources
- Adding Transmission Lines
- Adjusting the Color Bar in AN-3D Pattern
- Advantages of AN-SOF for Simulating 433 MHz Spring Helical Antennas for ISM & LoRa Applications
- An Efficient Approach to Simulating Radiating Towers for Broadcasting Applications
- An RLC Circuit
- AN-SOF 7.0 is Here!
- AN-SOF 7.20 is ready!
- AN-SOF 7.80 is ready!
- AN-SOF 8.70: Enhancing Your Antenna Design Journey
- AN-SOF 8: Elevating Antenna Simulation to the Next Level
- AN-SOF 9.50 Release: Streamlining Polarization, Geometry, and EMF Calculations
- AN-SOF 9: Taking Antenna Design Further with New Feeder and Tuner Calculators
- AN-SOF Antenna Simulation Best Practices: Checking and Correcting Model Errors
- AN-SOF Antenna Simulation Software - Version 8.90 Release Notes
- AN-SOF Data Export: A Guide to Streamlining Your Workflow
- AN-SOF Engine User Guide
- AN-SOF Implements James R. Wait Theory for Ground Losses of LF/MF Radio Masts
- AN-SOF in Action: Modeling and Understanding the Performance of Fractal Antennas
- AN-SOF Mastery: Adding Elevated Radials Quickly
- AN-SOF Overview
- AN-SOF User Guide
- Antennas on a Ship
- Arc
- Archimedean Spiral
- Articles Index Directory
- A Transmission Line
- Automating 2-Element Quad Array Design: Scripting and Bulk Processing in AN-SOF
- 2.9 Beamwidth and Sidelobes
- Beyond Analytical Formulas: Accurate Coil Inductance Calculation with AN-SOF
- Boosting Performance with Dual V Antennas: A Practical Design and Simulation
- Broadband Directional Antenna
- Broadside Dipole Array
- Building a Beam: Modeling a 5-Element 2m Band Quad Array
- Building a Compact High-Performance UHF Array with AN-SOF: A 4-Element Biquad Design
- Building Effective Cost Functions for Antenna Optimization: Weighting, Normalization, and Trade-offs
- 3.3 Calculating Input Impedance
- 3.1 Cylindrical Wire Antennas
- Calculating the Current Distribution
- Calculating the Far Field
- Calculating the Near E-Field
- Calculating the Near H-Field
- Can AI Design Antennas? Lessons from a 3-Iteration Yagi-Uda Experiment
- Capacitively-Fed Patch
- Car Roof Antenna
- Circle
- Complete Workflow: Modeling, Feeding, and Tuning a 20m Band Dipole Antenna
- Cone
- Conformal Method of Moments
- Connecting Transmission Lines
- Connecting Wires
- Connecting Wires to the Ground
- Convergence of the Dipole Input Impedance
- Copying and Stacking Wires
- Cross-Section Equivalent Radius
- Curved vs. Straight Segments
- Custom Feed Line Options
- Custom Preferences
- Custom Transmission Lines
- Cylinder
- 5.2 Differential Equation Methods
- 2.8 Directivity and Gain
- Defining the Environment
- Defining the Excitation
- Deleting a Grid/Surface
- Deleting a Wire
- Deleting Multiple Wires
- Design and Simulation of Short Top-Loaded Monopole Antennas for LF and MF Bands
- Design Guidelines for Skeleton Slot Antennas: A Simulation-Driven Approach
- Dipole Antenna
- Dipole Gain and Radiation Resistance
- Disc
- Disclaimer of Warranty
- Dish Antenna
- Displaying Smith Charts
- DIY Helix High Gain Directional Antenna: From Simulation to 3D Printing
- Download Examples
- 2.14 Effective Aperture and Gain
- 2.12 Equivalent Circuits for TX/RX
- 3.7 Equivalent Radius for Non-Circular Wires
- Editing Loads
- Editing Sources
- Editing Transmission Lines
- Efficient NOAA Satellite Signal Reception with the Quadrifilar Helix Antenna
- Electric Field Integral Equation
- Element Spacing Simulation Script for Yagi-Uda Antennas
- Enabling/Disabling Coating
- Enabling/Disabling Loads
- Enabling/Disabling Resistivity
- Enhanced Methodology for Monopoles Above Radial Wire Ground Screens
- Enhancing Antenna Design Flexibility: Project Merging in AN-SOF
- Enhancing VHF Performance: The Dual Reflector Moxon Antenna for 145 MHz
- Evaluating EMF Compliance - Part 1: A Guide to Far-Field RF Exposure Assessments
- Evaluating EMF Compliance - Part 2: Using Near-Field Calculations to Determine Exclusion Zones
- Evolving Better Antennas: A Genetic Algorithm Optimizer Using AN-SOF and Scilab
- Excitation by an Incident Field
- Excitation of the Structure
- Experimenting with Half-Wave Square Loops: Simulation and Practical Insights
- Explore 5 Antenna Models with Less Than 50 Segments in AN-SOF Trial Version
- Explore the Cutting-Edge World of AN-SOF Antenna Simulation Software!
- Exploring an HF Log-Periodic Sawtooth Array: Insights from Geometry to Simulation
- Exploring the Spiral Loop Antenna: A Compact Solution for 80m DXing
- Exporting Currents on a Wire
- Exporting the Far Field
- Exporting the Near Field
- Exporting Wires
- Export Radiation Patterns to MSI Planet
- Export Radiation Patterns to Radio Mobile
- Extended Double Zepp (EDZ): A Phased Array Solution for Directional Antenna Applications
- 7-Element Yagi-Uda
- 5-Element Yagi-Uda
- 3-Element Yagi-Uda
- 2.10 Feedpoint Impedance and Bandwidth
- 3.2 Feedpoint Resistance and Reactance
- 2.2 Field Strength and Intensity Plots
- 4.7 Fractal Antennas
- Far Field Parameters
- Fast Modeling of a Monopole Supported by a Broadcast Tower
- Feeder Results: Input Impedance and Losses
- File Formats
- Flat Ring
- Front-to-Rear and Front-to-Back Ratios: Applying Key Antenna Directivity Metrics
- 3.5 Hallén’s Integral Equation
- 4.2 Helical Antennas
- 5.4 Hybrid Numerical Techniques
- 4.5 Horn Antennas
- Half-Wave Dipole
- Helical Antenna with Grid Reflector
- Helical Antenna with PEC Reflector
- Helix
- H-Field Option in Preferences
- Horn Antenna
- How to Adjust the Radiation Pattern Reference Point for Better Visualization
- How to Speed Up Simulations in AN-SOF: Tips for Faster Results
- 3.8 Impedance of Short Dipoles and Monopoles
- 3.4 Induced EMF Method
- 5.3 Integral Equation Methods
- 5.1 Introduction to Antenna Simulation
- Importing Wires
- Incident Field Parameters
- Input Impedance and Directivity of Large Circular Loops
- Internal Impedance of a Source
- Introducing AN-SOF 10.5 – Smarter Tools, Faster Workflow, Greater Precision
- Introducing AN-SOF 8.50: Enhanced Antenna Design & Simulation Software
- Introducing the AN-SOF Engine: Power, Speed, and Flexibility for Antenna Simulation
- Inverted V Antenna
- 4.4 Log-Periodic Arrays
- 4.1 Loop Antennas
- 2.6 Loss Resistance Modeling
- Licensing FAQ
- Line
- Linear Antenna Theory: Historical Approximations and Numerical Validation
- Linking Log-Periodic Antenna Elements Using Transmission Lines
- Listing Load Impedances
- Listing the Currents in a Segment
- Listing the Input Impedances, VSWR, and S11
- Logarithmic Spiral
- Log-Periodic Christmas Tree
- Log-Periodic Dipole Array
- 5.5 Method of Moments (MoM)
- 4.8 Microstrip Patch Antennas
- 3.10 Mutual Impedance Between Wires
- 1.1 Maxwell’s Equations and Electromagnetic Radiation
- MI2 Fractal Loop
- Microstrip Antenna Array
- Microstrip Dipole
- Modeling a Center-Fed Cylindrical Antenna with AN-SOF
- Modeling a Circular Loop Antenna in AN-SOF: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Modeling a Super J-Pole: A Look Inside a 5-Element Collinear Antenna
- Modeling Coaxial Cables
- Modeling Common-Mode Currents in Coaxial Cables: A Hybrid Approach
- Modeling Helix Antennas in Axial Radiation Mode Using AN-SOF
- Modifying a Grid/Surface
- Modifying a Wire
- Monopole Above Earth Ground
- Monopole Antennas Over Imperfect Ground: Modeling and Analysis with AN-SOF
- Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Wires
- 4.6 Parabolic Reflectors
- 3.6 Pocklington’s Integral Equation
- Parabolic Grid Antenna
- Paraboloid
- Patch
- Patch Antenna
- Pi Day Special: A Short Dipole with Radiation Resistance of 3.14 Ohms
- Plate
- Plotting 2D Far Field Patterns
- Plotting 3D Far Field Patterns
- Plotting Near Field Patterns
- Plotting the Current Distribution
- Plotting the Far Field Spectrum
- Plotting the Near Field Spectrum
- Power Budget
- Precision Simulations with AN-SOF for Magnetic Loop Antennas
- Project Details
- 2.7 Radiation Efficiency
- 2.1 Radiation Pattern Fundamentals
- 2.4 Radiation Resistance
- 2.11 Receiving Mode Operation
- Radar Cross Section
- Radar Cross Section and Reception Characteristics of a Passive Loop Antenna: A Simulation Study
- Radiation Resistance and Directivity of Small Loops
- Radio Mast Above Wire Screen
- Random Loop
- RCS of Aircraft
- Removing the Ground Plane
- RF Calculators
- RF Techniques: Implicit Modeling and Equivalent Circuits for Baluns
- Running a Bulk Simulation
- 2.15 The Friis Transmission Equation
- 1.6 The Half-Wave Dipole
- 1.4 The Hertzian Dipole
- 1.9 The Hertzian Monopole
- 1.2 The Isotropic Radiator
- 2.13 The Reciprocity Principle
- 1.5 The Short Dipole – FREE SAMPLE
- 1.7 Thin Dipoles of Arbitrary Length
- 3.9 Top-Loading for Short Monopoles
- 2.3 Total Radiated Power
- Tabular Input of Linear Wires
- Tapered Wires
- Technical FAQ
- The 17m Band 2-Element Delta Loop Beam: A Compact, High-Gain Antenna for DX Enthusiasts
- The 3D-View Interface
- The 5-in-1 J-Pole Antenna Solution for Multiband Communications
- The AN-SOF Calculation Engine
- The AN-SOF Interface
- The Conformal Method of Moments
- The Exact Kernel
- The Lazy-H Antenna: A 10-Meter Band Design Guide
- The List Currents Toolbar
- The Loop on Ground (LoG) Antenna: A Compact Solution for Directional Reception
- The Moxon-Yagi Dual-Band VHF/UHF Antenna for Superior Satellite Link Performance
- The Plots Tab
- The Results Tab
- The Run ALL Command
- The Settings Panel
- The Setup Tab
- The Source/Load/TL Toolbar
- Tools in the Workspace
- To Our Valued AN-SOF Customers and Users: Reflections, Milestones, and Future Plans
- Transmission Line Feeding in Antenna Design: Exploring the Four-Square Array
- Troubleshooting
- Truncated Cone
- Tuner for Impedance Matching
- Types of Excitations and Loads
- Types of Grids and Surfaces
- Types of Results
- Types of Wires
- 1.0 Table of Contents
- Navigating the Numerical Landscape: Choosing the Right Antenna Simulation Method
- Near Field Parameters
- Nelder-Mead Optimization for Antenna Design Using the AN-SOF Engine and Scilab
- New AN-SOF User Guide
- New Release :: AN-SOF 6.20 ::
- New Release :: AN-SOF 6.40 ::
- New Release :: AN-SOF 7.10 ::
- New Release: AN-SOF 7.50
- New Release: AN-SOF 7.90
- New Tools in AN-SOF: Selecting and Editing Wires in Bulk
- Numerical Green's Function
- Scilab Script for Plotting Level Curves
- Selecting and Modifying Multiple Wires
- Selecting a Wire
- Shortcut Keys
- Simple Dual Band Vertical Dipole for the 2m and 70cm Bands
- Simplified Modeling for Microstrip Antennas on Ungrounded Dielectric Substrates: Accuracy Meets Simplicity
- Simulating a Multiband Omnidirectional Dipole Antenna Design
- Specifying the Frequencies
- Sphere
- Step-by-Step: Modeling Basic Yagi-Uda Arrays for Beginners