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    Technical FAQ

    Created On
    Updated On
    By:Tony Golden
    1. Is AN-SOF based on a NEC engine?

    No. AN-SOF is an independent implementation of the Method of Moments (MoM) specifically developed for wire structures. While many legacy tools rely on older Fortran-based NEC engines that carry significant modeling limitations, AN-SOF utilizes an entirely new object-oriented C++ architecture. By implementing the Conformal Method of Moments with an Exact Kernel, we have removed many of the historical constraints found in NEC, allowing for greater precision and flexibility.

    2. Can NEC files be imported into AN-SOF?

    Yes. AN-SOF supports the import of NEC files, and most standard NEC commands are fully compatible with our environment. This allows you to easily migrate existing projects or legacy designs into the AN-SOF interface to take advantage of our advanced solvers and modern visualization tools. You can download a collection of NEC example files to test the import process in AN-SOF from this link.

    3. What types of PCBs and microstrip antennas can AN-SOF simulate?

    While AN-SOF was originally designed for simulating wire structures using the Method of Moments (MoM), its calculation engine has been extended to support specific PCB and microstrip antenna designs. For structures that do not comply with the following conditions, a Finite Element Method (FEM) solver (not included in AN-SOF) should be used instead.

    Key Limitations and Requirements:

    • Single-Layer, Lossless Substrate Only: Only one dielectric layer is supported; multilayer substrates are not available. Additionally, the substrate must be lossless (loss tangent is assumed to be zero), and no holes or cutouts are permitted.
    • Finite-Size Substrate Constraints: The substrate must be rectangular. To ensure accuracy, traces must be positioned at least five times the trace width away from any substrate edge.
    • Ground Plane and Vias: A perfect electric conductor (PEC) ground plane is mandatory. Vertical vias can be modeled as short vertical wires connecting traces to the ground plane, which is often used for antenna feeding.
    • No Slot-Based Designs: Slot antennas or patches with internal slots cannot be modeled due to current software limitations.

    We currently have no plans to integrate an FEM solver into AN-SOF. For advanced PCB designs, such as multilayer structures or lossy substrates, we recommend using alternative simulation tools.

    4. What is the upper frequency limit?

    There is no theoretical upper frequency limit in AN-SOF. Since electromagnetic simulation complexity is determined by the size of the structure relative to the wavelength, we define limits in terms of electrical size rather than a specific frequency. As a structure becomes larger in wavelengths, the software must solve a matrix equation of a higher order. Consequently, modeling electrically large structures will require more computer memory and longer calculation times on any given PC.

    5. Can parametric design be done with AN-SOF?

    Yes. Parametric design is achieved by utilizing the Bulk Simulation feature. This allows you to use your preferred programming language to generate a sequence of files in NEC format with one or more variable parameters. AN-SOF can then process these files automatically in a single batch. For script generation, we recommend Scilab, a free numerical calculation tool that can be used to program scripts for creating multiple antenna descriptions with varying parameters. You can download an example of a Yagi-Uda antenna with variable element spacing at this link to see this workflow in action.

    6. Does AN-SOF support parallel processing?

    No. AN-SOF is engineered to deliver high-performance simulations on standard Windows workstations. Our numerical calculation strategies are specifically optimized to manage available RAM efficiently while providing professional-grade reliability. By focusing on algorithmic efficiency and the Conformal Method of Moments (CMoM), AN-SOF provides accurate results without requiring high-end server hardware or complex parallel configurations.

    7. What are the minimum PC requirements for AN-SOF?

    AN-SOF is optimized to run on most modern Windows environments. The minimum specifications are:

    • Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 (also compatible with Windows Vista, 7, and 8).
    • Processor: 2.0 GHz CPU or faster.
    • Memory: 2 GB RAM.
    • Disk Space: 1 GB of available hard drive space.

    For users working on large-scale simulations, increasing RAM and processor speed will further enhance calculation performance and overall responsiveness.

    8. Can AN-SOF be run on a Mac?

    AN-SOF is natively developed for Microsoft Windows, and we do not have plans to release a version for macOS. However, you can run AN-SOF on Mac hardware by using virtualization software such as Parallels Desktop. This allows you to create a virtual Windows environment on your Mac, providing full access to all AN-SOF features and simulation capabilities.

    9. Is there a version of AN-SOF for Linux?

    No. The natively supported operating system is Microsoft Windows, and we do not have plans to release a Linux version. However, many of our users successfully run AN-SOF on Linux using compatibility layers or virtualization software.

    Commonly used solutions include:

    • Wine or CrossOver Linux: These allow many Windows applications to run directly on Linux.
    • VMware Workstation or VirtualBox: These tools allow you to run a full Windows virtual machine within your Linux environment.

    We recommend using the AN-SOF Trial version to verify performance on your specific Linux distribution and configuration before purchasing.

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