Choose the Perfect Plan for Your Needs

We offer three comprehensive plans tailored to suit your requirements. Whether you’re an individual, a small business, or a growing enterprise, we have the ideal plan to meet your needs. Take a look at our options below and select the plan that best aligns with your goals and budget.

Flexible plans, your choice

While our plans are recurring, they do not automatically renew. You will have the option to renew your plan before it expires to continue enjoying the benefits.

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Already a licensed user? Contact us for a special quote to upgrade your AN-SOF version.

Licensing FAQ
1. Do I need a key for AN-SOF Trial version?

No. Just run AN-SOF and begin using it. In case you are prompted for a license, open the AN-Key app, press the Trial Key button, then the Activate button and restart AN-SOF.

2. Is there a time limit for the Trial version?

No. There is only a limit of 50 unknowns (segments + wire connections + ground connections) to run the calculations. All example files included in the installation directory are pre-computed and can be opened with the trial version of AN-SOF to display tables and graphs without limitations. Download examples that have less than 50 unknowns from this link >.

3. Will AN-SOF stop working when my plan ends?

No, AN-SOF will continue to function even after your plan expires. However, you will lose access to the following features:

  • Download updates: You will no longer be able to download and install the latest versions of AN-SOF, including bug fixes and security updates.
  • Technical support: You will no longer be eligible to receive technical support from our team.
  • Installer access: Installers for discontinued versions of AN-SOF will only be available for download for three years after their discontinuation. After this period, you will need to purchase a new plan to access the installers.
  • Activation key: If you lose the activation key for a discontinued version of AN-SOF, we will not be able to provide you with a new one after three years of discontinuation.

Therefore, while AN-SOF will continue to function, it is recommended to renew your plan to ensure access to all features and ongoing support.

4. What happens if I don’t renew my plan?

If you don’t renew your plan, you will experience the following: 

  • Continued functionality: AN-SOF will continue to function, but it will be limited to the version you have installed.
  • No updates: You will not receive any updates, including bug fixes, security patches, or new features.
  • Limited support: You will not have access to technical support from our team.
  • Version discontinuation: Your currently installed version of AN-SOF will eventually be discontinued. After three years of discontinuation, the installer and activation key for that version will no longer be available.

To continue enjoying the full functionality and support of AN-SOF, it is important to renew your plan before it expires.

5. What is the difference between the GOLD and PLATINUM plans?

The PLATINUM plan includes live chat support, in addition to ticket and email support, while the GOLD plan only includes ticket and email support. 

6. Do you offer a refund for AN-SOF purchases?

Due to the availability of a fully functional trial version with no time limit, all sales of AN-SOF software licenses are final and non-refundable. This policy helps us ensure that users have a fair opportunity to try out the software before making a purchase. We encourage all users to thoroughly evaluate the trial version before purchasing a license. You can find detailed information about the conditions and process for exceptions to the non-refundable policy on our dedicated Refund Policy page. 

Technical FAQ
1. What are the minimum PC requirements?

Windows Vista/7/8/10/11. 2GHz CPU, 2GB RAM, 1GB free disk space.

2. Can AN-SOF be run on a Mac computer?

The supported operating system is Microsoft Windows. We have no plans to release a Mac version. Macintosh users can run a program called Parallels >. Parallels Desktop for Mac is desktop virtualization software that allows Microsoft Windows applications to run on an Apple Mac computer.

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

No. The supported operating system is Microsoft Windows. We have no plans to release a Linux version. You can use a Windows emulator like Wine, CrossOver Linux, Vmware Workstation or whatever you find on the market.

4. Does AN-SOF support parallel processing?

No, it doesn’t. AN-SOF has been developed to run on home computers running Windows(R) OS, so numerical calculation strategies have been implemented to take care of the available RAM memory and at the same time obtain reliable results.

5. What is the upper frequency limit?

There is no theoretical upper limit for the frequency since the structure size is measured in wavelengths. So, we talk about a size limit in wavelengths instead of a frequency limit. The simulation requires solving a matrix equation of increasing order as the structure size is increased in wavelengths, so modeling large structures will require more computer memory and time on a particular PC.

6. How does AN-SOF divide the wires into segments? Is a higher density of segments needed in tapered wires?

By default, AN-SOF calculates the minimum recommended number of segments for each wire depending on its length in wavelengths. Various convergence analyzes > show that 10 wire segments per wavelength is sufficient for most cases. Regarding tapered wires, in old algorithms like NEC it was necessary to increase the density of segments near the connections between wires when there is a radius jump. This is not necessary in AN-SOF as it is not NEC based. See the advantages of AN-SOF here >.

7. Can arrays be built quickly by duplicating and copying parts of a structure?

Yes. Go to main menu > Edit > Copy Wires > to duplicate or make the desired number of copies of the selected wires. There is also the Stack Wires command which allows us to repeat a design along a given direction. By using this command in combination with the Scale Wires > command we can quickly build Yagi-like arrays.

8. Can parametric design be done with AN-SOF, that is, run simulations with variable geometric parameters such as the separation between dipoles in an array?

Yes. Parametric design is possible by running a Bulk Simulation >. We prefer that the user chooses the programming language to generate a sequence of files in NEC format with one or more variable parameters. Calculations on these files can then be run automatically in bulk. Scilab > is a free numerical calculation software tool with which we can program scripts that generate multiple descriptions of an antenna with variable parameters. Download an example of a Yagi-Uda antenna with variable element spacing from this link >.

9. Is the wire grid model well suited for surfaces?

In addition to specializing in wire structures composed of wire grids, AN-SOF also allows the modeling of solid metallic surfaces. Solid surfaces are viewed in the AN-SOF workspace as if they were wire grids; however, they are actually made up of flat strips. These strips have widths automatically calculated to completely cover a metal surface without leaving holes.

10. Can AN-SOF model electrically large antennas like horns and parabolic dishes?

AN-SOF is equipped to model solid metallic surfaces, including parabolics and horns. Currently, there is a limitation of approximately 10 square wavelengths of surface. As long as your antenna’s surface area stays within this threshold, you can run simulations. This limitation pertains to the surface area of the antenna measured in square wavelengths, rather than a restriction on the frequency range.

11. Does AN-SOF support load impedances?

Yes, it does. Resistance, inductance, and capacitance elements can be added to the structure to model the connection of lumped load impedances.

12. Are near E- and H-fields available in tables and for exportation as Excel or Google Sheets files?

Yes, they are. The computed near E and H fields can be visualized in 2D and 3D plots as well as in tables and exported as CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical near field components can be obtained.

13. Is AN-SOF based on a NEC engine?

No. AN-SOF is an independent implementation of the Method of Moments (MoM) for wire structures. NEC is an old Fortran calculation engine that has a lot of limitations. Many of these limitations have been removed in AN-SOF by implementing the so-called Conformal Method of Moments with Exact Kernel > in a completely new object-oriented C++ code. See further details here >

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

Yes. Most of the NEC commands are supported. Download NEC example files to import into AN-SOF from here >

15. Can dielectric materials be modeled with AN-SOF?

Dielectric material can be added as insulation or coating to metallic wires, and microstrip antennas can be patterned on a dielectric substrate. However, modeling volumes composed entirely of dielectric materials is not currently supported.

16. What types of PCBs and microstrip antennas can be simulated with AN-SOF?

Although AN-SOF was developed to simulate wire structures, we have been able to extend the calculation engine to also model PCBs and microstrip antennas that meet the following requirements:

  • The structure must have a single layer of dielectric substrate. Multiple layers are not supported.
  • When the substrate has a finite size, the traces must be separated from the edges by at least 5 times the width of a trace.
  • The dielectric substrate is backed up by a perfectly conducting ground plane that cannot be removed. Vias that go through the substrate and connect traces to the ground plane can be added to feed an antenna or PCB.
17. What types of DXF files can be imported into AN-SOF?

Only DXF files containing LINE objects can be imported into AN-SOF. See the description of the LINE object and download examples from this link >.

Troubleshooting
1. I get the error “Current License file is not valid for this version. AN-SOF will run in trial mode.”

You have entered an invalid activation key. Find the AN-Key app and launch it. Press the “Trial Key” button and then “Activate”. Restart AN-SOF. Follow the instructions in the AN-Key window to request a valid key corresponding to your serial number if you have purchased a license. Please note that the key you used to activate a previous version of AN-SOF may not be valid for the latest version. Request a new key >.

2. I get the error “The License file does not exist. AN-SOF will run in trial mode.”

Find the AN-Key app and launch it. Press the “Trial Key” button and then “Activate”. Restart AN-SOF. Follow the instructions in the AN-Key window to request a valid key corresponding to your serial number if you have purchased a license. Please note that the key you used to activate a previous version of AN-SOF may not be valid for the latest version. Request a new key >.

3. I have entered the correct activation key, but AN-SOF continues to run in trial mode.

Uninstall AN-SOF. Then go to C:\ and delete all the folders whose names start with “AN-SOF Professional”. Reinstall AN-SOF. Find the AN-Key app and launch it. Follow the instructions in the AN-Key window to request a valid key corresponding to your serial number if you have purchased a license. If the problem persists, open a support case here >. Please note that the key you used to activate a previous version of AN-SOF may not be valid for the latest version. Request a new key >.

4. AN-SOF or one of its applications does not work.

Uninstall AN-SOF. Then go to C:\ and delete all the folders whose names start with “AN-SOF Professional”. Reinstall AN-SOF.

5. When running AN-SOF or any of its applications nothing is displayed on the screen.

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and run the Task Manager. Right click on the application that is not working and choose “End Task”.

6. When I try to run AN-SOF, I get the error “The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable”.

Navigate to the folder that you specified when using the installer. The default folder is “C:\AN-SOF Professional X”, where X is the AN-SOF version. Then, launch ANSOF.exe directly from that location. You can create a shortcut to this file on the Windows desktop if you wish.

Disclaimer of Warranty

This Knowledge Base and associated software are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. Golden Engineering Ltd. disclaims all warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

Golden Engineering Ltd. does not warrant that:

  • The technical descriptions, procedures, and software are free from errors or defects.
  • The equations, programs, and procedures are consistent with any standard of merchantability.
  • The equations, programs, and procedures will meet your requirements for any application.

Golden Engineering Ltd. is not liable for any damages arising from the use of the Knowledge Base or associated software, including, but not limited to:

  • Direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages.
  • Damages for loss of profits, data, or use.
  • Damages for personal injury or property damage.

Any use of the Knowledge Base or associated software is at your own risk.