Introduction to Modeling

EM Scientific
Contents

1 Method of Moments 1

1.1 ........................................................................................ EXPERT MININEC Application 1

1.2 .................................................................................................................. Integral equation 1

1.3 ............................................................................................................Numerical procedure 1

1.4 ........................................................................................................................Ground plane 2

1.5 ....................................................................................................................................Loads 2

1.6 ..................................................................................................................Radiation pattern 2

1.7 ..........................................................................................................................Real ground 2

2 Modeling Process 4

2.1 .......................................................................................... Geometry description definition 4

2.1.1 .............................................................................................. Parallel dipoles example 4

2.1.2 ......................................................................................... Dual quad antenna example 6

2.1.3 .................................................................................................. TEE antenna example 8

2.1.4 .......................................................................................................General dialog box 9

2.2 ...........................................................................................Electrical description definition 10

2.2.1 .....................................................................................................................Frequency 10

2.2.2 ............................................................................................... Voltage/current sources 10

2.2.3 ...............................................................................................................Lumped loads 10

3 Model validation 11

3.1 ............................................................................................................. Definition summary 11

3.2 ........................................................................................................... Definition evaluation 11

Introduction to Modeling Contents • i

 3.3 ............................................................................................................ List of current nodes 11

3.4 ............................................................................................................................ 3D display 12

3.5 ..................................................................................................................Convergence test 12

3.6 .............................................................. Solution description definition and output display 14

Introduction to Modeling Contents • ii

 1 METHOD OF MOMENTS

1.1 EXPERT MININEC APPLICATION

EXPERT MININEC is an advanced engineering tool for the design and analysis of wire antennas.
The antennas must be characterized by a collection of arbitrary thin, straight wires in free space or
over a ground plane. A Method of Moments approach is used to solve for the current distribution on
the wires.

In EXPERT MININEC the solution for currents is based on the numerical solution of an integral
equation representation of the electric fields. The process of solution begins with several
assumptions which are valid for thin wires:

The wires radius is very small with respect to the wavelength and the wire length.
The wire must be subdivided into short segments so the radius is assumed small with respect
to segment lengths. Thus the currents can be assumed to be axially directed (i.e., no
circumferential currents on the wires).

1.2 INTEGRAL EQUATION

The electric field is formulated in terms of its scalar and vector sources. These sources are the
vector magnetic potential and the scalar electric potential. The two potentials are calculated from
potential integrals, which are solutions of the Helmholtz vector and scalar wave equations. In the
potential integrals, the integrands are the wire current and wire charge distributions, which are
assumed to be known. The current and charge are linked via the equation of continuity. EXPERT
MININEC makes use of the boundary condition on tangential electric field at the surface of a perfect
conductor, namely that the electric field must be zero. Since the wires are assumed to be thin, this
forces the total axial electric field on the wire to zero. The three sources of the tangential electric
field on the wire are:

currents and charges on the wires and on nearby wires.

incoming waves from distance or nearby radiators.
local sources of electric field on the wire.
The local sources are usually in the form of voltage sources, or current sources that connect to the
wires. By summing the tangential electric field components at each segment on the wire antenna
and enforcing the zero total value, an integral representation for the currents and charges is obtained.

1.3 NUMERICAL PROCEDURE

The Method of Moments solution in EXPERT MININEC is a numerical procedure for solving the
electric field integral equation. Basis functions are chosen to represent the unknown currents (i.e.,
triangular basis functions). Testing functions are chosen to enforce the integral equation on the
surface of the wires. With the choice of basis and testing functions, a matrix approximating the

Introduction to Modeling Method of Moments • 1

integral equation is derived. If this matrix is inverted and multiplied by the local sources of electric
field, the complex magnitudes of the current basis functions are derived. All antenna performance
parameters can be determined from the derived current distribution.

1.4 GROUND PLANE

Ground planes are accommodated by the method of images. Where a wire attaches to the ground
plane, a current basis function is automatically added to the wire end point connection to ground.
Current continuity is maintained. Real grounds can also be considered using the Reflection
Coefficient Approximation.

1.5 LOADS

Lumped parameter impedance loading is added when requested by the user to selected junctions
between connecting segments. The load impedance is added to the self term of the solution matrix
for the corresponding matrix element.

1.6 RADIATION PATTERN

Radiation patterns are calculated from the electric field in terms of the structure currents, in the
classical closed-form solution. Finite grounds can also be considered using the Reflection
Coefficient Approximation.

1.7 REAL GROUND

Real ground includes the following features:

In computing the radiated field in a given direction, the given ground media is determined
where the ray from each current node reflects. The reflected ray is computed using the
appropriate ground parameters and height of the ground associated with the given ground
media.
Diffraction from the cliff edge is not included.
The Reflection Coefficient Approximation (RCA) method is used to compute the effect of a
real ground. The RCA solution evaluates the field of the image multiplied by the Fresnel
plane wave reflection coefficients, and can only be used with currents nodes that are
sufficiently far from the ground. The RCA method should not be used for currents nodes that
are close to the ground surface. Reasonable engineering estimates are obtained when a
current node is greater than .1 to .2 wavelengths from the ground.
The radial wire ground screen approximation is based on a modified reflection coefficient.
The reflection coefficient at each point on the ground is computed from the surface
impedance. The surface impedance is a parallel combination of the radial wire screen and the
ground impedance.

Introduction to Modeling Method of Moments • 2

 The connection of a wire to ground is assumed to be perfect ground. The solution for a
vertical monopole on a real ground will be the same as for the monopole on a perfectly
conducting ground.

Introduction to Modeling Method of Moments • 3

 2 MODELING PROCESS

There is a systematic process to the successful application of EXPERT MININEC to wire antenna
design and analysis. This introduction is meant to provide the user with insight into the both the
fundamentals and mechanics of the EXPERT MININEC modeling process. Upon completion of this
discussion a user will be ready to begin doing problems and exploring the more advanced
capabilities of EXPERT MININEC.

The EXPERT MININEC modeling process has five principal steps. These steps are:

Geometry description definition.

Electrical description definition.
Model validation.
Solution description definition and Output display.
Several of the sample problem files are used in describing this modeling process.

2.1 GEOMETRY DESCRIPTION DEFINITION

2.1.1 Parallel dipoles example

One of the classic problems in antennas is the analysis of dipole antennas. Consider two parallel,
one-half meter dipoles of radius .001 meters. The two dipoles are 0.1 meters apart. First, the points
of the geometry must be defined. The two dipoles are defined by the end points of each of the two
wires. In Cartesian coordinates the two geometry points for the first wire are:

(-.05, 0, -.25) and (-.05, 0, .25).

The two geometry points for the second wire are:

(.05, 0, -.25) and (.05, 0, .25).

These geometry points are defined in EXPERT MININEC by appropriately filling the Geometry
points dialog box for parallel dipoles. The Geometry points dialog box is under Problem definition
on the Menu Bar. The user then chooses Geometry and then Geometry points. The Geometry points
dialog box can also be opened by entering Control - N (i.e., CTRL+N). The dimensions are in
meters. The environment is free space, and a Cartesian coordinate system is defined. The Geometry
points dialog box can be filled-in, or the DIPOLES sample problem file can be loaded using Open
under the File option of the Menu Bar.

There are several push buttons in the Geometry points dialog box for parallel dipoles. These push
buttons are common to a general dialog box.

Several different coordinate systems are available in the Geometry points dialog box for parallel
dipoles. If the coordinate system is Cartesian, the location of the geometry point is (X, Y, Z). If the

Introduction to Modeling Modeling Process • 4

coordinate system is cylindrical, the location of the geometry point is (Radius, Angle, Z), where the
angle is the azimuthal angle from the X axis. If the coordinate system is geographic, the location of
the geometry point is (Distance, Angle, Z). Distance is the distance from the origin. Angle is
measured from true North toward the East. The translation to the Cartesian system assumes that the
X axis is oriented toward true North. The Cartesian coordinates are rotated ninety degrees clockwise
from and are the mirror image of the geographic system.

There are several intrinsic diagnostics that are inherent in the Geometry points dialog box for
parallel dipoles. The inputs are checked such that:

Duplicate geometry points are not allowed.

If a ground condition is specified for the environment, values for Z less than zero are not
accepted. All ground planes are infinite in extent. If a perfect ground is defined, the current
calculations are made with image theory. If a real ground is defined, the Reflection
Coefficient Approximation is used.
The next step is to define the attributes of each wire. This includes the geometry points of each end
of the wire, the number of segments, radius and end cap options. This is accomplished by filling the
Straight wires dialog box. For this example, end caps were not appropriate. The Straight wires
dialog box is under Problem Definition on the Menu Bar. The user then chooses Geometry and then
Straight wires. The Straight wires dialog box can also be opened by entering CTRL+W.

For this parallel dipoles example, the user inputs two wires. The first wire has a radius of .001, 6
segments and geometry end points of 1 and 2. The second wire has a radius of .001 and 6 segments.
The end points are designated as 3 and 4.

Wires are defined only by geometry points of the ends of the wires. The intersection of two wires at
a point not at the ends of both wires does not result in a connection. Wires are connected only when
an end of both wires have the same geometry point. If a ground plane is used, a wire is connected to
ground if one of its geometry points has the Z coordinate equal to zero.

There are several intrinsic diagnostics that are inherent in the Straight wires dialog box. The inputs
are checked such that:

Coincident wires are not allowed.

Radius must be greater than zero. The default is .001.
The geometry point is an integer that cannot be greater than the number of points. The
number of points is equal to the number of entries in Geometry points dialog box. The
default is the number of points.
End caps are not allowed to be part of a junction. Straight wires removes the end cap request
appropriately. Selecting the End caps option will add the radius of the wire to the length of
the wire on the specified end.
Each wire is divided into segments for analysis purposes. For this example, each dipole has six
segments. The validity of the computation is critically dependent on the choice of the number of

Introduction to Modeling Modeling Process • 5

segments. Although accuracy improves with increase in the number of segments, both the
computational time and memory also increase. It is part of the modeling art that the user choose a
segmentation scheme that is accurate within the allowable computation time and memory
requirements. Depending on the complexity of the problem, segments lengths on the order of .02
wavelengths are suggested. The electrical frequency of the computation is required in order to make
a determination of the segment length in wavelengths.

The currents on a wire are defined in terms of current nodes on the wire. The location of current
nodes is dependent on the number of segments. See the current nodes for the parallel dipole
example.

The list of current nodes is explained by understanding the segments of a wire and the expanding of
currents about the segments. A wire is subdivided into segments, and the current is expanded as
triangles centered at adjacent segment junctions. The end points of a wire have no triangles. If a
second wire is attached to the first wire, the second wire is subdivided into segments with currents
expanded as triangles as in the case of the first wire. In addition a triangle is located at the
attachment end, with half extending onto wire two, and half onto wire one. The half of the triangle
on wire one assumes the dimensions (length and radius of the half segment of wire one), while the
half of the triangle on wire two assumes the dimensions of wire two. Wire two overlaps onto wire
one with a current triangle at the junction end. A third wire may be assumed also to overlap onto
wire one. It can be shown that for a junction of N wires, only (N - 1) overlaps with associated
currents are required to satisfy Kirchhoff's current law. The convention in the EXPERT MININEC
is that the overlap occurs onto the earliest wire specified at a junction. A wire junction is
established whenever the user defined coordinates of a wire end are identical to the end coordinates
of a wire previously specified.

Current nodes for parallel dipoles

CURRENT NODES
coordinates (meters) connections node
wire X Y Z end1 end2 no.
1 -.05 0 -.166667 END 1 1
1 -.05 0 -.0833333 1 1 2
1 -.05 0 0 1 1 3
1 -.05 0 .0833333 1 1 4
1 -.05 0 .166667 1 END 5
2 .05 0 -.166667 END 2 6
2 .05 0 -.0833333 2 2 7
2 .05 0 0 2 2 8
2 .05 0 .0833333 2 2 9
2 .05 0 .166667 2 END 10

2.1.2 Dual quad antenna example

Next, consider a more complicated antenna with connecting wires. The dual quad antenna, a
favorite of Ham radio enthusiasts, is used as the example. This is sample problem DUALQUAD.
Eight geometry points are required to define eight wires. See the geometry summary for this
problem definition. The dimensions are in feet. The environment is free space. The first four
geometry points are used to define the first loop, and the second set of four geometry points are used

Introduction to Modeling Modeling Process • 6

to define the second loop. The radius is .0033666 feet for all wires, and six segments are used for
each wire.

See the current nodes for dual quad. Note the designation of the connections. For example, current
node six is the connection point between wire 1 and wire 2 of the first quad antenna.

Geometry summary for dual quad antenna

GEOMETRY
Dimensions in feet
Environment: free space

wire caps X Y Z radius segs

1 none -5. -6.083 -6.083 .0033666 6
-5. 6.083 -6.083
2 none -5. 6.083 -6.083 .0033666 6
-5. 6.083 6.083
3 none -5. 6.083 6.083 .0033666 6
-5. -6.083 6.083
4 none -5. -6.083 6.083 .0033666 6
-5. -6.083 -6.083
5 none 5. -5.917 -5.917 .0033666 6
5. 5.917 -5.917
6 none 5. 5.917 -5.917 .0033666 6
5. 5.917 5.917
7 none 5. 5.917 5.917 .0033666 6
5. -5.917 5.917
8 none 5. -5.917 5.917 .0033666 6
5. -5.917 -5.917

Current nodes for dual quad antenna

CURRENT NODES
coordinates (feet) connections node
wire X Y Z end1 end2 no.
1 -5. -4.05533 -6.083 END 1 1
1 -5. -2.02767 -6.083 1 1 2
1 -5. 0 -6.083 1 1 3
1 -5. 2.02767 -6.083 1 1 4
1 -5. 4.05533 -6.083 1 END 5
2 -5. 6.083 -6.083 1 2 6
2 -5. 6.083 -4.05533 2 2 7
2 -5. 6.083 -2.02767 2 2 8
2 -5. 6.083 0 2 2 9
2 -5. 6.083 2.02767 2 2 10
2 -5. 6.083 4.05533 2 END 11
3 -5. 6.083 6.083 2 3 12
3 -5. 4.05533 6.083 3 3 13
3 -5. 2.02767 6.083 3 3 14
3 -5. 0 6.083 3 3 15
3 -5. -2.02767 6.083 3 3 16
3 -5. -4.05533 6.083 3 END 17
4 -5. -6.083 6.083 3 4 18
4 -5. -6.083 4.05533 4 4 19
4 -5. -6.083 2.02767 4 4 20

Introduction to Modeling Modeling Process • 7

 4 -5. -6.083 0 4 4 21
4 -5. -6.083 -2.02767 4 4 22
4 -5. -6.083 -4.05533 4 4 23
4 -5. -6.083 -6.083 4 1 24
5 5. -3.94467 -5.917 END 5 25
5 5. -1.97233 -5.917 5 5 26
5 5. 0 -5.917 5 5 27
5 5. 1.97233 -5.917 5 5 28
5 5. 3.94467 -5.917 5 END 29
6 5. 5.917 -5.917 5 6 30
6 5. 5.917 -3.94467 6 6 31
6 5. 5.917 -1.97233 6 6 32
6 5. 5.917 0 6 6 33
6 5. 5.917 1.97233 6 6 34
6 5. 5.917 3.94467 6 END 35
7 5. 5.917 5.917 6 7 36
7 5. 3.94467 5.917 7 7 37
7 5. 1.97233 5.917 7 7 38
7 5. 0 5.917 7 7 39
7 5. -1.97233 5.917 7 7 40
7 5. -3.94467 5.917 7 END 41
8 5. -5.917 5.917 7 8 42
8 5. -5.917 3.94467 8 8 43
8 5. -5.917 1.97233 8 8 44
8 5. -5.917 0 8 8 45
8 5. -5.917 -1.97233 8 8 46
8 5. -5.917 -3.94467 8 8 47
8 5. -5.917 -5.917 8 5 48

2.1.3 TEE antenna example

A final example of geometry description considers an antenna connected to a ground plane. This
example is a "TEE" antenna on a ground plane. This is sample problem TEE. The height is .04
meters. Both arms have lengths of .12 meters and radii of .002 meters. The four geometry points for
this TEE antenna are given in the following table.

point X Y Z
1 0 0 0
2 0 0 .04
3 -.12 0 .04
4 -12 0 .04
The radius of the vertical element is .001 meters. The vertical element has two segments, and each
arm has six segments. The antenna is fed at the base. In the Geometry points a perfect ground is
chosen for the environment. See the tabulation of the current nodes for TEE antenna geometry.
Note the identification of ground as one of the connections for current node one.

Introduction to Modeling Modeling Process • 8

Current nodes for TEE antenna
CURRENT NODES
coordinates (meters) connections node
wire X Y Z end1 end2 no.
1 0 0 0 GND 1 1
1 0 0 .02 1 END 2
2 0 0 .04 1 2 3
2 -.02 0 .04 2 2 4
2 -.04 0 .04 2 2 5
2 -.06 0 .04 2 2 6
2 -.08 0 .04 2 2 7
2 -.1 0 .04 2 END 8
3 0 0 .04 1 3 9
3 .02 0 .04 3 3 10
3 .04 0 .04 3 3 11
3 .06 0 .04 3 3 12
3 .08 0 .04 3 3 13
3 .1 0 .04 3 END 14

2.1.4 General dialog box

The following describe the actions of these common push buttons:

On a general dialog box there are several common push buttons. The following list describes the
actions of these common push buttons.

OK - accept all of the user inputs and dismiss the dialog box.
Apply - accept all of the user inputs, but do not close the dialog box.
Reset - ignore all of the user inputs since the dialog box appeared or since the user hit the
Apply button (whichever happened last), but do not close the dialog box.
Cancel - ignore all of the user inputs since the dialog box appeared or since the user hit the
Apply button (whichever happened last), but close the dialog box.
{ALT} with the underlined letter of the word designating the push button will depress the
button. At the top of many dialog boxes is a list box that contains a list of the defined
parameters. This list box has several features. The number of the highlighted entry and the
total number of entries are displayed on top of list box. Clicking on an entry in the list box
fills the text boxes with the parameter data for that entry.
Additional push buttons are:
Add - adds parameters in text boxes to list box.
Modify - modifies the highlighted entries with the current entries in the text boxes.
Delete - deletes the current highlighted entries in the list box.

Introduction to Modeling Modeling Process • 9

Shift + click or shift + arrow key extends the selection from the previously selected entry to the
current entry. {CTRL} + click selects or deselects an entry from the list. {ALT}L selects all entries in
the list box.

2.2 ELECTRICAL DESCRIPTION DEFINITION

2.2.1 Frequency

Once the geometry has been defined, the electrical description must be defined. First, the frequency
may be specified. The Frequency dialog box is under Problem definition on the Menu Bar. The user
then chooses Electrical and then Frequency. The Frequency dialog box can also be opened by
entering CTRL+F. In many cases a frequency is chosen such that the dimensions in meters are the
same as the dimensions in wavelengths. In EXPERT MININEC the frequency of 299.8 MHz has a
wavelength of one meter. This frequency is selected by appropriately filling the Frequency dialog
box. For the parallel dipoles example the frequency is 299.8 MHz. The frequency stepping option is
not used.

2.2.2 Voltage/current sources

In order to calculate the currents and impedance, a source must be defined. For the example of the
parallel dipoles, the first dipole is to be center fed with a voltage source of magnitude one volt with
zero phase. Sources are defined in terms of the current nodes that result from the segmentation of
the wires. Using the table of the current nodes for parallel dipoles example, the center node for the
first dipole is current node 3. The desired voltage source is specified by filling the Voltage/current
sources dialog box. The Voltage/current sources dialog box is under Problem definition on the
Menu Bar. The user then chooses Electrical and then Voltage/current sources. The Voltage/current
sources dialog box can also be opened by entering CTRL+V.

Sources are defined such that the positive terminal, the terminal of the direction of current flow, is in
the direction of end two of the wire. If a wire is reversed, the polarity of the source will be reversed.
A source placed at a junction of two wires is defined by the higher numbered wire. The positive
terminal of the source is in the direction of end two of the higher numbered wire. For complex
antenna structures the source direction should always be of concern. Especially, when multiple
sources are used, the resulting currents should be evaluated in terms of the sources being defined in
the correct directions.

2.2.3 Lumped loads

The effect of a load at the center of the second dipole of (50, 0) can also be determined using the
Lumped loads option. This load is specified at node 8 for the center node of the second wire. This
loading option is specified by filling the Lumped loads dialog box. The Lumped loads dialog box is
under Problem definition on the Menu Bar. The user then chooses Electrical and then Lumped
loads. The Lumped loads dialog box can also be opened by entering CTRL+L.

Introduction to Modeling Modeling Process • 10

 3 MODEL VALIDATION

There are four different methods of checking the validity of a given model. These methods include:

Definition summary.
Definition evaluation.
List of current nodes.
3D display.
Convergence test.

3.1 DEFINITION SUMMARY

The first method is the most straightforward. EXPERT MININEC provides a summary of the
problem description. This is accessed from the Definition summary option of the Diagnostics
option. The definition summary can also be accessed by entering CTRL+U. As an example, see the
definition summary for the parallel dipoles problem. This description does not include the lumped
load at current node 8.

3.2 DEFINITION EVALUATION

Definition evaluation is also available as an option under the Diagnostics option. This option can
also be accessed by entering CTRL+U. Definition evaluation evaluates the problem definition
against the Geometry guidelines:

For individual wires a check against the Geometry guidelines indicates the wire number, the
type of violation, and the magnitude of the violation.
For junctions the check against the Geometry guidelines indicates the node, the type of
violation, the wires involved, and the magnitude of the violation.
Crossed wires indicates the two wires that are crossed.
Definition evaluation also evaluates the electrical description of loads and sources for valid current
nodes. EXPERT MININEC has both intrinsic and extrinsic diagnostics. Many of the individual
dialog boxes check for valid inputs. The Straight wire dialog box, for example, ensures that there
are no coincident wires and that no wires have zero length.

3.3 LIST OF CURRENT NODES

The list of current nodes is also available to check the model validity. This option is available under
Diagnostics on the Menu Bar, or by entering CTRL+I. As an example, the list of current nodes for
TEE antenna indicates that there is a connection to ground. In addition there are two symmetrical
horizontal wires on top of this vertical wire.

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 11

3.4 3D DISPLAY

The 3D display provides a three dimensional view of the problem definition for diagnostic review.
3D display is available under the Diagnostics option of the Menu Bar or by entering F3. Features
specific to the 3D display of the problem include:

Wire numbers can be removed or displayed.

Before 3D display, the geometry is evaluated with respect to the geometry guidelines. Wires
with error and warnings are highlighted in red and yellow respectively. A color coded
reminder is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
The electrical depiction can be removed or displayed. Current nodes are displayed in cyan.
Voltage current nodes are displayed in red and highlighted with an “S”. Lumped loads
current nodes are displayed in green and highlighted with a “L”. A color coded reminder is
again displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Clicking on a wire in the 3D display with the right button of the mouse will highlight the
wire and display a geometry description of the highlighted wire. In addition, a wire/node
window is provided for deleting the wire or modifying the wire description. The geometry
points and straight wires descriptions can be modified. These modifications are then
reflected in the appropriate dialog boxes.

3.5 CONVERGENCE TEST

As mentioned previously, the choice of the number of segments is critical to the validity of the
computation. The accuracy is dependent on the number of segments. However, an increase in the
number of segments also increases the memory and computational time requirements. A
convergence test can be used to determine a "reasonable" number of segments. A convergence test
consists of calculating the conductance and susceptance for the problem as the number of unknowns
is increased. Since the conductance and susceptance values both converge as the number of
segments are increased, the convergence test can be used to determine the accuracy that can be
expected for a given segmentation density (i.e., the number of unknowns per wavelength of wire).

The TEE antenna problem can be used to demonstrate the use of the convergence test. See the
definition summary for the TEE antenna problem. The total number of current nodes (i.e., number
of unknowns) is 14.

See the results of the convergence test for the TEE antenna. The number of unknowns is increased
by seven segments for each step of the convergence test. It is apparent that the susceptance
converges faster than the conductance.

Definition summary for parallel dipoles

GEOMETRY
Dimensions in meters
Environment: free space

wire caps X Y Z radius segs

1 none -.05 0 -.25 .001 6

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 12

 -.05 0 .25
2 none .05 0 -.25 .001 6
.05 0 .25

Number of wires = 2
current nodes = 10

minimum maximum
Individual wires wire value wire value
segment length 1 .0833333 1 .0833333
segment/radius ratio 1 83.3333 1 83.3333
radius 1 1.E-03 1 1.E-03

ELECTRICAL DESCRIPTION
Frequencies (MHz)
frequency no. of segment length (wavelengths)
no. lowest step steps minimum maximum
1 290. 10. 5 .0806093 .0917278

Sources
source node sector magnitude phase type
1 3 1 1. 0 voltage

Definition summary for TEE antenna

GEOMETRY
Dimensions in meters
Environment: perfect ground

wire caps X Y Z radius segs

1 none 0 0 0 .001 2
0 0 .04
2 none 0 0 .04 .002 6
-.12 0 .04
3 none 0 0 .04 .002 6
.12 0 .04

Number of wires = 3
current nodes = 14

minimum maximum
Individual wires wire value wire value
segment length 1 .02 1 .02
segment/radius ratio 2 10. 1 20.
radius 1 1.E-03 2 2.E-03

ELECTRICAL DESCRIPTION
Frequencies (MHz)
frequency no. of segment length (wavelengths)
no. lowest step steps minimum maximum
1 299.8 0 1 .02 .02

Sources
source node sector magnitude phase type
1 1 1 1. 0 voltage

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 13

Convergence test for TEE antenna
CONVERGENCE TEST

Frequency = 299.8 MHz

number of conductance susceptance resistance reactance
unknowns (mhos) (mhos) (ohms) (ohms)
source 1 of sector 1
14 9.3E-04 .0197238 2.38425 -50.5878
21 9.23E-04 .0197019 2.37189 -50.6454
28 9.16E-04 .0196664 2.36357 -50.738
35 9.1E-04 .0196245 2.35721 -50.8474
42 9.04E-04 .0195817 2.35198 -50.9595
49 8.98E-04 .0195427 2.34757 -51.0621
56 8.94E-04 .0195117 2.34377 -51.1439

3.6 SOLUTION DESCRIPTION DEFINITION AND OUTPUT DISPLAY

Run options executes MININEC computations in DOS. The Run options dialog box is under Run
on the Menu Bar. The Run options dialog box can also be opened by entering F5. There are two
separate computational computer codes for the current and pattern calculations respectively. Current
calculates admittance, coupling, impedance, current and charge for the Currents option. Pattern
calculates the radiation patterns for the radiation pattern option.

The antenna pattern of the dual quad antenna may be of interest. To calculate the antenna pattern,
the Radiation pattern option must be specified. Again, the correct Run option must be chosen. The
radiation pattern option is specified by filling the Radiation pattern dialog box. The Radiation
pattern dialog box is under Problem definition on the Menu Bar. The user then chooses Solution and
then Radiation pattern. The Radiation pattern dialog box can also be opened by entering CTRL+P.
For this problem the zenith angle is given an initial value of 90 degrees and no increments. The
azimuth angle is given an initial value of 0 degrees with an angle increment of 4 degrees and 46
angles.

The Run option under the Menu Bar is then used. Both the Currents and Radiation pattern options
are used. The currents must be calculated before the Radiation pattern can be calculated. The
results of the calculations are accessed from the Display options of the Output display on the Menu
Bar.

The calculated impedance for the dual quad antenna is

IMPEDANCE
normalization = 50.
freq resist react imped phase VSWR S11 S12
(MHz) (ohms) (ohms) (ohms) (deg) dB dB
source = 1; node 27, sector 1
21.2 102.89 -6.3484 103.08 356.5 2.068 -9.1657 -.56099
The radiation pattern was also computed.

The number of segments can also be important in the calculation of radiation pattern. As an
example, a validation comparison of NEC-MoM, Version 4.0 (NEC4) and a previous version of

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 14

MININEC was made, using measurements made by the National Bureau of Standards on various
Yagi antennas. See the following references:

Breakall, J., "A Validative Comparison of NEC and MININEC using NBS Experimental
Yagi Antenna Results," The Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society Journal,
November 1986.
Burke, G. J. and A. J. Poggio, "Numerical Electromagnetics Code (NEC) - Method of
Moments," Naval Ocean Systems Center Technical Document 116, January 1981.
A five element Yagi antenna was studied. See the table of Yagi element lengths. All dimensions are
given in wavelengths. The radius of all elements is .00425 wavelengths.

See description summary for the 5 element EXPERT MININEC calculations. In the EXPERT
MININEC calculation fourteen segments were used on each element. In addition an end cap was
added to the ends of each element. The 14 segments are in keeping with the optimal segmentation
determined for EXPERT MININEC. A similar segmentation scheme was used in the NEC-MoM
calculation.

For the 5 element Yagi NEC-MoM computes

4.1 - j12.1,
and EXPERT MININEC computes

4.16 - j11.8.
See the results for this radiation pattern comparison for the 5 element Yagi antenna.

The NEC-MoM results have been shown by Breakall to compare well with the NBS results. The
comparison of EXPERT MININEC and NEC-MoM is excellent for the 5 element Yagi. However,
it is important to run convergence tests to provide validation of the computation. A valid radiation
pattern can usually be computed with a less accurate current distribution (e.g. fewer segments) than
is required for a valid impedance computation. For frequency sensitive antennas, such as the Yagi,
this general rule is not valid. A radiation pattern calculation is displayed for the 5 element Yagi
using ten unknowns per antenna element in the EXPERT MININEC calculation. The ability to
provide valid sidelobe structure is very apparent with the fewer number of segments per antenna
element. With only ten segments per antenna element, a large deep null is completely missed. For a
frequency sensitive antenna the radiation pattern must be computed with a segmentation density that
is close to the segmentation density required to provide a valid impedance computation.

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 15

Radiation pattern for dual quad antenna
POWER GAIN PATTERN - dBi
spherical coordinate system
Frequency = 21.2 MHz
polarization
zenith azimuth E-theta E-phi Total Tilt Epsilon Axial Sense
angle angle dB dB dB angle angle ratio
90. 0 -69.355 7.618 7.618 90. 0.0 -9,981.1 Right
90. 4. -44.717 7.5823 7.5823 -89.9 -.1 -724.46 Right
90. 8. -38.843 7.4751 7.4752 -89.8 -.2 -375.75 Right
90. 12. -35.418 7.2955 7.2957 -89.6 -.2 -248.71 Right
90. 16. -33.023 7.0419 7.0423 -89.5 -.3 -181.9 Right
90. 20. -31.206 6.7123 6.713 -89.4 -.4 -140.01 Right
90. 24. -29.764 6.3036 6.3047 -89.3 -.5 -110.9 Right
90. 28. -28.588 5.8123 5.8138 -89.1 -.6 -89.382 Right
90. 32. -27.612 5.2334 5.2356 -89. -.8 -72.758 Right
90. 36. -26.793 4.561 4.5641 -88.8 -1. -59.526 Right
90. 40. -26.101 3.7874 3.7919 -88.6 -1.2 -48.767 Right
90. 44. -25.516 2.9031 2.9094 -88.4 -1.4 -39.894 Right
90. 48. -25.021 1.8959 1.9047 -88.1 -1.8 -32.496 Right
90. 52. -24.604 .74965 .7623 -87.8 -2.2 -26.286 Right
90. 56. -24.254 -.55651 -.53801 -87.4 -2.7 -21.05 Right
90. 60. -23.963 -2.0512 -2.0234 -87. -3.4 -16.627 Right
90. 64. -23.724 -3.7747 -3.731 -86.3 -4.4 -12.892 Right
90. 68. -23.533 -5.7862 -5.7139 -85.5 -5.9 -9.7474 Right
90. 72. -23.384 -8.1786 -8.0496 -84.2 -8. -7.1155 Right
90. 76. -23.274 -11.112 -10.855 -82. -11.4 -4.9372 Right
90. 80. -23.199 -14.9 -14.301 -77.5 -17.5 -3.1761 Right
90. 84. -23.157 -20.34 -18.514 -61.9 -27.9 -1.8912 Right
90. 88. -23.148 -31.052 -22.495 -12.2 -18.8 -2.9294 Right
90. 92. -23.168 -32.428 -22.682 9.8 -16.6 -3.3479 Right
90. 96. -23.219 -24.532 -20.816 35.7 -31. -1.6649 Right
90. 100. -23.301 -22.103 -19.651 53.3 -30.6 -1.6924 Right
90. 104. -23.415 -21.694 -19.459 55.4 -28.4 -1.8529 Right
90. 108. -23.563 -22.693 -20.095 49.3 -24.3 -2.2165 Right
90. 112. -23.747 -24.421 -21.06 42.5 -12.5 -4.5186 Right
90. 116. -23.971 -23.573 -20.757 46.4 8. 7.1457 Left
90. 120. -24.239 -19.386 -18.157 64.6 18.3 3.0292 Left
90. 124. -24.557 -15.349 -14.857 77.9 15.3 3.6598 Left
90. 128. -24.932 -12.119 -11.898 83.2 11.1 5.1089 Left
90. 132. -25.372 -9.5285 -9.4169 85.6 8.1 7.0495 Left
90. 136. -25.888 -7.4105 -7.3493 86.8 -6. -9.4631 Right
90. 140. -26.491 -5.6526 -5.617 87.6 -4.6 -12.409 Right
90. 144. -27.2 -4.1806 -4.159 88.1 -3.6 -15.999 Right
90. 148. -28.036 -2.9441 -2.9306 88.5 -2.8 -20.413 Right
90. 152. -29.03 -1.9079 -1.8995 88.8 -2.2 -25.942 Right
90. 156. -30.226 -1.047 -1.0417 89. -1.7 -33.079 Right
90. 160. -31.691 -.34287 -.33968 89.2 -1.3 -42.72 Right
90. 164. -33.54 .21784 .21967 89.4 -1. -56.683 Right
90. 168. -35.986 .64496 .6459 89.6 -.7 -79.248 Right
90. 172. -39.51 .94544 .94583 89.7 -.5 -123.44 Right
90. 176. -45.684 1.124 1.124 89.9 -.2 -256.98 Right
90. 180. -72.721 1.1832 1.1832 -90. 0.0 -7,010.4 Right

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 16

NBS Yagi element lengths
Yagi element 5 element length in wavelengths
Reflector length 0.482
Driven element length 0.25
1st director length 0.428
2nd director length 0.424
3rd director length 0.428
director spacing 0.2

Description summary of 5 element Yagi

GEOMETRY
Dimensions in meters
Environment: free space

wire caps X Y Z radius segs

1 1,2 -.4 -.241 0 .00425 14
-.4 .241 0
2 1,2 -.2 -.25 0 .00425 14
-.2 .25 0
3 1,2 0 -.214 0 .00425 14
0 .214 0
4 1,2 .2 -.212 0 .00425 14
.2 .212 0
5 1,2 .4 -.214 0 .00425 14
.4 .214 0

Number of wires = 5
current nodes = 65

minimum maximum
Individual wires wire value wire value
segment length 4 .0308929 2 .0363214
segment/radius ratio 4 7.26891 2 8.54622
radius 1 4.25E-03 1 4.25E-03

ELECTRICAL DESCRIPTION
Frequencies (MHz)
frequency no. of segment length (wavelengths)
no. lowest step steps minimum maximum
1 299.8 0 1 .0308929 .0363214

Sources
source node sector magnitude phase type
1 20 1 1. 0 voltage

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 17

Radiation pattern of 5 element Yagi antenna (14 segments/element)

Radiation pattern of 5 element Yagi antenna (10 segments/element)

Introduction to Modeling Model validation • 18