Free/Open Source Antenna simulation tools? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 22, 2016, 03:31:43 pm
content: So it appears pros use tools such as HFSS and CST that cost $$$. What do hobbyists use if they have a desire/need to simulate a PCB antenna for say sub 1GHz frequencies?

author: tipofthesowrd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 07:42:59 am
content: openems.de is quite good. But heavily based on script language.I've not come across an open source 3D em simulator which also has a very detailed and functioning 3D CAD.Can't have your cake and eat it

author: MSO
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 02:41:56 am
content: Have you tried the EZNEC free demo? It has some limitations but might be able to do what you're looking for.http://eznec.com/demoinfo.htmThe ARRL Antenna Book also includes a copy of EZNEC with fewer limitations than the demo copy.http://www.arrl.org/arrl-antenna-book

author: Ivan7enych
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 07:42:23 am
content: Try MMANA, it's free and does a good job, but UI is not so easy.http://gal-ana.de/basicmm/en/

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 02:24:08 pm
content: Awesome, thanks! I now have a few choices to play with- sure beats copper tape and eXacto knife I've been using as my toolset

author: Theboel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 03:38:08 pm
content: if You decide to use MMana and when You need to know the gain prediction from MMana is not so accurate especially when Your antenna close to ground (in term of wave length) You can recheck it use NEC-2 for MMana software:http://www.qsl.net/ua3avr/overall I have no issue to use MMana for 10 years start from original MMana write by Makoto Mori, JE3HHT

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 05:02:58 am
content: Feko, which I've downloaded but barely used. Seems very powerful, free key available after registration, but with pretty strict limitations.https://www.feko.info/Another free NEC version - pretty easy to work out and no limitiations AFAIK. I haven't used for PCB type antennas though, it might not support them.http://www.qsl.net/4nec2/

author: PP7BB
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2016, 06:35:20 am
content: ELMER - it is free simulation tool, not only for magnetic field. It is multiphysical simulation software managed by CSC - IT Center for Science (CSC) in Finland . I havent tried it yet, it is too complicated for me.Here is link to Elmer:https://www.csc.fi/web/elmerAnd its forum :http://www.elmerfem.org/forum/

author: thewyliestcoyote
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2016, 07:35:58 am
content: NEC2 is freely avalible. There is a port of NEC to C++ and has some wrappings like python.https://github.com/tmolteno/necppFDTD is a simple enough concept. It is a very good learning experience to write and play with. If you are not up to that there is this.http://openems.de/start/index.phpIn short is there is nothing that great like CST or ADS or it pains me to say this HFSS.

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 04, 2016, 02:28:26 pm
content: This is becoming a rather handy reference. I wonder if Dave should make it a sticky?

author: Kelbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 08:50:36 am
content: I previously posted in another thread about this... copying here:Quote from: Kelbit on January 23, 2016, 09:10:25 am

author: SilverWingedSeraph
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 05:18:09 am
content: I'd suggest taking a look at XNEC-2C. I made a video about its use: