Design Tools for Applying Characteristic Modes to Platform Integrated Antennas

Characteristic modes are proposed to optimize placement of vehicular antennas in the HF through lower UHF bands (2MHz to 450MHz). Characteristic modes provide physical insight into the currents induced on the vehicle and provide for placement of the antenna to excite desirable mode with increased efficiency. Computation of characteristic modes for arbitrary shaped platforms is documented in the literature. However, a design methodology to use characteristic modes as means to optimize vehicle integrated antennas is not yet devised. In this project, Applied EM proposes to develop a design optimization methodology to provide antenna engineer to utilize characteristic modes to increase radiation efficiency of vehicle integrated antennas. Powerful iterative eigen solvers will be utilized for fast computation of the modes. Combined with state of the art optimizers such as genetic and particle swarm algorithm, the proposed design tool will guide the engineer to quickly come up with the optimized location. Development of graphical user interface is planned to make the tool user friendly and suitable for commercialization.