True Time Delay Multiple Beam Antenna System Design Tool

Accurate analysis of multiple wavelength structures which contain regions with fine details is a challenging problem. A full wave method such as the Finite Difference Time Domain method can be used to analyze large structures as long as enough computer memory. High frequencies ray methods are often used for cases where the structure is very large in terms of wavelengths. In the case of an antenna system that includes transmission lines, a beamforming element such as a Rotman Lens, and an array of antennas, a hybrid approach allows a full wave method to be used to solve the complex field interactions on the feed section of the beamformer and around the antenna array while a high frequency method could be applied to the lens section to accurately simulate the field interaction with the complex surface. Even more useful would be an approach that incorporates CAD design elements and some form of optimization as well to allow the best system to be configured and saved in an appropriate format for fabricating a the actual components. The development of this fully hybrid solver with CAD editing capabilities and some form of design optimization will be the main focus of the proposed effort.