Efficient finite-element computation of far-fields of phased arrays by order reduction

Abstract

Purpose

The article aims to present an efficient numerical method for computing the far-fields of phased antenna arrays over broad frequency bands as well as wide ranges of steering and look angles.

Design/methodology/approach

The suggested approach combines finite-element analysis, projection-based model-order reduction, and empirical interpolation.

Findings

The reduced-order models are highly accurate but significantly smaller than the underlying finite-element models. Thus, they enable a highly efficient numerical far-field computation of phased antenna arrays. The frequency-slicing greedy method proposed in this paper greatly reduces the computational costs for constructing the reduced-order models, compared to state-of-the-art methods.

Research limitations/implications

The frequency-slicing greedy method is intended for use with matrix factorization methods. It is not applicable when the underlying finite-element system is solved by iterative methods.

Practical implications

In contrast to conventional finite-element models of phased antenna arrays, reduced-order models are very cheap to evaluate. Hence, they provide an enabling technology for computing radiation patterns over broad frequency bands and wide ranges of steering angles.

Originality/value

The paper presents a two-step model-order reduction method for efficiently computing the far-field patterns of phased antenna arrays. The suggested frequency-slicing greedy method constructs the reduced-order models in a systematic fashion and improves computing times, compared to existing methods.

Citation

Sommer, A., Farle, O. and Dyczij-Edlinger, R. (2013), "Efficient finite-element computation of far-fields of phased arrays by order reduction", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 32 No. 5, pp. 1721-1734. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-04-2013-0120