A visualization and learning aid software development for electromagnetic theory and antenna

The continuous advancement of wireless technology implies that electrical engineering students need a good working knowledge of the basic concepts of electromagnetic and antenna. However, student learning of basic and advanced electromagnetic and antenna are difficult because the fundamental quantities are based on abstract mathematics describing fields and waves which are hard to visualize. The existing system of conventional undergraduate teaching provides little practical experiences through laboratory exercises and direct visualization of electromagnetic fields is not possible. Thus, students have difficulty visualizing the related phenomena in electromagnetic and antenna. Consequently, their understanding and ability to be creative in problem solving in these technical areas will be affected. The use of computer technology for visualization of electromagnetic and antenna phenomena is one of the best vehicles to overcome these difficulties. Hence, a visualization and learning aid software package is recently developed by the authors for educational as well as research purposes. This paper discuss a visualization and learning aid software package for electromagnetic theory and antenna that has been developed to allow for two-dimensional and two-dimensional visualization of the electromagnetic (EM) fields and radiation patterns for different types of antennas.