Design of waveguide slotted arrays using commercially available finite element analysis software

Commercial finite element software has been made available that has the ability to characterize arbitrary radiating structures of moderate size (with respect to wavelength). Although with present computing resources it is unlikely that this software can analyze an entire waveguide slotted array, the scattering matrices of the waveguide radiating and/or coupling slots can be easily characterized. Similar characterisation has been extensively done using integral equation techniques. Although the analysis of these radiating and coupling elements, using commercial finite element software, may not be as computationally efficient as the integral equation techniques, the problem set-up time is minimal. Therefore, if computer resources permit, the necessary data to design a waveguide slotted array can be gathered with minimal input from the user. The design of a waveguide slotted array using commercial finite element software is discussed.