Efficient methods for periodic structures based on the surface equivalence principle

Christophe Craeye, Thierry Gilles and Xavier Dardenne

The solution of large finite arrays of antennas and metamaterials made of complex elements still represent a challenge from a numerical point of view. The examples will concern arrays of wideband antennas cast in dielectric boards. The method is based on the surface equivalence principle, the determination of macro basis functions, which interact via a multipole formulation, as well as the decomposition of the array pattern into a finite series of pattern multiplication problems, for which FFT's can be used. The relashionship of this method with the diakoptic approach presented by other groups will be outlined.