Simulating an impulse radiating antenna

From what I have learned it is importat to choose the most appropriate software using the most suitable computational method when simulating an antenna. I have tried to determine this for the impulse radiating antenna not being very successful, I wonder if anyone can offer some advice?

Thanks!

For pulsed signals, a time-domain method is usually preferred because they can calculate the response in just a single simulation. There exists finite-difference time-domain (FDTD), finite element (FEM) time-domain, and method of moments (MOM) time-domain. There are more, but these seem to be the most popular. MOM is very popular for thin wire antennas and antennas with metal sheets. FEM time-domain is rarely used. FDTD is extremely popular and is capable of modeling problems larger than any other method I know. There are plenty of codes available for free online and lots of software you can buy.

Based on knowing nothing else about what you are wanting to model, I suggest looking into FDTD.

-tip

"Plenty of codes available for free online..." I shall definently look in to this. Thanks! :)

The antenna is a center-fed reflector. It is fed by a pulse, generating an ultrawide band of frequencies.

Based on this, do you still think that FDTD is the best method?

I would definately still look at FDTD.

There is also a book called something like "Antenna and EM modeling with MATLAB." I recently uploaded the CD that goes with the book and it contains finite element codes for many types of antennas. It is a frequency-domain FEM, but still very powerful. Just do a search for my name and it should come up.

-Tip