Comparative study of numerical simulation packages for analysing miniature dielectric-loaded bifilar antennas for mobile communication

A number of simulation packages have become available for antenna modelling. This paper presents a comparative study of seven packages using TLM, MoM or FDTD methods to model the backfire fed dielectric-loaded bifilar helix antenna. Due to its small size with respect to electrical length, high resolution modelling is required for accurate characterisation. An overview of each of the packages is presented along with some of the issues faced when applied to a 1.8 GHz PCN/PCS antenna.