FDTD CALCULATION OF RADIATION-PATTERNS, IMPEDANCE, AND GAIN FOR A MONOPOLE ANTENNA ON A CONDUCTING BOX

The ability of the finite-difference time-domain method to calculate radiation patterns, input impedance, and gain for a monopole antenna on a conducting box is demonstrated. Results are given for the bare box and with the box coated with a dielectric layer. Radiation patterns are compared with measurements and with the method of moments for the bare box. Radiation patterns for the dielectric-covered box and all impedance and gain results are compared with measurements only. Good agreement is obtained in all cases. The FDTD approach includes the dielectric covering quite easily, while this would be quite difficult for a method of moments approach. The FDTD method requires similar computer time as the method of moments for a single-frequency result, but produces wide-bandwidth impedance and gain results with much less computer time.