Efficient analysis of a class of microstrip antennas using the characteristic basis function method (CBFM)

This paper presents a novel approach for the efficient solution of a class of microstrip antennas using the newly introduced characteristic basis functions (CBFs) in conjunction with the method of moments (MoM). The CBFs are special types of high-level basis functions, defined over domains that encompass a relatively large number of conventional subdomain basis functions, for example, triangular patches or rooftops. The advantages of applying the CBF method (CBFM) are illustrated by several representative examples, and the accuracy as well as the computation time are compared to those of conventional direct computation. It is demonstrated that the use of CBFs can result in significant savings in computation time, with little or no compromise in the accuracy of the solution. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 456–464, 2003