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Efficient numerical analysis of focal plane antennas for the SKA and the MeerKAT

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The use of Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) as suitable feed-structures for the Parabolic Dish Reflector
antennas that are intended to form a large part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is
currently the topic of conversation in various SKA research groups. The simulation of these
structures however, relies on intensive computational resources, which can result in very long
simulation runtimes - a serious problem for antenna designers. It was the purpose of the research
to investigate efficient simulation techniques, based on the Method of Moments (MoM).
In this thesis, the reader will be introduced to ways of improving FPA design by using resources
such as High Performance Clusters, developing efficient MoM formulations for FPAs such as
the Vivaldi antenna array and by developing efficient solution techniques for the resulting MoM
equations by using techniques such as the Characteristic Basis Function Method (CBFM). In
addition to the above mentioned methods, the concept of distributed computing is explored as
a way to further aid the antenna designer in obtaining desired results in a reasonable time and
with sufficient accuracy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gebruik van Fokus Punt Samestellings (FPS) vir die voer van Paraboliese Skottel Antennas
in die Square Kilometer Array (SKA), geniet tans baie aandag in verkeie navorsing-sirkels.
Die analise van hierdie samestellings vereis egter intensiewe berekenings-infrastrukture, wat
tot lang simulasies kan lei - ’n ernstige probleem vir antenna ontwerpers. Die doel van die
skrywer se navorsing was om effektiewe simulasie metodes te ondersoek, gebaseer op die Moment
Metode. In hierdie tesis, sal die leser bekendgestel word aan verskeie metodes om die
ontwerp van Fokus Punt Samestellings doeltreffend te verrig; nl. die gebruik van Parallel Rekenaar
Klusters, die ontwikkeling van effektiewe Moment Metode kode vir samestellings soos
die Vivaldi antenna konfigurasie, asook die ontwikkeling van effektiewe oplos-metodes vir die
matrikse wat deur die Moment Metode gelewer word, deur die sogenaamde Karakteristieke
Basis Funksie Metode (KBFM) te gebruik. Hierby ingesluit word die konsep van verspreide
numeriese berekening ondersoek, as ’n manier waarop die antenna ontwerper resultate binne ’n
aanvaarbare tyd en akkuraatheid kan verkry.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/4134
Date03 1900
CreatorsLudick, Daniel Jacobus
ContributorsDavidson, D. B., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format87 p. : ill.
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch

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