Finite‐difference time‐domain analysis of radiation characteristics of monopoles on space probes

Abstract

SUMMARYA general numerical solution based on finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) is presented to calculate the radiation characteristics of wire antennas on space probes. The method is versatile and can treat conductor loss, arbitrary-shaped probes, and wires as well as inhomogenities. Numerical results are obtained and compared with those for a few specific cases available in the literature. Additionally, laboratory models of the antennas have been built and their properties have been measured for comparison with computed results.