Microwave components, antennas, and systems that meet the tight requirements of today's advanced wireless terrestrial and satellite‐based communication systems—in particular concerning increased specifications and performance—demand
fast
EM‐based computer‐aided design (CAD) tools yielding accurate, highly optimized components within adequately short design times. This goal makes flexible and efficient hybrid solutions desirable, which typically go beyond the design capabilities of the involved single methods. The chapter presents an overview of the state of the art of hybrid CAD mode‐matching (MM)/finite‐element (FE)/method‐of‐moments (MoM) techniques applied for the rigorous, fast CAD and optimization of waveguide components, antennas and arrays and describes recent advances. The hybrid techniques presented combine advantageously the efficiency of the MM method with the flexibility of the FE method and the efficiency and flexibility of MoM for radiating structures. Typical application examples illustrate the versatility and high efficiency of these hybrid techniques.