Engaging Students in Antenna Simulations Using Altair Feko at the Ohio State University

This paper reports on antenna simulations using Altair Feko as an integral component of the ECE 5011 “Antennas” class at The Ohio State University. The class is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and aims to: (a) teach basic antenna and propagation aspects, and (b) study several standard antennas, such as dipoles, patches, horns, and spirals. To expose students to antenna design and simulation aspects, Feko's Student Edition has been instrumental in this class. This paper describes how the simulation component of the class has evolved in the 2019–2023 timeframe, lists example design projects that students have successfully implemented, and provides a discussion on major take-aways.