| Name
|
License
|
Windows
|
Linux
|
3D
|
GUI
|
Convergence detector
|
Mesher
|
Algorithm
|
Area of application
|
| NEC
|
open source
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
In some distributions
|
Yes
|
manual
|
MoM
|
Antenna modeling, especially in Amateur Radio. Widely used as the basis for many GUI-based programs on many platforms. Version 2 is open source, but Versions 3 and 4 are commercially licensed.
|
| Momentum
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Partial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
equidistant
|
MoM
|
For passive planar elements development, integrated into Keysight EEsof Advanced Design System.
|
| Ansys HFSS
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic adaptive
|
FEM, FDTD, PO, Hybrid FEBI, MoM, and Eigenmode expansion (EME).
|
For antenna/filter/IC packages, Radome, RFIC, MMIC, Antenna Placement, Waveguide (radio frequency), EMI, Frequency selective surfaces (FSS), Electromagnetic metamaterials, Composite Material, RCS-Mono and Bi development.
|
| XFdtd
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic (project optimized)
|
FDTD
|
RF and microwave antennas, components, and systems, including mobile devices. MRI coils, radar, waveguides, SAR validation.
|
| AWR Axiem
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic, Hybrid
|
MoM
|
PCBs, multi-layer PCBs, LTCC, HTCC, on-chip passives, printed antennas. Integrated into Microwave Office.
|
| AWR Analyst
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic and adaptive
|
FEM
|
3D structurers (including 3D antennas), waveguides, 3D filters, PCBs, multi-layer PCBs, LTCC, HTCC, on-chip Passives, printed antennas. Integrated into Microwave Office.
|
| JCMsuite
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic, error-controlled
|
FEM
|
Nano- and micro-photonic applications (light scattering,[1] waveguide modes,[2] optical resonances[3]).
|
| QuickField
|
commercial and free editions
|
Yes
|
No
|
Partial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic or Manual
|
FEM
|
General purpose for research, engineering and educational use, includes AC, DC and Transient Magnetics, Electrostatics, AC and DC Conduction, Transient Electrics, Heat Transfer and multiphysics
|
| COMSOL Multiphysics
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic
|
FEM, MoM, BPM, ray tracing
|
General purpose
|
| FEKO
|
commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic or manual; adaptive
|
MoM, FEM FDTD MLFMM PO RL-GO UTD
|
For antenna analysis, antenna placement, windscreen antennas, microstrip circuits, waveguide structures, radomes, EMI, cable coupling, FSS, metamaterials, periodic structures, RFID
|
| Elmer FEM
|
open source (GPL)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
manual, or can import other mesh formats
|
FEM
|
General purpose, includes 2D and 3D magnetics solvers, both static and harmonic. 3D solver is based on the Whitney AV formulation of Maxwell's equations.
|
| VSimEM
|
Commercial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Automatic, variable mesh
|
FDTD, PIC, finite volume
|
Simulating electromagnetics, and electrostatics in complex dielectric and metallic environments. Phased array antenna systems, radar equipment, and photonics.
|
| Meep
|
open source (GPL)
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
manual
|
FDTD, FDFD
|
Optics and photonics (nanophotonics, photonic crystals, plasmonics, silicon photonics, metamaterials)
|
