Comparison of EM simulation software

The following table lists software packages with their own article on Wikipedia that are nominal EM (electromagnetic) simulators;

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)

References

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  1. ^ Hoffmann, J.; et al. (2009). Bosse, Harald; Bodermann, Bernd; Silver, Richard M (eds.). "Comparison of electromagnetic field solvers for the 3D analysis of plasmonic nano antennas". Proc. SPIE. Modeling Aspects in Optical Metrology II. 7390: 73900J. arXiv:0907.3570. Bibcode:2009SPIE.7390E..0JH. doi:10.1117/12.828036. S2CID 54741011.
  2. ^ Wong, G. K. L.; et al. (2012). "Excitation of Orbital Angular Momentum Resonances in Helically Twisted Photonic Crystal Fiber". Science. 337 (6093): 446–449. Bibcode:2012Sci...337..446W. doi:10.1126/science.1223824. PMID 22837523. S2CID 206542221.
  3. ^ Maes, B.; et al. (2013). "Simulations of high-Q optical nanocavities with a gradual 1D bandgap". Opt. Express. 21 (6): 6794–806. Bibcode:2013OExpr..21.6794M. doi:10.1364/OE.21.006794. hdl:1854/LU-4243856. PMID 23546062.