MODELING ELECTRICALLY SMALL, THIN SURFACES WITH WIRE GRIDS

Abstract

Wire grids are widely used to model conductive surfaces. Wire grid models reported in the literature have primarily addressed electrically large or resonant configurations. Electrically small surfaces, however, can also have a significant effect on radiation characteristics and these surfaces are often difficult to model using other methods. A structure containing an electrically small, thin plate with wires attached to both sides is analyzed using different wire-grid models. The thin plate is modeled as either an open or closed surface using single and double-layer grids. Comparing the model results with measurements suggests that a closed surface (double-layer) grid may be more accurate and efficient than an open surface (single-layer) grid in many cases. Unlike single-layer grids, doublelayer grids do not permit current to flow through the surface and hence enforce an important boundary condition. [Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 19-24 (l990)]