Comparison of Numerical Methods for the Analysis of Power Distribution Networks with Large Number of Ports

There are several numerical methods for designing and analyzing new high-frequency micro- and millimeter- wave passive components in waveguide technology. Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools commonly used in the industry are based on different techniques such as Finite Element, Finite Differences, Moments and Mode-Matching methods. The aim of this paper is to compare the processing performance required by some of the commercially available CAD tools against an in-house software tool based on the Mode-Matching method, for the design of different structures of directional couplers with large number of ports. The results obtained show good agreement amongst the methods, the self-developed software tool based on the Mode- Matching method required less processing time than commercial available software indicating therefore that this method may be a good choice for complementing the analysis since it will also produce good results for designing and validating specific geometries of power distribution network devices with large number of ports.