Alternate formulas for near-field computation

In antenna analysis, it is often necessary to evaluate the fields due to a known distribution of sources in an infinite homogeneous medium. The conventional approach is through the appropriate vector potential. When numerical techniques are employed, a large amount of computer time may be consumed in achieving the desired accuracy. The present investigation is, therefore, concerned with an alternative approach, taking into account the direct solution of Maxwell's equations for the fields, without introducing potentials. An outline of this procedure is presented, and some examples are provided to show that significant savings of time and effort are possible. Attention is given to the inhomogeneous equations, near fields of filamentary currents, and aspects of antenna excitation.