TICRA Tools: Seamless and efficient antenna modeling

Pioneering Antenna Design Since the 1970s

For decades, TICRA’s software tools have supported high-accuracy RF antenna modelling across a wide range of industries, including satellite communications, scientific research, and defence applications. Since the 1970s, TICRA has developed several essential and widely adopted antenna design tools, such as GRASP, POS, and CHAMP – originally launched as standalone programs and used for the analysis of reflector antennas, feed systems, and waveguide components.

In 2019, TICRA introduced TICRA Tools – a unified framework that brings together these simulation tools in one cohesive environment. By integrating core electromagnetic solvers into a shared interface, the platform aims to improve efficiency and simplify workflows for antenna engineers working on complex design tasks involving simulation, optimisation, and uncertainty quantification (UQ).

A Unified Framework for Antenna Modelling and Simulation

The core philosophy of TICRA Tools is to make all essential antenna design capabilities available within a single user interface – removing the need to switch between applications or manually transfer data between formats. Whether you need to analyse, synthesise, or optimise reflector antennas, feed structures, or periodic surfaces, TICRA Tools provides a streamlined solution.

Each software product within TICRA Tools – GRASP, ESTEAM, CHAMP 3D, POS, and QUPES – can be used independently or in combination. This modular structure supports tailored workflows while still ensuring full interoperability when designing advanced antenna systems.

Real-World Example: From Horn Design to Platform Scattering

Consider the workflow of designing a high-gain reflector antenna system. You might analyse the reflector geometry using Physical Optics (PO) in GRASP, optimise the feed horn in CHAMP 3D using Mode Matching, and validate system-level interactions using a full-wave Method of Moments (MoM) simulation in ESTEAM. By linking these tools within TICRA Tools, secondary antenna patterns, effects of struts, and platform scattering can all be analysed in the same tool.

Reflectarray surfaces designed in QUPES can also be directly integrated into GRASP for evaluation. This level of toolchain integration is especially valuable for engineers working on advanced satellite payloads, CubeSats, or multibeam antenna applications.

Milestones in Product Integration and Release Evolution

The first release of TICRA Tools in Spring 2019 brought GRASP, ESTEAM, and CHAMP 3D into the unified framework. Alongside this, general-purpose optimisation features became available across all tools.

Since then, TICRA Tools has continued to evolve with regular updates and refinements. New features, performance enhancements, and usability improvements are added through continuous releases every year, ensuring the platform stays aligned with industry needs and user feedback.

With the new release scheme, the versioning system was updated for clarity: the number before the period indicates the year of release, and the number after indicates the release type. For instance, TICRA Tools 19.1 was a second feature release in 2019, while TICRA Tools 21.0.1 was a bug-fix release in 2021.

Benefits of Seamless Workflow in Antenna Design

By using TICRA Tools, engineers benefit from a more efficient antenna modelling workflow – reducing manual workload, accelerating simulation time, and improving consistency across complex RF system designs. All tools share a modern graphical user interface that supports parameter exchange, geometry handling, and batch processing.

Engineers can trust that every tool in the TICRA Tools suite provides high-fidelity simulation results backed by decades of applied research, making it an ideal platform for both early-stage concept evaluation and final design validation.

Supporting a Broad Range of Applications

TICRA Tools is widely used in satellite communications, scientific missions, radar systems, Earth observation platforms, and ground stations. From large reflector structures to compact waveguide feeds and reflectarrays, the platform supports a wide range of antenna modelling challenges.

Whether your focus is on design optimisation, antenna pattern shaping, scattering prediction, or system-level integration, TICRA Tools delivers precision, interoperability, and performance.

Get Started with TICRA Tools

If you are working on complex antenna systems and looking for software that combines accuracy, modularity, and seamless integration, then explore the capabilities of TICRA Tools. Visit the product pages for GRASP, ESTEAM, CHAMP 3D, POS, QUPES, and UQ to learn more – or contact us to see how we can support your next mission.