Antenna Toolbox
Getting Started Guide
R2016b
How to Contact MathWorks
Latest news:
www.mathworks.com
Sales and services:
www.mathworks.com/sales_and_services
User community:
www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral
Technical support:
www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us
Phone:
508-647-7000
The MathWorks, Inc.
3 Apple Hill Drive
Natick, MA 01760-2098
Antenna Toolbox Getting Started Guide
COPYRIGHT 20152016 by The MathWorks, Inc.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement. The software may be used
or copied only under the terms of the license agreement. No part of this manual may be photocopied or
reproduced in any form without prior written consent from The MathWorks, Inc.
FEDERAL ACQUISITION: This provision applies to all acquisitions of the Program and Documentation
by, for, or through the federal government of the United States. By accepting delivery of the Program
or Documentation, the government hereby agrees that this software or documentation qualifies as
commercial computer software or commercial computer software documentation as such terms are used
or defined in FAR 12.212, DFARS Part 227.72, and DFARS 252.227-7014. Accordingly, the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and only those rights specified in this Agreement, shall pertain to and
govern the use, modification, reproduction, release, performance, display, and disclosure of the Program
and Documentation by the federal government (or other entity acquiring for or through the federal
government) and shall supersede any conflicting contractual terms or conditions. If this License fails
to meet the government's needs or is inconsistent in any respect with federal procurement law, the
government agrees to return the Program and Documentation, unused, to The MathWorks, Inc.
Trademarks
MATLAB and Simulink are registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc. See
www.mathworks.com/trademarks for a list of additional trademarks. Other product or brand
names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Patents
MathWorks products are protected by one or more U.S. patents. Please see
www.mathworks.com/patents for more information.
Revision History
March 2015
September 2015
March 2016
September 2016
Online only
Online only
Online only
Online only
New for Version 1.0 (R2015a)
Revised for Version 1.1 (R2015b)
Revised for Version 2.0 (R2016a)
Revised for Version 2.1 (R2016b)
Contents
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Antenna Toolbox Product Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-2
1-2
Antenna Modeling and Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-3
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dipole Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Monopole Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loop Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spiral Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patch Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-21
1-21
1-22
1-24
1-24
1-25
1-26
1-28
Antenna Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiation Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna Feeding Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-31
1-31
1-34
Antenna Toolbox Coordinate System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rectangular Coordinate System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spherical Coordinate System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conversion Between Rectangular and Spherical Coordinates
1-36
1-36
1-39
1-43
Antenna Radiation Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-45
Antenna Toolbox Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Array Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-73
1-73
1-73
Interact with Polar Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-74
iii
Introduction to Arrays
Array Modeling and Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iv
Contents
2-2
1
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Antenna Toolbox Product Description on page 1-2
Antenna Modeling and Analysis on page 1-3
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements on page 1-21
Antenna Classification on page 1-31
Antenna Toolbox Coordinate System on page 1-36
Antenna Radiation Patterns on page 1-45
Antenna Toolbox Limitations on page 1-73
Interact with Polar Plot on page 1-74
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Antenna Toolbox Product Description
Design, analyze, and visualize antenna elements and antenna arrays
Antenna Toolbox provides functions for the design, analysis, and visualization
of antenna elements and arrays. You can design standalone antennas and build
linear, rectangular, and conformal arrays of antennas using predefined elements with
parameterized geometry or custom elements.
Antenna Toolbox uses the method of moments (MoM) to compute port properties such
as impedance, surface properties such as current and charge distribution, and field
properties such as the near-field and far-field radiation pattern. You can visualize
antenna geometry and analysis results in 2D and 3D.
You can integrate antennas and arrays into wireless systems, and use impedance
analysis to design matching networks. Antenna Toolbox provides radiation patterns for
simulating beam forming algorithms.
Key Features
Rapid design and visualization of antennas using predefined or custom elements
Design of linear, rectangular, conformal, and custom antenna arrays
Large array analysis using the infinite array or embedded element pattern approach
Infinite ground plane specification for analyzing antennas mounted on very large
structures
Port analysis of impedance, return loss, and S-parameters of antennas and antenna
arrays
Radiation field analysis of the pattern, E-H fields, and beam width of antennas,
antenna arrays, and custom data
Surface analysis of antenna and antenna array current, charge, and meshing
1-2
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
This example shows how to construct, visualize and analyze the antenna elements in the
Antenna Toolbox.
Define Antenna Element Using the Antenna Library
Define a helix antenna using the helix antenna element in the Antenna Modeling and
Analysis library.
hx = helix
hx =
helix with properties:
Radius:
Width:
Turns:
Spacing:
WindingDirection:
GroundPlaneRadius:
Tilt:
TiltAxis:
Load:
0.0220
1.0000e-03
3
0.0350
'CCW'
0.0750
0
[1 0 0]
[11 lumpedElement]
Show Structure of Antenna
Use the show function to view the stucture of the helix antenna. A helical antenna
consists of a helical shaped conductor on a ground plane. The ground plane of the
antenna is located in the X-Y plane.
show(hx)
1-3
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Modify Properties of Antenna
Modify the following properties of the helix antenna: Radius = 28e-3, Width = 1.2e-3,
Number of Turns = 4 Display the properties of the antenna. View the antenna to see the
change in structure.
hx = helix('Radius',28e-3,'Width',1.2e-3,'Turns',4)
show(hx)
hx =
helix with properties:
Radius: 0.0280
1-4
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
Width:
Turns:
Spacing:
WindingDirection:
GroundPlaneRadius:
Tilt:
TiltAxis:
Load:
0.0012
4
0.0350
'CCW'
0.0750
0
[1 0 0]
[11 lumpedElement]
Plot Radiation Pattern Of Antenna
Use pattern function to plot the radiation pattern of the helix antenna. The radiation
pattern of an antenna is the spatial distribution of power of an antenna. The pattern
1-5
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
displays the directivity or gain of the antenna. By default, the pattern function plots the
directivity of the antenna.
pattern(hx,1.8e9)
Plot Azimuth and Elevation Pattern of Antenna
Use patternAzimuth and patternElevation functions to plot the azimuth and elevation
pattern of the helix antenna. This is the 2D radiation pattern of the antenna at a
specified frequency.
patternAzimuth(hx,1.8e9)
1-6
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
figure
patternElevation(hx,1.8e9)
1-7
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Calculate Directivity of Antenna
Use Directivity name-value pair in the output of the pattern function to calculate the
directivity of helix antenna. Directivity is the ability of an antenna to radiate power in
a particular direction. It can be defined as ratio of maximum radiation intensity in the
desired direction to the average radiation intensity in all other directions.
[Directivity] = pattern(hx,1.8e9,0,90)
Directivity =
10.0915
1-8
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
Calculate EHfields Of Antenna
Use the EHfields function to calculate the EH fields of the helix antenna. EH fields are
the x, y,z componenets of electric and magnetic fields of an antenna. These components
are measured at a specific frequency and at specified points in space.
[E,H] = EHfields(hx,1.8e9,[0;0;1])
E =
-0.5321 - 0.5976i
-0.9096 + 0.5331i
-0.0041 + 0.0007i
H =
0.0024 - 0.0014i
-0.0014 - 0.0016i
0.0000 - 0.0000i
Plot Different Polarizations of Antenna
Use the Polarization name-value pair in the pattern function to plot the different
polarization patterns of the helix antenna. Polarization is the orientation of the
electric field, or E-field, of an antenna. Polarization is classified as elliptical, linear,
or circular.This example shows the Right-Hand Circularly Polarized(RHCP) radiation
pattern of the helix.
pattern(hx,1.8e9,'Polarization','RHCP')
1-9
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Calculate Axial Ratio Of Antenna
Use the axialRatio function to calculate the axial ratio of the helix antenna. Antenna
axial ratio (AR) in a given direction quantifies the ratio of two orthogonal field
components radiated in a circularly polarized wave. An axial ratio of infinity, implies a
linearly polarized wave. The unit of measure is dB.
ar = axialRatio(hx,1.8e9,20,30)
ar =
25.4168
1-10
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
Calculate Beamwidth Of Antenna
Use the beamwidth function to calculate the beamwidth of the antenna. Antenna
beamwidth is the angular measure of the antenna pattern coverage. Beamwidth angle is
measured in plane containing the direction of main lobe of the antenna.
[bw, angles] = beamwidth(hx,1.8e9,0,1:1:360)
bw =
58
angles =
60
118
Calculate Impedance Of Antenna
Use the impedance function to calculate and plot the input impedance of helix antenna.
Input impedance is a ratio of voltage and current at the port. Antenna impedance is
calculated as the ratio of the phasor voltage( which is 1V at a phase angle of 0 deg as
mentioned earlier) and the phasor current at the port.
impedance(hx,1.7e9:1e6:2.2e9)
1-11
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Calculate Reflection Coefficient of Antenna
Use the sparameters function to calculate the S11 of the helix antenna. Antenna
reflection coefficient, or S_1_1, describes a relative fraction of the incident RF power that
is reflected back due to the impedance mismatch.
S = sparameters(hx,1.7e9:1e6:2.2e9,72)
rfplot(S)
S =
sparameters: S-parameters object
1-12
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
NumPorts:
Frequencies:
Parameters:
Impedance:
1
[5011 double]
[11501 double]
72
rfparam(obj,i,j) returns S-parameter Sij
Calculate Return Loss Of Antenna
Use the returnLoss function to calculate and plot the return loss of the helix antenna.
Antenna return loss is a measure of the effectiveness of power delivery from a
transmission line to a load such as antenna. The calculations are displayed in logscale.
1-13
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
returnLoss(hx,1.7e9:1e6:2.2e9,72)
Calculate Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of Antenna
Use the vswr function to calculate and plot the VSWR of the helix antenna. The antenna
VSWR is another measure of impedance matching between transmission line and
antenna.
vswr(hx,1.7e9:1e6:2.2e9,72)
1-14
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
Calculate Current and Charge Distribution Of Antenna
Use the charge function to calculate the charge distribution of the helix antenna. Charge
distribution is the value of charge on the antenna surface at a specified frequency. Use
the current function to calculate the current distribution of the helix antenna. Current
distribution is the value of current on the antenna surface at a specified frequency.
charge(hx,2.01e9)
figure
current(hx,2.01e9)
1-15
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
1-16
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
Show Mesh of Antenna
Use the mesh function to create and show a mesh structure of the helix antenna. mesh is
used to discretize antenna surface. In this process, the electromagnetic solver can process
the geometry and material of the antenna. The shape of the basis or the discretizing
element for subdividing the antenna surface is a triangle.
mesh(hx)
1-17
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Mesh Antenna Manually
Specify the maximum edge length for the triangles using the 'MaxEdgeLength' namevalue pair. This name-value pair meshes the helix structure manually.
mesh(hx,'MaxEdgeLength',0.01)
1-18
Antenna Modeling and Analysis
Change Meshing to Automatic
meshconfig(hx,'auto')
ans =
struct with fields:
NumTriangles:
NumTetrahedra:
NumBasis:
MaxEdgeLength:
MeshMode:
1366
0
[]
0.0100
'auto'
1-19
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
References
[1] Balanis, C.A. "Antenna Theory. Analysis and Design", p. 514, Wiley, New York, 3rd
Edition, 2005.
1-20
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements
The Antenna Toolbox consists of two libraries: Antenna Library and Array Library.
In this section...
Dipole Antennas on page 1-21
Monopole Antennas on page 1-22
Loop Antennas on page 1-24
Spiral Antennas on page 1-24
Patch Antennas on page 1-25
Other Antennas on page 1-26
Arrays on page 1-28
Dipole Antennas
dipole
dipoleFolded
dipoleMeander
dipoleVee
1-21
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
dipoleHelix
bowtieTriangular
bowtieRounded
Monopole Antennas
monopole
1-22
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements
monopoleTopHat
invertedF
invertedL
invertedFcoplanar
invertedLcoplanar
1-23
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Loop Antennas
loopCircular
loopRectangular
Spiral Antennas
spiralArchimedean
1-24
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements
spiralEquiangular
Patch Antennas
patchMicrostrip
pifa
1-25
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Other Antennas
cavity
helix
reflector
1-26
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements
slot
vivaldi
yagiUda
biquad
1-27
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
customAntennaMesh
horn
waveguide
Arrays
linearArray
1-28
Antenna Toolbox Library Elements
rectangularArray
circularArray
infiniteArray
1-29
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
conformalArray
customArrayMesh
1-30
Antenna Classification
Antenna Classification
Antennas are classified based on the radiation pattern or the feeding mechanism.
Antenna radiation pattern is the angular variation of signal strength around the
antenna. Feeding mechanism defines the how the signal is fed into the antenna and the
location of the feed point on the antenna.
In this section...
Radiation Pattern on page 1-31
Antenna Feeding Mechanism on page 1-34
Radiation Pattern
Isotropic Antenna
An isotropic antenna is an ideal lossless antenna that radiates uniformly in all
directions. The antenna has no spatial selectivity or nulls. Practical antennas are
compared against the isotropic antenna, but they rarely behaves like one.
1-31
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Omnidirectional Antenna
Omnidirectional antennas behave like isotropic antennas in one plane. These antennas
have nulls in the orthogonal plane. A common example of an omnidirectional antenna is
the dipole antenna.
1-32
Antenna Classification
The dipole is omnidirectional around the E-plane, or elevation angle. The null is present
in the H-plane, or azimuth angle.
Directional Antennas
Directional antennas are highly directive in a given direction. These antennas show
high spatial selectivity, narrow bandwidth. They also have well defined major, or main,
beam in the desired directions. Common examples of directional antennas are helix and
yagiUda.
1-33
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Antenna Feeding Mechanism
Balanced Antennas
In balanced antennas, one side of the antenna is a mirror image of the other. These
antennas require a balun to feed it, using a coaxial line. Common examples are: dipoles,
bowties, spirals, and loops.
Unbalanced Antennas
Unbalanced antennas are end fed and mounted on top of a ground plane. The coaxial
shield is connected to the ground, and the center conductor is connected to the antenna
element. Common examples are monopoles and patches.
1-34
Antenna Classification
References
[1] Balanis, C.A. Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design. 3rd Ed. New York: Wiley, 2005.
1-35
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Antenna Toolbox Coordinate System
Antenna Toolbox uses two types of coordinate system: rectangular coordinate system and
spherical coordinate system .
Antenna Toolbox uses the rectangular coordinate system to visualize antenna or array
geometry. The toolbox uses the spherical coordinate system to visualize antenna
radiation patterns.
In this section...
Rectangular Coordinate System on page 1-36
Spherical Coordinate System on page 1-39
Conversion Between Rectangular and Spherical Coordinates on page 1-43
Rectangular Coordinate System
Visualize the geometry of a default monopoleTopHat antenna from the antenna library.
m = monopoleTopHat;
show(m);
1-36
Antenna Toolbox Coordinate System
The toolbox displays the top-hat monopole antenna in the rectangular or Cartesian
coordinate system.
The rectangular coordinate system also called Cartesian coordinate system specifies a
position in space as an ordered 3-tuple of real numbers, (x,y,z), with respect to the
origin (0,0,0).
1-37
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
You can view the 3-tuple as a point in space, or equivalently as a vector in threedimensional Euclidean space. When viewed as a vector in space, the coordinate axes are
basis vectors and the vector gives the direction to a point in space from the origin. Every
vector in space is uniquely determined by a linear combination of the basis vectors. The
most common set of basis vectors for three-dimensional Euclidean space are the standard
unit basis vectors:
{[1 0 0 ],[ 0 1 0],[ 0 0 1]}
.
1-38
Antenna Toolbox Coordinate System
Orthogonal Basis and Euclidean Norm
Any three linearly independent vectors define a basis for three-dimensional space.
However, the Antenna Toolbox assumes that the basis vectors you use are orthogonal.
The standard distance measure in space is thel2norm, or Euclidean norm. The
Euclidean norm of a vector [x y z] is defined by:
x2 + y2 + z2
The Euclidean norm gives the length of the vector measured from the origin as the
hypotenuse of a right triangle. The distance between two vectors [x0y0z0] and [x1y1z1]
is:
( x0 - x1 ) 2 + ( y0 - y1) 2 + ( z0 - z1) 2
Spherical Coordinate System
Visualize the radiation pattern of the default monopoleTopHat antenna.
m = monopoleTopHat;
pattern(m,75e6);
1-39
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
The toolbox displays the radiation pattern of the top-hat monopole using spherical
coordinate system represented by azimuth and elevation angles.
The spherical coordinate system defines a vector or point in space with a distance R and
two angles. You can represent the angles in this coordinate system:
Azimuth and elevation angles
1-40
Antenna Toolbox Coordinate System
Phi () and theta () angles
u and v coordinates
Azimuth and Elevation Angles
Theazimuth angleis the angle from the positivex-axis to the vector's orthogonal
projection onto thexyplane, moving in the direction towards the y-axis. The azimuth
angle is in the range 180 and 180 degrees.
Theelevation angleis the angle from the vector's orthogonal projection on thexyplane
toward the positivez-axis, to the vector. The elevation angle is in the 90 and 90 degrees.
1-41
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Phi () and Theta () Angles
The angleis the angle from the positivex-axis to the vector's orthogonal projection onto
thexyplane, moving in the direction towards the y-axis. The azimuth angle is between
180 and 180 degrees.
The angle is the angle from thepositive z-axis to thevectors orthogonal projection on
the xy plane measured clockwise. The angle is in the range 0 and 180 degrees.
These angles are an alternative to using azimuth and elevation angles to express the
location of point in a unit sphere.
u and v Coordinates
You can defineuandvin terms of and :
1-42
Antenna Toolbox Coordinate System
u = sin q cos f
v = sin q sin f
In terms of azimuth and elevation angles, the u and v coordinates are:
u = cos el sin az
v = sin el
The values of u and v satisfy the inequalities:
-1 u 1
-1 v 1
u2 + v2 1
The and angles in terms of u and v are:
tan f = u / v
sin q = u2 + v2
The azimuth and elevation angles in terms of u and v are:
sin el = v
tan az =
u
1 - u2 - v2
Conversion Between Rectangular and Spherical Coordinates
Convert rectangular coordinates to spherical coordinates (az, el, R) using:
R=
x2 + y2 + z2
az = tan -1 ( y / x)
el = tan -1( z / x2 + y2 )
Convert spherical coordinates (az, el, R) to rectangular coordinates using:
1-43
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
x = R cos( el ) cos( az)
y = R cos( el) sin( az)
z = R sin(el)
where:
R is the distance from the antenna
el and az are the azimuth and elevation angles
References
[1] Balanis, C.A. Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design. 3rd Ed. New York: Wiley, 2005.
1-44
Antenna Radiation Patterns
Antenna Radiation Patterns
Antenna radiation patterns at default operating frequencies.
dipole
1-45
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
dipoleFolded
1-46
Antenna Radiation Patterns
dipoleVee
1-47
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
dipoleHelix
1-48
Antenna Radiation Patterns
dipoleMeander
1-49
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
bowtieTriangular
1-50
Antenna Radiation Patterns
bowtieRounded
1-51
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
monopole
1-52
Antenna Radiation Patterns
monopoleTopHat
1-53
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
invertedF
1-54
Antenna Radiation Patterns
invertedFcoplanar
1-55
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
invertedL
1-56
Antenna Radiation Patterns
invertedLcoplanar
1-57
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
loopCircular
1-58
Antenna Radiation Patterns
loopRectangular
1-59
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
spiralArchimedean
1-60
Antenna Radiation Patterns
spiralEquiangular
1-61
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
helix
1-62
Antenna Radiation Patterns
yagiUda
1-63
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
reflector
1-64
Antenna Radiation Patterns
patchMicrostrip
1-65
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
slot
1-66
Antenna Radiation Patterns
pifa
1-67
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
vivaldi
1-68
Antenna Radiation Patterns
cavity
1-69
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
biquad
1-70
Antenna Radiation Patterns
horn
1-71
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
waveguide
1-72
Antenna Toolbox Limitations
Antenna Toolbox Limitations
The Antenna Toolbox does not support the following features.
Antenna Library
This antenna library objects does not support:
PIFA and invertedF antennas with the infinite ground plane.
Antenna analysis at frequencies less than 1 kHz or greater than 200 GHz.
Dielectrics for infinite ground plane antennas.
Array Library
This array library objects does not support:
Arrays using slot, and cavity antennas.
Reflector-based arrays using helix, slot, Vivaldi, cavity, PIFA antennas as exciters.
Building arrays using antennas with tilted ground planes.
Conformal arrays created using balanced and unbalanced antennas.
Conformal arrays created using unbalanced antennas with infinite ground plane.
Infinite arrays using dielectric materials.
1-73
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Interact with Polar Plot
This example shows how to interact with a polar plot created using polarpattern class.
Create Polar Plot of Helix Antenna
Create a helix antenna that has a 28 mm radius, a 1.2 mm width and 4 turns.
hx = helix('Radius',28e-3,'Width',1.2e-3,'Turns',4);
Calculate the directivity of the antenna at 1.8 GHz.
H = pattern(hx,1.8e9,0,0:1:360);
Display the polar plot of the antenna.
P = polarpattern(H);
1-74
Interact with Polar Plot
Interact with Polar Plot
Hover over the plot. You see a message on top of the plot: Right click to interact with
the plot. Right-click anywhere in the Polar Measurement window to display a context
menu for interacting with the plot. For example, right-click outside the plot to show the
Main context menu. Right-click inside the plot to show the Display context menu.
1-75
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Update Angle and Magnitude Values
The angular values are around the circumference of the polar plot. Right-click any of the
angle values to open ANGLE context menu. By default, the angles are displayed CCW
(counterclockwise).
Change the resolution from 15 degrees to 10 degrees.
1-76
Interact with Polar Plot
The magnitude values are on the radial lines of the plot. Right-click any of the magnitude
values to open the MAGNITUDE context menu. Choose properties from the context
menu to change the magnitude limits, magnitude ticks, or font size.
1-77
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Add Cursors and Calculate Angle Span
Add cursors at 60 degrees and 105 degrees.
To add a cursor from the the MAIN or DISPLAY context menus, select Measurements >
Add Cursor. After adding the cursor, place the mouse pointer on the cursor and drag it
to 60 degrees.
You can also add a cursor by double-clicking on the angle values. Double-click 105 to add
a cursor. Right-click the newly added cursor and move the cursor to exact value of 105
degrees.
You can also interpolate the two angle values to 60 degrees and 150 degrees. Right-click
on each cursor and choose Interpolate from the CURSOR context menu. To set the
angle span, from the MAIN or DISPLAY context menu, select Measurements > Angle
Span.
1-78
Interact with Polar Plot
Calculate the counterclockwise angle span between 60 degrees and 105 degrees.
Zoom In and Zoom Out
You can use the mouse pointer to zoom in and zoom out of the plot. Place the pointer at
the center of the plot and drag radially outward.
1-79
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
Display Peak Locations
To display the peak locations from the MAIN or DISPLAY context menus, select
Measurements > Peak Location.
1-80
Interact with Polar Plot
Right-click any of the peak triangles and choose NumPeaks. Increase the number of
peaks to 4.
1-81
Introduction to Antenna Toolbox
View Antenna Metrics
Antenna metrics in the polar plot display the main, back, and side lobes of the antenna.
There are two ways to turn display antenna metrics on the plot:
1. Right-click within the polar figure to open the Main context menu. Choose Antenna
Metrics.
2. Right-click inside the polar plot to open the Display context menu. Inside the
Measurement menu, choose Antenna Metrics.
By default, the plot shows the HPBW (half-power beamwidth) of the antenna.The
antenna measurements text box displays:
HPBW (half-power beamwidth)
FNBW (first-null beamwidth)
F/B (front-to-back ratio)
SLL (side lobe level)
Main (main lobe peak value and corresponding angle)
Back (back lobe peak value and corresponding angle)
To view the FNBW, right-click inside the red or gray polar plot region to open the MAIN
LOBE or the BACK LOBE context menu and then choose First-Null Beamwidth.
1-82
Interact with Polar Plot
1-83
2
Introduction to Arrays
Introduction to Arrays
Array Modeling and Analysis
This example shows how to construct, visualize, and analyze an antenna array from the
Antenna Toolbox.
Create Antenna Array Using Antenna Elements
Create a default rectangular antenna array using the rectangularArray element in the
array library. By default, this array uses the dipole antenna as element.
ra = rectangularArray
ra =
rectangularArray with properties:
Element:
Size:
RowSpacing:
ColumnSpacing:
Lattice:
AmplitudeTaper:
PhaseShift:
Tilt:
TiltAxis:
[11 dipole]
[2 2]
2
2
'Rectangular'
1
0
0
[1 0 0]
Visualize Layout of Array
Use the layout function to plot the position of array elements in the x-y plane. By default,
the rectangular array is a 4-element dipole array in a 2x2 rectangular lattice.
layout(ra)
2-2
Array Modeling and Analysis
Visualize Geometry of Array
Use the show function to view the stucture of the rectangular antenna array.
show(ra)
2-3
Introduction to Arrays
Plot Radiation Pattern of Array
Use the pattern function to plot the radiation pattern of the rectangular array. The
radiation pattern is the spatial distribution of the power of an array. The pattern
displays the directivity or gain of the array. By default, the pattern function plots the
directivity of the array.
pattern(ra,70e6)
2-4
Array Modeling and Analysis
Plot Azimuth and Elevation Pattern of Array
Use patternAzimuth and patternElevation functions to plot the azimuth and elevation
pattern of the rectangular array. These two patterns are the 2D radiation pattern of the
array at a specified frequency.
patternAzimuth(ra,70e6)
figure
patternElevation(ra,70e6)
2-5
2-6
Introduction to Arrays
Array Modeling and Analysis
Calculate the Directivity of Array
Directivity is the ability of an array to radiate power in a particular direction. It can be
defined as the ratio of the maximum radiation intensity in the desired direction to the
average radiation intensity in all other directions. Use pattern function to calculate the
directivity of the rectangular array.
[Directivity] = pattern(ra,70e6,0,90)
Directivity =
-38.7462
2-7
Introduction to Arrays
Calculate EH Fields of Array
Use the EHfields function to calculate the EH fields of the rectangular array. EH fields
are the x, y, and z components of the electric and magnetic fields of an array. These
components are measured at a specific frequency and at specified points in space.
[E,H] = EHfields(ra,70e6,[0;0;1])
E =
0.0000 + 0.0000i
-0.0023 + 0.0017i
-1.3896 - 0.0428i
H =
1.0e-05 *
0.1601 - 0.7689i
0.0000 + 0.0000i
-0.0000 - 0.0000i
Plot Different Polarizations of Array
Use the Polarization name-value pair in the pattern function to plot the different
polarization patterns of the rectangular array. Polarization is the orientation of the
electric field, or E-field, of an array. Polarization is classified as elliptical, linear, or
circular. This example shows the left-hand circularly polarized(LHCP) radiation pattern
of the rectangular array.
pattern(ra,70e6,'Polarization','LHCP')
2-8
Array Modeling and Analysis
Calculate Beamwidth of Array
Use the beamwidth function to calculate the beamwidth of the rectangular array. The
beamwidth of an array is the angular measure of the array pattern coverage. The
beamwidth angle is measured in plane that contains the direction of main lobe of the
array.
[bw,angles] = beamwidth(ra,70e6,0,1:1:360)
bw =
45
45
2-9
Introduction to Arrays
angles =
28
108
73
153
Calculate Scan Impedance of Array
Use the impedance function to calculate and plot the input impedance of rectangular
array. Active impedance, or scan impedance, is the input impedance of each antenna
element in an array, when all elements are excited.
impedance(ra,60e6:1e6:70e6)
2-10
Array Modeling and Analysis
You can also view the impedance of all four elements by changing the number of
elements on the plot from 1 to 1:4. See figure.
Calculate Reflection Coefficient of Array
Use the sparameters function to calculate the S11 value of the rectangular array. S11
value gives the reflection coefficient of the array.
2-11
Introduction to Arrays
S = sparameters(ra,60e6:1e6:70e6,72)
rfplot(S)
S =
sparameters: S-parameters object
NumPorts:
Frequencies:
Parameters:
Impedance:
4
[111 double]
[4411 double]
72
rfparam(obj,i,j) returns S-parameter Sij
2-12
Array Modeling and Analysis
Calculate Return Loss of Array
Use the returnLoss function to calculate and plot the return loss of the rectangular array.
returnLoss(ra,60e6:1e6:70e6,72)
2-13
Introduction to Arrays
You can also view the return loss of all four elements by changing the number of
elements on the plot from 1 to 1:4. See figure.
2-14
Array Modeling and Analysis
Calculate Charge and Current Distribution Of Array
Use the charge and current functions to calculate the charge and current distribution on
the rectangular array surface.
charge(ra,70e6)
figure
2-15
Introduction to Arrays
current(ra,70e6)
2-16
Array Modeling and Analysis
Calculate Correlation Coeffecient of Array
Use the correlation to calculate the correlation coeffecient of the rectangular array. The
correlation coefficient is the relationship between the incoming signals at the antenna
ports in an array.
correlation(ra,60e6:1e6:70e6,1,2)
2-17
Introduction to Arrays
Change Size of Array and Visualize Layout
Use the 'Size' property of the rectangular array to change it to a 16-element dipole array.
ra.Size = [4 4];
show(ra)
2-18
Array Modeling and Analysis
Change Array Elements Spacing To Nonuniform
Use the 'RowSpacing' and 'ColumSpacing' properties of rectangular array to change the
spacing between the antenna elements.
ra.RowSpacing = [ 1.1 2 1.2];
ra.ColumnSpacing =[0.5 1.4 2]
show(ra)
ra =
rectangularArray with properties:
Element: [11 dipole]
2-19
Introduction to Arrays
Size:
RowSpacing:
ColumnSpacing:
Lattice:
AmplitudeTaper:
PhaseShift:
Tilt:
TiltAxis:
[4 4]
[1.1000 2 1.2000]
[0.5000 1.4000 2]
'Rectangular'
1
0
0
[1 0 0]
References
[1] Balanis, C.A. "Antenna Theory. Analysis and Design", p. 514, Wiley, New York, 3rd
Edition, 2005.
2-20
