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ADP015053TITLE: Antenna Design and Radiation Pattern Visualization

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TITLE: Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society Journal. Volume18, Number 4, November 2003. Special Issue on ACES 2003 Conference.Part 1

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26 ACES JOURNAL, VOL. 18, NO. 4, NOVEMBER 2003

ANTENNA DESIGN AND RADIATION PATTERNVISUALIZATION

Atef Z. Elsherbeni and Matthew J. Inmanatef(aiolemiss.edu

Center of Applied Electromagnetics Systems ResearchElectrical Engineering Department

The University of MississippiUniversity, MS 38677

Abstract: Characteristics and radiation patterns parameters of the antenna system. This programof many antenna geometries and antenna arrays allows for the design and visualization of bothcan be evaluated but not easily visualized. This single elements and of arrays of commonpaper presents a software package that has been elements. The visualization option in thedeveloped to allow for 2D and 3D visualization program allows for the inspection of theof the radiation patterns for many different types radiation pattern in full 3-D or in multiple 2-Dof antennas and antenna arrays. The package and 3-D plane cuts. A great advantage is gainedallows the user to visualize the field patterns for by being able to quickly and efficiently examinea given type of antenna, and to display the the radiation pattern in various manners. Theconstituent parameters (input impedance, ability to examine the field structure for manydirectivity, gain, etc). The user may inspect the common types of antennas and antenna arraysfield pattern for a single element of many enhances the educational and research value ofdifferent types of antennas (such as dipole, loop, this package. In addition to being able toaperture) or for arrays of common elements. The examine the field structure of the antennaparameters for these antennas or arrays may be element or array, the package also allows forvaried manually or via an automated swept certain observational calculations to be displayedparameter menu. The program allows for the as well.design and study of diverse antenna arrays.Common types of 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D arrays are 2. Single Element Simulationavailable, as well as a builder for an arbitrarysystem of elements. Synthesis and simulation Since the radiation patterns and constituenttools are also integrated into the package to parameters for many common types of elementsallow for automatically determining the best are well known, calculating the radiationconfiguration for an array or an element to meet patterns is performed in a straightforwarda predetermined radiation characteristic, manner. The user first selects one of the element

types given (dipole, loop, helix, infinite1. Introduction biconical, aperture, or corner reflector). This will

bring up the appropriate basic pattern and initialIn the course of designing an antenna element or parameters for this type of element. Many of thean array of elements it often becomes useful to element types have various configurations andhave a method of visualizing the radiation sub-types available in the program. For examplepattern and for determining the constituent if a dipole is selected, the user may choose the

1054-4887 © 2003 ACES

Elsherbeni and Inman: Antenna Design and Radiation Pattern Visualization 27

type of dipole (thin wire, thick cylindrical, small length, maximum current, and far field distance).vertical with ground plane, or small horizontal All these parameters will be used to calculate thewith ground plane), and then set the parameters field pattern to be displayed and its calculatedfor the dipole (frequency/wavelength, dipole parameters (gain, directivity, etc.), in separate

n e i...: . . . .. . . " File Edit View Insert Tools Window Help

, -Electric Field Inenity Electric Far Field Intensity [dB] :0

otn Configurations

FThinWire Dipolew d s h i a i l te fr .5Dyriarnz acrge [d8] FO4

gaterdnfrmtin.ByvaPlyne Cutthe 30n

AntrnnaePteror tes Caob, mal F-1 20tFrequenc p Mgz] c lraua s Partnc LEane 10 ....... -

Wavelongthis ifm ion.oT e m20 p

of Redtr rawr onParameteo Chane app r oprit

Length (m) 15. -011.5 Numer of Calcuated Points

Mar5 rnu [IGOr Thetso a F9ii dPhi [2T' dThatF2

Far Field Distance rfrAmnthe 5ielda.nd 0 0 20 mw

oTotal Rpadiated Power -20 the we527471 Y

Radiation Re nsolsnce.............105.4942

the____magnitude___ nsInput ReniFtaaFceRedraw Pattern 10a.4342

Directivit

copoSave Pattern Data 2.2eslel numr oSave0 Pattern Gr anpic SE (zimth ) f

SweptParaeterMenu20QuitD'11H-Field Strenrgth fA/mrrrl

(c) 21102 Elsherbert_____________ ______________

Figure 1. The program windows showing a dipole pattern for L=1 .5k.

gathered information. By varying the number ofwindows, as seen in Figure 1. points or the step size in each direction, the user

may increase or decrease the resolution of theOnce the antenna type has been selected and the pattern being generated. This savesparameters for the antenna have been entered, computational time when the pattern is relativelythe program calculates the E and H field patterns smooth, and allows for fine detail when thefrom this inform-ation. The main program passes pattern is more complex.off the entered parameters into the appropriatemodule to perform the field and parameters In the main window along with the antennacalculations. By using a modular system, adding parameters, are the visualization parameters.new features such as new elements or arrays, These allow for the user to select the type andbecomes a simple matter of loading the way the pattern is viewed. The user may selectappropriate module. The program then calculates from a list of available patterns and fieldthe magnitude and phases of each field components (Total E Field, Total H Field, E-component at a user selectable number of points Theta, E-Phi, H-Theta, H-Phi, Radiationin 0 (elevation) and p (azimuth) from the Intensity, etc.), which allows the user to examine

28 ACES JOURNAL, VOL. 18, NO. 4, NOVEMBER 2003

both the total field characteristics and the plane cuts and transparency settings for theindividual directional characteristics as well. The displayed pattern. When the full pattern isuser may also choose which format they wish to displayed, the transparency slider sets thesee the pattern displayed in, either in a linear transparency for the whole figure fromrelative format or in a normalized dB format. completely transparent to completely opaque.When the normalized dB format is selected, the When one of the 3-D plane cuts is selected, theuser may enter the Dynamic Range for data to be slider will go from just showing a small slice ofshown. Since in dB format the data can range the pattern as seen in Figure 2, to showing afrom 0 down to -co, the range is a useful tool to slightly transparent half of the pattern at theexamine either the major features of the field halfway point, and up to a completely opaquepattern or can be varied down to show even figure at its highest setting. Likewise thesmall fluctuations. One of the most useful tools program has the ability to show plain 2-D cuts asin the package allows for the combination of well for any figure type.

" • .. •.Ti~i i•;• •'•'••'•' '''•, ............:" • .......... • • :......... ... :........ ... .. .... .. ... .. .. . . ... . .. . ...... ..

SI , I

FIN

S, . ... .. iIrý

Df..

MI r"~ -- .... C1 7 71 ý'

Electric Far Field ntetesil y d xz Plane Cut 0 to 10,: I e1

40i

-10

" ~ ~ K 16 ::')0== • ,,

202

200

210 33020

Y 200 2740 300

Figure 2. The pattern window showing various 3-D and 2-D plots.

Elsherbeni and Inman: Antenna Design and Radiation Pattern Visualization 29

3. Swept Parameters

A very useful tool in antenna design and parameter and display the results either as ansimulation allows for the program to sweep over animated figure in the pattern window (for thea set range of parameters. With the Swept type of plot being displayed) or they may stepParameter tool the user may select any one of the through the sweep one point at a time to examineactive parameters to sweep across. The user then the results. This ability not only aids in the fineselects the starting and ending points for a tuning of a desired element by showing theparameter to sweep across and also enters the changes in the pattern for small increments, butnumber of increments to be used. When started also adds to the software packages educationalthe program will begin to sweep across this value as well.

S..Sw eep........... .....

Swept ParametersParameter to Swoeep

Start Point

1Stop Point

Number of Steps4

Run 7Z XZ.uStop "' 7

Close Menu I''"

'~.A

Figure 3. Sweeping a dipole from L=lm to 2m (X=lm).

30 ACES JOURNAL, VOL. 18, NO. 4, NOVEMBER 2003

4. Antenna Arrays phases of the elements (either single elements,rows of elements, or planes of elements

One of the main features of the program allows depending on the array type) and thefor the design of any type of array of common corresponding array factor is generated. Theelements. From the main window the user may array factor itself may be viewed or a compositeselect any one of the I-D, 2-D, or 3-D, array pattern of the array made with a selected elementtypes. These include Linear, Circular, Planar, can be viewed. When an array is chosen anCubical, Spherical, or the completely arbitrary element pattern window will open allowing thearray. In all but the arbitrary array the user user to choose which antenna will be used forsimply selects the desired array, enters the the individual elements.number of elements, the relative amplitudes and

.. . .... ---- -' -

S• 0..lnWt1.3 ~40

30

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Figure 4. Radiation patterns for arrays of isotropic elements for, (a) Fourier synthesized I1-D array,(b) circular 2-D array, (c) planar array, and (d) spherical array.

0.. l I I II

Elsherbeni and Inman: Antenna Design and Radiation Pattern Visualization 31

Array Element Control N6 . .

Nuirmb of C edPoiN.

ELemer Type0. ,piue F TIHezian Dipoe : .' -- :' •'

* PatalNi . ht

is0... ..? .... ...

0 0. 1.5 ae ait

Figure 5. The array element window and arraybuilder window.

A few common types of antenna elements are the currently selected element is highlighted inavailable here as a matter of convenience, as blue.well as an option for the user to load a patternfile. This file may be generated by this program 5. Conclusionsearlier while designing a single element or maycontain data generated elsewhere. This allows The program successfully allows the user tofor the use of the patterns generated from other interactively design and visualize many commonprograms or gathered from real antennas on an types of antennas as well as arrays of elements.antenna range to be used as elements when It has great utility not only in its use as a designanalyzing arrays. program for antennas, but as a learning tool as

well. It can allow the user to interactivelyAlternatively the program allows for the analysis explore antenna patterns and its properties andand visualization of completely arbitrary arrays promotes greater understanding of antennaof elements. In order to accomplish this, the design. The element design features provide aprogram includes what is known as the good platform for design and visualization. Thearraybuilder. This is a small subprogram that array features allow for the interactive designallows for the layout and viewing of the array and visualization of many different types ofelements. The user may choose the location in x, arrays and allow for the testing and verificationy, and z directions (all points are relative to each of array designs.other and the distance is measured inwavelengths) and the relative amplitude and Referencesphase of each element. The arraybuilder allows [1] W. L. Stutzman, "Antenna Theory andfor the interactive placement and updating of Design", 2nd Edition. John Wiley &these elements, as changes are shown Sons, Inc, 1997.immediately in the arraybuilder window shownin Figure 3. Elements may be added, updated or [2] C. A. Balanis, "Antenna Theory:deleted at will, and as can be seen in the figure, Analysis and Design", 2nd Edition. John

Wiley & Sons, Inc, 1996.

32 ACES JOURNAL, VOL. 18, NO. 4, NOVEMBER 2003

Atef Z. Elsherbeni joined the Time Domain Technique for Microstrip Antennas" infaculty at the University of Handbook of Antennas in Wireless Communications,Mississippi in August 1987 CRC Press, 2001.as an Assistant Professor of Dr. Elsherbeni is a senior member of theElectrical Engineering. He Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

advanced to the rank of (IEEE). He is the Editor-in-Chief for the AppliedAssociate Professor on July Computational Electromagnetic Society (ACES)

1991, and to the rank of Journal, an Associate Editor to the Radio ScienceProfessor on July 1997. He Journal, and the electronic publishing managingspent a sabbatical term in editor of ACES. His honorary memberships include1996 at the Electrical the Electromagnetics Academy and the ScientificEngineering Department, Sigma Xi Society. He serves on the editorial board

University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). of the Book Series on Progress in ElectromagneticDr. Elsherbeni received The Mississippi Research, the Electromagnetic Waves and

Academy of Science 2003 Outstanding Contribution Applications Journal, and the Computer Applicationsto Science Award, The 2002 IEEE Region 3 in Engineering Education Journal. He is the Chair ofOutstanding Engineering Educator Award, The 2002 the Engineering and Physics Division of theSchool of Engineering Outstanding Engineering Mississippi Academy of Science and the past ChairFaculty Member of the Year Award, the 2001 of the Educational Activity Committee for the IEEEApplied Computational Electromagnetic Society Region 3 Section. Dr. Elsherbeni's home page can be(ACES) Exemplary Service Award for leadership found at http://www.ee.olemiss.edu/atef and hisand contributions as Electronic Publishing managing email address is Elsherbeni(cieee.org.Editor 1999-2001, the 2001 Researcher/Scholar ofthe year award in the Department of Electrical Matthew Joseph InmanEngineering, The University of Mississippi, and the was born in Dayton, Ohio1996 Outstanding Engineering Educator of the IEEE on Feb 7 h, 1978. HeMemphis Section. received his B.S. and M.S.

Dr. Elsherbeni has conducted research in in Electrical Engineeringseveral areas such as: scattering and diffraction by from the University ofdielectric and metal objects, inverse scattering, finite Mississippi in 2000 anddifference time domain analysis of passive and active 2003, respectively. Hemicrowave devices, field visualization and software currently is currentlydevelopment for EM education, dielectric resonators, I'I pursuing a Ph.D. degree ininteractions of electromagnetic waves with human electromagnetics there. He is currently employed atbody, and development of sensors for soil moisture the University as research assistant and graduateand for monitoring of airports noise levels, reflector instructor teaching a number of undergraduateantennas and antenna arrays, and analysis and design courses. His interests involve electromagneticof printed antennas for wireless communications and theories, numerical techniques, antenna design andfor radars and personal communication systems. His visualization.recent research has been on the application ofnumerical techniques to microstrip and planartransmission lines, antenna measurements, andantenna design for radar and personal communicationsystems. He has published 65 technical journalarticles and 12 book chapters on appliedelectromagnetics, antenna design, and microwavesubjects, and contributed to 210 professionalpresentations. He is the coauthor of the book entitled"MATLAB Simulations for Radar Systems Design",CRC Press, 2003 and the main author of the chapters"Handheld Antennas" and "The Finite Difference