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LAB 2. Antenna Array: 1 Starting HFSS
LAB 2. Antenna Array: 1 Starting HFSS
Antenna Array
This laboratory is intended to show you how to create, simulate, and analyze a Waveguide array antenna using the Ansoft HFSS Design Environment. A WavePort excitation will be used for the feed PMLs (Perfectly Matched Layers) and for the radiation load Master/Slave boundary conditions will be used to create the array. Arrays can be designed to radiate in either broadside i.e. radiation perpendicular to array orientation or end fire i.e. radiation in the same direction as the array. We will focus on end fire arrays.
1 Starting HFSS
Double click on the HFSS 9.2 icon on the Windows Desktop
Select the menu item Tools Options Modeler Options. Click the Operation tab
To set the units select the menu item 3D Modeler Units. Select Units: in
6 Create Waveguide
We will start by creating the waveguide using the Draw Box button from the toolbar.
Double click on CreateBox to get Command window. Enter the box position
Double click on Box1 to get Attribute window. For the Value of Name type: waveguide Click the OK button
To fit the view: Select the menu item View Fit All Active View or press the CTRL+D keys
7 Create Airbox
To create the airbox select the menu item Draw Box. Enter the box position
Select the Attribute tab double clicking the Box1. For the Value of Name type: airbox. Click the OK button
To fit the view: Select the menu item View Fit All Active View
To select the proper face of the airbox select the menu item Edit Select Faces
Graphically pick the top face of the airbox that was just created.
To assign the PML boundary select the menu item HFSS Boundaries PML Setup Wizard
Select Create PML Cover Objects on Selected Faces. Uniform Layer Thickness: 0.2in, click the Next button
Select: PML Objects accept Free Radiation. Min Frequency: 9 GHz. Minimum Radiating Distance: 1in. Click the Next button
Review settings on the PML Setup Wizard: Summary page. Click the Finish button
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By default, the PML wizard will turn off visibility of the PML object once it is created. We want to turn it back on again. Select the menu item View Active View Visiblility. Check the box next to PML_airbox1. Click Done.
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To set the grid plane: Select the menu item Modeler Grid Plane YZ or
To draw the first Master/Slave rectangle select the menu item Draw Rectangle
To set the name: Select the Attribute tab. For the Value of Name type: Master1 Click the OK button.
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To set the grid plane select the menu item Modeler Grid Plane XZ
To draw the second Master/Slave rectangle select the menu item Draw Rectangle. Enter the box position
To set the name select the Attribute tab. For the Value of Name type: Master2.
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Select the object, Master1. Select the menu item Edit Duplicate Along Line
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When the dialog box pops up requesting the total number of copies, change the value to 2, Press the OK button. Select the object, Master2. Select the menu item Edit Duplicate Along Line
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Select the objects named: master2_1. Double click for Attribute dialog. Change the Name master2_1 to Slave2.
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To create a Master boundary Select the objects named: master1. Select the menu item HFSS Boundaries Assign Master
Name: Master1.Coordinate System: U Vector: click Undefined pulldown and choose New Vector
Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the start position Using the coordinate entry fields, enter the stop position of the vector
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To create a Slave boundary Select the objects named: Slave1. Select the menu item HFSS Boundaries Assign Slave
Name: Slave1. Master Boundary: click on Undefined pulldown and select Master1 Coordinate System: U Vector: click Undefined pulldown
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Make sure that Use Scan Angles To Calculate Phase Delay is Checked. For Phi, enter 0 deg. For Theta, enter a variable name theta_scan, and hit Enter. For the Add Variable dialog, enter 30 deg for theta_scan
Repeat the process for Slave2 Select the objects named: Slave2. Select the menu item HFSS Boundaries Assign Slave
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Name: Slave2. Master Boundary: click on Undefined pulldown and select Master2. Coordinate System: U Vector: click Undefined pulldown
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To assign waveport to waveguide object select the menu item Edit Select By Name
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Select Face dialog: Select the object waveguide from the left column. Select different FaceIDs until the bottom face of the waveguide is highlighted. Click OK
Select the menu item HFSS Excitation Assign WavePort. Name: p1. Click Next Next Finish.
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12 Analysis Setup
To create an analysis setup, select the menu item HFSS Analysis Setup Add Solution Setup Solution Setup Window: Click the General tab: Solution Frequency: 9.25 GHz. Maximum Number of Passes: 5. Maximum Delta S: 0.0001. Click the OK button
13 Analyze
To validate the model select the menu item HFSS Validation Check. Note: To view any errors or warning messages, use the Message Manager
To start the solution process: Select the menu item Setup1 Analyze
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15 Create Reports
After completion of the analysis, we will create a report to display both the antenna parameters and also the radiation pattern. HFSS has the ability to compute antenna parameters automatically. In order to produce the calculations, the user must define an infinite sphere for far field calculations. Right-click the Radiation icon in the project manager window and select Insert Far Field Setup Infinite Sphere.
Choose Phi: (Start: 0, Stop: 360,Step Size: 10), Theta: (Start: 0, Stop: 360, Step Size: 10). Click the OK button. Right-click Infinite Sphere1 Compute Antenna Parameters... from the project explorer as shown
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Antenna elements can be arranged to form antenna array. Each antenna exhibits a specific radiation pattern. When combined with several other antenna elements in an array, however, the overall radiation pattern of an antenna changes. To plot radiation pattern select the menu item Results Create Far Field Report 3D Polar Plot.
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Antenna arrays do not have a symmetry in the radiation pattern. These antennas typically have a single peak direction in the radiation pattern; this is the direction where the bulk of the radiated power travels.
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The elevation plane pattern is formed by slicing the 3D pattern through an orthogonal plane (either the x-z plane or the y-z plane). To get the elevation plane pattern select the menu item Results Create Far Field Report Radiation Pattern.
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Radiation plot of most antennas shows a pattern of maxima or "lobes" at various angles, separated by "nulls" at which the radiation goes to zero. In a directive antenna in which the objective is to direct the radio waves in one particular direction, the lobe in that direction is larger than the others; this is called the "main lobe". The other lobes, representing unwanted radiation in other directions, are called "side lobes". In this pattern, because of the main lobe, most of the radiation is in the first and second quadrants. Again, the azimuth plane pattern is formed by slicing the 3D pattern through the horizontal plane (the xy plane). Select the menu item Results Create Far Field Report Radiation Pattern.
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LAB2: REPORT
The radiation pattern can change dramatically depending upon frequency. Antennas are designed for a particular frequency. For the report plot the 3D polar, azimuthal and elevation patterns for the frequency of 15 and 7 GHz.
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