Creating a Linear / Planar Antenna Array

Create a linear or planar finite antenna array model.

1. On the Construct tab, in the Structures group, click the  Planes/arrays icon. From the drop-down list, select the   Linear/planar array icon.
2. Specify the elements in the U dimension.
   1. Under U dimension, in the Number of elements field, specify the number of array elements.
   2. Under U dimension, in the Offset along X axis field, specify the offset between the array elements.
3. Specify the elements in the V dimension.
   1. Under V dimension, in the Number of elements field, specify the number of array elements.
   2. Under V dimension, in the Offset along Y axis field, specify the offset between the array elements.
4. In the Label field, add a unique label for the antenna array.

   
   

   

   
   

5. Click the Distribution tab to specify the array distribution.
   • To create an antenna array with a uniform distribution, click the Uniform distribution or calculated from plane wave check box.
   • To create an antenna array where the distribution is calculated from the plane wave (if a plane wave is present in the model), click the Uniform distribution or calculated from plane wave check box.
   • To create an antenna array with a specified excitation for each element, clear the Uniform distribution or calculated from plane wave check box.
     Note: When specifying each element, take note of the array element indexing.

     
     

     

     
     Figure 1. Image depicting the array element indexing.

     • To specify the magnitude scaling and phase offset manually:
       1. In the Magnitude scaling field, specify the excitation magnitude for the individual element relative to the base element.
       2. In the Phase offset (degrees) field, specify the phase offset (in degrees) for the individual element relative to the base element.
     • To specify the magnitude scaling and phase offset by importing the points from file, click Import.
       • In the Filename field, browse for the file you want to import.
       • [Optional] In the Scale by field, enter a value to scale the points.
       • Under Delimiter, click the delimiter type you use in your file.
       • Click OK to close the Import points dialog.