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linearArray

Create linear antenna array

Description

The linearArray object creates a linear antenna array in the xy-plane. The default linear array is a two-element dipole array. The dipoles are center-fed. Each dipole resonates at 70 MHz when isolated.

Creation

Description

array = linearArray creates a linear antenna array in the xy-plane.

example

array = linearArray(Name=Value) sets properties using one or more name-value arguments. Name is the property name and Value is the corresponding value. You can specify several name-value arguments in any order as Name1=Value1,...,NameN=ValueN. Properties that you do not specify, retain their default values.

For example, linArr = linearArray(Element=discone) creates a linear array of two discone antennas.

example

Output Arguments

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Linear array, returned as an linearArray object.

Properties

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Individual antenna type, specified as a single antenna object for homogeneous array or a vector of antenna objects of same type with varying dimensions and load for heterogeneous array. The antenna object can be an element from the Antenna Catalog, or a linearArray, or an antenna without a substrate created using customAntennaGeometry, customAntennaMesh, customAntennaStl, or customAntenna objects.

Note

Following antennas are not supported as an element:

Example: monopole

Example: [monopole monopole(Height=2)]

Example: linearArray

Example: customAntenna

Number of antenna or linear array elements in array, specified as a scalar.

Example: 4

Spacing between antenna elements or arrays in array, specified as a scalar or vector in meters. By default, the dipole elements are spaced 2m apart.

Example: 3

Data Types: double

Excitation amplitude of antenna elements, specified as a scalar or vector. Set the property value to 0 to model dead elements. This value corresponds to the excitation voltages for the elements in the array.

Example: 3

Data Types: double

Phase shift for antenna elements, specified as a scalar or vector in degrees. This value corresponds to the excitation voltages for the elements in the array.

Example: [3 3 0 0]

Data Types: double

Tilt angle of the array in degrees, specified as a scalar or vector. For more information, see Rotate Antennas and Arrays.

Example: 90

Example: Tilt=[90 90],TiltAxis=[0 1 0;0 1 1] tilts the array at 90 degrees about the two axes, defined by the vectors.

Data Types: double

Tilt axis of the array, specified as one of these values:

  • Three-element vectors of Cartesian coordinates in meters. In this case, each vector starts at the origin and lies along the specified points on the x-, y-, and z-axes.

  • Two points in space, specified as a 2-by-3 matrix corresponding to two three-element vectors of Cartesian coordinates. In this case, the array rotates around the line joining the two points.

  • "x", "y", or "z" to describe a rotation about the x-, y-, or z-axis, respectively.

For more information, see Rotate Antennas and Arrays.

Example: [0 1 0]

Example: [0 0 0;0 1 0]

Example: "Z"

Data Types: double | string

Object Functions

arrayFactorArray factor in dB
axialRatioCalculate and plot axial ratio of antenna or array
beamwidthBeamwidth of antenna
chargeCharge distribution on antenna or array surface
correlationCorrelation coefficient between two antennas in array
currentCurrent distribution on antenna or array surface
designDesign prototype antenna or arrays for resonance around specified frequency or create AI-based antenna from antenna catalog objects
efficiencyCalculate and plot radiation efficiency of antenna or array
EHfieldsElectric and magnetic fields of antennas or embedded electric and magnetic fields of antenna element in arrays
feedCurrentCalculate current at feed for antenna or array
impedanceCalculate and plot input impedance of antenna or scan impedance of array
infoDisplay information about antenna, array, or platform
layoutDisplay array or PCB stack layout
memoryEstimateEstimate memory required to solve antenna or array mesh
meshMesh properties of metal, dielectric antenna, or array structure
meshconfigChange meshing mode of antenna, array, custom antenna, custom array, or custom geometry
msiwriteWrite antenna or array analysis data to MSI planet file
optimizeOptimize antenna or array using SADEA optimizer
patternPlot radiation pattern and phase of antenna or array or embedded pattern of antenna element in array
patternAzimuthAzimuth plane radiation pattern of antenna or array
patternElevationElevation plane radiation pattern of antenna or array
patternMultiplyRadiation pattern of array using pattern multiplication
peakRadiationCalculate and mark maximum radiation points of antenna or array on radiation pattern
phaseShiftCalculate phase shift values for arrays or multi-feed PCB stack
rcsCalculate and plot monostatic and bistatic radar cross section (RCS) of platform, antenna, or array
returnLossCalculate and plot return loss of antenna or scan return loss of array
showDisplay antenna, array structures, shapes, or platform
sparametersCalculate S-parameters for antenna or array
stlwriteWrite mesh information to STL file
vswrCalculate and plot voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of antenna or array element

Examples

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Create a linear array of four dipoles and plot the layout of the array.

la = linearArray;
la.NumElements = 4;
layout(la);

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title Array Layout, xlabel x (m), ylabel y (m) contains 5 objects of type scatter, text.

Plot the radiation pattern of a four element linear array of dipoles at a frequency 70MHz.

la = linearArray(NumElements=4);
pattern(la,70e6);

Figure contains 2 axes objects and other objects of type uicontrol. Axes object 1 contains 12 objects of type patch, surface. Hidden axes object 2 contains 20 objects of type surface, line, text, patch.

Create a linear array of two monopoles.

m1 = monopole;
m2 = monopole(Height=0.5);
mla = linearArray
mla = 
  linearArray with properties:

           Element: [1x1 dipole]
       NumElements: 2
    ElementSpacing: 2
    AmplitudeTaper: 1
        PhaseShift: 0
              Tilt: 0
          TiltAxis: [1 0 0]

mla.Element = [m1 m2];
show(mla);

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title linearArray of monopole antennas, xlabel x (m), ylabel y (m) contains 8 objects of type patch, surface. These objects represent PEC, feed.

Create an array of discones with 3 m. element spacing.

la = linearArray(Element=discone);
la.ElementSpacing = 3;
show(la)

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title linearArray of discone antennas, xlabel x (m), ylabel y (m) contains 6 objects of type patch, surface. These objects represent PEC, feed.

Create a rectangular array of the linear array.

ra = rectangularArray(Element=la)
ra = 
  rectangularArray with properties:

           Element: [1x1 linearArray]
              Size: [2 2]
        RowSpacing: 2
     ColumnSpacing: 2
           Lattice: 'Rectangular'
    AmplitudeTaper: 1
        PhaseShift: 0
              Tilt: 0
          TiltAxis: [1 0 0]

show(ra)

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title rectangularArray of linearArray antennas, xlabel x (m), ylabel y (m) contains 24 objects of type patch, surface. These objects represent PEC, feed.

Create a linear array of a linear array with 1 m. element spacing and plot the directivity pattern at 70 MHz.

la = linearArray(Element=linearArray(ElementSpacing=1)); 
show(la)

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title linearArray of linearArray antennas, xlabel x (m), ylabel y (m) contains 12 objects of type patch, surface. These objects represent PEC, feed.

pattern(la,70e6); 

Figure contains 2 axes objects and other objects of type uicontrol. Axes object 1 contains 12 objects of type patch, surface. Hidden axes object 2 contains 20 objects of type surface, line, text, patch.

References

[1] Balanis, C.A. Antenna Theory. Analysis and Design, 3rd Ed. New York: Wiley, 2005.

Version History

Introduced in R2015a