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customArrayMesh

Create 2-D custom mesh antenna array on xy-plane

Description

The customArrayMesh object creates an array represented by a 2-D custom mesh on the xy-plane. You can provide an arbitrary array mesh to the Antenna Toolbox™ and analyze this mesh as a custom array for port and field characteristics.

Creation

Description

example

customarray = customArrayMesh(points,triangles,numfeeds) creates a 2-D array represented by a custom mesh, based on the specified points and triangles.

Input Arguments

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Points in custom mesh, specified as a 2-by-N or 3-by-N matrix of Cartesian coordinates in meters. N is the number of points. In case you specify a 3-by-N integer matrix, the Z-coordinate must be zero or a constant value. This value sets the 'Points' property in the custom array mesh.

Example: load planarmesh.mat; c = customArrayMesh(p,t,4). Creates a custom array mesh from the points, p, extracted from the planarmesh.mat file.

Data Types: double

Triangles in the mesh, specified as a 4-by-M matrix. M is the number of triangles. The first three rows are indices to the points matrix and represent the vertices of each triangle. The fourth row is a domain number useful for identifying separate parts of an array. This value sets the 'Triangles' property in the custom array mesh.

Example: load planarmesh.mat; c = customArrayMesh(p,t,4). Creates a custom array mesh from the triangles, t, extracted from the planarmesh.mat file.

Data Types: double

Number of feeding points in array, specified as a scalar. By default, the number of feed points are 2.

Example: load planarmesh.mat; c = customArrayMesh(p,t,4). Creates a custom array mesh requiring 4 feed points.

Data Types: double

Properties

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Points in a custom mesh, specified as a 2-by-N or 3-by-N matrix of Cartesian coordinates in meters. N is the number of points.

Data Types: double

Triangles in the mesh, specified as a 4-by-M matrix. M is the number of triangles.

Data Types: double

Number of feed points in the array, specified as a scalar.

Data Types: double

This property is read-only.

Feed locations of array, specified as Cartesian coordinates in meters. Feed location is a read-only property. To create a feed for the 2–D custom mesh, use the createFeed method.

Data Types: double

Excitation amplitude of antenna elements, specified as a scalar or a non-negative vector. Set the property value to 0 to model dead elements.

Example: 3

Data Types: double

Phase shift for antenna elements, specified as a scalar or a real vector in degrees.

Example: PhaseShift=[3 3 0 0] creates a custom array mesh of four antennas with phase shifts specified.

Data Types: double

Object Functions

axialRatioCalculate and/or plot axial ratio of antenna or array
beamwidthBeamwidth of antenna
chargeCharge distribution on antenna or array surface
correlationCorrelation coefficient between two antennas in array
createFeedCreate feed at locations on custom array
currentCurrent distribution on antenna or array surface
efficiencyRadiation efficiency of antenna
EHfieldsElectric and magnetic fields of antennas or embedded electric and magnetic fields of antenna element in arrays
impedanceInput 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
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
rcsCalculate and plot monostatic and bistatic radar cross section (RCS) of platform, antenna, or array
returnLossReturn loss of antenna or scan return loss of array
showDisplay antenna, array structures, shapes, or platform
sparametersCalculate S-parameters for antennas and antenna arrays
vswrVoltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of antenna or array element

Examples

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Load a custom mesh and create an array.

load planarmesh.mat;
c = customArrayMesh(p,t,2);

Create feeds for the custom array mesh.

createFeed(c,[0.07,0.01],[0.05,0.05], [-0.07,0.01],[-0.05,0.05])

Calculate the impedance of the array.

Z = impedance(c,1e9)
Z = 1×2 complex

  64.3925 - 7.8288i  58.9598 -11.3558i

References

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

Version History

Introduced in R2015b