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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 70MHz when isolated.

Creation

Description

example

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

example

array = linearArray(Name=Value) creates a linear antenna array with additional Properties specified by one or more name-value arguments. Name is the property name and Value is the corresponding value. You can specify several name-value pair 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.

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

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

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

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

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);

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

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

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)

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)

pattern(la,70e6); 

References

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

Version History

Introduced in R2015a