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linearArray

Create linear antenna array

Description

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

Creation

Description

example

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

example

array = linearArray(Name,Value) class to create a linear antenna array, with additional properties specified by one, or more name-value pair 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 not specified retain their default values.

Output Arguments

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Linear array, returned as an linearArray object.

Properties

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Individual antenna elements or array elements, specified as an antenna or array object.

Example: 'Element',monopole

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

Example: 'NumElements',4

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

Example: 'ElementSpacing',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: 'AmplitudeTaper',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: 'PhaseShift',[3 3 0 0]

Data Types: double

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

Example: Tilt=90,

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

Data Types: double

Tilt axis of the array, specified as:

  • 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, each specified as three-element vectors of Cartesian coordinates. In this case, the array rotates around the line joining the two points in space.

  • A string input describing simple rotations around one of the principal axes, 'X', 'Y', or 'Z'.

For more information, see Rotate Antennas and Arrays.

Example: TiltAxis=[0 1 0]

Example: TiltAxis=[0 0 0;0 1 0]

Example: TiltAxis='Z'

Data Types: double

Object Functions

showDisplay antenna, array structures or shapes
infoDisplay information about 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
efficiencyRadiation efficiency of antenna
EHfieldsElectric and magnetic fields of antennas; Embedded electric and magnetic fields of antenna element in arrays
impedanceInput impedance of antenna; scan impedance of array
layoutDisplay array or PCB stack layout
meshMesh properties of metal, dielectric antenna, or array structure
optimizeOptimize antenna or array using SADEA optimizer
patternRadiation pattern and phase of antenna or array; Embedded pattern of antenna element in array
patternAzimuthAzimuth pattern of antenna or array
patternElevationElevation pattern of antenna or array
rcsCalculate and plot radar cross section (RCS) of platform, antenna, or array
returnLossReturn loss of antenna; scan return loss of array
sparametersCalculate S-parameter for antenna and antenna array objects

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 an axes object and other objects of type uicontrol. The axes object contains 12 objects of type patch, surface.

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 element spacing of 3 m.

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 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 and plot the pattern.

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 an axes object and other objects of type uicontrol. The axes object contains 12 objects of type patch, surface.

References

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

Version History

Introduced in R2015a