Array of pcb LPDAs

I am just wondering if there is a work around for creating an array of LPDAs or any of the other antennas that are currently not supported by the Antenna Array Designer?

Thanks

Answer 1

[Shashank Kulkarni]

Yes, there are two programmatic workarounds depending on your goal:

Option 1: conformalArray (separate elements, full flexibility)

Use when you need arbitrary 3D positioning or mixed element types. Each element retains its own substrate.

lp = lpda;
  spacing = lp.BoardLength * 1.2;

  arr = conformalArray;
  arr.ElementPosition = [0 0 0; spacing 0 0; 2*spacing 0 0; 3*spacing 0 0];
  arr.Element = {lp, lp, lp, lp};

  figure; pattern(arr, 5e9);

Note: Set ElementPosition before Element — MATLAB validates the count.

Option 2: pcbStack + array() (single shared substrate)

Use when you want all elements on one PCB — shared ground plane, continuous dielectric, ready for Gerber export. Also supports beam steering via FeedVoltage/FeedPhase.

 lp = lpda;
  pb = pcbStack(lp);

  % array() rejects edge feeds — nudge inward by 0.3 mm
  pb.FeedLocations(1) = pb.FeedLocations(1) + 0.3e-3;

  pcbArr = array(pb, "linear", NumElements=4, ElementSpacing=lp.BoardWidth*1.2);
  figure; show(pcbArr);
  figure; pattern(pcbArr, 5e9);

  % Beam steering
  pcbArr.FeedVoltage = [1 1 1 1];
  pcbArr.FeedPhase = [0 45 90 135];
  figure; pattern(pcbArr, 5e9);