Patch Antenna Simulation Issue

sem
sem Altair Community Member
edited October 2020 in Community Q&A

Hello

 

I am trying to simulate a patch antenna that consists from 2 patches and should work on 4.3 GHz center frequency. For some reasons The Y (V) antenna pattern cut is not symmetric. The X (U) cut is symmetric and VSWR value looks ok.

Attached the antenna design data.

I kindly request your assistance to find out the reason for this symmetry issue.

Thanks in advance. 

Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

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Answers

  • Madelé
    Madelé
    Altair Employee
    edited September 2018

    Hi sem

     

    I don't see the model file attached. If you want others to take a look at the antenna design, please also your CADFEKO model file (.cfx).

     

    Kind regards

    Madelé

     

  • sem
    sem Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Sorry.

    Now all the files are attached.

    Your support is highly appreciated.

    Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

  • Johan_Huysamen
    Johan_Huysamen
    Altair Employee
    edited September 2018

    Dear sem

     

    Having taken a quick look at your model, I would expect there to be currents flowing on your feed lines and that these are also radiating.

     

    This would then be expected to result in an unsymmetrical effect on your radiation pattern and specifically your VN cut.

     

    Kind regards,

    Johan H

  • Torben Voigt
    Torben Voigt Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hi sem,

     

    For 100% symmetric results, the mesh needs to be symmetric. Keep in mind that not the geometry but the mesh is solved (currents on edges between adjacent triangles). Plus, when applying symmetry planes in CADFEKO you will drastically decrease runtime/memory.

    image.png.6e99f778ffc2adce572cfca4314a52c8.png

    In your model a magnetic symmetry plane can be applied (after simplifying), see

    Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

  • sem
    sem Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hello

    Thanks for a quick reply.

    What do you propose to update in the design to solve the symmetry issue?

     

  • Torben Voigt
    Torben Voigt Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hi sem,

     

    A symmtry plane has already been applied in the attached model. In your model these two faces were not symmetric:

     

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>image.thumb.png.b79db14f8c3e9ff4d768441924bd4382.png

     

    'Simplify' deleted the edges and symmetry could be applied.

  • sem
    sem Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hello

     

    I have fixed the edges and applied the symmetry.

    The antenna radiation pattern on Y (V) plane is still non symmetric.

    I attach the updated model and the radiation pattern picture.

    What can be the source for this issue?

    Many thanks for your support!

     

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>Radiation pattern.jpg

    Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

  • Torben Voigt
    Torben Voigt Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hi sem,

     

    I'm not sure why you expect the ff_VN far field to be symmetric? The model is not symmetric to the VN plane, and as Johan Huysman already mentioned, the (strong) currents in the feed lines contribute to the far field radiation:

     

    image.png.25472d0643566ec9edeb5602f9651a5a.png

     

    You may specify which faces contribute to a far field by using Scope in the far field diaogue. Here, only the patches are taken into acount:

    image.png.477575d77df058508c353a479d5025e8.png

     

    Now the patterns are almost symmetric. Of course still the position of the feedlines disturbs.

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>image.thumb.png.caa98a14ef71f1974087eee3667f3f4f.png

  • sem
    sem Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hello

     

    How should I add faces to the scope dialog that is described above?

    There is no option there to type a face name or choose the relevant face.

    Thanks.

  • JIF
    JIF
    Altair Employee
    edited September 2018

    How should I add faces to the scope dialog that is described above?

    Simply click in the field and then click on the face in the 3D view and the label of the face will be added.

  • sem
    sem Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hello

     

    I have solved the symmetry issues stated above and have proceed with the design. Now I want to round the 4 substrate corners by the radius of 6.35 mm to better simulate the antenna.

    How can I do that?

    I attach the latest design.

    Your assistance is highly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance.

     

    Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

  • Torben Voigt
    Torben Voigt Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hi sem,

     

    I would just add circular ellipses to the patches (!!! use snapping with ctrl + shift  !!!) and then change face properties. The attached video shows how to do:

    Unable to find an attachment - read this blog

  • sem
    sem Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hello

     

    I have meant above that I want to round the substrate and not the patches. Nevertheless I have done it using CAD SW tool and then have imported it back (the substrate) to FEKO and redefined its parameters and it works.

    Now I want to duplicate my antenna (have 2 identical antennas in same FEKO design) in order to calculate a coupling between them. Since the antenna substrate now is a primitive object, I have a difficulty  to move it.

    How can I solve this issue?

    Thanks.

  • Torben Voigt
    Torben Voigt Altair Community Member
    edited September 2018

    Hi sem,

     

    Primitive objects can be moved/copied like any other geometry part. What happens if you try to copy & translate it?