Huang Slides 6V08

Antennas: from Theory to Practice
6. Computer-Aided Antenna Design

and Analysis
Yi HUANG
Department of Electrical Engineering & Electronics
The University of Liverpool
Liverpool L69 3GJ
Email: Yi.Huang@liv.ac.uk
Objectives of This Chapter

To give a brief review of antenna software
development
To introduce the basic theory behind
computer simulation tools and
To demonstrate how to use industrial
standard software to analyse and design
antennas
6.1
Introduction
Antenna design is a complex issue.

Analytical solutions can only be found for simple
antennas
Computer based methods have been introduced
and many good computational tools are available,
for example:
NEC: numerical electromagnetic code

HFSS: high frequency structure simulator
CST Microwave Studio
IE3D
3
6.2
Computational Electromagnetics
Classification:
Method of Moment (MoM)

z
Lets take a dipole as an example. The
source can either be an excitation at
the feed from a transmission line or a
plane wave
The boundary conditions are: on
the surface the total electric field must
be zero except in the feed gap, i.e.
E z ( z ) E0 ( z )
V0
z
,
0 , z l
E0 ( z )
2l
(1)
or
E i ( z ) for receiving case

5
A
E jA
,
j
Because:
e j r
j r r'
A(r)
J
(r'
)
e
dv'
4r
On the surface of the antenna:

l
E z ( z ) K ( z , z' ) I ( z' )dz'

l
e jr
and
,
z 2
r
We therefore need to solve the following Pocklington integral equation

1
K ( z , z' )
4j
K ( z , z' ) I ( z' )dz' E0 ( z )
(2)
Using the Method of Moment, the 1 st step is to approximate the

unknown current by a series of known expansion/ basis
functions Fn:
N
I ( z' ) I n Fn ( z' )
(3)
n 1
Then choose a set of weighting/testing functions Wm(z) and integrate:

N
I n [ K ( z , z' ) Fn ( z' ) dz' ] Wm ( z )dz Wm ( z )E0 ( z )dz

n 1
l l
(4)
For m= 1 to M, the equations can be written in matrix form as
Z mn I n Vm
or
I n Z mn 1Vm
7
If we choose pulse functions as the basis functions and the

Derac functions as the weighting functions, that is we
enforce the integral equation at N points on the axis of the
antenna, this process is called point-matching:
IN
In
I(z)
1
I1
Key issues:
Selection of the basis and weighting functions
Complexity, accuracy and convergence
Other characteristics of the antenna can be obtained

using current distribution:
Input impedance
For a half-wavelength dipole, it is about 73

which is linked to the diameter.
Radiated field (hence the radiation pattern):
10
Examples: current distribution and radiation pattern
11
FEM
Finite Element Method (FEM) was originally developed
for structural analysis.
Particularly suitable for problems involving irregular
boundaries and non-homogenous material properties.
It may be implemented in four steps:
Discretisation of the solution region into elements
(usually triangular, called nodes) and each element has
approximated with a constant value;
Generation of equations for the fields or potentials at
each element;
Integration or assembly of all elements;
Solution of the resulting system of equations.
12
An example: circular patch antenna
13
FDTD
Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method was
introduced by Yee in 1966
It imposes a rectangular grid over the region of
interest and solves a discretized version of field
equations at the nodes of the grid.
The solution points for the electric field offset from
the magneticfield solution points.
Since the dynamic problems involve time-changing
electric and magnetic fields, Maxwells equations are
solved at each grid point in an iterative manner.
14
To ensure that abrupt field

changes do not occur
between spatial sample
locations:
1
t
c
x 2 y 2 z 2
the biggest of x, y and

z no more than /20
u n ( i , j , k ) u n ( i 1 / 2, j , k ) u n ( i 1 / 2, j , k )
O( x 2 )
x
x
u n ( i , j , k ) u n1 / 2 ( i , j , k ) u n1 / 2 ( i , j , k )
O( t 2 )
t
t
15
An example: pulse propagation along a monopole

Absorbing
boundary
conditions
are
important.
Computational
resource
could be a
problem for
some cases
16
Another example: horn antenna pulse propagation

Other
parameters
can also be
calculated
using the
known
calculated
fields and
currents.
17
Numerical Method Comparison
18
High-Frequency Methods
Particularly suitable for electrically large structures
which could be a problem for numerical methods
(memory, runtime or convergence)
Field based methods
Geometrical optics (GO) or ray optics.
Geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD)
Uniform theory of diffraction (UTD)
Current based methods

Physical optics (PO) or wave optics, building on
Huygenss principle.
19
6.3
Examples of CAD Design and Analysis
There are many EM simulation tools: some are

simple and cheap whilst the others are complex and
expensive. Here we are going to introduce two
software packages: one simple and cheap, the
other is complex and expensive.
For wire type antennas, we are going to use
EZNEC software (<$100), which is based on MoM.
For more complicated antennas, we are going to
use Ansofts HFSS (>$10000), which is based on
the finite element method.
20
EZNEC
A powerful but very easy-to-use programme for modelling
and analyzing various (especially wire-type) antennas in
their intended operating environment. It was developed by
Roy Lewallen (W7EL). The major features are that
The antenna is constructed by straight wire conductors,
thus a surface structure is approximated with wire
meshes.
The input of the antenna is done via a spreadsheet-like
entry, the start and end coordinates are required, so is
the number of segments.
The simulation set-up is very straightforward and many
short-cuts are built in
21
The computation is very fast and efficient.

2D current distribution and 2D and 3D plots of
radiation patterns are available; other information
such as the gain, input impedance, VSWR, 3dB
beamwidth, front-to-back ratio, takeoff angle, and
sidelobe characteristics are also readily available.
If required, transmission lines, a realistic ground, and
loads to simulate loading coils, traps, or similar
components can be selected and added to the
simulation.
Antenna descriptions and pattern plots are easily
saved and recalled for future analysis.
22
Design example
14 MHz (20 m band) is one of the amateur radio
(ham radio) bands widely used around the world.
Assume that you are going to make a dipole as a
transceiver antenna which will be placed in your
garden. Use EZNEC to design the antenna and
analyse the effects of the ground plane on the
antenna input impedance, gain and radiation
pattern. Horizontal polarisation is assumed.
23
Solution:
14 MHz has a wavelength of 21.4 m. To make a
resonant and efficient dipole, the dipole length L should
be close to /2, which is affected by the ground.
Now lets use EZNEC Demo V.50 (it is free!) to aid the
analysis and design. The simulation should follow these
steps:
1.
define the antenna
2.
view the input antenna
3.
run the simulation
4.
check the results
24
User interface (Src: Source; FF: far field; NF: near field)
25
Wires input interface
Source input interface

26
Antenna view showing controls and current distribution
27
VSWR and impedance of a dipole in free space
28
VSWR and impedance of a dipole 3 m above a perfect ground
See changes?
29
Radiation pattern and gain of a dipole in free space
30
Radiation pattern and gain of the dipole above a ground
31
Radiation pattern for a dipole placed 9 m above a real ground
32
Another design example

Two quarter-wave monopoles are separated by a
quarter-wavelength. They are placed above a
perfect ground plane and fed with the same
amplitude and variable phase. Analyse how the
phase difference in the feed affects the array
performance and compare with theoretical results.
33
Solution:
For convenience, we choose the frequency to be 300 MHz
and assume the array is made of perfect conducting
wire with a diameter of 2 mm. Each quarter-wave
monopole is divided into 8 segments (< /20). There are
now two sources placed at the ends of the monopoles.
34
Phase difference 0 = 0
35
Phase difference 0 = 90 degrees
36
Array factor:
Thus
37
EZNEC for more complicated structures
38
HFSS
High frequency structure simulator (HFSS) utilizes a 3D
full-wave FEM to compute the circuit and field behaviours
of high-frequency and high-speed components.
The major features include:
Suitable for almost all structures and configurations
(wire- or non-wire-types);
All antenna results are given, and some animated
results may also be shown;
Easy to optimise the design (using its parametric
function or Optimetrics software);
Good accuracy.
39
Design example
Planar Inverted F Antennas (PIFAs) are popular in
mobile phones. The main reasons are that
a). they are of low profile;
b). their radiation patterns are near omni-directional;
c). they are installed above the phone circuitry, re-using
the space within the phone to some degree;
d). they exhibit a low specific absorption rate (SAR).
Design a dual-band PIFA for a GSM mobile handset. It
should cover 880 960 MHz (E-GSM 900) and 1710
1880 MHz (DCS 1800 or GSM 1800). The dimensions
should be small enough for a standard mobile handset.
40
Design idea:
The two centre
frequencies
are 920 MHz
and 1755
MHz.
We should
create two
current paths
which are
about of the
wavelengths.
41
Shorting
tab
Feed
tab
1
2.5
6.5
Detailed dimensions
of the design
1.5
20
22
10.5
23.5
40
PCB
42
HFSS simulation to validate and tune the design

43
Convergence plot
44
S11 in dB plot
45
3D radiation pattern
46
Meshes and
current distribution
47
The antenna was made
48
and measured
49

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Antennas: from Theory to Practice

6. Computer-Aided Antenna Design

Objectives of This Chapter

Antenna design is a complex issue.

NEC: numerical electromagnetic code

Method of Moment (MoM)

E i ( z ) for receiving case

On the surface of the antenna:

E z ( z ) K ( z , z' ) I ( z' )dz'

We therefore need to solve the following Pocklington integral equation

K ( z , z' ) I ( z' )dz' E0 ( z )

Using the Method of Moment, the 1 st step is to approximate the

Then choose a set of weighting/testing functions Wm(z) and integrate:

I n [ K ( z , z' ) Fn ( z' ) dz' ] Wm ( z )dz Wm ( z )E0 ( z )dz

For m= 1 to M, the equations can be written in matrix form as

If we choose pulse functions as the basis functions and the

Other characteristics of the antenna can be obtained

For a half-wavelength dipole, it is about 73

Examples: current distribution and radiation pattern

An example: circular patch antenna

To ensure that abrupt field

the biggest of x, y and

An example: pulse propagation along a monopole

Another example: horn antenna pulse propagation

Numerical Method Comparison

Current based methods

Examples of CAD Design and Analysis

There are many EM simulation tools: some are

The computation is very fast and efficient.

Wires input interface

Source input interface

Antenna view showing controls and current distribution

VSWR and impedance of a dipole in free space

VSWR and impedance of a dipole 3 m above a perfect ground

Radiation pattern and gain of a dipole in free space

Radiation pattern and gain of the dipole above a ground

Radiation pattern for a dipole placed 9 m above a real ground

Another design example

Phase difference 0 = 90 degrees

EZNEC for more complicated structures

HFSS simulation to validate and tune the design

The antenna was made

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