Create array of customAntennaStl with multiple feeding points

Hi,

I am new to Matlab.

I want to create an array of antennas from a STL model I have made.

So far my code looks like this:

antenna = customAntennaStl(FileName=...*insert filepath*);

antenna.createFeed([0.55 0.635 0],1);

% Reduce the mesh size for faster calculations

mesh(antenna, MaxEdgeLength = 0.05);

figure

show(antenna)

I have tried unsuccessfully to create an array out of this single element. All the methods I found only work for predesigned antennas.

Ideally I want to create a square array of such antennas that would look like the photo attached, with multiple feeding points, since the antennas are not connected.

Please note that I am not attached to using a customAntennaStl, I would be interested in any other method, as long as I can roughly keep the shape of the antenna. The antenna can also be flattened to two dimensions. Any suggestions appreciated

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For completeness in the simulation I want to do, antennas facing each other are driven with opposite phases at a certain frequency. The two pairs of antennas are driven in quadrature.

Necessary files are attached.

Answer 1

[Aditya Saikumar]

Hi Youssef,

To create an array of antennas as shown in the image given, "circularArray" function can be used.

Create array of antennas:

% Read the STL file
tr = stlread('single_antenna_for_matlab_3d.stl');
antennaShape = shape.Custom3D(tr);

% Create antennas
antenna1 = customAntenna(shape=antennaShape);
antenna2 = customAntenna(shape=antennaShape);
antenna3 = customAntenna(shape=antennaShape);
antenna4 = customAntenna(shape=antennaShape);

% Create feed points for each antenna
antenna1.createFeed([0.55 0.635 0],1);
antenna2.createFeed([0.55 0.635 0],1);
antenna3.createFeed([0.55 0.635 0],1);
antenna4.createFeed([0.55 0.635 0],1);

% Tilt the antennas
antenna1.Tilt = 270;
antenna1.TiltAxis = "Z";

antenna2.Tilt = 0;
antenna2.TiltAxis = "Z";

antenna3.Tilt = 90;
antenna3.TiltAxis = "Z";

antenna4.Tilt = 180;
antenna4.TiltAxis = "Z";

% Create a vector of the antennas
antennas = [antenna1, antenna2, antenna3, antenna4];

% Create a circular antenna array
array = circularArray('Element', antennas, 'Radius', 0.7); % Adjust radius as needed

% Set phase shift
array.PhaseShift = [0 0 180 180];

% Reduce the mesh size for faster calculations
mesh(array, 'MaxEdgeLength', 0.05);

% Visualize the antenna array
figure;
show(array);

Output:

"circularArray" object can be used to set properties for the whole array. To learn more about it, please go through the following documentation link:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2024a/antenna/ref/circulararray.html

"customAntenna" object can be used to set properties for the individual antennas. To learn more about it, please go through the following documentation link:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2024a/antenna/ref/customantenna.html

To learn more about rotating antennas and arrays, please go through the following documentation link:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2024a/antenna/ug/antenna-rotation.html

Regards,

Aditya