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The aim of this application note is to
demonstrate the possibilities of WIPL-D Pro 3D EM Solver regarding
simulation of complex printed antennas in a wide-band. Also, the aim is
to illustrate the simplicity of creating models of this type of antennas
in the specialized tool, AW Modeler. The software takes into account the
influence of a finite-size ground plane backing the antenna. The antenna
is simulated in the frequency range between 0.5 and 3 GHz and is modeled
as being printed on a dielectric substrate with εr = 4.4 and thickness
of 1.6 mm.
Antenna Model
The antenna is fully modeled using AW Modeler, an add-on tool for easy
general 3D EM modeling and quadrilateral meshing. To obtain satisfactory
results for printed structures techniques like edging and total imaging
have to be applied. Total imaging, otherwise a lengthy process, is
performed automatically by AW Modeler. The model (Fig. 1) is made
according to specifications from the Microwave Journal published in May
2008 [1]. Final dimensions are used, listed in Table 1 in [1] and
repeated here for clarity in Tab.1. The complete process of
fully-parametric model creation and transfer to WIPL-D Pro lasts a bit
more than one hour.
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Figure 1. Antenna with finite
ground plane |
Table 1. Antenna dimensions in
mm, according to [1]
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Final WIPL-D model is obtained after
performing export from AW Modeler, with Total Imaging enabled for the
meshing stage (Fig. 2).
Simulation of Antenna
The created antenna model was simulated using WIPL-D Pro v6.4. The S11
parameter is plotted in the frequency range from 0.5 to 3 GHz (Fig. 3).
The observed resonances were identified with simulation and measurements
[1] as in Tab. 2. We can see an excellent agreement between the measured
and predicted resonance frequencies. Corresponding radiation patterns
were obtained for the operating frequencies of f=0.9 GHz (Figs. 4 and
5), f=1.9 GHz (Figs. 6 and 7), and f=2.4 GHz (Figs. 8 and 9).
The simulation at a single frequency
lasts 1 minute on a Intel Core2 Duo CPU with 2.66 GHz clock rate. The memory
requirements are 87 MB.
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Figure 2. WIPL-D model |
Table 2. Simulated and measured
[1] resonances
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Figure 3. S11 parameter (0.5-3 GHz)
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Figure 4. Eφ – 3D diagram at 0.9
GHz |
Figure 5. Eθ – 3D diagram at 0.9
GHz |
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Figure 6. Eφ – 3D diagram at 1.9
GHz |
Figure 7. Eθ – 3D diagram at 1.9
GHz |
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Figure 8. Eφ – 3D diagram at 2.4
GHz |
Figure 9. Eθ – 3D diagram at 2.4
GHz |
References
[1] A. A. Eldek, “Analysis and Design of a Compact Multi-band Antenna
for Wireless Communications Applications”, Microwave Journal, vol. 51,
no. 5, pp. 218-230, May 2008.
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