EXPERIMENT 2

WAVE PROPAGATION AND ANTENNAS

Department of Electrical Engineering

Prepared by
Asst Prof Dr. Zeeshan Zahid (Lab OIC)

Lab Engineer: Amara Umar

Military College of Signals

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES & TECHNOLOGY

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 Microwave Communications Laboratory
Department of Electrical Engineering
Military College of Signals

LAB – 2 Introduction to Ansys HFSS and Pattern Analysis in MATLAB

1. Objectives

 Introduction to radiation pattern

 Plot mathematically defined radiation patterns in MATLAB
 Plot return loss data in MATLAB
 Introduction to HFSS window panels
 Creating 3D geometry and simulation setup

2. Introduction to Radiation Pattern

The purpose of antenna is to radiate or receive electromagnetic energy. The radiation

characteristics can be represented by antenna radiation pattern. Radiation pattern is defined as a
graphical representation of radiation properties of antenna as function of space coordinates. In
other words, it is a trace of field strength, power, directivity or polarization etc. at constant
radius. It can be plotted as 2D or 3D graph which describes both transmit and receive
characteristics. There are 3 types of radiation patterns;
Isotropic: Pattern of a hypothetical lossless antenna that radiates equally in all directions. The
shape of isotropic pattern is a perfect sphere.
Directional: Antenna having property of radiating or receiving EM waves more effectively in
some direction than the other directions.
Omni-Directional: Non directional in one plane & directional in its orthogonal plane (a type of
directional pattern). The pattern is shown in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1: (a) Directional pattern (b) Omni-directional pattern

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The radiation pattern can be expressed mathematically as a function of polar or Cartesian
coordinates. For example
U = Bo cos2 θ 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/2, 0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π
The functions can be plotted in MATLAB using 2D or 3D plots. See polar function in
MATLAB.

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 Radiation Pattern Plot in MATLAB

Step 1: (Open MATLAB)

Open MATLAB .

Step 2: (Generate 2D directional patterns)

Consider 2D radiation patterns, represented by functions f = sin(θ) and y = sin3(θ). Write down
the following code to see the polar plots.

>> theta=[0:.01:2*pi];
>> f = sin(theta);
>> y = sin(theta).^3;
>> polar(theta, f), figure(2), polar(theta, y)

Data cursor

(a) (b)
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Figure 2.2 (a) plot of sin(θ) (b) plot of sin (θ)

Observe that the plot of sin3(θ) is narrower than that of sin(θ). Click on data cursor and click on
the plot to find the value at arbitrary location on the plot. Note that the ticks of theta are not in
accordance with the standard orientation of theta where 0o is at the top and 180o is at the bottom.

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Similarly, plot the pattern of function f = cos(θ) and f = cos3(θ) as follows

(a) (b)
Figure 2.3 (a) plot of cos(θ) (b) plot of cos3(θ)

Step 3: (Generate 2D patterns)

Consider a radiation pattern is represented by function f = sin2(θ) and y = cos2(θ). Write down the
following code in MATLAB editor to see the following polar plot.

clc, close all;

theta = [0:.01:2*pi];
f = sin(theta).^2;
y = cos(theta).^2;
polar(theta, f), figure(2), polar(theta, y)

(a) (b)
Figure 2.4 (a) plot of sin(θ) (b) plot of cos(θ)

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Step 4: (Generate 3D omni-directional pattern)

Generate a 3D omni-directional radiation pattern represented by sin2(θ) using surf(x,y,z) function.

clc, close all;

theta = [0:.1: pi];
phi = [0:.1: 2.1*pi]; % Define theta & phi
[theta, phi] = meshgrid(theta, phi); % generate mesh grid
f = sin(theta).^2;
x = f.*sin(theta).*cos(phi);
y = f.*sin(theta).*sin(phi); % Conversion to Cartesian
z = f.*cos(theta);
surf(x,y,z)

Rotate 3D

Click ‘Rotate 3D’ button and rotate the graph using mouse to see its features. Observe that the
plot of sin2(θ) is a donut like pattern with null at top and bottom and maximum along the sides.

Note: Change the range of phi to ‘pi’ instead of “2.1*pi” and observe the change in pattern.

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Step 5: (Generate 3D isotropic radiation pattern)

Generate a 3D isotropic radiation pattern represented by cos(θ) using surf(x,y,z) function.

clc, close all;

theta = [0:.1: pi];
phi = [0:.1: 2.1*pi];
[theta, phi] = meshgrid(theta, phi); % generate mesh grid
f = 1; % Constant radius
[x, y, z] = sph2cart(theta, phi, f); % Conversion to Cartesian
surf(x,y,z)

Step 6: (Plot measured and simulated S11 data in MATLAB)

Import the S11 data in MATLAB from excel file (S11 data). The file is available in the folder of
lab manual.

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The following window pops up. Select complete Freq column as shown and copy it.

Step 7: (Copy the data in variable)

Type f = [ ]’; in the command prompt and paste the data within the brackets. Repeat the process
for other columns as well. Typing Sim = [ ]’; and Meas = [ ]’; Don’t forget to add apostrophe at
the end of each command.
Plot the data using the plot command as shown,

>> plot(f, Sim, f , Meas)

Simulated

Measured

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3. Introduction to Ansys HFSS

Ansys HFSS (high frequency structure simulator) is high performance full-wave electromagnetic
(EM) simulation software for design and simulation of high-frequency electronic products such as
antennas, antenna arrays, RF or microwave components, high-speed interconnects, filters,
connectors, IC packages and printed circuit boards. It integrates simulation, visualization, 3D
modeling, and automation in an easy-to-learn environment where solutions to your 3D EM
problems are quickly and accurately obtained. HFSS employs the Finite Element Method (FEM),
adaptive meshing, and brilliant graphics giving insight to 3D EM problems. HFSS can be used to
calculate parameters such as S-parameters, resonance frequency, radiation patterns and radiated
fields etc. Engineers worldwide use HFSS to design high-frequency, high-speed electronics found
in communications systems, radar systems, advanced driver assistance systems, satellites,
internet-of-things (IoT) products and other high-speed RF and digital devices.
Simulating a design in HFSS involves the following:

1. Parametric Model Generation: creating the geometry, boundaries and excitations

2. Analysis Setup: defining solution setup and frequency sweeps
3. Simulation (Solve Loop): the solution process is fully automated
4. Results: creating 2D or 3D reports and field plots

The process is illustrated in the figure below.

Figure 2.5: Design and simulation process in HFSS

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 Introduction to Ansys HFSS Interface and Creation of 3D Geometry

Step 8: (Start new project in HFSS)

Start Ansys Electronic Desktop → click on “New File” → click on “Project” → “Insert
HFSS Design” as shown in Figure below. Note the panels of the software.
Menu bar

Tool bars

Project
Manager 3D-Modeler
with project window
tree

Properties
Window

Properties Progress
window Window
Message
Manager

The HFSS window has following panels:

 Project Manager which contains a design tree which lists the structure of the project.
 3D Modeler Window contains the model and model tree for the active design.
 Property Window displays and allows you to change model parameters or attributes.
 Progress Window displays simulation progress.
 Message Manager allows viewing any errors or warnings that occur before you begin a
simulation.

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Step 9: (Selection of solution type)

In “HFSS” menu → click on “Solution Type” → select the solution type to be “Driven Modal”,
click OK. This solution type is chosen for calculating mode-based S-parameters of passive high
frequency structures such as antennas or waveguides.

Step 10: (Select units)

Click on “Modeler” → click “Units..” select “cm” and click OK.

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Step 11: (Rename the project)

In Project Manager Window click on project name and rename it as “3D_Geomtery”.

Step 12: (Draw a cylinder)

In tool bar click on Cylinder button → click at the origin of coordinates, → click in XY plane →
click in z-axis to draw a cylinder → click again along z-axis to draw a cylinder with arbitrary
dimensions as shown.

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Step 13: (Specify dimensions)

Double click on “CreateCylinder” in project manager → Enter radius and height → change the
units to cm → Change the center position to 0, 0, -5 with unit cm as shown → click OK. The
geometry of cylinder will be changed. Zoom out using mouse scroll to see the cylinder in full
scale.

Step 14: (Draw a box)

In tool bar click on “Draw Box” button → click at the origin of coordinates, → click in XY plane
→ click again along z-axis to draw a box with arbitrary dimensions as shown.

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Step 15: (Specify dimensions)

Double click on “CreateBox” in project manager → Enter X, Y and Z sizes → change the units to
cm → Change the center position to -0.5, -0.5, -0.25 (the half of X, Y and Z sizes) with unit cm as
shown → click OK. Note that the center of the box coincides with the origin of coordinate system.

Step 16: (Subtract geometry)

Press Ctrl key and click on Cylinder1 and then Box1 → Click on subtract button → new dialog
box appears with Cylinder1 written on left side and Box1 written on right side → Press OK.

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Observe that a segment of the cylinder has been removed. Press Alt key and drag the mouse to
rotate the geometry to see its features.

Step 17: (Draw feed line 1)

Draw a box towards x-axis. Give its values as shown and click OK.

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Step 18: (Draw feed line 2)

Draw another box towards x-axis. Give its values as shown and click OK.

Step 19: (Unite the structure)

Select all the structures and click “Unite” button.

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Step 20: (Assign material)

Note that the default material of the structure is vacuum. Right click on Cylinder1 → Click on
assign material → Select copper from the list → and click OK.

Step 21: (Draw circular loop: Taurus)

Press Ctrl key and click on Taurus → Click at the origin of coordinates, → Click in XY plane →
click in XY plane again to draw a circular loop with arbitrary dimensions → Specify the
dimensions as shown.

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Step 22: (Draw radiation box)

Draw a box of size 50 cm × 50 cm × 50 cm with its center at the origin, as shown. It can be a
sphere also.

Step 23: (Assign radiation boundary)

Right click on selected Box → Click on “Assign Boundary” → Click on “Radiation..”. In

Radiation Boundary window press OK.

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Step 24: (Assign radiation boundary)

Right click on selected “Radiation” → Select “Far Field Setup” → Select “Infinite Sphere..”
→ in Far Field Sphere Setup, plug in the values of Phi and Theta as shown → Press OK.

Step 25: (Add solution setup)

Right click on “Analysis” → click on “Add Solution Setup..” → in Solution Setup window give
solution frequency → press OK.

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Step 26: (Add frequency sweep)

Right click on “Setup” → click on “Add Frequency Sweep..” → in Edit Sweep window select
sweep type “Fast” → give start and stop frequency → Click “Display>>” press OK.

Step 27: (Validate and simulate the design)

Press “Validate” (tick button) to see if there is any error in the geometry. Make the corrections if
a red cross appears in the list. Click “Analyze” (!) button to simulate the design. Do not press this
button now, as we will use it in upcoming experiments. However, once pressed the Progress bar
will indicate simulation progress.

Validate Analyze

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 Task 1

Draw the following 3D geometry in HFSS. 2.7 cm

1.19 cm

0.91 cm

1.6 cm

(a) 3D view (b) Top view

Task 2

Draw the polar plot of function f = cos2(θ)cos2(3θ).

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Answer the following questions:

1. Give complete backronym (full word) of HFSS?

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2. Write down the steps to assign a box, a radiation boundary?

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3. What is the purpose of the function sph2cart in MATLAB?

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4. Write down the names HFSS window panels?

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5. Which MATLAB function is used to draw 3D radiation pattern?

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 Department of Electrical Engineering

Military College of Signals

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