Defining a Parametric Antenna Array

A Parametric antenna array is a finite 2D array geometry, which could easily simulate pre-defined layout types (rectangular, elliptical, linear), amplitude/weight types (like Uniform, Hamming) and scan definition methods (scan angles, phase shift).

1. Click HFSS >Radiation> Antenna Array>Antenna Array Setup... or right click on the Radiation icon in the Project tree and select Antenna Array>Antenna Array Setup...

The Antenna Array Setup window appears.

2. Under the Array Type tab, select ParametricArray Setup. The enables tabs for Array Geometry and for Array Weight.
3. Click the Array Geometry tab.
   
   
4. Under Center Position, enter the xyz-coordinates where the center cell is placed.
5. Under Directions, define the lattice vectors:

1. To the right of U Vector, enter the vector coordinates in the X, Y, and Z text boxes along which the cells in the U-direction are placed.
2. To the right of V Vector, enter the vector coordinates in the X, Y, and Z text boxes along which the cells in the V-direction are placed.

6. Under Layout Settings, specify the layout type as Rectangular, Elliptical, or Linear.
7. For Design Frequency,by default, specify the Frequency, Length, Length Spacing, Width, and Width Spacing values, as or check to enable Specify Design in Wavelengths.
   
   
   Note: The “Design Frequency” is only used for array setup and preview. It will not replace the solution frequency. If a Secondary boundary is used, U / V directions and length / width settings would match lattice vectors when setting up a new parametric array.
8. For Enforce Symmetry, use the menu to specify No Symmetry, Horizontal Symmetry, Vertical Symmetry, or Horizontal and Vertical Symmetry.

9. For Stagger Type, select one of None (Uniform), Vertical, or Horizontal. If you specify a Stagger type, the Stagger Angle field is enabled.
10. Click the Array Weight tab.
    
11. Under Weight settings, select the Aperture Taper Function from Hamming, Uniform, Cosine, or Triangular. Each selection enables the appropriate parameters:
    Hamming and Uniform require a Sum/Difference Pattern as No Differential, Horizontal Differential, Vertical Differential, or Horizontal and Vertical Differential.
    Cosine requires Edge Taper Level, and Cosine Power [Exponent], as well as Sum/Difference Pattern.
    Triangular requires Edge Taper Level, as well as Sum/Difference Pattern.
12. Under Scan Definition, either Use settings from secondary boundary, Use Custom Scan Angles as Phi and Theta, or Use Differential Phase Shift in U or V directions.
13. Click Apply (with Preview Array Layout checked) to view a representation in the Modeler window, and OK to close the dialog and dismiss the preview.
    

The Array Geometry parameters will be applied, when far fields are calculated.