Antenna and

Antenna Array Simulation

CST MICROWAVE STUDIO

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Outline
Antenna simulation
Different solvers for different antennas

Antenna array simulation

Small arrays
Feed networks
Large arrays
Active element pattern

Online demo
www.cst.com | Mar-10
Outline
Antenna simulation
Different solvers for different antennas

Antenna array simulation

Small arrays
Feed networks
Large arrays
Active element pattern

Online demo
www.cst.com | Mar-10
A small selection...

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Antenna Simulation
Different antenna types require different
solver technologies.

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Transient Solver
PBA meshing
Broadband
Linear memory
GPU acceleration

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Frequency Solver
Single frequency
Electrically Small
Tetrahedral mesh
Multiple ports

8 balun fed
dipoles

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Integral Equation Solver
Surface mesh
(Iterative) MOM
MLFMM method

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Outline
Antenna simulation
Different solvers for different antennas

Antenna array simulation

Small arrays
Feed networks
Large arrays
Active element pattern

Online demo
www.cst.com | Mar-10
Antenna Arrays

Small arrays

Large arrays

www.navsys.com/Products/hagr.htm www.macomtech.com/Markets/AerospaceDefense

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Small Arrays / /

1 2
1
2

6 6 3
3

5
4
5 4

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Distributed Computing (DC) / /

Port 1
CST STUDIO SUITE Port 2
frontend
Port 3

interconnection
network
Port 4

Port 5

Port 6

Port 7

Multiple ports, frequency points, and parameter values.

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Multiple Element Excitation

Simultaneous excitation
one simulation,
one combined farfield.

Combine results
multiple simulations,
any combination of farfields.

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Array Feeding Networks /

Full simulation CST DS

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Large Arrays /

1. Simulate full array.

2. Simulate unit cell.

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Infinite Array
Most elements have the same pattern.
Edge elements have less influence.
Edge elements

Interior elements

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Infinite Array

Single element multiplied by array factor

good approximation of large finite array
behaviour.

Array Factor

www.cst.com | Mar-10
 Farfield Array

Array Factor

Main lobe steered to 0 Main lobe steered to 30 Main lobe steered to 45

25 x 25
Array Factor
www.cst.com | Mar-10
Infinite Array
Scan blindness!
Active element pattern
Unit cells coupling to Floquet port modes.

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Active Element Pattern
Total reflection at 45 degrees
0D Template Based
Post processing macro

No radiation at 45 degrees

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Finite Array Analysis

Finite array results infinite array results

5 5
15 15
25 25
infinite

www.cst.com | Mar-10
Outline
Antenna simulation
Different solvers for different antennas

Antenna array simulation

Small arrays
Feed networks
Large arrays
Active element pattern

Online demo
www.cst.com | Mar-10
CST Array Wizard

www.cst.com | Mar-10
 Summary
Complete Technology is essential for array design!
Multiple numerical methods

Specialized technology

Robust imports and meshing

Acceleration features

Integrated post-processing

System level capabilities

Automation/Scripting capabilities

Coupling between solvers

www.cst.com | Mar-10