Daily Image
23-11-2007
Large Antenna Array Simulations
| Submitter: | Rob Maaskant |
| Description: | Nowadays, we benefit from the fact that the state-of-the art in computational electromagnetics has evolved tremendously. At the same time, the growth in computer power has played an important role in pushing back the frontiers to analyze, design and model complex antenna arrays systems. Great strides have been made in enhancing the available numerical techniques, and, at present, we are in the position to analyze antenna systems that are beyond the reach of commercially available software tools. We endeavor to model increasingly larger and complex antenna systems while we are marching forward towards the development of the next generation radio telescope, i.e., the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The figure illustrates a nine-tile array of exponentially tapered slot antennas (576 Vivaldi antennas). The magnitude of the surface current distribution has been computed and visualized here. The Vivaldi antennas of the central tile are excited by voltage sources to create a broadside beam, whereas the remaining Vivaldis have been short-circuited at their ports/terminals. Clearly, one can observe the modeled mutual coupling effects between the central tile and the surrounding tiles. These effects can be significant and therefore need to be taken into account during the design process. This type of problem has been solved in less than 6 hours on a notebook (1.73 GHz, 2 GB RAM). With conventional techniques, it would have taken 38 years to complete the simulations (not bad if your boss wants the simulation results before he is going to fire you). |
| Copyright: | ASTRON |
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