EXPERIMENT 5: DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF HALF-WAVE DIPOLE

ANTENNA ARRAY (BROADSIDE) AND VERIFICATION OF ITS

VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS

AIM:

To design and simulate a half-wave dipole antenna array (broadside array) at 2.4GHz and
study its radiation pattern, gain, and directivity for different inter-element spacing and different
phase excitations

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

PC loaded with CST Studio Suite 2022

THEORY:

. If the length of dipole (ignoring the gap between the two arms of dipole) is λ /2 , where
λ is the wavelength at a designed frequency, then the dipole is called half-wave dipole antenna.
The radiation pattern of single dipole antenna is shown in Fig. 5.1

Fig. 5.1 3D radiation pattern of half-wave dipole antenna

Due to fringing fields the physical length is somewhat smaller than the effective length. It is the
effective length which should be λ /2 . Another reason for this is the fact the velocity of the
wave inside dipole having finite diameter is less than velocity in free space. So the wavelength is
somewhat smaller in the dipole.

The directivity of the half wave dipole is 1.643 or 2.2dBi

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Gain of antenna is the product of radiation efficiency and directivity.

Usually the radiation pattern of a single element is relatively wide, and each element provides
low values of directivity (gain). In many applications it is necessary to design antennas with very
directive characteristics (very high gains) to meet the demands of long distance communication.
This can only be accomplished by increasing the electrical size of the antenna. Enlarging the
dimensions of single elements often leads to more directive characteristics. Another way to
enlarge the dimensions of the antenna, without necessarily increasing the size of the individual
elements, is to form an assembly of radiating elements in an electrical and geometrical
configuration. This new antenna, formed by multielements, is referred to as an array. Inmost
cases, the elements of anarray are identical. This is not necessary, but it is often convenient,
simpler, and more practical. The individual elements of an array may be of any form (wires,
apertures, etc.).

The simplest and one of the most practical arrays is formed by placing the elements along a line.
It has been illustrated that the far-zone field of a uniform two-element array of identical elements
is equal to the product of the field of a single element, at a selected reference point (usually the
origin), and the array factor of that array. The array factor is a function of the geometry of the
array and the excitation phase.

The Array Factor (AF) is given by

N
AF= ∑ e j(n−1)ψ
n=1 (5.1)

where ψ=kd cos θ+ β

where β is the phase difference between the excitation currents; d is the spacing between the
elements and k is the free space phase propagation constant.

In many applications it is desirable to have the maximum radiation of an array directed normal to
the axis of the array. This is called broadside array. To have the maximum of the array factor of a
uniform linear array directed broadside to the axis of the array, it is necessary that all the
elements have the same phase excitation (in addition to the same amplitude excitation). The
separation between the elements can be of any value. To ensure that there are no principal
maxima in other directions, which are referred to as grating lobes, the separation between the
elements should not be equal to multiples of a wavelength. To avoid any grating lobe, the largest
spacing between the elements should be less than one wavelength.

PROCEDURE:

1) open CST
2) click on ‘new template’
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3) click on ‘Microwaves & RF/Optical’ application area, then click on ‘Next’
4) Select workflow ‘Antennas’
5) Click on ‘Wire’, then click on ‘Next’.
6) Click on ‘Time domain’ solver, then click on ‘Next’.
7) Select proper units under ‘create project template’--- ‘units’
Dimension: mm
Frequency: GHz
Time: ns
Other things remain unchanged
Then click on ‘Next’.
8) Under ‘settings’
Frequency min: 2 GHz
Frequency max: 3 GHz
Check monitor ‘E-field’ and ‘Farfield’ define at 2; 2.4; 3 GHz
Then click on ‘Next’.
9) Under ‘Summary’ a window will appear where it will ask to review your choice
Click on ‘Finish’
An untitled page will open where we can create 3D model. This is the working plane.
Left side there is Navigation tree.
10) Go to bottom and select ‘parameter’. Under ‘Name’ write ‘lambda’ (you have to double
click on the area below ‘Name’ in order to enable editing). Under ‘Expression’ write the
value of lambda for 2.4GHz frequency. (value of lambda can be calculated as
lambda=c/f where c is the velocity of light in free space). Under ‘Description’ write
‘wavelength’. Value of lambda will come as 125mm.
11) In the next row under ‘Name’ write ‘r’. Under ‘Expression’ write ‘0.01*lambda’, under
‘Description’ write ‘radius of dipole’. The value will be automatically and shown under
‘Value’.
12) In the next row under ‘Name’ write ‘d’. Under ‘Expression’ write ‘0.025*lambda’, under
‘Description’ write ‘distance between rods’. The value will be automatically and shown
under ‘Value’.
13) In the next row under ‘Name’ write ‘length’. Under ‘Expression’ write ‘0.475*lambda’,
under ‘Description’ write ‘length of antenna’. The value will be automatically and shown
under ‘Value’.
14) Save the project
15) Click ‘modeling’, then ‘cylinder’, click ‘esc’. A window pops up.
Name ----dipole,
Orientation----- z,
Outer radius----r
Inner radius----0
Xcentre---0
Ycentre----0
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 Zmin----- -length/2
Zmax--- +length/2
Component---antenna
Material—PEC
16) If dipole antenna is showing properly then click ‘ok’. To rotate or zoom antenna we have
to go to ‘View’ then ‘Zoom’ or ‘Pan’ or ‘Rotate in Plane’ etc to be selected.
[If we want to change any value under parameter list then after editing the value under
parameter list we have go to ‘Home’ then click ‘Parametric Update’.]
17) It will show a long rod. We have to introduce gap at the middle of the rod so that feed can
be given.
18) Click ‘modeling’, then ‘brick’, click ‘esc’. A window pops up.
Name ----brick,
Xmin----- -r,
Xmax----- r,
Ymin----- -r,
Ymax----- r,
Ycentre----0
Zmin----- -d/2
Zmax--- +d/2
Component---antenna
Material—PEC
Click ‘ok’
19) Under ‘Navigation Tree’ select ‘dipole’ then click on down arrow by the side of
‘Boolean’ (Under same Modeling Tab) then select ‘Subtract’, then select ‘brick’ under
‘Navigation Tree’, then press ‘Enter’ to create gap or ‘Esc’ to cancel subtract operation.
20) Click on down arrow under ‘Picks’ (under Modeling’ tab) and then click on ‘Pick Edge’.
Double click on the two circular edges of the gap.
The selected edges will become red as shown in Fig. 5.2

Fig. 5.2 Selecting edges of the gap for defining port

21) Click on down arrow under ‘Discrete Port’ (under ‘Simulation’ tab). Then select
‘Discrete Port’. A window pops up.

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 Fig. 5.3 Port of dipole antenna with port definition

Click ok in that window.

Fig. 5.4 Closer view of the port

Dipole antenna is excited from the red conical section as shown (intersection between red
and blue line)

Fig. 5.5 Dipole antenna in CST

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 22) Click on ‘frequency’ icon (top left side under ‘Simulation’ tab). A window pops up. ‘Min
frequency 2’. Max frequency 3’. Click ‘ok’.
23) Click on ‘Background’ icon (top left side under ‘Simulation’ tab). A window pops up.
See that normal is written. Click ‘ok’.
24) Click on ‘Boundaries’ icon (top left side under ‘Simulation’ tab). A window pops up. See
that all is open.
25) Under Navigation tree, expand ‘field monitors’ and keep only ‘e-field (f=2.4) and farfield
(f=2.4)
26) Click on ‘Start Simulation’ under ‘Home’ Tab.
Under Navigation tree, expand ‘1D Results’ and click on ‘S-parameters’. A plot of S 11
(dB) will be displayed. S11 parameter less than -10dBm is acceptable.
If the resonant peak is not at 2.4GHz but less than that, then we have to decrease the
length of dipole (0.475*lambda) by reducing 0.475 to a lower value in the parameter list.
But after changing any value in the parameter list we must not forget to go to ‘Home’
Tab and click on ‘Parameter Update’.
27) Under Farfield(f=2.4) we will get 3D radiation pattern
right click on ‘farfield (f=2.4)’ under ‘Farfields’ and then click on ‘Farfield Plot
Properties’. A window pops-up and we can change the plot mode accordingly.
28) Click on ‘Farfield’ Folder. Then click on ‘Array Factor’. A window pops up. Check
‘Activate far field array’. Put element in y as ‘2’. In spaceshift in y put ‘lambda/4’.
Phaseshift shoud be all zero. Click on ‘update list’. This will simulate two dipole
antennas along y axis at a distance of 31.25mm apart which is lambda/4. One dipole at -
15.625mm along y axis and another dipole at +15.625 along y axis. Phase difference
between two dipoles is zero. However amplitude of excitation in both the dipoles is same.
Click on ‘ok’ and observe 3D radiation pattern.
29) Repeat step 28 with distance along y as lambda/2 and observe the radiation pattern and
gain
30) Repeat step 28 with distance along y as lambda and observe the radiation pattern and
gain.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

1) For length=0.475*lambda, S11 (dB) parameter is obtained. S11 less than -10dB is
acceptable. The antenna resonant peak is observed at frequency lower than 2.4GHz
2) To optimize the length of dipole so that resonant peak of dipole antenna is at 2.4GHz, we
have to change 0.475 (remember that we wrote length=0.475*lambda) to a lower value
(resonant frequency is inversely proportional to the length of dipole).

Taking length=0.435*lambda, resonant peak of dipole antenna is obtained at 2.4GHz as

shown in Fig. 5.6

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 Fig 5.6 S11 plot (magnitude only) of dipole antenna

Below the ‘Parameter List’ another window opens as ‘Result navigator’ where serially numbers
are written as 1, 2, 3 etc. Clicking on the numbers gives all the previous result.

3) Under ‘Farfields’, double-click on ‘farfield (f=2.4)[1]’ we will get 3D radiation pattern as

shown in Fig. 1.8. It is a directivity plot. The maximum directivity shown is 2.097dBi.

Fig. 5.7 Simulated 3D radiation pattern for single half-wave dipole antenna

Note that dipole is oriented along z-axis.

The radiation pattern is omni directional. It is plot of the absolute value of the directivity
in dBi.

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 Maximum directivity: 2.097dBi
If 3D radiation pattern in terms of Gain or Realized gain is desired then right click on
‘farfield(f=2.4)[1] then click on ‘Farfield Plot Properties..’ A window will pop up. Then
go to tab ‘Plot Mode’ and under ‘Plot Mode and Scaling’ select the desired parameter
like gain, realized gain’ etc and click ‘ok’.
Gain (IEEE): 2.097dBi
Realized gain (that takes into account impedance mismatch)= 1.953dBi
4) 3D radiation pattern of two dipole antennas along y axis separated by lambda/4 distance
and same phase and equal amplitude excitation is shown in Fig. 5.8

Fig. 5.8 3D radiation pattern of two dipole antennas along y axis separated by lambda/4 distance
and same phase and equal amplitude excitation

We observe that gain has increased from 2.097dBi to 3.181dBi, realized gain has
increased from 1.953dBi to 3.037dBi and directivity from 2.097dBi to 3.181dBi. This is
due to increase in effective area of dipole array. Moreover the maximum radiation is in
direction along a-axis which is normal to the array axis (y-axis). This is called broadside
radiation.

5) When the distance between two dipole antennas is increased to lambda/2, the radiation
pattern becomes more directive and gain also increases as shown in Fig. 5.9.

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 Fig. 5.9 3D Radiation pattern of two dipoles separated by lambda/2 and same phase and
equal amplitude excitation.

Maximum of radiation still broadside because phase shift in current between two
elements is still 0deg.
Directivity is 5.917dBi
Gain is 5.917dBi
Realized gain is 5.773dBi
6) When the spacing between two dipole array is increased to lambda, we observe that
grating lobes are obtained (maximum radiation both along array axis and normal to array
axis) as shown in Fig. 5.10. The gain and directivity also decrease.

Fig. 5.10 3D Radiation pattern of two dipoles separated by lambda and same phase and
equal amplitude excitation.

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 Directivity is 4.879dBi
Gain is 4.878dBi
Realized gain is 4.735dBi

CONCLUSION: A simple half-wave dipole antenna has omnidirectional radiation pattern which
implies that it can radiate or receive power equally in a plane perpendicular to dipole axis (H-
plane) and it has a figure of eight pattern in E-plane (in the plane of the dipole). The maximum
directivity achieved is 2.097dBi. However if there is an array of two dipoles, then due to increase
in effective area gain and directivity increases. If the phase difference in current excitation
between two elements is 0deg. The broadside array is obtained where the maximum of the
radiation pattern is normal to the array axis. But if the distance between two dipoles is equal to
lambda, then grating lobes are obtained which is not desirable.

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