View source for EM.Tempo Tutorial Lesson 3: Modeling A Probe-Fed Microstrip Patch Antenna

{{projectinfo|Tutorial|Modeling A Probe-Fed Microstrip Patch Antenna|Tempo L3 Fig title.png|In this project, a probe-fed rectangular patch antenna is modeled and analyzed in EM.Tempo.|
*Variables
*Parametric Sweep
*Cartesian Graph
|All versions|{{download|http://www.emagtech.com/downloads/ProjectRepo/EMTempo_Lesson3.zip EMTempo_Lesson3}} }}

== What You Will Learn ==

In this tutorial you will use a wizard to build and analyze a probe-fed rectangular patch antenna on a finite-sized conductor-backed dielectric substrate. You will also learn how to use variables and run a parametric sweep simulation.  

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== Getting Started ==

Open the [[EM.Cube]] application and switch to [[EM.Tempo]]. Start a new project with the following attributes:

<div class="noprint" style="float:left;margin-right:10px">
{| border="1" class="wikitable"
|+ Starting Parameters
|-
! Name
| EMTempo_Lesson3
|-
! Length Units
| Millimeters
|-
! Frequency Units
| GHz
|-
! Center Frequency
| 1.575GHz
|-
! Bandwidth
| 2GHz
|}
</div>

<div class="noprint" style="clear:both"></div>

== Creating the Patch Antenna Geometry ==

As you did in the first tutorial lesson, you will use a wizard in this project to build the geometry of a rectangular patch antenna. Click on the <b>Probe-Fed Patch Wizard</b> [[Image:ProbeFedPatchWizardIcon.png]] button of the Wizard Toolbar or select the menu item '''Tools &rarr; Antenna Wizards &rarr; Probe-Fed Patch Antenna'''.

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig1.png|thumb|left|720px|EM.Tempo's wizard toolbar.]] </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig2.png|thumb|left|720px|The geometry of the probe-fed patch antenna created by the wizard.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

The geometry of a rectangular patch antenna on a conductor-backed dielectric substrate appears in the project workspace along with a lumped source, a far field radiation pattern observable and a port definition. The table below shows a list of objects that constitute the patch antenna structure along with their material types and dimensions: 

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col"| Part
! scope="col"| Object Type
! scope="col"| Material Type
! scope="col"| Dimensions
|-
! scope="row"| Substrate
| Box
| Dielectric
| sub_size × sub_size × h
|-
! scope="row"| Patch_ANCHOR
| Rectangle Strip 
| PEC
| len × len
|-
! scope="row"| Ground
| Rectangle Strip 
| PEC
| sub_size × sub_size × h
|-
! scope="row"| Feed
| Line
| PEC
| h
|}

The dimensions of the constituent objects have been parameterized. Open the variables dialog to see a list of the variables and their definitions. The initial value of the variable "sub_size" is 92.3976. This indicates the dielectric substrate is 92.3976mm × 92.3976mm × 1.5mm. Click the Edit button of the dialog to open the {{key|Edit}} Variable dialog. Replace this value by 150 in the box labeled '''Definition'''. Close this dialog to return to the variable dialog and check out the new value you just changed. 

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig3.png|thumb|480px|EM.Tempo's variables dialog.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo_L3_Fig3_150mm.png|thumb|480px|Editing variable called "sub_size".]] </td>
</tr>
</table>


You can also see from the variables dialog that the dielectric substrate (represented by a box of dimensions 150mm × 150mm × 1.5mm) has a relative permittivity &epsilon;<sub>r</sub> = 2.2 and a thickness h = 1.5mm. A short vertical line called "Feed" is placed underneath the patch and is completely embedded in the substrate. This line object serves as the probe feed of the patch antenna and is associated with a lumped source called "LS_1". There is also a far-field radiation pattern observable with the default theta and phi angle increments of 5&deg; as well as a port definition with a reference port impedance of 50&Omega;. Also, note that the metallic patch is a square with its side dimensions set equal to len = 0.48&lambda;<sub>d</sub>, where &lambda;<sub>d</sub> is the effective dielectric wavelength.

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo_L3_Fig3next.png|thumb|480px|EM.Tempo's variables dialog.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>


== Defining a Near-Field Sensor Observable ==

In order to observe the electric and magnetic field distributions on the patch, let's define a horizontal (Z-directed) field sensor plane parallel to the XY plane and located a Z = 1.5mm. 

{{Note|The tangential magnetic field distribution on the patch is also representative of the electric surface current distribution on it.}}

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig4.png|thumb|480px|Defining a horizontal field sensor plane on the patch plane.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

== Running the FDTD Simulation & Visualizing the Results ==

At this time, your project is ready for FDTD simulation. Note that your antenna involves a very thin substrate layer. This requires a high resolution mesh to correctly represent the substrate thickness. The wizard automatically sets the mesh density to 40 cells/&lambda;<sub>eff</sub>. The fraction of the absolute minimum grid spacing to maximum grid spacing in the free space has been set to 0.05. Note that the Mesh settings dialog also provides a button labeled {{key|High Precision Mesh Settings}} that adjusts most of these parameters. The wizard's mesh settings for this particular geometry are even more demanding than the "high precision mesh settings''.    

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig5.png|thumb|720px|The FDTD mesh settings for the patch antenna with a very thin substrate.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

Similar to the first tutorial lesson, the wizard sets up very demanding convergence criteria for this project, that is, a '''Power Threshold''' equal to -50dB and a '''Max No. Time Steps''' equal to 20,000. Run a '''Wideband Analysis''' of your patch antenna and visualize its near-field and far-field characteristics. The figure below shows the return loss of the patch antenna:
    
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig6.png|thumb|480px|S<sub>11</sub> plot of the patch antenna as a function of frequency.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
      
The figures below show the theta and phi components of the 3D radiation pattern as well as the total radiation pattern plot. Note that the directivity of the antenna is computed to be D0 = 6.242.

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig7A.png|thumb|left|540px|Theta component of the 3D radiation pattern of the patch antenna.]] </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig7B.png|thumb|left|540px|Phi component of the 3D radiation pattern of the patch antenna.]] </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig7.png|thumb|left|540px|Total 3D radiation pattern of the patch antenna.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

The figures below show the total electric and magnetic field distributions on the patch plane:
    
<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig8.png|thumb|left|540px|The total electric field distribution on the patch plane.]] </td>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig9.png|thumb|left|540px|The total magnetic field distribution on the patch plane.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

== Changing the Location of the Probe Feed ==

The probe feed of your patch antenna is initially placed on the X-axis close to its right edge and its location is parameterized using a variable called "feed_ratio" with a default value of 0.4. This variable represents that offset of the probe feed from the center of the patch. In other words, feed_ratio = 0 means a center probe, while feed_ratio = 0.5 means the probe exactly on the edge of the patch. You can understand this better by noting the X-coordinate of the feed line, which is defined as feed_x = feed_ratio * len. To move the probe feed inward, open the variables dialog and select "feed_ratio". Click the {{key|Edit}} button of the dialog to open the Edit Variable dialog. The initial value of the variable is 0.4. Replace this value by 0.2 in the box labeled '''Definition'''. Close this dialog to return to the variable dialog and check out the new value you just changed.       

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig11.png|thumb|left|480px|Changing the definition of an independent variable.]] </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig12.png|thumb|left|480px|The variables dialog reflecting the new value of variable "feed_ratio".]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

Run a new FDTD analysis of your patch and plot its S11 parameter. Note that the new probe location provide a better return loss and a deeper resonance notch. 

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig13.png|thumb|480px|S<sub>11</sub> plot of the patch antenna as a function of frequency after moving the probe feed inward.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
      
The radiation pattern of the patch and the the electric and magnetic field levels don't change much with the location of its probe feed. as seen in the figure below:

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig14.png|thumb|left|480px|The total electric field distribution on the patch plane after moving the probe feed inward.]] </td>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig15.png|thumb|left|480px|The total magnetic field distribution on the patch plane after moving the probe feed inward.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

== Changing the Geometry of the Square Patch ==

In this part of the tutorial lesson, you will turn the square patch into a rectangular patch with a larger width than its length. Both the X and Y dimensions of the patch were initially set equal to the variable "len". Now you define a new variable called "wid" with an initial value of 70mm. Open the variables dialog and click the {{key|Add}} button of the dialog to open the Add Variable dialog. Enter "wid" for the name and "70" for '''Definition'''. Return to the variables dialog and close it. 

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig16.png|thumb|480px|Adding a new variable called "wid".]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
      
Next, open the property dialog of the object "Patch_ANCHOR". Replace the value of the box labeled Y "Outer Size" with "wid" and click the {{key|OK}} button of the property dialog to return to the project workspace. Note that width of the patch has slightly increased and it is no longer a square.  

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig17.png|thumb|480px|Changing the Y-dimension of the patch in its property dialog.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>
      
== Performing a Parametric Sweep of the Rectangular Patch Antenna ==

So far you have only run single-shot simulations of "Analysis" type. In a sweep simulation, one or more parameters are varied, and the simulation engine is run for each parameter set. Open the Simulation Run dialog and choose the '''Parametric Sweep''' option from the '''Simulation Mode''' drop-down list. Click on the {{key|Settings}} button next to this drop-down list to open the Sweep Settings dialog. 

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig20.png|thumb|480px|Selecting parametric sweep as the simulation mode in EM.Tempo's run dialog.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

The sweep variables list is initially empty. On the left side of this dialog, you see a list of all the available independent variables. Select "wid" from the left table and used the {{key|-->}} button to move it to the right table. Another dialog titled "Sweep Variable" opens up. You have to set the start, stop and step values of your sweep variable. By default, the sweep variable is of uniform type. Enter 70, 100, and 10 for start, stop and step values, respectively. This will create a value list of {70, 80, 90, 100}. Close the sweep variable dialog and then close the sweep settings dialog to return to the simulation run dialog.   

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo_L3_Fig19_new.png|thumb|700px|Parametric sweep settings dialog.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig18.png|thumb|560px|Sweep variable settings dialog.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo_L3_Fig19.png|thumb|700px|Selecting variable "wid" in Parametric sweep settings dialog.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

Run the sweep simulation. It may take a while as a total of four individual FDTD simulations must be completed. At each simulation, [[EM.Tempo]] generates a new mesh of the modified structure and passes it to the engine. At the end of the parametric sweep, open the data manager and plot the data file "DP_S11.CPX". You should see a graph like the following:  

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig21.png|thumb|480px|S<sub>11</sub> plot of the patch antenna as a function of patch width.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

Note that the return loss is now plotted vs. the variable "wid" as opposed to frequency in the previous case. You can see that increasing the patch width only degrades the return loss and doesn't lead to a better impedance match. Since you also have a field sensor observable and a far field radiation pattern observable in your project, a plot is added to the navigation tree for each sweep sample. Therefore, you get a total of four field sensor plots and four radiation pattern plots. The figure below shows the total electric field distribution on the patch plane for the last sample of the variable wid = 100mm.     

<table>
<tr>
<td> [[Image:Tempo L3 Fig22.png|thumb|600px|The total electric field distribution on the patch plane with a patch width of 100mm.]] </td>
</tr>
</table>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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