AN-SOF 8: Elevating Antenna Simulation to the Next Level
✅ New Plots tab where we can quickly see the input impedance, VSWR, gain, Front-to-Rear, and Front-to-Back ratios as a function of frequency, with various visualization controls (grids, points, markers, etc.).
✅ The different parts of tapered wires are identified with alternating colors to better distinguish the wires of which they are composed.
✅ Click on a column header in the Results tab to display a plot immediately.
✅ New 3D Rotation button on the toolbar to easily rotate the view by moving the mouse.
✅ Combo-boxes now have “memory”. Select the frequency or angles to display polar diagrams and the next time you do so the same values will be pre-loaded.
✅ Users who use the comma as the decimal symbol can now import NEC files that use the period as the decimal separator. Go to Tools > Preferences > Options and check the option “The comma is set as the decimal symbol”.
✅ New Preferences window in AN-Smith to change the display of graphics in the Smith chart (line width, fonts, background, points).
💡 TIP 1: Double-click on the AN-SOF or AN-3D Pattern workspace to center the view in the window.
💡 TIP 2: Check “Show Points” in the Preferences window of AN-Polar to see the points on the radiation pattern lobes.
💡 TIP 3: Check “Equal Scales in 2 Plots” in the Preferences window of AN-XY Chart to display the left and right axes with the same scale.
Enjoy it!
Simulating the Ingenious Multiband Omnidirectional Dipole Antenna Design
Presenting a formidable challenge, the creation of an omnidirectional antenna with the capability to function across diverse frequency bands from a singular feed point demands innovative engineering.
The image below illustrates a simulated multiband dipole, which is a composite of five closely spaced parallel dipoles. Converging at the antenna’s center, these dipole extremities meet at a shared feed point. Each dipole spans approximately half a wavelength, yielding resonance frequencies of 3.7, 7.05, 14.2, 18.1, 21.2, and 28.5 MHz. The radiation pattern animation showcases the emergence of a donut-shaped omnidirectional pattern at lower frequencies, evolving into a more intricate lobed pattern as frequencies ascend.
This exemplifies a scenario where the indispensable utility of a simulation tool like AN-SOF comes to the forefront. AN-SOF exhibits an exceptional ability to simulate closely spaced wires, a feat that is often challenging. The remarkable capability of AN-SOF can be attributed to its implementation of a calculation method that triumphantly overcomes the seven key limitations prevalent in traditional methods. These intricacies are thoughtfully detailed in this article, highlighting the innovation driving AN-SOF’s prowess.

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