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Category - Displaying Results
These articles provide guidance on displaying various types of plots (2D, 3D, Smith charts, polar charts) and tables with simulation results.
Articles
Commands to Display Results. The output data of a simulation can be listed in tables or displayed in graphs. All results are found under the Results menu...
In the AN-SOF main window there is a Results tab, Fig. 1, where a table with the main results for a transmitting antenna is shown: input impedance, VSWR, directivity, gain and efficiency...
Select the Plots tab in the AN-SOF main window to visualize the plots of the main results for a transmitting antenna as a function of frequency.
Sub Categories
These articles provide guidance on plotting current distribution on wires and displaying lists of current vs. frequency within the AN-SOF software.
3D Plots To visualize how current flows across your entire model, navigate to Results > Plot Current Distribution in the main menu. This command launches the AN-3D Pattern application, which renders the current amplitude directly on the 3D structure using a dynamic color scale (Fig. 1). Beyond amplitude, you can also analyze the complex components […]
Right clicking on a wire shows a pop-up menu. Click on the List Currents command to display the List Currents toolbar, Fig. 1. This toolbar allows us to select a wire segment to see the current flowing through that segment versus frequency...
To analyze how the current at a specific point on your antenna behaves across a range of frequencies, follow this procedure:
The currents flowing on a wire can be exported to a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file. Since the current is calculated at the midpoint of each wire segment, the current distribution is sampled at a finite set of points determined by the number of segments the wire is divided into. Additionally, as the current varies with […]
These articles explain how to plot input impedances, reflection coefficients (S11), and VSWR vs. frequency. They also cover displaying Smith charts and configuring the Tuner calculator for impedance matching.
To analyze the impedance matching and power efficiency of your antenna across the simulated frequency range, use the following procedure:
The Tuner Calculator AN-SOF features a tuner calculator that enables impedance matching of an antenna input impedance, an antenna with a feeder already connected to its terminals, or a given custom load. To access the tuner calculator, choose the Tuner tab in the AN-SOF main window (Fig. 1). Here, you can set the tuner parameters […]
The Smith Chart is an essential tool for visualizing the input impedance of your antenna as it varies with frequency. It allows you to see how “matched” your antenna is to a reference system (typically $50\ \Omega$) at a glance. How to Generate the Chart Interactive Features in AN-Smith
These articles provide guidance on configuring an antenna feeder, consisting of a feed line and a transformer, within the AN-SOF software.
In the case of a transmitting antenna that has a single feed port, the transmission line used to feed the antenna can be modeled in the Feed Line tabsheet...
After specifying the feed line parameters, the following results will be obtained...
Besides the manufactured cables listed in the “Cable Type” option, the following custom line options can be chosen...
These articles explain how to plot and list load impedances and source internal impedances vs. frequency.
Follow these steps to select a wire segment that has a load and to tabulate the load impedance versus frequency...
In many simulations, a source isn’t just an ideal voltage; it often includes an internal impedance that accounts for the physical characteristics of the feedline or generator. You can analyze how much power is lost internally versus how much is delivered to the antenna by following these steps: Evaluating Internal Parameters The Source List dialog […]
These articles explain how to plot the far-field radiation patterns from an antenna or scattered by obstacles in various forms such as 2D charts, 3D radiation patterns, and polar diagrams. They also cover powers delivered, consumed, and radiated.
Explore 2D far-field patterns using AN-SOF. Visualize conical and vertical cuts, analyze metrics like power density, directivity, and gain. Decompose into polarization components and understand axial ratio. Plot in rectangular or polar charts for comprehensive analysis.
Visualize 3D far-field patterns in AN-SOF. Analyze power density, directivity, gain, and axial ratio. Decompose into polarization components. Rotate, zoom, and animate the 3D plot. Customize surface and mesh settings. Export far-field data to CSV.
Far-field frequency spectra are obtained when a simulation is performed by specifying a list of frequencies or a frequency sweep. For each frequency, the far-field is calculated at the several directions given by the zenith (Theta) and azimuth (Phi) angular ranges and...
Go to Results > Power Budget/RCS in the main menu to display the Power Budget dialog box, Fig. 1. The following list of parameters versus frequency will be shown...
Go to Results > Power Budget/RCS in the main menu to display the Radar Cross Section dialog box, Fig. 1. The following list of parameters versus frequency will be shown when an incident field is used as the excitation...
The far field patterns and spectra can be tabulated and exported by going to the following commands in the Results menu...
These articles describe how to plot the near-field pattern in different coordinate systems and display the near-field spectrum vs. frequency.
In AN-SOF, near-field analysis allows you to evaluate the electric ($\mathbf{E}$) and magnetic ($\mathbf{H}$) fields in the immediate vicinity of an antenna or at any specified distance. This is essential for studying antenna-to-antenna coupling or electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Defining the Calculation Grid Before plotting, you must define the observation points in the Near-Field panel of […]
While spatial plots show you how fields vary across a region at a single frequency, the Near Field Spectrum allows you to observe how the field intensity changes at a single, fixed point across a range of frequencies. This is essential for identifying resonant frequencies or ensuring field limits are not exceeded over a wide […]
For users who need to perform external numerical analysis or generate reports, AN-SOF provides a straightforward way to move near-field data into tools like Excel, MATLAB, or Python. Available Export Commands Access these options via the Results menu. Depending on whether you need spatial data (at a specific frequency) or frequency data (at a specific […]