Generating Field Isocontours: Integrating AN-SOF with Scilab

Learn how to create high-quality field isocontours by combining AN-SOF data with Scilab. This guide covers setting up near-field grids, exporting full coordinate data to CSV, and using our custom Scilab script to visualize electric or magnetic field levels as clear, actionable contour plots.

This guide explains how to use the provided Scilab script to plot level curves (isocontours) of an electromagnetic field pattern. In this example, we visualize the electric field intensity at soil level directly beneath an elevated Inverted-V antenna.

1. Compute the Near-Field Data

Before using the script, you must generate the raw field data within AN-SOF.

1. Open the Setup tab and navigate to the Near-Field panel.
2. Define the grid of points (X, Y, Z coordinates) where you want to calculate the E-field or H-field.
3. Run the simulation to compute the near-field levels.

2. Export Data to CSV

The Scilab script requires the field values to be formatted in a specific Comma Separated Values (CSV) file.

1. Go to the main menu and select Results > List Near E-Field Pattern (or List Near H-Field Pattern). A table will appear displaying the computed field values and their corresponding coordinates.
2. In the table window, under Export Options, ensure that Full is selected.
3. Click the Export button to save the data as a .csv file.
4. Important: Save this CSV file in the same directory as the Scilab script so the script can locate the data automatically.

3. Run the Scilab Script

With the data exported, you can now generate the contour plots.

1. Open the Scilab script editor and load the downloaded script.
2. Review the comments within the script if you need to:
   • Change the directory path for the CSV file.
   • Adjust the specific field levels for the contour curves (using the contour2d function).
3. Execute the script to produce the isocontour plot.

The resulting plot provides a clear, top-down visualization of field intensity, which is particularly useful for assessing ground-level exposure or identifying high-intensity regions beneath an antenna system. The video below illustrates the procedure.

See Also:

• AN-SOF Data Export: A Guide to Streamlining Your Workflow

• Automating 2-Element Quad Array Design: Scripting and Bulk Processing in AN-SOF

• Nelder-Mead Optimization for Antenna Design Using the AN-SOF Engine and Scilab

Technical Keywords: Scilab, Isocontours, Level Curves, Near-Field Pattern, CSV Export, Inverted-V Antenna, Electric Field Visualization, Contour2d, AN-SOF Integration.

About the Author

Tony Golden

RF ENGINEER & PHYSICS PH.D. With 25+ years in Computational Electromagnetics, I’m a passionate researcher focused on antenna modeling and design. As Founder of Golden Engineering LLC, I develop accessible, high-performance simulation tools that help RF engineers optimize their designs, educators teach complex concepts, and hobbyists bring antenna projects to life.

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