How to Adjust the Radiation Pattern Reference Point for Better Visualization

Improve the clarity of your simulation results by learning how to adjust the radiation pattern origin (or phase center) in AN-SOF. This simple adjustment allows for better visual alignment of the pattern with the actual antenna structure, offering a more intuitive spatial interpretation of the radiation. Importantly, this shift is purely cosmetic and does not affect the fundamental integrity of your simulation metrics, such as absolute gain, directivity, or field magnitude.

Understanding the Radiation Pattern Center

In far-field analysis, an antenna system is effectively reduced to a single point at the origin (0,0,0). While the standard practice of superimposing the 3D radiation pattern on the antenna structure helps visualize directional characteristics, it’s important to note that:

• Phase Shift Effect: Moving the radiation pattern origin only introduces a phase shift in complex field values.
• Observables Unaffected: Field magnitudes, directivity, gain, etc. remain unchanged.
• Visualization Purpose: Origin selection is purely for interpretation convenience.

Adjusting the Phase Center in AN-SOF

To optimize your radiation pattern visualization:

1. Navigate to: Setup tab > Far-Field panel > Origin
2. Set the desired reference point coordinates (X0, Y0, Z0)

Key Benefit:

• Aligns the pattern display with your preferred viewing perspective
• Maintains all critical antenna metrics

For complete far-field parameter descriptions, see: Far Field Parameters.

Technical Keywords: Radiation Pattern, Phase Center, Far-Field Visualization, AN-SOF Origin, Phase Shift, Antenna Simulation.