Alternatives to pcbStack for array element in Antenna Toolbox?

The Antenna Toolbox will not create an array using pcbStack elements. Is there an equivalent way to make a custom microstrip patch antenna, with substrate, that doesn't use pcbStack and that can be used to make an array? A work-around?

Here is an example:

Open and run this example to create vivaldi_Notch, which is a pcbStack antenna:

openExample('antenna/InternallyMatchedVivaldiAntennaForUWBOperationExample')

Then create an array using vivaldi_Notch as the element:

a = linearArray('Element', vivaldi_Notch)

Here is the error:

Error using em.Array/setElementAsScalarHandle

pcbStack as Element is not supported for Arrays.

etc.

Answer 1

[Da Huang]

pcbStack is not currently supported in array objects. Currently there is no plan for it. But you can create arrays in pcbStack object.

Work around would be to create the arrays you want in pcbStack. It will require a little work around in the original example code.

[Larry Smith]

This is a good work around, and I have been able to create arrays using it. There is a problem I haven't solved. I want to build a rectangular array of the vivaldis. I can separate rows with an air gap, and I can make multiple columns by printing two vivaldis on a large dielectric. But I would like the columns to be air gapped (I will eventually insert a ground plane there). Here is a column array, with continuous dialectric, which I would like to be discontinuous:

openExample('antenna/InternallyMatchedVivaldiAntennaForUWBOperationExample')
wid = vivaldi_Notch.BoardShape.Width;
sep = 0.01;
trans = (wid + sep) / 2;
fl = vivaldi_Notch.FeedLocations;

v1 = vivaldi_Notch.Layers{1};
d = vivaldi_Notch.Layers{2};
f1 = vivaldi_Notch.Layers{3};
v2 = antenna.Polygon('Vertices', v1.Vertices);
f2 = antenna.Polygon('Vertices', f1.Vertices);

translate(f1, [0, trans, 0]);
translate(v1, [0, trans, 0]);
translate(f2, [0, -trans, 0]);
translate(v2, [0, -trans, 0]);

vivaldi_Notch.BoardShape.Width = 2 * wid + wep;
vivaldi_Notch.Layers = {v1+v2, d, f1+f2};
vivaldi_Notch.FeedLocations = [[fl + [0,trans,0,0]; fl + [0,-trans,0,0]]];
vivaldi_Notch.Tilt = -90;
pattern(vivaldi_Notch, 3e9);