V3.0.0

Version 3 makes some changes to various functions to enable:

• moving towards allowing several concurrent models in the same file
• preparing for detailed comparison of results, extraction of scattered fields from objects, delta dB plots etc
• moving towards adding a frequency sweep feature and add VSWR bandwidth as an optimisation target
• moving towards allowing gain parameters computed over a range of angles as optimiser targets (e.g. max vertical gain, min gain in a spefified direction, front to back ratio)
• simplifying and automating gain pattern resolution and range settings

The detailed changes are listed below.

Gain point and Angular range and resolution functions

• set_gain_point(azimuth, elevation),
• set_gain_hemisphere_1deg(),
• set_gain_sphere_1deg(),
• set_gain_az_arc(azimuth_start, azimuth_stop, nPoints, elevation)

These are now all replaced by:

• set_gain_point(azimuth_deg, elevation_deg)
• set_angular_resolution(az_step_deg, el_step_deg)

The last function works intelligently with ground specification to determine whether a full sphere or half sphere is requested.

start_geometry function

No longer needed

Load placement functions

• place_parallel_RLC_load(......) and
• place_series_RLC_load(......)

are replaced by

• place_RLC_load(...... load_type = 'series'|'parallel', ............)

Simple model results parameters

• h_gain(),
• v_gain(),
• tot_gain(),
• vswr(Z0 = 50)

are replaced by

• get_gains_at_gain_point(model) and
• vswr(model, Z0 = 50)

Results plotting functions

• plot_gain(pattern_data, elevation_deg, component, polar=True)

is replaced by

• plot_pattern_gains(model)
  which is intended as a flexible plot which can overlay several field components

• read_radiation_pattern() is no longer needed as a user function

Wire Frame viewer functions

• show_wires_from_file(file_path, ex_tag, color='blue', title = "3D Viewer")

is replaced by

• show_wires_from_file(model)

which avoids the need to pass ex_tag and get details of load tag numbers from the model

Thin Sheet Model

The positional argument 'sigma' is removed. If used to create a conducting sheet, the conductivity is either perfect or as specied in the global 'set_wire_conductivity(sigma)' function. This model still requires validation for the production of a thin dielectric sheet.