# ASCII File Format for 3D Patterns

Describe a 3D antenna pattern using an ASCII file format.

The ASCII files can be read with any ASCII text editor and with AMan. Therefore, these files are ideally suited to exchange information about antenna patterns with any other software package.

The following file is supported:

Table 1. File extensions for a 3D antenna pattern in ASCII format.
Extension Meaning Further Information
.apa Antenna pattern ASCII See 3D Antenna Patterns.

The first character in a line defines comments. If a line starts either with “# ”or “*”, AMan assumes a comment line.

The triples must be in one line and always consist of two angles (horizontal and vertical) and one gain information. No information about phases is stored. A new triple must always be in a new line (one line can only contain one triple).

The triple must neither be ordered nor must they have a constant angle increment. All undefined angles are interpolated (if required during computation).

Angle information is stored in degrees and the gain / attenuation in dB. The gain/attenuation is relative to the isotropic radiator, and positive values indicate higher gain (compared to iso) and negative values indicate attenuation (compared to iso).
Example for ASCII antenna patterns (3D):
* Comments
*
*  Theta	      Phi	                 Attenuation
*  Vertical     Horizontal           relative to iso

0.00	       0.00		                -17.9900
0.00	      40.00	                   -17.9900
0.00	      80.00	                   -17.9900
0.00	     120.00	                   -17.9900
0.00	     160.00	                   -17.9900
0.00	     200.00	                   -17.9900
0.00	     240.00	                   -17.9900
0.00	     280.00	                   -17.9900
0.00	     320.00	                   -17.9900
40.00	      0.00		                -19.3000
40.00	     40.00	                   -20.4500
40.00	     80.00	                   -20.3400
40.00	    120.00	                   -20.0000
40.00	    160.00	                   -19.5600
40.00	    200.00	                   -19.7600
40.00	    240.00	                   -19.9600
40.00	    280.00	                   -19.7100
40.00	    320.00	                   -19.0300
70.00	      0.00		               -23.8800
70.00	     40.00	                   -24.5100
……`