HoloSim: Submillimeter-Wave Holography for Large Dish Antennas

HoloSim is an open-source Python-based tool designed for the systematic development and simulation of near-field holography systems for large dish antennas. This tool helps streamline the design of submillimeter-wave holography setups by providing a theoretical framework and design parameter recommendations for evaluating system performance before physical implementation.

HoloSim’s User Interface

Features

Six-Step Design Process

HoloSim divides the holography system setup into six main steps, each corresponding to a crucial design parameter:

• Transmitter Placement
• Spatial Resolution
• Grid Point Integration Time and Total Map Time
• Angular Extent and Sampling Intervals
• Pointing Accuracy and SNR Requirements
• Transmitter Output Power

Installation

Option 1: Run from Source

1. Clone the Repository

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/HoloSim.git

2. Install Dependencies
   HoloSim requires Python 3.11.7 and the following packages:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

   Dependencies include:

   • numpy: for numerical computations
   • matplotlib: for plotting and graphing
   • scipy: for integration and other scientific computations
   • Pillow (PIL): for handling image files
   • pymupdf (fitz): for PDF handling and processing
   • tkinter: (typically included with Python) for the GUI

3. Run the Application

   python main.py 

   Or loacate main.py in your operating systems folder (Both folders are labled) hit the 'run' button in main.py in your IDE for the selected operating system.

Option 2: Use the Executable

For convenience, an executable file is provided for macOS, Linux, and Windows users.

1. Download the Latest Release
   Visit the releases section of this repository and download the executable file suitable for your operating system.

2. Run the Executable

   • macOS:

     1. Locate the downloaded .dmg file in your file explorer.
     2. Double-click the .dmg file to open it.
     3. In the window that appears, drag the app icon to the Applications folder.
     4. Once copied, close the window and eject the .dmg by right-clicking it and selecting Eject.
     5. Open the application from Launchpad or Finder > Applications.

     Note: If macOS prevents the app from opening due to security settings, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Security, and click Open Anyway for the app.

   • Windows:

     1. Locate the downloaded .exe file in your file explorer.
     2. Double-click the executable to run it.

     Note: If a security warning appears, click "More info" and then "Run anyway" to proceed.

Future Plans

Future updates will extend HoloSim to support direct measurement and post-processing of near-field holography data, addressing additional errors inherent in near-field measurements. The goal is to establish a more standardized, adaptable approach for holographic antenna measurement across different applications. If any questions persist, please feel free to reach us at [email protected] / [email protected] or [email protected]