Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 1

UNIT 8
1. Derive the fundamental equation for free space propagation?
Ans:
Fundamental Equation for Free Space Propagation
Consider the transmitter power (P
t
) radiated uniformly in all the directions
(isotropic), the power received at a distance (r) from the isotropic source is given by,


P
r
= P
t
/ 4r
2
(W/m
2
) (1)

Where,
P
t
= Transmitter power (Watts)
P
r
= Received power (Watts)
r = Distance between the transmitting (and) receiving antenna.
The power density (P
D
) along the maximum radiation for the directive antenna is given by,
P
D
= G
t
. P
r
(2)
Where,
G
t
= Gain of the transmitting antenna
P
r
= Received power
P
D
= Power density.
For antenna with an effective aperture area (A
e
), received power is given by,

P
r
= P
D
X A
e
(3)


Substitute equations ( l ) and (2) in equation (3), we get,

P
r
= P
D
X A
e

P
r
= (G
t
. P
t
/ 4r
2
) X A
e

P
r
= (G
t
. P
t
/ 4r
2
) X A
e
(W/ m
2
) (4)
We know that, relation between gain and maximum effective aperture is given by,
G = (4 /
2
) A
e

G
r
= (4 /
2
) A
e
(5)
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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 2

Where,
G
r
= Gain of the receiving antenna
A
e
= Effective aperture area.
From equation (5),
A
e
= (
2
/4) G
r

Substituting equation (6) in equation (4), we get,
P
r
= (G
t
. P
t
/ 4r
2
) X A
e

P
r
= (G
t
. P
t
/ 4r
2
) (
2
/4) G
r

P
r
= P
t
G
t
G
r

2
/ (4r)
2

The above equation is general expression for free space propagation.
Here,
P
r
= Received power in watts
P
t
= Transmitter power in Watts
G
t
= Gain of transmitting antenna
G
r
= Gain of receiving antenna
= Wave length (m)
r = Distance between the transmitting (and) receiving antenna.
The above equation written in another form is,
P
r
= P
t
G
t
G
r
/ L
s

Where,
L
s
= (4r / )
2

Path loss represent in logarithmic form is given as,
10 log
10
(
p
pt
) = 10 log
10
0t + 10 log
10
0r + 10 log
10
[
x
4n
2
P
r
(dBW) = P
t
(dBW) + G
t
(dB) + G
r
(dB) - L
s


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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 3

2. What are the different paths used for propagating radio waves from 300
kHz and 300 MHz.
Ans:
The term radio propagation is used to explain how radio waves behave when they are
transmitted, or propagated from one point on the earth to another. Like light waves, radio waves
are affected by the phenomenon of reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption and scattering.
Radio waves at different frequencies propagate in different paths. The
different modes of propagation for frequencies from 300 KHz to 300 MHz are as follows,
1. 300 KHz to 3000 KHz
These frequencies have the property of following the curvature of the earth via
ground wave propagation in the majority of occurrences. In this mode the radio wave
propagates by interacting with the semi conductive surface of the earth. The wave sticks
to the surface of the earth and thus follows the curvature of earth. Vertical polarization is
used to reduce short circuiting the electric field through the conductivity of the ground,
since the ground is not a perfect electrical conductor, ground waves are attenuated rapidly
as they follow the earth's surface. Attenuation is proportional to the frequency making
this mode mainly useful for LF and VLF.
2. 3MHz to 30 MHz
These range of frequency waves travel from transmitter to receiver through
multiple reflections from the ionosphere. This mode of propagation is called as sky-wave
or ionospheric wave propagation. The waves cover a maximum of 4000 km in a single
reflection. This path of propagation is effective if counter techniques are developed at the
receiver to eliminate fading, due to reflection.
3. 30 MHz to 300 MHz
These frequencies use direct path propagation. The signals reach receivers
directly or after getting reflected from the earths bottom most layer troposphere. This
mode of propagation is called as space wave propagation space wave has two
components. They are
(i) Direct component
(ii) Reflected from ground component.
In direct component, the wave travel directly from transmitter to receiver. In ground
reflected component, the wave reaches the receiver after reflection from ground with a
phase change of 180.
The transmitter transmits both waves at the same time at the receiver both
signals are added. The signal strength is high when direct and reflected components are
in phase and low when they are out of phase. This is also called as tropospheric
propagation.
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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 4

3. Distinugish between radio and optical horizons. Give the reasons?

Ans:
Radio Horizon Optical Horizon
1. Micro waves are not bent or refracted
beyond the radio horizon.
2. This horizon is not visible to our eyes,
because generally these are further
away from the optical horizon.

3. The distance to radio horizon is varies
with the atmospheric refractive
changes.

4. The distance to the radio horizon is
given by,
d
r
= 0.49h km
where,
h = Height of the tower (m).

5. Radio horizon distance can also be
calculated as,
d
r
= d
0
/k
where,
k = Correction factor.

6. If k < 1 ,the radio horizon is further
away from optical horizon
Micro waves are usually bent or refracted
beyond the optical horizon.
This horizon is visible to our eyes.


The optical horizon is independent of
atmospheric refractive changes.



The distance to the optical horizon is given by,

d
r
= 0.49b km
where,
h = Height of the tower (m).
Optical horizon distance can also be calculated
as,
d
0
= kd
r

where,
k = Correction factor.

If k > 1 optical horizon is further, away from
radio horizon





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Antenn

GRIET

4. Wh
Ans:
Line of

importa
300 MH
h
r .
Th
transmi

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receivin
and ind
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earth's
frequen
that lin
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path fro


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h


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T/ECE
at is LOS
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itting antenn

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direct waves
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distance be
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g 8.4.1 Line
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e the height
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ce can incre
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VHF, UHF a
of transmit
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enna and an
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signal stren
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nd Answers
5
It is very
30 MHz to
antennas is
direct from
ut reach the
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. At higher
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,
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Antenn

GRIET

5. Wri
Ans:
Tropos

practica
propaga


the tran












The pri
1
2
T
scatterin
transmi
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cone an


reduced

6. Disc
Ans:
Space W

propaga
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T/ECE
ite short n
spheric Pro
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note on tr
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nd Answers
6
gation, it is
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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 7

from transmitter may reach the receiver either directly or after reflections from tropospheric
region. Tropospheric region is just 16 km away from the earth's surface.
Space wave propagation consists of two ray paths. They are,
1. Direct path
2. Indirect path.

The signal from transmitter to the receiver is known as direct path and signal after
reflections from the ground is known as indirect path. Due to the reflections from ground, the
phase 180 is introduced in the received signal. The signal at the receiver is a combination of
direct and indirect ray paths. The propagation of electromagnetic waves at higher frequencies is
done by space wave propagation, because the ground wave and sky wave propagation are fail at
these frequencies.

Space wave propagation is also known as line at sight propagation, because at higher
frequencies, electromagnetic wave propagation is limited to the curvature of earth and line of
sight distance. The range can be increased with the help of transmitting and receiving antenna
heights. Space wave propagation is practically important at frequencies above 30 MHz. it is also
known as tropospheric wave propagation, because the waves reach the receiving point after
reflections from tropospheric
region.

















In space wave propagation, signal at the receiving point is a combination of direct and
indirect rays. It provides communication over long distances with VHF, UHF and microwave
frequencies, space wave propagation is also known as "line of sight propagation".

Applications
1. Space wave propagation used in satellite communication.
2. Controls radio traffic between a ground station and a satellite.

7. Write short notes on M-curves and their characteristics?
Ans:
M-curves and their Characteristics
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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 8

M-curves are known as modified index curves. These curves show the
variations of refractive index with height. In order to account for the curvature of earth, the
actual index of refraction modified to another refractive index. Due to the change in index of
refraction, the straight rays are converted into curved rays above flat earth. The effects of non
standard atmospheric conditions can be estimated easily by transforming temperature data,
meteorological data into M-curves. M-curves are used to predict the type of transmission path for
propagation of electromagnetic waves.
Characteristics of M-curve
1. Standard propagation occurs, when the modified index of refraction linearly varies with
height. M-curve is a straight line having positive slope.
2. The slope of M-curve decreases near the surface of earth which results in standard
propagation.
3. In order to achieve greater coverage, the slope of M-curve increases near the surface of
the earth.
4. Greater coverage can be achieved when the rays over flat earth are straight and actual rays
have the same curvature as that of the earth.
5. Duct propagation occurs when the rays are curved downward over the flat earth and the
wave tends to be guided along the duct.
6. If the inverted portion of M-curve is elevated above the surface of earth then the duct is an
"elevated duct".

8. Write short notes on Duct propagation?
Ans:
Duct Propagation
The higher frequencies or microwaves are continuously reflected in the duct and re-
flected by
the ground. So
that they
propagate
around the
curvature
for beyond the
line of sight.
This special
refraction
of
electromagnetic waves is called super refraction and the process is called duct propagation. Duct
propagation is also known as super refraction. Consider the figure,






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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 9

Here, two boundary surfaces between layers of air form a duct or a sort of wave guide
which guides the electromagnetic waves between the walls. Temperature inversion is one of the
important factor for the formation of duct. For proper value of curvature, the refractive index (n)
must be replaced by a modified refractive index (N).


N = n + (h/r)
The term modified index of refractive modules (m) is related to N as



N = n + (h/r)

(N-1) = n-1+ h/r

(N-1) x 10
6
= [n-1+ h/r] x 10
6


m = (N-1) x 10
6
= [n-1+ h/r] x 10
6


Where,
n = Refractive index
h = Height above ground
r = Radius of the earth = 6370 km


Duct can be used at VHF, UHF and microwave frequencies. Because, these waves are neither
reflected nor propagated along earth surface. So, the only possible way to transmit such signal is
to utilize the phenomenon of refraction in the troposphere.
9. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of communication at ultra high
frequencies?
Ans:
Advantages of Ultra High Frequencies (UHF)
1. Ultra high frequencies range from 30 MHz to 3000 MHz, so that it is useful in space
wave or line of sight propagation.
2. UHF is used in radio navigation and detection.
3. Ultra high frequencies are used for television and FM broadcasting stations.
4. Point-to-point communication and moving vehicle communication is possible at UHF.
5. Radio communication in aircraft.
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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 10

6. Communication between the fixed station and many mobile stations situated in vehicles,
ships and aircraft is possible in the frequency band of 30 to 470 MHz.

Disadvantages of UHF
1. Fading of signals, i.e., variation in intensity of signal with time, results due to change in
tropospheric conditions and several different mechanisms involved at UHF.
2. The effect of earth imperfections and roughness causes field strength of direct wave to
undergo a phase shift, and has a small effect on vertical polarization at ultra high
frequency.
3. At UHF, it is not possible to communicate beyond line of sight distance.
4. At ultra high frequencies, radio horizon and heights of antennas are the limiting factors.

10. VHF communication is to be established with a 50 watt transmitter at
100 MHz. Calculate the LOS distance, if the heights of transmitting and
receiving antennas are respectively 50 m and 10 m. Assuming the
capture area of the transmitting antenna is 25 sqmts, calculate the field
strength at the receiving neglecting ground reflected wave.
Ans:
Given that,
For a VHF communication,
Transmitted power, P
t
= 50 watts
Operating frequency, f = 100 MHz
Height of the transmitting antenna, h
t
= 50m
Height of the receiving antenna, hr

= 10 m
Capture area of the transmitting antenna, A = 25m
2
Line of Sight (LOS) distance, d = ?
Field strength at the receiving end, E
R
= ?
Then,
Operating wavelength,

= c/f = (3x10
8
)/(100x10
6
) = 3m
The Line Of Sight (LOS) distance is given by,
d = 4.12 (bt + br )
= 4.12 (Su + 1u )
= 4.12 (10.233) = 42.16 km
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Antenna and Wave Propagation Question and Answers

GRIET/ECE 11

Then the field strength at the receiving end is given by,

E
R
= (88Pt h
t
h
r
)/ (d
2
)


E
R
= (88Su x 50 x 10) / (3 x (42.16 x 10
3
)
2
)
E
R
= 58.347 V/m



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