Ect401 M2
Ect401 M2
MODULE II
Broad band antenna: Principle of Log periodic antenna array and design, Helical antenna: types and
design. Design of Microstrip Rectangular Patch antennas and feeding methods. Principles of Horn,
Parabolic dish antenna (expression for E, H and Gain without derivation), Mobile phone antenna –
Inverted F antenna.
References:
CLASSIFICATION OF ANTENNAS
1. Resonant antennas
2. Non-resonant antennas
Resonant antennas
Non-resonant antennas
Construction:
• Size of the structure changes with each repetition by a constant scaling factor such that it
expands or contracts.
• Dimensions increase in proportion to the distance from the origin.
• It is fed by a balanced two wire transmission line at the narrow end.
• Length of dipoles increases along the antenna such that included angle α remains constant
R1 R2 R L L L
= = ...... = n = = 1 = 2 = ...... = n where is scaling factor ; 1 ;
R2 R3 Rn+1 L2 L3 Ln+1
S n+1 Ln+1 1
= = = k; k 1
Sn Ln
Another parameter that is usually associated with a log-periodic dipole array is the spacing factor σ
defined by
Regions of operation
3 regions of operation:
→ antenna elements are short compared with resonant length i.e L<< λ/2
→ element presents relatively high capacitive impedance
→ current is small and leads voltage by approximately 90º
Active region
→ here L = λ/2
→ E plane radiation is maximum
→ Element impedance have resistive component
→ Current is large and almost in phase with voltage,
producing a strong radiation in the backfire direction
Reflective region
Design Procedure:
Assume the directivity (in dB), input impedance Rin (real), diameter of elements of feeder line (d),
and the lower and upper frequencies (B = fmax/fmin) of the bandwidth are specified.
1. Given D0 (dB), determine σ and τ from plot of τ vs σ for various values of directivity.
2. Determine α using
3. Determine bandwidth of active region Bar and slightly larger bandwidth Bs using
where ln /dn is the length-to-diameter ratio of the nth element of the array.
And
Applications:
a) HF communication
b) All round monitoring
HELICAL ANTENNA
Construction
Consists of a thick copper wire wound in the shape of a screw thread and used as an antenna in
conjunction with a flat metal plate called ground plate. It is fed between one and ground plate by a
coaxial cable.
S −1 S
α – pitch angle = tan −1 = tan
D C
L – axial length= NS
N=number of turns
Pitch angle is the angle between a line tangent to helix and plane normal to helix axis
When α = 0°, then the winding is flattened and the helix reduces to a loop antenna of N turns. On the
other hand, when α = 90° then the helix reduces to a linear wire. When 0°< α < 90°, then a true helix
is formed with a circumference greater than zero but less than the circumference when the helix is
reduced to a loop (α = 0°).
Radiation characteristics
The radiation characteristics of the antenna can be varied by controlling the size of its geometrical
properties compared to the wavelength. The input impedance is critically dependent upon the pitch
angle and the size of the conducting wire, especially near the feed point, and it can be adjusted by
controlling their values. The general polarization of the antenna is elliptical. However circular and
linear polarizations can be achieved over different frequency ranges.
The helical antenna can operate in many modes; however, the two principal ones are the normal
(broadside) and the axial (end-fire) modes.
Here field is maximum in the broadside direction i.e in the direction normal to helix. Here L<<λ0 The
bandwidth and radiation efficiency is low in this mode. Both can be increased by increasing the helix
size.
120 2 I sin
. A where A is the area of the loop; A = D 4
2
E =
r 2
j 60 I sin
E = .S
r
There is a phase difference of 90º between the fields. Ratio of magnitudes of these fields provides the
axial ratio.
60 I sin
.S
E r S
AR = = =
E 120 I sin
2
2A
.A
r 2
D 2 2 D2
Thus S = 2A S = 2 S =
4 2
C2
Since C = D; S =
2
C2
Then pitch angle = tan −1
S
= tan −1 2 = tan −1 C
C C 2
In this mode the maximum radiation is in the end fire direction. Polarization is circular. This mode
occurs when S and D are of the order of one wavelength. This mode produces broad and directional
beam in the axial direction and minor lobes at oblique angles.
140C
R=
1
Axial ratio AR = 1+
2N
Parameters:
65
Bandwidth =
D NS
115 3
BWFN =
D NS
D NS
2
Gain = 6.2
D NS
2
Directivity = 15
Advantages:
• More efficient
• Capability of receiving signal of arbitrary polarization
Uses:
In space craft or aircraft where size, cost, performance, ease of installation and aerodynamic
profile are constraints low profile antennas like microstrip antennas are used. These antennas can be
flush mounted to metal or other existing surfaces and they only require space for the feed line which
is normally placed behind the ground plane.
Patch parameters
1. Operating frequency =100MHz
2. Wavelength 3m
3. Thickness of patch t
100
4. Thickness of substrate h
5. Length of patch l
2
6. Width of patch w
7. Dielectric constant r 2
→ As the thickness of the strip is very small, the waves generated within the dielectric substrate
undergo reflection to some extent when they arrive at the edge of the strip resulting radiation
of only small fraction of incident energy. Therefore the antenna is considered to be very
inefficient and it behaves more like a cavity rather than a radiator.
Z0
→ The characteristic impedance of patch antenna is given by Z =
r
→ The radiation pattern is broad.
→ To improve the directivity of the antenna multiple microstrip radiators are used in cascade to
form an array.
Fringing Effects
Some of the waves travel in the substrate and some in the sir.The smaller the εr , th more bowed
the fringing fields become, they extend away from the patch. Therefore using a smaller permittivity
for the substrate yields better radiation.
Feeding Techniques
2. Coaxial feed
Inner conductor of the coaxial penetrates the substrate from the back of ground plane
without any contact with ground plane and is attached to radiation patch while the outer
conductor is connected to ground plane.
Characteristics: easy to fabricate, spurious radiation is low, narrow bandwidth.
Design Procedure
1. For an efficient radiator, a practical width that leads to good radiation efficiencies is
HORN ANTENNA
Design Equations:
h
L h
cos = tan = 2 =
L + L 2L
h −1 L
= tan −1 = cos
2L L +
2
h2
(L + )2 = L2 + h L2 + 2 L + 2 = L2 +
4 4
Neglecting δ2 ;
h2
L=
8
If flare angle is very large the wave front on the mouth of horn will be curved rather than plane,
resulting increased beam width and reduced directivity
If flare angle is very small, aperture will be smaller, resulting in reduced directivity.
56 67
E = degree H = degree where θE and θH are HPBW in E and H directions.
h w
7.5 7.5 A
Directivity D= h w =
2
2
4.5 4.5 A
Power gain Gp = h w =
2
2
Uses: Used at microwave frequencies for moderate power gains
lobe radiation. Back lobe radiation are not desirable as it can interfere destructively with
reflected beam.
➢ antenna placed at the focus of a paraboloid is known as feed radiator or primary radiator and
its radiation pattern is known as primary pattern. The parabolic reflector is known as secondary
radiator and the radiation pattern of entire antenna system is called secondary pattern.
Feed systems:
Parabolic reflector antenna consists of two components: reflector and a source of primary radiation at
the focus. The source is called as feed.
An ideal feed would be that radiator which radiates towards reflector in such a way that it
illuminates the entire surface of reflector and no energy is radiated in any other direction.
• Axial or front feed – This is the most common type of feed, with the feed antenna located in
front of the dish at the focus, on the beam axis, pointed back toward the dish. A disadvantage
of this type is that the feed and its supports block some of the beam, which limits the aperture
efficiency to only 55–60%.
• Off-axis or offset feed – The reflector is an asymmetrical segment of a paraboloid, so the focus,
and the feed antenna, are located to one side of the dish. The purpose of this design is to move
the feed structure out of the beam path, so it does not block the beam. It is widely used in
home satellite television dishes, which are small enough that the feed structure would otherwise
block a significant percentage of the signal.
• Cassegrain Feed
Advantages: