Log Periodic Antennas

Log Periodic Antenna

A log-periodic antenna (LP), also known as a log-periodic array or log-periodic aerial, is a

multi-element, directional antenna designed to operate over a wide band of frequencies. The
frequency range, in which the log-periodic antennas operate is around 30 MHz to 3GHz which
belong to the VHF and UHF bands.
A Log-periodic antenna is that whose impedance is a logarithmically periodic function of
frequency. Not only this all the electrical properties undergo similar periodic variation, particularly
radiation pattern, directive gain, side lobe level, beam width and beam direction. These are broadband
antenna. Bandwidth of 10:1 is achieved easily and even 100:1 is feasible if the theoretical design
closely approximated. Radiation pattern may be bidirectional and unidirectional of low to moderate
gain.
A broadband antenna that is designed to provide such electrical characteristics that vary
repeatedly in a periodic manner with logarithmic of the frequency of operation is known as Log
Periodic Antenna. This means in this antenna; the impedance and radiation pattern are the factors
that are logarithm function of the frequency.

Impedance and radiation characteristics repeat periodically. In practice, the variations over the
frequency band of operation are minor, and log-periodic antennas are usually considered to be
frequency-independent antennas.
Construction & Working of Log-periodic Antenna
The construction and operation of a log-periodic antenna is similar to that of a Yagi-Uda
antenna. The main advantage of this antenna is that it exhibits constant characteristics over a desired
frequency range of operation. It has the same radiation resistance and therefore the same SWR. The
gain and front-to-back ratio are also the same.

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 Log Periodic Antennas

Log periodic is a broadband multi element, directional, narrow beam antenna that has impedance and
radiation characteristics that are regularly repetitive as a logarithmic function of the excitation
frequency. That is why it is known as log-periodic.

The log periodic dipole array consists of a number of dipole elements. These progressively reduce in
size from the back to the front – the direction of maximum radiation is from the smaller front. Each
dipole element of the LPDA is fed, but the phase is reversed between adjacent dipole elements – this
ensures that the signal phasing is correct between the different elements. It also means that a feeder is
required along the length of the antenna. Normally this is arranged so that it forms part of the
mechanical structure of the array.Not all the antenna array is active at any given frequency. The
active region, i.e. the sections of the antenna that are contributing to the transmission or reception
vary with frequency, and only about three may really contribute to the radiation at any given
frequency. There is also a smooth transition of the active region of the LPDA along the array as the
frequency of operation changes.
The element at the back of the array where the elements are the largest is a half wavelength at
the lowest frequency of operation - the longest element acts as a half wave dipole at the lowest
frequency. The element spacing also decrease towards the front of the array where the smallest
elements are located. The upper frequency is a function of the length of the shortest element.
The physical structure and electrical characteristics, when observed, are repetitive in nature.
The array consists of dipoles of different lengths and spacing, which are fed from a two-wire
transmission line.

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 Log Periodic Antennas

A coaxial transmission line is run through the inside of one of the feed conductors. The outer
conductor of the coax is attached to that conductor and the inner conductor of the coax is connected to
the other conductor of the LPDA transmission line.
The log periodic dipole array, LPDA is generally able to operate over a frequency range of
around 2:1 and provide forward gain over a dipole. Like the Yagi antenna it exhibits forward gain and
has a high front to back ratio, but the LPDA is able to operate over a much wider bandwidth and will
have a lower gain for an equivalent number of elements. In operation the radiation pattern of the
LPDA design remains broadly the same over the whole of the operating band. In addition to this
parameters like the radiation resistance and reflected power as indicated by the standing wave ratio.

This line is transposed between each adjacent pair of dipoles. The dipole lengths and
separations are related by the formula –

From above equation we get Number of dipoles used.

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 Log Periodic Antennas

Then length of longest dipole is given by

we can find remaining lengths of dipole.

Bandwidth offered by Log periodic antenna is

a. Included Transmission Line Region (Inactive region, L< λ/2, Elements are high capacitive
impedance)
b. Loaded Transmission Line Region (L= λ/2)
c. Active Region (L = λ/2, Elements are resistive in nature, Elements current are large and in phase
with base voltage. The current just below resonance is slightly leading and above resonance are
slightly lagging)
d. Reflective Region (Inactive Region, L>λ/2, Impedance becomes inductive, causing the currents in
the elements to lag the base voltage.)

Active region towards the apex angle i.e towards the shorter length is higher frequency, at middle
for Intermediate frequency and near longest elements for lowest frequencies. The LPDA is a backfire
array. i.e., the maximum radiation occurs at the feed side (small end) of the antenna. ) are used. For
a compact LPDA, larger values of  (smaller ) are used. this leads to fewer dipole elements. A
trade-off is larger variations in the input impedance and lower directivity (gain). Smaller values of 
(larger ) LPDA designs have more elements that are spaced more closely . This yields a larger
LPDA. A benefit is that more elements fall in the active region with the result being smaller
variations in the input impedance and higher directivity (gain).
General Characteristics of LPDA
 LPA is excited from the shorter length side or high frequency side for one active region LPA 
and at the center for two active region LPA. They are fed by a balanced two wire transmission
line.
 There are an infinite variety of LP structures possible but not all structures would be
frequency independent. A successful and most practical structures are few. Broad band will be
with those LPAs which have small variation in periodicity properties.
 For unidirectional LPA the structure fires in backward direction (toward shorter element) 
and forward radiation is very small or zero (towards right). For bidirectional LPA the
maximum radiation is in broadside direction i.e normal to the surface of antenna.

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 Log Periodic Antennas

 Transmission line inactive region (between active and vertex) must have proper 
characteristic impedance with negligible radiation. In active region currents magnitude and
phasing should be proper so that strong radiation occur along backward direction and zero or
negligible radiation along forward direction (in case of unidirectional) and broadside for
bidirectional.
 In inactive reflective region there should be rapid decay of current within this range for a 
successful F.I antenna i.e. here the structure should be truncated, effectively.
Advantages
The following are the advantages of Log-periodic antennas
 The antenna design is compact.
 Gain and radiation pattern are varied according to the requirements.
 It provides adjustable gain according to the requirement.
 These offer negligible loss of power when terminated.

Disadvantages
The following are the disadvantages of Log-periodic antennas
 The mounting platform must be of sufficient strength to hold the elements.
 It is quite expensive than other antennas.

Applications
 The following are the applications of Log-periodic antennas
 Used for HF communications.
 Used for particular sort of TV receptions.
 Used for all round monitoring in higher frequency bands.

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