Antennas Types
Antennas Types
Application note
Antenna selection guidelines
By Placido De Vita
Introduction
The antenna is a very important component of communication systems. By definition, an
antenna is a device used to transform an RF signal, travelling on a conductor, into an
electromagnetic wave in free space (transmit mode), and to transform an RF
electromagnetic wave into an electrical signal (receive mode).
The choice of antenna is very important for a transmitting - receiving communication
system. The antenna must be able to radiate or receive efficiently so the power supplied is
not wasted.
This application note describes the most important parameters to consider when deciding
what kind of antenna to use in a short range device application.
In the first section of this application note the antenna theory is covered. The main antenna
parameters such as radiation pattern, gain, impedance matching, bandwidth, size and
others are discussed.
In the second part of this document different antenna types are presented.
Contents
1 Antenna theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1 Antenna and radiation pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1.1 Isotropic, directional and omnidirectional patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1.2 Principal patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1.3 Field regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.1.4 Radiation pattern lobes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 Radiation density and intensity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.3 Directivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.4 Antenna gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.5 Antenna efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.6 Antenna bandwidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.7 Antenna polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.8 Input impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.9 Effective isotropic radiated power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4 Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
List of figures
1 Antenna theory
Antenna performance parameters and the language used to describe antennas can be
confusing and sometimes even misleading. While much can be said in general about what
constitutes a good antenna, most designs reflect some sort of compromise or trade-off
between the various desirable attributes because antenna design involves conflicting goals.
Therefore, it is crucial that antenna specifications are reviewed in light of the intended
application. A more complete and accurate understanding of the terminology associated
with antennas allows the most appropriate antenna for a given task to be specified. A great
deal of effort has been made over the years to standardize antenna terminology. The “de
facto” standard is the IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antenna, so in this document
the main antenna parameters as defined in this standard are given.
The purpose of this document is to give a brief and easy description of antenna parameters.
For a complete and rigorous description of antenna behavior, the reader is requested to
refer to the book “Antenna theory: analysis and design” [1].
AM14796v1
In most cases, the radiation pattern is determined in the far field region and is represented
as a function of the directional coordinates. That is, in spherical coordinates the distribution
of the quantity over Θ and Φ for fixed radius (see Figure 1).
The interpretation of an antenna's radiation pattern can become problematic because of the
three-dimensional nature of the information. The complexity of a three-dimensional plot of a
AM14797v1
AM16434V1
AM16435V1
AM14798v1
1.3 Directivity
Directivity of an antenna is defined as the ratio of the radiation intensity in a given direction
from the antenna to the radiation intensity averaged over all directions. The average
radiation intensity is equal to the total power radiated by the antenna divided by 4Π. If the
direction is not specified, the direction of maximum radiation intensity is implied.
For an isotropic source, it is very obvious that the directivity is unity since its power is
radiated equally well in all directions. For all other sources, the maximum directivity is
always greater than unity. It is a relative “figure of merit” which gives an indication of the
directional properties of the antenna as compared with those of an isotropic source.
greater the energy transmitted or received. According to the IEEE standard, gain doesn't
include losses arising from impedance mismatches (reflection losses) and polarization
mismatch (losses). This means, therefore, that the gain takes into account only the loss of
the dielectric and conduction system of the same antenna. The reflection losses and the
polarization mismatch are very important losses and they need to be included in the link
calculation of a communication system to determine the received or radiated power.
Equation 1
ηO = ηr ⋅ ηc ⋅ ηd
where:
ηo = total efficiency (dimensionless)
ηr = reflection (mismatch) efficiency = (1 - |Γ |2) (dimensionless)
ηc = conduction efficiency (dimensionless)
ηd = dielectric efficiency (dimensionless)
Γ = voltage reflection coefficient at the input terminal of the antenna [Γ = (Zin - Zo)/(Zin + Zo)
where Zin = antenna input impedance, Zo = characteristic impedance of the transmission
line].
Usually ηc and ηd are very difficult to compute.
The radiation efficiency is rarely, if ever, published in any antenna manufacturer's literature.
There are several reasons for this: first, radiation efficiency is exceedingly difficult to
measure accurately. Second, the radiation efficiency of an antenna is implicitly contained in
the complete specifications of the gain of an antenna.
application. Usually there is a distinction made between pattern and input impedance
variations. Accordingly, pattern bandwidth and impedance bandwidth are used to
emphasize this distinction. Associated with pattern bandwidth are gain, side lobe level, and
polarization, while input impedance and radiation efficiency are related to impedance
bandwidth.
AM14799v1
AM16400v1
If the polarization of the receiving antenna is not the same as the polarization of the
incoming (incident) wave, the power extracted from the incoming signal is not maximum
because of the polarization loss. It is very important in a communication system to use
antenna with the same polarization and placed physically in such a way as to not change
their characteristics. If the antennas are linear polarized, do not place the two antennas
orthogonally relative to one another, if the antennas are circular polarized, use both
antennas or right polarized or left polarized.
In Table 1 the ratio from the power received from a receiver antenna and the maximum
power transmitted from a transmit antenna as a function of the polarization is shown. If the
antennas are the same, all the transmitted power is received, if the antennas are opposite,
for instance vertical in TX and horizontal in RX, the power received is zero.
Vertical Vertical 1 0
Vertical 45 or 135 degree ½ -3
Vertical Horizontal 0 -∞
Vertical Circular (right or left) ½ -3
Horizontal Horizontal 1 0
Horizontal 45 or 135 degree ½ -3
Horizontal Circular (right or left) ½ -3
Circular (right-hand) Circular (right-hand) 1 0
Circular (right-hand) Circular (left-hand) 0 -∞
Circular (right or left) 45 or 135 degree ½ -3
Equation 2
Γ = ( Zinput – Zo ) ⁄ ( Z input + Z o )
where:
Zinput = antenna's complex input impedance
Z0 = source/system impedance
The power reflected is equal to the incident (forward) power multiplied by the square of the
magnitude of the complex input reflection coefficient. The reflected power is the fraction of
the total power provided to the antenna that returns to the load.
The quality of the input impedance match of the antenna is generally specified by one of two
parameters: return loss or standing wave ratio (SWR), sometimes called voltage standing
wave ration (VSWR). The return loss indicates how much of the incident power is not
reflected or doesn't return from a load. It is the square of the magnitude of the reflection
coefficient, usually expressed in logarithmical form as:
Equation 3
R.L. = 20log 10 ( |Γ | )
For instance, a return loss of -3.0103 dB indicates that half of the incident power is reflected.
Usually a return loss lower than -10 dB is acceptable for a good matching, in this case less
than 1% of the signal is reflected.
The standing wave ratio is defined as the ratio of voltage, minimum to maximum, on the
input transmission line. It is defined as:
Equation 4
VSWR = ( 1 + |Γ | ) ⁄ ( 1 – |Γ | )
One utility in the VSWR for describing input matching is that while the magnitude of the
reflection coefficient ranges from 0 to –infinity in logarithmical form, the magnitude of the
VSWR ranges from 1 to infinity in linear form. The VSWR then is particularly useful for
describing input match when the match is not very good. A VSWR of 5.83 corresponds to -
3.01 dB return loss. A good matched antenna is one that has a VSWR lower than 2.
Equation 5
EIRP = P t – L + G
In built-up areas, regulations may restrict the EIRP of a transmitter to prevent exposure of
personnel to a high power electromagnetic field; however, the EIRP is normally restricted to
minimize interference to services on similar frequencies.
For wireless communication systems, the antenna is one of the most critical components. A
good design of the antenna can relax system requirements and improve overall system
performance. A typical example is a TV, for which the overall broadcast reception can be
improved by utilizing a high performance antenna.
A good antenna requires it to be the right type for the application. It must also be matched
and tuned to the transmitter and receiver.
An introduction and brief discussion of some forms of the various antenna types that can be
used for low power applications is given here.
AM16401v1
AM16402v1
When the frequency is quite low, the wavelength becomes very long, so the half-wave dipole
antenna is unpracticable. In this case a short dipole antenna can be used.
The short dipole antenna is the simplest of all the antennas. It is an open circuited wire fed
at its center. The word short always implies relative to a wavelength. So the absolute size of
the above dipole antenna does not matter, only the size of the wire relative to the
wavelength of the frequency of the operation is important. Typically, a dipole is short if its
length is less than a tenth of a wavelength.
The directivity of the center fed short dipole antenna depends only on the sin of the polar
angle component. It is calculated to be 1.76 dB, which is very low for realizable antennas.
The polarization of the short dipole antenna is linear, as for all dipole type antennas. When
evaluated in the x-y plane, this antenna is described as vertically polarized, because the E-
field is vertically oriented.
length used is one-quarter of the wavelength, called a quarter-wave whip. Half-wave whip
antennas are also common.
A quarter-wave whip antenna has a gain 3 dB (twice in linear) greater than a half-dipole if
mounted above a perfect ground plane. The quarter-wave monopole antenna design and
implementation is shown in Figure 10.
Radiation is maximum when broadside, or perpendicular to a wire, so a vertical whip is ideal
communication in any direction except straight up. The radiation pattern perpendicular to the
whip can be described as omnidirectional. However, the direction of peak radiation has
changed from the x-y plane to an angle elevated from the plane. There is a “null”, or signal
minimum, at the end of the whip.
The whip antenna polarization is vertical, even though, in the real environment, metal
objects and the ground cause reflections, and may cause both horizontal and vertical
polarized signal to be present.
AM16404v1
feeding point towards the end. The inverted-F antenna is an inverted-L antenna with a
feeding tap that gives larger antenna impedance. If the antenna is tapped at the right
location, no additional matching circuit is required.
AM16406v1
AM16436v1
its circumference approaches one free space wavelength, the maximum of the patterns
shifts from the plane of the loop to the axis of the loop which is perpendicular to its plane.
The radiation resistance of the loop can be increased, and made comparable to the
characteristic impedance of the practical transmission line, by increasing (electrically) its
perimeter. Another way to increase the radiation resistance of the loop is to insert, within its
circumferences or perimeter, a ferrite core of very high permeability which raises the
magnetic field intensity and hence the radiation resistance. This form is called ferrite loop.
The loop is entirely different from a monopole, in that both ends of the antenna are
terminated. In this case, the end that is opposite the transmitter (or receiver) is grounded. A
capacitor is used to tune the antenna to real impedance, instead of a coil.
One advantage of a loop is that it is not easily detuned by nearby hand movements. A
disadvantage of loop antennas, besides the poor gain, is the narrow bandwidth which
makes tuning extremely critical.
Equation 6
r = R aφ
0e
where:
R0 = constant that controls the initial radius of the spiral antenna
a = parameter that controls the rate at which the spiral antenna grows
AM16437v1
AM16438v1
The total length of the spiral (or the outer radius) determines the lowest frequency of
operation for the spiral antenna. The lowest operating frequency of the spiral antenna is
commonly approximated to occur when the wavelength is equal to the circumference of the
spiral.
The ‘a’ parameter, called flare rate, is the rate at which the spiral grows with angle. If it is too
small, the spiral is tightly wrapped around itself: in this case it behaves more like a capacitor
giving poor radiation.
The feed structure determines the high end of the operating band. How tightly the spiral can
be wrapped in on itself determines how small the wavelength can be that fits on the spiral
and still maintains spiral antenna operation. The highest frequency in the spiral antenna's
operating band occurs when the innermost radius of the spiral is equal to lambda/4.
The total length of the spiral (or the outer radius) determines the lowest frequency of
operation for the spiral antenna. The lowest operating frequency of the spiral antenna is
commonly approximated to occur when the wavelength is equal to the circumference of the
spiral.
The ‘a’ parameter, called flare rate, is the rate at which the spiral grows with angle. If it is too
small, the spiral is tightly wrapped around itself: in this case it behaves more like a capacitor
giving poor radiation.
The feed structure determines the high end of the operating band. How tightly the spiral can
be wrapped in on itself determines how small the wavelength can be that fits on the spiral
and still maintains spiral antenna operation. The highest frequency in the spiral antenna's
operating band occurs when the innermost radius of the spiral is equal to lambda/4.
AM16439v1
AM16440v1
An example of a microstrip antenna is shown in Figure 17. The patch antenna, microstrip
transmission line and ground plane are made of high conductivity metal. The patch is of
length L, width W, and sitting on top of a substrate of the thickness h with permittivity ε r.
Typically, the thickness h is much smaller than the wavelength of operation, but not much
smaller than 0.05 of a wavelength. The length L determines the operative frequency; the
width W controls the input impedance. Larger widths can also increase the bandwidth. The
width also controls the radiation pattern. The directivity of patch antennas is approximately 5
- 7 dB.
The patch elements radiate primarily linearly polarized waves if conventional feeds are used
with no modification. However, circular and elliptical polarizations can be obtained using
various feed arrangements or slight modifications. Figure 18 shows an example of a patch
antenna designed at 5.8 GHz left-hand circular polarized used for the Italian and European
toll payment systems.
L
Microstrip
Transmission
line
W
εr
Substrate
AM16441v1
AM16442v1
AM16443v1
AM16444v1
After the antenna theory, where the most important parameters of the antennas have been
covered, and after the description of the main types of antennas that can be used in the sub-
GHz bandwidth, a description of the main advantages and disadvantages of each antenna
is shown here.
● Dipole antenna: this antenna is a very simple chip and presents a good gain. The main
disadvantage is the large size at low frequency.
● Whip antenna: this antenna presents good performance with a size lower than a dipole
antenna. A good ground plane is necessary to achieve good performance.
● Loop antenna: loop antennas are cheap and not easily detuned by nearby hand
movements. They have the disadvantage of having poor gain, to be very narrowband
and are difficult to tune.
● Spiral antenna: spiral antennas have a size lower than a whip antenna and are
wideband. On the negative side, these types of antennas are difficult to feed.
● Helical antenna: helical antennas are very directive and have good gain. However, they
have a bulky size and are easily detuned by nearby objects.
● Microstrip antenna: microstrip antennas have the advantage of being very cheap and
have a simple and thin structure. As a negative, they are very large at low frequency.
● Ceramic antenna: ceramic antennas have the advantage of being separate
components, have a small size and are less affected by environmental factors. The
main disadvantages are the high cost, the medium performance and the matching
function of the PCB size and shape of the ground plane.
● Slot antenna: slot antennas have the advantage of size, design simplicity, robustness
and convenient adaption to mass production. The main disadvantage is the big
dimension for low frequency that makes the slot antenna difficult to manage for
frequencies lower than 433 MHz.
The antenna advantages and disadvantages are summarized in Table 2.
4 Reference
1. C. A. Balanis, Antenna theory: analysis and design, Second Edition, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., New York, 1997.
5 Revision history
Information in this document is provided solely in connection with ST products. STMicroelectronics NV and its subsidiaries (“ST”) reserve the
right to make changes, corrections, modifications or improvements, to this document, and the products and services described herein at any
time, without notice.
All ST products are sold pursuant to ST’s terms and conditions of sale.
Purchasers are solely responsible for the choice, selection and use of the ST products and services described herein, and ST assumes no
liability whatsoever relating to the choice, selection or use of the ST products and services described herein.
No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any intellectual property rights is granted under this document. If any part of this
document refers to any third party products or services it shall not be deemed a license grant by ST for the use of such third party products
or services, or any intellectual property contained therein or considered as a warranty covering the use in any manner whatsoever of such
third party products or services or any intellectual property contained therein.
UNLESS OTHERWISE SET FORTH IN ST’S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE ST DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE USE AND/OR SALE OF ST PRODUCTS INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE (AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS UNDER THE LAWS
OF ANY JURISDICTION), OR INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT.
UNLESS EXPRESSLY APPROVED IN WRITING BY TWO AUTHORIZED ST REPRESENTATIVES, ST PRODUCTS ARE NOT
RECOMMENDED, AUTHORIZED OR WARRANTED FOR USE IN MILITARY, AIR CRAFT, SPACE, LIFE SAVING, OR LIFE SUSTAINING
APPLICATIONS, NOR IN PRODUCTS OR SYSTEMS WHERE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY,
DEATH, OR SEVERE PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. ST PRODUCTS WHICH ARE NOT SPECIFIED AS "AUTOMOTIVE
GRADE" MAY ONLY BE USED IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AT USER’S OWN RISK.
Resale of ST products with provisions different from the statements and/or technical features set forth in this document shall immediately void
any warranty granted by ST for the ST product or service described herein and shall not create or extend in any manner whatsoever, any
liability of ST.
Information in this document supersedes and replaces all information previously supplied.
The ST logo is a registered trademark of STMicroelectronics. All other names are the property of their respective owners.