Antenna

Definition
An antenna is a specialized transducer that converts radio
frequency (RF) fields into electric power or vice-versa.
Directive Gain is the ratio of the power density in a
particular direction of one antenna to the power density
that would be radiated by an omnidirectional (isotropic)
antenna.
Directivity (Power Gain) is the power ratio between an
omnidirectional and omnidirectional radiator to produce
the same amount of power density at a point.

Definition
Field Intensity is the amount of voltage induced in a wire
antenna 1 meter long, located at that given point.
Radiation Resistance is equal to the ratio of the power
radiated by the antenna to the square of the current at the
feed point.
Bandwidth is the range of frequencies the antenna will radiate
effectively.
Beamwidth is the angular width measured between halfpower points in the main lobe of the antenna pattern.
Polarization is the direction (orientation) of the E field portion of
the TEM radiated by the antenna.

Antenna Considerations
Antenna Design
Antenna Tuning
Antenna Matching
Lightning Protection

Antenna Design
Dipole-The Basic Antenna
Bandwidth
Antenna Patterns
Gain

Converting a Transmission Line into an Antenna

Bending at right angles produces
an efficient radiator

Magnetic fields now support each other

Optimum radiation occurs

when the length is 1/2 of a
wavelength

Antenna Design
Half-Wave Dipole and the Folded Dipole

Antenna Design
The Half-Wave Dipole

Antenna gain (G)

A dipole antenna gain is 1.64
10log10 (1.64) 2.15 dBi

A half-wave dipole antenna has a power

gain of 1.64 (or 2.15 dB) over an isotropic
source.
Antenna gain relative to a dipole antenna
can be expressed in decibels as dBd.
Thus, an antenna with a gain of 3 dBd
would have a gain of 5.15 dBi (3 dB + 2.15
dB)

Antenna Design
Half-wave Dipole

Antenna Design
Half-Wave Dipole

Antenna Design
Dipole

-working wavelength, m
- free-space, m

f frequency, Hz
vf - velocity factor

Antenna Design
Dipole

Material

Refractive Index

Velocity Factor

Aluminum

1.44

0.694

Copper
Iron

1.1
1.51

0.909
0.662

Antenna Design
Dipole
Notes:
1. The consideration of the velocity
factor in the design is important to
make the dipole resonant.
2. If the length is longer than desired,
the antenna is inductive.
3. If the length is shorter than desired,
the antenna is capacitive.

Antenna Tuning
Def. Antenna Tuning is the process of making the antenna
impedance purely resistive

Antenna Design
Design a half-wave dipole to be used for the transmission and
reception of radio waves at 150 MHz. Use Aluminum tubing.
Solution:
3 108
3 108
=
=
=2

150 106
= = 2 0.694 = 1.388

1.388
=
=
= .
2
2

Antenna Design
Design a half-wave dipole to be used for the transmission and reception
of radio waves from 140-150 MHz. Use Copper tubing.
Solution:
3 108
3 108
=
=
= 2.070

(140106)(150106)
= = 2.070 0.909 = 1.882

1.882
=
=
= .
2
2

Bandwidth Considerations
1.Increase the element diameter-length ratio

Bandwidth Considerations
2. Use quarter-wave short-circuit stub

Bandwidth Considerations
3. Use of power divider

Antenna Patterns
1. Omnidirectional
2. Bi-directional
3. Unidirectional

BEAM-WIDTH
Beam-width of an antenna is defined as angular
separation between the two half power points on power
density radiation pattern OR
Angular separation between two 3dB down points on the
field strength of radiation pattern
It is expressed in degrees

22

BEAM-WIDTH

Antenna Patterns

Isotropic Antenna an antenna that radiates

equally in all directions

ISOTROPIC ANTENNA
Isotropic antenna or isotropic radiator is a hypothetical
(not physically realizable) concept, used as a useful
reference to describe real antennas.
Isotropic antenna radiates equally in all directions.
Its radiation pattern is represented by a sphere whose center
coincides with the location of the isotropic radiator.

25

ISOTROPIC ANTENNA
It is considered to be a point in space with no dimensions
and no mass. This antenna cannot physically exist, but is
useful as a theoretical model for comparison with all other
antennas.
Most antennas' gains are measured with reference to an
isotropic radiator, and are rated in dBi (decibels with
respect to an isotropic radiator).

26

Antenna Patterns
Bi-directional

Omni-directional

Antenna Patterns

Antenna Patterns

Unidirectional patterns

Antenna Gain
The gain of an antenna is referenced to either isotropic or
half-wave dipole
The value is expressed either as a ratio or in dB.
A half-wave dipole has a gain of 1.64 or 2.148 dBi.
A 5dBi antenna has a gain of 3.162, or 2.852 dBD.
A 5dBi antenna transmitting 100 watts can produce the
same signal level (power density) at a point produced by
an isotropic antenna transmitting a power of 316.2 watts.

Antenna Gain

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Stacking identical antennas are stacked.

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Note:
As the number of identical elements
increases the beamwidth decreases
and the number of sidelobes increases

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Determine the gain (in dBD and dBi ) of a 4-element
antenna array composed of half-wave dipoles.

Ans: 6.021 dBD and 8.169 dBi

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Signal Reinforcements

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Determine the theoretical and the actual gain of a five-foot
parabolic antenna with an efficiency of 90% when used in
a. 4 GHz and b. 12 GHz

Ans. a. 1504.28, 1353.855

b. 13210.356, 11889.321

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Signal Reinforcements

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Signal Reinforcements

Increasing the Antenna Gain

Signal Reinforcements

Antenna Matching
1. Balance to Unbalance (Balun)
2. Delta Match
3. Gamma Match

Antenna Matching
Balun

1:1

4:1

Antenna Matching
Delta Match

Note: Used only when the line is balanced

or parallel wire line

Antenna Matching
Delta Match

Antenna Matching
Gamma Match

Note: Used when the line is unbalanced or coaxial

Antenna Matching
Gamma Match

Lightning Protection

Softwares in Antenna Design

1. NEC (Numerical Electromagnetic Code)
2. An-sof
3. FEKO

Thank you

Radiation Pattern