Antenna

An antenna is an electronic device (transducer) which converts electrical energy into

electromagnetic energy and vice versa. It converts Radio Frequency (RF) Waves into Alternating
Current (AC) and Vice Versa. Receiving antenna receives the radio transmission waves and
transmission antenna delivers the radio transmission waves. They are used in wireless network
communication. Such as satellite.
It is constituent of metallic conductors having an electrical connection to transmit. Current
is forced to by transmitters and creates alternating electromagnetic fields inducing voltage at the
terminals. Thus, the signal propagates the long distances.

Fig. 1: Electronic Symbol for an Antenna

RLC Circuit
A RLC Circuit (Resonant or Tuned Circuit) is an electrical circuit constituent of Resistor
(R), Inductor (L) and Capacitor (C) connected in series or parallel. Whereas RLC represents the
letters used to denote the components used in this circuit.

Parallel RLC Circuit

Practically, Parallel RLC Circuits are mostly used in communication networks. Such as
radio. It produces large amplified voltage amplification over a narrow band of signal frequencies.
Enabling us to tune to stations at different frequencies. When dealing with parallel RLC circuits
with ideal sources, the circuit diagram is drawn as:

Fig. 2 Circuit Diagram of Parallel RLC CKT

Series RLC Circuit
Practically, Series RLC Circuits are mostly used as resonant circuits as noise filters and for
receiving different frequency channels in radio. Where the term resonance may be explained as a
phenomenon occurring when the frequencies of system(s) becomes equal to natural frequency
(frequency at which a system tends to oscillate without any driving force). It causes the system to
oscillate. When dealing with series RLC circuits with ideal sources, the circuit diagram is drawn
as:

Fig. 3 Circuit Diagram of Series RLC CKT

Behavior of an Antenna with respect to RLC

When we deal with the construction of Antennas, we come to know that a dipole tuned
antenna can be considered as RLC Circuit. As shown in fig 4 below.

Fig. 4: a diagram to show how an antenna

behaves like RLC CKT.

Thus, RLC Circuits have direct relation with the Antenna. The behavior of an Antenna with respect
to RLC depends upon various things. So, to understand the behavior, we need to have some
knowledge of useful terms such as: phasor, resistance, reactance, impedance, conductance,
susceptance & admittance.
 Phasor: It is a complex number used to represent a sinusoidal wave, taking into account of both
the amplitude and phase angle. It has real and imaginary parts.
 Resistance: It is the property or ability of a material that resist the flow of current.
 Reactance: It is a property of conductor/inductor which resists the flow of current according to
the applied frequency.
 Impedance: It is the circuit’s total resistance to the flow of current. In phasor, Resistance is the
real part and reactance is the imaginary part of impedance.
 Conductance: It is a property or ability of a material that allows the flow of current.
 Susceptance: It is reciprocal of reactance.
 Admittance: It is inverse of Impedance. In phasor, Conductance is the real part and Susceptance
is the imaginary part of Admittance.
 Now, looking at the behavior of an Antenna with respect to RLC Circuit, we see that the
input impedance of an antenna near series resonance (the point where the inductive and capacitive
reactance or susceptance cancel out each other) can be modeled as a series RLC lumped circuit.
At resonance, the imaginary parts of the series impedances cancel each other. Consequently, only
the real part of the RLC circuit contributes to the antenna input impedance. On the other hand, near
a parallel resonance, the antenna input impedance can be modeled as a parallel RLC lumped
circuit. At resonance, the imaginary parts of the parallel admittances cancel each other.
Consequently, only the real part of the RLC circuit contributes to the antenna input impedance.
Whereas, voltage controlled capacitors (varactors) are now used in RLC to tune the
frequency allowing to tune many radios, television sets and cellular telephones. This operation is
performed in reverse-biased state. In which, no DC current flows through the device. At this time,
change in the voltage results in the change of capacitance. Thus, it tunes the frequency.
Therefore, Antennas are modeled with the appropriate use of RLC circuit. RLC Circuits
are essential tools to be used for the enhancement in Antenna.