Antenna Parameters

By Shahbaz Ali Khidri B.E-VI (E.E)

Outline
Antenna Beamwidth Antenna Bandwidth Q-function and Bandwidth Relationship

Antenna Beam Area or Beam Solid Angle

Antenna Beam Efficiency

Antenna
A device used to efficiently transmit

and/or receive electromagnetic waves.

An impedance matching device. The transitional structure between free

space and a guiding device.

Antenna

Antenna Beamwidth
Beamwidth is associated with the lobes in

the radiation pattern of antenna. The angular separation or angular distance between two identical points on the opposite sides of the main lobe. It is measured in radians or degrees. It defines the ability of the system to separate two adjacent points or targets. It is inversely proportional to the Directivity.

Half Power Beamwidth (HPBW)

The most common type of Beamwidth is

Half Power Beamwidth (HPBW). The angular distance between the half power points. The half power expressed in decibels (dB) is -3dB, so the HPBW is sometimes referred to as the 3dB Beamwidth. The voltage at half power points is 70.7%.

First Null Beamwidth (FNBW)

Another frequently used measure of

Beamwidth is the First Null Beamwidth (FNBW).

between two identical first null points on the opposite sides of the main lobe.

The angular separation or angular distance

Antenna Beamwidth

Antenna Bandwidth
The range of frequencies over which the

antenna can properly radiate or receive energy. It is typically quoted in terms of Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR). The VSWR is a measure that numerically describes how well the antenna is impedance matched to the radio or the transmission line it is connected to.

Antenna Bandwidth
The smaller the VSWR is; the better the

antenna is matched to the transmission line and the more power is delivered to the antenna.

Antenna Bandwidth

Q-function and Bandwidth Relationship

The concept of Q-factor is used to

describe the antenna as resonator. A high Q-factor means a sharp resonance and narrow bandwidth.

fr= Resonant Frequency, f= Bandwidth

Q-function and Bandwidth Relationship

Q-factor depends upon the applications. In Circuit Design we want elements to have

a high Q-factor in order to reduce the circuit loss. In Antenna we want a low Q-factor because a low Q-factor antenna is easier to match and tune, and have a wider bandwidth. The smaller the bandwidth of antenna, the higher value of Q-factor.

Q-function and Bandwidth Relationship

Q-function and Bandwidth Relationship

There is a theoretical limit for the

minimum Q-value of antenna. If the antenna is placed inside a sphere of radius a, then the minimum Q-value is:

Qmin=1/(ka)

Antenna Beam Area or Beam Solid Angle

Angle: Transverse distance at a distance. Solid Angle: Transverse area at a distance.

Antenna Beam Area or Beam Solid Angle

The two dimensional angle or area of the

main beam of antenna through which all of the antenna power would flow with the maximum radiation intensity.

Antenna Beam Area or Beam Solid Angle

Antenna Beam Area or Beam Solid Angle

Antenna Beam Efficiency

The total beam area or beam solid angle

A consists of the main beam area or solid angle M plus the minor-lobe area or solid angle m. A = M + m. The ratio of the main beam area M to the total beam area A is called as main beam efficiency or beam efficiency M. M = M / A.

Antenna Beam Efficiency

The ratio of the minor-lobe area m to the m = m / A. M + m = 1.

total beam area A is called as stray factor.

Antenna Beam Efficiency

It is also defined as the ratio between the

energy received through the main beam and the total energy received by the antenna.