Antenna Design
What's an Antenna
An antenna is a crucial electronic device that serves as the interface between electric
currents and electromagnetic waves. It converts alternating electric current into radio
waves for transmission and vice versa for reception. Antennas are fundamental
components in various communication systems, including radio, television, and radar
technologies.
Functionality of Antennas
1. Transmission: When used for transmission, an antenna receives electric current
from a transmitter and radiates this energy as electromagnetic waves into the
surrounding space. This process allows signals to be sent over distances without
physical connections.
2. Reception: In reception mode, an antenna intercepts incoming electromagnetic
waves and converts them back into electric currents. This current is then processed
by a receiver to extract the transmitted information, such as audio or video
signals123
Properties of Antennas
Conversion should be as efficient as possible
Match the impedance of the transmission line to that of the unbounded medium
Prevent unwanted reflections back to the load
Focus radiation in the direction required
Needs change in the velocity of charges carried in the antenna for radiation to
occur
Antenna material, shape and size impact the radiation and impedance
The dimension of an antenna is measured in units of the wavelength λ of the
carrier.
Reciprocity
It is the ability to use the same antenna for both transmitting and receiving. The
electrical characteristics of an antenna apply equally, regardless of whether you use the
antenna for transmitting or receiving. The more efficient an antenna is for transmitting a
certain frequency, the more efficient it will be as a receiving antenna for the same
frequency.
An antenna exhibits identical impedance during Transmission or Reception, same
directional patterns during Transmission or Reception, same effective height while
transmitting or receiving. Transmission and reception antennas can be used
interchangeably. Medium must be linear, passive and isotropic (physical properties are
the same in different directions).
Directivity
Directivity of an antenna or array is a measure of the antenna's ability to focus the
energy in one or more specific directions. You can determine an antenna's directivity by
looking at its radiation pattern. In an array propagating a given amount of energy, more
radiation takes place in certain directions than in others. The elements in the array can
be arranged so they change the pattern and distribute the energy more evenly in all
directions. The opposite is also possible. The elements can be arranged so the radiated
energy is focused in one direction. The elements can be considered as a group of
antennas fed from a common source. It is defined as the ratio of maximum radiation
intensity of subject or test antenna to the radiation intensity of an isotropic antenna.
Directivity is defined as the ratio of maximum radiation intensity to the average radiation
intensity. Directivity (D) in terms of total power radiated is,
From the field point of view, the most important quantitative information on the antenna
is the directivity, which is a measure of the concentration of radiated power in a
particular direction. It 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 radiated power divided by 4π. If the direction is
not specified, the direction of maximum radiation is implied.
Isotropic Antenna
Radiation propagates equally in all directions
“Ideal” – does not exist
Antenna Gain
Gain is a parameter which measures the degree of directivity of the antenna's radiation
pattern. A high-gain antenna will preferentially radiate in a particular direction.
Specifically, the antenna gain, or power gain of an antenna is defined as the ratio of the
intensity (power per unit surface) radiated by the antenna in the direction of its
maximum output, at an arbitrary distance, divided by the intensity radiated at the same
distance by a hypothetical isotropic antenna.
The Gain G of an Antenna is an actual or realized quantity which is less than Directivity
D due to ohmic losses in the antenna. Mismatch in feeding the antenna also reduces
gain.
Radiation Pattern
The relative distribution of radiated power as a function of direction in space is called
the radiation pattern of the antenna. Instead of 3D surface, it is common practice to
show planar cross section radiation pattern. E-plane and H-plane patterns give two
most important views.
The E-plane pattern is a view obtained from a section containing maximum value of the
radiated field and electric field lies in the plane of the section. Similarly when such a
section is taken such that the plane of the section contains H field and the direction of
maximum radiation
The main lobe contains the direction of maximum radiation. However in some antennas,
more than one major lobe may exist. Lobe other than major lobe are called minor lobes.
Minor lobes can be further represent radiation in the considered direction and require to
be minimized. HPBW or half power beam width refers to the angular width between the
points at which the radiated power per unit area is one half of the maximum or 3dB
down from maximum power.
Antenna Impedance, Radiation Resistance
It is a part of antennas feed point resistance that is caused by the radiation of
electromagnetic waves from the antenna. Physically it is not available so it is virtual
resistance represented as Rr. So the radiation resistance of an antenna is a good
indicator of the strength of the electromagnetic field radiated by a transmitting antenna
or being received by a receiving antenna.
The antenna shows impedance at its input terminals consisting of a resistive and a
reactive part. The real part is responsible for radiation and power loss.
Z = R + jX
The antenna dissipates the power fed to it. If the radiated power and the dissipated
power are respectively represented by W r and W l , then the total power W t consumed
by the antenna can be expressed as:
Wt = Wr + Wl
If I is the current flowing through the antenna at its terminals then we may express the
total power W t consumed by the antenna is given as:
W t = I ²(Rr + Rl)
Here, Rr is a fictitious resistance that would consume the amount of power lost as
radiation. It is known as radiation resistance. Rl is a resistance that would consume the
amount of power lost as heat. It is called the loss resistance. For an ideal antenna, Rl =
0
Types of Antennas
1. Dipole Antenna
2. Folded Dipole Antenna
3. Yagi-Uda Antenna
4. Monopole Antenna
5 Microstrip Patch Antenna
