Helix Antenna Performance Analysis –
MATLAB Code (Axial Mode)
This document provides ready-to-run MATLAB code to analyze an axial-mode helix
antenna. Given frequency and geometry (circumference C, turn spacing S, and number of
turns N), the scripts estimate key performance parameters using standard Kraus-style
approximations, plot the main-beam radiation pattern, and explore sweeps over
turns/frequency.
Included:
• Core parameter calculator (gain, directivity, HPBW, FNBW, pitch angle, input impedance,
axial ratio)
• Pattern model (Gaussian main lobe fitted to HPBW) and polar plots
• VSWR vs 50 Ω estimate and return loss
• Design sweeps vs N and frequency
Assumptions follow classic axial-mode design ranges: C ≈ (0.8–1.2)·λ, S ≈ (0.2–0.3)·λ, N ≈ 3–
15.
Demo Script
% ===============================================
% demo_helix_performance.m
% Axial-mode helix antenna performance analysis
% ===============================================
clear; clc; close all;
% --------- User Inputs ---------
f0 = 1.5e9; % Operating frequency (Hz)
eta_rad = 0.9; % Radiation efficiency (0..1)
N = 8; % Number of turns
lambda = physconst('LightSpeed')/f0;
% Geometry (choose C ~ 1*lambda; S ~ 0.25*lambda)
C = 1.0*lambda; % Circumference (m) -> D = C/pi
S = 0.25*lambda; % Turn spacing (m)
Z0 = 50; % System impedance (ohms)
% --------- Compute Parameters ---------
hp = helix_params_axial(f0, C, S, N, eta_rad);
disp(hp);
% --------- Pattern (Gaussian main lobe) ---------
theta = linspace(0,180,721); % degrees
[Gt_lin, Gt_dBi] = helix_pattern_gaussian(theta, hp.HPBW_deg,
hp.Gmax_dBi);
figure;
plot(theta, Gt_dBi); grid on;
xlabel('\theta (deg)'); ylabel('Gain (dBi)'); title('Axial-Mode Helix
Gain vs \theta (Gaussian model)');
% Polar plot (in dB, 0..180 mirrored to full 0..360 for visualization)
theta_full = linspace(0,360,1441);
theta_half = mod(theta_full,360); theta_half(theta_half>180) = 360-
theta_half(theta_half>180);
[~, GdB_half] = helix_pattern_gaussian(theta_half, hp.HPBW_deg,
hp.Gmax_dBi);
figure;
polarplot(deg2rad(theta_full), 10.^(GdB_half/20)); % magnitude-like
polar
title('Helix Main-Lobe Shape (proxy magnitude)');
% --------- VSWR estimate vs 50 ohm ---------
[RL_dB, VSWR, Gamma] = match_metrics(hp.Zin_ohm, Z0);
fprintf('Return Loss = %.2f dB, VSWR = %.2f, |Gamma| = %.3f\n', RL_dB,
VSWR, abs(Gamma));
% --------- Sweeps ---------
% Sweep number of turns (gain & HPBW)
Ns = 3:1:16;
GdBi_vsN = zeros(size(Ns));
HPBW_vsN = zeros(size(Ns));
for k=1:numel(Ns)
tmp = helix_params_axial(f0, C, S, Ns(k), eta_rad);
GdBi_vsN(k) = tmp.Gmax_dBi;
HPBW_vsN(k) = tmp.HPBW_deg;
end
figure;
yyaxis left; plot(Ns, GdBi_vsN,'-o'); ylabel('Gain (dBi)'); grid on;
yyaxis right; plot(Ns, HPBW_vsN,'-s'); ylabel('HPBW (deg)');
xlabel('Number of turns N'); title('Effect of N on Gain and HPBW');
% Frequency sweep with fixed geometry
fs = linspace(0.8*f0, 1.2*f0, 41);
GdBi_vsF = zeros(size(fs)); HPBW_vsF = zeros(size(fs));
for k=1:numel(fs)
tmp = helix_params_axial(fs(k), C, S, N, eta_rad);
GdBi_vsF(k) = tmp.Gmax_dBi;
HPBW_vsF(k) = tmp.HPBW_deg;
end
figure;
subplot(2,1,1); plot(fs/1e9, GdBi_vsF); grid on; ylabel('Gain (dBi)');
title('Frequency Sensitivity (geometry fixed)');
subplot(2,1,2); plot(fs/1e9, HPBW_vsF); grid on; xlabel('Frequency
(GHz)'); ylabel('HPBW (deg)');
Core Parameter Calculator (Kraus approximations)
function hp = helix_params_axial(f, C, S, N, eta_rad)
% helix_params_axial
% Axial-mode helix approximations (Kraus-style)
% Inputs:
% f : frequency (Hz)
% C, S : circumference (m), turn spacing (m)
% N : number of turns
% eta_rad : radiation efficiency (0..1), default 1
% Outputs (struct hp):
% lambda, D (diameter), alpha (pitch angle, deg), L (total length)
% Dmax_lin, Gmax_dBi
% HPBW_deg, FNBW_deg
% Zin_ohm (input resistance estimate), AR_dB (axial ratio near
boresight)
if nargin<5 || isempty(eta_rad), eta_rad = 1; end
c0 = physconst('LightSpeed');
lambda = c0/f;
D = C/pi;
alpha = atan(S/C); % radians
L = N*S;
% --- Validity checks (informational) ---
if C < 0.8*lambda || C > 1.2*lambda
warning('C outside typical axial-mode range 0.8–1.2 λ');
end
if S < 0.2*lambda || S > 0.3*lambda
warning('S outside typical axial-mode range 0.2–0.3 λ');
end
if N < 3 || N > 15
warning('N outside typical axial-mode range 3–15');
end
% --- Kraus approximate directivity & beamwidths ---
% Directivity (linear): D ≈ 15 * N * (C^2 * S) / λ^3
Dmax_lin = 15 * N * (C^2 * S) / (lambda^3);
Gmax_lin = eta_rad * Dmax_lin;
Gmax_dBi = 10*log10(Gmax_lin);
% Beamwidths (degrees): HPBW ≈ 52 * λ^(3/2) / (C*sqrt(N*S)),
% FNBW ≈ 115 * λ^(3/2) / (C*sqrt(N*S))
HPBW_deg = 52 * (lambda**1.5) / (C * sqrt(N*S));
FNBW_deg = 115 * (lambda**1.5) / (C * sqrt(N*S));
% Input impedance (axial-mode, rough): ~140 Ω (120–200 Ω typical)
Zin_ohm = 140;
% Axial ratio near boresight (ideal close to 0 dB)
AR_dB = 0.5; % representative value for well-designed axial-mode
% Package
hp = struct('lambda',lambda,'C',C,'S',S,'N',N,'eta',eta_rad, ...
'D',D,'alpha_deg',rad2deg(alpha),'L',L, ...
'Dmax_lin',Dmax_lin,'Gmax_dBi',Gmax_dBi, ...
'HPBW_deg',HPBW_deg,'FNBW_deg',FNBW_deg, ...
'Zin_ohm',Zin_ohm,'AR_dB',AR_dB);
end
Main-Lobe Pattern Model (Gaussian fit)
function [Glin, GdBi] = helix_pattern_gaussian(theta_deg, HPBW_deg,
Gmax_dBi)
% helix_pattern_gaussian - Gaussian main-lobe fit using HPBW
% Maps half-power definition to Gaussian sigma:
% HPBW ≈ 2*sqrt(ln(2))*sigma -> sigma = HPBW / (2*sqrt(ln2))
sigma = HPBW_deg / (2*sqrt(log(2)));
Gmax_lin = 10^(Gmax_dBi/10);
Glin = Gmax_lin * exp(-(theta_deg./sigma).^2);
GdBi = 10*log10(Glin);
end
Matching Metrics (Return Loss, VSWR)
function [RL_dB, VSWR, Gamma] = match_metrics(Zin, Z0)
% match_metrics - Return Loss, VSWR, reflection coefficient magnitude
Gamma = (Zin - Z0)./(Zin + Z0);
RL_dB = -20*log10(abs(Gamma) + eps);
VSWR = (1+abs(Gamma))./(1-abs(Gamma) + eps);
end
Geometry Quick-Start Helper
function [C_opt, S_opt] = helix_recommended(lambda)
% helix_recommended - Simple axial-mode starting point
% C ≈ 1.0*λ, S ≈ 0.25*λ
C_opt = 1.0*lambda;
S_opt = 0.25*lambda;
end
Usage Notes & Limitations
• Save each function in its own .m file (names as headings) and keep them with
demo_helix_performance.m in one folder.
• Models assume axial-mode operation; accuracy degrades outside C≈(0.8–1.2)λ, S≈(0.2–
0.3)λ, N≈3–15.
• Directivity and beamwidth formulas are Kraus-style approximations (useful for quick
design and trends, not final verification).
• Input impedance is taken as ~140 Ω (typical for axial-mode) and may vary with
feed/ground plane; use EM simulation or measurement for precision.
• The Gaussian main-lobe model is a convenient analytical fit for plotting; real sidelobes are
not captured.
