Radiation regions - the volume surrounding the antenna can generally be subdivided into three regions based on the

characteristics of the radiated fields in these regions. Reactive Near Field - the region immediately surrounding the antenna where the reactive field (stored energy - standing waves) is dominant. Near-Field (Fresnel region ) - the region between the reactive near-field and the far-field where the radiation field (propagating waves) is dominant and the field distribution is dependent on the distance from the antenna. Far-Field (Fraunhofer region ) - the region farthest away from the antenna where the field distribution is essentially independent of the distance from the antenna (propagating waves). Antenna-Related Concepts Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) - radiation from external sources that couples to a device, and can negatively impact performance. EMI can be generated by devices not designed to act as antennas. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - designing systems to minimize the problems with EMI.

Fundamentals of Antenna Radiation Antenna as the termination of a transmission line

The open-circuited transmission line does not radiate effectively because the transmission line currents are equal and opposite (and electrically close together). The radiated fields of these currents tend to cancel one another. The current on the arms of the dipole antenna are aligned in the same direction so that these radiated fields tend to add together making the dipole an efficient radiator. Antenna as the termination of a waveguide

The open-ended waveguide radiates, but not as effectively as the waveguide terminated by the horn antenna. The wave impedance inside the waveguide does not match that of the surrounding medium creating a mismatch at the open end of the waveguide (causing reflections). The horn antenna acts as a matching network by providing a gradual transition in the wave impedance from the waveguide to the surrounding medium (reducing reflections).

The electric scalar potential and magnetic vector potential are related by the Lorentz gauge:

For time-harmonic fields, the Lorentz gauge can be written in terms of phasors as

Solving for the electric scalar potential in terms of the magnetic vector potential gives

This equation defines the electric scalar potential in terms of the magnetic vector potential and allows for the fields radiated by an antenna to be defined in terms of the magnetic vector potential only. Fields in terms of V and A
~ ~

Fields in terms of A only