Advanced Communication Laboratory

EXP.NO.8
INVERSE SQUARE LAW PROPAGATION AND VERIFICATION OF
RECIPROCITY THEOREM
Objective
a) To study the variation of field,strength of radiated wave,with distance from
transmitting antenna
b) To demonstrate that the transmitting and receiving radiation patterns of an
antenna are equal and hence confirm the reciprocity theorem of antennas
Equipments Required

Antenna transmitter,receiver and stepper motor controller

Yagi(4el) &Yagi (3el) antenna
Antenna Tripod and stepper tripod with connecting cables
Measuring tape

Inverse Law of Propagation

Description
The field strength reducing the distance between transmitting and receiving
antennas is increased.The power intercepted by the receiving antenna from the transmitting
antenna is inversely proportional, to the square of the distance between them.Hence every
time the distance between the antennas is doubled,the field strength/receiver reading reduces
by 64 dB or received power gets reduced by one fourth.
In electromagnetic wave propagation, the irradiance, i.e., the power per unit area
perpendicular to the direction of propagation, of a spherical wavefront varies inversely as the
square of the distance from the source, assuming there are no losses caused by absorption or
scattering. Note 1: For example, the power radiated from a point source, i.e., an
omnidirectional isotropic antenna, or from any source at very large distances from the source
compared to the size of the source, must spread itself over larger and larger spherical surfaces
as the distance from the source increases. The inverse square law is also applicable to
diffused and incoherent radiation. Note 2: The electromagnetic field strength, such as the
electric field strength and the magnetic field strength, varies inversely as the distance.
However, the irradiance, i.e., the power per unit area, is proportional to the square of the field
strength.

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Advanced Communication Laboratory

Block Diagram

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Advanced Communication Laboratory

Gain(dB)

Model Graph

Distance between antenna(m)

Procedure
1.Keep Tripods at a minimal distance of 0.5 m from each other,center to center using
measuring tape.
2.This minimal distance ensures that we are testing the antennas in the far field region.
3.Transmitted RF signal fom Yagi(4el) antenna is intercepted by Yagi (3el) and sent to
receiver .Measure A, the level on receiver in dBV.
4.Note down the reading at 0.5 m distance.
5.Take the reading at 0.7 metre distance.Ensure that no scattering objects are in the vicinity
of the antenna, which could reradiate and distort the field pattern and consequently the
readings. Avoid any movement of persons while taking the readings.

Tabulation
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Advanced Communication Laboratory

Distance (m)

Power (dB)

Observations
1.Take readings at 1 m, 1.4 m, 2 m , 2.8 m,4 m, 5.6 m, 8 m and 11.3 m.
2. Readings can be distorted if the Yagi (3el) captures signal from its behind due to wall or
from ceiling etc.
3. Plot these readings on cartesian plane with distance between antennas on X axis and signal
level in dB as Y axis.
4.Repeat the measurements once again to confirm the readings.

b) RECIPROCITY THEOREM
Equipments required
1.Antenna transmitter and receiver and stepper motor controller
2.Dipole and Yagi antenna
3.Antenna and tripod & stepper tripod with connecting cables.
Theory
Radiation pattern of an antenna gives the idea of the directivity and gain of the antenna
we are using.The antenna will be set in that direction where directivity and gain are high.In
its simplest form, the reciprocity theorem states that if an emf E in one branch of a reciprocal
network produces a current I in another, then if the emf E is moved from the first to the
second branch, it will cause the same current in the first branch, where the emf has been
replaced by a short circuit.
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Advanced Communication Laboratory

Block Diagram

Model graph
Transmitter rotating

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Advanced Communication Laboratory

Receiver Radiating

Note: The above graphs are plotted in Smith chart

PROCEDURE
1.Connect the Yagi antenna to receiver stepper tripod & then set the frequency to 600
MHz.Keep the antenna in horizontal plane.
2.Now, Connect a dipole antenna to the transmitter tripod and set the transmitter to 600
MHz .Connect the alternator to avoid saturation.
3. Point the Yagi antenna in the direction of the dipole of other elements parallel to each
other.
4. Set the distance between the antenna to be around 1m.Remove any stray object from
around the antenna , especially the line of sight.Avoid any unnecessary movements while
taking the reading.
5.Now rotate the antenna around its axis in steps of 5,using stepper motor controller.
6.Take the readings and tabulate them.
7.Plot the graph.

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Advanced Communication Laboratory

Tabulation

Receiver moving

Transmitter moving
Angle

Angle

Gain (dB)

Gain
(dB)

Result
The variation of field strength of the radiated wave with distance from transmitting antenna
is studied and reciprocity theorem is verified.

Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering