Antennas

Simple Antennas
Isotropic radiator is the simplest antenna mathematically Radiates all the power supplied to it, equally in all directions Theoretical only, cant be built Useful as a reference: other antennas are often compared with it

Half-Wave Dipole
Simplest practical antenna Actual length is typically about 95% of a half wavelength in free space

142 .5 L f

Radiation Resistance
Signal radiated into space appears as loss from the antenna Electrically this translates into a resistance For a half-wave dipole fed in the center the radiation resistance is approximately 70 ohms Antennas also have actual resistance due to their conductors

Antenna Efficiency

Pr Rr PT RT

Directional Characteristics
All real antennas transmit more power in some directions than in others Two, two-dimensional diagrams are generally used to show radiation patterns Distance from the center represents radiation in different directions Calibration may be in dB relative to max. for that antenna, or relative to isotropic (dBi) or half wave dipole (dBd)

Antenna Gain Specifications

dBi means decibels with respect to an isotropic radiator dBd means decibels with respect to an ideal half-wave dipole in its direction of maximum radiation The gain of a dipole is 2.14 dBi

dBd/dBi Conversion
Gain (dBi) = Gain (dBd) + 2.14 dB Use dBi in Friiss Formula Use dBi when it is necessary to find gain as a power ratio compared with isotropic: Gain (ratio) = antilog (dBi/10) Antennas may be specified either way in catalogs, etc. (check!)

Gain and Directivity

Directivity is a theoretical value ignoring losses Gain includes losses As a ratio, gain = directivity efficiency Specifications give gain, but computer models often find directivity

EIRP and ERP

EIRP = effective isotropic radiated power
Equal to the amount of power that would have to be applied to an isotropic radiator to give the same power density at a given point

ERP = effective radiated power

Equal to the amount of power that would have to be applied to a half-wave dipole, oriented in direction of maximum gain, to give the same power density at a given point

EIRP/ERP Conversion
EIRP = ERP + 2.14 dB EIRP is used in all our equations Sometimes government regulations specify ERP for transmitting installations Conversion is easy (see above)

Dipole Impedance
At resonance, Z = 70 resistive if fed in center Above resonant frequency: inductive Below resonant frequency: capacitive Impedance can be raised by moving feedpoint out towards ends (delta match)

Dipole Polarization
Polarization is same as axis of wire:
Vertical dipole is vertically polarized Horizontal dipole is horizontally polarized

Ground Effects
Effect of ground near antenna is important when antenna is within a few wavelengths of ground Very important up to and including HF, usually less important for VHF and up Effect of ground depends on ground characteristics and distance of antenna from ground

Reflection from Ground

Phase shift at ground of 180 degrees Perfectly conductive ground would reflect all the power that hits it Real ground is not perfectly conductive
conductivity depends largely on moisture content

Effect of combinining reflected and direct signals depends on distance from ground

Folded Dipole Antenna

Same length as half wave dipole Uses 2 conductors Impedance 4 times that of normal dipole
Approximately 300 ohms at resonance

Bandwidth is greater than single-conductor dipole

Monopole Antenna
Vertical Half the length of a dipole (one-quarter wave approximately) Ground supplies the other half If installed above ground, a ground plane can be used instead For a car antenna, the car is the ground plane Input impedance half that of a dipole, about 35 ohms

1/4 wave monopole with ground plane for 144 MHz

Loading Coil

Yagi for 14, 21, 28 MHz Amateur Bands

UHF-TV Antenna: Yagi with Corner Reflector