The Inverse Relationship between Quality Factor and Bandwidth in Multiple

Resonant Antennas

Steven R. Best
MITRE Corporation, 202 Burlington Road, MS S230, Bedford, MA 01730 sbest@mitre.org

Introduction

Exact and approximate expressions for the quality factor (Q) [1] and bandwidth of a general,
tuned antenna were previously derived and presented in [2]. An approximate, inverse relationship
between Q and matched VSWR bandwidth was presented and was shown to be valid over a wide
range of frequencies, encompassing many successive regions of resonances and antiresonances.
Numerical results validating the inverse relationship between Q and matched VSWR bandwidth
have been presented for a number of antennas including the electric dipole, the magnetic dipole
(loop), and several electrically small designs. These antennas exhibit relatively narrow operating
bandwidths and a single natural resonance or antiresonance within the defined bandwidth. Here,
we seek to examine the limitations on the inverse relationship between Q and matched VSWR
bandwidth for antennas that have relatively large operating bandwidths and that exhibit multiple
resonances within the defined bandwidth. Specifically, we examine the inverse relationship
between Q, defined in terms of the antenna’s impedance properties, and the exact matched VSWR
bandwidth for VSWRs ranging from 1.25 to 4.0.

Impedance, Quality Factor and Bandwidth

The general antenna exhibits a frequency dependent feed-point impedance Z(ω) = R(ω) +
jX(ω), where ω is the radian frequency equal to 2πf, and f is the operating frequency in Hz. R(ω)
and X(ω) are the antenna’s frequency dependent feed-point resistance and reactance, respectively.
Over a sufficiently wide range of frequencies, the general antenna exhibits a series of successive
natural resonances and antiresonances, which are defined as frequencies where X(ω) is equal to
zero and the frequency derivative of the reactance, X′(ω), is either positive or negative,
respectively. We define a tuned antenna as one whose feed-point reactance is tuned to zero at a
frequency ω0, using a lossless, single component (inductor or capacitor), series tuning circuit,
having a reactance, XS(ω0) = –X(ω0). The tuned antenna’s impedance is Z0(ω) = R0(ω) + jX0(ω)
= R(ω) + j[XS(ω)+X(ω)] and Z0(ω0) = R(ω0).
The quality factor of the tuned antenna, Q(ω0), is defined in terms of the ratio of internal
energy, W(ω0), and accepted power, PA(ω0), as [2]
ω0 W (ω0 )
Q (ω0 ) = , (1)
PA (ω0 )
which has been shown to be approximately equal to [2]
2
ω0 ω0 ⎛ X (ω0 ) ⎞
Q (ω0 ) ≈ QZ (ω0 ) = Z ′(ω0 ) = R ′(ω0 ) + ⎜ X ′(ω0 ) +
2
⎟ (2)
2 R (ω0 ) 2 R (ω0 ) ⎝ ω0 ⎠
where Z′(ω), R′(ω) and X′(ω) are the frequency derivatives of the untuned antenna’s impedance,
resistance, and reactance, respectively.
In a practical communication system, we are ultimately concerned with defining and
characterizing the antenna’s operating bandwidth. For this reason, we seek a definition of
bandwidth that is related to Q over a wide range of frequencies. A suitable definition of
bandwidth for this purpose is matched VSWR bandwidth, FBWV(ω0), where the VSWR (denoted by
s) of the tuned antenna is determined under the condition that the characteristic impedance, ZCH, of
the transmission line connecting the antenna to the matched source is equal to the antenna’s feed-

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point resistance at the tuned frequency: ZCH = R(ω0). Matched VSWR bandwidth and Q are related
as given in [2]:
2 β s −1
Q (ω0 ) ≈ , β = ≤1 (3)
FBWV (ω0 ) 2 s
The preceding approximations were derived in [2] under the assumptions that the ½-power
matched VSWR bandwidth (s = 5.828:1) is not too large and that the antenna exhibits a single
resonance within its defined operating bandwidth. Here, we specifically seek to examine the
limitations on the inverse relationship between QZ and matched VSWR bandwidth, where the
antenna is designed to exhibit a relatively large operating bandwidth and multiple resonances
within the bandwidth.

Quality Factor and Bandwidth in Multiple Resonant Antennas

The first antenna we consider is a 40 cm, center-fed dipole, exhibiting a first natural
resonance at a frequency of approximately 355 MHz. The feed-point impedance of the dipole,
over a frequency range of 50 MHz through 2000 MHz, is presented in Fig. 1. The impedance was
calculated using the NEC4 version of EZNEC Pro [3]. Over this range of frequencies, the dipole
exhibits 3 resonances and 2 antiresonances, representing a total of 5 zero crossings [X(ω) = 0].
The quality factor of the dipole is presented in Fig 2. For these results, quality factor is defined as
QZ(ω), calculated using (2), and, for comparison purposes, an equivalent quality factor is
determined from the inverse of matched VSWR bandwidth using (3), with s = 1.25, 1.5, 2 and 4.
The inverse relationship between QZ and matched VSWR bandwidth holds very well over the
entire frequency range.
The next antenna considered is a disk loaded folded monopole similar to that described in [4],
specifically designed not to be well matched to 50Ω over a wide bandwidth but rather, exhibit
several discrete frequency regions over a wide bandwidth that are individually well matched to
50Ω. The antenna’s return loss, impedance and Q are presented in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
The impedance of the antenna was calculated using Microwave Studio [5]. The impedance is
presented over a frequency range of 0 MHz through 2000 MHz. The inverse relationship between
QZ and matched VSWR bandwidth holds very well over the entire frequency range for s = 1.25.
With increasing s, the inverse relationship between Q and matched VSWR bandwidth degrades,
specifically where the bandwidth encompasses more than one discrete region of minimum return
loss or regions of resonance. This is clearly evident with s = 4, where the bandwidth encompasses
all three regions of minimum return loss.
The third antenna considered is again a disk loaded folded monopole, however, this
implementation of the antenna was designed to have a maximum VSWR of 2.0 with respect to 50Ω
over a frequency range of 476.9 MHz to 933.9 MHz. This maximum VSWR bandwidth, BW, is
not the same as matched VSWR bandwidth. Rather than tuning the antenna and determining the
VSWR bandwidth under the condition that ZCH = R(ω0), BW is simply determined from the range
of frequencies where s is less than a stated value with respect to an arbitrary impedance, regardless
of whether the antenna is matched, tuned or exhibits any natural resonances or antiresonances
within the bandwidth. BW is given by
f − fl
BW = h (4)
fc
where fc is the center frequency of the defined operating band, and fh and fl are the upper and lower
frequencies, respectively, where the VSWR is equal to a defined value s, which in this case is 2.0.
The bandwidth BW, for this antenna is 0.648.
The antenna’s impedance and Q are presented in Figs. 6 and 7, respectively. This antenna
exhibits 3 zero crossings within the defined operating bandwidth. The relationship between QZ
and matched VSWR bandwidth holds reasonably well over the entire frequency range for values of
s equal to 1.25 and 1.5. While the inverse relationship between Q and matched VSWR bandwidth
degrades with increasing values of s, it holds reasonably well near the center of the defined
operating band, 704.5 MHz, for all values of s.

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 The final antenna considered is again a disk loaded folded monopole, however, this
implementation of the antenna was designed to have a maximum VSWR of 2.0 with respect to 50Ω
over a frequency range of 571.7 MHz to 1379.5 MHz, representing a bandwidth, BW = 0.828. The
antenna’s impedance, Q, and return loss are presented in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 respectively. This
antenna exhibits 5 zero crossings within the defined operating bandwidth. It is significant to note
that the multiple resonances are closely spaced in frequency and have nearly the same value of
R(ω0), so that the peaks and minima in the return loss are all well below -10 dB. Again, the
inverse relationship between QZ and matched VSWR bandwidth holds very well over the entire
frequency range for values of s equal to 1.25 and 1.5. Near the center of the defined operating
band, 975.6 MHz, the relationship between QZ and matched VSWR bandwidth does not hold as
well for higher values of s because of the same characteristics stated above that allow for the wide
operating bandwidth.

Discussion

The inverse relationship between Q and matched VSWR bandwidth is known to hold very well for
antennas that exhibit reasonable bandwidths and single resonances within the operating band. For
antennas with closely spaced, discrete matched frequency bands or resonances, the inverse
relationship between Q and matched VSWR bandwidth holds, provided the choice of s is small
enough so as not to allow the VSWR bandwidth to encompass multiple discrete frequency bands.
This is consistent with similar points addressed in [2]. Similar comments apply to wideband
antennas that exhibit multiple resonances and a wide range of frequencies where the return and
maximum VSWR are below a stated value. With very wideband antennas, the inverse relationship
between Q and matched VSWR bandwidth will only hold for small values of s.

References

[1] L. J. Chu, “Physical Limitations of Omni-Directional Antennas,” Journal of Applied Physics,

Vol. 10, pp. 1163-1175, Dec. 1948
[2] A. D. Yaghjian and S. R. Best, “Impedance, Bandwidth and Q of Antennas,” IEEE Trans.
Antennas Propagat., Vol. 53, No. 4, pp. 1298-1324, April 2005
[3] EZNEC/4, www.eznec.com
[4] S. R. Best, “A Small Broadband Disk Loaded Folded Monopole Antenna,” 28th Antenna
Applications Symposium, University of Illinois, Monticello, IL, September 2004.
[5] Microwave Studio, Computer Simulation Technologies, www.cst.de

Fig 1. Impedance of resonant dipole. Fig 2. Q of resonant dipole.

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Fig. 3. Return loss of the antenna with
discrete bands. Fig. 4. Impedance of the antenna with
discrete bands.

Fig. 5. Q of the antenna with discrete

bands. Fig. 6. Impedance of matched antenna
with 3 zero crossings.

Fig. 7. Q of the matched antenna with 3

zero crossings. Fig. 8. Impedance of matched antenna
with 5 zero crossings.

Fig. 9. Q of the matched antenna with 5

zero crossings. Fig. 10. Return loss of the matched
antenna with 5 zero crossings.

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