Lecture-

Types of antennas
Log-Periodic Dipole Array
Multiple driven elements (dipoles) of varying
lengths
Phased array
Unidirectional end-fire
Noted for wide bandwidth
Often used for TV antennas

Reflector Antenna
Reflector antenna such as parabolic antenna
are composed of primary radiator and a
reflective mirror.
Source: http://ksrs.or.kr
Parabolic Reflector Antenna
Any electromagnetic wave incident upon the
paraboloid surface will be directed to the focal point.
Primary antenna is used at the focal point of the
parabolic reflector antenna instead of isotropic
antenna. The isotropic antenna would radiate and
receive radiation from all directions resulting in
spillover.
Primary antenna should be designed to illuminate
just the reflector uniformly.
Loss
Characteristics
Aperture:
r= radius of the diameter
Larger dish has more gain than smaller
Clear line of sight is important

2 ^ r A
Source: Lecture (12/05/02)
Parabolic Reflector
All radiation emitted at focus emerges in a
beam parallel to the axis
Gives a narrow beam
Suitable mainly at microwave frequencies
because it must be large compared with the
wavelength
Basic Parabolic Antenna Types
Standard
Parabolic
Antenna
Shielded
(Radomes)
Antenna
GRIDPAK

Antenna
Focal Plane
Antenna
Standard Parabolic Antenna
Basic Antenna
Comprised of
Reflector
Feed Assembly
Mount
Antenna Efficiency
Well-designed antennas have
efficiency ratings of 45 - 65%
Efficiency Factor Affected By :
Signal Strength,
Blockage & Obstructions
Reflector Surface

Efficiency can never be 100%
Calculating the Focal Point
In order to determine the optimal location for
the antenna feed, or receiver, you must
calculate the focal point.
Using the following formula:
F= D
2
/ 16d
Where
F = focal point
D = Diameter of the dish
d = depth of dish
Focal Point
The point at which the RF signals meet after
reflecting off of the parabolic curve of the
antenna.
Calculating the Focal Point
If you have a Parabolic Dish antenna that is
12 in diameter and 3 deep where would the
focal point be located?
Use the formula: F= D2 / 16d
12 squared = 144,
144 divided by (16 x 3) or 48
144/48=3
The focal point is 3.

Parabolic Reflector Beamwidth
Beamwidth at half-power points
D

70

Parabolic Reflector Gain

As a power ratio (not dB)
With respect to isotropic
2
2 2

D
G
Property of R Struzak 18
Lens antennas
Source: Kraus p.382, N Gregorieva
Lenses play a similar role to that of reflectors in reflector antennas: they
collimate divergent energy
Often preferred to reflectors at frequencies > 100 GHz.

Parabolic feeds
Parabolic antennas are also classified by the type of feed, that is, how the
radio waves are supplied to the antenna:
[3]

Axial or front feed This is the most common type of feed, with the feed
antenna located in front of the dish at the focus, on the beam axis,
pointed back toward the dish.
- A disadvantage of this type is that the feed and its supports block some of
the beam, which limits the aperture efficiency to only 5560%.
[3]

Off-axis or offset feed The reflector is an asymmetrical segment of a
paraboloid, so the focus, and the feed antenna, are located to one side of
the dish.
- The purpose of this design is to move the feed structure out of the beam
path, so it does not block the beam. It is widely used in home satellite
television dishes, which are small enough that the feed structure would
otherwise block a significant percentage of the signal.
..
Cassegrain In a Cassegrain antenna, the feed is located on or
behind the dish, and radiates forward, illuminating a
convex hyperboloidal secondary reflector at the focus of the dish.
The radio waves from the feed reflect back off the secondary
reflector to the dish, which forms the outgoing beam.
An advantage of this configuration is that the feed, with its
waveguides and "front end" electronics does not have to be
suspended in front of the dish, so it is used for antennas with
complicated or bulky feeds, such as large satellite communication
antennas and radiotelescopes. Aperture efficiency is on the order of
6570%
[3]

Gregorian Similar to the Cassegrain design except that the
secondary reflector is concave, (ellipsoidal) in shape. Aperture
efficiency over 70% can be achieved.

Horn Antenna
A horn antenna or microwave horn is
an antenna that consists of a flaring
metal waveguide shaped like a horn to direct
radio waves in a beam.
Horns are widely used as antennas
at UHF and microwave frequencies, above
300 MHz.

They are used as feeders(called feed horns) for
larger antenna structures such as parabolic
antennas, as standard calibration antennas to
measure the gain of other antennas,
Advantages :
moderate directivity (gain),
low standing wave ratio(SWR),
broad bandwidth, and
simple construction and adjustment
Conical Antenna
In radio systems, a biconical antenna is a
broad-bandwidth antenna made of two
roughly conical conductive objects, nearly
touching at their points.

Biconical antennas are broadband dipole
antennas, typically exhibiting a bandwidth of
3 octaves or more.

The biconical antenna has a broad bandwidth
because it is an example of a travelling wave
structure; the analysis for a theoretical infinite
antenna resembles that of a transmission line.
For an infinite antenna, the characteristic
impedance at the point of connection is a
function of the cone angle only and is
independent of the frequency.
Practical antennas have finite length and a
definite resonant frequency.
Discone Antenna
Very wide bandwidth
Often used for wideband receiving
applications such as scanners
Discone antenna for 25-1300 MHz
with whip antenna for transmitting on ham bands
Helical Antenna
A helical antenna is an antenna consisting of a
conducting wire wound in the form of a helix.
In most cases, helical antennas are mounted
over a ground plane. The feed line is
connected between the bottom of the helix
and the ground plane.
Helical antennas can operate in one of two
principal modes: normal mode or axial mode.


Normal Mode
In the normal mode or broadside helix, the
dimensions of the helix (the diameter and
the pitch) are small compared with
the wavelength.
The antenna acts similarly to an electrically short
dipole or monopole, and the radiation pattern,
similar to these antennas is omnidirectional, with
maximum radiation at right angles to the helix
axis. The radiation is linearly polarised parallel to
the helix axis.

Axial Mode
In the axial mode or end-fire helix, the
dimensions of the helix are comparable to a
wavelength. The antenna functions as
a directional antenna radiating a beam off the
ends of the helix, along the antenna's axis. It
radiates circularly polarised radio waves.

Ques:
Explain with design considerations:
A) Log Periodic
B) Horn Antenna