Lecture-1

2.Radiation from Wires and Loops

2.1 Introduction:
Wire antennas are ssome of the oldest, simplest, cheapest but at the same time, most versitel variety of
antenna. If we take a current that is varying as a function of time, makes the electric charges to undergo
acceleration and deceleration. So when the charges accelerate or decelerate, there is a possibility of
electromagnetic radiation.
While discussing the problem of radiation by an antenna we can separate out the two regions. One is the
source region (consists of current and charges) and other is the effect region or the observation region
(where we have electromagnetic fields). As discussed in the Introductory lectures, to find the fields
radiated by the source, one need to first find the potential functions (A, F) and then to find the E and H
fields from that.
In this module we will study the radiation behavior of wire antennas and loop antennas (made from wire
structures).

2.2 Infinitesimal (Hertizian) Dipole

A dipole whose length ' l ' is much smaller compared to the wavelength ' ' of the excited wave i.e.
l << (l < /50) is known as infinitesimal dipole. An infinitesimal linear wire is positioned symmetrically
at the origin and oriented along the z-axis as shown in Fig 2.1. For simplicity the current is assumed to
have constant magnitude along the length l . The ideal current element is practically unrealizable but a
very good approximation of it, is to short top-hat antenna. To realize a uniform current distribution along
the wire, capacitive plates are used to provide enough charge storage at the end of the wire, so that current
is not zero there. So the current is given by

I z ' a z I 0
I0 =

Constant.

(2.1)

Fig. 2.1: Infinitesimal

I
dipole
d

2.2.1 Magnetic
M
veector poteential due to
t currentt element

To find th
he fields radiaated by this current
c
elemeent we have too obtain the m
magnetic vecctor potential A due
to the sou
urce at distancce r from the origin
o
(as the source is at tthe origin)

A r
4
Ie I0 =

e jkr
Ie
dl '
r

Constant.
C

So we can
n write

I
A( r ) 0 e jkr
4 r

l/2

l /2

dl '

I 0l jkr
e
4 r

(2..2)

Equation (2.2) gives th

he vector poteential due to an
a electric currrent element (infinitesimaal dipole).

In the equ
uation (2.2) l is only vecto
or quantity so A has directtion same as l .

A Az a z a z

I 0l jkl
e
4 r

(2..3)

We repreesent A in spherical polarr co-ordinatess. In antennaa theory the spherical cooordinate systtem is
preferred because the far
f field radiattion is of inteerest. When thhe source is loocated at the origin, the fieeld far
ward.
from sourrce propagate radially outw
The transfformation fro
om rectangulaar to sphericall co-ordinate iis given as:

 Ar sin cos

A cos cos

A sin

sin sin
cos sin

cos
sin
0

cos

Ax
A
y
Az

(2.4)

In this problem Ax = Ay = 0 and only Az exist.

So the equation (2.4) can be reduced as:

I o e jkr
Ax Az cos
cos
4 r
I ole jkr
A Az sin
sin
4 r
A 0
The component of Az is present in & r direction and no component is present in the direction.

2.2.2 Field due to current element

To find to electric and magnetic field at the observation point, we have to fall back to Maxwell's equation.
From the Maxwell's equation
(a) .B 0 (This identify is satisfied if we define B by a curl of a vector)

B H A
So H

r
1
1

2
r sin r
Ar

rA

r sin

r sin A

A is symmetric about . So A 0 ,

1
A
r.A r

r r

Thus the magnetic field H has only a component.

Now putting the values of A & Ar .

rAz sin Az cos

r r

j KI o sin 1 1 e jkr
jkr

So the magnetic field components are

H r 0, H 0
H

j I o sin
4 r

1 jkr
1 jkr e

(2.5)

(b) From the another Maxwell's equation

H j E J

(As our observation point is in far away from the source it is represented as source free. So J 0 )

r
1
1

2
j r sin r
Hr

As H r H 0 &

r sin

r sin H

0 so no variation in the direction of .

j r sin
1

E Er r E

r sin H r j r 2 sin

r r r sin H

1
1 e jkr
Er 2 I o cos
2
r jkr 4 r
So

1
1 e jkr

E j k Io sin 1

jkr kr 2 4 r

E 0

(2.6)

So the equation (2.5) & (2.6) shows the electric & magnetic field of the radiated wave due to the current
element. The field vectors contain terms which are dependent on the distance from the source as

1 1
1
, 2 and 3 . The higher order terms can be neglected at large distance from the source. So in
r r
r
1
1
the far field zone the terms containing 2 and 3 are neglected.
r
r
The different terms in the field vector represent different types of fields.

1
Radiation field (varies with ' ' )
r
1
Induction field (Independent of frequency)
r2
1
1
Electrostatic field (It varies as )
3