Report on

ANTENNA DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE FULFILMENT OF

7TH SEMESTER, COMMUNICATION LAB

ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

By
Piyush Singhal, Roll No 15
Siddharth Tangirala, Roll No 14
Daryl DSouza, Roll No 22
 Introduction
Antennas are a very important component of communication systems. By
definition, an antenna is a device used to transform an RF signal, traveling on a
conductor, into an electromagnetic wave in free space. Antennas demonstrate a
property known as reciprocity, which means that an antenna will maintain the
same characteristics regardless if it is transmitting or receiving. Most antennas are
resonant devices, which operate efficiently over a relatively narrow frequency
band. An antenna must be tuned to the same frequency band of the radio system
to which it is connected, otherwise the reception and the transmission will be
impaired. When a signal is fed into an antenna, the antenna will emit radiation
distributed in space in a certain way. A graphical representation of the relative
distribution of the radiated power in space is called a radiation pattern.

Antenna Glossary
There are a few common terms that must be defined and explained:

Input Impedance
For an efficient transfer of energy, the impedance of the radio, of the antenna
and of the transmission cable connecting them must be the same. Transceivers
and their transmission lines are typically designed for 50 impedance. If the
antenna has an impedance different from 50 , then there is a mismatch and an
impedance matching circuit is required.

Return loss
The return loss is another way of expressing mismatch. It is a logarithmic ratio
measured in dB that compares the power reflected by the antenna to the power
that is fed into the antenna from the transmission line. The relationship between
SWR and return loss is the following:
Return Loss (in dB) = 20log10 SWR/(SWR 1)

Bandwidth
The bandwidth of an antenna refers to the range of frequencies over which the
antenna can operate correctly. The antenna's bandwidth is the number of Hz for
which the antenna will exhibit an SWR less than 2:1. The bandwidth can also be
described in terms of percentage of the center frequency of the band.
BW = 100 (FH FL)/FC
where FH is the highest frequency in the band, FL is the lowest frequency in the
band, and FC is the center frequency in the band.
In this way, bandwidth is constant relative to frequency. If bandwidth was
expressed in absolute units of frequency, it would be different depending upon
the center frequency. Different types of antennas have different bandwidth
limitations.

Directivity and Bandwidth

The directive of an antenna is defined as the measure of concentrated power
radiation in a particular direction. It may be considered as the capability of an
antenna to direct radiated power in a given direction. It can also be noted as the
ratio of the radiation intensity in a given direction to the average radiation
intensity. Bandwidth is one of the desired parameters to choose an antenna. It
can be defined as the range of frequencies over which an antenna can properly
radiates energy and receives energy.
Sidelobes
No antenna is able to radiate all the energy in one preferred direction. Some is
inevitably radiated in other directions. The peaks are referred to as sidelobes,
commonly specified in dB down from the main lobe.

Polarization
An electromagnetic wave launched from an antenna may be polarized vertically
and horizontally. If the wave gets polarized in the vertical direction, then the E
vector is vertical and it requires a vertical antenna. If vector E is in horizontal way,
it needs a horizontal antenna to launch it. Sometimes, circular polarization is
used, it is a combination of both horizontal and vertical ways.
 TYPES OF ANTENNAS
Loop Antenna
Loop antennas share similar characteristics with both dipole and monopole
antennas because they are simple and easy to construct. Loop antennas are
available in different shapes like circular, elliptical, rectangular, etc. The
fundamental characteristics of the loop antenna are independent of its shape. They
are widely used in communication links with the frequency of around 3 GHz. These
antennas can also be used as electromagnetic field probes in the microwave bands.

The circumference of the loop antenna determines the efficiency of the antenna as
similar to that of dipole and monopole antennas. These antennas are further
classified into two types: electrically small and electrically large based on the
circumference of the loop.
Yagi Uda Antenna
A basic Yagi consists of a certain number of straight elements, each measuring
approximately half wavelength. The driven or active element of a Yagi is the
equivalent of a center-fed, half-wave dipole antenna. Parallel to the driven
element, and approximately 0.2 to 0.5 wavelength on either side of it, are straight
rods or wires called reflectors and directors, or passive elements altogether. A
reflector is placed behind the driven element and is slightly longer than half
wavelength; a director is placed in front of the driven element and is slightly
shorter than half wavelength. A typical Yagi has one reflector and one or more
directors. The antenna propagates electromagnetic field energy in the direction
running from the driven element toward the directors, and is most sensitive to
incoming electromagnetic field energy in this same direction. The more directors
a Yagi has, the greater the gain. As more directors are added to a Yagi, however, it
becomes longer.
Helical Antennas
Helical antennas are also known as helix antennas. They have relatively simple
structures with one, two or more wires each wound to form a helix, usually
backed by a ground plane or shaped reflector and driven by an appropriate feed.
The most common design is a single wire backed by the ground and fed with a
coaxial line.
In General, the radiation properties of a helical antenna are associated with this
specification: the electrical size of the structure, wherein the input impedance is
more sensitive to the pitch and wire size. Helical antennas have two predominate
radiation modes: the normal mode and the axial mode. The axial mode is used in
a wide range of applications. In the normal mode, the dimensions of the helix are
small compared to its wavelength. This antenna acts as the short dipole or
monopole antenna. In the axial mode, the dimensions of the helix are same
compared to its wavelength. This antenna works as directional antenna.
Rectangular Micro strip Antennas
For spacecraft or aircraft applications based on the specifications such as size,
weight, cost, performance, ease of installation, etc. low profile antennas are
preferred. These antennas are known as rectangular microstrip antennas or patch
antennas; they only require space for the feed line which is normally placed
behind the ground plane. The major disadvantage of using these antennas is their
inefficient and very narrow bandwidth, which is typically a fraction of a percent
or, at the most, a few percent.