Lab Manual

Subject:ARWP
Sem: VI(CBCGS)
(EXTC)
 PRACTICAL LIST
Subject Name: ARWP Sem :VI/CBCGS

Sr. No. Practical

Arranging the trainer and performing the functional checks

To analyze the dipole λ /2 Antenna and plot its radiation pattern .

1.

2. To analyze Yagi- UDA 5 element folded dipole antenna and plot its radiation pattern.
To analyze Log Periodic Antenna antenna and plot its radiation pattern.
3.
To study and plot the radiation of Simple Dipole λ/2 Antenna
4.
To perform Polarization Test of an antenna.
5.
To find the current distribution of wire antenna using a Antenna Current Sensor
6.
Design, Construction and Performance Analysis of Helical Antenna.
7.
 Experiment No. 1

Objective : Arranging the trainer and performing the functional checks

Procedure:

Main unit:

· Place the main unit on the table and connect power cord.

· RF Generator: Adjust Level Potentiometer to middle position.

· Modulation Generator: Select switch to ‘INT’ position and adjust Level

Potentiometer to middle position.

· Directional Coupler: Select the switch to ‘FWD’ position and adjust FS

ADJ Potentiometer to middle position.

1. Install Transmitting mast, place it beside the main unit and connect it to the main unit’s ‘RF OUT’
using a BNC to BNC cable of 25” long.

2. Install Receiving mast and keep it at some distance from the Transmitter mast. The field patterns,
associated with an antenna, change with distance and are associated with two types of energy: radiating
energy and reactive energy. Hence, the space surrounding an antenna can be divided into three regions,
as shown in Figure.

3. Place RF detector Unit beside the Receiving mast and connect it to the Receiving mast using a
BNC to BNC cable of 25” long (see figure 1).

4. Keep the base of Transmitting mast such that the ‘0’degree position of Goniometer should be
directed towards the RF Detector and also align the marker of the mast with ‘0’ degree position.

5. Install Detector Antenna on the Receiving mast. Keep its direction towards the Transmitting mast by
rotating it in counter clockwise direction.

6. Install folded Dipole Antenna on the Transmitting mast. Keep its direction towards the Receiving
mast by rotating it in counter clockwise direction.
7. Switch on the main unit and check the Display in DPM of Directional Coupler. It will show some
reading according to its level knob at starting.

8. Connect a +7.5V Adapter to the RF Detector unit, Switch it on and keep the Level knob at middle
position. It will show some reading according to its level knob at starting. (In case of over loading,
reduce it by level Potentiometer of RF detector)

9. Now vary the FS Adjust Potentiometer of Directional Coupler to make the display reading 100
Micro Amp and then adjust the Level of RF detector to show the ¾ reading of the main unit’s display.

10. Rotate the transmitting Antenna between 0-360 degrees and observe the display at RF Detector.
The variation in reading indicates that the transmitter and receiver are working and radiation
pattern is formed.

Adjustment of Level of RF Generator :

In case of low reading (for Low gain antennas), set the RF Level Potentiometer of main unit to maximum
position. Also the reading of DPM of Directional Coupler can be set to 50 Micro Amp for these antennas
and then adjust the Level of RF detector to show the ¾ reading of the main unit’s display.

Adjustment of distance :

The distance between Transmitting mast and Receiving mast may be adjusted for receiving optimum
radiations at RF Detector.

Plotting the Polar Graph :

Now to plot the Polar Graph for the Transmitting Antenna, start taking the readings at the interval of 5 or
10 degrees and note the reading of RF Detector’s display. Convert the noted Micro Amp readings into dB.

Plotting the Polar Graph for Normalized reading :

One can also plot the polar graph against normalized readings of RF Detector. The procedure to convert
the Micro Amp in to normalize reading is given as follows:

Consider the maximum reading say N (When the RF Detector receives maximum radiat ions) as 0 dB.

Let say it is N=50 Micro Amp,

Convert next reading taken at the interval (5 or 10 degrees) say N1 by the following formula:

Let take N1=40 Micro Amp,

ln (40/50) = -0.22 dB

Follow the same procedure for the further readings thus the generalized formula will be:

Plot the radiation pattern of antenna with the new dB readings as usual.

1 Calculate the following with the help this graph

 · Beam width.

· Front / Back ratio.

· Directive gain of antenna.

To calculate the above from the graph, please refer to figure 1 and proceed as follows

Beam width :

Look for main lobe. Draw bore sight maxima line AA' Mark -3 dB from maximum on the bore sight line
point B. Draw an arc of radius AB This arc will intersect main lobe at C & D. Measure angle CAD This
angle is - 3 dB beam width. Similarly calculate -10 dB beam width.

Front to back ratio :

Look for the main lobe. Draw bore sight maxima line AA' Look for back lobe if any

(At 180°) If no back lobe, then,

Front to back ratio = dB

If back lobe is present then, measure AE, where E is the maximum of back lobe.

Front to back ratio =

Gain of antenna :

G=

Since, we cannot have an ideal isotropic antenna we presume here that its maximum radiation inte nsity
is 1dB and is 100% efficient. Under this assumption Gain of antenna (or Directional Gain of
antenna) is

G = AA' dB/1
Figure 2
Experiment No. 2

Objective : Study and plot the radiation pattern of Simple Dipole (λ/2) Antenna .

Theory: A simple Dipole is the simplest form of antenna having 2 poles each of length (λ/2). The
nominal impedance of this antenna is 73ohms. It is just about the simplest form of antenna is called the
dipole. This is a conductor that is divided in the middle and is connected at this point to a feeder (or feed
line). This feeder then connects the antenna to the receiver, or transmitter. Feeders come is many forms.
Probably, the most commonly used is coaxial cable. This is the type of feeder used in this trainer.The
polarization is horizontal. Some key principles of the dipole antenna are: 1.) A dipole antenna is a wire or
conducting element whose length is half the transmitting wavelength. To calculate the length of a half
wave dipole in free space, one may use the following equation: length (ft) = 492 / frequency (MHz) 2.) A
dipole antenna is fed in the center. 3.)Generally, the dipole is Omni-directional in the plane perpendicular
to the axis of the antenna, but it has deep nulls in the directions of the axis.

The directivity of this dipole is 1.64(2.15 db).The fields of half-wave dipole are given by:

The typical radiation pattern of this antenna is given in Figure 1 below. The radiation pattern of a
dipole antenna in free space is strongest at right angles to the wire. This pattern, when the antenna is
positioned horizontally over the ground, resembles a figure eight. This figure eight pattern will be verified
during the experiment. The half-wave antenna already has an gain of about 1.5 while the maximum
radiation comes from it in a direction perpendicular to the antenna axis.
 HPBW

Figure 1

Procedure :

1. Mount simple dipole (λ/2) on the top of the transmitting mast

2. Arrange the Set up as per procedure given in Experiment 1 and draw the polar graph.

Observations:

S.No Angle in degrees Detector current (in microamperes) Current in dB(normalized)

Questions:
 1. Does the dipole antenna have the same response in all directions in the azimuth (horizontal)
plane?

2. In which direction(s) is the response a maximum and minimum?

3. Give the applications of half wave dipole antenna and compare it with folded dipole.

RESULTS:
The HPBWof the antenna from the polar plot is ______ .The direction of maximum radiation is

_______________.The directivity of the antenna from the plot is __________.

Experiment No. 3

Objective : To perform Polarization Test of an antenna.

Theory: Polarization is defined as the orientation of the electric field of an electromagnetic

wave.Polarization is in general described by an ellipse. Two often used special cases of elliptical
polarization are linear polarization and circular polarization. The initial polarization of a radio wave is
determined by the antenna that launches the waves into space. The environment through which the radio
wave passes on its way from the transmit antenna to the receive antenna may cause a change in
polarization.With linear polarization the electric field vector stays in the same plane. In circular
polarization the electric field vector appears to be rotating with circular motion about the direction of
propagation, making one full turn for each RF cycle. The rotation may be right-hand or left-hand.

Choice of polarization is one of the design choices available to the RF system designer. For example, low
frequency (< 1 MHz) vertically polarized radio waves propagate much more successfully near the earth
than horizontally polarized radio waves, because horizontally polarized waves will be canceled out by
reflections from the earth. Mobile radio ystems waves generally are vertically polarized. TV broadcasting
has adopted horizontal polarization as a standard. This choice was made to maximize signal-to-noise
ratios. At frequencies above 1 GHz, there is little basis for a choice of horizontal or vertical polarization,
although in specific applications, there may be some possible advantage in one or the other. Circular
polarization has also been found to be of advantage in some microwave radar applications to minimize the
"clutter" echoes received from raindrops, in relation to the echoes from larger targets such as aircraft.
Circular polarization can also be used to reduce multipath.

Procedure :

1. Arrange the Set up as per procedure given in Experiment 1

2. Connect the ‘L’ shape BNC on the top of the Receiving Antenna mast and mount the detector Antenna
vertically. (See figure 1.)
3. Since, we have changed the plane of receiving antenna to vertical keeping transmitting antenna
still in the horizontal plane that detector antenna receives practically no signal.
4. Rotate the transmitting antenna from 0 to 360° gradually and observe that the receiving antenna
received practically no signal or very less signal.
5. Repeat this with other horizontally polarised antennas.
6. Check with vertically polarised antennas.

Questions:

1.What is cross polarization and polarization loss factor?

2.State the applications and advantages of circular polarization.

Observations and conclusion:

Figure 1
Experiment No. 4

Objective : To measure the current in the antenna using a Antenna current sensor

This is used to measure the current in the antenna. This device consists of a sensing loop with rectifying
diode and capacitor. When the sensor is placed in the neighbourhood of a radiating antenna element, a
part of the varying magnetic flux will cross the sensing loop and develop along its voltage. This voltage,
rectified and smoothened by a capacitor, will appear as a DC (or modulated DC if you are
transmitting an AM modulated wave).

Notwithstanding the severe limitation in the use of the current sensor, this instrument is didactically
useful, since it demonstrates in an immediately perceivable manner the current and field pattern of
radiating antennas.

Procedure :

1. Connect a Simple dipole 3λ/2 antenna on the top of the transmitting mast.

2. Make the unit ready as per the procedure given in Experiment1.

3. Now connect the current sensor near the feeding point of the antenna.

4. Connect a DC Voltmeter at the other end of the Antenna current sensor and note down the voltage
across the resistance. (See Figure 1)

5. Now move the sensor little away from the feeding point and again note the voltage.

6. Repeat the above procedure till the end point of the element, and you will find that the voltage
increases and decreases and as we move away from the feeding point.
 Figure 1

Observations and conclusion:

1. From the readings on the voltmeter what can be concluded about the current distribution of the 3⋋/2
dipole.

2.With the help of diagrams explain and draw the current distributions of wire antennas of different

lengths.
Experiment No. 5

Objective :

1.Study of Yagi-UDA 5 element antenna and plot its radiation pattern.

2.To investigate the properties of a system comprising a dipole and a parasitic element.
3. Understand the terms ‘driven element’, ‘reflector’, ‘director’ and their design.

Theory:
The Yagi antenna was developed by a Japanese engineer Yagi-Uda. An antenna with a driven element
and one, or more, parasitic element is generally known as a “yagi”, after on of its inventors (Yagi
and Uda). With the length of the second dipole (the un-driven or “Parasitic” element) shorter
then the driven dipole (the driven element) the direction of maximum radiation is from the driven
element towards the parasitic element. In this case, the parasitic element is called the “director”.
With the length of the second dipole longer than the driven dipole the direction of maximum
radiation is from the parasitic element towards the driven element. In the case, the parasitic
element is called the “reflector”.. This is a very important antenna for unidirectional
transmission and widely used in TV reception. Yagi- UDA Antenna with folded or non- folded
dipoles are widely used antennas Behind the dipole they have a reflectors-and in front they
have directors 1-3-5-7-9, etc. The typical radiation pattern of this antenna is as shown below. The
polarisation is horizontal.
Yagi-antennas use mutual coupling between standing- wave current elements to produce a
traveling- wave unidirectional pattern. The elements in the Yagi antenna are usually welded to a
conducting rod or tube at their centers. The center impedance can be increased by using a folded
dipole as the driven element.

The various elements are indicated in the figure. The spacings between the elements are not
uniform. The only element of the structure that is excited is the dipole. All other parasitic
elements are closely coupled by mutual coupling. The radiation from the different elements
arrives in phase in the forward direction, but out of phase by various amounts in the opposite
directions. The bandwidth of a Yagi- Uda antenna is determined by the length, diameter and
spacing of the elements. For most designs bandwidth is typically only a few percent of the design
frequency.

Directors

Reflector

Procedure :

1. Mount Yagi-UDA 5 element folded dipole Antenna on the top of the transmitting mast
2. Arrange the Set up as per procedure given in Experiment 1 and draw the polar graph.

3.Replace the 5 element yagi-uda with the 3-element Yagi-Uda and note the change in the directivity.

Figure 1

Questions:

1. What is the effect of increasing the directors and reflectors in Yagi-Uda antenna?

2 Compare the Yagi-Uda antenna and log periodic antenna.

3. Explain the working of Yagi-uda and its applications.

Observations:

S.No Angle in degrees Detector current (in microamperes) Current in dB

Results: The ideal radiation pattern measured in a special chamber. When the Yagi antenna is tested in the
experiment, the radiation pattern is not perfectly aligned with the theoretical model, but the concepts of
gain and directivity are evident from the plot.
Experiment No. 6

Objective :

1.Design, Construction and performance Analysis of Log periodic Antenna.

2. To plot its radiation pattern.

Theory:

The Yagi antennas are inherently narrow-bandwidth antennas. The relatively small range of frequencies
over which the VSWR is below 2:1 has demonstrated this. The log periodic antenna is a design that
attempts to cover a much wider bandwidth. With a Yagi all of the elements are active on the operating
frequency. With a log periodic antenna only a number of the elements will be active on any one
frequency, the actual elements that are active changes as the frequency is changed. The role of active
elements is passed from the longer to the shorter elements as the frequency increases. The main feature
of this antenna is frequency independence for both radiation resistance and pattern. The radiation
pattern may be unidirectional or bidirectional. Bandwidth of 10:1 is easily achievable.

The array consists of number of dipoles of different lengths and spacing, and fed from a two wire line
which is transposed between each adjacent pair of dipoles. The array is fed from narrow end and
maximum radiation is in this direction. It has a number of dipoles of different length and spacings and is
fed by a balanced 2-wire transmission line which is transposed between each adjacent pair of dipoles. The
dipole length increases along the antenna such that the inclined angle ‘∝’ is constant.If a graph is drawn
of antenna input impedance v/s frequency, a repetitive variation will be noticed. If plotted against log of
frequency instead of frequency, then variation is periodic consisting of identical cycles. All other
properties of antenna undergo similar variation especially radiation pattern. It is this behavior of
antenna, which has given, log periodic name.

This is a horizontally polarised antenna.

Procedure :

1. Mount the Log Periodic antenna on the transmitting mast.

2. Arrange the Set up as per procedure given in Experiment 1 and draw the polar graph.

Figure 1

Questions:

1. Explain why the Log-Periodic antenna is called a wideband antenna.Why is it called log-periodic ?

2. List the applications of this antenna.

3. Describe the different kinds of feed of the Log-Periodic antenna.

4.Expain the working of log-periodic antenna.

Observations:

S.No Angle in degrees Detector current (in microamperes) Current in dB

Results:
Experiment No. 7

Objective :

Design, construction and performance Analysis of Helical Antenna.

Theory:

A helical antenna is an antenna consisting of a conducting wire wound in the form of helix.

where
H= total axial length of wire = nS
D - Diameter of a turn on the helix antenna.
C - Circumference of a turn on the helix antenna (C=pi*D).
- pitch angle, which controls how far the helix antenna grows in the z-direction per turn,

S - Vertical separation between turns for helical antenna.

N- number of loops.

The radiation pattern will be maximum in the +z direction.

The design of helical antenna was based upon the antenna parameters. In order to find any of the
parameters, the following set of empirical formulae are considered:

Directivity = 32,000 / HPBW2

Half Power Band Width (HPBW) = X degree

Beam width between first Nulls = X degree

Effective aperture Aeff = square unit

Axial ratio AR = [ 2 +1 / 2 ]

Bandwidth (BW) = − / × 100%

BW = /

Procedure :

1. Mount the Helical antenna on the transmitting mast.

2. Arrange the Set up as per procedure given in Experiment 1 and draw the polar graph.

Questions:

Observations:

S.No Angle in degrees Detector current (in Current in dB

microamperes)