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Technical Publications
Time and Frequency Division Institute for Basic Standards National Bureau of Standards Boulder, Colorado 80302
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE,
Edward 0 . Vetter, Under Secretary Dr. Betsy Ancker-Johnson, Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Acting Director Issued December 1976
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS TECHNICAL NOTE 688 Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), T e c h N o t e 688, 27 pages ( D e c e m b e r 1976)
CODEN: NBTNAE
For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U S Government Printing Office, Washington. D C 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No C13 4 6 688) Price 65 Cents (Add 25 percent additional for other than U S mailing)
FOREWORD
T h i s work was c a r r i e d out by the N a t i o n a l Bureau o f Standards a t antenna t e s t ranges l o c a t e d i n S t e r l i n g , V i r g i n i a , and a t T a b l e Mountain near Boulder, Colorado. These measurements were c a r r i e d out by t h e Antenna Research Section o f the Radio System D i v i s i o n , N a t i o n a l Bureau of Standards.
iii
CONTENTS
Page
1. 2. INTRODUCTION
. .
1
1
3.
1
2
3.1
3.2
E f f e c t o f D i f f e r e n t Equal Length D i r e c t o r s and Spacing on Heasured Gain f o r D i f f e r e n t Yagi Lengths E f f e c t o f D i f f e r e n t Diameters and Lengths o f D i r e c t o r s on Heasured Gain E f f e c t o f t h e S i z e o f a Supporting Boom on t h e Optimum Length o f a P a r a s i t i c Element
3.3
3.4
6 6
6
6
16
21
3.5
3.6
4.
5.
6. 7.
2.1
21
.
L I S T OF
TAGLES
and FIGURES
Table 1.
F i g u r e 1.
Gain i n dB o f a D i p o l e and R e f l e c t o r f o r D i f f e r e n t Spacings Between Elements Arrangement o f Three R e f l e c t i n g Elements Used With t h e 4.21 Yagi Photograph o f t h e T r i g o n a l R e f l e c t o r Experimental Set-Up Used With t h e 4.21 Yagi Gain o f a Yagi as a F u n c t i o n o f Length (Number of D i r e c t o r s ) f o r D i f f e r e n t Constant Spacings Between G i r e c t o r s o f Length Equal t o
F i g u r e 2. F i g u r e 3. F i g u r e 4.
3
4
0.3822,
F i g u r e 5.
Gain o f a Yagi as a F u n c t i o n o f Length (Number of D i r e c t o r s ) f o r D i f f e r e n t Constant Spacings Between D i r e c t o r s o f Length Equal t o 0.4111
F i g u r e 6.
Gain o f a Yagi as a Function o f Length (Number of D i r e c t o r s ) f o r D i f f e r e n t Constant Spacings Between D i r e c t o r s o f Length Equal t o . 0.4242,
Figure
7.
Comparison o f Gain o f D i f f e r e n t Length Yagis Showing t h e R e l a t i o n s h i p Between D i r e c t o r s Optimized I n Length t o Y i e l d Haximum Gain and D i r e c t o r s o f Optimum Uniform Length
8 8
F i g u r e 8.
i
Measured Gain Vs D i r e c t o r Length o f a 1.251 Yagi Antenna Using Three D i r e c t o r s o f D i f f e r e n t Length and Diameter Spaced 0.351
,
?
Figure
9.
Yagi Antenna Design Data Showing t h e R e l a t i o n s h i p Between Element Diameter t o Wavelength R a t l o and Element Length f o r D i f f e r e n t Antennas Graph Showing t h e E f f e c t o f a Supporting Boom on Length o f Elements
9
10
F i g u r e 10. F i g u r e 11.
.-
Gain o f an Array o f Yagis, Stacked One Above the Other and i n Broadside, as a Function o f Spaclng
11
11 12 12
f i g u r e 12.
Gain o f an Array o f Two Sets o f Stacked Yagis Spaced 1.61 as a f u n c t i o n o f H o r i z o n t a l Distance Between Them
.
.
13
13
R a d i a t i o n P a t t e r n s o f a 12-Element, 2.21 Long Yagi R a d i a t i o n P a t t e r n s o f a 17-Element, 3.21 Long Yagi R a d i a t i o n P a t t e r n s o f a ls-Element, 4.21 Long Yagi
.
. .
14
14 15
F i g u r e 20.
Use o f Design Curves i n Determining Element Lengths of 0.8X Yagi Considered i n Example 1
18
20
F i g u r e 21.
Use o f Design Curves i n Determining Element Lengths o f 4.21 Yagi Considered i n Example 2
Y A G I ANTENNA DESIGN
Peter P. V i e z b i c k e T h i s r e p o r t presents data, using modeling techn ques, f o r t h e optimum design o f d i f f e r e n t l e n g t h Yagi antennas. T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i s presented i n g r a p h i c a l form t o f a c i l i t a t e the design o f p r a c t i c a l l e n g t h an ennas--from 0.ZX t o 4.2A long--for o p e r a t i o n i n t h e HF, VHF, and UHF frequency range. The e f f e c t s o f d i f f e r e n t antenna parameters on r e a l i z a b l e g a l n were a l s o i n v e s t i g a t e d and t h e r e s u l t s a r e presented. F i n a l l y , supplemental d a t a a r e presented on t h e s t a c k i n g o f two o r more antennas t o p r o v i d e a d d i t i o n a l gain. Key words: Yagi. Antenna, d i r e c t o r , d r i v e n element, g a i n , r a d i a t i o n p a t t e r n , r e f l e c t o r ,
1.
INTRODUCTION
The Yagi-Uda antenna 111, commonly known as t h e Yagi, was i n v e n t e d i n 1926 by D r . H. Yagi I t s c o n f i g u r a t i o n normally c o n s i s t s o f a number o f d i r e c t o r s and r e f l e c t o r s and S h i n t a r o Uda. t h a t enhance r a d i a t i o n i n one d i r e c t i o n when p r o p e r l y arranged on a s u p p o r t i n g s t r u c t u r e . Since i t s discovery, a l a r g e number of r e p o r t s have appeared i n t h e l i t e r a t u r e r e l a t i v e t o t h e a n a l y s i s , design, and use of the Yagi antenna [2, 3 , 4, 5 , 6 , 7, 8, 91. However, l i t t l e o r no data seem t o have been presented r e g a r d i n g how p a r a s i t i c element diameter, element l e n g t h , spacings between elements, s u p p o r t i n g booms o f d i f f e r e n t c r o s s s e c t i o n a l area, v a r i o u s r e f l e c t o r s , and o v e r a l l l e n g t h a f f e c t measured g a i n . T h i s r e p o r t presents t h e r e s u l t s of e x t e n s i v e measurements c a r r i e d o u t by t h e N a t i o n a l Bureau o f Standards t o determine these e f f e c t s and g i v e s g r a p h i c a l d a t a t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e I n addition., d e s i g n c r i t e r i o n design o f d i f f e r e n t l e n g t h antennnas t o y i e l d maximum gain. i s a l s o presented on stacking--one above t h e o t h e r and i n a columnar c o n f i g u r a t i o n . The g a i n i s g i v e n i n d e c i b e l s (de) r e l a t i v e t o a d i p o l e ( r e f e r e n c e antenna) a t t h e same h e i g h t above ground as t h e t e s t (Yagi) antenna. 2. METHOD O F MEASUREMENT
The measurements were c a r r i e d o u t a t t h e NBS antenna range when i t was l o c a t e d a t S t e r l i n g , V i r g i n i a , and a t Table Mountain, Colorado, a f t e r t h e antenna research group was r e l o c a t e d t o Colorado. A l l measurements were conducted a t a modeling frequency o f 400 MHz. The antenna under t e s t was used as a r e c e i v i n g antenna and was l o c a t e d approximately 320 meters from a t a r g e t t r a n s m i t t e r and antenna. The t r a n s m i t t i n g antenna was l o c a t e d a t a h e i g h t above ground so t h a t the r e c e i v i n g antennas were i l l u m i n a t e d a t g r a z i n g angles. The Yagi under t e s t was mounted 3X (wavelength) above ground and i t s g a i n was compared t o a r e f e r e n c e d i p o l e antenna l o c a t e d approximately 5X t o one s i d e and a t t h e same h e i g h t as t h e t e s t antenna. Each antenna was matched p r e c i s e l y t o 50 ohms and switched a l t e r n a t e l y t o an a t t e n u a t o r and associated r e c e i v i n g and d e t e c t i n g equipment l o c a t e d i n a nearby wooden b u i l d i n g . I n comparing t h e a t t e n u a t o r readings o f t h e two antennas t o produce a constant r e c e i v e r output l e v e l , l i n e losses t o each were measured and compensated f o r i n a r r i v i n g a t f i n a l values o f gain. The values o f g a i n were r e p r o d u c i b l e to w i t h i n 0.2 dB over t h e p e r i o d when measurements were being c a r r i e d o u t . The v a l u e s p r e s e n t e d a r e those measured i n a forward d i r e c t i o n compared to the maximum response of a d i p o l e a t t h e same h e i g h t above ground and a r e b e l i e v e d accurate t o w i t h i n 0.5 dB. i f r e f e r e n c e d t o an i s o t r o p i c source, t h e values must be increased by 2.16 dB.
3.
RESULTS
The r e s u l t s o f the measurements c a r r i e d o u t i n t h i s study a r e presented i n g r a p h i c a l form. They a r e intended t o p r o v i d e a simple means o f designing a Yagi antenna of p r a c t i c a l dimensions w i t h maximum gain f o r t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n under c o n s i d e r a t i o n . The purpose o f these t e s t s was t o determine the f o l l o w i n g :
a. b.
E f f e c t o f r e f l e c t o r spacing on t h e g a i n of a d i p o l e antenna E f f e c t o f d i f f e r e n t equal l e n g t h d i r e c t o r s , t h e i r spacing and number on realizable gain E f f e c t o f d i f f e r e n t diameters and l e n g t h s o f d i r e c t o r s on r e a l i z a b l e g a i n E f f e c t o f t h e s i z e o f a supporting boom on t h e o p t i m u m l e n g t h o f p a r a s i t i c e 1 ement s E f f e c t o f spacing and stacking o f antennas on g a i n Measured r a d i a t i o n patterns o f d i f f e r e n t Yagi c o n f i g u r a t i o n s
c. d.
e.
f.
3.1
ON MEASURED GAIN
These t e s t s as w e l l as a l l others were c a r r i e d out on a non-conducting p l e x i g l a s s With t h e e x c e p t i o n o f measurements s t a t e d i n s e c t i o n s 3 . 3 and 3.4, a l l p a r a s i t i c elements were c o n s t r u c t e d of 0.63 cm ( o n e - f o u r t h inch) diametcr The d r i v e n element used i n t h e Yagi as w e l l as i n t h e r e f e r e n c e d i p o l e aluminum tubing. was a half-wave f o l d e d d i p o l e matched t o 50 ohms u s i n g a double-stub tuner.
The g a i n o f a d i p o l e and r e f l e c t o r combination for d i f f e r e n t spacings between t h e two elements i s shown i n f i g u r e 1 . Maximum measured g a i n was 2.6 dB and was r e a l i z e d a t a spacing of 0.21 behind the dipole. This r e f l e c t o r spacing was used i n a l l subsequent measurements. However, f o r the d i f f e r e n t Yagi c o n f i g u r a t i o n s t h e r e f l e c t o r l e n g t h was o p t i m i z e d t o y i e l d maximum gain. An a d d i t i o n a l 0.75 dB g a i n was r e a l i z e d u s i n g t h e r e f l e c t o r c o n f i g u r a t i o n shown i n f i g u r e 2. Although t h i s arrangement was used o n l y on t h e 4.21 long Yagi, comparable b e n e f i t s would be r e a l i z e d w i t h o t h e r antenna lengths. A photograph o f t h e experimental set-up f o r t h i s c o n f i g u r a t i o n i s shown i n f i g u r e 3 .
i
Various arrangements and spacings o f r e f l e c t o r elements were t e s t e d on t h e 4.21 Yagi u s i n g t h e d r i l l e d p l e x i g l a s s support as shown. The r e f l e c t i n g elements were arranged i n In a d d i t i o n , shapes o f p l a n e r e f l e c t i n g surfaces, parabolas and c o r n e r r e f l e c t o r s . d i f f e r e n t shaped s o l i d r e f l e c t i n g surfaces p l a c e d a t v a r i o u s d i s t a n c e s behind t h e d r i v e n element were a l s o used. O f the combjnations t e s t e d , t h e one shown i n f i g u r e 2 y i e l d e d t h e l a r g e s t increase i n g a i n over t h a t of the s i n g l e r e f l e c t i n g element.
3.2
These measurements were conducted u s i n g t h e same non-conducting boom as mentioned i n t h e preceding s e c t i o n . The d r i v e n element c o n s i s t e d o f a x/2 f o l d e d d i p o l e ; t h e r e f l e c t o r was 0.4821 i n l e n g t h and spaced 0.21 behind t h e d r i v e n element. The diameter o f a l l elements was 0.00851 (0.25 inches = 0.63m). The g a i n o f t h e Yagi was measured as a f u n c t i o n of antenna l e n g t h (number o f d i r e c t o r s ) f o r d i f f e r e n t equal l e n g t h d i r e c t o r s and spacing between them. The d i r e c t o r l e n g t h s were v a r i e d from 0.304X t o 0.4231 and spacings f r o m 0.011 t o 0.401. The Yagi l e n g t h , measured from t h e d r i v e n element t o the l a s t d i r e c t o r , was v a r i e d from an o v e r a l l l e n g t h o f 0.2x to 10.2X. The r e f l e c t o r i n a l l cases was f i x e d . . Although many measurements were c a r r i e d o u t , o n l y those r e s u l t s and associated graphs a r e presented t h a t show t h e e f f e c t s o f these parameters on measured gain. F i g u r e s 4, 5, and 6 show the r e l a t i v e g a i n o f a Yagi as a f u n c t i o n o f l e n g t h f o r d i f f e r e n t spacings between d i r e c t o r elements u s i n g d i r e c t o r l e n g t h s o f 0.3821, 0.4111, and 0.424A. F i g u r e 4 shows t h a t f o r r e l a t i v e l y s h o r t d i r e c t o r s a t a spacing o f 0.3X, t h e g a i n o f t h e Yagi increased t o a maximum v a l u e o f 14.5 dB when the antenna l e n g t h was increased t o approximately 101. Note, however, t h a t as t h e spacing between elements was
*--
e -
5
e
W
:If
1
-T
DE
REFLECTOR
21
,
-05
,
20
+,
.25 30
.35A
.10
15
0 LR3
OIRECTORS-
0
LR3 DRIVEN
0.271
ELEHE NT
REFLECTOR LENGTHS
0
[ L E N G T H S NOT CORRECTED FOR BOOM OR SUPPORT T H I C K N E S S ]
LR2
FIG. 2
4.2X
YAGI
FIG. 3
PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TRIGONAL REFLECTOR EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP USED WITH THE 4 . 2 X YAGI
!
14
0.3X SPACING
0.4X
SPACING
12
w
>
3 I J m
L L I i
La ax u
c
.*9
0.2X SPACING
on
0.06X S P A C I N G
z
Y-
o.1ox SPACING
.-->
-w
40
9a
FIG. 4
GAlN OF A YAGI AS A FUNCTION OF LENGTH (NUMBER OF DIRECTORS) FOR DIFFERENT CONSTANT SPACINGS BETWEEN DIRECTORS OF LENGTH EQUAL TO 0.3821
12
Y
>
10
.3X SPACING
8
on
IW
w- w
+-I
6
4
0 . 4 a SPACING
0.1X SPACIN
40
u-
2a
C L O
4 ' L 7
,,/GAIN
O F D I P O L E AND R E F L E C T O R
2R
I
0 . 3 0 ~SPACING
'
0.35A S P A C I N G
1
II
1 ADD 0 . 2 ~ FOR R E F L
7 0
10
LENGTH O F ANTENNA I N U A V E L E N G T H S
FIG. 6 GAIN O F A YAGI A S A FUNCTION O F LENGTH (NUMBER OF DIRECTORS) FOR DIFFERENT CONSTANT SPACINGS BETWEEN DIRECTORS OF LENGTH EQUAL TO 0.4241
decreased, an o s c i l l a t o r y wave p a t t e r n r e s u l t e d wherein t h e max shorter Yagi l e n g t h and v a r i e d between a maximum and minimum va was changed. As the l e n g t h o f the d i r e c t o r s was increased, the p a t t e r n were a l s o enhanced together w i t h a r e d u c t i o n i n g a i n as
The curves presented i n f i g u r e 7 show a comparison o f r e a l zed g a i n vs Yagi l e n g t h up t o 4.21 for antennas u s i n g d i r e c t o r s o f equal l e n g t h and those optimized i n l e n g t h . For t h e optimized l e n g t h c o n f i g u r a t i o n s t h e g a i n increased from 0.5 dB f o r t h e 2.2A antenna t o T a b l e 1 g i v e s d e t a i l s o f antenna parameters f o r t h e approximately 1.5 dB f o r t h e 4.2X Yagi.
1
3.3
EFFECT O F DIFFERENT DIAMETERS AND LENGTHS OF DIRECTORS ON MEASURED G A I N
This e f f e c t was determined by measuring t h e g a i n o f d i f f e r e n t Yagi c o n f i g u r a t i o n s for Curves showing the r e s u l t s o f measurements d i f f e r e n t d i r e c t o r l e n g t h s o f v a r i o u s diameters. c a r r i e d o u t on t h e 1.251 l o n g Yagi a r e g i v e n i n f i g u r e 8. A s expected, t h e maximum g a i n f o r t h e d i f f e r e n t combinations remained unchanged. The l a r g e r diameter elements y i e l d e d maximum gain a t s h o r t e r lengths w h i l e t h e s m a l l e r d i a m e t e r elements y i e l d e d maximum g a i n a t c o r r e spondingly g r e a t e r lengths. Results o f a s e r i e s of measurements, n o t i n g these e f f e c t s , were c a r r i e d o u t on t h e d i f f e r e n t l e n g t h Yagis and, t o g e t h e r w i t h r e s u l t s presented i n Table 1 , a set o f design curves was produced and i s p r e s e n t e d i n f i g u r e 9 . These d a t a p r o v i d e t h e basic design c r i t e r i o n o f the Yagi antenna and a r e v a l i d over a l a r g e frequency range p r o v i d e d t h e selected element diameter t o wavelength r a t i o d/X f a l l s w i t h i n the l i m i t s shown.
3.4
I
Round and square s u p p o r t i n g booms of d i f f e r e n t cross-sect-ion area were employed i n Yagi antennas o f d i f f e r e n t lengths t o determine what e f f e c t t h e boom diameter had on t h e The round and square booms y i e l d e d s i m i l a r optimum l e n g t h o f the p a r a s i t i c elements. r e s u l t s . The e f f e c t o f a round s u p p o r t i n g boom on t h e l e n g t h o f a p a r a s i t i c element i s represented by t h e curve i n f i g u r e IO. T h i s experimental response can be used i n a p p l y i n g the boom c o r r e c t i o n f o r t h e f i n a l Yagi design.
! !
1
3.5
As shown i n f i g u r e 1 1 , a d d i t i o n a l g a i n i s r e a l i z e d when antennas a r e stacked one above t h e o t h e r or i n broadside. N o t o n l y i s g a i n increased b u t t h e beamwidth i s reduced appreciably depending upon t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n employed. F i g u r e 11 (A) shows the e f f e c t s o f s t a c k i n g two antennas, one above t h e o t h e r . These responses show s i m i l a r mutual e f f e c t s between t w o seven-element Yagis and between two f i f t e e n - e l e m e n t Yagis. A t c l o s e spacing, approximately O.Bh, the g a i n was reduced due t o h i g h mutual impedance e f f e c t s b u t increased t o a maximum o f 2.5 dB as t h e spacing was increased t o approximately 1.61. S i m i l a r e f f e c t s were measured w i t h the combination shown i n f i g u r e 1 1 (B). Maximum g a i n i n t h i s case was r e a l i z e d w i t h the two antennas spaced a t approximately 2.01.
A combination o f t h e above two c o n f i g u r a t i o n s u s i n g spacings as shown y i e l d e d an a d d i t i o n a l 2.5 dB g a i n and a corresponding r e d u c t i o n i n beamwidth. For example, f o u r 0.8; Yagi antennas, a p p r o p r i a t e l y stacked, spaced and f e d i n phase y i e l d e d a g a i n o f 14.2 dB r e l a t i v e t o a d i p o l e l o c a t e d a t t h e same h e i g h t above ground. I n c o n t r a s t , a combination o f four 4.2). Yagi antennas y i e l d e d a g a i n o f 19.6 dB r e l a t i v e t o a d i p o l e , as shown b y the graph i n f i g u r e 12.
3.6
R a d i a t i o n p a t t e r n s measured i n t h e E ( h o r i z o n t a l - s o l i d curves) and H ( v e r t ical-dashed curves) planes f o r d i f f e r e n t Yagi designs a r e presented i n f i g u r e s 13 through 19. The
TABLE 1 .
7.1
9.2
10.2
12.25
13.4
14.2
(A)
(B)
(c)
(6)
(D)
f = 400 MHz
REFLECTOR SPACED 0.21 BEHIND DRIVEN ELEHENT
n
w
U 3
LL
>
14-
13-
a
0
t
W
11
p
7
I=1 S.0.2A
,
1 .o
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
COMPARISON OF G A I N OF DIFFERENT LENGTH Y A G I S SHOWING THE R E L A T I O N S H I P BETWEEN DIRECTORS O P T I M I Z E D I N LENGTH TO Y I E L D MAXIMUM G A I N AND DIRECTORS OF OPTIMUM UNIFORM LENGTH
w
1
0
b
0.32 Un
I
FIG.
1 in.
I
0.16 un
0.08 cm DIAMETER
J 14
2.5.5 cn
10
11
12
13
MEASURED G A I N VS DIRECTOR LENGTH OF A 1 . 2 5 1 Y A G I ANTENNA U S I N G THREE DIRECTORS OF DIFFERENT LENGTH AND DIAMETER SPACED 0.351
1- --I-Ln
a
W
I W
x
U
8w
z W x
W Z W
Wv)
A U
r
W Z
UI-
ZU
WIW
0 na
c 1
I -
mr
U W
U mu-
I -
on
w
L w
I
C s
W W
I - I--
u o 2 Y
W
2 =I
U IZ
3
0 W I - ZI-
W i 3
I-W I
=
W
2ZW
O E
I
I -
W W
v)d
U
c (
n
I-
z
W W
aI
I-J
Z W
U>
d
S H 1 9 N 3 1 3 A V M N I S l N 3 W 3 1 3 30 H 1 9 N 3 1
v )
5
II
W
W J
LL
0
I I -
z
W
c3
0 0
z
x
z
a .
z
P 3
v)
a
LL 0
V
W
i -
LL
W
t-
z -
c3
z
Q
c3
v)
I P
i
0
c
LL
0
pr)
In
N
0
( u
u )
F
0 c
m
0 0
10
3-
t-5
TI
QIPI-
5
22
1I
FIG.
11
G A I N OF AN ARRAY OF YAGIS, STACKED ONE ABOVE THE OTHER AND I N BROADSIDE, AS A FUNCTION OF SPACING
20
( L
19
r 1
18
17
d
S P A C I N G S = 1.6X AND H E I G H T h = 2.0X CONST
h = 2L
-0
f 0
F I G . 12
1 .o
2.0
3.0
G A I N OF AN ARRAY OF TWO SETS OF STACKED Y A G I S SPACED 1 . 6 1 AS A FUNCTION OF HORIZONTAL DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM
11
.. .
aJ m
c n
-0
aJ
E 0
t u
1-_---I
!
I A -
\ ' ,
m
U
01
C 0
..
-
c ; :
l n
P
# I
W
QI.
D
N
-87
__
. .
0 z
-i -
1 . 2 1 LONG YAGI
13
13
I -
0,
TI al
14
. .
. .
.. .
-~ -
- ---T---------
e
'
..
_ I I -
-a
FIG. 19
15
element) are presented i n f i g u r e 13. The 3-dB E and H plane beanwidths measured 66' and 1 1 l 0 respecdively. The beanwidth of t h e 3-element 0.4X antenna, as shown i n f i g u r e 14, measured 57 and 72' i n t h e E and H planes r e s p e c t i v e l y . The E p l a n e , f r o n t - t o - s i d e r a t i o i s i n the order o f 24 dB, w h i l e t h e r a d i a t i o n to t h e r e a r was o n l y 8 dB down from t h a t i n the forward d i r e c t i o n . The r a d i a t i o n p a t t e r n o f the 5-element 0.81 Yagi presented i n f i g u r e I 5 i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a 3 dB beamwidth o f 48' and 56' i n t h e E and H planes r e s p e c t i v e l y . The E plane, f r o n t - t o - s i d e r a t i o remained comparable t o t h e 3:element antenna; however, t h e f r o n t - t o back r a t i o was improved c o n s i d e r a b l y and measured 15 dB. I n r a d i a t i o n p a t t e r n s o f 6, 12, 17 and 15-element Yagis as shown i n f i g u r e s 16 through 19, t h e beamwidths became p r o g r e s s i v e l y smaller as was expected w i t h increased gain.
4.
To f a c i l i t a t e t h e design o f an antenna o f p r a c t i c a l dimensions and y e t r e a l i z e maximum gain, r e f e r t o the curves shown i n f i g u r e 9. These d a t a were developed from r e s u l t s o f model measurements c a r r i e d o u t a t 400 HHz u s i n g elements o f d i f f e r e n t diameters. Only those curves a r e presented which w i l l enable t h e user t o design t h e 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2 and 4.2h long Yagis t h a t y i e l d gains o f 7.1, 9.2, 10.2, 12.3, 13.4 and 14.2 dB respect i v e l y over t h a t o f a d i p o l e mounted a t t h e same h e i g h t above ground. I n designing a Yagi antenna, the f o l l o w i n g b a s i c i n f o r m a t t o n i s r e q u i r e d and, o f course, w i l l depend upon i n d i v i d u a l requirements. 1. 2. Frequency o f o p e r a t i o n , f (wavelength, h ) Antenna g a i n required, G (dB) Diameter o f p a r a s i t i c elements ( d i r e c t o r s - r e f l e c t o r s ) Diameter o f s u p p o r t i n g boom used i n c o n s t r u c t i o n , D/x used i n c o n s t r u c t i o n , d/A
3.
i
4.
Careful c o n s i d e r a t i o n should a l s o be g i v e n t o s e l e c t i o n o f t h e diameter o f the T h i s i s important s i n c e elements and boom a t t h e wavelength o r frequency o f o p e r a t i o n . smaller diameter and l i g h t e r m a t e r i a l s can be used a t t h e h i g h e r frequencies i n c o n t r a s t t o l a r g e r and heavier m a t e r i a l s needed f o r support a t t h e lower frequencies. Note a l s o t h a t the selected element diameter-to-wavelength r a t i o s used i n t h e d e s i g n o f t h e chosen antenna must f a l l w i t h i n t h e l i m i t s shown.
I f maximum g a i n i s t o be r e a l i z e d u s i n g t h e d a t a presented, i t i s e s s e n t i a l to follow very c l o s e l y t h e procedure described here. In a d d i t i o n , t h e element l e n g t h s should be measured and c u t t o a t o l e r a n c e o f about 0.0031 w i t h respect t o t h e c a l c u l a t e d values. TO a i d the user i n the design o f t h i s antenna and t o f a m i l i a r i z e him i n use of t h e design data, two s p e c i f i c examples a r e presented. The f i r s t considers t h e d e s i g n o f a 5-element, 0.81 Yagi; t h e second example presents a step-by-step procedure for t h e design o f a 15element, 4.21 Yagi. I n t h e f i r s t example, consider t h e design o f a 0 . 8 ~Yagi antenna t o operate a t a frequency o f 50.1 MHz i n the amateur r a d i o band and y i e l d a g a i n o f 9.2 dB r e l a t i v e t o a d i p o l e . The elements s h a l l be c o n s t r u c t e d of 2.54 cm (1 in.) diameter aluminum t u b i n g w i t h t h e boom o f 5.08 cm (2 in.) diameter aluminum t u b i n g .
GIVEN:
,D
D/X
Element spacing Overall l e n g t h
(47 i n . )
16
STEP 1:
Plot the lengths of the parasitic elements obtained from Table 1 for 0.81 long
Yagi on the corresponding curve In figure 9.
the parasitic element lengths for d/X = 0.0085. Thus LD = Lo3 = 0.4281
1
L
D2
0.4241
LR = 0.4821
STEP 2:
For our design, where the element diameter to wavelength ratio d/X
mark
0.0042,
plot and establish this point on the director curve and indicate by a check
(4. This is
STEP 3:
For the same d/1 ratio, determine the uncompensated length of the reflector LR 0.4851.
With a pair of dividers, measure the distance along the curve between the initial points 0 , = D to D2 determined i n Step 1 . Transpose this distance from the
STEP
4:
point established in Step 2 downward along the curve and determine the uncompensated length of director L O2
= 0.4381.
From the foregoing, the uncompensated parasitic element lengths for the 50.1 MHz
Yagi are:
= 0.438X
D2
LR = 0.4851
To these values, a correction must be added to compensate for the boom diameter.
STEP
5:
Refer to figure 1 0 .
From the chart this length = 0.0051. Thus, for this design the exact lengths of the parasitic elements should be
sitic elements must be increased. measured and cut to the following lengths.
= L = 0.4421
O3
L
264.5 cm.
O2
= 0.4851 + 0.005X = 0.490X = 293 cm. LR The driven element is designed so that the Yagi can work either into a 50 or 200 ohm load impedance. For a 50 ohm impedance, a folded dipole and a quarterwave balun can be employed. Precise matching to 50 ohms can be accomplished by using a double-stub tuner connected into the feed line.
17
SHlSN313AVM N I SlN3W313 30 H 1 9 N 3 1
18
I f the antenna i s designed w i t h a 200 ohm balanced i n p u t impedance, then the d r i v e n element should be designed t o p r o v i d e an impedance step-up r a t i o o f 12. For t h i s c o n f i g u r a t i o n , a X/2 b a l u n s e c t i o n and stubs can be used t o p r o v i d e proper impedance t r a n s f o r m a t i o n and matching. OtHer matching methods can a l s o be employed such as Gamma o r T match [ l o , 1 1 , 121.
As a second example, c o n s i d e r the design o f a 4.2h long Yagi t o p r o v i d e a g a i n o f 14.2 d8 r e l a t i v e t o a d i p o l e t o o p e r a t e on 827 HHz i n t h e c e n t e r o f TV Channel 73. For the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h i s antenna l e t us s e l e c t and use a 1/2-inch diameter boom w i t h 3/16-inch diameter elements u s i n g t h i n w a l l brass tubing.
GIVEN:
Frequency 827
HHz, A
--
(14.3
in.)
= 0.013
Boom diameter, D
D/X
Element spacing Overall length STEP 1:
P l o t t h e l e n g t h s o f p a r a s i t i c elements from Table 1 for t h e 4.21 l o n g Yagi on t h e corresponding curve i n f i g u r e 9. and presented i n f i g u r e 21. For c l a r i t y , t h e s e curves a r e reproduced E s t a b l i s h p o i n t s LD = L 0 2 * L ~ 3 * * L ~ l and l o c a t e 1
t h e p a r a s i t i c element lengths on t h e c u r v e as i n t h e p r e v i o u s example f o r the d/A = 0.0085 case. STEP 2: F o r our p a r t i c u l a r design, however, where t h e element d i a m e t e r t o wavelength r a t i o d/X = 0.013, p l o t and e s t a b l i s h t h i s p o i n t on t h e 4 . Z - long Yagi curve
(4.
T h i s i s t h e uncompensated
LR =
STEP 4:
0.473X;
3'
Transpose t h i s d i s t a n c e from t h e i n i t i a l
(4
= 0.4091.
3
Measure t h e d i s t a n c e from D1 = D2 t o D4. initlal Transpose t h i s d i s t a n c e from Similarly, LD = 0.385X, 6 L
=
(4 p o i n t
d e t e r m i n e remaining d i r e c t o r lengths.
= 0.3911,
LD5
DJ
0.381X, L
'8
STEP 5: Again,
to
LD
13
= 0.3771.
0.035,
0.0261. Thus,
determine the f r a c t i o n a l amount by which each element must be From the curve, d e t e r m i n e t h i s l e n g t h =
p a r a s i t i c elements t o the f o l l o w i n g l e n g t h s :
19
SH13N313AVM N I S l N 3 W 3 1 3 30 H19N31
20
= L
= 0.414X
+ 0.026X
O 2 L
D3
= 0.3951 + 0.026X = 0.4211 = 15.3 cm. L D4
L
I
D5
L
D6
L
DJ
L
'8
LD13
LR = 0.4731 + 0.0261 = 0.4991 = 18.1 cm. The d r i v e n element can be o f a v a r i e t y o f designs and w i l l depend upon i n d i v i d u a l requirements.
I t i s u s u a l l y measured and c u t t o o n e - h a l f
5.
CONCLUSIONS
The d a t a presented i n t h i s r e p o r t p r o v i d e t h e necessary i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h e d e s i g n o f Yagi antennas r a n g i n g i n l e n g t h from 0.21 t o 4.2X. These d a t a a l l o w t h e user t o design antennas t o y i e l d maximum g a i n f o r seven d i f f e r e n t design c o n f i g u r a t i o n s . In addition, s t a c k i n g o f antennas, s i d e by s i d e and one above the o t h e r - - a l l fed i n phase--provides an a d d i t i o n a l g a i n up t o 5.2 dB over t h a t of t h e s i n g l e a r r a y .
6.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The a u t h o r wishes t o extend s i n c e r e a p p r e c i a t i o n t o W i l l i a m Gorboczieski f o r h i s a s s i s t Also, ance i n t h e f a b r i c a t i o n of t e s t set-ups and i n c a r r y i n g out of t h e measurements. s i n c e r e a p p r e c i a t i o n and thanks t o A l v i n Wilson f o r p r o v i d i n g t h e r a d i a t i o n p a t t e r n s .
7.
[l] S h i n t a r o , U., and Yasuto, H., Ltd., Senda, Japan, 1954).
REFERENCES
AP-14,
[ 3 ] Barbano, N.,
Log p e r i o d i c Yagi-Uda a r r a y , IEEE, Trans. Antennas and Prop., pp. 235-238 (Mar. 1966). Analysis Y Yagi-Uda t y p e antennas, pp. 24-31 (Jan. 1969).
AP-14,
[ 4 ] T h i e l e , G. A.,
[SI
Emerson, J., Arranging Yagi antennas f o r p o s i t i v e r e s u l t s , Broadcast Engineering, No. pp. 32-40 (May 1971).
5,
[6] Shen, L., D i r e c t i v i t y and bandwidth of single-band and double band Yagi a r r a y s , I E E E ,
Trans. Antennas and Prop., AP-20, pp. 178-180 (Nov. 1972).
21
[7] Cheng, 0.
[8] Chen, C. 191
!
K . , and Chen, C. A., Optimum element spacings for Yagi-Uda arrays, I E E E , Trans. Antennas and Prop., AP-21, pp. 615-623 (Sept. 1973).
A . , and Cheng, 0 . K., Optimum element lengths for Yagi-Uda arrays, IEEE, Trans. Antennas and Prop., AP-23, pp. 8-15 (Jan. 1975).
Nose, K . , Crossed Yagi antennas for circular polarizatlon, QST, pp. 21-24 (Jan. 1973).
[lo] Healey,
[ l l ] Nose, K . , Adjustment o f Gamma-matched parasitic beams, QST, pp. 44-46 (Mar. 1958).
[I21 The Radio Amateur's Handbook, Fifty Second Ed. (AH Radio Relay League, 1976).
i
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