Experiment No: 6

AIM:

To study the radiation pattern of-

1. Horn antenna
2. Dielectric rod pattern

EQUIPMENTS USED

1. Gunn oscillator
2. PIN modulator
3. Gunn power supply
4. Isolator
5. Frequency meter
6. Variable attenuator
7. Waveguide detector mount
8. Tunable probe
9. VSWR meter
10. Waveguide stand
11. Matched termination.
12. Horn antenna
13. Waveguide bends
14. Waveguide 90° twists

THEORY-

Gunn power supply

Horn antenna pair

Gunn Pin Isolator Variable Frequency Waveguide

diode modulator Attenuator meter bends
oscillator

Matched Detector
termination Mount

VSWR meter

Fig No. 1- Block diagram

In microwave communications, the transmission and reception of microwave power to/from space, is a
primary necessity. If a waveguide which is propagating a signal is left with an open end, some of the
signal energy will escape into space (Fig. 2). Some will be reflected because the end is not well matched
to free space, so a VSWR of about 2 will typically result. The process is affected by an impedance
transformer between the space and source, known as antenna. A transmission line shall act as an antenna
if its output end is well matched to space.
 Fig. 2- Energy radiated and reflected from an open waveguide end

ANTENNA:

When it is required to transmit energy efficiently into space, a device called an ‘aerial’ or
‘antenna’ is used. The horn is a very simple form of antenna, being no more than a flare-out of
the shape of the waveguide walls. It improves the match between the waveguide and free space,
and narrows the angle over which energy is radiated. (Fig. 2)
By concentrating the radiation in a particular direction, the power radiated in that direction is
increased (at the expense of reduced power in other directions). The factor by which it is
increased is called the ‘gain’ of the transmitting antenna. Theoretically the power received by the
receiving antenna of area A can be calculated by Fris’s formula:
Pr = Pt GtGrλ0/ (4 πr2)

The gain G is often expressed in decibels as:

G = 10 log10 G dBi

where the ‘i’ refers to an isotropic radiator; one which radiates equally in all directions.
If both transmitting and receiving antennas are identical having gain ‘G’ then-

𝜆0 𝑃𝑡 𝐺 2
Received power, 𝑃𝑟 =
(4𝜋𝑅)2

4𝜋𝑅 𝑃𝑟
Hence gain can be given as 𝐺= √𝑃
√𝜆0 𝑡

Fig. 2 Energy radiated from a horn antenna (more concentrated in one direction

RADIATION PATTERN
The Radiation pattern of an antenna is a diagram of field strength. Here the directional
characteristics of an antenna would ideally be shown as a three-dimensional graph in which, for
each direction, the radius from a central point is proportional to the power density at a given
distance. For practical reasons the radiation pattern is normally shown by two-dimensional
graphs which show a section or sections of the three-dimensional pattern (Fig.3). An antenna
pattern consists of several lobes. The major power is concentrated in the main lobe and it is
required to keep power in side and back lobe as low as possible. The antenna pattern
measurement is always done in far field region. The far field region is achieved at a minimum
2𝐷2
distance of 𝑅= for rectangular horn antenna.
𝜆0
Here D is outer diameter of horn antenna and λ0 is free space wavelength.

Fig. 3 Two sections of a 3-D radiation pattern

It is also very important to avoid reflection and therefore antenna measurement is done at outdoor
radius in anechoic chambers made of absorbing materials.

E-PLANE -

The E- plane is the plane passing through the antenna in the direction of beam maximum and parallel to
far field E vector.

H-PLANE –

The H-plane is the plane passing through the antenna in the direction of beam maximum and parallel to
far field H vector.

Fig .4- end view of waveguide showing E-plane and H- plane

BEAM WIDTH-

The beam width is a measure of sharpness of the main radiated beam. The 3-db beam width is
the angular width of a pattern between the half-power points i.e.3 db points with respect to
maximum field strength. It is the angle between the two points on the main lobe at which the
radiated power density is half the maximum. In the electric field intensity pattern it is angular
width between points that are 1/√2 times the maximum intensity.

DIELECTRIC ROD ANTENNA-

In microwave communications, the transmission and reception of microwave power to/from

space, is a primary necessity. A dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is a radio antenna mostly
used at microwave frequencies and higher, that consists of a block of ceramic material of various
shapes, the dielectric resonator, mounted on a metal surface, a ground plane. It is an
unidirectional antenna that uses a dielectric substance to obtain power gain.

HORN ANTENNA-

A horn antenna form of antenna that consists of a flared waveguide which is shaped like a horn
and it has the effect that it enables a transition between the waveguide and free space and it also
directs radio waves in a beam. It derives its name from the characteristic flared appearance. The
flared portion can be square, rectangular, or conical. The maximum radiation and response
corresponds with the axis of the horn. In this respect, the antenna resembles an acoustic horn.

PROCEDURE:

1. The equipment is set up as shown in figure keeping the axis of both antenna in same
axis line
2. The Gunn oscillator energized for maximum output at desired frequency by tuning
the amplitude and frequency of modulating signal of Gunn powder supply and by
tuning detector.
3. Full scale division on normal db scale (0-10 db) at any convenient range position o
VSWR is switched by controlling gain knob o VSWR meter.
4. The receiving antenna is tuned to left in 50 steps up to 450 and note the corresponding
VSWR db reading in normal db range. When necessary, the range switch is changed
to next higher range and 10 db is added to observed value.
5. The above step is repeated by turning the receiving horn to the right and note down
the reading.
6. The relative power pattern i.e. is drawn, output power versus angle.
7. The horn antenna is replaced in the receiver side with dielectric rod antenna and the
same procedure is repeated.
OBSERVATION:

1. HORN ANTENNA

Operating frequency, f0 = 9.275GHz

Cutoff wavelength, 𝜆0 = 3.23cm

Diagonal of pyramidal horn antenna, D = 12.8cm

2𝐷2
Minimum distance for far field, 𝑅 = =101.4cm
𝜆0

Clockwise Anticlockwise
Angle(deg) Power(dB)
Power(dB) Angle(deg)
0 -57.8 310 -62.5
10 -62.0 320 -62.8
20 -62.6 330 -62.28
30 -62.8 340 -62
40 -62.28 350 -61.28
1
400
300
8 2
200
100
0
7 -100 3

6 4

Radiation pattern of Horn Antenna

RESULT:

The characteristic of given Horn antenna were plotted shown above.

OBSERVATION:

2. DIELECTRIC ROD

Operating frequency, f0 = 8.96GHz

Cutoff wavelength, 𝜆0 = 3.34cm

Diagonal of pyramidal horn antenna, D = 12.8cm

2𝐷2
Minimum distance for far field, 𝑅 = =98.107cm
𝜆0

Clockwise Anticlockwise
Angle(deg) Power(dB) Angle(deg) Power(dB)
0 -40 310 -62
10 -50.08 320 -62
20 -52 330 -58
30 -52.7 340 -53.7
40 -61.08 350 -50.9

1
400
300
200
100
5 2
0
-100

4 3

RESULT:

The characteristic of given Dielectric rod were plotted shown above.