1.

Measurement of gain by Direct Comparison Method:

 This method is commonly used at HF.

 The measurement of gain is carried out by comparing the signal strengths

transmitted or received with the test antenna and a Standard Gain Antenna (SGA).

• A standard gain antenna is that antenna whose gain is accurately known so that it
can be used in measurement of other antenna.

• HORN antenna at microwave frequencies (300MHz and 300GHz) is mostly used as

SGA.

• The secondary antenna may be an arbitrary transmitting antenna and it is not

necessary to know its gain.

• In place of primary antenna, there will be two antennas, one is test antenna and
another one is standard antenna at a considerable distance.

• The distance between primary and secondary antennas must satisfy the condition

r >=2d2\λ and reflections between them should be minimized.

• The attenuator pad is inserted to the input of receiver, in order that AUT & SGA
work into a matched load.

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Procedure:

 At first, standard antenna is connected to the receiver with the help of switch “ S ”.

 The input to the transmitting antenna (secondary antenna) is adjusted to a

convenient level and corresponding reading at the receiver (primary antenna circuit)
is recorded.

 The attenuator dial setting and the power bridge reading are also recorded. Say it is
W1 and P1 respectively.

 Now connect the test antenna whose gain is to be measured in place of standard
gain antenna.

 The attenuator dial is adjusted such that receiver indicates the same previous
reading as was with SGA.

 Let the attenuator dial setting reading W2 and power bridge reading P2.

Case I. When P1 = P2

 If P1 = P2, then no correction need to be applied and the gain of the test antenna
measurement with respect to standard gain antenna is given by

Power gain (GP) = W2 / W1

Case II. When P1 ‡ P2

 The power level is changed during the measurements and P1 ‡ P2, then actual
power gain of test antenna can be obtained by multiplying Gp with ratio (P1 / P2) =
P.

Power gain (G) = GP * (P1 / P2)

2. Absolute gain Method:

 There are two methods with which the calibration of standard gain antenna can be
done.

i. Two Identical Antennas

ii. Three Arbitrary Antennas

i). Two Identical Antennas

 The input to the transmitting antenna is adjusted to an appropriate level and

corresponding receiver reading level is recorded.

2
  The attenuator dial setting and the power bridge reading are recorded. Say it is Wt
and Pt1 respectively.

Absolute gain of Identical Antenna Measuring setup

r
Receiving Antenna Transmitting Antenna
(AUT)
Precision Calibrated
Variable Attenuator

Signal
Source
Attenuator
Padd.

Detector Modulator
Receiver Detector

Power Bridge
Indicator

 Now the transmitter is disconnected from the antenna and is connected to the
receiver through pads.
 The attenuation dial is adjusted until the receiver reads the same previous levels.
 The attenuator dial setting and power bridge reading are noted, say Wr and Pt2.
If Pt1 = Pt2
 Then no correction would be needed.
 If drifting of power is involved, then correction would be needed. The second
method is needed only when two identical antennas are not available.

ii). Gain Measurement by 3 Antenna Method

This method consists of

 Three unknown antennas.
 Using antenna 1 as transmitter and antenna 2 as
receiver, the received power W1 is measured. Let
the transmitter power be P1.

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Gain Measurement by 3 Antenna Method
 Replacing antenna 2 by antenna 3, the received
power W2 is measured for the same transmitted
power (P2 = P1).

 When antenna 2 is used as transmitter and

antenna 3 is used as receiver, receiver power W3 is
measured. Let the transmitter power be P3.

Measurement of Antenna Efficiency

 Antenna radiation efficiency is the ratio of power
radiated to the power supplied to the antenna.

Measurement of Directivity
 Directivity is defined in terms of radiation intensity.