SpeciaL ANTENNA 41 HELICAL ANTENNA : Helical Antenna is the simplest antenna to generate circularly polarized wave which are wed ia satellite communication. It is a broad band VHF and UHF antenna which Hers very wide band of frequency over which antenna parameters are almost constant. Fig. 4.1(a) Helical Antenna Constractional details : ccusisis of helix of a thick copper wire wound in the shape of screw thread and used as oq acteon2 in conjunction with 2 flat mattle plate called ground plane. 1k & fed betweca one end and ground plane 2s shown in fig. 4.1(2). The helix is fod by 2 coaxial cable. The one end of the belix is connected to the centre condactor of coaxial cable ~ ged the cuter condactor of the cable is connected to the ground plane of acema. There == cenain desien paremetcrs as discussed below, on which the operztion of helical emma depends. D = diemeer of belix_ S = spacing berween the mms c @ = patch angle L = kezth of 2 single um = = no of tums in belix A = axial length = nS @ = diameter of helix conductor Hone mm of helix is unrolled on a plane surface. the circumference 2D, 3% Ne ccaywingerio at. Le (8+ - {$+epr z ference of helix = xD circum! Scanned with CamScannerAntenna and Wave Propag, turn length and pitch ar, the helix ay, Fig. 4.1(b) Inter-relation between circumference, spacing, The angle between a line tangent to the hefix wire and the plane normal to U known as pitched angle 0, expressed as ie oaereoe an. SC" WD Ss = tant (— en (5) By changing above parameters the helical antenna can‘ radiate in different modes. Ou: them two are important (i) Normal mode of radiation Gi) Axial mode of radiation Normal Mode of Radiation : Fig. 4.1(¢) Normal Mode of Radiation In this mode the radiation field is maximum in the direction normal to the helix axis as sho in fig. 4.1(c). This mode of operation is achieved if the dimensions of the helix are st! compared to wavelength i.e. nL << A. This mode of operation is very narrow in bandit! adiation efficiency is very less. Practically this mode of operation is limited to ce ition and it is hardly used. err _d Scanned with CamScannerSpe Antenna 73 4. & Axial mode of Radiation : Cas ‘Side lobes cable Main lobe und [ae 1e Fig. 4.1(d) Axial Mode of Operation In axial mode of radiation the radiation field is maximum along the helix axis. This mode occurs when the helix circumference and spacing are near to the order of one wavelength (not negligible compared to wavelength contradictory to normal mode of operation) as shown in fig. 4.1(d). This mode is more useful as it produces a broad and fairly directional beam with minor lobes at oblique angles (not at 90°). This is the mode used for most of the practical applications. This mode can be produced easily by raising the helix circumference (C) of the order of one wavelength and spacing approximately of 4 Application : (i) The helical antenna is used singly or in the form of an array for transmission and reception of VHF and UHF TV channels (up to 1 GHz) as well as for other extratarrestrial applications (up to 14 GHz). This is so because the horizontally and vertically polarized waves gone through subsequent refractions and lose its polarization and hence results into improper reception ‘but it will not happen when communication uses circularly polarized waves. (ii) In radio telemetry for receiving data from tarrestrial objects like moon mars, etc. (iii) As a phase or frequency shifter. LOG PERIODIC ANTENNA + Log periodic antennas are originated from the concept of frequency independent antenna. A frequency independent antenna may be defined as the antenna for which the impedance and radiation pattern remain constant for different frequencies. In order to design a frequency independent antenna, the antenna should be able to expand or contract it's size, in proportion to wavelength. If the antenna structure is not mechanically adjustable, the size of active (radiating) region should be varried proportional to the wavelength, Scanned with CamScanner74 Antonna and Wave Propag,, 1 | a 1 { 2 1 kn ' +————_, 1 l 1 1 t \ 1 1 I Incuded Ar, le ' Vertex = FSA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' g 1 7 1 5 1 S 1 2 a 1 @ q 1 4 5 g é z 83 $3 ge Fig. 4.2(a) Log Perlodic Antenna Log periodic antenna Fig. 4.2() Radiation Pattern of Log Perlodie Antenna ‘The geometry of log periodic antenna structure is chosen in such a way that elects! property (i.e. impedance, ra .) must repeat periodically with the logaith! of the frequency. Constructional Details + ‘This antenna is made of dipoles of varying lengths, ‘The ratio of elements length and spi must follow the formula, given bellow. oo 4 ‘Scanned with CamScannerDe Special Antenna 76. where T is the design ratio or known as ‘scale factor’ as well as “periodicity factor” and its value is less than unity. There are two imaginary lines passing through the ends of dipoles and converse at one end making an angle a. The design ratio T, and 0: are the two design parameters for a particular log periodic antenna and the typical values are T = 0.7 and 0% = 30°. The analysis of a log periodic antenna can be done by considering three regions of antenna. (i) Inactive: transmission line region (u< *) In this region the antenna elements are less than resonant length (. < 3) Therefore, the relatively high capacitive impedance. The element current is small and elements present a ‘ion is obtained in backward leads the base voltage supplied by 90°. Hence very less radiat direction. (ii) Active Region (. = }- and hence the impedance offered by the dipoles is resistive. Hence the element currents are large and in phase with base voltage. The spacing between two near by elements in this region is kept enough targe, such that the field radiated from any element advances by 90° before it reaches to the next dipole element. Due to such arrangement the field from one element adds with the next element, and hence produces a large resultant field towards left. This is the region in which dipole lengths are approximately of resonant length (. = (iii) Inactive Reflective Region (. > 3) Inthis region dipoles lengths are longer than the resonant length (3} hence the impedance 2 Scanned with CamScannerAntenna and Wave Propagay,, 76 becomes inductive, causing the currents in elements to lag the base a Sinn / base voltage is very small as most of the energy has been attracted and radiates 1 by ih, active region, Due to large reactive impedance offered by the region compared ,, transmission line small amount of incident wave from active region 1 reflected h,, towards the backward direction. Applications = (i) Ivis generally used for HF communication having an advantage that no power being wasted in terminating resistance. Gi) Also used as a TV receiver antenna for receiving VHF and upper UHF band channe} 4.3 PARABOLIC REFLECTOR : Ilis necessary to understand the definition of parabola before studying the theory of parabo|, reflector as an antenna. A parabola can be defined as “The locus of point which moves in ~such a way that the distance from the focal point plus its distance from a straight vertica| line known as its directrix is constant.’ The parabola is a two dimensional plane curve. And the revolutionary pattern of parabola around its axis gives the paraboloid, which also knows as parabolic reflector, in which FP, + P, P', = FP; + P; Ps = FP; +P; P's = ..... This can be inferred from the fig. 4.3(a) From above result it can be conclude that all the rays coming from the radiator will tak: equal Lime to reach ditectix. This phenomenon gives collimated plane wave, output. over a rhombic antenr, Tangent Fig. 4.3() Parabolic Reflector Dire A a i Scanned with CamScannerspecial Antenna nm mouth y Deer focal lens Of the parabola as shown in fig. 4.3(b) is known as its aperture The ee th 10 aperture is known as “F over D ratio”, which is the basic design cteristic i charac Of parabolic reflector and its value varies from 0.25 to 0.50. D (crossed region) Fig. 4.3(b) Consider a source of radiation is located at the focal point of the parabola. Consider a ray strts from the focal point (F) at an angle 6. The ray strikes at point P2 on the parabola curv Let a tangent is drown at point P2 on the curve, According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence (£1) and angle of reflection Zr are equal. This results that the reflected ray is ratallel to the axis of the parabola regardless of the particular valle of 20 In other words all the rays originating from the focus will be reflected parallel to the parabola ine, Thie implies that all the rays coming at the wave front will be in phase. Since all the tuys are in phase, a very strong and concentrated beam of radiation is directed in the direction draxis of parabola. In other sense, parabola is a mean which converts a spherical wave front into plane wave fronts at the mouth of parabola. Advantages : If produces highly directive beam of radiation with minimum side lobes. Disadvantage = the installation of parabola. Sometimes automatic orientation A large space is required for mely large and heavy parabolic antehnas. method is employed for extre Application : Parabolic Reflectors are used extensively for satel 431 Feed Systems : There are three differ reflector antenna. ite application at HF and higher frequency. ) rent types of feeding systems are in use for feeding the parabolic i Scanned with CamScannerSe a ees | Antenna and Wave Propagy, a 2 System = Wave guide Focus Horn feed Fig. 4.3.1(a) Center feeding system In this type of feeding system the primary radiator is located at the focal point of para) reflector (secondary radiator) as shown in fig. 4.4(a). (2) Cassegrain Feeding System : It is named after the 18" centenary astronomer. In this system the primary feed is positi around an opening near the vertex of the paraboloid, instead of at focus. This system emplo, a hyperboloid secondary reflector, also known as casegrain reflector, whose one of the fa coincides with the focus of the praraboloid. The feed radiator (primary) is pointed towarss the secondary hyperboloid reflector. The radiation emitted from feed radiator are reflec: from casegrain reflector which illuminates the main parabolic reflector as if they had bee originated from the focus. The main parabolic reflector collimates the rays as usually. Wave guide Hyperboloid (secondary reflector) Fons ct Blocked or < paraboli & » Sostrcted rays Hyperboioid | Toran Horn Feed \ Paraboloid Reflector Fig, 4.3.1(b) Cassegrain Feeding Why Cassegrain Feed ? Sometimes it becomes necessary to minimize the length of transmission line of waveguide connecting’ the feed radiator with receiver or transmitter. This helps considerably in reducing the fosses. Although there could be a solution of this problem by placing the RF amplifier stage of receiver neat the focus, which minimizes losses on reception. But this is not possible for wansmitters, as RF amplifier of a transmitter is bulky, heavy and having lan report power, hence not possible to place at the feed point, Hence the practical solution in such ease is casegrain feed, when the transmission line or waveguide length between feed and ite or receiver is required to be reduced. " eon ed ane aT $$ Scanned with CamScanner@ 44 ‘Advantages (i) Reduction in minor lobes (ii) Provides more coherent plane wave from secondary reflector (iii) Ability to achieve much greater effective focal length compare 10 physical fora Inet (iv) Provides convinieney in orientation of the feed point. i (9) Broadening or Narrowing of the beam can be achieved by moving one of the reflecting surfaces, Disadvantage = In casegrain type of feed some of the radiation from the reflector. This limitation of casegrain feed is overcome next topic. Offset Feed System : parabola is obstructed by the primary by the method of feeds discussed in |____,__ parallel Ray {not blocked) Fig. 4.3.1(c) Offset Feeding m can be avoided by “offset reflector” as shown in fig. 4.3.1(c). ‘polarization twisting scheme in which hyperboloid reflector instead of solid reflector surface. ‘The aperture blocking proble: The other method is of using is made of net of wires ii Application = (i) In tarrestrial communication As a microwave antenna (iii)In radio navigation and radar technology. LENS ANTENNA + Itis another antenna that works on the prineiple of optics as like in parabolic reflector. Lens antennas are also used at microwave frequencies but at slightly higher compare to paraboloid, because at lower frequencies lens becomes bulky and heavy. Scanned with CamScannerAntenna and Wave Propaga, 80 le See Collinated of paralled rays Spherical wave—__, v Lens axis Source * (Focus point) \ Plane wavefont Fig. 4.4(a) Lens Principle : The lens antenna works on the principle of a simple optical lens. It is, NS a refracted more at the edges of lens’s then at the centre of the lens. A diverge beam i collimated because the rays leaving the lens are parallel”. Types of lens Antenna : . Lens antenna can be classified into two distinct categories. (i) Dielectric Lens OR H-plane metal plate lens : In this type of lenses the traveling wave-fronts are retarded or delayed by lens media. So they are also referred as delay lenses. “The rays ay (ii) E-plane onetal plate lens : These are the antenna in which traveling wave front is speed up by the lens media, Dielectric lenses are used frequently compared to E-plane metal plate lens. It is further classified into two more categories, (i) Non-metalic dielectric type of lens (ii) Metalic or artificial dielectric type of lens. Zoning. OR Stepping in Lens Antenna : . As shown in fig. 4.4(a) at lower microwave frequencies (< 10,000 MHz), the focal length is short but the thickness of lens is very high and hence it becomes too bulky. As well as high! thicker lenses absorbs a lot of power due to high refractive index. Where as in case of lens antenna designed at higher microwave frequency the focal length is to large but the thickness is too less and offers light weight as shown in fig. 4.4(b). Scanned with CamScannerspecial Antenna a1 See Spherical wavefront 'Plane Wavefront Fig. 4.4(b) To obtain the short focal length and light weight in a single lens antenna, the technique known as zoning (stepping) is employed. As shown in fig. 4.4(c). In this technique a zone or portion of a thick lens antenna is removed. sith the Fig. 4.4(c) Stepped Lenses ‘Along with above advantage the technique of zoning also offers some drawbacks. One is, its mechanical strength reduces, Second drawback is that zoned lens become frequency sensitive and hence it becomes narrowband. Scanned with CamScanner82 EE i, | Antonna and Wavo Prop, at, ‘Sphorical wave front) Plane wave front Fig. 4.4(d) Feeding of Lens Antenna with Horn Feed Advantage : (i) The feed system do not obstruct the radiation as in parabalic reflector antenna. (ii) Lens antenna can be fed from off the axis to move the plane wave direction wets. a as shown in fig. 4.4(c). \e—" front Fig. 4.4(¢) Disadvantage (i) Lenses are usually bulky and heavy and complicated in manufacturing. (ii) Costlier then parabolic reflectors for same gain and beam width. 4.5 HORN ANTENNA : A waveguide is capable of radiating energy into open space if it is suitably end and open at the other end. The radiation obtained in this way is obviously than that obtained from the two wire transmission line. But at the same time difficulties as faced by transmission lines. One of the prominent difficulty is proportion of the forward energy in the waveguide is radiated and much of iti by the open circuit waveguide. The second difficulty is duc to diffraction ; which results into poor, nondirective radiation pattern. These difficulties opened out the another end of the waveguide forming a horn, and latter the ‘Horn Antenna’. By use of proper horn with the waveguide according to its shape (conical hi with circular waveguide and rectangular horn with rectangular waveguide as sho Scanned with CamScannera =o special Antenna gulls into proper , . . ee » proper inpeane ming, Proper imps mate traveling forward in the waveguide to be radiated! by the horn a improved and diffraction will also be reduced. ing allows Mm imi ntenna. Directivil Basically there 3 ¢ three types of horn antennas. (i) Sectoral Horn Ant Direction of propagation <1) : Ke Direction of propagation (i Sectorial H-plane Horn (ii) Sectorial E-phase Horn Fig. 4.5(a) ‘As shown in fig. 4.5(a) [(@) and (i)] sectoral horn antenna flares out in one direction only. According to the flaring in the direction of electric field vector or magnetic field vector it can be characterized as E-plane sectoral horn or as Heplane sectoral hom antenna respectively. (i) Pyramidal Horn Antenna = E H Direction of propagation h Rectangulare wave guide Fig. 4.5(b) Nee Scanned with CamScanner! 84 Antenna and Wave Propag,, In pyramidal horn antennas the flaring is done in both the directions, E pl; plane as shown in fig. 4.5(b). +E plane ang (iii) Conical Horn Antenna : Flare angle Circular wave guide Fig. 4.5(c) If circular waveguide is terminated by flaring out the end, than it forms conical her, antenna as shown in fig. 4.5(c). Constructional Detains : Wave guide Fig. 4.5(@) ‘As shown in fig. 4.5(@), following are the important design parameters of hom antenna on which its performance depends. 8 = path difference L = axial length h = flared height of horn ‘A = aperture of horn alf of fare angle > a re li Scanned with CamScanner85 special Antenne ST TT From the geometry of figur 1 ly cos 0 = Teva and tan 0 = . Pe wo (4) From right angle triangle POR (La speu + (4) 2 248 5 We Lhe 584 OLS = Lh if 8 is too small then 8? can be negligible 2 21.5 = — Application + Hom antennas are extensively used at microwave frequencies where medium power gain is required. EXERCISE Q.1 Fill in the blanks. 1. Helical antenna radiates EM waves with .......- polarization. (Linear, Circular, Elliptical) 2. Helical antenna is a band antenna. (Wide, Narrow, Infinite) 3. Horn antennas are used at . (VHF, HF. Microwave) frequencies, where ....- powagain is desired (High, poor, medium) ctor Antenna the feed system is located at .. (Vertex, Focal Point) 4. In centre feeding parabolic Refl 5. ‘5 famous us frequency indipendant antenna. (Parabolic, Reflector, Horn, Log-Periodic) 6. | Antenna is also used for receiving VHF and UNE band TV ehanne (Log periodic, Helical, Parabolic Reflector) if ain feed system the feeder is located ‘condary reflector, (behind, in front of, beside) Scanned with CamScannervs . Antenna and Wave Propan a, Q. 2 Give reasons : (i) Why lens antennas are not convinient to use at lower frequencies 7 (ii) Why zoning is employed in Lens antenna while operating at lower frequencis, (< 10000 MHz) ? (iii) Why cassegrain feed system is more famous compared to simple centre, system ? ‘ Q..3 Write short note on : (1) Cassegrain Feed system (2) Log Periodic Antenna (3) Hor Antenna (4) Helical Antenna Q. 4 Name different wide band antennas and justify their applications. Q. 5 Discuss the merits and demerits of Cassegrain Feed System ? Q. 6 How does a log periodic antenna work as a broad band antenna ? Q. 7 List antenna used at microwave frequencies. a lM 1 Scanned with CamScanner