THEORY AND PRINCIPLES

A log-periodic antenna is a group of dipole antennas of varying sizes

strung together and fed alternately through a common transmission line. The
dipole antennas diminish in size from the back to the front. The element at the
back of the array which is the largest, acts as a half wave dipole at the lowest
frequency and that at the front is a half wavelength at the highest frequency of
operation. This unique configuration, enables Log-periodic antennas to have
wide bandwidths.

A log periodic antenna is a multielement and multidirectional, narrow

beam antenna that operates over a wide ranges of frequencies. This type of
antenna is defined as having it’s structure prescribed by operating elements
by opening angles. A particular form of log periodic dipole array is often used
in television antennas that work in high radio frequency.

Log periodic antenna types & variants

There are several forms of log periodic antenna. The exact type that is most
applicable for any given application will depend upon the requirements.

The main types of log periodic antenna include:

 Log periodic dipole array, LPDA

 Slot log periodic
 Zig zag log periodic array
 Trapezoidal log periodic
 V log periodic

The type that is most widely used is the log periodic dipole array, LPDA.
When the signal meets the first elements on the antenna (i.e. those closest to
the font that are the smallest) it will be found that they are spaced close
together in terms of the operating wavelength. As the feeder sense is
reversed between elements, the fields from these elements will tend to cancel
out and no radiation will occur from these elements.

As the RF signal travels along the feeder in the antenna it reaches a point
where the feeder reversal and the distance between the elements gives a
total phase shift of about 360°. At this point the effect which is seen is that of
two phased dipoles. The signal from adjacent dipoles is in phase.

The region in which this occurs is called the active region of the log periodic
antenna. Although the example of only two dipoles is given, in reality the
active region can consist of more elements – it may be three or more - the
actual number depends upon the angle α and a design constant. Behind the
active region, the signal again falls out of phase and no radiation occurs.

The elements outside the active region receive little direct power. Despite this
it is found that the larger elements are resonant below the operational
frequency and appear inductive. Those in front resonate above the
operational frequency and are capacitive. These are exactly the same criteria
that are found in the Yagi. Accordingly the element immediately behind the
active region acts as a reflector and those in front act as directors. This
means that the direction of maximum radiation is towards the feed point.

The log-periodic dipole array (LPDA) consists of a system of driven

elements, but not all elements in the system are active on a single frequency
of operation. Depending upon its design parameters, the LPDA can be
operated over a range of frequencies having a ratio of 2:1 or higher, and over
this range its electrical characteristics gain, feed-point impedance, front-to-
back ratio, etc. will remain more or less constant. This is not true of any
Multielement Directive Array Antenna, for either the gain factor or the front-to-
back ratio, or both, deteriorate rapidly as the frequency of operation departs
from the design frequency of the array.