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Fabrication and Optimisation of Biquad Antenna for Wireless Local Area

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Conference Paper · July 2014

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Isaac Kuma Yeboah Moses Kwasi Torkudzor

Wuhan University of Technology Koforidua Technical University
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 Fabrication and Optimisation of Biquad Antenna for Wireless Local Area Network

Isaac Kuma Yebuah, Department of Engineering, Regent University of Science and Technology.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 4199, G.P. Accra, Ghana
E-mail: isaackyeboah77@yahoo.co.uk, Tel: +233243262297
Moses Kwasi Torkudzor, Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Koforidua
Polytechnic.
Mailing address: Koforidua Polytechnic, P.O. Box KF 981, Koforidua, Ghana.
E-mail Address: mtorkudzor@yahoo.com, Tel: +233244085523

ABSTRACT.
Wireless technology is one of the main areas of research in the world of communication
systems today. It is important to know that the study of wireless communication systems is
incomplete without the understanding of the fabrication and operation of antennas. A vast
number of RF devices such as the microwave ovens, cordless telephones and medical devices
currently operate in the 2.4 GHz band. In this paper, a biquad antenna whose central working
frequency is 2.445 GHz was fabricated and optimised by placing it in a mesh dish. The
Biquad Antenna was tested on the first floor of the four story building at the Regent
University College. Result shows that the antenna achieved 70% to 80% range of signal
strength, improving the directivity of a WLAN covering as far as the third floor, the ground
floor as well as the surroundings. This was achieved by placing the Biquad Antenna feed in
the focal point of a mesh dish which helps to focus the radio waves onto the Biquad Antenna.
Comparing to omnidirectional antenna whose signal strength was 56%, the performance of the
biquad antenna was better. The results from the testing of both antennas were simulated
separately in a Matlab. The combined effect of these was also simulated using a parabolic
reflector mathematical model which gave a new waveform propagating pattern resulting in the
better performance.

Key words: Biquad antenna, signal strength, omnidirectional antenna, optimisation,

fabrication.

1
1. Introduction.
An antenna is an electrical conductor or system of
conductors that can be use as a transmitter which
radiates electromagnetic energy into space and
receiver which collects electromagnetic energy
from space. The IEEE definition of an antenna as
given by Stutzman and Thiele, 2012 is, “That part
of a transmitting or receiving system that is
designed to radiate or receive electromagnetic
wave”.
According to Prasanna Ramachandran, 2007, a
biquad antenna which is fairly directive, cheap
and simple to construct is a wide band antenna. A
biquad antenna is a two single turn loop antennas
forming an array where each one is a driven
component. The working principle of a biquad
antenna is similar to that of a dipole antenna,
generating the same radiation pattern as a dipole
with more directivity and bandwidth (Gary M.
Miller). Furthermore, by its nature, the biquad
antenna can be considered as a modified form of a
folded dipole antenna. Rob Flickenger et al also
underscore the fact that the biquad antenna,
consisting of a two squares of the same size of 1⁄4
wavelength as a radiating element and of a
metallic plate or grid as reflector is simple to build
and offers good directivity and gain for Point-to-
Point communications. It was furthermore stated
that the biquad antenna has a beamwidth of about
70 degrees and a gain in the order of 10-12 dBi
and can be used as stand-alone antenna or as
feeder for a Parabolic Dish.
Folded dipole antenna offers the same radiation
pattern as the standard Hertz antenna but has an
input impedance of 288Ω approximately 4 × 73 Ω
and offers relatively broadband operation;
Phumzile, Malinda and Walter Sisulu, 2009. The
folded dipole is a useful receiving antenna for
broadcast FM and VHF TV. Its input impedance
matches well with the 300 Ω input impedance
terminals common to these receivers (Gary M.
2
Miller). A loop antenna being a single turn of
wire whose dimensions are normally much
smaller than a wavelength, the current in it may
all be considered in phase. This results in a
magnetic field that is everywhere perpendicular to
the loop. The resulting radiation pattern is sharply
bidirectional, and is effective over an extremely
wide range of frequencies for those having
diameter of about λ/16 or less. The antenna is
usually circular, but any of the shape a in (Gary
M. Miller) is effective, because of its sharply
defined pattern, small size and broadband
characteristics and the direction finding (DF)
applications.
The ability of a parabolic antenna to focus light
rays or sound wave at a point is common
knowledge. Some common applications include
dentist’s lights, flashlights and automobile
headlamps. The same ability is applicable to
electromagnetic waves of lower frequency than
light as long as the paraboloid’s mouth diameter is
at least 10m wavelengths. This precludes their use
at low radio frequencies but allows use at
microwave frequencies. In highly critical
applications, Cassegrain feed is used to shorten
the length of feed mechanism (Gary M. Miller).
They provide huge power gains with a good
approximation provided by the equation, Ap =
6(D/λ)2 where Ap is power gain with respect to a
half wave length dipole, D the mouth diameter of
primary reflector and λ the free space wavelength
of carrier frequency. Dish antenna performs
equally well in transmitting or receiving as
predicted by antenna reciprocity, (Rob Flickenger
et al, 2007). The router used is the wireless – N
broadband router branded Tenda model W307R
with a frequency range of 2412 – 2472 MHz. Its
transmit power is 19.32 dBm EIRP max –
802.11b/g and uses modulation type of OFDM.
The router has power adapter and a model number
of ILA41V – 0901200. Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a multicarrier
 digital communication system which combines a
large number of low data rate carriers to construct
a composite high data rate. Orthogonality give the
carriers a valid reason to be closely spaced, even
overlapped, without inter – carrier interference.
Low data rate of each carrier implies long symbol
periods, which greatly diminishes inter – symbol
interference. The goal of this research paper was
to determine the direction and coverage of Figure 2. Rectangular reflector plate.
radiation pattern and the optimization of biquad
The copper pipe was inserted into the hole, with
antenna.
the notched end on the copper side of the blank
PCB. The copper pipe protruded approx 16mm
2. Methodology
through the hole, measured on the copper side of
2.1 Fabrication and Testing of the Antenna.
the PCB. The copper pipe was soldered to the
A square piece of blank printed circuit board
PCB to ensure better electrical connectivity.
(PCB), 123 × 123mm was cut out. 50mm section
of a copper pipe was taken and filed smoothly at
The element was now attached to the reflector.
both ends. Using sandpaper the copper pipe was
Only the two ends of the copper wire were to be
polished up including the inside of copper pipe.
attached to the copper pipe. It was ensured that
This was done to ensure a good connection with
the centre of the copper wire did not touch the
the coax braid. A notch was then cut into one end
copper pipe hence the notch which was cut off
of the copper pipe, removing approx 2mm from
from the end of the copper pipe. Assembling
half the circumference as shown figure 1 below:
everything as discussed, our antenna looks as
shown below:

Figure 3. The complete biquad antenna with its reflector.

Figure 1: 50mm copper pipe with 2mm notch cut off.

A hole was drilled in the center of the blank PCB
so that the copper pipe was a tight fit in the hole.
A small hole was drilled and then widened using
file for making it precisely fit for inserting the
copper pipe as shown in figure 2 below:
For feeding antenna, an approximate 30mm of
the outer sheath from the end of the coaxial cable
was stripped. The braid was folded back over the
outer sheath as shown in figure 4 and the centre
conductor was trimmed so that about 4mm
protruded.

3
Figure 4. Copper cable with the braided shield exposed.

The braid was inserted into the copper pipe so

that the end of the centre conductor lined up with
the extreme end of the copper pipe and the centre Figure 6. Signal Strength Percentage versus Time
of the element was soldered to the biquad for the Biquad Antenna.
antenna, ensuring the centre of the element was
not in contact with the copper pipe. At this stage,
the biquad antenna as shown in figure 5 is
completely constructed.

Figure 7. Signal Strength (dBm) versus Time for

the Biquad antenna

Figure 5. The complete biquad antenna with the

coaxial cable connected. 2.2 Mathematical Modelling.
The radiation pattern of antenna is a
The parabolic antenna is of special interest in this
representation (pictorial or mathematical) of the
research because this was used to optimize the
distribution of the power out-flowing (radiated)
performance of biquad antenna by placing it at
from the antenna in the case of transmitting
focal point. The parabolic reflector feed was used
antenna, or inflowing in the case of receiving
to improve the radiation pattern directivity,
antenna as a function of direction angles from the
performing well in transmitting or receiving as
antenna. According to (Constantine A. Balanis),
predicted by antenna reciprocity. This provides
the principal characteristics of aperture
huge power gains, with a good approximation
amplitude, phase, and polarization for a parabolic
provided during testing as shown in table 1,
cylinder as contrasted to those of a paraboloid
figure 6 and figure 7.
are as follows:
Table 1. Performance comparison of biquad
1. The amplitude taper, due to variations in
antenna and omnidirectional antenna.
distance from the feed to the surface of the
Antenna Biquad Omni directional reflector, is proportional to 1/ρ in a cylinder
compared to 1/r2 in a paraboloid.
Signal Strength (dBm) -33 -45
2. The focal region, where incident plane wave
Signal Strength (%) 71 56 converge, is a line source for a cylinder and a
Speed (Mbits) 11 5 point source for a paraboloid.

4
3. When the fields of the feed are linearly
polarized parallel to the axis of the cylinder,
no cross-polarized components are produced
by the parabolic cylinder.
Figure 8. Two-dimensional configuration of a
paraboloidal reflector.
The surface of a paraboloidal reflector is formed
by rotating a parabola about its axis. Its surface
must be a paraboloid of revolution so that rays
emanating from the focus of the reflector are
transformed into plane waves. The design is
based on optical techniques, and it does not take
into account any deformation (diffractions) from
the rim of the reflector through the focus. As
shown in figure 8, it follows that:
Putting equations (2) and (3) in (1) gives:
Making r’ the subject from equation 4 result in
the expression below:
Since a paraboloid is a parabola of revolution
about its axis, so is the equation of a paraboloid
in terms of the spherical coordinates ʹ, ϴʹ, Øʹ.
Equation 5 can also be written in terms of the
rectangular coordinates xʹ, yʹ and zʹ. That is,
Figure 10. Unit vector alignment for a paraboloidal
5
In the analysis of parabolic reflectors, it is
desirable to find a unit vector that is normal to
the local tangent at the surface reflection point.
To do this, equation 5 is first expressed as:
Figure 9. Three-dimensional geometry of a
paraboloidal reflector system.
The biquad antenna with a gain function of Gf
(ϴʹ, Øʹ) is placed at the focal point of a
paraboloidal reflector as shown in figure 9. The
radiation intensity of this source is given by;
Where Pt is the total radiated power at a point rʹ
in the far-zone of the source. The incident field,
with a direction perpendicular to the radial
distance, can then be written as;
Where ēi is a unit vector perpendicular to ār’ and
parallel to the plane formed by ār’ and āy, as
shown in figure 10.
reflector system.
3. MATLAB Simulation Results. THREE DIMENSIONAL RADIATION PATTERN BIQUAD ANTTEN

3D Response Pattern in u-v space

7
5

0 5
4
Normalized Power (dB)

4
-0.2

Z
3
-0.4 3

2
-0.6
1
2
-0.8 0
1
-1
0.5 10 1
1
5
0.5 1 0
0.5 0
0 -0.5
0 -5
0
-0.5 -0.5 Y -1 -10 X
-1 -1
V U
Figure13. Radiation pattern for the combination of
Figure 11. Radiation pattern for parabolic mesh biquad antenna and the parabolic mesh.
without biquad antenna.

PATTERN OF AN ARRAY SYNTHESIZED USING LEAST SQUARE METHOD.

10
Designed pattern

5
With the wire mesh dish on the antte

0
Normalized pattern in dB

-5

-10

-15

-20

-25
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Direction in degrees

Figure 12. Rectangular radiation pattern for biquad Figure 14. Biquad Antenna radiation pattern without
atenna. the parabolic mesh in Comsol Multiphysics.

6
4. Discussions
Table A shows the comparative analysis of the
biquad antenna and the omnidirectional antenna
using the performance measure of signal strength
(dBm, %) and speed. It can be seen from the table
that the signal strength in (dBm) for the biquad
antenna is -33 and that of omnidirectional antenna is
-45. Similarly, the signal strength in percentage for
the biquad antenna is 71% while that of the
omnidirectional antenna is 56%. On the other hand
the speed in Mbits for the biquad antenna is 11 and
that of omnidirectional antenna is 5. The analysis
therefore shows that performance of the biquad
antenna is better than the omnidirectional antenna.
Figure 6 and figure 7 show the signal strength in
dBm and percentage against time respectively for
the biquad antenna confirming the result in table A.
The patterns of an antenna can be measured in the
transmitting or receiving mode, the mode is dictated
by the application. However, if the radiator is
reciprocal as is the case for most practical antennas,
then either the transmitting or receiving mode can
be utilized. In this research work, the receiving
mode is selected.
Figure 12 shows a radial taper radiation
characteristic for parabolic mesh with distribution
half-power beamwidth of 36.4 ÷ (a/λ) , distribution
first-null beamwidth of 93.4 ÷ (a/λ), first sidelobe
maximum in dB of -24.6 and directivity factor of
0.75×(2πa/λ)2, where a is the normalized excitation
coefficient and λ is the wavelength in meters.
Furthermore, figure 12 shows the radiation pattern
of the biquad antenna with it various parts which
are subclassifed into major or main, minor, side and
back lobes. Radiation lobe is a portion of the
radiation pattern bounded by regions of relatively
weak radiation intensity, in the figure these are in
ranges of 0 to 50 degrees and 135 to 180 degrees.
Major lobe is the radiation lobe containing the
direction of maximum radiation. In the figure these
are in ranges of 53 to 130 degrees. Side lobe is a
7
radiation lobe in any direction other than the
intended lobe. In the figure it is in the ranges of 30
to 50 degrees and 135 to 150 degrees. Back lobe is a
radiation lobe whose axis makes an angle of
approximately 1800 with respect to the beam of an
antenna. In the figure it is in the ranges of 0 to 30
degrees and 150 to 180 degrees.
Figure 13 shows the combination of parabolic mesh
and biquad antenna radiation pattern which resulted
in the optimization of the antenna. The x and y axis
indicate the combined reflection of the copper plate
and the parabolic mesh and the z axis indicate the
length of radiation in meters. The new radiation
pattern is named as pararquad three dimensional
patterns. When figure 13 is compared with figure
11, it can be seen that figure 13 outperformed.
Figure 14 also shows the radiation pattern of the
biquad antenna without the parabolic mesh as
simulated in Comsol Multiphysics which explains
the wider coverage of the biquad antenna. The
vertical section in figure 14 shows the standing
waves inside the coaxial cable and the antenna
which represent pockets of energy concentrations
and storage as indicated in figure 15. The semicircle
section in figure 14 shows radiation in free- space
propagation as indicated in figure 15.
Figure 15. Antenna as a transition device.
Hence the simulation in Matlab and Comsol 3. Phumzile Malindi, Walter Sisulu, Antenna
Mutiphysics was used to predict working operation Tutorial, 2009.
of the antenna design.
4. Rob Flickenger et al, Wireless Networking in
5. Conclusion the Developed World, 2nd Edition, 2007, pp 113.
The aim of this research work was to design and
fabricate a biquad antenna and optimize it by 5. Gary M. Miller, Modern Electronic
placing it in a parabolic mesh. The biquad antenna Communication, 6th Edition, 1999, pp 672,612
designed and tested operated at the frequency and and 615.
power levels as indicated in the table of results. The
table also shows results obtained for the 6. Constatine A Balanis, Antenna Theory,
performance of an omnidirectional antenna. Analysis and design, 3rd Edition, 2005,
Comparing the results for the optimised biquad
7. Prasanna Ramachandran et al, Antenna Design,
antenna and that of the omnidirectional antenna, the
Simulation and Fabrication, Project Report,
biquad antenna performed better in terms of
2007.
coverage and signal strength. This performance was
confirmed during the testing. The experimental
radiation patterns of the constructed antenna was
also obtained by mathematical modelling and
simulation in Matlab and Comsol Mutiphysics and
compared with theoretical patterns. The hardware
and software results obtained matched the
theoretically predicted results. The new wave
radiation pattern for the combined effect of the
biquad antenna and the parabolic mesh is termed
paraquad. Again the radiation pattern for the
parabolic mesh alone, biquad antenna alone and the
two put together were compared. The performance
of the biquad antenna alone was better than that of
the mesh alone and that of the combined effect was
better than the two.

References
1. Warren L Stutzman, Gary A Thiele; Antenna
Theory and Design, 3rd Edition, 2012, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc. USA. pp 10.

2. Prasanna Ramachandran, T.S.Keshav,

Laxmikant Minz Vamsikrishna Parupalli and
Shaibal Chakravarty, Antenna Design,
Simulation and Fabrication, 2007

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