EXPERIMENT 5 - MONOPOLE AND MICROWAVE ANTENNA

The experiment will focus on the high-frequency end of the radio frequency
spectrum. This top-end range where the wavelength of the radio waves is small,
typically centimeters to millimeters, is known as the microwave range (1GHz-100
GHz). The types of antenna that can be utilized within this region are, microwave
horn antenna, antenna with parabolic reflectors, and lens antenna. These can be
further categorized as primary and secondary antenna, Primary antenna is already
complete by itself, it does not require ancillary devices in order to enhance its
performance, whereas the latter requires auxiliary devices in order to radiate
properly: an example is an antenna with parabolic reflector wherein a dipole, a horn
antenna, and a monopole can be used as a primary antenna.

The monopole antenna is introduced in the first part of the experiment. It will be
found that the characteristics of the monopole is the same as that of the dipole except
for its size which turned out to be a quarter wavelength long. Radiation patterns will
be analyzed using both NEC-Win software and Hardware modeling. Monopole
phasing will be investigated and the effect to its individual radiation pattern. The
microwave antenna to be used in this experiment are horn antenna using a
monopole as the primary element and a parabolic dish using a dipole feed.

Part I. THE MONOPOLE

Objectives

When you have completed this part of the experiment, you will:
 Understand how a monopole performs over both perfect and real ground,
 Have determined its gain relative to a dipole.

Introduction

In earlier experiments, you have seen how the reflections due to ground give rise to
an image antenna, and how the reflections interact with the direct radiation to
modify the antenna patterns.

There is effectively a mirror image of the real antenna the same distance below the
ground. Because there is only half the ‘hardware' up in the air (compared with the
true two-dipole system), the single dipole above perfect ground produces only half
the gain (-3dB).
It would seem reasonable to assume that an effective dipole could be produced by
only having hardware of half of the dipole, with the other half reflected by ground.
This system is shown in Figure 1. Because the antenna is half a dipole, it is called a
monopole and, because the ground is horizontal, the monopole must be vertical!

Monopole Antenna

Perfect Ground

Other ‘Virtual’ half

Figure 1: The Monopole

A. Hardware Modeling of the Monopole

Azimuth Plot

Ensure that there is no antenna hardware mounted on the Generator Tower.

Identity one of the λ/4 Monoplane-driven elements. These have a plastic insulator at
the base and a coaxial connector under the mounting fixings.

Identify the Ground Plane and mount the monopole centrally, with nuts and screws
provided. Attach the coaxial cable from the Generator Tower to the connector at the
base of the monopole and then attach the monopole/ground plane assembly to the
Generator Tower, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Monopole Assembly on the Tower

Run the Discovery II Antenna Lab software.

Ensure that the Receiver and Generator antennas are aligned with each other and
that the spacing between them is about one meter.
Also, the Receiver antenna must be changed to the vertical plane, Loosen the
knurled screw that is situated in the center of the four antennas, and turn the
antennas through 90°.

Click on File and then New Plot. Press Enter for 1500MHz A polar plot will be taken
and displayed.

A polar plot will be taken and displayed.

Question 1

Describe your plot. _________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________.

Elevation Plot

Remove the Ground Plane/Antenna assembly from the top of the Generator Tower
and Ye-mount it on the side of the Tower, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Antenna Mounting for Elevation Plot

The Receiver antenna must be changed back to the horizontal plane. Loosen the
knurled screw that is situated in the center of the four antennas and turn the
antennas through 90°, so that they are horizontal once more.

Question 2

Describe your plot _________________________________________________________.

Question 3

Why do you think that you get some radiation below the 90° - 270° line?
__________
__________________________________________________________________________.

B. Software Simulation of the Monopole

Run the NEC-Win and click New File on the toolbar.
Enter the co-ordinates of the two ends of the monopole into the table as (0,0,0) and
(0,0,0.05) meters.

Enter the diameter of the wire as 0.004 meters (4cm).

Enter 7 segments.

Click on the Src/Ld box and place a source at segment 1.

Use perfect conductors.

Ensure that the perfect ground is set and that the frequency is set to 1500MHz.

Click on Save As and save as mono1.

Click on the Run NEC button and then examine the azimuth and elevation plots
produced.

Question 4

How do the plots compare with those obtained by hardware modeling?

___________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Question 5

Do you get radiation below ground with the theoretical simulation?

______________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Question 6

What is the gain of this antenna along the horizontal?

___________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Question 7

How does this compare with the gain of a dipole (in free space)?
_________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

The dipole in free space is radiating at all vertical angle, whereas the monopole
above a perfect ground theoretically only radiates in directions above ground.
Question 8

Could this account for the extra gain associated with the monopole?
______________
__________________________________________________________________________.

C. Real Ground

Go back to the main NEC-Win table and change the ground to Real Ground and
select

the Urban and Industrial Area preset.

Replot the graphs.

Question 9

Has the gain changed, if so, how? ____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________.

Question 10

Ignoring the radiation from behind the Ground Plane, does the shape of this plot
compare with the real plot obtained from hardware modeling?
__________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Thus, the monopole has an omni-directional azimuth pattern with a gain over a free
space dipole 3dB when operated over perfect ground.

In any practical set-up the ground would not be perfect, so there will be a lowering
of gain and an increase in vertical angle of the lobes.

Part II. PHASE MONOPOLES

Objectives
When you have completed this part of the experiment, you will:

 Appreciate that changes in spacing between two driven monopoles affects the
polar pattern.
 Appreciate that changes in-phase between two driven monopoles affects the
polar pattern.

Introduction

In this experiment, two monopoles will be combined and the changes due to
different spacing and feeding the monopoles in different phases will be investigated.

A. Hardware Modeling of the Two Monopoles

Azimuth Plot

Ensure that there is no antenna hardware mounted on the Generator Tower.

Identify the two λ/4 Monopole driven elements. These have a plastic insulator at the
base and a coaxial connector under the mounting fixings.

Identify the Ground Plane and mount one monopole centrally, with nuts and screws
provided. Mount the other monopole at a spacing of 5cm from the first.

Identify the 2-way Combiner and also the two 183mm Coaxial Cables. Connect one
of these cables to each of the monopoles and their other ends to the connectors close
together on the Combiner.

Attach the coaxial cable from the Generator Tower to the remaining connector on the
Combiner.

Attach the monopole/ground plane assembly to the Generator Tower, as shown in

Figure 4.

Figure 4: Two Monopole Assembly on Tower

Run the Discovery II Antenna Lab software.

Ensure that the receiver and Generator antennas are aligned with each other and that
the spacing between them is about 1 meter.

The Receiver antenna array must have its elements vertical.

Click on File and then New Plot. Press Enter for 1500MHz.

A polar plot will be taken and displayed.

Changing Phase

The above plot has been taken with the two monopoles driven in phase with each
other.

Let us now see the effect of changing the phase of one of the monopoles with respect
to the other.

Identify the 155mm length of coaxial cable and replace one of the 185mm lengths
with it.

This difference in lengths of feeder relates to a phase difference of 90° at 1500MHz.

Click on Options and then on Superimpose*. Press enter for 1500MHz.
The new polar plot will be taken and displayed.

Question 11

Are the two plots different?

_________________________________________________.

Question 12

Which phase of feeding leads to the greater directivity?

_________________________.

Question 13

What is the difference between the forward gain and the gain in the backwards
direction for the monopoles fed with 90' phase differences?
_____________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

This difference for a directive antenna is often known as the front-to-back ratio.
Changing Spacing

Move one of the monopoles to another mounting position to change the spacing
between them and replace the 155mm length of coaxial cable with the 185mm length.
so that the monopoles are again driver in phase.

Click on File to superimpose the plot. Press Enter for 1500MHZ. The third polar plot
will be taken and displayed.

Question 14

Does a change of spacing have an effect?

______________________________________.

B. Software Simulation of Two Monopoles

Azimuth Plot

Run NEC-Win and click Open File on the toolbar. Open monol.

Now put in another monopole, spaced by 5mm from the first. To do this, enter the
coordinates of the two ends of the second monopole onto the table as (0.05,0,0) and
(0.05,0,0.05) meters.

Enter the diameter of the wire as 0.004 meters (4cm).

Enter Z segments.

Click on the Src/Ld box and place a source at segment 1.

Use perfect conductors.

Ensure that perfect ground is set and that the frequency is set to 1500MHz.

Click on Save As and save as 2mono.

Click on the Run NEC button and then examine the azimuth and elevation plots
produced.

Question 15

How does the azimuth plot compare with the one found using the hardware when
the monopoles were fed in phase?
____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Changing the Phase

Go back to the main NEC-Win table and click on the Src/Ld box of Wire 2.

Click on the green icon for the source and change the phase of the source to 90°.

Click on the Run NEC button and then examine the azimuth plot produced.

Question 16

How does the azimuth plot compare with the one found using the hardware when
monopoles fed 90° out of phase? _____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Changing to Current Feed

Go back to the main NEC-Win table and click on the Src/Ld box Wire 1.

Click on the green icon for the source and change the source to Current Source.

Do the same for Wire 2.

Click on the Run NEC button and then examine the azimuth plot produced.

Question 17

How does the new azimuth plot compare with the one found using the hardware
when the monopoles were fed with current 90° out of phase?
_____________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

From this experiment, you should have found that changes in spacing between two
driven-antennas, of changes in the relative phases by which they are driven, has a
significant effect on the radiation pattern for the system,

The ability to get more directivity, or to 'beam' the radiation in a specific direction, is
an important property of many antenna systems in practice.
PART III: THE HORN ANTENNA

Objectives

When you have completed this part of the experiment you will:

 Have investigated the gain and directivity of a horn antenna.

 Have determined the frequency response and VSWR of a horn antenna.

Introduction

The horn antenna is a type that is often used at UHF and microwave frequencies. It
may be used as a reflecting and directing structure associated with a simple driven
element, such as a dipole or a monopole, or it may be used to terminate a length of
waveguide to launch a radiation into space.

The horn used in AntennaLab is of the first type - the driven element being a
monopole.

This experiment investigates its performance. See Figure 5 for a view of the assembly
for this experiment.

Figure 5: Horn Assembly

A. Gain and Directivity of a Horn

Experiment Procedures

Mount the Yogi Boom assembly on top of the Generator Tower and position the
dipole at the center, directly above the tower.

Set the length of the dipole to 10cm.

Plot the polar response of the dipole.
Remove the Yagi Boom assembly from the tower.

Identify the Waveguide Horn. Mount a driven monopole element inside the horn by
the holes at the rear of the horn.

Mount the horn on the Generator Tower with the monopole element vertical and
connect up the monopole to the coax from the Generator.

Set the length of the monopole to its minimum.

Set the polarization of the Receiver antenna to be vertical.

Plot the polar response of the horn.

Question 18

What is the gain of the horn with respect to the dipole?

_________________________.

Question 19

Does the horn have directivity? ________________. Describe your plot.

____________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Question 20

Why do you think there is a back lobe in the polar response of the horn?
__________
__________________________________________________________________________.

From the Monitor menu, plot a frequency response for the horn.

Question 21

Describe the response of the antenna in terms of frequency.

_____________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Now plot the Return Loss (VSWR) of the horn, using a directional coupler.

Question 22

Is the VSWR response of the antenna greatly dependent on frequency?

___________.
Explain. __________________________________________________________________.
Question 23

Is the VSWR of the antenna good, or bad?

_____________________________________.

Question 24

What does this tell you about the impedance of the system?
_____________________.

Although the horn antenna may be used as a reflecting and directing structure, as it
is in this part of the experiment, the most common use of a horn antenna is as a feed
antenna at the focus of a dish reflector.

This form of antenna is commonly used in satellite broadcasting for both receiving
and transmitting systems.

Part IV: THE DISH ANTENNA

Objectives

When you have completed this assignment, you will:

 To become familiar with the dish form of antenna.

 To investigate the gain and directivity of the dish antenna.
Appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of a dish antenna as compared with a
Yagi.

Introduction

A dish can be thought of as a passive reflector that focuses the energy from a source
into one direction, much like a parabolic mirror focuses light. However, to perform
as efficiently as an optical reflector, a dish needs to be in excess of ten wavelengths in
diameter for the frequency being used. This is very often not the case in practice, due
to physical size constraints.

It was stated in the first part of the experiment that the horn antenna is often used to
launch, or capture energy from a dish reflector. Although this is quite common, a
simple dipole is often used to perform the same task.

The dish set-up with Antennalab is one that uses a dipole at, or close to, the focus of
a 60cm parabolic dish.

See Figure 6 and Figure 7 for views of the assembly required for this part of the
experiment.

Figure 6: Dish Assembly rear View

Figure 7: Dish Assembly Front View

The dimensions of a dish are shown in Figure 8

The
focal
length
for a dish such as in Figure 8 is given by:

f = D2 / 16d

A. Hardware Measurements

Because the dish is a physically large structure, the speed of rotation of the system
must be lowered for this Experiment, as directed below.

EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE

Mount the Yagi Boom Assembly on top of the Generator Tower and position the
dipole at the center, directly above the tower

Set the length of the dipole to 10cm.

Do not connect up the coaxial cable to the dipole.

Click Tools.

Enter 20 as the motor speed. The antenna will rotate.

The antenna will find its reference point and then perform a measurement run.
Because

the cable is not connected the result will be meaningless.

Now, connect up the cable.

Plot the polar response of the dipole at 1500MHz.

Remove the Yagi Boom assembly form the tower.

Identify the Dish Antenna.

Mount the Yagi Boom assembly onto the Dish and position the dipole towards the
end with the plane reflector at the end of the boom.

Mount this assembly onto the Generator tower.

Ensure the length of the dipole is 10cm.

Set the distance from the dipole to the dish to be 38cm.

Set the plane reflector 5cm in front of the dipole (further from the dish).

Figure 9: Dish Assembly

Click file to superimpose the plot at 1500MHZ.

Question 25

Describe the gain of the dish antenna over the dipole at 1500MHz?

Question 26

Describe the directivity of the dish antenna at 1500MHz?

The gain of a dish is given by:

4 πA
Gd = 2
( Directive gain)
❑

( πD
❑)
2
G= (gain of a parabolic antenna
Where A is the area of the dish, n is the dish efficiency (illumination efficiency) and
λ is the wavelength. Note that this is dBi, your measured gain will be dBd. For the
dish with Antennalab at 1500MHz the efficiency is about 0.5.

Question 27

Does the measured gain of the dish antenna agree with the theoretical gain at
1500MHz?

Question 28

Does the dish antenna have gain over this range of frequencies?

Question 29

Does the dish antenna have directivity over this range of frequencies?

Restart and plot the polar response for 1500MHz again.

Superimpose polar plots for frequencies of 1600MHZ, 1700MHz and 1800MHZ on

the 1500MHz.

Question 30

Does the dish antenna still have directivity over this range of frequencies?

B. Changing the Positions of the Dipole and the Plane Reflector

Restart and take the Polar Plot at 1500MHZ. Reduce the spacing of the plane
reflector from the dipole to 4cm and superimpose a second 1500MHz polar plot.

Increase the spacing to 6cm and superimpose again.

Question 31

Describe the significant change in the antenna response.

Reset the spacing to 5cm.

Restart and take the Polar Plot at 1500MHZ.

Reduce the distance from the dipole to the dish by 1cm whilst maintaining the
spacing of the plane reflector from the dipole of 5cm and superimpose another
1500MHz polar plot.
Reduce the distance from the dipole to the dish by another Icm whilst maintaining
the spacing of the plane reflector from the dipole of 5cm and superimpose another
1500MHZ polar plot.

Question 32

Describe the significant change in the antenna response.

Try for other distances and reflector spacings.

Question 33

Is the response of the dish antenna critically dependent on the spacings? Explain.

For the frequencies used by Antenna lab the dish is not large enough to be very
efficient: much of the radiation reflected by the plane reflector will pass outside the
rim of the dish. This is also why the polar plot shows significant rear lobes - they
would be much smaller if the dish were larger. However, it can be seen that the gain
achievable with a dish is significantly greater than with any other type of antenna
tested and that its directivity is high, Because of its advantages of high gain and
directivity, the dish type of antenna is the most used form of antenna for high UHF
and microwave applications.

Experiment 5
Simulation and Hardware Modeling of a Monopole Antenna using EANC

PROCEDURES:

WARNINGS, BASIC-INSTRUCTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

 Before starting the practical exercises with the EANC unit it is necessary to
take into account the following considerations and advices:
 Make sure that the antennas are properly connected to the RF-generator.
 Do not bend the cables excessively.
 Do not apply any external signal to the output of the RF-generator.
 Do not exceed the maximum ratings allowed by the spectrum analyzer if an
external RF generator is used.
 Remember to avoid surrounding effects, such as reflections and
 absorptions through putting objects between the emitter and the receiver.
 Check that there is not any other emitter element closed to the unit, such as
routers, mobile antennas, etc. that could interfere with the unit.
 Remember to disconnect the power supply when the unit is not being used.
B. Hardware Modeling of Monopole Antenna using EANC

1. Identify the four main elements of the unit: interface, transmitter and receiver
towers and antenna kit.

2. Take a look at the interface and observe the connector for each element (RF
generator, stepper motor and spectrum analyzer). The RF generator will be used to
set up the transmission frequency, the stepper motor to move the antenna and the
spectrum analyzer to measure the different parameters.

3. Now, take a look at the transmitter and receiver towers. Observe the two holders
to fix

the antenna of the transmitter tower to be characterized. Observe the logarithmic

antenna mounted on the receiver antenna.

4. Take a look at the EAN-1 antennas kit. Try to identify each antenna.

5. Take the monopole antenna with ground plane from the antenna kit and mount it
on vertical position

6. Check that the transmitter and receiver tower are 1.5 meters distance from each
other.

Verify that both antennas are aligned.

7. Check that the degrees indicator is over the degree disc in the 0° position.

8. Connect the elements to each connector. The transmitter antenna to the RF

generator output connector, the stepper motor to the motor controller connector and
the receiver antenna to the RF input connector.

9. Verify that the circuit breaker at the back of the unit is in the "ON" position, switch
on

the unit.

10.Open the EANC software and press the START" button.

11.Choose in the "Antenna test" the "Antenna Radiation Pattern". Choose in the
"Antenna Type" the "Monopole Antenna with ground plane"

12. Push the "START TEST" button to start the antenna radiation pattern procedure.

13. Wait until the software indicates that the test is finished (the unit has to make the
360° Radiation Pattern and go back to the original position).
14.Sketch the generated radiation pattern.

15. Answer QUESTION 1 and 4

16. Repeat the "Antenna Radiation Pattern for "Monopole Antenna" and "Dropping
Monopole Antenna and sketch the generated radiation pattern for each antenna.
QUESTION

Describe the difference between the Threee generated

plots.______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

C. Bandwidth of a Monopole antenna

1. Connect a Monopole Antenna with ground plane to the platform. 2. Choose the
correct antenna in the EANC software.

3. Choose antenna bandwidth test.

4. Click Start Test.

5. Graph the generated bandwidth to SWR plot.

Question 11:

Based on the graph, what range of frequencies does the antenna have a relatively
low SWR?

Question 25

From the graph, which frequency will result in greatest SWR?

Perform a bandwidth test for other types of monopole antennas in the trainer.

A. Antenna Type Dropping Monopole

B. Antenna Type: Monopole Antenna with Ground Plane

Graph the generated bandwidth to SWR plot of the two antennas.

QUESTION

Compare all three bandwidth graphs, which antenna do you think has relatively the
lowest SWR in its range of frequencies where SWR is lowest?