ANTENNAS AND WAVE PROPAGATION

20EC C09
B.E (ECE) – IV Semester

- Log Periodic Antenna

j

Dr. N. V. Koteswara Rao

Department of ECE
CBIT(A)
Prof. N. V. K. Rao 1
 Log Periodic Antenna
1. A frequency independent antenna may be defined as the
antenna for which the impedance and pattern remain constant
as function of frequency.
2. Expand or contract in proportion to the wavelength
or
if the antenna structure is not mechanically adjustable, the
size of active or radiating region should be proportional to
the wavelength.
3. This development on frequency independent concept led to
log periodic antenna.
4. They are broad band antennas.
bandwidth – 10:1 – easily achieved
100:1 – is feasible if theoretical design is
closely approximated.
5. The broad band characteristics - include both impedance and
pattern.

6. Radiation pattern – bidirectional or unidirectional of low to

moderate directive gain.

7. Geometry is so chosen that electrical properties must repeat

periodically with the logarithm of the frequency.

8. Frequency independence can be obtained when the variation

of the properties is very small.

9. The structure size changes with each repetition by a constant

scale factor so that the structure expand or contract.
 LPDA
• No. of dipoles of different lengths and spacing.
• Fed by a balanced two wire transmission line.
• Included angle is constant.
• Length=L and spacing = S or R
• Scale factor or design ratio or periodicity
factor τ < 1
• Thus dipole length and spacing are related as
Inactive T.L region (L< λ/2)

• At middle of operating range, the elements are short.

• Elements present a relatively high capacitance.

• Element current is small and current leads the Vb by 90 deg app.

• Element spacing is small (in wavelength)

• By transposition of transmission introduces 180 deg phase shift

between adjacent dipoles.

• Hence currents in the elements of these region are small and hence
small radiation in backward direction
Active T.L region (L = λ/2)

• Impedance offered is resistive in nature.

• Element current is large and in phase with the Vb.

•Current below resonance – leading slightly

•Current above resonance – lagging slightly

• Element spacing is large, causing the phase in a particular

element to lead app. by 90 deg.
For e.g., by the time field radiated from element Ln+1 reaches Ln,
the phase of Ln advances by 90 deg.
Its field add to the field of Ln+1, resulting in large field towards left.
Hence there is strong radiation towards left in between direction
and little towards right.
Inactive reflective region (L > λ/2)

•Impedance is inductive, causing currents to lag the base voltage

• Base voltage is very small as almost all the energy transmitted

down the line has been attracted and radiated by the active
region.

• It presents a large reactive impedance to the line and thus any

small amount of incident wave from active region is reflected
back towards backward direction
Advantages
The following are the advantages of Log-periodic
antennas −
• The antenna design is compact.
• Gain and radiation pattern are varied according
to the requirements.
Disadvantages
The following are the disadvantages of Log-periodic
antennas −
• External mount.
• Installation cost is high.
Applications
The following are the applications of Log-
periodic antennas −
• Used for HF communications.
• Used for particular sort of TV receptions.
• Used for all round monitoring in higher
frequency bands.
 General Characteristics
• It is excited from the shorter length side or HF side for one
active region and at the center for two active region log
periodic antenna.

• They are fed by a balanced two wire T.L.

• For unidirectional antenna, the structure fires in backward

direction and forward radiation is very small or zero.

• For bidirectional log periodic antenna, the maximum radiation

is in broadside direction.

• T.L inactive region must have proper characteristic impedance

with negligible radiation.
• In active region, the magnitude and phasing of
currents should be proper so that strong
radiation occurs along backward direction and
zero radiation along forward direction in case
of unidirectional and broadside for
bidirectional.

• In inactive reflective region, there should be

rapid decay of current
Text Books:
1. Constantine A. Balanis, “Antenna Theory: Analysis
and Design”, 4th Edition, John Wiley, 2016.
2. Edward C. Jordan and Kenneth G. Balmain,
“Electromagnetic Waves and Radiating Systems”,
2nd Edition, PHI,2001.
Suggested Readings:
1. John D. Krauss, Ronald J. Marhefka& Ahmad S.
Khan, “Antennas and Wave Propagation”,
4thEdition, TMH, 2010.
2. 2. Dennis Roody and John Coolen, “Electronic
Communications”, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2008.
Prof. N. V. K. Rao 23
Prof. N. V. K. Rao 24