“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

”
Philippians 4:13

I = current at the feed point, A

ANTENNA SYSTEMS ANTENNA EFFICIENCY
ENGR. FERMAR A. FAJARDO

ANTENNA 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒅
𝜼=
𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒅 + 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔
 It is an electrical conductor or array of
conductors that radiates signal energy or
collects signal energy. 𝑹𝒓𝒂𝒅
𝜼=
𝑹𝒓𝒂𝒅 + 𝑹𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔

Where:
n = antenna efficiency, unitless
Prad = radiated power, W
Ploss = power loss, W
Rrad = radiation resistance, Ω
Rloss = loss resistance, Ω

DIRECTIVE GAIN

𝑷𝑫
𝑫=
RADIATION PATTERN 𝑷𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒇

 It is a polar diagram representing field strength

Where:
or power densities at various angular position
D = directive gain, unitless
relative to an antenna.
PD = power density, W/m2
PDref = reference (isotropic antenna) power
density, W/m2

DIRECTIVITY

 It is defined as the maximum directive gain, and

it is defined as the ability of an antenna to focus
energy in a particular direction.

Directivity Patterns

o Omnidirectional – it is a directivity
pattern wherein energy is radiated
NEAR & FAR FIELDS equally in all directions.

o Bidirectional – it is a directivity pattern

wherein energy is focused in two
directions.

o Unidirectional – it is a directivity
pattern wherein energy is focused in
only one direction.

POWER GAIN
ANTENNA PARAMETERS

RADIATION RESISTANCE 𝑮 = 𝜼𝑫

𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒅
𝑹𝒓𝒂𝒅 = 𝑷𝑫
𝑰𝟐 𝑮 = 𝜼( )
𝑷𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒇

Where:
Rrad = radiation resistance, Ω Where:
Prad = radiated power, W G = power gain, unitless
 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

n = antenna efficiency, unitless λ = wavelength, m

D = directive gain, unitless
PD = power density, W/m2 CAPTURED POWER DENSITY
PDref = reference (isotropic antenna) power
density, W/m2 𝑷𝒕 𝑮𝒕 𝑮𝒓
𝑷𝑫𝒄𝒂𝒑 =
𝟒𝝅𝑹𝟐
ANTENNA BANDWIDTH

 It is the range of frequencies over which an Where:

antenna will radiate effectively or satisfactorily.
BEAMWIDTH
 It is also known as -3dB beamwidth and half-
power beamwidth, and it is defined as the
width, in degrees, of the major lobe between
the two directions in which the relative radiated
power is equal to one half its value at the peak
of the lobe.
PDcap = captured power density, W/m²
Pt = transmit antenna input power, W
Gt = transmit antenna power gain, unitless
Gr = receive antenna power gain, unitless
R = distance between the transmit and
receive antenna, m
CAPTURE POWER
𝑷𝒄𝒂𝒑 = 𝑷𝑫𝒄𝒂𝒑 ∙ 𝑨𝒄𝒂𝒑

Where:
Pcap = captured power, W
PDcap = captured power density, W/m²
Acap = captured area, m²

END-EFFECT LOSS

𝑳𝒆𝒇𝒇 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟓𝑳

EFFECTIVE ISOTROPIC RADIATED POWER (EIRP) Where:

Leff = effective antenna length (physical
length)
𝑬𝑰𝑹𝑷 = 𝑷𝒕 𝑮𝒕
L = antenna length

Where: ANTENNA POLARIZATION

EIRP = effective isotropic radiated power, W
Pt = transmit antenna input power, W  It is the orientation or direction in space of the
Gt = transmit antenna power gain, unitless electric field portion of the electromagnetic
wave being radiated by the transmitting system.
POWER DENSITY
PRINCIPLE OF RECIPROCITY
𝑷𝒊𝒏 𝑮𝒕
𝑷𝑫 =  It states that the characteristic of antennas,
𝟒𝝅𝑹𝟐 such as impedance and radiation pattern are
identical, regardless of use for reception or
transmission.
Where:
PD = power density, W/m2
BASIC ANTENNA TYPES
Pin = radiated power, W
Gt = transmit antenna power gain, unitless
ISOTROPIC ANTENNA
R = distance from transmit antenna, m

CAPTURE AREA

𝑮𝒓 𝝀𝟐
𝑨𝒄𝒂𝒑 =
𝟒𝝅

Where:
Acap = effective captured area, m²
Gr = received antenna power gain, unitless
 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

 It is also known as isotropic radiator, which is a MULTI-ELEMENT ANTENNA ARRAYS

hypothetical antenna which radiates equally
intense signals in all directions. ANTENNA ARRAY
 It has the simplest possible directive pattern (it
has no directivity at all).  It is formed when two or more antenna
elements are combined to form a single
ELEMENTARY DOUBLET ANTENNA antenna.

 It is also known as short dipole, elementary

dipole or Hertzian dipole antenna, and it is the
simplest type of antenna.
 It has a standard directive gain of 1.5 (1.76 dB).

HALF-WAVE DIPOLE ANTENNA

Types of an Antenna Elements

o Driven Element – it is an element that

is directly connected to the
transmission line and receive power
from the source.
 It is also known as Hertz antenna, which is a
type of resonant antenna with total nominal o Parasitic Element – it is an element
length of half-wavelength at the carrier that is not connected to the
frequency. transmission line, it receives energy
 It has a bidirectional radiation pattern, an only through mutual induction with a
impedance of 73 ohms (at the feedpoint) and driven element.
2500 ohms (at the ends), and a standard
directive gain of 1.64 (2.14 dB). o Reflector – it is a parasitic
element 5% longer than the
QUARTER-WAVE VERTICAL ANTENNA driven element.

o Director – it is a parasitic
element 5% shorter than the
driven element.

BROADSIDE ARRAY & END-FIRE ARRAY

 It is also known as Marconi antenna, vertical

monopole antenna, monopole antenna or
quarter-wave monopole antenna that is made
up of a vertical mast, pole, or rod that forms the
main radiating conductor.
 It has an omnidirectional radiation pattern (in
horizontal plane), and a feed impedance of 37
ohms.

Antenna Grounding System

SPECIAL-PURPOSE ANTENNAS
o Ground Screen (Earth Mat) – it consists
of a metal screen or wire mesh buried FOLDED DIPOLE ANTENNA
15-30 cm below the ground.

o Counterpoise – it is a means of
obtaining radio frequency ground or
ground plane without the direct earth-
ground connection.
 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

 It is a single antenna consisting of two elements Where:

(the first is fed directly while the second is Ghelical = helical antenna gain, unitless
coupled inductively at the ends). N = number of turns
S = spacing/separation/pitch of each
YAGI-UDA ANTENNA turn (λ/4)
D = diameter of the turns (λ/π)
λ = wavelength

Helical Antenna Beamwidth

𝟓𝟐
𝜽𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 =
𝝅𝑫 √𝑵𝑺
( )
𝝀 𝝀

 It is also known as Yagi array, and it is a 𝟏𝟎𝟒

parasitic array with linear elements (dipole- 𝜽𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 =
type) and consists mainly of a driven element √𝑵
and one or more parasitic elements.
Where:
LOG-PERIODIC ANTENNA Ɵhelical = helical antenna beamwidth,
degrees
N = number of turns
S = spacing/separation/pitch of each
turn (λ/4)
D = diameter of the turns (λ/π)
λ = wavelength

HORN ANTENNA

 It is used to match the end of a rectangular or

 It is also known as log-periodic dipole array, circular waveguide directly with free space.
consisting of several dipole elements of
different lengths and relative spacing, fed from
a two-wire line which is transposed between
each adjacent pair dipoles.

UHF & MICROWAVE ANTENNAS

HELICAL ANTENNA

 It consists of a loosely wound helix that is Types of Horn Antennas

usually made up of six to eight turns of heavy
wire or tubing and it is fed with coax and is
backed up with a reflector.

Helical Antenna Gain

Horn Antenna Gain

𝟏𝟓𝑵𝑺(𝝅𝑫)𝟐
𝑮𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 =
𝝀𝟑 𝟒𝝅𝑲𝑨
𝑮𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏 =
𝝀𝟐
𝟏𝟓𝑵
𝑮𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 =
𝟒
 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

Parabolic Antenna Feed Mechanisms

𝟕. 𝟓𝑨
𝑮𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏 =
𝝀𝟐 o Horn Feed

𝟕. 𝟓𝒅𝑬 𝒅𝑯
𝑮𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏 =
𝝀𝟐

Where:
Ghorn = horn antenna gain, unitless
K = constant (typically 0.5 to 0.6)
A = area of the aperture (opening)
dE = E plane aperture
dH = H plane aperture
λ = wavelength
o Cassegrain Feed
Horn Antenna Beamwidth

𝟕𝟎𝝀
𝜽𝑯 =
𝒅𝑯

𝟓𝟔𝝀
𝜽𝑬 =
𝒅𝑬

𝟖𝟎𝝀
𝜽𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏 =
𝒅
Parabolic Antenna Gain
Where:
Ɵhorn = horn antenna beamwidth, 𝝅𝑫 𝟐
degrees 𝑮𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄 = 𝜼 ( )
𝝀
ƟH = H plane beamwidth, degrees
ƟE = E plane beamwidth, degrees
dE = E plane aperture Where:
dH = H plane aperture Gparabolic = parabolic antenna gain,
d = width of the opening unitless
λ = wavelength D = diameter of the antenna
λ = wavelength
PARABOLIC ANTENNA η = antenna efficiency, unitless (0.6 -
standard)
 It is a form of a dish antenna with reflecting
surface that is a geometric paraboloid (surface Parabolic Antenna Beamwidth
of rotation of a parabola about its axis), and has
a focal point where rays arriving parallel to the 𝟕𝟎𝝀
antenna axis converge. 𝜽𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄 =
𝑫

Where:
Ɵparabolic = parabolic antenna
beamwidth, degrees
D = diameter of the antenna
λ = wavelength
 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS 8. What is the length of a simple quarter wave

antenna using a VHF frequency of 150.55
1. What is the ohmic resistance of the MHz?
antenna, if the efficiency of the antenna is A. 1.55 ft
0.96 and the radiation resistance is 72 B. 2.55 ft
ohms? C. 3.55 ft
A. 1 Ω D. 4.55 ft
B. 2 Ω
C. 3 Ω* 9. If a slightly longer parasitic element is
D. 4 Ω placed 0.1 wavelength away from an HF
dipole antenna, what effect will this have
2. An antenna with a radiation resistance of 50 on the antenna's radiation pattern?
ohms and a loss resistance of 3 ohms, A. a major lobe will develop in the
receives a 150 watts of power from a horizontal plane, parallel to the
transmitter. How much power is radiated two elements
into space? B. a major lobe will develop in the
A. 141.51 W vertical plane, away from the
B. 114.51 W ground
C. 411.51 W C. a major lobe will develop in the
D. 144.51 W horizontal plane, away from the
parasitic element, toward the
3. Determine the effective isotropic radiated dipole
power (EIRP) of a transmitter system with D. the radiation pattern will not be
the following data: antenna gain = 30 dB, affected
input power = 100 W and efficiency = 80%.
A. 49 dB 10. What is the gain in dB of a helical antenna
B. 39 dB with diameter of λ/3, 10 turns at pitch of
C. 29 dB λ/4, used at 100 MHz?
D. 19 dB A. 16.1 dB
B. 11.6 dB
4. A transmitter system has an input power of C. 12.6 dB
40 W. If the efficiency of the transmitter is D. 13.1 dB
80% then what is the power density 20 km
from the transmitter. Assuming a 11. What is the gain of a pyramidal horn with
transmitting antenna gain of 16 dB. dimensions of 10 cm high and 12 cm wide
A. 153.4 nW/m2 operating at 10 GHz of frequency?
B. 253.4 nW/m2 A. 19.23 dB
C. 353.4 nW/m2 B. 18.23 dB
D. 453.4 nW/m2 C. 17.23 dB
D. 16.23 dB
5. For the receive power density of 10 µW/m²
and a receive antenna with a capture area 12. A horn antenna has a gain of 15 dBi at 10
of 0.2 m², determine the power received in GHz. What is its gain at 15 GHz?
dBm. A. 18.5 dB
A. -27 dBm B. 15 dB
B. -57 dBm C. 11.7 dB
C. -67 dBm D. 17.11 dB
D. -47 dBm
13. In a parabolic antenna, assuming that all of
6. Calculate the length of a half-wave dipole the parameters remain the same, doubling
for an operating frequency of 20 MHz. the antenna diameter will result into an
A. 8 m increase of _____ in the antenna gain.
B. 10 m A. 3 dB
C. 7 m B. 6 dB
D. 15 m C. 9 dB
D. 2.7 dB
7. Determine the gain of an antenna with
respect to a dipole if its gain with respect to 14. An earth satellite station needed an
isotropic is 50 dBi. antenna that can amplify 2500 times bigger
A. 47.86 dBd than the input signal. If the engineers
B. 57.86 dBd assigned agreed to build an antenna with
C. 49.76 dBd parabolic reflector, and operates at 3.4 GHz,
D. 59.76 dBd what is its diameter?
A. 160 cm
 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

B. 170 cm B. back lobe

C. s C. side lobe
D. 190 cm D. front lobe

15. To radiate more energy, simply spread the 23. Energy near the edge of the dish does not
conductors farther apart. Such an antenna reflect but rather is diffracted around the
is called: edge of the dish. This is called:
A. dipole A. diffraction
B. monopole B. spillover
C. tripole C. splatter
D. loop D. turn around

16. These are not connected to the 24. In a parabolic antenna, it actually radiates
transmission line, they receive energy only the electromagnetic energy and therefore is
through mutual induction with a driven often called the primary antenna.
element or another parasitic element. A. waveguide
A. parasitic elements B. reflector
B. driven elements C. feed mechanism
C. directors D. dish
D. reflectors

17. A parasitic element that is longer than the

driven element from which it receives
energy.
A. driven
B. reflector
C. boom
D. director

18. A broadband VHF or UHF antenna that is

ideally suited for applications in which
radiating circular rather than horizontal or
vertical polarized electromagnetic waves
are required.
A. horn antenna
B. discone antenna
C. parabolic antenna
D. helical antenna

19. Determine the antenna's polarization if its

magnetic field is perpendicular to the Earth.
A. vertical
B. horizontal
C. circular
D. random

20. What is the horizontal radiation pattern of a

vertical dipole?
A. figure of eight
B. circle
C. narrow beam
D. elliptical

21. Among the following, the beamwidth that

represents the best antenna directivity is:
A. 7°
B. 12°
C. 19°
D. 36°

22. Which is described as a minor lobe at an

angle of approximately 90° to the main
lobe?
A. minor lobe