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Repo rt No. FAA-RD-79-22

DESIGN OF VHF AND UHF COMMUNICATIONS

AIR/GR OUND ANTENNA S

F. FARRAR, D. SCHAUBE RT, H. JONES

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Marc h 1979
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Document is avail able to th e U.S. public through

the Natf ona Techn ka Info rmat ion Service ,
S pr ing fie ld , VIrginia 22161 .

Prepared for
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATiON
Systems Research & Devebpment ServIce
Washington, D.C. 2I~~ )

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NOTICE

This document is dissem inated under the sponsorship of the

Department of Transportation in the interest of information
exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability
for its contents or use thereof .

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) Design of VHF and UHF Communications Air/Grou~~J J Mara 79 1

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Orgo n izo ti on Cod.
Laboratory 50, Branch 150
—_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8. e’for m ing Q ntr ’-~-—- ~ No.
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U .S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command ___________________________
Harry Diamond Laborat ories ~~~~-
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Desig n Stud y of FAA—type
Federal Aviation Adm inistration — “
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~ Feb p78— Feb 79

2100 2nd Street , S .W. ~ 14 . ~~~~~~~~ ~ o ncy ~C~~ I~~~~ ~
Washington , D.C. 20591 ARD—200
15. Sup pl.m.ntory Not.s
This study requirement was generated in response to FAA operational
requirements for updating and standardizing the desi gn and performance of
field antennas used throughout the Unit~~,~ tates in ai r/ground communications .
16. Abstract ~
The Harry Diamond Laboratories has investigate?~çont emporary design concepts,
for improved ground—based antennas to be used in air/ground communi cation
links. These concepts are based on requirements to maintain satisfactory
and reliable communications with coincident constraints of reduced trans—
—

initter power, handling tolerances , and design standardization for VHF and
UHF antenna types , mounting brackets, etc.

The study determined that four antenna designs will satisf y these require-
ments • Each design will cover a full comnsinications frequency band , and
will also provide improved radiation characteristics. The design findings
and candidat e ant ennas are reviewed in this report. Much of the preliminary
det~i1ed investigation work is incorporat ed in the ).nterim desi gn report ,
also prepared under this effort , and published i~ Jebruary 1979 as Report
No. FAA—RD—79—7.. -

‘ —.~~ The performance of the candidate antennas in a simulated operational environ-

ment is calculated and presented for several sets of conditions which closely
resemble operational applications. While the analyses indicate that the
predominant FAA requirements are satisfied by antennas presently available
to the Agency, very significant gain deficiencies were detected in multiple-
element antennas and are apparently due to the ferrite material used to
achieve inter—element electrical isolation. — ~~~~~ — -

17 . Coy Wo rd. 1$. Dlsttibutlon St.t.eiun t

Conmainications , VHF antennas , Document is available to the U.S. public
UHF antennas , Omni direction al patterns throu gh the Nation al Technical Informa-
tion Service , Springfield , Virginia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

19. S.c urity CI...if. (of th is r.por’) 20. Security Clas s if . (of this peg.) 21. No. of P 1•s 22. Prics

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 Acknowledgemen t
This work was performed by the U .S . Army ERADC OM Harry Dia mond

Laboratories under Interagen y Agreement No. D0T— FA78W ~I— 85l . The

authors wish to express a special thanks to the Proj ec t Manager ,

Mr. Leonard Bosin , and to Messers Newell Anderson and James Coyle

of the FAA for their advice and assistance during this program .

Thanks also to Dr. Howard Jones and Mr. Whilden Heinard of HDL

for their assistance. -

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 1
3
1.1 Background 1
1.2 General Criteria for Improved Antennas 1
1.3 Design Specifications 2

2. FINAL ANTENNA DESIGNS

2.1 VHF Omnidirectional Antennas

2.2 UHF Omnidirectional Antennas 11
2.3 Simulated Operational Performance 11
2.4 Simulated Performance Comparisons 27

3. EXISTING COMMERCIAL ANTENNAS 34

3.1 Chu Associates Two—Channel UHF An tenna 34

3.2 TACO Two—Channe l UHF Antenna 40
3 .3 TACO Two—Element Gain VHF Antenna 46
3.4 Comparison of Predicted Performance 51

4. CONCLUSIONS 51

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1. INTRODUCTION

Design concepts for new VHF and UHF air/ground communications antennas
have been studied . The new antennas are intended for use by the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) as standardized equipment at ground
facilities of air/ground communications operations . The antenna designs
have been evaluated and compared with existing antennas . Primary
importance has been placed upon electrical and mechanical performance ,
while meeting the practical considerations of size , weight , and cost.

1.1 Background

Voice communications between ground—based controllers and aircraft

pilots during air traffic control operations is by radio . The radio
communications link operates on a double sideband , amplitude modulated
carrier in either the VHF band of 118 to 136 MHz or the UHF band of 225 to
400 MHz with allocated channels separated by 25 , 50, or 100 kHz. Channels
in the VHF band are intended primarily for communications with civilian
aircraft——government , commercial , and general aviation . Military aircraft
communicate on channels in either the VHF or the UHF band. Since
controllers must communicate with all aircraft in each assigned airspace
sector , simultaneous VHF and UHF radio links must be provided.

Two distinctly different types of antennas are required at the

ground facilities to establish the radio communications link. The
omnidirectional antenna is the most prevalent type of antenna since it can
provide communications coverage over a very large airspace sector without
directional preference . Where aircraft are constrained to fixed air routes
or where high effective radiated power (ERP)is required over a certain
portion of the airspace sector , directional antennas are employed. Both
types of antennas are typically located on 19—rn—high towers for en route
control operations , although some towers are as high as 28 m. For terminal
control operations , the antennas may be located on smaller , 13—rn towers
near the runways or on the roof of the airport control cab .

1.2 General Criteria for Improved Antcnnas

The important criteria for improved electrical performance from

these antenna concepts are comp lete radiation pattern coverage , antenna
gain , and full—bandwidth operation . To provide continuous rad io
communications , the antennas must provide adequate radiated power density
or electric field strength at all locations in the assigned airspace
sector . The radiation patterns of the omnidirectional antennas must be
sufficiently uniform in all directions around and above the antennas to
provide the necessary radiated power density . The radiation patterns of
the directional antennas mus t be sufficiently uniform only in a specific
direction over a much more limited airspace sector .

Both the omnidirectional and the directional antennas must have

gain in the angular portion of the radiation pattern that is in use for
communications with aircraft at long ranges and at angles low to the
horizon to provide the necessary radiated power density and thus an

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acceptable , noise—free communications link. Gain from an omnidirectional

antenna may at first seem in violation of the definition——an
omnidirectional antenna is one that radiates uniformly over all space and
is by definition of zero gain . However , the omnidirectional antennas
discussed in this report radiate uniformly in the azimuth plane only, with
substantial gain roll—off in the elevation plane. A vertical dipole is an
example of an antenna that gives galn——2.l dB relative to isotropic
(dBi)——yet is classified as omnidirectional in the context of this study.
Decreased gain and nonuniformity in the vertical plane of the radiation
pattern are acceptable over angular portions where the aircraft is high
overhead and therefore much closer to the radio site. However , deep , broad
nulls in the radiation pattern are undesirable since they can cause holes
in the coverage of the communications system.

The requirement for full—bandwidth operation places severe

restrictions on the choice of radiating elements , but this requirement is
importan t for the FAA . The use of a single antenna design for the entire
VHF or UHF band greatly reduces the inventory and logistical problems of
the FAA , and it eliminates the need to change antennas when operating
frequencies are changed.

The most important criterion for improved mechanical performance

is the ability of these antennas to perform electrically without
degradation in the operational environment. Since most of the antennas are
located on towers fully exposed to the extremes of weather and in many
situations at radio sites far from maintenance personnel , environmental
durability and long maintenance—free lifetime are importan t requirements
affecting the mechanical designs . Wind loading during icing, vibration ,
moisture , and temperature extremes are specific environmental factors that
are considered in the development of the design concepts .

Other criteria considered in the design of the improved antennas

are these: (1) impedance and gain bandwidth , (2) VSW R, (3) maximum input
power , (
4) polarization , (5) size , (6) we ight, and (7) unit cost. Certain
peripheral criteria , though not antenna design criteria per se , also are
considered since it is some times possible to adjust antenna performance
factors that will maximize overall performance of the radio communications
link . The peripher~ l effects considered are ( 1) isolation from other
antennas , (2) influence and shadowing effects of nearby towers, (3)
vulnerability to static , power line transients , and ligh tning, and ( 4)
ground reflections and multipath interference .

1.3 Desigfl, Specification.r

Omnidirectional and directional antennas were designed to meet the

specifications in tables 1 and 2. The omnidirectional antenna designs
consisted of three or four dipole—type elements inside a fiberglass radouie
and support structure [1J. The directional antenna designs consisted of a
yagi antenna for the VHF band and a pyramidal log—periodic antenna for the
UHF band . I’

_ _ _
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 - -i-- - — -

Table 1. Origina l omn id irectional antenna spec if ications

Property Spec if icat ions

Electrical

Gain 5 dBi mm

Azimuthal pattern coverage Uniform

Vertical pattern maximum At horizon

Impedance 50 ohms

VSWR 2:1 max

14% VHF (118 to 136 MHz)

Bandwidth
56% UHF (225 to 4 00 MHz )

CV power 50 W max

Polarization Vertical

Mechanical

Height 6.1 m max

Weight 9 kg max

W ind 157 lq~tf hr max

Ice 1.25 cm max

Altitude 3.8 km max

Hum idity 5 to 100%

Coat $1000 max

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -
_ _
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_ _ _
 Table 2. Directional antenna specif ications

Property Spec ifications

Electrical

Gain 10 dBi nUn

Pattern Coverage

50°VHF (118 to 136 MHz)

Elevation ° UHF (225 to 400 MHz )
~45

65° V
Azimuth
58° UHF

Front—to—back ratio 18 dB nUn

Impedanc e 50 ohms

VSWR 2:1 max

14% VHF
Bandwidth
56% UHF

CW power 50 W max

Polarization Vertical

Mechanical

Length 6.1 m max

Weight 9 kg max

Wind 157 km/hr max

Ice 1.25 cm max

Altitude 3.8 km max

Humid ity 5 to 100%

Cost $1000 max

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The performances of these antenna designs were analyzed b y

computer and the results were presented to the FAA In the interim design
report [11. Subsequently , HDL was instructed not to continue the
development of directional antenna desi gns . Also , the design requirements
for the omnidirectional antennas were changed as shown in table 3. The
gain requirement was reduced to a value consistan t with the reduced
aperture size . The reduced hei ght and weight ~.lll make the antennas easier
to install.

The new , reduced—size antenna designs are described in the

following section , and their performances are analyzed.

2. FINAL ANTENNA DESIGNS

The radome—supported linear phased array design concept has been

retained for the reduced—size antennas . The di pole elements , isolation
chokes , feed network , and interconnecting cables are fixed in potting
material inside a small—diameter fiberglass tube that supports the array.
The number of dipole elements , their spacing, and their excitation
amplitudes and phases are adjusted to optimize the designs for each
operating frequency band .

Gains of 4.3 dBi over the VHF band m d 4.5 óBi over the UHF band at the
maximum level in the radiation pattern are obtained by vertically arraying
dipole antennas . The large vertical aperture produces the gain by
narrowing the radiation pattern in the elevation plane . However ,
sufficient gain in the vertical plane Is maintained to give adequate
effective radiated power for good communications with aircraft overhead .
The antennas are designed to produce the required gain at the low frequency
end of the band ; because the electrical size of the antenna aperture
Increases with frequency——the physical aperture is fixed——the gain can be
expected to increase slightly with increasing frequency . This effect is
more evident in the UHF antenna design because of the large frequency
range——225 to 400 MHz——of the UHF band . A 2:l—VSWR impedance matci . to a
50—ohm system is needed to minimize loss in gain (0.5—dB loss for a 2:1
VSWR mismatch) and minimize power reflected to the transmitter .

The above specifications are met over a 14—percent bandwidth

around 127 MHz for the VHF antenna design and over a 56—percent bandwidth
around 313 MHz for the UHF antenna design . Since some gain omnidirectional
antennas may be connected to 50—W transmitters , 50—W of continuous wave
(CW)input power handling capability is provided. This requirement impacts
the choice of components such as power dissipating resistors in the feed
ne twork of the antennas . Vertically polarized radiation is required from
all ground communications antennas to match the polarization of the
aircraft antennas and to mit!gate vertical lobing of the radiation pattern
due to multi r~~ n reflections from the ground . (There is a slight advantage
in that the ground reflection coefficient in general is smaller for
vertical polarization than it is for horizontal.)

A maximum aperture height of 4.3 in Is the practical limit imposed on

the mechanical uesign . At VHF , this aperture size limits the maximum
theoretical gain available to approximately 5.8 dBi . When losses in the

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Table 3. Revised omn id irec t ional antenna spec ifications

Property Spec if icat ions

Elec trical

4.3 dBi mm VHF*

Gain
4.5 dB i mm UHF*

Azimuthal pattern coverage Uniform

Ver t ical pattern maximum At horizon

Impedance 50 ohms

VSWR 2:1 max

14% VHF (118 to 136 MHz)

Bandwid t h
56% UHF (225 to 400 MHz)

CW power 50 W max

Polar iza t ion Ver t ical

Mechanical

Height 4.3 in max*

Wei g ht 6 kg max *

Wind 157 km/hr max

Ice 1.25 cm max

Al titude 3.8 kin max

Humid it y 5 to 100%

Cost $1000

*Ind icates changes to origina l specif ications

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 feed ne twork , cable losses , nonuniform current distributions , and radiator
efficiencies are taken into account , the specified gain of 4.3 dBi for the
VHF antenna of this restrictive heigh t is possible to achieve , but the
available aperture must be considered marginal. Figure 1 shows the
theoretical g~’in of an antenna as a function of aperture height. The
calculation is based on the ideal situation of a 100—percent efficient
uniform current distribution radiating into free space to give the
dipole—type radiation pattern of

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At UHF where the wavelength is 1/2 to 1/3 of the wavelength at VHF , the 4.3
in maximum height is not restrictive , and 4.5—dBi gain is easily achieved .
Light weigh t is a practical consideration based CIn the need to have one man
install the antenna on a tower. The wind loading of 157 km/hr , 1.25 cm of
ice , a maximum altitude of 3.8 kin, and humidity of 5 to 100 percent are the
extremes of the physical environment to which the communication antennas
are exposed. A maximum cost of $1000 per unit in quantities influences the
choice of materials and construction technique . This stated unit cost is a
reasonable goal and has been factored into the chosen design concepts .

2.1 VHF Omnidirectional Antennas

A two—element VHF design is shown in figure 2. Each dipole

element is 1.3 m (4.26 ft) long with 2.2—in (7.2—ft ) spacing between element
centers . This yields an array that is only 3.5 m (11.8 ft) long with a
directivity of 5.4 dB . Increasing the array size to 4.3 in (14 ft) by
increasing the element spacing significantly increases the grating lobe
level without increasing the gain . The radiation pattern of the 3.5—in—long
array Is shown In figure 3. The elevation angle , (0), measured from
vertical is plotted on ~he horizontal axis so that 0 corresponds to
directly overhead and 90 corresponds to the horizon . Relative power (in
decibels) is p lotted on the vertical axis . If ideal lossless radiating
elements were used , the O—dB relative power level would correspond to a
gain above an isotropic point source equal to the directivity of the
antenna . Elemen t inefficiencies and feed network , radome , mismatch , and
cable losses reduce the actual gain to the required gain level specified in
table 3.

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A three—element VHF design also is shown in figure 2. The
interelement spacing is small so that the three elements fit in the allowed
aperture . The corresponding radiation pattern ~s shown in figure 4. The
0
nulls in the pattern at elevation angles of 50 and 130 have been filled
in by applying a defocusing phase taper to the array (ii . In this design ,
the phase g f the signal app lied to the top and bottom elements has been
retarded 25 relatIve to the center element. Although the three—element
antenna has a higher directfvity, the extra cable and feed network losses
associated with the third element reduce the achievable gain to the
specified level.

2.2 UHF Omnidirectional Antennas

Basic antenna theory states that the gain of an antenna is

proportional to the physical aperture (in this antenna , height), measured
in wavelengths (A) . Therefore , to achieve a specified gain , a UHF antenna
is proportionally smaller than a similar VHF antenna. Figure 5 indicates
the relative sizes and element spacings for the three— and four—element
designs where each dipole element is 0.67 m (2.2 ft) long. The large UHF
bandwidth (225 to 400 MHz) dictates that certain compromises be made . For
example , if the interelement spacing on the three—elemen t antenna were
increased to 1.33 m to achieve 7—dB directivity at 225 MHz, then at 400
MHz , the grating lobes would be so large that the directivity would
decrease well below 6 dB . Reducing the element spacing to 0.8 in would
decrease the size of the grating lobes and thereby increase the directivity
at 400 MHz, but the overall array would be smaller and no longer have
sufficient gain at 225 MHz . The radiation patterns at a compromise spacing
of 1.07 m are p lotted in figures 6 to 8.
The four—element design has sufficien t gain at 225 MHz and , since
the elements are spaced only 0.8 in apart , the grating lobes are relatively
small at 400 MHz (figures 9 to 11). Be tween 225 and 300 MHz, the
directivity increases 0.92 dB , but from 300 to 400 MHz , it increase~ only
0.16 dB due to the increased size of the grating lobes at 30 and 150

2.3 Simulated Operational Performance

The free—space antenna radiation patterns do not indicate how the

antenna will perform in the real environment. The fact that the antenna is
operated a certain heigh t above a iossy dielectric sphere (the earth) means
that there will be inultipath reflections that will significantly modify the
free—space radiation patterns .

A computer code called FIXEDR was developed to model the effects

on the radiation patterns of reflections from a lossy spherical earth .

The amplitude of the signal received at the aircraft depends on

J the separation distance between the transmit and receive antennas , the
ground reflection coefficient , and the direct and reflected path length
difference . The wave that t ravels alon g the direct path to the aircraft is
combined with the wave that is reflected from the earth ’s surface . The

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6.94 dB at 300 MHz
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2.3X 7.92 dB at 300 MHz
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ground reflection coefficient Is a function nf incidence ang le as shown in

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figure 12. Comp lete cancellation will oLcur at the horizon (0 90 )
because the reflected signal is equal in magnitude (IR 1= 1) and 180° out
of phase with the d i r e c t signal . As the e l e v a t i o n a n~ le and p a t h l e n g t h
vary, the magnitude and phase of the ground—reflected signal will also vary
and will add to or subtract from the direct signal.

The result of this multi path interference Is a lobing structure in

the vertical radiation pattern as shown in figure 13 for the two—element
VHF antenna . The number and relative depth of the interference nulls in
the pattern are dependent on the height of the tower supporting the
antenna , the operating frequency, and the relative dielectric constan t and
conductivity of the earth . Unless otherwise roted , the antenna is assumed
to be mounted on a 13—rn (42.6—ft) tower cver ~verage earth with dielectric
constant = 15 and conductivity a = 0.012 . Figure 14 shows the antenna
pattern for the three—element VHF antenna. In practice , since the earth is
not a smooth sphere , scattering from rough terrain tends to fill in the
sharp , deep nulls.

In the UHF band , similar effects are observed. As seen in the

radiation pattern of the three—element UHF antenna (figure 15), the
interference nulls are spaced closer than those of the VHF antennas. With
a higher operating frequency and correspondingly shorter wavelength ,
destructive interference occurs more frequently. The radiation pattern for
the four—element UHF antenna is shown in figure 16.

Another computer program , FLTSIM , was written to calculate and

plo t the rf voltage at the output of the aircraft receive antenna as a
function of the ground distance from the transmitter site. This program
models the effects of the antenna gain , pattern shape , and multipath
interference on aircraft communications .

For simp licity, the Eircraft rece ive antenna is assumed to have an
omnidirectional vertically—polarized pattern , 0—dB i gain , and 50—ohm
impedance. The aircraft is assumed to be flying at a constant altitude
away from the transmitting source . Unless otherwise noted on each p lot ,
the antenna is mounted on a 13—rn (42.6—f t) tower over average earth
(c = 15, a = 0.012). The transmitter power output is 10 W which , with
3—SB cable loss (from transmitter to antenna), leaves 5 W at the input of
the antenna.

The received signal is plotted versus ground distance for the

two—element VHF antenna at an altitude of 3000 m (approximately 10,000 ft)
in figure 17. Although the signal level varies considerably due to antenna
pattern shape and ground reflections , the amplitude is high enough to
activate the automatic gain control (AGC) on the aircraft receiver over
most of the range . While minimum receiver sensitivity is typically 3 ~ V , a
signal level of at least 12 ijV is considered necessary for reliable
communications . As seen in figure 17 , good communications are obtained for
• ranges up to approximately 180 km (112 miles) . In this case , line of sigh t
limits the maximum communication s range to 200 km. Increasing the aircraft
4 altitude to 6000 m (approximately 20 ,000 ft) increases the maximum range to

20

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almost 300 km, but the overall signal level is reduced due to the increased
distance between the transmitter and the receiver . At an a l t i t u d e of 9000
m (30 , 000 f t) the signal is s t i l l well above the l2—pV level at a 320—km
range ( figure 18). The performance of the three-elemen t VHF an tenna at an
a l t i t u d e of 9000 m is shown in figure 19.

Similar performance is observed with the three—element and

four—element UHF antennas as shown in figures 20 and 21. The amplitude of
the received signal is generally lower than the signal from the VHF designs
because the received voltage is proportional to the wavelength . Also ,
because of the shorter wavelength , destructive interference occurs more
often and causes more closely spaced nulls.

The plots of received signal voltage assume 0—dB i gain for the
aircraft antenna , including its associated cables and apparatus. Many
aircraft antennas will not be this good , and some may have deep nulls in
their radiation patterns . If an a i r c r a f t antenna system has —20 dBi gain
in the direction of the transmitter , the received sign al voltage (an d ,
therefore , the communications range) will be ona—tenth the values given on
these plots.

2 . 4 Simulated Performance Comparisons

Since the e f f e c t s of the multipath interference on the antenna

performance are about the same for the two— and three—element VHF designs ,
the ground reflected signal can be ignored when the simulated performance
of the two antenna designs is compared. Figure 22 show s the signal
received from the two— and three—element VHF gain antennas and from a
single dipole antenna with 0—dBi gain . The dipole curve is included so
that these designs can be compared with typical state—of—the—art broadband
dipoles. Both the two— and three—elemen t antennas have equal gain and
produce a received signal of 13 i.~V at maximum range . This level is 4 . 3 dE
higher than the 7.9— ji V signal received from the 0—dBi gain dipole. Since
it is not possible to defocus the two—element antenna , the null in the
radiation pattern causes a low signal level of 17 p V at a range of 12 km
( 7 . 2 miles) . The defocussing technique has partially filled in this null
in the three—element antenna pattern.

A similar graph is plotted for the three— and four—element UHF

antennas in figure 23. The slightly higher gain of the four—element
antenn a causes an Increase of 0.8 pV over the three—element antenna at
• maximum range . Both antennas provide approximately twice as much received
voltage as that provided by the single dipole antenna .

27
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When the maximum height of the VHF antenna was reduced front 6.1 in
(20 ft) to 4.3 m (14 ft), the corresponding gain specification was reduced
from 5 to 4.3 dlii. The change in performance is plotted in figure 24. The
received voltage from the three— and four—element 6.1—rn an tet nag has been
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compared with the signal from a three—element 4.3 m antenna . While all
three antennas provide adequate coverage out to the maximum range , the
higher gain of the 6.1—tn antennas (5.3 dlii for the four—element antenna and
5 dBl for the three—element antenna) provides slightly greater signal level
at long ranges.

3. EXISTING COMMERCIAL ANTENNAS

Reducing the maximum heigh t specification from 6.1 in (20 ft) to 4.3 m
(14 ft) and reducing the corresponding gain specification from 5 to 4.3 dlii
means that several existing antennas manufactured by private firms meet or
nearly meet the design requirements . Some of these antennas were obtained ,
and their electrical characteri3tics were measured. The performance of
each antenna was evaluated by computing the received voltage from the
measured radiation pattern data by using FLTSIM (see section 2.3).

3.1 Chu Associates Two—Channel UHF Antenna

A model CA—1079 two—channel UHF antenna was purchased from Chu

Associates (Littleton , MA). The unit consists of two vertically stacked ,
radome—supported , broadband di poles Inside a fiberglass radome 8.9 cm (3.5
in.) in d Laneter and 148.6 cm (58.5 in.) long . A gain version of this
antenna is available (Model CA—l402) that is essentially the two—channel
model with an integral power divider. A mult ichannel antenna was purchased
instead of a gain version so that the characteristics and the performances
of the individual elements could be examined.

The Impedance of the upper and lower elements was measured and is
plotted on a Smith chart in figure 25. The VSWR is below the 2:1
specification level (indicated by a dashed line in the figure) over the
225— to 400—MHz band . Isolation between the upper and lower elements is
greater than 20 dli, i n d i c a t i n g good int erelem ent decoupling ( f i g u r e 26) .

Radiation patterns of the upper and lower elements are shown in

f I gure 27. The upper elemen t has a gain of —0.5 dBi with the beam tilted
slightly above the horizon . This gain is somewhat lower than the 0 dBi
gain expected from a broadband dipole. The beam from the lower element is
tilted almost 20 below the horizon . The gain is extremely low, —2 dBi at
the peak and —3 dBI at the horizon . The low gain and beam tilting problems
are evident also in r a d i a t i o n p a t t e r n s taken at 225 and 400 MHz .

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A 1.83—rn (6—ft) mast attached to the mounting flange had little
e f f e c t on the radiation patterns , indicating that mast coupling is small.
•
When an in—phase cowe r divider is attached to the two inputs , a
gain antenna is created. The result ing radiation pattern is shown in
f i g u r e 28. The peak gain of onl y 2 dBi Instead of the theoretical gain of
5 dlii is attributed chiefly to the low gain of the individual elements .

34

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210
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110 300 NH.

Ib) LOWER ELEM ENT

Figure 27 . Radiation patterns of Chu model CA— 1079 two—c hannel UHF
antenna .

38
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-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ — ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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~
- - -

OdBi
0°

3300 30°

300° _ _ 60°

-
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RELATtVE

240° 120°

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180°

Figure 28. Radiation pattern of

configuration .
Chu model CA— 1079 in gain

39

1.~ ~~~.1
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: ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~

Thi s measu r ed data has been used to calculate the level of the
signal at the aircraft receiver as a function of distance from the
transmitter. As before , FLTSIM computes and plots the received voltage for
aircraft flying at a constant altitude over a lossy—dielectric spherical
earth . Figure 29 is a plot for the Chu model CA—1079 antenna in the gain
configuration at 300 MHz with the aircraft at an altitude of 9000 m
(approximately 30,000 ft) over average earth . At ranges of 2 and 10 km ,
the pattern nulls and multipath reflected signal cause the signal level to
drop below the 12 ~ V necessary for good , reliable communications . Maximum
range Is limited to 180 km (112 miles) if a minimum receiver sensitivity of
3 ~jV is assumed .

3.2_ TACO Two—Ch annel UHF Antenna

Another antenna , similar to the Chu model CA—1079 antenna , was

purchased for test , evaluation , and comparison from Technical Appliance
Corp. (TACO ) (Sherburne , NY). ThIs unit , model D2214 , consists of two
vertically stacked , radome—supported , broadband UHF dipoles inside a
fiberglass radome 4 cm (1.6 in.) in diameter and 214.6 cm (84.5 in.) long .
Again , the characteristics and the performance of each dipole element were
examined separately. The two dipoles were then fed in phase with equa l
anriltude signals to investigate the performance in an array configuration .

Smith chart p lots of the impedance of the upper and lower elements
are shown In figure 30. The VSWR of both elements is less than 2:1 over
the 225 to 400 MHz band as required . The isolation between the two
elements is plotted In figure 31. Very high isolation of at least 28 dB
was measured as compared to the minimum of 20 dB isolation of the Chu
antenna . The larger interelemen t spacing of the TACO antenna partially
accounts for this increased isolation .

Radiation p a t t e r n s of the individual elements are shown in figure

32. The lower element (figure 32(b)) displays a typical dipole radiation
pattern with slightly better than 0 dBi gain at 300 MHz. As expected , the
gain was +1 dBi at 400 MHz, but dropped to —1 dBi at 225 MHz . The
radiation pattern of the upper element (figure 32(a)) is somewhat distorted
and has a very low gain of —3.5 dBi .

The effects - of the low element gain are clearly visible in the
radiation pattern cf the antenna in a gain configuration as seen in figure
33. The peak gain is only 2 dBi—considerably less than the 4 dlii gain S

that is expected from a two—element antenna of this size . Another factor

contributing to the low array gain is the large interelement spacing .
Although this large spacing increases isolation , it reduces gain by
increasIng the size of the grating lobes. However , since this antenna was
designed for two—channel use , the l arge interelement spacing is desirable.
S
A 1.83—rn ( 6—ft) was attached to the antenna to examine the
mast
mas t decoupling . The radiation patterns showed only a l—dB ripple , which
indIcates fairl y good mast decoup ling.

40
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Figure 30. Impedance of TACO model D22 14 two-channel UHF antenna

. (225 to 400 MHz ) .
-

42

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Figure 32. Radiation patterns of TACO model D22 14 two—channel UBF

antenna .
I
44
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Figure 33. Radiation pattern of TACO model D22 14 in gain configuration. 4

45

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The calculated received voltage is p lotted versus distance in

figure 34 for an aircraft at a 9000—m altitude over average earth . The
0
large grating lobe at 45 in the radiation pattern corresponds to the
maximum in received voltage at an 8—km range . The powe r radiated at these
close ranges would be better radiated closer to the horizon to provide
better coverage at long range .

3.3 TACO Two—Element Gain VHF Antenna

A TACO model D2261A—l omnidirectional VHF gain antenna (serial

number 22) was tested , and its performance was compared with the VHF
designs detailed in section 2.1. The TACO antenna consists of two dipole
elements , a power divider , and feed cables In a tubular fiberglass radome
6.35 cm (2.5 in.) in diameter and 356.9 cm (140.5 in.) long. The
manufacturer ’s specifications call for a maximum VSWR of 2:1 and a minimum
gain of 4 dBi over the 118— to 136—MHz VHF band.

The input impedance of the antenna is plotted on a Smith chart in

figure 35. The VSWR is well within the 2:1 specification (indicated by the
dashed cir c l e) .

The radiation patterns indicate low gain at the lower frequencies

of the VHF band . Peak gains of —l and —0.5 dBi were measured at 118 and
125 MHz . At the upper edge of the band (136 MHz), a gain of +5 dlii was
measured . Figure 36 shows the elevation—plane radiation patterns at 118
and 136 MHz .

The large gain variations of this antenna cannot be attributed to

the change in aperture size over the VHF band. An increase in gain of
approximately 0.5 dBi is all that can be expected as the aperture changes
from 1.4 A at 118 MHz to 1.6 A at 136 MHz. Also , since the input impedance
indicates that the antenna is well matched , the gain of the matched
broadband dipole element should not change so drastically over this
relatively narrow band . Therefore , the low gain must be attributed to a
frequency—dependent loss mechanism either within the dipole element or in S
the interelement isolation chokes . Discussions with the manufacturer
indicate that the ferrite beads used to provide the interelemen t isolation
are probably out of position or made from defective material and not
functioning properly. This particular antenna (model D2261A—l , ser ial
n umber 22) was sh ip p ed to the FAA tes t fac il ity, NAFEC , for further
evaluation .

The performance of this antenna is shown in a plot of received

voltage versus distance at a frequency of 125 MHz in figure 37. Adequate
signal strength for good communications is maintained to a distance of 250
kin (155 miles). The received voltage would be somewhat higher at 136 MHz
due to the higher gain at this frequency.

46

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(118 to 136 MHz).

48

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antenna.
Radiation TACO fl226lA- l VHF

49

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3.4 Comparison of Predicted Performance

The calculated received voltages for both the Chu CA—1079 and the
TACO D2214 UHF antennas in gain confugurations is shown in figures 29 and
34. The modulation effect of the ground reflected signal makes it very
difficult to compare the performance of these antennas . Therefore , to
simplify the comparison , the multipath reflected signal is ignored and the
signal strengths are plotted in figure 38. The signal strength
corresponding to a single broadband dipole antenna having 0—dBI gain also
is plotted on this figure . Both tha TACO and the Chu antennas have nulls
in the radiation patterns that cause low received signal levels at
relatively close ranges of 10 to 20 km (6 to 12 miles) . At a range of 40
km (24 miles) both commercial an tennas provide higher signal levels than
the single dipole antenna . At the maximum range , where the curvature of
the earth just blocks the direct signal , the gain antennas provide
approximately 3.8 pV to the receiver , while the single dipole antenna curve
• indicates that a 3—p V signal would be received . Both gain antennas have
2—dBi gain at the horizon. The ratio of the 3.8— ~jV signal to the 3—W V
signal corresponds exactly to a gain difference of 2 dB .

A similar graph for the TACO model D2261A—l VHF gain antenna is
SS
shown in figure 39. Again , a single O—dBi gain dipole antenna curve is
plotted for comparison . Since both antennas have 0—dBi gain at the
horizon , the signal levels at long range are the same . At close range , the
single dipole actually provides a high received voltage level since the
dipole pattern is s i g n i f i c a n t l y br oader than the TACO antenna p a t t e r n .

4. CONCLUSION S

A large number of antenna designs have been evaluated for possible use
at ground facilities of the FAA ’s air/ground communications system. These
antenna8 were intended to be replacements for existing VHF and UHF antennas
and were expected to offer improved radiation patterns , higher gains , and
full—bandwidth operation . The required antennas were of two types :
omnidirectional and directional .

Initial requirements permitted an antenna height (or length) of 6.1 m

(20 f t ) . By using a vertical array of broadband , dipole—type elements ,
omnidirectional VHF antennas having 5—dBi gain can be built within this
heigh t limit. Because of the shorter wavelength at UHF , 5—dBi gain
omnidirectional antennas can be built within a much smaller aperture . By
using a yagi antenna , a lO—dBi gain directional antenna can be built for
the VHF band . How eve r, to build directional antennas for the UHF band ,
log—periodic designs are required . A pyramidal , log—periodic antenna will
have 9— to lO—dBi gain .

A t the FAA ’s request , the Harry Diamond Laboratories (HDL)evaluated

omnidirectional antenna designs subject to a reduced height limit of 4.3 in
(14 ft). By using two— and three—element arrays, VHF antennas having
approximately 4.3 dBi gain can be built. These antennas would be
constructed of lightweigh t materials and would be potted by foaming
material inside a tubular , fiberglass radome that supports the entire
structure . Antennas of this type are being manufactured and used by the
FAA and the m i l i t a r y .

51

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53

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—

The performances of the new 6.1— and 4.3—rn designs have been analyzed
and compared to each other and to existing commercial antennas . By using a
flight simulation program , a computer analysis of the signal received by an
aircraft has been calculated . This calculation permits a comparison of the
antennas with respect to their performance in the radio communications
link . The expected performance of the 6.1—rn omnidirectional VHF antennas
is only slightly better than that of the 4.3—rn antennas. This improvemen t
is slight because the 4.3—rn antenna has only slightly less gain than the
6.1—rn antenna. However , the 4.3—rn antenna (4.3 dBi gain) is expected to
provide about 1.6 times as much coverage as a 0—dBi gain dipole antenna
(2 . 5 m ) . That is , the signa l received at a distan t a i r c r a f t will be 60
percent greater for the larger antenna. This also mean s that a receiver
with a given sensitivity will have 60 percent greater range (up to
line—of—sight c u t o f f) . Therefore , a 4.3— in antenna may be u s e f u l when
circumstances require additional signal strength . However , the 6.l—m
antenna yields little benefit when compared to the 4.3—rn antenna .

The shor ter wavelength at UHF implies that the 4.5—dBi gain antenna
will be smaller than the VHF antenna. However , the grea ter ban dw id th a t
UHF makes the elemen t design and fabrication more difficult. In general ,
the UHF antenna will be less efficient than the VHF antenna. Nonethele&.,
comm unications will improve if a gain antenna is used instead of a 0--dBi
dipole antenna .

Fabrication difficulties are not limited to the UHF band , and they are
extremely important to the FAA . Most of the commercially available
antennas tested by HDL during this program were deficient in some way.
Most of the deficiencies were substandard gains . These gain problems are
us ually freq uency d ep enden t a n d are a pp aren tly d ue to the ferr it e mater ial
used in most of the broadband element designs . The ferrite is essential
for obtaining the required VSWR across the band and for electrically
isolating the elements . However , the antenna ’s performance can be altered
drastically by misplacement of the ferrite material or by changes in the
material’s properties .

The analyses and experiments indicate that the antennas that are
presently available to the FAA meet most of the requirements investigated
during this program . If these antennas are manufactured under stringent
tol eran ces and q ual ity con trol , and if they are installed carefully to
avoid site—related pattern distortions , they will provide state—of-the—art
performance for the FAA ’s radio communications link.

)
54

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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-- - - S
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~~~~
- 5-

c
I
RE FERENCES

1. Sindoris , A., Farrar , F., and Schauber t , D., Design of VHF and UHF
Communications Air/Ground Antennas——In terim Report , Federal Aviation
Administration , Washington , D.C., (1978).

55

- -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ : -5y~~~~~ . T -T --