Antenna and Wave Propagation

(ECE3010)

Introduction

Dr. Biswajit Dwivedy

School of Electronics Engineering

VIT University, Vellore, India
 SYLLABUS
Module-I: Wave Propagation (8)

Propagation Mechanism - Reflection, refraction, transmission, Scattering and

diffraction.

Propagation Model- Path Loss, Free space loss - Plane earth Loss

Modes of propagation-Ground wave Propagation, Space wave propagation,

Tropospheric Propagation, Sky wave Propagation, Ionospheric Propagation,
Structure of ionosphere, Skip distance, wave bending mechanism, Virtual height,
Critical frequency, MUF.

Module-2: EM Radiation (6)

Radiation mechanism-single wire, two wire, dipole and current distribution on thin
wire.

Radiation integrals and auxiliary potential functions,

Radiated field components: Hertzian dipole, half wave dipole, monopole antenna
 SYLLABUS
Module 3 : Antenna Parameters and Measurements (6)
Radiation pattern, beam width, field region, radiation power density, directivity and gain,
bandwidth, polarization, co polarization and cross polarization level, input impedance,
efficiency, antenna effective length and area, antenna temperature.

Friss Transmission formula, Radar range equation.

Measurements, radiation pattern, gain, directivity and impedance measurements.

Module 4: Linear and Planar Arrays (8)

Two element array, N-element linear array- broadside array, End fire array-Directivity,
radiation pattern, pattern multiplication.

Non-uniform excitation: Binomial, Chebyshev distribution,

Planar array, circular array, array factor, directivity, Phased Array antenna

Module 5: HF and VHF Antennas (5)

Wire Antennas, long wire, V-Antenna, rhombic antenna, loop antenna, helical antenna,
Yagi-Uda antenna.
 SYLLABUS
Module 6: UHF and Microwave Antennas (7)

Frequency independent antennas - spiral and log periodic antenna- Aperture

antennas – Horn antenna, Parabolic reflector antenna- Microstrip antenna.

Module 7: Antennas for Modern Wireless Communications (3)

Antennas for Terrestrial mobile communication: mobile handsets and base

station.

Antennas for Satellite Communication, Radar systems, RFID.

Ultra wideband antenna, Wearable antenna, MEMS antenna, MIMO antenna.

Module 8: Contemporary issues (2)

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), RF-Radiation-Hazards

BOOKS RECOMMENDED
Textbooks

1. Balanis, “Antenna Theory - Analysis and Design”, 3/e, John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
2. J.D.Krauss, “Antenna for all Applications”, TMH, 4/e, 2010.

Reference Books

1. S.R.Saunders, “Antennas and Propagation for Wireless Communication”, 2/e, John

Wiley, 2007.
2. Yi Huang and Kevin Boyle, “Antenna From Theory to Practice”, 1/e, John Wiley, 2008
3. R.S.Elliot, “Antenna Theory and Design”, IEEE Press, John Wiley, 2005.
4. H. Jasik , “Antenna Engineering Handbook” , Editor, McGraw-Hill, 1961.
5. R.L.Freeman, “Reference Manual for Telecommunication engineering”, Vol. I, John
Wiley, 2002.
6. Yi Huang and Kevin Boyle, “Antenna from Theory to Practice”, 1/e, John Wiley, 2008.

Mode of Evaluation: CAT- I & II, Quizzes, Assignments/ other tests, Term End
Examination.
 INTRODUCTION
 After our previous course in Transmission Lines & Fields, where we
studied ‘transfer of electromagnetic energy’ through a guided medium
(Waveguides), we will now investigate how this energy transfer takes
place in free space (Un-guided)

Electromagnetic Energy
Transfer

Free Space or Un-

Guided Waves
guided Waves

Transmission Lines Antennas & Wave

Microwave Engg. Propagation
ECE3010

Previous Course
Current Course
A typical wireless communication system
 Definition

• Webster’s dictionary: A usually metallic device (as a rod or wire) for

radiating or receiving radio waves.
• (IEEE std. 145-1983): antenna or aerial as “a means for radiating or
receiving radio waves”.
• Antenna is the transitional structure between free space and a guiding
device.

• ASSUMPTION: Lossless antennas

Why Antennas are Used? An Example
Recall Concepts of Transmission Lines & Fields

Rectangular
Waveguide
0 Free Space
Z
2 Impedance Transformer 0  377
1   c 
f
 f Z  0
Antenna Family
A trip around the antennas

4
PLANAR ANTENNAS
APLLICATIONS
HISTORY
 Maxwell gave the theoretical formulations linking
electric and magnetic fields in 1865 AD

 Heinrich Rudolf Hertz observed that

electromagnetic waves can travel in
free space in 1888 AD

 Marconi in 1902 sent first long distance

trans-atlantic wireless message. Pioneer of
modern radio Dr. Yogesh Kumar Choukiker
Field due to current carrying wire:
Recall Concepts of Engineering Electromagnetics

L
A

~ ~
i  I 0 e jt e  jz h  H 0 e jt e  jz ~
~ i Time-varying current
Time-varying current j
A Density
~ ~ ~
Produces Time-varying
 h  dL  i Produces Time-varying ~ j
e
magnetic field L electric field 
EM Wave Propagation
Recollect Maxwell’s Equations Rate of change of magnetic
  flux density gives rise to
  B(r , t ) electric field
  E (r , t )  
t Rate of change of electric flux
  density gives rise to magnetic
    D(r , t )
  H (r , t )  J (r , t )  field
t
  The divergence of electric flux
  D(r , t )   v density through a surface is
  proportional to charge density
  B(r , t )  0
enclosed
The magnetic flux density through
a closed surface is conserved
     
D(r , t )   0 E (r , t )  P(r , t )
Material equations linking fields      
and flux densities B(r , t )   0 ( H (r , t )  M (r , t ))
     Choukiker

J (r , t )  E (r , t )   v u (r , t )
Dr. Yogesh Kumar
EM Wave Propagation
Taking both Maxwell’s curl equations (assuming no current sources)
   E 
  (  E )      H      
t t  t 
   H 
  (  H )     E      
t t  t 

And applying the vector identity   (  F )  (  F )   2 F

We obtain vector plane wave or Helmholtz equations

 2
E
 2 E   2
t
 2
H
 2 H   2
t
EM Wave Propagation
 From the wave equations it can be understood that a spatial
expansion of fields is due to a variation of their magnitudes in
time and vice versa

 From Maxwell’s equations one can infer that divergence signifies

movement away from the source, whereas curl is rotation around
the source
In the light of above argument, one can conclude that an electrical
disturbance in time can be written as

  t1  t 2    Dt1    Dt 2
t
If the source dimensions are negligible, then
D
  Dt1    Dt 2  Dt1  Dt 2    H
t
One can conclude that the displacement current plays the significant
role in propagation of EM waves through space
Free Space Propagation (Why ?)
 Guided wave propagation requires laying of cables or
transmission lines between various locations.
 This can be very expensive and cumbersome process and in some
cases impractical

 Identification of faults, maintenance or problem rectification can

be time consuming or impossible in certain cases (eg: Under sea
cables)
 Whereas, the free space propagation can connect any remote
corner of the planet with ease. It is cost-effective and easy to
install and maintain
 For space applications, free space propagations is the only source
of communication