ANTENNAS AND WAVE PROPAGATION

20EC C09
B.E (ECE) – IV Semester

- Helical Antenna
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Dr. N. V. Koteswara Rao

Department of ECE
CBIT(A)
Prof. N. V. K. Rao 1
 Helical Antennas
• The antennas that exhibit broadband characteristics can also
provide circular polarization which is used in many
applications.
• Helical antenna is an example of wire antenna and itself
forms the shape of a helix.
• This is a broadband VHF and UHF antenna.
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• It used in extraterrestrial communications in which satellite
relays etc are involved
Frequency Range
• The frequency range of operation of helical antenna is
around 30MHz to 3GHz. This antenna works
in VHF and UHF ranges.
Construction:
• It consists of a conducting (thick copper) wire wound in the
form of screw thread forming a helix.
• It is used as an antenna in conjunction with a flat metal plate
called ground plate.
• One end of the helix is connected to the center conductor of
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the cable and the outer conductor is connected to the ground
plate.
The images of a helix antenna
Helical antenna with ground plane

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• The radiation of helical antenna depends on the diameter of
helix, the turn spacing and the pitch angle.
• C = circumference of helix = π D
−1 𝑠 −1 𝑠
• α = Pitch angle = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝜋𝐷 𝐶
• where,
• D is the diameter of helix. j
• S is the turn spacing (center to center).
• α is the pitch angle.
• The pitch angle is the angle between a line tangent to the
helix wire and the plane normal to the helix axis.
• When spacing is zero (s = 0), α = 0 deg,
then the winding is flattened and the helix
reduces to a loop antenna of N turns
• When D = 0, α = 90 deg,
then helix reduces to a linear wire
• When 0 < α < 90 deg, j
then a true helix is formed
• The total length of the antenna is L = NS
• The total length of the wire is
𝐿𝑛 = 𝑁𝐿0 = N 𝑆 2 + 𝐶 2
Where
𝐿0 = 𝑆 2 + 𝐶 2 is the length of the wire between each turn.
j
• The radiation characteristics of an antenna can be varied by
controlling the size of its geometrical properties compared to
the wavelength.
• The input impedance depends on the
-- pitch angle
-- size of the conducting wire
 Modes of Operation
The predominant modes of operation of a helical antenna are
• Normal or perpendicular mode of radiation.
• Axial or end-fire or beam mode of radiation

Normal mode
• The radiation field is maximum in the direction normal to the helix axis
and circularly polarized.
• This mode of radiation is obtained if the dimensions of helix are small
compared to the wavelength (NL <<λ)
• The radiation pattern of this helical
j antenna is a combination of short
dipole and loop antenna.
• It depends upon the values of diameter of helix, D and its turn spacing, S.
Drawbacks
-- low radiation efficiency
-- narrow bandwidth.

Hence, it is hardly used.

It can be increased by increasing the size of the helix.
j
• If α = 0 deg -----Loop antenna
• If α = 90 deg ----Linear antenna
• Loop and linear antennas are the limiting cases of helical
antenna.
Thus in a helix,
• D - fixed , if s→0, helix becomes
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a loop
• S – fixed, if D→0, Linear antenna
• Here Loop diameter = helix diameter
• Helix spacing S = dipole length.
• Radiation patterns of these two radiators are same, but
polarizations are at right angles and phase angle at 90 deg
apart.
• The far field of the small loop is
120𝜋2 𝐼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝐴
𝐸∅ = [𝐼] – Retarded current
𝑟 λ2
……..(1) r – distance
A –Area of the loop
𝜋𝐷 2
=
j 4
• The far field of a short dipole is
𝑗60𝜋 𝐼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑆
𝐸𝜃 =
𝑟 λ
……..(2)
Eq (1) and (2) show that there is 90 deg phase between them
due to the presence of j operator.
• The ratio of magnitude of these equations is defined as the
Axial ratio(AR) and is given by
𝐸𝜃 2λ𝑆
𝐴𝑅 = =
𝐸∅ (𝜋𝐷)2
When AR = 0 – Elliptical becomes linear horizontal polarization
AR = α -- Elliptical becomes linear vertical polarization
AR = 1 -- Elliptical becomes circular polarization
j

• Thus for circular polarization

𝐸𝜃
AR = 1 = or 𝐸𝜃 = 𝐸∅
𝐸∅

𝐶
α = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
2λ
Axial Mode
• The radiation is in the end-fire direction along the helical axis.
• The waves are circularly or nearly circularly polarized.
• This mode of operation is obtained by raising the
circumference to the order of one wavelength (λ) and spacing
of approximately λ/4.
• The radiation pattern is broadj and directional along the axial
beam producing minor lobes at oblique angles.
• Because of this it is mostly used.
• By s= λ/4, and helix circumference C/ λ = 1 λ, the axial mode
of radiation is produced.
 Wide band characteristics of Helical Antennas
• It has inherent broadband properties having desirable pattern, impedance
and polarization characteristics.

• The phase velocity is naturally adjusted, so that the fields from each turn
add nearly in phase in the axial direction.

• This accounts for the persistence of the axial mode of radiation over a
nearly 2 to 1 range in frequency. j

• If phase velocity constant as a function of frequency, then axial mode

patterns would be obtained only over a narrow frequency range.

• The terminal impedance is relatively constant over the same frequency

range because of large attenuation of the wave reflected from the open
end of the helix.
Advantages
• Simple design
• Highest directivity
• Wider bandwidth
• Can achieve circular polarization
• Can be used at HF & VHF bands j
also

Disadvantages
• Antenna is larger and requires more space
• Efficiency decreases with number of turns
Applications
• A single helical antenna or its array is used to transmit
and receive VHF signals
• Frequently used for satellite and space probe
communications
• Used for telemetry links with ballastic missiles and
satellites at Earth stations j
• Used to establish communications between the moon
and the Earth
• Used in radio astronomy
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 18
Prof. N. V. K. Rao 19