Antenna Theory - Fundamentals

The illustration shows two individuals

communicating with each other. Here,
communication takes place through sound
waves. However, if two people want to
communicate who are at longer distances,
then we have to convert these sound waves
into electromagnetic waves. The device,
which converts the required information
signal into electromagnetic waves, is known
as an Antenna.
 Antenna Theory - Fundamentals

What is an Antenna ?
An Antenna is a transducer, which converts electrical power into electromagnetic waves and vice versa.
An Antenna can be used either as a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna.
A transmitting antenna is one, which converts electrical signals into electromagnetic waves and radiates them.
A receiving antenna is one, which converts electromagnetic waves from the received beam into electrical signals.
In two-way communication, the same antenna can be used for both transmission and reception.
 Antenna Theory - Fundamentals

Radiation Mechanism

• The sole functionality of an antenna is power radiation or reception

• Antenna can be connected to the circuitry at the station through a transmission line. The
functioning of an antenna depends upon the radiation mechanism of a transmission line
Antenna Theory - Fundamentals
Antenna Theory - Fundamentals
Antenna Theory – Wire Antennas – VHF 30-300 MHz

Applications
Personal applications,Ships,automobiles,Space craft
 Antenna Theory – Wire Antennas – UHF 300-3000 MHz

Applications
Personal applications,Ships,automobiles,Space craft
 Antenna Theory – Horn Antenna

Applications
Flush-mounted applications Air-craft,Space craft
 Antenna Theory – Waveguide
Applications
Flush-mounted applications Air-craft,Space craft
 Antenna Theory - Fundamentals

Directivity

According to the standard definition, “The ratio of maximum radiation intensity of the
subject antenna to the radiation intensity of an isotropic or reference antenna, radiating
the same total power is called the directivity.”

An Antenna radiates power, but the direction in which it radiates matters much. The
antenna, whose performance is being observed, is termed as subject antenna.
Its radiation intensity is focused in a particular direction, while it is transmitting or
receiving. Hence, the antenna is said to have its directivity in that particular direction.
 Antenna Theory – Design considerations

Diversity in Microwave Links

• Diversity plays an important role in combatting fading and co-channel interference and avoiding error bursts
• It is based on the fact that individual channels experience different levels of fading and interference
• Multiple versions of the same signal may be transmitted and/or received and combined in the receiver.

• Unprotected: Microwave links where there is no diversity or protection are classified as Unprotected and also as 1+0.
There is one set of equipment installed, and no diversity or backup

• Hot Standby: Two sets of microwave equipment (ODUs, or active radios) are installed generally connected to the same
antenna, tuned to the same frequency channel. One is “powered down” or in standby mode, generally with the receive
active but transmitter muted. If the active unit fails, it is powered down and the standby unit is activated. Hot Standby i
abbreviated as HSB, and is often used in 1+1 configurations (one active, one standby).
 Antenna Theory – Design considerations

• Frequency diversity: The signal is transmitted using several frequency channels or spread over a wide spectrum that is
affected by frequency-selective fading. Microwave radio links often use several active radio channels plus one protecti
channel for automatic use by any faded channel. This is known as N+1 protection

• Space diversity: The signal is transmitted over several different propagation paths. In the case of wired transmission, this
can be achieved by transmitting via multiple wires. In the case of wireless transmission, it can be achieved
by antenna diversity using multiple transmitter antennas (transmit diversity) and/or multiple receiving antennas
(reception diversity).

• Polarization diversity: Multiple versions of a signal are transmitted and received via antennas with different polarization.
A diversity combining technique is applied on the receiver side.
Antenna Theory - Fundamentals
 Antenna Theory - Fundamentals

Frequency Spectrum

• Very Low Frequency (VLF)

• Low Frequency (LF)
• Medium Frequency (MF)
• High Frequency (HF)
• Very High Frequency (VHF)
• Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
• Super High Frequency (SHF)
• Micro wave
• Radio wave
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Orders_of_magnitude_(freq
uency
)
• https://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_
spectrum
Antenna Theory – Design considerations