Antenna
We often define antennas and antenna terminology in terms of a transmitting antenna, but all the definitions apply to receiving antennas as well. In fact, an antenna's properties are the same in either operating mode. So, whether it is stated or not, all the definitions and descriptions describe antennas that are either part of a transmitter or a receiver.
An antenna is a transducer between a guided wave and a radiated wave, or vice versa. The structure that "guides" the energy to the antenna is most evident as a coaxial cable attached to the antenna. The radiated energy is characterized by the antenna's radiation pattern.
Characteristics of Antenna's
Power Density
When Electromagnetic waves are propagated from the antenna, its field strength decreases as it goes away from its source. This variation in the power of the electromagnetic waves per unit length is called power density. It’s abbreviated as ρ.
Inverse Square Law
Inverse square law defines that the power density of the electromagnetic waves propagated from the source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source and directly proportional to the total power radiated by the source.
ρ = PT/4πr2
Here PT stands for total power dissipated by the source.
r stands for the distance from the source
ρ stands for power densityZo in Free Space
Characteristic impedance is the square root of the ratio between permeability and permittivity.
Where μ stands for permeability
ε stands for permittivityMaximum Usable Frequency (MUF)
As the frequency of the microwave transmission is very high and with the increase of frequency the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves keeps on decreasing.
As a result, we get a stage where beyond a certain value of high frequency we are unable to get the response of the reflected waves. The stage at which the response or reflection of electromagnetic waves is not present, is called the maximum usable frequency.- muf = critical frequency/ Cosθ
- muf = fc Secθ
Interference of E.M Waves
When the electromagnetic wave of the same frequency is propagated from the source (antenna) and it is received by the load through two or more two different paths, it is called the interference of the electromagnetic waves, due to this reason the Electromagnetic wave received by the load from different paths will in phase or out of phase with each other. This phase difference will cause to increase or decrease the signal strength of the load. This variation in the signal is known as electromagnetic wave interference.
Skip Distance
Skip Distance It is the distance from the source to the point where the first sky wave touches the ground as shown in the given diagram. The B ray is considered as the first sky wave which touches the ground now the distance from the source to the B is known as skip distance. In the skip distance, if we want to receive some signal, the reception will not be possible until we reach the end of the distance.
Critical Frequency
It is the frequency above which the reception of the signal is not possible. When the electromagnetic waves are transmitted from the source, it is received back at the load after reflecting from the sky. If the angle of transmission is small, the angle of reflection will also be small. As the frequency keeps on increasing the distance between the source and load keeps on increasing. Ultimately we reach the frequency of the transmitter above which the reception of the signal is not possible. This frequency is known as critical frequency.
Radiation Resistance
Radiation resistance is the ratio between the power dissipated by the antenna to the square of the current which produces this radiated power
Directivity
It is the ability of the antenna to transmit the maximum power in the desired direction in case of transmission and to receive the maximum energy in from the desired direction in case of reception.
Power Gain
Power gain is the ratio between the powers of the isotropic antenna to the power of the actual antenna at some reference point.
.
A (dB) = 10log10 P2/P1
Here P2 stands for the power of the isotropic antenna and P1 for the power of the actual antenna.
Beam Width
Beam width is the angular separation between two half-power points at the radiation plane of the antenna.
Front-to-Back Ratio
It is the ratio between the power radiation by the antenna in the desired direction to the power radiation by the antenna in the opposite direction.
Physical Length & Electrical Length of the Antenna
The electrical length of the antenna is determined by the formula
λ = c/f
Where ‘C’ is the velocity of the electromagnetic wave
This wavelength is taken in free space but in the case of an antenna where the first half cycle changes to the negative cycle the direction of the flow of electromagnetic wave also changed as the physical change to the antenna. This change in the direction is not as quick as in the case of a change in the direction of the electrical waveform, therefore the physical length of the antenna is kept smaller with respect to its electrical length.
This decrease in the size of the physical length of the antenna is 50% less than its electrical length.
The formula for the electrical length of an antenna
ϱ = 150 / f
Here ϱ stands for the electrical length of the antenna.
f stands for the frequency in MHz
The formula for the Physical length of an antenna
ϱ = 142 / f
Here ϱ stands for the physical length of an antenna
f stands for the frequency in MHz
Lobe
The graphical presentation of the radiation pattern of the antenna is known as Lobe. There are two types of lobes.
Main Lobe or Major Lobe
The graphical presentation of the radiation of the antenna is the direction of maximum radiation power is called the main lobe or major lobe.
Side Lobe or Minor Lobe
Besides the maximum radiated power from the antenna, there is a small amount of energy that radiated from the other directions of the antenna. As the radiated energy is less with respect to the maximum radiated energy, therefore the lobe which forms due to this energy is known as the minor or side lobe.