Resonant Antennas

Antennas that have dimensions near to a halfwavelength or any of its multiples. The impedance and bandwidth vary significantly with small changes in the operating frequency; the impedance vary from negative reactance, thru pure resistance to positive reactance as the frequency changes from below to above resonance. Characteristics of the antenna are strongly frequency dependent.

Non-resonant antennas
The radiation pattern and the input impedance are not so variable with frequency. Referred to as broadband antennas

Microwave Antennas or Antennas with Parabolic Reflector

Terrestrial Microwave Antennas for Point-To-Point Communication

Terrestrial microwave antennas generate a beam of RF signal to communicate between two locations. Point-To-Point communication depends upon a clear line of sight between two microwave antennas. Obstructions, such as buildings, trees or terrain interfere with the signal. Depending upon the location, usage and frequency, different types can be utilized.

Because a line of sight radio link is made, the radio frequencies used occupy only a narrow path between stations (with the exception of a certain radius of each station).
Antennas used must have a high directive effect; these antennas are installed in elevated locations such as large radio towers.

Parabolic Reflector Antenna

Structure
parabolic reflector and the feed mechanism

The feed mechanism

house the primary antenna(dipole/dipole array) which radiates EM waves toward the reflector

The reflector
reflects the energy into a concentrated, highly directional emission eave

Features of a parabolic antenna

Extreme high gain and directivity used in -wave and satellite link Beam width ( ) = 70/D where = wavelength
D = antenna mouth diameter = beam width of half power point ( degrees )

Electrical Performance Parameters

Gain
Cross-Polar Discrimination (XPD)

Radiation Pattern Envelope

Interport Isolation (IPI)

Front to Back Ratio (F/B)

Return Loss (VSWR)

Parabolic Antenna Gain

Ga (dBi) = 10 log10 h [ 4 p Aa / l2 ]
Where:

Ga = Antenna Directive Gain (Catalog spec)

h = Aperture Efficiency (50-55%) Aa = Antenna Aperture Area

= Wavelength (speed of light / frequency)

Power gain of Parabolic Antenna

Power gain for a transmit parabolic antenna (Pgain) Pgain = (D/)2
where Pgain= power gain referring to isotropic antenna D = mouth diameter of parabolic reflector(meters)

= wavelength(meters) = antenna efficiency (typical 55%)

Power gain in terms of dBi (assume = 55%)
Pgain (db) = 20 log f(MHz) + 20 log D(m) + 42.2

Illustrated Example
A 2-m diameter parabolic reflector with 5W of power radiated by the feed mechanism operating at 5GHz with transmit efficiency of 55% Beam Width
= 70/D = 70(3 x 108)/[(5 x 109)(2)] = 2.1o note how narrow the beam is !

Transmit power gain

Pgain(dB) = 20 log 5000 + 20 log 2 + 42.2 = 37.78 dBi

Typical Parabolic Antenna Gain in dBi

Antenna Diameter
2 ft (0.6m) 19.5 25.5 29.1 31.6 34.3 37 38.6 40.4 45.1 4 ft (1.2m) 25.5 31.6 35.1 37.6 40.4 43.1 44.6 46.4 51.1 6 ft (1.8m) 29.1 35.1 38.6 41.1 43.9 46.6 48.2 49.9 NA 8 ft (2.4m) 31.6 37.6 41.1 43.6 46.4 49.1 50.7 NA NA 10 ft (3.0m) 33.5 39.5 43.1 45.5 48.3 51 NA NA NA 12 ft (3.7m) 35.1 41.1 44.6 47.1 49.9 52.6 NA NA NA 15 ft (4.5m) 37 43.1 46.6 49.1 51.8 NA NA NA NA

2 GHz 4 GHz 6 GHz 8 GHz 11 GHz 15 GHz 18 GHz 22 GHz 38 GHz

Frequency

Radiation Pattern Concept

Antenna Under Test

Antenna Test Range

Source Antenna

Radiation Pattern (a) Polar plot (b) Rectangular plot

Radiation Pattern about Bore sight

Cut Through Radiation Pattern at Boresight

Front-to-Back Ratio
Ratio of the signal level at beam peak to that directed behind the antenna
Considered in intra-system interference calculation (hop overreach) Expressed in dB

Co-Polarization and Cross-Polarization

Co-Polarization
Where Transmit & Receive Antennas have the Same Polarization Either Horizontal or Vertical (HH or VV) In your System, The Wanted Signal
Relative Power

Co-polarized antenna pattern

XPD

Cross-Polarization
Where Transmit & Receive Antennas have Different Polarizations Either HV or VH. In your System, The Unwanted Signal

X-polarized patttern
Azimuth Angle

Inter-port Isolation (IPI)

Feed Horn

Leakage of Signal Between Antenna Ports

Internal Noise Expressed in dB

Towards Reflector

Transmit Signal

Leakage Signal

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)

Incident Signal Reflected Signal

VSWR = 1 + (Reflection Coefficient) 1 - (Reflection Coefficient)

VSWR : 1.30 VSWR : 1.20 VSWR : 1.10 VSWR : 1.08 VSWR : 1.06 Reflection Coefficient : 13% (0.13) Reflection Coefficient : 9.1% (0.091) Reflection Coefficient : 4.7% (0.047) Reflection Coefficient : 3.8% (0.038) Reflection Coefficient : 2.9% (0.029)

Return Loss
The Amount of Energy Lost due to Reflected (Returned) Signal

RL = -20 x log (Reflection Coefficient)

RL : 17.8dB RL : 20.8dB RL : 26.7dB RL : 28.4dB RL : 30.7dB Reflection : 13% (0.13) Reflection : 9.1% (0.091) Reflection : 4.7% (0.047) Reflection : 3.8% (0.038) Reflection : 2.9% (0.029) VSWR : 1.30 VSWR : 1.20 VSWR : 1.10 VSWR : 1.08 VSWR : 1.06

Basic Antenna Types

Standard Parabolic Antenna

Focal Plane Antenna

Shielded Antenna

GRIDPAK Antenna

GRIDPAK Antenna
Grid Reflector Low Wind load Single Polarized Below 2.7GHz Shipped in Flat, Lightweight Package

Standard Parabolic Antenna

Basic Antenna Comprised of

Reflector
Feed Assembly Mount

Focal Plane Antenna

Deeper Reflector Edge Geometry

Improved F/B Ratio

Slightly Lower Gain

Shielded Antenna
Absorber-Lined Shield Improved Feed System

Planar Radome
Improved RPE

Antenna Efficiency
Well-designed antennas have efficiency ratings of 45 - 65%
Efficiency Factor Affected By : Feed Illumination Aperture Blockage Reflector Surface Tolerance

Efficiency can never be 100%

Antenna f/D Ratio

D f/D = 0.333

D f/D = 0.250

Standard & Shielded Antennas

Focal Plane Antennas

Unwanted Signals

Scattering

Spillover

Diffraction

Front to Back Ratio

Direction of Signal Direction of Signal
Direction of Signal

Standard Parabolic Antenna

Focal Plane Antenna

Shielded Antenna

Parabolic Reflector Beamwidth

3dB

Diameter
0.3 m 0.6 m
17.5 5.83 4.38 3.18 2.5 1.94 1.52 0.92

1.2 m
8.75 2.92 2.19 1.59 1.25 0.97 0.76 0.46

1.8 m
5.83 1.94 1.46 1 0.83 0.65 0.51 0.31

2.4 m
4.38 1.46 1 0.8 0.63 0.49 0.38 0.23

3m
3.5 1.17 0.88 0.64 0.5 0.39 0.3 0.18

3.7 m
2.84 0.95 0.71 0.52 0.41 0.32 0.25 0.15

4.5 m
2.33 0.78 0.58 0.42 0.33 0.26 0.2 0.12

Frequency

2 GHz 6 GHz 8 GHz 11 GHz 14 GHz 18 GHz 23 GHz 38 GHz

35 11.67 8.75 6.36 5 3.89 3 1.84

Beamwidth in Degrees

Radiation Pattern Envelope

0 10

dB down from Main Lobe

20 30

Antenna Directivity

40
50 60 70 80 90 100 0 5 10 15 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Azimuth - Degrees from Main Lobe

Radomes
Reduce Windloading on Tower Protection Against Ice, Snow and Dirt

Parabolic dish
antennas

Parabolic dish antenna with Cassegrain feed

Horn antennas

Penzias&Wilson
New Jersey - Bell Laboratories