D-ITET Antennas and Propagation

Student-No.:.....................................................................

Name: ......................................................................

Address: ......................................................................

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Antennas and Propagation

Fall 2004
September 15, 2004, 09:00 am – 12:00 noon

Dr. Ch. Fumeaux, Prof. Dr. R. Vahldieck

This exam consists of 6 problems. The total number of pages is 18, including
the cover page. You have 3 hours to solve the problems. The maximum
possible number of points is 68.

Please note:
• This is an open book exam.
• Attach this page as the front page of your solution booklet.
• All the calculations should be shown in the solution booklet to justify the solutions.
• Please, do not use pens with red ink.
• Do not forget to write your name on each solution sheet.
• Please, put your student card (LEGI) on the table.
• Possible further references of general interest will be written on the blackboard during
the examination.

Problem Points Initials

Total

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 D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Problem 1 (14 Points)

A linear array of three isotropic radiators is placed along the z -axis symmetrically over the
origin. The array elements have different amplitudes ( 2a1 and a2 ), inter-element spacing d
and progressive phase difference ξ between them. The phases of elements #1 , # 2 , and
# 3 are −ξ , 0 , and ξ , respectively.

#3 a2
d
#2 2a1 y
d
#1 a2

2 Points a) Express the array factor in terms of a1 , a2 and ξ .

3 Points b) If the distance between the elements is d = 0.5λ , find the smallest phase difference ξ
for which the array factor has its maximum at θ = 60° .

3 Points c) For the given d and ξ in b), find the relationship between a1 and a2 for which the
array factor has a zero at θ = 150° . What is the expression for the (non-normalized)
array factor?

6 Points d) Find the directivity of the such obtained array.

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Solution 1
a)
The array factor of the three elements can be written as
AF3 = 2a1 + a2 ⋅ e −j ( kd cos θ +β ) + a2 ⋅ e + j ( kd cos θ +β )
AF3 = 2a1 + 2a2 cos ( kd cos θ + β )

b)
λ
d = ⇒ kd = π
2
The array factor is maximal if cos ( kd cos θ + β ) = 1
Thus,
kd cos θ + β θ =60° = 2n π where n = 0, ±1, ±2,...
π
β = 2n π − kd cos 60° = 2n π −
2
The smallest phase difference is obtained for n=0; thus,
π
β =−
2
Now, the array factor can be written as:
π
(
AF3 = 2a1 + 2a2 cos kd cos θ −
2 )
c)
The array factor has zero at 150 degrees; thus,
π
(
AF3 = 2a1 + 2a2 cos π cos150° −
2
=0 )
⎛ 3 π ⎞⎟
2a1 + 2a2 cos ⎜⎜⎜ −π ⋅ − ⎟⎟ = 0
⎝ 2 2⎠
⎛ 3 + 1 ⎞⎟
a1 = −a2 cos ⎜⎜⎜ −π ⋅ ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠⎟
a1 = 0.41a2
The array factor can be written as
π
(
AF3 = 0.82a2 + 2a2 cos π cos θ −
2 )
d)
Directivity is given by
U 4πU max
D = max =
U0 Prad
π 2
(
U ( θ ) = [ AF3 ]2 = a22 ⎡⎢ 0.82 + 2 cos π cos θ − ⎤⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦ )
The radiation intensity has maximum value at the angle θ for which the array factor is
maximal, i.e. θ=60 degrees.
We have:
π 2
2
⎣ (
2 ⎦ )
U max = [ AF3 _ max ] = a22 ⎡⎢ 0.82 + 2 cos π cos 60° − ⎤⎥ = 7.9513a22

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

2π π
1 1
4π ∫
U0 = Prad = d φ ⋅ ∫ U sin θd θ
4π
0 0
π π
a22 ⎡ 0.82 + 2 cos π cos θ − π ⎤ 2 sin θd θ
1
U 0 = ⋅ ∫ U sin θd θ =
2 2 ∫
⋅ ⎢⎣ ( 2 ⎥⎦ )
0 0
π π π
a22 ⎡ π π ⎤
U0 =
2
⋅ ⎢⎢ 0.6724 ∫ sin θd θ + 3.28 ∫ cos π cos θ −
2 ( )
sin θd θ + 4 ∫ cos2 π cos θ −
2
sin θd θ ⎥⎥ ( )
⎣⎢ 0 0 0 ⎦⎥
a22
U0 = ⋅ [ 0.6724 ⋅ I 1 + 3.28 ⋅ I 2 + 4 ⋅ I 3 ]
2
π

∫ sin θd θ = cos θ π
0
I1 = =2
0
π
z = π cos θ −
2
π dz = −π sin θd θ −3 π
2
π
I2 = ∫ (
cos π cos θ −
2
sin θd θ = ) π
θ=0⇒z =
=−
1
π ∫π cos zdz = 0
0 2 2
3π
θ=π⇒z =−
2

π
z = π cos θ −
2
π dz = −π sin θd θ −3 π
2
π
∫ cos2 ( ) 1
I3 = π cos θ − sin θd θ = π = − ∫ cos2 z ⋅ dz
2 θ=0⇒z = π π
0 2 2
3π
θ=π⇒z =−
2
−3 π −3 π −3 π
2 2 2
1 cos 2z + 1 1 1
I3 = −
π ∫
π
2
⋅ dz = −
2π ∫π cos 2z ⋅ dz − −
2π ∫π dz = 1
2 2 2
Thus,
a22
U0 = ⋅ [ 0.6724 ⋅ I 1 + 3.28 ⋅ I 2 + 4 ⋅ I 3 ]
2
a2
U 0 = 2 ⋅ [ 0.6724 ⋅ 2 + 3.28 ⋅ 0 + 4 ⋅ 1 ]
2
U 0 = 2.6724 ⋅ a22
The directivity is obtained as
U 7.9513
D = max = = 2.975 = 4.735 dB
U0 2.6724

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 D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Problem 2 (10 Points)

The peak of a mountain ( P ) is located between a radio station (transmitter T ) and a listener
(receiver R ), holding a portable radio at a height of hR = 2 m. The radio station transmits
on a frequency of f = 100 MHz, and is positioned at a height hT = 90 m. The height of the
mountain is hP = 100 m. The ground distance between T and the mountain is dT = 300 m,
and between R and the mountain dR = 500 m.
Note: The mountain can be assumed to be thin and completely absorbing. There are no
ground reflections.

Mountain
Peak P
T
h’ h

hP hT
R
hR

dT dR

2 Points a) Perform a geometrical simplification of the knife-edge problem. Calculate the height h '
of the triangle TPR . Assume that h ' = h .

4 Points b) Which would be the maximum height hP,max of peak P for having no significant effect
on the transmission (according to the Fresnel zone clearance rule of thumb).

4 Points c) Calculate approximately the fraction of power that R is receiving in case a) compared
to b).

Parameter v

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Solution 2
a)
P
T
h’ h

hT-hR hP-h-hR R
a
dT dR
After subtraction of the smallest height hR , following the theorem of intersecting lines
yields
h − hR h − h − hR
tan α = T = P
dT + dR dR
h − hR
h ' ≈ h = hP − hR − dR T
dT + dR

(
= 100 − 2 − 500
90 − 2
300 + 500 )m
= 43 m

b)
The wavelength at f = 100 MHz is λ = 3 m.
dRdT
The radius of the first Fresnel zone circle is r1 ≈ λ = 23.72 m.
dR + dT
Diffraction from the mountain can be neglected if ~60% of the first Fresnel zone is kept
clear v < −0.8 , i.e. h < −0.6r1 = −14.232 m
This means, that the mountain is allowed to have a maximum height of
h − hR h − hR
hP ,max = h + hR + dR T = −0.6r1 + hR + dR T
dT + dR dT + dR

(
= −14.232 + 2 + 500
90 − 2
300 + 500 )
m = 42.77 m

c)
In the case of b) the knife-edge diffraction can be neglected so that the knife-edge gain is
Ld ,b = 0 dB.
The Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction parameter in case of a) is
2 ( dR + dT ) 2 ⋅ 800
v =h = 43 = 2.56
λdT dR 3 ⋅ 300 ⋅ 500
Using the graph below, the knife-edge gain in a) can be determined.

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

-21

2.56

Thus, the diffraction gain is Ld ,a = −21 dB.

The fraction of the power that is received by R is Pa / Pb = −21 dB.

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 D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Problem 3 (14 Points)

A dipole with a finite length of Ld = 0.8λ is located in free space, see figure a). The dipole
is operated at f = 250 MHz and radiates the power Prad = 16 dBm. The current amplitude
is I 0 = 20 mA.

a) d) e)

z d
Ld Lmono
P
y
hr
x ht
q

s®¥ s®¥

2 Points a) Calculate the input resistance Rin .

1 Points b) Find the electric far field Eθ .

5 Points c) Calculate both, the maximal directivity D0 and the gain G in dBi (dB over isotropic) if
the loss resistance is RL = 1.77 Ω .

2 Points d) Design a monopole over a perfect conducting ground plane that shows the same
radiation pattern (above the ground plane) as the dipole, see figure d). Find the length
Lmono , the radiated power Prad,mono , the radiation resistance Rrad ,mono and the
directivity D0,mono of the monopole. No calculation, but explain in a few words!

4 Points e) The dipole is now mounted over a perfect conducting ground plane at a height ht as
depicted in figure e). A receiver at point P (height hr = 1.82 m) is located in a
distance d = 5 m from the dipole.
At which angle θm 0 does the maximum of the main radiation lobe occur?
Calculate ht for the best reception outside the main lobe at the point P .

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Solution 3
a)
1 2
Prad = 101.6 mW = 40 mW = R I
2 rad 0
2Prad
Rrad = = 200 Ω
I0 2
OR
⎧
⎪
⎪
⎪C + ln ( kL ) − C i ( kL )
⎪
⎪
η ⎪
⎪ 1
Rrad = ⎨ + sin ( kL )[ Si ( 2kL ) − 2Si ( kL ) ]
2π ⎪
⎪ 2
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩
1
2
⎡
+ cos ( kL ) ⎢C + ln k
⎣
L
2 ( ) ⎤
+ C i ( 2kL ) − 2C i ( kL ) ⎥
⎦
= 200 Ω
with kL = 1.6π and C=0.5772 (Euler Constant)

⎛I ⎞⎟2 Rrad
Rin = ⎜⎜ 0 ⎟ Rrad = = 578.89 Ω
⎝I
in ⎠
( )
sin2 k
L
2
with I in = I 0 sin k ( L2 )
b)

Ie
Eθ = j η 0
− jkr
L
2 (
cos θ − cos k
cos k
L
2) ( )
2πr sin θ
− jkr
Ie cos ( 0.8π cos θ ) + 0.81
= jη 0
2πr sin θ

c)
1 2
U = r 2Wrad = r 2 E
2η θ

( )
2
1 I cos ( 0.8π cos θ ) + 0.81
U = r2 η 0
2η 2πr sin θ

=η
8π 2 (
I 0 2 cos ( 0.8π cos θ ) + 0.81 2
sin θ )
The maximum value appears for θ = 90° :
U max = η 0 2
8π 1(
I 2 1 + 0.81 2
)
I 2
= η 0 2 3.2761 = 6.257 ⋅ 10−3 W
8π
U max
D0 = 4 π = 1.966  2.94 dBi
Prad
The loss resistance is
1 1 L ωµ0
RL = Rhf = ⋅ = 1.766 Ω if a wire made out of copper ( σ = 5.7 ⋅ 107 S/m)
2 2 2πa 2σ
with a radius a = 1.5 ⋅ 10−4 λ is assumed.
The efficiency is
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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Rrad
ecd = = 0.9912
RL + Rrad
The gain is then
G = ecd D0 = 0.9912 ⋅ 1.966 = 1.9487  2.897 dBi

d)
Using image theory, the fields that are radiated by a monopole with the length
Lmono = 0.5Ld are the same (but only above the ground plane) as radiated from a dipole
with the length Ld .
1
Thus, the radiated power of a monopole is Prad,mono = Prad ,dipole , since the integration
2
over the radiation intensity only yields contributions in the upper half space above the
1
ground plane. The radiation resistance then becomes Rrad ,mono = Rrad ,dipole since it is
2
defined by the radiated power. U max,mono is the same as for the dipole, and thus
D0,mono = 2D0

e)
The main radiation occurs in the direction of θm 0 = 90° . Using image theory the problem
can be interpreted as an array consisting of two identical dipoles with the same phase.
Therefore the "array" radiates in broadside direction.
The first minor lobe maximum has to occur in the direction of
⎛d ⎞
θm1 = tan−1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = tan−1
⎝ hr ⎠ ( ) 5
1.82
= 70° where the receiver is located.
Using image theory the total electric field can be found as
Eθtot = Eθ ⋅ [ 2 cos ( kh cos θ ) ]
For the first minor lobe maxima to appear in θm 1 = 70° direction, following height has to
be chosen
cos ( kh cos θm 1 ) = 1
kh cos θm 1 = n π with n = 1, 2,... (main lobe: n = 0 )
For the first minor lobe n has to be chosen as n = 1
π λ 1.2 m
h = = = = 1.75 m
k cos ( 70° ) 2 cos ( 70° ) 0.684

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 D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Problem 4 (8 Points)
Two identical rectangular X-band waveguide apertures operating at 32 GHz in the
TE10 mode, with a z -directed aperture electric field, are used as transmitting (TX ) and
receiving ( RX ) antennas in a long-distance communication link. The waveguide apertures
are located in large conducting screens and are oriented as shown in the figure. The distance
between the antennas is R = 2 km and the radiated power is PTX = 1 W. The waveguide
width is a = 0.76λ and the height in the z -direction is b = 0.38λ .
Note: You may assume that each aperture radiates as if placed in an infinite ground plane.
Losses are neglected.

4 Points a) Determine the power density at the receiving antenna RX .

4 Points b) Which is the maximum power which can be delivered to a matched load at the receiver?
( D ( 45° ) / D0 = −5 dB)

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Solution 4
a)
The power density for an isotropic source:
P 1
W0 = rad2 = = 1.98 ⋅ 10−8 W/m2
4πR 3 2
4π ( 2 ⋅ 10 )
The directivity for a waveguide aperture operating in the TE10 mode is given by:
8 ⎡ 4π ⎤ 8 ⎡ 4π ⎤
D0 = 2 ⎢ 2 ab ⎥ = 2 ⎢ 2 0.76 ⋅ 0.38λ 2 ⎥ = 2.94
π ⎣λ ⎦ π ⎣λ ⎦
The incident power is given by:
Wi = W0D0 = 1.98 ⋅ 10−8 ⋅ 2.94 = 5.82 ⋅ 10−8 W/m2

b)
f = 32GHz ⎯⎯→ λ = 0.00937m
8
Aem = ab ⋅ 2 = 2.057 ⋅ 10−5 m 2
π

( ) D(45 )D
2
D(45D ) 8 D(45D ) λ D
Pmax = Wi Aem = Wiab ⋅ 2 = PTx 0 =
D0 π D0 4πR
= ( 5.82 ⋅ 10−8 ⋅ 2.057 ⋅ 10−5 ⋅ 0.3162 ) W = 3.8 ⋅ 10−13 W

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 D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Problem 5 (11 Points)

Consider a square waveguide opening with a side of dimension a in an infinite perfectly
electric conducting (PEC) xy -plane. The field distribution in the aperture is the
superposition of two orthogonal TE10 modes. The modes are excited so that the radiated
field has perfect right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) on the +z -axis.

3 Points a) Determine the aperture electric field.

2 Points b) Determine the aperture equivalent sources.

3 Points c) Derive Lθ , Lφ , N θ , and N φ

3 Points d) Indicate the angles where the axial ratio AR → ∞ in the xz -plane, when a = 2λ

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Solution 5
a)
The aperture field is given by:
y’ σ=∞

a
x’
a

G G G G π G π
EA = EAx + EAy = E 0ax cos y ′ − jE 0ay cos x ′
a a

b)
G G G G π G π
M S = −2az × EA = −2 jE 0ax cos x ′ − 2E 0ay cos y ′
a a

c)
π π
∫∫ ⎢⎣ ( −2 jE0ax cos a x ′ ) cos θ cos φ + ( −2E0ay cos a y ′ ) cos θ sin φ ⎥⎦ ⋅ e jkr cos ψdS ′ =
⎡ G G ⎤ ′
Lθ =
S
⎡ π π ⎤
a ( ) a ( )
= −2E 0 ⎢⎢ j cos θ cos φ ∫∫ cos x ′ e jkr ′ cos ψdS ′ + cos θ sin φ ∫∫ cos y ′ ⋅ e jkr ′ cos ψdS ′ ⎥⎥ =
⎣⎢ S S ⎦⎥
⎡ cos X sinY sin X cosY ⎤
= −2E 0πa 2 ⎢ j cos θ cos φ + cos θ sin φ ⎥
⎢⎣ 2
( X )2 − ( π / 2 ) Y X (Y )2 − ( π / 2 )2 ⎥⎦

π π
∫∫ ⎢⎣ ( 2 jE0 cos a x ′ ) sin φ + ( −2E0 cos a y ′ ) cos φ ⎥⎦ ⋅ e jkr cos ψdS ′ =
Lφ = ⎡ ⎤ ′

S
⎡ cos X sinY sin X cosY ⎤
= 2E 0πa 2 ⎢ j sin φ − cos φ ⎥
⎢⎣ 2
(X ) − (π /2) Y
2 X (Y ) − ( π / 2 ) ⎥⎦
2 2

Nθ = 0
Nφ = 0
where:
ka
X = sin θ cos φ
2
ka
Y = sin θ sin φ
2
jke − jkr
Eθ  − Lφ
4πr
jke − jkr
Eφ  + Lθ
4πr

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

d)
ka
X = sin θ cos φ = 2π sin θ cos φ
a = 2λ ⎯⎯→ 2
ka
Y = sin θ sin φ = 2π sin θ cos φ
2
⎡ cos X ⎤
Lθ = 2E 0πa 2 ⎢ −j cos θ ⎥
⎢⎣ ( X )2 − ( π / 2 ) ⎥⎦
2

⎡ 1 sin X ⎤
Lφ = 2E 0πa 2 ⎢ − ⎥
⎢⎣ ( π / 2 ) X ⎥⎦
2

E θ ∝ sinc ( 2π sin θ )
cos ( 2π sin θ )
Eφ ∝ cos θ 2
( 2π sin θ )2 − ( π / 2 )

The axial ratio is equal to:

2 2
Eθ Eφ
AR = 2 or AR = 2
Eφ Eθ
E θ = 0 ⎯⎯→ 2π sin θ = π ⎯⎯→ θ = 30D
π
Eφ = 0 ⎯⎯→ 2π sin θ = ⎯⎯→ θ = 14.47D
2

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 D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Problem 6 (11 Points)

A rectangular patch antenna is fed by a microstrip line of width w 0 = 0.7 cm. Both, the
antenna and the feed are built on a substrate with the dielectric constant of εr = 2.25 . The
frequency of operation is 2 GHz, and substrate height is h = 0.6 cm.

4 Points a) Using the graph on the next page, design the rectangular patch (determine W and L ),
so that the antenna has directivity of 7.0 dB.

2 Points b) Calculate the resonant input impedance of the patch assuming no mutual coupling
between the two radiating slots. Assume that W  λ0 condition for the approximation
formula is satisfied.

2 Points c) Calculate the characteristic impedance of the feeding microstrip line.

1 Points d) Find the length of the feed inset ( L1 ) so that the antenna is matched.

2 Points e) Consider the coordinate system shown in the figure above (the x -axis is normal to the
patch and positioned in its geometrical center, the y -axis is parallel to the microstrip
feed). How would you position a dipole with the center on the x -axis in the far field for
maximum reception?

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

Solution 6
f = 2 GHz ⇒ λ0 = 0.15m = 15cm
h = 0.6cm

a)
From the graph, we can determine the patch width (W) as
W = 0.34λ0 = 5.1cm

2 slots
Directivity (dB)

7.0

1 slot

0.34
Width W of slot (in λ0)

The length of the patch is determined as:

λeff λ0
L= − 2∆L = − 2∆L
2 2 εeff
where effective dielectric constant is given by
ε + 1 εr − 1 ⎡ h ⎤ −1/ 2
εeff = r + ⎢ 1 + 12 ⎥
2 2 ⎣ W⎦
2.25 + 1 2.25 − 1 ⎡ 0.6 ⎤ −1/ 2
εeff = + ⎢ 1 + 12 ⎥ = 2.0275
2 2 ⎣ 5.1 ⎦
Because of the fringing effects, one has to take into account that the antenna looks greater
than its physical dimensions by 2 ∆L where

∆L = h ⋅ 0.412
( εeff + 0.3 ) (W
h
+ 0.264 )
( εeff − 0.258 ) (
W
h
+ 0.8 )
∆L = 0.3064 cm
Thus, the length of the patch is given as

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D-ITET Antennas and Propagation September 15, 2004

λ0 15
L= − 2∆L = − 2 ⋅ 0.3064
2 εeff 2 2.0275
L = 4.65 cm

b)
The resonant input impedance of the patch assuming no mutual coupling is given by:
1
Rin =
2G1
with conductance given by:
1 ⎛W ⎞⎟2
G1 = ⎜ for W  λ0
90 ⎜⎝ λ0 ⎠⎟
1
G1 = ( 0.34 )2 = 0.0013 S
90
Thus,
Rin = 389.27 Ω

c)
The microstrip line feeding the patch antenna has the strip width w0 = 0.7 cm. Thus, its
characteristic impedance is
120π
Z feed = w
( w
εeff _ feed ⎡⎢ 0 + 1.393 + 0.667 ln 0 + 1.444 ⎤⎥
⎣ h h ⎦ )
The feed microstrip line has different width (w0) from the patch, so the effective dielectric
constant will be somewhat different, as well.
ε + 1 εr − 1 ⎡ h ⎤ −1/ 2
εeff _ feed = r + ⎢ 1 + 12 ⎥
2 2 ⎢⎣ w 0 ⎥⎦
2.25 + 1 2.25 − 1 ⎡ 0.6 ⎤ −1/ 2
εeff _ feed = + ⎢ 1 + 12 ⎥ = 1.8110
2 2 ⎣ 0.7 ⎦
Therefore, we can calculate the value of the characteristic impedance of the feeding line as
Z feed = 87.55 Ω
To match the input impedance of the antenna to 94.415 Ohms, the inset feed has to be
recessed a distance L1 given by
π
Z feed = Rin ⋅ cos2( L
L 1 )
L Z feed
L1 = a cos Rin = 1.595 cm
π

d)
The rectangular patch antenna as given in the figure below is linearly polarized with the
field pointing in φ-direction. Therefore, if the dipole is placed in the far field and centered at
the x-axis, it should be oriented along y-direction for maximum reception.

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