PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
CLASS: B.E. E &TC SUBJECT: RMT
EXPT. NO.: 1(a) DATE:
TITLE: To measure and compare radiation pattern, return loss, impedance, gain, beam width of
Dipole antenna at microwave frequency.
PREREQUISITES :
1. Half Power Beam Width
2. First Null Beam width
3. Reflection coefficient
4. Standing wave ratio
OBJECTIVE : To study various antenna parameters like radiation pattern, return loss, impedance,
Directivity, gain and beam width so as to get a thorough understanding of an antenna.
APPARATUS :
Sr. No. Apparatus Range
1 Antenna Trainer Kit 0-2Ghz
Amitec
2 Simple dipole antenna
THEORY :
Fundamental Parameters of Antenna
1) Radiation Pattern :
An antenna radiation pattern or antenna pattern is defined as “a mathematical function or a
graphical representation of the radiation properties of the antenna as a function of space coordinates. In most
cases, the radiation pattern is determined in the far field region and is represented as a function of the
directional coordinates. Radiation properties include power flux density, radiation intensity, field strength,
directivity, phase or polarization.”
The radiation property of most concern is the two- or three dimensional spatial distribution of radiated
energy as a function of the observer’s position along a path or surface of constant radius. Often the field and
power patterns are normalized with respect to their maximum value, yielding normalized field and power
patterns.
2) RADIATION INTENSITY :
Radiation intensity in a given directions defined as “the power radiated from an antenna per unit solid
angle.” The radiation intensity is a far-field parameter, and it can be obtained by simply multiplying the
radiation density by the square of the distance. In mathematical form it is expressed as
U=r2 Wrad
where
U = radiation intensity (W/unit solid angle)
Wrad = radiation density (W/m2)
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.1a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Ω = element of solid angle = sinθ dθ dφ.
3) BEAMWIDTH :
Associated with the pattern of an antenna is a parameter designated as beamwidth. The beamwidth of
a pattern is defined as the angular separation between two identical points on opposite side of the pattern
maximum. In an antenna pattern, there are a number of beamwidths. One of the most widely used
beamwidths is the Half-Power Beamwidth (HPBW ), which is defined by IEEE as: “In a plane containing the
direction of the maximum of a beam, the angle between the two directions in which the radiation intensity is
one-half value of the beam.”
3) Directivity of an antenna:
It is defined as “the ratio of the radiation intensity in a given direction from the antenna to the radiation
intensity averaged over all directions. The average radiation intensity is equal to the total power radiated by
the antenna divided by 4π. If the direction is not specified, the direction of maximum radiation intensity is
implied.” Stated more
Simply, the directivity of a non isotropic source is equal to the ratio of its radiation intensity in a given
direction over that of an isotropic source. In mathematical form,
D = U∕U0 = (4∏U) ∕Prad
If the direction is not specified, it implies the direction of maximum radiation intensity (maximum
directivity) expressed as
Dmax = D0 = Umax/U0 = (4∏Umax)/Prad
D = directivity (dimensionless)
D0 = maximum directivity (dimensionless)
4) INPUT IMPEDANCE:
Input impedance is defined as “the impedance presented by an antenna at its terminals or the ratio of the
voltage to current at a pair of terminals or the ratio of the appropriate components of the electric to magnetic
fields at a point.” In this section we are primarily interested in the input impedance at a pair of terminals
which are the input terminals of the antenna. The ratio of the voltage to current at these terminals, with no
load attached, defines the impedance of the antenna as
ZA = RA + jXA
5) Antenna Gain:
Gain of an antenna (in a given direction) is defined as “the ratio of the intensity, in a given
direction, to the radiation intensity that would be obtained if the power accepted by the antenna were
radiated isotropically. The radiation intensity corresponding to the isotropically radiated power
is equal to the power accepted (input) by the antenna divided by 4π.” Inequation form
this can be expressed as
Gain = (4π radiation intensity) ∕ (total input (accepted) power)
= ( 4πU(θ,φ) ) ∕ ( Pin)
(Dimensionless)
Inmost cases we deal with relative gain, which is defined as “the ratio of the power gain in a given direction
to the power gain of a reference antenna in its referenced direction.” The power input must be the same for
both antennas. The reference antenna is usually a dipole, horn, or any other antenna whose gain can be
calculated or it is known. In most cases, however, the reference antenna is a lossless isotropic source. Thus
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.2a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
G = 4πU(θ,φ) ∕Pin (lossless isotropic source) -----------(dimensionless)
When the direction is not stated, the power gain is usually taken in the direction of maximum radiation , we
can write that the total radiated power (Prad) is related to the total input power (Pin ) by
Prad = ecd*Pin
Where ecd is the antenna radiation efficiency (dimensionless)
According to the IEEE Standards, “gain does not include losses arising from impedance mismatches
(reflection losses) and polarization
mismatches (losses).”
In this edition of the book we define two gains; one, referred to as gain (G), and the other, referred to as
absolute gain (Gabs).
6) Antenna Efficiency:
It is the measure of the power radiated by the antenna when source is applied at the input of the
antenna. It is given by the formula as given below:
η= (Prad)/(Prad + Ploss) =(Rrad)/(Rrad+ Rloss )
Where,
η=Antenna Efficiency
Prad=Toal power radiated by antenna
Ploss=Power loss in Antenna
Rrad=Radiation Resistance
Rloss=Resistance Causing Power loss
Dipole Antenna:
One of the most commonly used antennas is the half-wavelength (l = λ/2) dipole. Because its radiation
resistance is 73 ohms, which is very near the 50-ohm or 75-ohm characteristic impedances of some
transmission lines, its matching to the line is simplified especially at resonance. Because of its wide
acceptance in practice, we will examine in a little more detail its radiation characteristics.
The electric and magnetic field components of a half-wavelength dipole can be given as
In turn, the time-average power density and radiation intensity can be written, respectively,
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.3a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Whose two-dimensional pattern is shown plotted in while the three dimensional pattern is depicted in fig.
For the three-dimensional pattern of a 90◦ angular sector has been removed to illustrate the figure-eight
elevation plane pattern variations.
PROCEDURE :
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.4a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
For Beam Width Calculations:
1. Connect the trainer kit with simple dipole antenna as the receiver and a dipole as the transmitter
2. Set the frequency of operation in the transmitter and receiver
3. Set the receiver to automatic mode
4. Mount the receiver on the stepper motor
5. Set the desired memory location on the receiver
6. Set the step size of motor as 5 units
7. Observe that the receiver power should be more than 40dBµ and less than 72dBµ.
8. Set the stepper motor on auto mode and let it rotate 360˚
9. Connect the receiver to the plot software and see the log plot.
10. Calculate the Beam-width of an antenna and print the radiation pattern.
For Gain Measurement:
1. Connect the trainer kit with dipole antenna as the receiver and a dipole as the transmitter
2. Set the frequency of operation in the transmitter and receiver
3. Set the receiver to automatic mode
4. Use a power splitter and measure input power to the transmitter in dBµ
5. Now measure the received power.
6. Observe that the receiver power should be more than 40dBµ and less than 72dBµ. Use attenuator
if necessary. (Each Attenuator attenuates by 20dBµ)
7. Note the readings.
8. Calculate the Gain of an antenna.
For Directivity measurement
1. Follow the procedure of beam width calculation for horizontal orientation and vertical orientation
of an antenna under test.
2. Calculate the half power beam width for vertical (elevation) and horizontal (azimuthal) antenna.
3. Calculate directivity using formula given below.
For Impedance Measurement
1. Connect the IN terminal of directional coupler to the transmitter output.
2. Connect the OUT terminal of directional coupler to an antenna under test.
3. Connect the SAMPLE terminal to the receiver section
4. Note down the forward power seen on receiver screen.
5. Reverse the connections for IN and OUT terminals
6. Note down the reverse power on receiver screen
7. Calculate return loss and impedance of antenna using formulae and the chart given below .
OBSERVATIONS:
Type of Receiving antenna: Wired Antenna
Resonant Frequency: 600 MHz
Length of antenna element: 0.5m
Beam-width:
For Azimuthal:
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.5a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
HPBW FNBW
360° 0°
For Elevation:
HPBW FNBW
71° 180°
Gain of an Antenna:
Sr no. Accepted power Received Power Gain
1 338.85nW 138.04 pW 0.1572
Return Loss, VSWR and impedance:
Forward Power = -50.0 dBm
Reverse Power = -72.6 dBm
VSWR = 1.15
Return Loss = 22.6 dB
Z0 = 50
Reflection coefficient = 0.074
Impedance = 57.66 ohm
Formulae:
1. D = 41000/(Half Power Azimuthal Beam width * Half Power Elevation Beam width)
2.
3. C =f*λ
CALCULATIONS:
1. Beam width
Ɵ1 = 54° Ɵ2 = 125°
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.6a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
HPBW = Ɵ2 – Ɵ1
= 125° - 54°
= 71°
FPNW = 180°
2. Gain:
= (1/1)*( 138.04 *10-9 / 338.85*10-9)*{[4*3.14*(1*10-3)] / 0.5}2
= 0.1572
3. Directivity:
D = 41000/(Half Power Azimuthal Beam width * Half Power Elevation Beam width)
= 41000 / (360*71)
= 1.60
4. Return Loss
RL = Fp - Rp
= -50.0 - (-72.6)
= 42.6 dBm
5. Impedance:
T = (ZL-Z0) / (ZL+Z0)
0.074 = (ZL-50) / (ZL+50)
0.074ZL + 0.35 = ZL - 50
0.35 + 50 = ZL - 0.074ZL
50.35 = 0.96ZL
ZL = 50.35/0.96
= 57.66 Ohm
GRAPHS:
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.7a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
CONCLUSION:
P: F:-LTL-UG/03/R1 - 1.8a - RMT
PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043
Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
In this experiment, we studied various parameters like radiation pattern, return loss,
impedance, directivity, gain and beam width of a Simple Dipole Antenna so as to get
a thorough understanding of the antenna.
RERFERENCES:
1. Antenna Theory: Analysis and design, Constantine A. Balanis, 3 rd Edition, John
Wiley & Sons Ltd.
2. Principles of Antenna Theory, Kai Fong Lee, 1984, John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
ISBN 0 471 90167 9.
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