CRP718 RF and Microwave Measurements Laboratory

Experiment- MW3 Handout. Updated Jan 13, 2011

Measurement of Antenna Characteristics
A. Measurement of E- and H-plane radiation patterns (omit H-plane for groups of 2)
B. Measurement of gain
Antennas: S- band waveguide horns, S-band rectangular patch antenna.

A. Measurement of Radiation Pattern

1. Theoretical Background:
Radiation Pattern: Practical antennas do not radiate uniformly in all directions. The
radiation pattern is a graphical representation of the distribution of radiation energy as a
function of angle about the antenna in the three-dimensional space and is generally
measured in the far field region. The strength of radiation is usually measured in terms of
field strength relative to some reference level, and this reference level is usually the peak
of the main beam. Radiation pattern plots, however, can be shown in terms of field
strength, power density or decibels (dB). Thus a complete radiation pattern gives relative
field strength (or power radiated) at all angles of and in spherical coordinate system
and requires a 3-dimensional presentation. However, in practice, it is common to present
cross sections of the radiation pattern in two principal planes of interest. For linearly
polarized antennas, these planes are E- and H-planes.

Far Field Region: The far field region is defined as that region of space where the
angular field distribution of the antenna is essentially independent of the distance from
the antenna. If the maximum overall dimension of the antenna is D, then the far field
region is commonly taken to exist at distances greater than 2D2/ from the antenna where
is the wavelength.
E-plane: The E-plane is the plane passing through the antenna in the direction of beam
maximum and parallel to the far-field E vector.
H-plane: The H-plane is the plane passing through the antenna in the direction of beam
maximum and parallel to the far-field H vector.
Beam Width:
The radiation pattern of a typical antenna consists of a main beam and a few minor lobes.
Minor lobes usually represent radiation in the undesired directions and they are sensitive
to the surroundings in which the radiation pattern is measured. The beam width is a
measure of sharpness of the main radiated beam. The 3dB beam width is the angular
width of a pattern between the half-power points; that is, 3dB points with respect to the
maximum field strength. In the electric field intensity pattern it is the angular width
between points that are 1/2 times the maximum intensity.
2. Experimental Procedure for Accurate Measurements:
The set up for the measurement of radiation pattern of antenna is shown in fig 1. The
dotted line blocks at the transmitting end are showing the set up for a conventional
microwave bench while the solid block indicating the setup presently used in labs. For
reception of the RF signal another antenna is placed on a rotating table before the
detector. We can use either of three different power detectors.

Transmitting
Antenna

Test antenna
Rotator

Microwave
Source

VSWR
meter

Isolator
Attenuator
(Calibrated
)

Spectrum
Analyzer

Power
meter

RF Signal
Generator

Fig. 1 Experimental arrangement

Procedure:

A. Use identical S-band horns for both transmitting and receiving.

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1. Mount one of the antennas (receiving
antenna in the figure) on a Rotatable stand. Keep the distance between the two
antennas sufficiently large such that they are in the far-field zone. Set the horns for
measurement in the E-plane.

2. Set the source to the frequency (say 2.47 GHz) at which the radiation pattern is to be
measured. Align the two antennas for maximum reading on the power meter. This is
the peak position of the main beam. Note this power as the reference level say P0 at 0o
position.
3. Rotate the test (receiving) antenna clockwise in small steps (5o or 10o) to 360o and
note the reading on the spectrum analyzer at every step.

4. Plot the E-plane radiation pattern. Repeat the measurements for the H-plane and plot
the pattern.
5. Determine the half power-beamwidth.
Observations:
Frequency of operation is 2.47GHz (or whatever value is used).
Un-normalized received power recorded as:
S.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

Angle(deg)

H plane (dBm)

E plane(dBm)

Typical graphs normalized to peak at 0 dB (if you have difficulty, the most common
problem is cable loss, which is easily checked with a VNA):

0
-3

-5

HPBW

Power (dB)

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30

-35
-180 -150 -120 -90

-60

-30

30

60

90

120 150 180

Angle (deg)

Fig. 2 H-plane radiation pattern

0
-3

-5

HPBW

Power (dB)

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30
-180 -150 -120 -90

-60

-30

30

60

90

Angle (deg)

Fig. 3 E-plane radiation pattern

120 150 180

B. Measurement of Gain and Directivity

1. Theoretical Background:
Gain is the ability of an antenna to concentrate the radiate power in a given direction or to
absorb the incident power from that direction. In other words, it is a measure of the
antenna efficiency. The power gain or simply referred as gain G is the ratio of the
maximum radiation intensity to the radiation intensity of a lossless isotropic source with
the same input power.

G=

4 U max
;
Pin

Pin = Pr + Pl

(1)

Where Pin is the total input power to the antenna, Pr is the radiated power and Pl is the
ohmic loss in the antenna. Radiation intensity is defined as the power radiated per unit
solid angle. The ratio of gain to directivity is the radiation efficiency of the antenna (G
= D).
In practice, it is also common to specify relative gain with respect to a reference antenna
(such as a dipole) whose gain can be calculated or is known. In this case, the power input
must be the same for both antennas.

Gain Measurement using Two Identical Antennas:

The power density due to a transmitting antenna at a distance R is the power density due
to an isotropic source Pt multiplied by the gain Gt of the transmitting antenna.
pt =

Pt Gt
4 R 2

( 2)

If an antenna with a gain Gr is used to receive the signal, its effective aperture is given by

Ar =

2 Gr
4

(3)

Combining (2) and (3), the power received can be expressed as

Or

Pr = p r Ar =

Pt Gt 2 G r
4 R 2 4

P
Gt Gr = r
Pt

4 R

P
Gr = r
Pt

(4)

(5)

2 4 R

(6)

(6) holds if the two antennas are identical, then Gr = Gt . Otherwise use (5) if Gt is
known. Gain of broadband horn antenna is given in its data sheet. Formula for gain of Xband standard horn can be found in the literature/internet.
The directivity (D) of antenna can be find by a simple relation given as eq. (7)

4
D = 10 log10

( HPBW ) H ( HPBW ) E

in dB

(7)

D = Directivity of the antenna in dB,

(HPBW)H = Half Power Beam Width of the antenna in radians in H-plane.
(HPBW)E = Half Power Beam Width of the antenna in radians in E-plane.

2. Experimental Procedure for Gain:

1. Use the experimental arrangement as shown in Fig.1. Attenuator and isolator may be
omitted. Spectrum analyzer is to be used. Use two identical horn antennas. The
distance between the two antennas must satisfy the far zone criterion.
2. Align the two antennas for maximum received power. Record the distance between
the two horns and also the power meter reading Pr .
3. Remove the two horns measure the power output at the waveguide port preceding the
transmitting horn. Record this reading as Pt. Set 20 dB attenuation setting on the

spectrum analyzer before doing this measurement, since power level may be
high.
4. Connect the horns again and increase their separation. Repeat steps 2 and 3 and note
Pr and Pt.
5. Repeat step 4 a few times and tabulate the readings and calculate the gain by using
eq. (6).
6. Similarly repeat the above steps with given patch antenna as receiving antenna and
calculate the gain by using eq. (5)
7. Compare the theoretical and measured gain. Estimate the efficiency. Look up text
books / internet for formulas for horn / patch antenna gain and directivity.

Observations:

For Horn:
Measure the gain of the horn antenna by using eq. (6).

S.no.

Separation (R) in
meter

Pr
(dBm)

Pt
(dBm)

Measured
Gain (dB)

Pr
(dBm)

Pt
(dBm)

Measured
Gain (dB)

For Patch:
S.no.

Separation (R) in
meter

The directivity of the antenna is, eq. (7)

D = . dB

Results:

The measured gain of the horn is coming about dB and measured gain of given
patch antenna is .dB. The directivity of the antenna is calculated as dB.

Reference:
.
1. C.A. Balanis, Antenna Theory Analysis and Design, John Wiley & Sons, 1982.