SEM/YEAR: VI SEM

COURSE CODE: 16EC307

TITLE OF THE COURSE: ANTENNAS AND WAVE PROPAGATION
L: T/A:P: C - 3 : 0 : 0 : 3

Course objectives
1. Understand the basic antenna parameters and radiation mechanism from an antenna.
2. Understand the array concepts in antennas, and their applications.
3. Understand the concepts of Reflector Antennas and their applications.
4. Study the properties of different types of antennas, and special antennas.
5. Understand the methods of measuring various antenna parameters.
6. Study the wave propagation concepts in ground, sky and troposphere regions.

Course outcomes
1. Explain how an antenna radiates and captures radio wave energy.
2. Define the properties and parameters of an antenna.
3. Apply the Friis transmission equation to compute the received powers in a system.
4. Design an antenna array system, lengths of radiating elements, and inter-element
distances for the given specifications.
5. Interpret various parametric values like gain, directivity etc. using standard
measuring procedures.
6. Describe the mechanism of the atmospheric effects on radio wave propagation.

UNIT- 1: ANTENNA FUNDAMENTALS & LINEAR WIRE ANTENNAS (12 hours)

Introduction, Radiation Mechanism – Single Wire, Two Wire, Dipoles, Current Distribution
on a Thin Wire Antenna. Antenna Parameters- Radiation Patterns, Main Lobe and Side
Lobes, Beam-width, Beam Area, Radiation Intensity, Beam Efficiency, Directivity, Gain and
Resolution, Antenna Apertures, Aperture Efficiency, Polarization, Antenna regions, Friis
Transmission equation. Radiation from Small Electric Dipole, Quarter wave Monopole and
Half wave Dipole – Current Distributions, Evaluation of Field Components, Power Radiated,
Radiation Resistance. Introduction to Loop Antennas.
[Balanis:

UNIT- 2 : ANTENNA ARRAYS (10 hours)

Two element Arrays – different cases, Principle of Pattern Multiplication, N element
Uniform Linear Arrays – Broadside, End-fire Arrays, EFA with Increased Directivity;
Binomial Arrays, Effects of Uniform and Non-uniform Amplitude Distributions, Related
Problems, Yagi - Uda Arrays, Folded Dipoles and their characteristics.
UNIT – 3 : REFLECTOR ANTENNAS (8 Hours)
Flat Sheet and Corner Reflectors, Paraboloidal Reflectors – Geometry, characteristics, types
of feeds, F/D Ratio, Spill Over, Back Lobes, Aperture Blocking, Off-set Feeds, Cassegrain
Feeds.
UNIT- 4 : SPECIAL ANTENNAS & ANTENNA MEASUREMENTS (10 hours)
Helical Antennas – Significance, Geometry, basic properties; Design considerations for
monofilar helical antennas in Axial Mode and Normal Modes (Qualitative Treatment). Horn
Antennas – Types, Optimum Horns, Design Characteristics of Pyramidal Horns.
Measurement of radiation pattern, gain, directivity, impedance and polarization
measurements.
[Kraus: Chapter 7]
[Balanis: Chapter 17]
UNIT- 5 : WAVE PROPAGATION (10 hours)
Concepts of Propagation – frequency ranges and types of propagations. Ground Wave
Propagation, Sky Wave Propagation – Formation of Ionospheric Layers and their
Characteristics, Mechanism of Reflection and Refraction, Critical Frequency, MUF & Skip
Distance – Calculations for flat and spherical earth cases, Optimum working Frequency,
Virtual Height.
Space Wave Propagation – Mechanism, LOS and Radio Horizon. Tropospheric Wave
Propagation – Radius of Curvature of path, Effective Earth’s Radius, Effect of Earth’s
Curvature, Field Strength Calculations, M-curves and Duct Propagation, Tropospheric
Scattering, Related problems.

TEXT BOOKS
1. C.A Balanis, “Antenna Theory”, John Wiley & Sons, 2nd ed., 2001.
2. John D Krauss, Ronald J Marhefka, Ahmad S Khan, “Antennas for all applications “ 3rd
edition, Mc Graw-Hill,2006
3. K D Prasad, Satya Prakashan, “Antennas & Wave Propagation”, Tech India Publications,
New Delhi, 2001

REFERENCE BOOKS
1. E.C. Jordan and K.G. Balamain, “Electromagnetic Waves and Radiating Systems”. 2nd ed.,
Pearson Education, 2000.
2. John D Kraus, “Antennas”. 2nd ed., Mc Graw-Hill