Engineering Reference - Equations

Voltage Reflection Coefficient VSWR to RSLdB

Z -Z
Γ = Z r + Zo
r o
RSLdB = 20Log ( )
VSWR-1
VSWR+1
where: Γ = reflection coefficient
Zr = impedance at reflection
Zo = characteristic impedance (typically 50Ω)

Impedance Z = R±jX = = Z0 1 + Γ
1
Y 1-Γ ( ) Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)

1 + Γ
= Y0 1 - Γ
1 VSWR = r =
Admittance Y = G±jX =
Z ( )
1+Γ 1 - Γ
2
Pr
Pi
2

( )
=Γ = r - 1
r+1

Pt 2

RSLdB to VSWR =1-Γ = 4r 2

Pi (r + 1)

VSWR =
(( ) )
10
RSL
20
dB
+1
where: r = VSWR
Γ = reflection coefficient
Pr = reflected power
(( ) )
10
RSL
20
dB
-1
Pi = incident power
Pt = transmitted power

Material Parameters at 20°C Table 1.1

Nonmetals
ε″ at frequency
εr, at frequency ε′ ,
Material µr 60 10 6 1010 60 106 1010 (V/inch)

Nylon 1 3.60 3.14 2.80 0.018 0.022 0.0110 400

Plexiglas 1 3.45 2.76 2.50 0.064 0.104 0.0050 990
Polyethylene 1 2.26 2.26 2.26 (<0.0002) 0.005 1200
Teflon (22°C) 1 2.10 2.10 2.10 (<0.005) 0.004 1500

Metals
Material µr εr σ( /m) Depth of penetration δ for plane waves (m)

Silver 1 1 6.17 x 10 7 0.064/√ f

Copper 1 1 5.8 x 10 7 0.066/√ f
Aluminum 1 1 3.72 x 10 7 0.083/√ f
Brass 1 1 1.6 x 10 7 0.013/√ f

All specifications are subject to change without notice

Kathrein Inc., Scala Division Post Office Box 4580 Medford, OR 97501 (USA) Phone:(541) 779-6500 Fax:(541) 779-3991
 Engineering Reference - Equations

Characteristic Impedance of Free Space Effective Aperature Related to Gain of Antenna

√
µo λ2 G
ηo = εo = 120πΩ = 377Ω
Aem =
4π

where: µo = free space permeability 4πA em

G=
= 4.0π x 10-7(H/m) λ2
εo = free space permitivity
−9

1
=
( )
10 (F/m)
36π
Watts to dBm

dBw = 10 log10(Power Watts)

c = √µoεo = propagation velocity = 2.997925 x 108 m/s
(≅ 3 x 108 m/s) dBm = (10 log10(Power Watts))+30
In free space the wavelength is:
c
λ= f dBw to Watts
For a nonmagnetic dielectric:
Watts = 10
(dBw
10 )

c λ
λd = f ε = o 10 )
( dBw+30
√ r √ εr Milliwatts = 10
where: εr is relative dielectric from Table 1.1
dBm to Watts
Characteristic Impedance of Coaxial Line
a
Watts = 10
( dBm-30
10 )

b
Zo = 138 log10 a ( ) √ µε r

r
Milliwatts = 10
10 )
(dBm

Voltage Gain/Loss to dB
b
where: a = inner diameter
b = outer diameter
dB(gain/loss) = 20Log10(Gain or Loss)
µr = relative permeability (usually = 1)
εr = permitivity (dielectric constant)
as given in Table 1.1
dBm to Volts/µVolts
Friis Transmission Equation

λ GG
2
( )
Volts = Log10-1 dBm-13
20
Pr
Pt
=
( )
4πR t r

where: Pr = received power ( )

µVolts = Log10-1 dBm-107
20
Pt = transmitted power
R = separation distance dBw to Volts/µVolts
λ
2

( )
4πR
= free space loss
( )
Volts = Log10-1 dBw-17
20
Using effective areas
Pr
Pt
A A
= et er
λ 2R ( )
µVolts = Log10-1 dBw-137
20

All specifications are subject to change without notice

Kathrein Inc., Scala Division Post Office Box 4580 Medford, OR 97501 (USA) Phone:(541) 779-6500 Fax:(541) 779-3991
 Engineering Reference - Equations

Quarter Wave Matching Radio Horizon (in miles)

Z = √ZoZL H = √2 (Tx)½ (Rx)½

where: Z = line impedance where: H = horizon

Zo = desired input impedance Tx = transmit height in feet
ZL = given load impedance Rx = receive height in feet

Noise Factor Gain of Parabolic Antenna

F=
Pno
GAPni
=
SNRIN
SNROUT
=
()Te
To
-1
G = 10 logK
πD
λ( )
2

Noise Figure where: G = parabolic antenna gain

K = eff L 55%
NF = 10LogF D = diameter in feet
λ = wavelength in feet
Cascade Noise Factor
Beamwidth of Parabolic Antenna
F -1 F3-1
F = F1 + 2 + +…
GA1 GA1GA1 70 λ
Ψ=
D
Freespace Path Loss
where: Ψ = beamwidth
L = 96.6 + 20 log(d) + 20 log(f) D = diameter in feet
λ = feet
where: L = freespace path loss
d = distance in miles
f = frequency in GHz

Directive Antenna Gain

G = 41253
. G = 32400
.
θ φ θ φ
theoretical corrected for efficiencies

where: G = directive antenna gain

θ = horizontal beamwidth
φ = vertical beamwidth

All specifications are subject to change without notice

Kathrein Inc., Scala Division Post Office Box 4580 Medford, OR 97501 (USA) Phone:(541) 779-6500 Fax:(541) 779-3991
 Engineering Reference - Equations

2πL = 10
λ
-2
Normalized Directivity, dB

-4
2π L = 100
λ
-6

-8 Cos θ

-10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Scan Angle From Broadside, θ

Reprinted from “Microwave Scanning Antennas”, edited by R. C. Hansen, Vol. 1, p. 20, published by Peninsula Publishing, Los Altos, California.
Courtesy of R. C. Hansen

All specifications are subject to change without notice

Kathrein Inc., Scala Division Post Office Box 4580 Medford, OR 97501 (USA) Phone:(541) 779-6500 Fax:(541) 779-3991
 Engineering Reference - Equations

Beam Broadening Versus Sidelobe Ratio

1.7

1.6

Taylor one-parameter distribution

1.5
Beam Broadening

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0
10 20 30 40 50
Sidelobe Ratio, dB
Courtesy of Dr. R. C. Hansen

All specifications are subject to change without notice

Kathrein Inc., Scala Division Post Office Box 4580 Medford, OR 97501 (USA) Phone:(541) 779-6500 Fax:(541) 779-3991