Resonant Antennas

• Antennas that have dimensions near to a half-

wavelength or any of its multiples.
• The impedance and bandwidth vary significantly
with small changes in the operating frequency;
the impedance vary from negative reactance,
thru pure resistance to positive reactance as the
frequency changes from below to above
resonance.
• Characteristics of the antenna are strongly
frequency dependent.
 Non-resonant antennas
• The radiation pattern and the input
impedance are not so variable with frequency.
• Referred to as broadband antennas
Microwave Antennas or Antennas
with Parabolic Reflector
Terrestrial Microwave Antennas for
Point-To-Point Communication
• Terrestrial microwave antennas generate a beam of RF signal to
communicate between two locations.
• Point-To-Point communication depends upon a clear line of sight
between two microwave antennas.
• Obstructions, such as buildings, trees or terrain interfere with the
signal.
• Depending upon the location, usage and frequency, different
types can be utilized.
Because a line of sight radio
link is made, the radio
frequencies used occupy
only a narrow path between
stations (with the exception
of a certain radius of each
station).
Antennas used must have a
high directive effect; these
antennas are installed in
elevated locations such as
large radio towers.
 Parabolic Reflector Antenna
• Structure
– parabolic reflector and the feed mechanism
• The feed mechanism
– house the primary antenna(dipole/dipole array) which
radiates EM waves toward the reflector
• The reflector
– reflects the energy into a concentrated, highly directional
emission eave
 Features of a parabolic antenna
• Extreme high gain and directivity
– used in μ-wave and satellite link

• Beam width (Θ )
Θ = 70λ/D

where λ = wavelength
D = antenna mouth diameter
Θ = beam width of half power point ( degrees )
 Electrical Performance Parameters

Cross-Polar
Gain Discrimination (XPD)

Radiation Pattern Interport

Envelope Isolation (IPI)

Front to Back Return Loss

Ratio (F/B) (VSWR)
Parabolic Antenna Gain
Ga (dBi) = 10 log10 h [ 4 p Aa / l2 ]

Where:
Ga = Antenna Directive Gain (Catalog spec)
h = Aperture Efficiency (50-55%)
Aa = Antenna Aperture Area
l = Wavelength (speed of light / frequency)
 Power gain of Parabolic Antenna
• Power gain for a transmit parabolic antenna (Pgain)
Pgain = η(πD/λ)2
where Pgain= power gain referring to isotropic antenna
D = mouth diameter of parabolic reflector(meters)
λ = wavelength(meters)
η = antenna efficiency (typical 55%)
• Power gain in terms of dBi (assume η = 55%)
Pgain (db) = 20 log f(MHz) + 20 log D(m) + 42.2
 Illustrated Example
• A 2-m diameter parabolic reflector with 5W of power
radiated by the feed mechanism operating at 5GHz
with transmit efficiency of 55%
• Beam Width Θ
Θ = 70λ/D = 70(3 x 108)/[(5 x 109)(2)] = 2.1o
note how narrow the beam is !
• Transmit power gain
Pgain(dB) = 20 log 5000 + 20 log 2 + 42.2 = 37.78 dBi
 Typical Parabolic
Antenna Gain in dBi
Antenna Diameter
2 ft 4 ft 6 ft 8 ft 10 ft 12 ft 15 ft
(0.6m) (1.2m) (1.8m) (2.4m) (3.0m) (3.7m) (4.5m)
2 GHz 19.5 25.5 29.1 31.6 33.5 35.1 37
Frequency

4 GHz 25.5 31.6 35.1 37.6 39.5 41.1 43.1

6 GHz 29.1 35.1 38.6 41.1 43.1 44.6 46.6
8 GHz 31.6 37.6 41.1 43.6 45.5 47.1 49.1
11 GHz 34.3 40.4 43.9 46.4 48.3 49.9 51.8
15 GHz 37 43.1 46.6 49.1 51 52.6 NA
18 GHz 38.6 44.6 48.2 50.7 NA NA NA
22 GHz 40.4 46.4 49.9 NA NA NA NA
38 GHz 45.1 51.1 NA NA NA NA NA
 Radiation Pattern Concept

Antenna
Under Test

Antenna Test
Range

Source
Antenna
 Radiation Pattern
(a) Polar plot (b) Rectangular plot
Radiation Pattern
about Bore sight
Cut Through Radiation Pattern at
Boresight
 Front-to-Back Ratio

• Ratio of the signal level at beam peak to

that directed behind the antenna
• Considered in intra-system interference
calculation (hop overreach)
• Expressed in dB
 Co-Polarization and
Cross-Polarization
• Co-Polarization
– Where Transmit & Receive Antennas have Co-polarized antenna
the Same Polarization pattern
– Either Horizontal or Vertical (HH or VV)
– In your System, The Wanted Signal
XPD

Relative Power
• Cross-Polarization
– Where Transmit & Receive Antennas
have Different Polarizations
X-polarized patttern
– Either HV or VH.
– In your System, The Unwanted Signal Azimuth Angle
 Inter-port Isolation (IPI)
Feed
Horn • Leakage of Signal Between
Antenna Ports

Towards
• Internal Noise
Reflector
• Expressed in dB

Transmit Leakage
Signal Signal
 Voltage Standing Wave Ratio
(VSWR)
Incident Signal
Reflected Signal

VSWR = 1 + (Reflection Coefficient)

1 - (Reflection Coefficient)

• VSWR : 1.30 Reflection Coefficient : 13% (0.13)

• VSWR : 1.20 Reflection Coefficient : 9.1% (0.091)
• VSWR : 1.10 Reflection Coefficient : 4.7% (0.047)
• VSWR : 1.08 Reflection Coefficient : 3.8% (0.038)
• VSWR : 1.06 Reflection Coefficient : 2.9% (0.029)
 Return Loss
The Amount of Energy Lost due to Reflected (Returned) Signal

RL = -20 x log (Reflection Coefficient)

• RL : 17.8dB Reflection : 13% (0.13) VSWR : 1.30

• RL : 20.8dB Reflection : 9.1% (0.091) VSWR : 1.20
• RL : 26.7dB Reflection : 4.7% (0.047) VSWR : 1.10
• RL : 28.4dB Reflection : 3.8% (0.038) VSWR : 1.08
• RL : 30.7dB Reflection : 2.9% (0.029) VSWR : 1.06
 Basic Antenna Types

Standard Focal Plane

Parabolic Antenna
Antenna

Shielded GRIDPAK®
Antenna Antenna
GRIDPAK® Antenna

• Grid Reflector
• Low Wind load
• Single Polarized
• Below 2.7GHz
• Shipped in Flat,
Lightweight Package
Standard Parabolic Antenna

• Basic Antenna
• Comprised of
– Reflector
– Feed Assembly
– Mount
Focal Plane Antenna

• Deeper Reflector
• Edge Geometry
• Improved F/B Ratio
• Slightly Lower Gain
Shielded Antenna

• Absorber-Lined Shield
• Improved Feed System
• Planar Radome
• Improved RPE
 Antenna Efficiency
Well-designed antennas have
efficiency ratings of 45 - 65%
Efficiency Factor Affected By :
• Feed Illumination
• Aperture Blockage
• Reflector Surface Tolerance

Efficiency can never be 100%

 Antenna f/D Ratio

f f

D D

f/D = 0.333 f/D = 0.250

Standard & Focal Plane

Shielded Antennas Antennas
 Unwanted Signals

Scattering Spillover

Diffraction
 Front to Back Ratio
Direction Direction Direction
of Signal
of Signal of Signal

Standard Parabolic Focal Plane Shielded

Antenna Antenna Antenna
 Parabolic Reflector Beamwidth
3dB

Diameter
0.3 m 0.6 m 1.2 m 1.8 m 2.4 m 3m 3.7 m 4.5 m
2 GHz 35 17.5 8.75 5.83 4.38 3.5 2.84 2.33
Frequency

6 GHz 11.67 5.83 2.92 1.94 1.46 1.17 0.95 0.78

8 GHz 8.75 4.38 2.19 1.46 1 0.88 0.71 0.58
11 GHz 6.36 3.18 1.59 1 0.8 0.64 0.52 0.42
14 GHz 5 2.5 1.25 0.83 0.63 0.5 0.41 0.33
18 GHz 3.89 1.94 0.97 0.65 0.49 0.39 0.32 0.26
23 GHz 3 1.52 0.76 0.51 0.38 0.3 0.25 0.2
38 GHz 1.84 0.92 0.46 0.31 0.23 0.18 0.15 0.12

Beamwidth in Degrees
Radiation Pattern Envelope
0

10

20
dB down from Main Lobe

30
Antenna Directivity

40

50

60

70

80

90

100
0 5 10 15 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Azimuth - Degrees from Main Lobe

Radomes

• Reduce Windloading
on Tower

• Protection Against Ice,

Snow and Dirt
Parabolic dish
antennas
Parabolic dish antenna with Cassegrain feed
 Horn
antennas

Penzias&Wilson
New Jersey - Bell Laboratories