Antenna Basics:
Basic Antenna Parameters – Patterns, Beam Area, Radiation Intensity, Beam Efficiency, Directivity-Gain-Resolution, Antenna Apertures, Effective Height. Fields from Oscillating Dipole, Field Zones, Front - to-back Ratio, Antenna Theorems, Radiation, Retarded Potentials – Helmholtz Theorem
Thin Linear Wire Antennas –
Radiation from Small Electric Dipole, Quarter Wave Monopole and Half Wave Dipole – Current Distributions, Field Components, Radiated Power, Radiation Resistance, Beam Width, Directivity, Effective Area and Effective Height, Natural Current Distributions, Far Fields and Patterns of Thin Linear Centre-fed Antennas of Different Lengths. Loop Antennas - Small Loop, Comparison of Far Fields of Small Loop and Short Dipole, Radiation Resistances and Directivities of Small Loops (Qualitative Treatment).
Antenna Arrays:
Point Sources – Definition, Patterns, arrays of 2 Isotropic Sources - Different Cases, Principle of Pattern Multiplication, Uniform Linear Arrays – Broadside Arrays, Endfire Arrays, EFA with Increased Directivity, Derivation of their Characteristics and Comparison, BSAs with Non-uniform Amplitude Distributions – General Considerations and Binomial Arrays.
Antenna Measurements:
Introduction, Concepts - Reciprocity, Near and Far Fields, Coordinate System, Sources of Errors. Patterns to be Measured, Directivity Measurement, Gain Measurements (by Comparison, Absolute and 3-Antenna Methods)
VHF, UHF and Microwave Antennas - I:
Arrays with Parasitic Elements, Yagi-Uda Array, Folded Dipoles and their Characteristics, Helical Antennas – Helical Geometry, Helix Modes, Practical Design Considerations for Monofilar Helical Antenna in Axial and Normal Modes, Horn Antennas – Types, Fermat’s Principle, Optimum Horns, Design Considerations of Pyramidal Horns.
VHF, UHF and Microwave Antennas - II:
Microstrip Antennas – Introduction, Features, Advantages and Limitations, Rectangular Patch Antennas – Geometry and Parameters, Characteristics of Microstrip Antennas. Reflector Antennas – Introduction, Flat Sheet and Corner Reflectors, Paraboloidal Reflectors – Geometry, Pattern Characteristics, Feed Methods, Reflector Types – Related Features.
Wave Propagation -
Definitions, Categorizations and General Classifications, Different Modes of Wave Propagation, Ray/Mode Concepts,
Ground Wave Propagation –
Plane Earth Reflections, Space and Surface Waves, Wave Tilt, Curved Earth Reflections.
Space Wave Propagation –
Field Strength Variation with Distance and Height, Effect of Earth’s Curvature, Absorption, Super Refraction, M-Curves and Duct Propagation, Scattering Phenomena, Troposphere Propagation.
Sky Wave Propagation –
Structure of Ionosphere, Refraction and Reflection of Sky Waves by Ionosphere, Ray Path, Critical Frequency, MUF, LUF, OF, Virtual Height and Skip Distance, Relation between MUF and Skip Distance, Multi-hop Propagation.
TEXT BOOKS:
1. Antennas and Wave Propagation – J.D. Kraus, R.J. Marhefka and Ahmad S. Khan, TMH, New Delhi, 4th ed., (Special Indian Edition), 2010.
2. Electromagnetic Waves and Radiating Systems – E.C. Jordan and K.G. Balmain, PHI, 2nd ed., 2000.
REFERENCE BOOKS:
1. Antenna Theory - C.A. Balanis, John Wiley & Sons, 3rd Ed., 2005.
2. Antennas and Wave Propagation – K.D. Prasad, Satya Prakashan, Tech India Publications, New Delhi, 2001.
3. Radio Engineering Handbook- Keith henney, 3rd edition TMH.
4. Antenna Engineering Handbook –John Leonidas Volakis, 3rd edition, 2007
Course Outcomes:
Upon completing this course, the student will be able to explain the mechanism of radiation, definitions of different antenna characteristic parameters and establish their mathematical relations.
1. Characterize the antennas based on frequency, configure the geometry and establish the radiation patterns of VHF, UHF and Microwave antennas and also antenna arrays.
2. Specify the requirements for microwave measurements and arrange a setup to carry out the antenna far zone pattern and gain measurements in the laboratory.
3. Classify the different wave propagation mechanisms, determine the characteristic features of different wave propagations, and estimate the parameters involved.