Course Details

1. Compare the radiation pattern characteristics of various types of antennas both planar and linear with emphasis on the half-wavelength dipole antenna in the E and H planes.
2. Identify the patterns of various types of antennas using actual antennas and interactive computer software
3. Develop skills to operate experiments with λ/2, λ, and 3λ/2 dipoles in order to acquire a clear understanding of these dipoles.
4. Appreciate the technical challenges related to making quantitative measurements on antennas.
5. Design small linear arrays using planar microstrip patch antenna elements.
6. Develop teamwork spirit in investigating the construction and characteristics of various types of antennas.

Experiment 1:  RADIATION PATTERN OF A λ/2 DIPOLE AT 1 GHz

The dipole antenna is a simple type of antenna consisting of two rods or wires connected at the center to the transmitter through a transmission line.  This experiment familiarizes the students with the radiation pattern of the half-wavelength dipole antenna in the E and H planes.

Experiment 2:  GAIN OF PYRAMIDAL HORN ANTENNAS

Horn antennas provide a smooth transition for electromagnetic waves between the waveguide and free space.  Horn antennas are made in a variety of shapes depending on the gain, radiation pattern, and impedance desired.  This experiment studies the characteristics of pyramidal horn antennas and the techniques used to calculate and measure their gain.

Experiment 3:  EXPERIMENTS WITH λ/2, λ, AND 3λ/2 DIPOLES

The three dipoles presented in this experiment are center-fed dipoles.  Students are called to understand that the electromagnetic fields are a result of the RF current behavior on the wire.  The experiment examines the notions of input impedance, resistive and reactive impedance, inductive and capacitive reactance and current in phase or out of phase with the objective to give students a clear understanding of these dipoles. 

Experiment 4:  HALF-WAVE FOLDED DIPOLE ANTENNAS

The folded dipole antenna consists of two parallel dipoles connected into a narrow loop.  The experiments get the students familiar with the characteristics of the half-wave folded dipole antenna and with the use of baluns for impedance transformation.

Experiment 5: MONOPOLE ANTENNAS

The objective of this exercise is to familiarize students with the characteristics of both standard monopole antennas and drooping monopole antennas.  Students are asked to plot the radiation patterns over a conducting ground plane and observe the behavior of a monopole used without a ground plane.  They will compare the directive gain of both a λ/2 dipole and a  λ/4 monopole.

Experiment 6:  LOOP ANTENNAS

Loop antennas with a loop length of λ (full-wave loop antennas) are useful because they offer reasonable gain and convenient input impedance.  The experiment familiarizes the students with the characteristics of small loop antennas.

Experiment 7:  PARASITIC ARRAY (YAGI-UDA) ANTENNAS

The Yagi antennas are used in several applications.  When the students complete this experiment they will be familiar with parasitic array antennas of the Yagi-Uda type.  They will construct such antennas in different configurations and measure their characteristics.

Experiment 8:  RECTANGULAR PATCH ANTENNA (MICROSTRIP TECHNOLOGY)

A microstrip antenna consists of a patch of conductive material separated from the ground plane by a thin layer of substrate dielectric material.  The microstip is well suited for low profile and conformal antennas.  The experiment aims to get students familiar with the patch antenna and with the microstip technology used to implement patch antennas.  

• C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory, Analysis and Design, 3rd ed., J. Wiley, 2007

• F. T. Ulaby, Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics, Prentice Hall, 1999.
• Johnson Richard C., Antenna Engineering Handbook, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1993.
• C.R. Paul, K. W. Whites, S. A. Nasar, Introduction To Electromagnetic Fields, Third Edition, McGraw Hill, 1998.
• R. Blake, Basic Electronic Communication, West Publishing Co., 1993.