DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS

AND COMMUNICATION
ENGINEERING

EC2353 ANTENNA AND WAVE

PROPAGATION
YEAR : III
SEMESTER : VI
PREPARED BY
Ms.K.N.SARANYA
ASST.PROFESSOR/ECE

SUBJECT CODE: EC 2353

SUBJECT: ANTENNAS AND WAVE PROPAGATION

SEMESTER:VI
TWO MARK QUESTIONS
1. Define an antenna.
Antenna is a transition device or a transducer between a guided wave
and a free space waveor vice versa. Antenna is also said to be an
impedance transforming device.
2. What is meant by radiation pattern?
Radiation pattern is the relative distribution of radiated power as a
function of distance in space .It is a graph which shows the variation in
actual field strength of the EM wave at all points which are at equal
distance from the antenna. The energy radiated in a particular direction
by an antenna is measured in terms of FIELD STRENGTH.(E Volts/m)
3. Define Radiation intensity?
The power radiated from an antenna per unit solid angle is called the
radiation intensity U (watts per steradian or per square degree). The
radiation intensity is independent of distance.
4. Define Beam efficiency?
The total beam area ( WA) consists of the main beam area ( WM ) plus
the minor lobe area ( Wm) . Thus WA = WM+ Wm .
The ratio of the main beam area to the total beam area is called beam
efficiency. Beam efficiency = SM = WM / WA.
5.Define Directivity?
The directivity of an antenna is equal to the ratio of the maximum power
density P(q,f)max to its average value over a sphere as observed in the
far field of an antenna.
D = P(q,f)max / P(q,f)av. Directivity from Pattern.
D = 4p / WA. . Directivity from beam area(WA ).
6.What are the different types of aperture.?
i) Effective aperture.
ii). Scattering aperture.
iii) Loss aperture.
iv) collecting aperture.

v). Physical aperture.

7.Define different types of aperture.?
Effective aperture(Ae).
It is the area over which the power is extrated from the incident wave
and delivered to the load is called effective aperture.
Scattering aperture(As.)
It is the ratio of the reradiated power to the power density of the incident
wave.
Loss aperture. (Ae).
It is the area of the antenna which dissipates power as heat.
Collecting aperture. (Ae).
It is the addition of above three apertures.
Physical aperture. (Ap).
This aperture is a measure of the physical size of the antenna.
8. Define Aperture efficiency?
The ratio of the effective aperture to the physical aperture is the aperture
efficiency. i.e Aperture efficiency = hap = Ae / Ap
(dimensionless).
9. What is meant by effective height?
The effective height h of an antenna is the parameter related to the
aperture.It may be defined as the ratio of the induced voltage to the
incident field.i.e H= V / E.
10. What are the field zone?
The fields around an antenna may be divided into two principal regions.
i. Near field zone (Fresnel zone)
ii. Far field zone (Fraunhofer zone)
11.What is meant by Polarization.?
The polarization of the radio wave can be defined by direction in which
the electric vector E is aligned during the passage of atleast one full
cycle.Also polarization can also be defined the physical orientation of
the radiated electromagnetic waves in space.The polarization are three
types. They are Elliptical polarization ,circular polarization and linear
polarization.
12. What is meant by front to back ratio.?

It is defined as the ratio of the power radiated in desired direction to the

power radiated in the opposite direction. i.e FBR = Power radiated in
desired direction / power radiated in the opposite direction.
13. Define antenna efficiency.?
The efficiency of an antenna is defined as the ratio of power radiated to
the total input power supplied to the antenna.
Antenna efficiency = Power radiated / Total input power
14. What is radiation resistance ?
The antenna is a radiating device in which power is radiated into space
in the form of electromagnetic wave.
W = I2 R
Rr = W/ I2 Where Rr is a fictitious resistance called called as radiation
resistance.
15 What is meant by antenna beam width?
Antenna beamwidth is a measure of directivity of an antenna. Antenna
beam width is an angular width in degrees, measured on the radiation
pattern (major lobe) between points where the radiated power has fallen
to half its maximum value .This is called as beam width between half
power points or half power beam width.(HPBW).
16. What is meant by reciprocity Theorem.?
If an e.m.f is applied to the terminals of an antenna no.1 and the current
measured at the terminals of the another antenna no.2, then an equal
current both in amplitude and phase will be obtained at the terminal of
the antenna no.1 if the same emf is applied to the terminals of antenna
no.2.
17.What is meant by isotropic radiator?
A isotropic radiator is a fictitious radiator and is defined as a radiator
which radiates fields uniformly in all directions. It is also called as
isotropic source or omni directional radiator or simply unipole.
18. Define gain
The ratio of maximum radiation intensity in given direction to the
maximum radiation intensity from a reference antenna produced in the
same direction with same input power. i.e Maximum radiation intensity
from test antenna
Gain (G) = --------------------------------------------------------

----------------------Maximum radiation intensity from the reference antenna with same

input power
19. Define self impedance
Self impedance of an antenna is defined as its input impedance with all
other antennas are completely removed i.e away from it.
20 . Define mutual impedance
The presence of near by antenna no.2 induces a current in the antenna
no.1 indicates that presence of antenna no.2 changes the impedance of
the antenna no.1.This effect is called mutual coupling and results in
mutual impedance.
21. What is meant by cross field.?
Normally the electric field E is perpendicular to the direction of wave
propagation. In some situation the electric field E is parallel to the wave
propagation that condition is called Cross field.
22.Define axial ratio
The ratio of the major to the minor axes of the polarization ellipse is
called the Axial Ratio. (AR).
23. What is meant by Beam Area.?
The beam area or beam solid angle or WA of an antenna is given by the
normalized power pattern over a sphere.
WA = 4p Pn ( q,f ) dW ,Where dW = Sin q d q .df
24. What is duality of antenna.?
It is defined as an antenna is a circuit device with a resistance and
temperature on the one hand and the space device on the other with
radiation patterns, beam angle ,directivity gain and aperture.
25.State Poynting theorem.
It states that the vector product of electric field intensity vector E and the
magnetic filed intensity vector H at any point is a measure of the rate of
energy flow per unit area at that point.The direction of power flow is
perpendicular to both the electric field and magnetic field components.
26.What is point source?
It is the waves originate at a fictitious volumeless emitter source at the
center O of the observation circle.
27.What is meant by array.?

An antenna is a system of similar antennas oriented similarly to get

greater directivity in a desired direction.
28.What is meant by uniform linear array.?
An array is linear when the elements of the array are spaced equally
along the straight line. If the elements are fed with currents of equal
magnitude and having a uniform progressive phase shift along the line,
then it is called uniform linear array .
29.What are the types of array.?
a. Broad side array.
b. End fire array
c. Collinear array.
d. Parasitic array.
30.What is Broad side array.?
Broad side array is defined as an arrangement in which the principal
direction of radiation is perpendicular to the array axis and also the plane
containing the array element
31.Define End fire array.?
End fire array is defined as an arrangement in which the principal
direction of radiation is coincides with the array axis.
32. What is collinear array.?
In this array the antenna elements are arranged coaxially by mounting
the elements end to end in straight line or stacking them one over the
other with radiation pattern circular symmetry. Eg. Omnidirectional
antenna.
33. What is Parasitic array.?
In this array the elements are fed parasitically to reduce the problem of
feed line. The power is given to one element from that other elements
get by electro magnetic coupling. Eg. Yagi uda antenna.
36. Define beam width of major lobe?
It is defined the angle between the first nulls (or) it is defined as twice
the angle between the first null and the major lobe maximum direction.
39.What is the need for the Binomial array.?
The need for a binomial array is
i). In uniform linear array as the array length is increased to increase the
directivity, the secondary lobes also occurs.

ii) For certain applications, it is highly desirable that secondary lobes

should be eliminated completely or reduced to minimum desirable level
compared to main lobes.
40. Define power pattern.?
Graphical representation of the radial component of the pointing vector
Sr at a constant radius as a function of angle is called power density
pattern or power pattern.
41. What is meant by similar Point sources.?
Whenever the variation of the amplitude and the phase of the field with
respect to the absolute angle for any two sources are same then they are
called similar point sources. The maximum amplitudes of the individual
sources may be unequal.
42. What is meant by identical Point sources.?
Similar point sources with equal maximum amplitudes are called
identical point sources.
43. What is the principle of the pattern multiplication?
The total field pattern of an array of non isotropic but similar sources is
the product of the
i) individual source pattern and
ii) The array pattern of isotropic point sources each located at the phase
center of the individual source having the same amplitude and phase.
While the total phase pattern is the sum of the phase patterns of the
individual source pattern and array pattern.0
44.What is the advantage of pattern multiplication? ._
Useful tool in designing antenna ._It approximates the pattern of a
complicated array without making lengthy computations
45.What is tapering of arrays?
Tapering of array is a technique used for reduction of unwanted side
lobes .The amplitude of currents in the linear array source is nonuniform; hence the central source radiates more energy than the ends.
Tapering is done from center to end.
46.What is a binomial array?
It is an array in which the amplitudes of the antenna elements in the
array are arranged according to the coefficients of the binomial series.
47.What are the advantages of binomial array?

Advantage: ._No minor lobes

Disadvantages: ._Increased beam width ._Maintaining the large ratio of
current amplitude in large arrays is difficult
48.What is the difference between isotropic and nonisotropic
source ._
Isotropic source radiates energy in all directions but non-isotropic source
radiates energy only in some desired directions. ._Isotropic source is not
physically realizable but non-isotropic source is physically realizable.
49.Define Side Lobe Ratio
Side Lobe Ratio is defined as the ratio of power density in the principal
or main lobe to the power density of the longest minor lobe.
50. List the arrays used for array tapering .
_Binomial Array:Tapering follows the
coefficient of binomial series
._Dolph Tchebycheff Array: Tapering follows
the coefficient of Tchebycheff polynomial
51.What is a Short Dipole?
Ans: A short dipole is one in which the field is oscillating because of the
oscillating voltage and current.It is called so, because the length of the
dipole is short and the current is almost constant throughtout the entire
length of the dipole.It is also called as Hertzian Dipole which is a
hypothetical antenna and is defined as a short isolated conductor
carrying uniform alternating current.
52.How radiations are created from a short Dipole?
Ans:The dipole has two equal charges of opposite sign oscillating up and
down in a harmonic motion.The charges will move towards each other
and electric filed lines were created.When the charges meet at the
midpoint, the field lines cut each other and new field are created.This
process is spontaneous and so more fields are created around the
antenna.This is how radiations are obtained from a short dipole.(See
Figure from John. D .Kraus Book)
53.Why a short dipole is also called an elemental dipole?
A short dipole that does have a uniform current will be known as the
elemental dipole.Such a dipole will generally be considerably shorter
than the

tenth wave length maximum specified for a short dipole.Elemental

dipole is also called as elementary dipole,elementary doublet and
hertzian dipole.
54.What is a Infinitesimal Dipole?
When the length of the short dipole is vanishingly small,then such a
dipole is called a infinitesimal dipole.If dl be the infinitesimally small
length and I be the current,then Idl is called as the current element.
55.Why a short dipole is called a oscillating dipole?
A short dipole is initially in neutral condition and the moment a current
starts to flow in one direction,one half of the dipole require an excess of
charge and the other a deficit because a current is a flow of electrical
charge.Then ,there will be a voltage between the two halves of the
dipole.When the current changes its direction this charge unbalance will
cause oscillations.Hence an oscillating current will result in an
oscillating voltage.Since,in such dipole,electric charge oscillates ,it may
be called as Oscilllating electric dipole.
56.What do you understand by retarded current?
Since,the short electric dipole is so short,the current which is flowing
through the dipole is assumed to be constant throughtout its length.The
effect of this current is not felt instantaneous at a distance point only
after an interval equal to the time required for the wave to propagate
over the distance r is called the retardation time.
57.Define induction field
The induction field will predominate at points close to the current
element ,where the distance from the centre of the dipole to the
particular point is less.This field is more effective in the vicinity of the
current element only.It represents the energy stored in the magnetic field
surrounding the current element or conductor.This field is also known as
near field.
58.Define Radiation field
The radiation field will be produced at a larger distance from the the
current element ,where the distance from the centre of the dipole to the
particular point is very large.It is also called as distant field or far field.
59.At what distance from the dipole is the induction field
equal to the radiation field?

As the distance from the current element or the short dipole increases
,both induction and radiation fields emerge and start decreasing
.However,a distance reaches from the conductor at which both the
induction and radiation field becomes equal and the particular distance
depends upon the wavelength.The two fields will thus have equal
amplitude at that particular distance.
60.Define Radiation Resistance
It is defined as the fictitious resistance which when inserted in series
with the antenna will consume the same amount of power as it is
actually radiated.The antenna appears to the transmission line as a
resistive component and this is known as the radiation resistance.
62.What is a dipole antenna?
A dipole antenna may be defined as a symmetrical antenna in which the
two ends are at equal potential relative to the midpoint.
63.What is a half wave dipole?
A half wave antenna is the fundamental radio antenna of metal rod or
tubing or thin wire which has a physical length of half wavelength in
free space at the frequency of operation
65.What is the radiation resistance of a half wave dipole
The radiation resistance of a half wave dipole is given by
Rr=73 ohm
66.What is a loop antenna?
A loop antenna is a radiating coil of any convenient cross-section of one
or more turns carrying radio frequency current.it may assume any shape
(e.g. rectangular,square,triangular and hexagonal)
67.Give an expression of radiation resistance of a small loop
Radiation resistance of a small loop is given by
Rr=31,200 (A/_ 2)2
68.How to increase the radiation resistance of a loop antenna
The radiation resistance of a loop antenna can be increased by:
1. increasing the number of turns
2. inserting a ferrite core of very high permeability with loop antenna s
circumference which will rise the magnetic field intensity called ferrite
loop.
70.What are Electrically Small loop antennas?

Electrically Small loop antennas is one in which the overall length of the
loop is less than one-tenth of the wavelength. Electrically Small loop
antennas have small radiation resistances that are usually smaller than
their loop resistances.They are very poor radiators and seldom employed
for transmission in radio communication.
71.What are Electrically large loop antennas?
Electrically Large loop antennas is one in which the overall length of the
loop approaches the wavelength.
72.List out the uses of loop antenna
Various uses of loop antenna are:
._It is used as receiving antenna in portable radio and pagers
._It is used as probes for field measurements and as directional antennas
for radio wave navigation
._It is used to estimate the direction of radio wave propagation
73.What are the parameters to be considered for the design of an helical
antenna?
The parameters to be considered for the design of an helical antenna are:
1. Bandwidth
2. Gain
3. Impedance
4. Axial Ratio
74.What are the types of radiation modes of operation for an helical
antenna
The two types of radiation modes of operation possible for an helical
antenna are:
1. Normal mode of operation
2. Axial mode of operation
75.Which antenna will produce circularly polarized waves
Helical antenna radiates circularly polarized wave.
76.List the applications of helical antenna
The applications of helical antenna are:
._It became thw workhouse of space communications for
telephone,television and data,being employed both on satellites and at
ground stations

._Many satellites including weather satellites,data relay satellites all

have helical antennas
._It is on many othe probes of planets and comets,including moon and
mars,being used alone,in arrays or as feeds for parabolic reflectors,its
circular polarization and high gain and simplicity making it effective for
space application
77.Define Sky wave.
Waves that arrive at the receiver after reflection in the ionosphere is
called sky wave.
78.Define Tropospheric wave.
Waves that arrive at the receiver after reflection from the troposphere
region is called Tropospheric wave.(ie 10 Km from Earth surface).
79. Define Ground wave.
Waves propagated over other paths near the earth surface is called
ground wave propagation.
80.What are the type of Ground wave.
Ground wave classified into two types.
i. Space wave
ii. Surface wave.
81 What is meant by Space Wave.?
It is made up of direct wave and ground reflected wave. Also includes
the portion of energy received as a result of diffraction around the earth
surface and the reflection from the upper atmosphere.
82. What is meant by Surface Wave.?
Wave that is guided along the earth s surface like an EM wave is guided
by a transmission is called surface wave. Attenuation of this wave is
directly affected by the constant of earth along which it travels.
83. What is meant by fading.?
Variation of signal strength occur on line of sight paths as a result of the
atmospheric conditions and it is called .It can not be predicted properly.
84. What are the type of fading.?
Two types. i. Inverse bending.
iii. Multi path fading.
85. What is inverse and multi path fading.?
Inverse bending may transform line of sight path into an obstructed one.

Multi path fading is caused by interference between the direct and

ground reflected waves as well as interference between two are more
paths in the atmosphere.
86.What is meant by diversity reception.?
To minimize the fading and to avoid the multi path interference the
technique used are diversity reception. It is obtained by two ways.
i. Space diversity reception.
ii. Frequency diversity reception.
iii. Polarization diversity.
88 .Define frequency diversity Reception.
This method takes advantage of the fact that signals of slightly different
frequencies do not fade synchronously. This fact is utilized to minimize
fading in radio telegraph circuits.
89. Define polarization diversity reception.
It is used in normally in microwave links, and it is found that signal
transmitted over the same path in two polarizations have independent
fading patterns.in broad band dish antenna system, Polarization diversity
combined with frequency diversity reception achieve excellent
results.
90. What is meant by Faraday s rotation.?
Due to the earth s magnetic fields, the ionosheric medium becomes an
isotropic and the incident plane wave entering the ionosphere will split
into ordinary and extra ordinary waves/modes.
When these modes re-emerge from the ionosphere they recombine into a
single plane wave again. Finally the plane of polarization will usually
have changed, this phenomenon is known as Faraday s rotation.
91. What are the factors that affect the propagation of radio
waves.?
i. Curvature of earth.
ii. Earth s magnetic field.
iii. Frequency of the signal.
iv. Plane earth reflection.
92. Define gyro frequency.
Frequency whose period is equal to the period of an electron in its orbit
under the influence of the earths magnetic flux density B.

93. Define critical frequency.

For any layer , the highest frequency that will
be reflected back for vertical incidence is fcr = 91max
94. Define Magneto-Ions Splitting.
The phenomenon of splitting the wave into two different components
(ordinary and extra-ordinary) by the earths magnetic field is called
Magneto-Ions Splitting.
95.Define LUHF.
The lowest useful HF for a given distance and transmitter power is
defined as the lowest frequency that will give satisfactory reception for
that distance and power.
It depends on
i. The effective radiated power
ii. Absorption character of ionosphere for the paths between transmitter
and receiver.
iii. The required field strength which in turn depends upon the radio
noise at the receiving location and type of service
involved .
96. Define Refractive index.
It is defined as n = c / vp
Velocity of light
in vacua
n=
Phase velocity in
the medium
n=r
97Define maximum Usable Frequency.
The maximum Frequency that can be reflected back for a given distance
of transmission is called the maximum usable frequency (MUF) for that
distance.
MUF = fcr_VHF_ i
98. Define skip distance.
The distance with in which a signal of given frequency fails to be
reflected back is the skip distance for that frequency.The higher the
frequency the greater the skip distance.

99. Define Optimum frequency.?

Optimum frequency for transmitting between any two points is therefore
selected as some frequency lying between about 50 and 85 percent of the
predicted maximum usable frequency between those points.
100. Define wave velocity and Group velocity.?
wave velocity vp = c / __- (fc / f)2
Group velocity, vp vg = c2
vg = c2 / vp

16 MARK QUESTIONS
1. Write the potential function in different form.
2. Explain in detail about the aperture Concept
3.Briefly explain the radiation from a short dipole
4.Gives notes on the antenna impedances. Find the effective aperture
and Directivity of a short dipole antenna.
5.Define Polarization? Explain the different types of polarization in
detail.
6.Explain in detail the different cases of the array containing two
isotropic sources
7. What is broadside array? Derive the maxima ,null directions and also
the beamwidth of a broadside array.
8.What is End Fire array? Derive the maxima ,null directions and also
the beamwidth of a Endfire array.
9.Explain the principle of pattern multiplication with some examples.
10.Explain the different techniques used for tapering of arrays
12.Derive the expressions for the fields and power radiated from a half
wave dipole antenna.Find its radiation resistance and directivity.
13.Derive the field radiated from a small loop antenna
14.Explain in detail about the helical antenna
15.Explain the different modes of operation of helical antenna
16. Explain Ground wave Propagation. Sky wave.
17.Explain diversity reception.?
18. Explain in detail ionospheric propagation.
19. Explain a. Effect of the earth magnetic field.
b. Faraday rotation in Sky wave Propagation.
20. Derive the expression for Permitivity and conductivity of ionized
gas.?
21.Explain the concept of Reflection and refraction wavesby the
ionosphere.
22. Derive the expression for the radiated field from a short dipole.
23. Derive the expression for power radiated by a current element and its
radiation resistance.

24. Define dipole antenna. Derive the radiation field and radiation
resistance from a half wave dipole.
25. Derive the expression for radiation field and radiation resistance.
26. Write short note on i) Vector potential ii) modification potential
iii) Retarded Potential
27. i) State and Prove reciprocity theorem.
ii) With neat sketch explain the operation of Helical antenna.
28. Derive the expression for radiation resistance of small loop antenna.
29.i)What is folded dipole antenna ?
ii) Explain the term pattern multiplication.
30. Derive the expression for radiation resistance of loop antenna with
circumference equal to wavelength.
31.i) Explain the construction of Yagi antenna. Discuss the design
aspects.
ii) Specify the design consideration for a rhombic antenna.
32. Explain the geometry of a log periodic antenna. How wideband
operation is possible with this antenna. Give the design equations
33.i) Write a short note on Traveling wave antenna.
ii) Write a short note on Self and mutual impedance of antenna.
\34. Derive the expression for refractive index of ionosphere and critical
frequency.
35. Derive the expression for calculating field strength at a distance in
space wave Propagation
36. Explain in detail about ionosphere propagation.
37. Write short notes on i) Ground wave propagation ii) space wave
propagation
38. Derive the expression for Permitivity and conductivity of ionized
gas.
39. Explain the different types of Diversity technique.
40. Define and explain for ionospheric region
i) Critical frequency
ii) MUF
iii) Skip zone
iv) virtual height of a layer