Antenna Operation

Antenna Operation
An antenna acts as the interface between a transmitter or

receiver and free space.
Its either radiates or senses an electromagnetic field.
The Nature of an Antenna.

 If a parallel-wire transmission line is left open, the electric and
magnetic fields escape from the end of the line and radiate into
space [Fig. 14-5(a)]. This radiation, however, is inefficient and
unsuitable for reliable transmission or reception.
 The radiation from a transmission line can be greatly improved by
bending the transmission line conductors so that they are at a
right angle to the transmission line, as shown in figure shown in
Fig. 14-5(b)
Joy L. Balondo
Figure 14-5.
Converting a transmission line into an antenna. (a) An open transmission line
radiates a little. (b) Bending the open transmission line at right angles creates an efficient
radiation pattern.
In Fig. 14-5, the antenna is connected to the transmitter by

the transmission line that was used to form the antenna.
The electric field spreads out from conductor to conductor (Fig. 14-6). The result is an
antenna. Optimum radiation occurs if the segment of transmission wire converted to an
antenna is one-quarter wavelength long at the operating frequency. This makes an antenna
that is one-half wavelength long.
This figure shows how to analyze an antenna as if the conductors were connected directly to
the generator or transmitter.
• Fig. 14-7(a) shows the magnetic field for one polarity of the
generator.
• Fig. 14-7(b) shows the accompanying electric field.
• Fig. 14-7(c) and (d) shows the magnetic and electric fields,
respectively, for the opposite polarity of the generator.
 The magnetic fields vary in accordance with the applied signal from the
generator, which is usually a modulated sine wave carrier.
 The sinusoidal electric field changing over time is similar to a current that
causes the generation of the sinusoidal magnetic field. A sinusoidally varying
magnetic field produces an electric field. Thus the two fields support and
sustain each other.
The ratio of the electric field strength of a radiated wave to the magnetic field
strength is a constant. It is called the impedance of space, or the wave
impedance, and is 377 ohms.
The resulting fields are radiated into space at the speed of light (3x10^8 m/s or
186,400 mi/s)
 The antenna that is radiating electromagnetic energy appears to the
generator as an ideally resistive electrical load so that the applied
power is consumed as radiated energy.
 To the resistive component, an antenna can have a reactive

component. The resistive component is called the antenna radiation
resistance. This resistance does not dissipate power in the form of
heat, as in electronic circuits. Instead, the power is dissipated as
radiated electromagnetic energy
 The Electromagnetic Field. The electric and magnetic fields produced by the
antenna are at right angles to each other, and both are perpendicular to the
direction of propagation of the wave.
Note:
The amplitude and direction of the magnetic and electric fields vary in a
sinusoidal manner depending upon the frequency of the signal being radiated.
Near Field and Far Field
 The near field describes the region directly around the antenna where the
electric and magnetic field are distinct. The near field is also referred to as
the Fresnel zone.
 The near field is rarely used, but applications such as radio-frequency
identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC).
 The far field that is approximately 10 wavelengths from the antenna is the
radio wave with the composite electric and magnetic fields. The far field is
also called the Fraunhofer zone.
 Far field wave most commonly used for wireless applications
Example:
at 2.4 GHz, one wavelength is 984/2400=0.41 feet. The far field is 10
times that, or 4.1 ft or beyond.
Inside that 4.1 ft lies the near field. The combined fields actually
detach themselves from the antenna and radiate into space.
POLARIZATION
Polarization-refers to the orientation of magnetic and electric fields
with respect to the earth.
 If an electric field is parallel to the earth, the electromagnetic wave is
said to be horizontally polarized.

 if the electric field is perpendicular to the earth, the wave is vertically
polarized.
 Antennas that are horizontal to the earth produce horizontal
polarization, and antennas that are vertical to the earth produce

vertical polarization.
Some antennas produce circular polarization, in which the electric and

magnetic fields rotate as they leave the antenna.
There can be right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and left-hand
circular polarization (LHCP); the type depends on the direction of
rotation as the signal leaves the antenna.
RHCP gives a clockwise rotation to the electric field and LHCP gives a
counterclockwise rotation.

Antenna Operation

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Antenna Operation

An antenna acts as the interface between a transmitter or

The Nature of an Antenna.

In Fig. 14-5, the antenna is connected to the transmitter by

 To the resistive component, an antenna can have a reactive

identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC).

said to be horizontally polarized.

polarization, and antennas that are vertical to the earth produce

Some antennas produce circular polarization, in which the electric and

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