Introduction to Antennas and RF Propagation Analysis

✍ Scribed by Dean James Friesen

• Publisher: Artech House
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 334
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This practical text gives engineers and technicians at all levels an easy-to-follow entry point into the subject of RF/EM wave propagation and antennas. While aimed primarily at those who are entering the field or transitioning from a related field, the book also helps experienced professionals obtain a more refined understanding of the various methodologies and processes in this area. The book covers the essentials, practices, technical details, and considerations needed to help a team of engineers design, install, and/or predict the technical performance of a new (or even existing) one-way, two-antenna (long radiating distance) RF communication system. The chapters are organized logically to walk you step by step through the application processes, showing you proven methods to bring about top performance, while also helping you factor in unanticipated variances, including those caused by the earth itself, earth’s gaseous atmosphere, rain, snow, hail, ice, ionospheric signal attenuation, and EM waves. This kind of understanding and consideration saves time, money, and much frustration in a project. With this book in hand, you will better understand RF/EM wave propagation and the technical vernacular used to describe it; become familiar with the various processes and considerations in analyzing, designing, and predicting the performance of new and existing antenna RF communications systems; and more confidently approach problem solving and possible solutions for reducing signal interference and loss. The chapter contents, while not sparing the reader exposure to radiated RF system design and analysis terminology, are written in a relaxed, conversational tone and easy-to-understand manner, making this a perfect learning tool for those entering or transitioning to this field, as well as an excellent supplement or foundational text for an instructional course. The book’s logically organized and easy-to-access chapter structure also facilitates its use as a bench reference for quick lookup or review.

✦ Table of Contents

Introduction toAntennas andRF Propagation Analysis
Contents
Preface
Part I: RF/EM Wave Propagation Fundamentals
1
Introduction
One-Way RF Transmission-Reception
In-Field Application Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Scenarios
References
2
Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves
2.1 Wave Velocity
2.2 Frequency and Wavelength
2.3 Space-Time Relationships
2.4 Far-Field vs Near-Field
2.4.1 Reactive Near-Field Region vs Radiating Near-Field Region
2.5 Polarization
2.6 Rays and Wavefronts
References
3
One-Way RF Propagation: The Friis Equation and Free-Space Loss
3.1 The Friis Equation
3.1.1 The Four Basic Friis Equation Components
3.2 Free Space Loss and the Friis Equation
3.2.1 Implications of the Contributions of the Friis Equation Factors to
the Expected Received Power at the Terminals of a Receive Antenna
References
Part II:
Additional RF Signal Losses and Causes
4
Multipath Loss
4.1 Pattern Propagation Factor, F
4.1.1 Flat-Earth Model
4.1.2 Round-Curved Earth Model
4.2 Spherical-Earth Surface Irregularity(s)
4.2.1 Flat-Earth vs Round-Curved Earth Model for
Long-Range EM Wave Propagation Situation
4.2.2 Loss Factor Form
4.2.3 Earth Ground Indirect Ray Earth Ground
Reflection Point: Specular vs Diffuse Reflection
References
5
Fresnel Zone Loss
5.1 Initial Introduction
5.2 Physics of Fresnel Zones
5.3 The Equation for Determining the First Fresnel Zone
5.4 First Fresnel Zone Penetration Categories
References
6
Antenna Feedline Losses and Antenna Polarization Loss
6.1 Antenna Feedline Loss
6.2 Antenna Feedline, Transmission Line, Transmit Side
6.3 Antenna Feedline, Transmission Line, Receive Side
6.4 In-Line RF Components
6.5 Antenna Polarization Loss
6.5.1 Linear Antenna Orientation
6.5.2 Circularly Polarized Antennas: Left-
Hand Circular and Right-Hand Circula
6.5.3 A Circularly Polarized and Linear Antenna Installation That is Not Recommended
6.5.4 A Special Case Encountered Between 2012–2020
Reference
7
Other Radiated RF Losses to Consider
7.1 EM Wave Rotation (Polarization) Loss
7.2 Atmosperic Loss: Water Vapor and Oxygen Molecules
7.3 Attenuation by Rain, Snow, Ice, or Fog
7.3.1 Falling Rain
7.3.2 Clouds and Fog
7.3.3 Ice Crystals
7.3.4 Falling Snow and Hail
7.4 Ionospheric Refraction (D-Layer) Loss
7.4.1 History
7.4.2 The Ionosphere and Its Effect
7.5 Signal Losses Totaled
7.6 Final Expanded Friis Equation
References
Part III:
Antennas
8
Antenna Groupings and Antenna Parameters
8.1 Antenna Grouping by Physical Construction
8.2 Antenna Grouping by Electrical Size (in Wavelengths) and Directivity (Gain)
8.3 Antenna Parameters
8.3.1 Antenna Pattern: E-field, H-field, and Power
8.3.2 Input Impedance
8.3.3 Antenna Directivity, Efficiency, and Gain
8.3.4 Effective Area and Effective Height
8.3.5 Polarization
8.3.6 Antenna Noise Temperature
8.3.7 Power Handling
References
9
Isotropic (Point-Source) Antenna
Reference
10
Wire Antennas
10.1 The Short Wire Antenna
10.2 The Dipole Antenna
10.3 The Monopole Antenna
10.4 The Circular Loop Antenna
10.5 Biconical Antenna
References
11
Aperture Antennas
11.1 Elemental Area
11.1.1 Far Field
11.2 Rectangular Aperture
11.3 Circular Aperture
Reference
12
Slot Antennas
12.1 Short Slot
12.2 Long (Infinitely) Slot
12.3 Thin Slot
12.3.1 Half-Wavelength Thin Slot
12.4 Cavity-Backed Slot Antenna
12.5 Annular Slot
12.6 Open-Ended Waveguide
12.6.1 Open-Ended Rectangular Waveguide
12.6.2 Open-Ended Circular Waveguide
Reference
13
Horn Antennas
13.1 Pyramidal Waveguide Horn
13.1.1 Rectangular Horn Antenna Design Considerations
13.2 Circular Waveguide Horns
References
14
Array Antennas
14.1 Linear Array
14.1.1 Broadside Array
14.1.2 Two-­Element Uniform Array
14.1.3 End-­Fire Array
14.2 Planar Array
14.3 Phased Array Design Comments
References
15
Reflector Antennas
15.1 Plane Reflector Antenna
15.2 Corner Reflector Antenna
15.2.1 90° Corner Reflector (n = 2)
15.3 Parabolic Reflector Antenna
15.3.1 Directivity
15.4 Cylindrical Reflector Antenna
Reference
16
Yagi-­Uda Antennas
16.1 Steps in Yagi Antenna Design
16.2 Analysis of a Physically Existing Yagi-­Uda Antenna
16.3 Power Pattern Evaluation of Yagi Antenna Design, New or Existing
Reference
17
Broadband Antennas
17.1 Helix Antenna
17.1.1 Electrically Small-­Diameter Helix Antenna
17.1.2 Helix Antenna, One Wavelength Circumference
17.2 Plane Spiral Antenna
17.2.1 Archimedean Spiral
17.3 Conical Spiral Antenna
17.4 Logarithmic Periodic Antenna
References
Part IV:
Noise and SNR
18
18
Receiver Noise, Received Noise, and Signal-­to-­Noise Ratio
18.1 Receiver-­internal Radio Noise
18.2 Externally Sourced Noise
18.3 Signal-­to-­Noise Ratio
18.3.1 Commercial ADF Navigation Receives
18.3.2 Commercial VOR Navigation Receiver Systems
18.3.3 Very High-­Frequency Radio Systems
18.3.4 High-­Frequency Radio Systems
18.4 Conclusion
References
Appendix A:
List of Symbols
Appendix B:
Scientific Prefixes and Scientific Constants
Scientific Prefixes
Scientific Constants
Appendix C:
Polarization Matching Matrix
Appendix D:
Conversion of Linear Values of Antenna Gain, Power, and Voltage to Decibel (dB) Versions and Vice Versa
Appendix E:
Electromagnetic Spectrum and Frequency Band Designations
Appendix F:
Transmission Line Equations, General Line Expressions, and Ideal Line Expressions
Appendix G:
Maxwell’s Equations
Bibliography
About the Author
Index