Introduction to Antennas and RF Propagation Analysis

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 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