Advanced Antennas

Abstract

The course focuses on antennas that are more advanced in terms of performance, complexity as well as the level of understanding required for competent design. The topics covered are grouped according to the physical principles underpinning the antennas' operation. Mature as well as up-and-coming antenna technologies are included. Measurement techniques are also presented.

Objective

Acquisition of a deeper understanding of antennas. Solid introduction to advanced antennas in terms of available technologies and their individual advantages and limitations. Ability to produce initial designs of advanced antennas. Understanding of basic and intermediate antenna measurement techniques.

Content

Review of antenna fundamentals and introduction to advanced antenna. High-gain antennas - single- and multi-beam reflectors and lenses; comparison of reflectors and lenses; feedhorns for reflectors and lenses. Frequency-independent and wideband antennas - spiral, conical and helical antennas; log-periodic antennas; thick dipoles; baluns, impedance-matching techniques; wide-flare corrugated and double-ridged horns. Microstrip antennas - multiband, wideband and reconfigurable designs; compact designs; circularly-polarized designs; reflectarrays; antennas for personal communications. Antenna arrays and aperture synthesis - beam-forming networks; low-sidelobe designs; conformal arrays; synthetic aperture; comparison of real and synthetic arrays. Electrically small antennas - physical limitations and resulting special properties; HF antennas; RFID tag antennas. Specialty antennas - ultra-wideband antennas; sub-terahertz antennas; dielectric resonator antennas. Antenna measurement techniques - polarization, input-impedance, directivity and gain measurement; far-field radiation pattern measurement in anechoic chambers, outdoor ranges and compact ranges; near-field measurements; large-antenna measurement and compensation techniques.

Resources