The importance of Antenna propagation
What is Antenna? It is defined as a transducer that converts an electrical signal into an electromagnetic wave or vice-versa. There are various types of antennae. They are termed as a wire antenna, aperture antenna, array antenna, microstrip antenna, lens antenna, reflector antenna, etc. The wire antenna is used in various fields. They are used in buildings, ships, air-crafts, automobiles, spacecraft, etc.The microstrip antennas have a metallic patch on the grounded substrate. The reflector antenna is used in communication for great distances purposes.
In the lens antenna, incident divergent energy is collimated to prevent it from spreading in undesired directions.
Aperture antenna is widely used due to its higher frequency. It has an aperture i.e. opening with a certain geometrical shape.
In antenna propagation, the antenna array is defined as an arrangement of various radiating elements. Here, the various radiating elements are arranged in an electrical or geometrical configuration. It is very important and needed in antenna propagation.
The need for an Antenna array
Why Antenna Array?1. It is used in long-distance communication to achieve higher directivity.
2. It produces a higher gain compared to other antennas.
3. It does not need to speed up the dimension of single-element antennas.
Types of Antenna array?
The various types of antenna arrays are broadside arrays, end-fire arrays, etc. The broadside array is a type of antenna array where the maximum radiation of the antenna is produced normally to the axis of the array. Similarly, the end-fire array is a type of antenna array where maximum radiation is along the axis of the array.
Radiation pattern in Antenna
The radiation pattern is very important in the antenna. The radiation pattern is defined as a graphical or mathematical representation of average power density as a function of space coordinates. It is of various types. They are termed directional radiation patterns, isotropic radiation patterns, omnidirectional radiation patterns, etc.In an isotropic radiation pattern, the radiation is equally distributed in all directions. Similarly, in a directional radiation pattern, the antenna has more radiation is in a certain direction than in other directions. And, an omnidirectional radiation pattern, the radiation of an antenna is only in one direction.
Theorems related to Antenna propagation
There are various theorems related to antenna propagation.1. Superposition theorem- In the superposition theorem, the vector sum of the field strengths at that point due to each antenna equals the field strength at a point due to a number of transmitting antennas.
2. Maximum power transfer theorem- Here, when the impedance is equal to the conjugate impedance seen looking back to the source then the antenna transmits or absorbs the maximum power.
3. Compensation theorem- In the compensation theorem, an antenna may be replaced by a generator of zero internal impedance. Here, the generated voltage at any instant is equal to an instantaneous potential difference that occurs across the antenna.