LOG-PERIODIC ANTENNA

A
DESIGN PROJECT
SUBMITTED TO
THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBJECT
TRANSMISSION MEDIA AND ANTENNA SYSTEM
BY
ALBA, NICOLE DENISE
CAMBA, ARIANNE MIKAELA
MALABAG, CAMILLE
PERALTA, FAIRYMEL
3RD TRIMESTER, 2014-2015

ABSTRACT
The basis of this project is to create an antenna that will provide a wide bandwidth for
channel reception. The type of antenna use to achieve this bandwidth is the log periodic antenna.

The materials used to create this antenna includes: boom, balun, coaxial cable, wires and
aluminum rod. The antenna is designed to provide a maximum frequency of 692 MHz and a
minimum frequency of 174 MHz with a computed gain of approximately 7.16dB. With the wide
bandwidth of the antenna, it is able to provide a good channel reception. The 12 elements of the
antenna is place accordingly to provide this desired output.

PRELIMINARY PAGE
Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the Project

1.2 Signifance of the Project

1.3 Objectives of the Project

9
2

1.4 Scope and Delimitations

1.5 Definition of Terms
2. Review of Related Literature and Studies

9
10
11

2.1 Related Literature

11

2.1.1 Antenna

11

2.1.2 Log Periodic Antennas

12

2.2 Related Studies

13

2.2.1 Impedance Characteristics of Log Periodic Antenna

13

2.2.2 Designing and Constructing Log Periodic Antennas

14

3. Design Methodology

15

3.1 Computations

15

3.2 Materials

18

4. Project Testing and Results

22

5. Conclusion and Recommendations

27

5.1 Conclusion

27

5.2. Recommendation

28

References

29

Appendices

30

Billing of Materials

30

Pictures while working

30

Curriculum Vitae

32
3

List of Figures

Figure 1 (Wireless Communication System)

11

Figure 2 (Log Periodic Calculator)

16

Figure 3 (Antenna Boom with Elements)

19

Figure 4 (Aluminium Rods)

19

Figure 5 F-type Connector

20

Figure 6 (Specifications of RG6/U Coaxial Cable)

20

Figure 7 (RG6/U Coaxial Cable)

21

Figure 8 (Balun)

21

Figure 9 (Channel 2)

22

Figure 10 (Channe 7)

23

Figure 11 (Channel 13)

24

Figure 12 (Channel 23)

25

Figure 13 (Channel 37)

26

List of Tables

Table 1 (Length and Distance of Elements)

18

Table 2 (Billing of Materials)

30

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, wireless communication is a big help in our daily lives. It helps us
communicate easily, and sends information faster. We use it in sending a message or emails,
calling someone, surfing the net, watching the news, and it can also be used for security
purposes.
Log Periodic Dipole Array Antenna is associated with wireless communication. It is a
type of antenna mainly used for broadcasting television signals. It can help us know the current
happenings in our surroundings by means of TV and radios. It is also well known for its wide
range of bandwidth. The primary advantage of this antenna is the independence of their radiation
5

resistance and radiation pattern to frequency. It is a frequency independent antenna that was first
studied by V.H. Rumsey, J. D. Dyson, R.L. Carrel, R.H. DuHamel and D. E. Isbell at the
University of Illinois in 1957. This antenna was originally studied by Victor H. Rumsey at the
University of Illinois. Rumseys work became the motive for the development of log-periodic
antennas by DuHamel which then led to the introduction of the LPDA by IsBell. Later, Carrel
analyzed the LPDA.
World War II marks a new era in wireless communications and antenna technology. The
invention of new microwave generators leads to the development of the microwave antennas
such as waveguide apertures, horns, reflectors, etc.
1

Background of the Study

A Log-Periodic Antenna is a frequency independent antenna. The lengths and spacing of the

elements of this antenna increase logarithmically from one end to the other. This antenna design
is desirable because it exhibits relatively uniform impedances, and a wide range of frequency
while having moderate gain and directivity. Despite its simplicity, the log periodic antenna
remains a subject of considerable study even today.
The Log Periodic Dipole Array (LPDA) Antenna, with linear diploes as basic elements, is
well known for its wide bandwidth and moderate gain. As far as the broadband characteristic is
concerned, this antenna evolved from the concept of frequency independent antennas whose
theoretical foundation was first studied by Rumsey.

Log-Periodic Dipole Array (LPDA) works the way one would expect. The active region or
the portion of the antenna which is actually radiating or receiving radiation efficiently shifts with
frequency. The performance of this antenna depends on the number and length of its elements
and the spacing between them. The longest element is active at the antennas lowest usable
frequency where it acts as a half wave dipole. As the frequency shifts upward, the active region
shifts forward. The upper frequency limit of the antenna is a function of the shortest elements.
This antenna covers a frequency range of 200 to 1000 MHz. It vary periodically with the
logarithm of frequency, is consists of linear dipoles as basic constituent elements. The elements
are fed from a balanced transmission line, each element being placed in an alternating
configuration that leads to 180 phase change from the adjacent elements.
Two important factors to be considered when making a LPDA are the length and spacing
between the elements. It can be used in UHF and VHF and can exhibit high forward gain, good
front-to-back ratio, low Voltage Standing Wave Ration (VSWR), relatively uniform impedances,
wide bandwidth and low cost. Because of this, it is said that LPDA is the most commonly used
antenna in broadcasting television signals.

Significance of the Project

Antennas are associated with wireless communications and this project can help people

understand further more about antennas specifically Log Periodic Antenna which remains a
subject of considerable study even today, despite of its simplicity. As Log periodic antennas are
7

widely used for broadcasting television signals in our society, this study is relevant to people
conducting study and for those people associated in the field of communications.
The log periodic antenna itself is very useful and sufficient since it can operate on a wide
frequency band and has the ability to provide directivity and gain. It has radiation and impedance
characteristics that are repeated as a logarithmic function of excitation frequency. Thats why this
kind of antenna is widely used in this present day.

Objectives of the Project

The general objective of this project is to construct and design a Log Periodic Antenna which

can able to receive a minimum of 8 channels. However, the specific objectives of this project are
as follows:

To further expand our knowledge about Log Periodic Dipole Array Antenna.

To generate an effective Log Periodic Dipole Array Antenna.

To establish an antenna with wider bandwidth range

Scopes and Delimitations

8

The following are the scopes of Log Periodic Antenna:

The operating frequency of this project is 174-692 MHz

The length of the boom is 1.5 meters.

Delimitations:

This project can operate in UHF and VHF.

This project is consists of 12 elements only.

Definition of Terms
Antenna is a metallic conductor system capable of radiating and capturing
electromagnetic energy. Antennas are used to interface transmission lines to the
atmosphere, the atmosphere to transmission lines.
Antenna Gain - describes how much power is transmitted in the direction of peak
radiation to that of an isotropic source.
Bandwidth Active Region is that portion of the antenna which is actually radiating or
receiving radiation efficiently.
9

 Bandwidth Effective the operating bandwidth which is the ratio of the maximum
frequency to the minimum frequency
Bandwidth Structural - determines the basic design parameters for the array

Log-periodic antenna - derives its name from the fact that the feedpoint impedance is a
periodic function of the operating frequency. Although log-periodic antennas take many
forms, perhaps the simplest is the dipole array.
Characteristic or surge impedance is the impedance that is a function of the
inductance, resistance, and capacitance in a transmission line.
Sigma the relative spacing constant.

Alpha - the angle of the antennas apex.

Tau the ratio of the length of one element to its next longest neighbor.

CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter shows the review of some related literature and studies about Log periodic
dipole antenna of some specialist. These related literature and studies gives some relevant and
extensive knowledge about the Log-Periodic Antennas.
10

2.1 Related Literature

2.1.1. Antenna
Antennas are basic components of any electric system and are connecting links
between the transmitter and free space or free space and the receiver. Antennas are
employed in different systems in different forms. An antenna is any device that converts
electronic signals to electromagnetic waves (and vice versa) effectively with minimum
loss of signals as shown in Figure.

The
and radiation

radiation pattern
resistance of an

antenna is the same when it transmits and when it receives, if no non-reciprocal devices
are used. The intensity of the radiation launched by the antenna is generally not the same
in all directions. This radiation pattern is the same whether the antenna is used to transmit
or receive signals. The ratio of the maximum radiation by a given antenna to the radiation

11

of a reference in the same direction is called the directivity. So, same antenna can be used
for Transmission and Reception of Electromagnetic Waves.
2.1.2 Log-Periodic Antennas
A log periodic antenna exhibits relatively uniform input impedances, VSWR, and
radiation characteristics over a wide range of frequencies. The design is so simple that in
retrospect it is remarkable that it was not invented earlier. The log periodic antenna
works as one person possibly would expect. As the frequency shifts upward, the active
region shifts forward. The longest element is responsible for the lowest frequency of the
antenna. While the upper frequency of the antenna is for the shortest element. Tau (t) and
sigma (s) are the most important factors we need to consider in the Log Periodic
Antennas: tau as the ratio of the length of one element to its next neighbor and sigma as
the spacing.
The Log Periodic antenna was designed to get a smooth response curve for the
antenna factors to minimize measurement errors. Log Periodic array Antenna is one of
the most important and commercially used antennas for T.V. reception. It is used in VHF
and UHF bands.

2.2 Related Studies

2.2.1. Impedance Characteristics of Log Periodic Antenna
12

As for B.I. Neeglar, the impedance of the Log Periodic antenna is purely
dependent on its frequency of operation. The characteristic impedance of the antenna for
the lowest frequency is increasing from the shortest element to longest element but this
might not be true for all the frequencies. The variation of the impedance of the antenna
with the frequency can be described as periodic, from the name of the antenna itself LogPeriodic. For the fixed operating frequency, the absolute value of mutual impedance is
decreasing from shortest element to longest element. The absolute value of the mutual
impedance for a fixed operating frequency depends on the length and spacing of the
elements between each other. The characteristic impedance of the log periodic antenna
and the mutual impedance for an operating frequency are data which is useful for the
optimal design of the log periodic antenna.

2.2.2 Designing and Constructing Log Periodic Dipole Antenna

According to Z. S. Hamidi, Due to principal of Log Periodic Dipole Antenna, the
length, width and spacing of the elements of a log periodic antenna increases
logarithmically and decreases smoothly, as one move away from the feed point. It is
important to have a proper method in designing and constructing an antenna in order to
fulfill a standard and accuracy measurement of log periodic dipole antenna (LPDA). A
log periodic dipole antenna consists of a system of driven elements, but not all elements
13

in the system are active on a single frequency of operation. It allows wide range of
frequency without affecting the electrical operation of the antenna because of the
different lengths of the elements and different relative spacing between each of the
elements. The logarithmic periodic antenna is directly connected via a low loss coaxial
cable to the measuring instrument. For better results of the log periodic dipole antenna,
the aspects of the materials used were considered. To reduce noise, they also strongly
recommend the installation of log periodic antenna as far as possible from radio
frequency interference sources. There is no doubt that the log periodic dipole antenna is a
best type of broadband applications so far.

CHAPTER 3
DESIGN METHODOLOGY
This chapter covers the computations needed to construct the log-periodic antenna and
the materials used.
3.1 Computations

14

The minimum and maximum frequency is set at 174MHz and 692MHz, respectively, to
get a 1353mm length of the boom with 12 elements.

15

Figure 3.1 Log Periodic Calculator

=0.833

l
(
( d )2.25)

Zo=120 ln

=0.151

Where: l = shortest element

cot =

4
1

4 ( 0.151 )
10.833

= diameter of the element

(( )

120 ln

58
2.25
1

217.25

3.62

Bandwidth (active region)

ar=1.1+7.7(1 )2 cot

1.1+ 7.7 ( 1.833 ) (3.62)

1.88

16

Bandwidth (effective)

fn
f1

Where:

s= ar

3.977 1.88

7.48

fn

= highest frequency

f1

= lowest frequency
Number of elements

692
174

N=1+

log s
1
log

()

3.977
1+

log7.48
1
log
0.833

Bandwidth (structural)
12.01 12 elements

17

Length of the first element

150
(
f )
l=
1

Where:

f1

= lowest frequency

( 150
174 )
2

0.43103 m 431.03mm

Table 3.1 Length and Distance of Elements

Element #

Length (

l n=l n1

Distance (

d n=( l 1 l n ) (cot )

l2

359.05

260.64

l3

299.09

477.84

l4

249.14

658.84

l5

207.54

810.88

l6

172.88

933.96

l7

144.00

1038.94

l8

119.96

1125.82

l9

99.93

1198.22

l 10

83.24

1259.76

l 11

69.34

1310.44

l 12

57.76

1350.26

3.2 Materials
Boom

The boom is an inevitable part of its construction. It is made of non-conducting material

(wood, fiberglass,etc.) along with some mechanical maintenance and certain other
limitations.

Figure 3.2 Antenna Boom with elements

Aluminium Rod

The driven element is directly connected to the transmission line and receives power
from, or is driven, by the source. It is a half-wave dipole.

Figure 3.3 Aluminium Rods

 F-type Connector

Primarily used for cable TV, HFC, set-top boxes, cable modems, the F coaxial connector
is a 75 connector often used in conjunction with standard RG59 and RG6 75 coaxial
cables. The connector has good performance characteristics up to about 1GHz

Figure 3.4 F-type Connector

RG6 Coaxial Cable

Figure 3.5 Specification of RG6 Coaxial Cable

Figure 3.6 RG6 Coaxial Cable

Balun

A Balun is used to "balance" unbalanced systems - i.e. those where power flows from an
unbalanced line to a balanced line (hence, balun derives from balance to unbalanced)

Figure 3.7 Balun

CHAPTER 4

PROJECT TESTING AND RESULTS

Channel 2

Figure 9.
Channel 7

Figure 10.
Channel 13

Figure 11.
Channel 23

Figure 12.
Channel 37

Figure 13.
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion
One of the major drawbacks with many RF antennas is that they have a relatively small
bandwidth. In this project, the log periodic antenna had been able to solve the problem with
regards to bandwidth. It had provided directivity and gain while being able to operate over a
wide frequency range.
The log periodic antenna can be used in a number of applications where a wide
bandwidth is required along with directivity and a modest level of gain. It is sometimes used on
the HF portion of the spectrum where operation is required on a number of frequencies to enable
communication to be maintained. It is also used at VHF and UHF for a variety of applications,
including some uses as a television antenna.
This type of RF antenna design is directional and is normally capable of operating over a
frequency range of about 4:1. It exhibits forward gain and has a significant front to back ratio. In
addition to this the radiation pattern of this RF antenna design stays broadly the same over the
whole of the operating band as do parameters like the radiation resistance and the standing wave
ratio. However it offers less gain for its size than other conventional antenna.
The log periodic antenna is a particularly useful design when modest levels of gain are
required, combined with wideband operation. With this level of performance it is ideal for many
applications. Although a log periodic antenna will be much larger than other types of antenna
that will produce equivalent gain, they are unable to operate over such a wide bandwidth.

5.2 Recommendation
Even though the designed antenna is able to perform smoothly, enhancement of the
design is still recommended. For further enhancement of the proposed design of the log periodic
antenna, the researchers recommend that the future researchers design shorter antenna length so
that it will be much easier to install and also be less expensive.

REFERENCES
Books:

Frenzel, L. Principles of Electronic Communications System.

Tomasi, W. Electronic Communications System.

Websites:

http://www.salsburg.com/Log-Periodic.pdf

http://www.ece.mcmaster.ca/faculty/nikolova/antenna_dload/current_lectures/L01_Intro.
pdf

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-080699-180221/unrestricted/ETD_LPLA.pdf

http://www.ijser.in/archives/v1i3/MDExMzExMDc=.pdf

http://glendash.com/Dash_of_EMC/Log_Periodic/Log_Periodic.htm

http://www.qrz.ru/schemes/contribute/arrl/chap10.pdf

http://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/lpda.php

http://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/guide-antenna-cables-connectors

http://www.antenna-theory.com/definitions/balun.php

APPENDICES

 Billing of Materials

Material

Quantity

Unit

Price

Element

8ft

40

Element Holder

12

Boom

Balun

RG-6/U Cable
F-Type Connector

60
8ft

10
5m

125
10

Wire

5m

Screw

1 pack

TOTAL

50

395
Table 2. Billing of Materials

Pictures while working

100

Curriculum Vitae

Name: Arianne Mikaela P. Camba

Email Address: ariannecamba18@gmail.com
Birthday: April 3 1996
Citizenship: Filipino
Gender: Female
Educational Background
Elementary: Bagumbong Elementary School
High School: Bagumbong High School

Name: Nicole Denise S. Alba

Email Address: nicssalba@gmail.com
Birthday: January 26, 1995
Citizenship: Filipino
Gender: Female
Educational Background
Elementary: St. John Fisher School

High School: St. John Fisher School

University of Nueva Caceres

Name: Camille Malabag

Email Address: miichan1004@yahoo.com
Birthday: July 9, 1993
Citizenship: Filipino
Gender: Female
Educational Background
Elementary: Diliman Preparatory School
High School: Diliman Preparatory School

Name: Fairymel Peralta

Email Address: fairymelperalta@yahoo.com
Birthday: September 7, 1996

Citizenship: Filipino
Gender: Female
Educational Background
Elementary: Bansud Central Elementary School
High School: Eastern Mindoro College