S.

Antennas and Wave Propagation (May-2013, Set-1) JNTU-Kakinada

Code No.: R31045/R10

Set-1

III B.Tech. I Semester Supplementary Examinations

May - 2013

Solutions

ANTENNAS AND WAVE PROPAGATION

( Electronics and Communication Engineering )

Time: 3 Hours

Max. Marks: 75
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
---

1.

2.

3.

(a)

Define antenna beamwidth and directivity and obtain the relation between them. (Unit-I, Topic No. 1.2)

(b)

An antenna has a radiation resistance of 63 and a lossy resistance of 6 . If the power gain is 30, calculate
the directivity and efficiency of the antenna. [8+7] (Unit-I, Topic No. 1.3)

(a)

Obtain the expression for potential fields due to sinusoidally varying sources and explain the significance of
the Lorentz guage condition. (Unit-II, Topic No. 2.3)

(b)

What is short magnetic dipole? How is it realized? [8+7] (Unit-II, Topic No. 2.3)

(a)

A linear broad-side array consists of four equal in-phase point sources with

spacing. Calculate and plot the

3

field pattern. Also find the directivity and beamwidth. (Unit-III, Topic No. 3.2)

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

(b)

Explain the principle of pattern multiplication with a relevant examples. [8+7] (Unit-III, Topic No. 3.1)

(a)

Explain the construction of V-antenna and its principle of working. (Unit-IV, Topic No. 4.2)

(b)

Discuss the design considerations for monofilar helical antenna in axial mode. [8+7] (Unit-IV, Topic No. 4.4)

(a)

What is Yagi-Uda antenna? Explain its construction and properties with special reference to the directivity,
bandwidth and impedance. (Unit-V, Topic No. 5.1)

(b)

Describe cassegrain feed mechanism for a parabolic reflector. [8+7] (Unit-V, Topic No. 5.3)

(a)

What is optimum horn? Sketch and explain its characteristics. (Unit-VI, Topic No. 6.1)

(b)

Explain the concept of zoning and specify the tolerances of zoned and unzoned non-metallic dielectric lens
antennas. [7+8] (Unit-VI, Topic No. 6.2)

(a)

Explain the characteristics of ground wave propagation. (Unit-VII, Topic No. 7.2)

(b)

List the effects of D-layer in the sky wave propagation. [8+7] (Unit-VII, Topic No. 7.3)

(a)

Write short notes on tropospheric scattering. (Unit-VIII, Topic No. 8.4)

(b)

A radio link has to be established between two earth stations placed at a distance of 25000 km between them.
If the height of the ionosphere is 200 km and its critical frequency is 5 MHz, calculate the MUF for the given
path. Also calculate the electron density in the ionosphere layer. [8+7] (Unit-VII, Topic No. 7.4)

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B.Tech. III-Year I-Sem.

S.2

Spectrum ALL-IN-ONE Journal for Engineering Students, 2013

SOLUTIONS TO MAY-2013, SET-1, QP

Q1.

(a)

Define antenna beamwidth and

directivity and obtain the relation
between them.

Where,
A Beam solid angle and is expressed as,

May-13, Set-1, Q1(a) M[8]

Answer :

A =

Antenna Beamwidth
For answer refer Unit-I, Q7(iv).

For answer refer Unit-I, Q9(iii).

In the directivity expression, the total power radiated

by an antenna is obtained as,

U (, )d

... (4)

H Half power beamwidth in H-plane (rad).

... (1)
Then,

4U (, )
2

D0 =

... (2)
=

U (, ) sin d.d

And the maximum directivity becomes as,

=

4U (, ) max

U (, ) sin d d
4

U (, ) sin d d
0 0

U (, ) max

B.Tech. III-Year I-Sem.

4
0E .0H

(b)

... (3)

Answer :

4 (180 / ) 2
0E . 0H
41253

0E . 0H

D0 =

41253
0E .0H

0 0

4
A

4
E . H

(180 / ) 2

0 0

dd

Where,

Then, the general expression for directivity of an

antenna becomes as,

n (, ) sin

E Half power beamwidth in E-plane (rad)

U (, ) sin d.d

A = E H

0 0

D0 =

0 0

In the case of antennas with single narrow major lobe

and negligible minor lobes, the beam solid angle is
approximately expressed as the multiplication of half power
beamwidths in two perpendicular planes i.e.,

D (,) =

U (, ) sin dd

0 0

Relation Between Antenna Beamwidth and Directivity

Directivity

WT =

1
U (, ) max

An antenna has a radiation resistance

of 63 and a lossy resistance of 6 .
If the power gain is 30, calculate the
directivity and efficiency of the antenna.
May-13, Set-1, Q1(b) M[7]

For answer refer Unit-I, Q21.

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S.3

Antennas and Wave Propagation (May-2013, Set-1) JNTU-Kakinada

Q2.

(a)

Obtain the expression for potential

fields due to sinusoidally varying
sources and explain the significance of
the Lorentz guage condition.
May-13, Set-1, Q2(a) M[8]

Answer :

For answer refer Nov./Dec.-12, Set-4, Q2(a).

(b)

Multiplying equation (1) with ej, we get,

ej Et = ej + ej2 + ej3 + ej4

Now, substract equation (2) from equation (1) we get,

Et ej Et = 1 ej4
Et (1 ej) = 1 ej4

What is short magnetic dipole? How is

it realized?

Et =

May-13, Set-1, Q2(b) M[7]

Answer :

For answer refer Unit-II, Q29.

Q3.

(a)

A linear broad-side array consists of four

3
spacing. Calculate and plot the field
pattern. Also find the directivity and
beamwidth.

1 e j 4
1 e j
e j 2 e j 2 e j 2

e j / 2 e j / 2 e j 2

equal in-phase point sources with

=e

For answer refer Nov./Dec.-12, Set-3, Q3(b).

= ej

Field Pattern

2 j sin 2

2 j sin 2

j 3 / 2
2

May-13, Set-1, Q3(a) M[8]

Answer :

... (2)

3
2

sin 2

sin 2

Consider a linear array of 4 isotropic point sources

with equal magnitudes, uniform spacing of

and pro3

gressive phase shift as shown in figure (1).

P Distant point

Then, |Et| =

sin 2

sin 2
2

For broadside array, = 0

Then,

dc

os

= d cos

d = /3

s
co

d = /3

os
c
d

cos
3

2
cos
3

Position of the Major Lobe

d = /3

=0

Figure (1)
Now, the total field pattern, Et at a distant point P in
the direction can be obtained by adding the field due to
4 individual sources as,
Et = 1 + ej + ej2 + ej3

... (1)

= 90 or 270
Magnitude of the Major Lobe

Where,
Total phase difference of the fields from the
adjacent sources = d cos +
Phase difference of the adjacent sources.

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2
cos = 0 cos = 0
3

lt |E | = lt
0
t

sin 2

sin

B.Tech. III-Year I-Sem.

S.4

Spectrum ALL-IN-ONE Journal for Engineering Students, 2013

90

2 cos 2

= lt
0 1 cos
2
2

120

60
41.4

138.6

2(1)
=4
1
(1)
2

Position of the Nulls

d = /3

sin 2
|Et| =
=0
sin

60

120

2 = n

270

2
2 cos N = n
3

cosN =

41.4

138.6

sin2 = 0

d = /3

Figure (2)
(b)

3n
4

Answer :

Explain the principle of pattern multiplication with a relevant examples.

May-13, Set-1, Q3(b) M[7]

For answer refer Unit-III, Q2, Q6.

3n
N = cos 1
4

Q4.

Answer :

Position of Side Lobes Maxima

sin2 = 1
2 = sin1( 1) =

(b)

(2n + 1)
2

(2n + 1)
4

Answer :

May-13, Set-1, Q4(b) M[7]

The parameters to be considered in the design of a

monofilar axial mode helical antenna are discussed below,
For remaining answer refer Unit-IV, Q21, Topic: Axial
Mode of Radiation.
Q5.

Then, the field pattern of linear broad side array

consists of four equal in-phase point sources width

Discuss the design considerations for

monofilar helical antenna in axial
mode.

For remaining answer refer Unit-IV, Q21, Topic: Features of Helical Antenna.

3(2n + 1)
s = cos 1

B.Tech. III-Year I-Sem.

May-13, Set-1, Q4(a) M[8]

The monofilar axial mode helical antenna is very

simple and one of the easiest of all antennas to design.

3( 2n + 1)
8

spacing is shown in figure below,

Explain the construction of V-antenna

and its principle of working.

For answer refer Unit-IV, Q10.

2
(2n + 1)
coss =
3
4

coss =

(a)

(a)

What is Yagi-Uda antenna? Explain its

construction and properties with
special reference to the directivity,
bandwidth and impedance.
May-13, Set-1, Q5(a) M[8]

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Antennas and Wave Propagation (May-2013, Set-1) JNTU-Kakinada

S.5

Answer :
For answer refer Unit-V, Q6.
Yagi-Uda antenna offers moderate directivity for light weight. However, the directivity can be improved by increasing
the number of directors used.
Basically, the number of directors ranges from 2 to 40. This type of antenna, offers bandwidth of order 3% which is
sufficient for television reception.
(b) Describe cassegrain feed mechanism for a parabolic reflector.
Answer :
May-13, Set-1, Q5(b) M[7]
For answer refer Unit-V, Q23.
Q6. (a) What is optimum horn? Sketch and explain its characteristics.
Answer :
May-13, Set-1, Q6(a) M[8]
For answer refer Unit-VI, Q3.
(b) Explain the concept of zoning and specify the tolerances of zoned and un zoned non-metallic
dielectric lens antennas.
Answer :
May-13, Set-1, Q6(b) M[7]
Zoning
For answer refer Unit-VI, Q11.
The term tolerance is associated with resistors, which is very difficult to manufacture with exact value approximate
valued resistors are also performing better. Hence, the concept of tolerance is used. Tolerance is indicated as a fourth colour
band on a resistor. For example, if the band is of silver colour then 10% is its tolerance.
Dielectric Lens
In these lens, path differences are caused by both thickness deviations and refractive index variations. Assume that,
if 0/32 cm is varying in both the parameters then the thickness tolerance is calculated as,

t t
1

=
d 0 32
t =

0
32( n 1)

[Where, (0/d = n)

If n = 1.5, then,
t = 0.060
For the tolerance on n,
nt =

0
32

E-plane Metal-plate Lens

Unlike dielectric lens, E-plane metal-plate lens, thickness and the spacing b between those plates affects the path
length. So calculating tolerance for both thickness and spacing by considering 0/32 cm variations. We have,
Thickness tolerance,

1
t t

=
32
0 d

t =

0
32(1 n)

t =

0.03 0
1 n

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B.Tech. III-Year I-Sem.

S.6

Spectrum ALL-IN-ONE Journal for Engineering Students, 2013

Tolerance on the spacing b between plates,

b
3n
=
%
b
(1 n 2 )t
The following table gives an idea about the amount of tolerance and a type of tolerance for a particular type of an
antenna. Generally, these tolerances for the antennas are used at small wavelength for a large reflectors.
Type of Antenna

Type of Tolerance

Parabolic reflector

Surface contour

Dielectric lens + (unzoned)

Thickness

Amount of Tolerance (r.m.s)

Index of refraction
Dielectric lens + (zoned)

Thickness
Index of refraction

E-plane metal-plate lens + (unzoned)

Thickness
Plate spacing

E-plane metal-plate lens + (zoned)

Thickness
Plate spacing

0.0160
0.03 0
n 1
3
%
nt
3%
3(n 1)
%
n
0.03 0
1 n
3n
t %
1 n2
3%
3n
%
1+ n

Table: Tolerance for Lens Antenna for Zoned and Unzoned

In the above table, n represents - refractive index, t-lens thickness, t lens thickness in free-space wavelengths.
Q7. (a) Explain the characteristics of ground wave propagation.
Answer :
May-13, Set-1, Q7(a) M[8]
For answer refer Unit-VII, Q8.
(b) List the effects of D-layer in the sky wave propagation.
Answer :
May-13, Set-1, Q7(b) M[7]
For answer refer Unit-VII, Q12.
Q8. (a) Write short notes on tropospheric scattering.
Answer :
May-13, Set-1, Q8(a) M[8]
For answer refer Unit-VIII, Q22, Topic: Tropospheric Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves.
(b) A radio link has to be established between two earth stations placed at a distance of 25000
km between them. If the height of the ionosphere is 200 km and its critical frequency is 5
MHz, calculate the MUF for the given path. Also calculate the electron density in the ionosphere
layer.
Answer :
May-13, Set-1, Q8(b) M[7]
Given that,
The distance between two earth stations, D = 25000 km
Height of ionosphere, h = 200 km
Critical frequency, fcr = 5 MHz
MUF of the given path, fMUF = ?
Electron density in ionosphere layer, Nmax = ?

B.Tech. III-Year I-Sem.

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Antennas and Wave Propagation (May-2013, Set-1) JNTU-Kakinada

S.7

Then, the Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) of given path is,

D
fMUF = f cr 1 +
2h

25000
= 5 10 6 1 +

2 200

= 5 106 1 + 3906.25 = 312.54 MHz

f MUF = 312.54 MHz

And the refractive index of the medium is given by,
= 1

81N
f2

But, at critical frequency, = 0

0 = 1

Nmax =

81N max
f cr2

(5 106 ) 2
f cr2
=
81
81

= 3.086 1011 m3

N max = 3.086 1011 m 3

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B.Tech. III-Year I-Sem.