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Editors introduction
This issues Antenna Designers Notebook contribution is In a second paper, I have included part of a report that I
thanks to Rene Meys and Frederic Janssens. They have not onlly wrote to discuss a method of measuring multiple-arm spiral anten-
devised a method of measuring balanced antennas, but remind us nas. The two methods have similarities. Thanks, again, to Dr.
what it means to have a balanced feed. To use a standard network Meys, for reviewing this report, and making suggestions to
analyzer with its unbalanced port, they discuss balanced feedin,g, improve the presentation.
and show us a method of measuring it, including how to construct
calibration standards.
1. Abstract
The input impedance of a balanced antenna is conventionally There is, however, a more subtle effect that cannot be cah-
measured by using a balun that forces opposite currents in each brated out: if the currents in both parts of the antenna are not
part of the radiator. In this paper, balanced antennas are viewed as exactly the same (due to stray capacitance, for example), the
two-ports, the S parameters of which are determined by standand antenna will not radiate, and its impedance will not be as expected.
network-analyzer techniques. Simple formulas then lead to the dif- In other words the accuracy of the results still relies, to some
ferential input impedance. The method is illustrated by measure:- extent, on how ideal the balun is, even if an impedance calibration
ments on a dipole antenna, which are compared to the results for is performed. This may be a problem, especially when trying to
monopoles over a ground plane. measure the antenna impedance over wide frequency bands.
62 IEEE ALrtennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 40, No. 6,December 1998
t
I
r) A -c 1
A'
A'
%
A
a A'
t t
Figure 1. Asymmetrical test ports improperly drive symmetri-
P P
cal antennas.
Figure 4. The definition of the ports l j and p2 of the antenna
two-port.
where
zi= Zll
= 222, 2, = 221 = 212.
Figure 2. Using a transformer to drive a symmetrical antenna. where R,, is the reference impedance.
5. Example of results
Figure 6. The experimental setup. Larger differences appear between the resistance curves
above the parallel resonance. However, it should be noted that:
2 and it does not seem that the cable losses were taken into account.
6. Practical hint
64 IEEE AIJtennaS and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 40, No. 6,December 1998
3. R. C. Johnson and H. Jasik, Antenna Engineering Handbook,
, Second Edition, New York, McGraw-Hill, 1984, pp. 4-7,443.
Parameters of a Multiple-Arm
100 500 900
meqysncy lW1.z)
1300 1700
Spiral Antenna from Single-Arm
Figure Sa. The antenna resistance as a function of frequency Measurements
(curve 1). Curve 2 is the impedance of an equivalent monopole
antenna, 106.5 mm in length, multiplied by a factor of two,
measured when mounted over a circular ground plane 100 cm Tom Milligan
in diameter. Curve 3 was obtained by interpolating the curves Milligan & Associates, Inc.
for l / d = 30 and l/d = 50 in reference 131, and by multiplying 8204 West Polk Place
the values by two. Littleton, CO 80123
Tel: +1 (303) 977-7268
Fax: +1 (303) 977-8853
500
I E-mail: Tmilligan@compuserve.com
1. Abstract
1. J. Fitzpatrick, Error Models for Systems Measurements, This article shows how to combine measurements made on
Microwave Journal, 21, May 1978. individual arms of the spiral to find the pattems and impedance
properties, when it is operating in various modes. The analysis
2. G. D. Vendelin, A. M. Pavis, H. L. Rohde, Microwave Circuit considers the spiral antenna as an array, and uses the active pattem
Design using Linear and Nonlinear Techniques, New York, Wiley, of a single arm. We sum the pattems of the individual arms,
1990, p. 16. weighted by the mode coefficients, to find the pattem in a given
IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 40, No. 6,December 1998 65