Design of Helical Antennas for 433 MHz Radio

Telemetry Ground Station and UAV (Unmanned

Aerial Vehicle)

XXX-X-XXXX-XXXX-X/XX/$XX.00 ©20XX IEEE

 1st Eni Dwi Wardihani
2nd Syarif Hidayat 3rd Eddy Triyono
Dept. of Electrical Engineering
Dept. of Electrical Engineering Dept. of Electrical Engineering
Politeknik Negeri Semarang
Politeknik Negeri Semarang Politeknik Negeri Semarang
Semarang, Indonesia
Semarang, Indonesia Semarang, Indonesia
edwardihani@gmail.com
syarif2394@gmail.com eddytriyono@gmail.com
4th Budi Basuki Subagio
Dept. of Electrical Engineering
Politeknik Negeri Semarang
Semarang, Indonesia
budi.basuki.2010@gmail.com
 Abstract— UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is a unmanned
flying machine, uses aerodynamic force to fly and can fly
automatically or remotely controlled. UAV uses telemetry kit
for communication links between UAVs and ground stations.
Telemetry devices are used to transmit data between the UAV
and ground station. UAVs used in long-range surveilance
require optimal communication signal quality. Factory
standard antennas are only able to communicate up to a
distance of 140 m with a maximum power of 20 dBm from
telemetry transmitters. The replacement of telemetry antennas
on ground stations and UAVs is an option to resolve the
problem. On the ground station, the helix axial mode
directional antenna is made. At UAV, an antenna is made with
a material that has higher conductivity or smaller loss with a
silver material. The result of this research are helix monofilar
axial mode with a gain 8,243 dBic circular polarization to be
placed at the ground station. In the telemetry antenna UAV
with a silver material produced a gain of 3,823 dBic which is
greater than the standard telemetry antenna that equal to
3,461 dBic.
Keywords— Antenna Helix; Ground Station; Hexacopter;
Antenna Silver; UAV
I. INTRODUCTION (HEADING 1)
UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is defined as an
unmanned flying machine, using aerodynamic force to fly,
can fly automatically or remotely controlled[1]. UAVs are
usually used for military and research purposes, because
using UAVs can reduce risks and costs [2]. In long-range
surveillance, UAVs or unmanned aerial vehicle require
optimal communication signal quality. Good communication
signal quality aims to make communication between UAVs
and ground stations possible in real time [3].
UAVs use telemetry kits for communication links on
UAVs and ground stations[4]. Telemetry devices are used to
transmit data between the UAV and ground station[5]. With
this telemetry kit, data transmission can be received in real
time. This telemetry device uses an omnidirectional helix
type antenna with a Male SMA connector type [6]. The
standard antenna has a gain of 2.5 dBi [5]. maximum
transmit power is 100 mW with receive sensitivity of -117
dBm. With the telemetry specifications, the distance that can
be reached is a maximum of 140 m [7]. The distance range
of 140 m causes the area that can be monitored by the UAV
is quite small. When used in large areas such as forests, the
distance of UAV range with ground station is needed more
than 140 m with good communication signal quality and can
be done in real time.
Based on this problem the replacement of telemetry
antennas on ground stations and UAVs is an option to solve
the problem. In telemetry ground stations a directional
antenna is needed to reach a large area because directional
antennas have a large gain. With a greater gain, the power
that is transmitted is also greater so that the range is
increased. Antenna with circular polarization is also needed
for ground station antennas, because the direction of the
antenna on the UAV is always changing following the
movement of the UAV [2]. Helical antennas are circular
polarization antennas that have a large gain [8]. Helical
antennas are usually used in application space such as
weather, radio telescopes, global positioning and global
environmental satellites, ground stations for satellite
tracking or space vehicles and data relay systems. [8].
Helical axial-mode antennas have long been used in satellite
communications because of the advantages of these
antennas, large gain in axial direction with wide range
frequency [9]. On circular polarized helical axial-mode
antenna allows ground station to receive signals with
various conditions from UAV maneuvers and solve wave
propagation problems [2].
In UAVs, changes in weight and size in certain parts or
whole will affect UAV flights. Replacement of antenna
material is an option to improve the quality and gain of the
antenna. Antenna material replacement is with material that
have higher conductivity or smaller loss by minimizing the
weight and size changes significantly. With higher
conductivity, the antenna efficiency is higher [10].
II. ANTENNA HELIX
Helical antennas are a combination of two simple
radiating elements, a dipole and a loop antenna (helical
antennas with truncated). Helical antennas are antennas that
have a three-dimensional shape that radiating elements are
helix. Helix antenna have circular polarization with large
gain and quite simple to manufacture [8]. The helix antenna
can be operated in several modes, normal (broadside) and
axial modes (endfire).
In Normal Mode or omni mode, the maximum antenna
radiation field is in the normal plane to the spiral and
minimum axes along the spiral axis. To get normal mode,
the helix dimension is smaller than the wavelength [11].
In axial mode, there is only a major lobe and maximum
radiation intensity along the helix axis. Axial mode occurs
when the circumference (C) of the helix is worth more than
one wavelength at the center frequency of its working
frequency . And space between turn S ≈
. For the angle of pitch angle, α usually is between
12º<α<14º [11].
The dimensions and parameters of the helix element are
the size of each antenna part that is adjusted to the antenna
characteristics. The parameters below are used to describe
the helix antenna geometry [8].
D = diameter of helix (center to center) = C/π
C = circumference helix = πD
S = space between turn (center to center)
α = pitch angle = arctan S/πD
L = length of one turn
n = number of turn
A = axial length = nS
d = diameter helix wire
Diameter and circumference are used as parameters in
determining the working frequency of Helix, usually
expressed in the wavelength and . Axial length and
pitch angle determine the gain of Helix. The longer the axial
length, the greater the gain of the helix antenna [12].
Gain can be estimated through an approach using several
different formulas. Among them, formulated using the
following formula [13]:
(1)
In addition to using equation 1, the antenna gain value
approach can be calculated using the following equation
[14]:
(2)
Where : = Gain
= Antenna efficiency factor
The ground plane can be made in square or circle
shapes. For a ground plane with a circular shape can be
searched by the following formula :
(3)
Where : = Diameter of ground plane
The impedance value of the helix antenna terminal can
be obtained by the following equation [8]
(5)
Where : = antenna impedance
III. ANTENNA GROUND STATION
Large gain can be obtained with axial mode. In the
ground station antenna the selected mode is axial mode.
selected is 1, pitch angle α 14º, and ¼. With a center
frequency of 433 MHz, the size of the antenna geometry is
obtained :
D = 22,05 cm
C = 69,284 cm
S = 17,321
L = 71,41
The number of turn is 4.5. With a number of turn of 4.5,
the gain based on formula 2 is 11.299 dB. The chosen
ground plane shape is a circle, then with formula 3, the size
is 51.963 cm.
The helix antenna impedance value based on formula 5
is 150 Ω. The transmission line used is 50 Ω. With a
considerable difference, matching impedance is needed.
Impedance matching between antenna and channel can be
done by adjusting the last helix wire to the ground plane to
be flattened or tapered gradually [8]. In addition to
flattening or sharpening, impedance adjustments can also be
made by soldering thin metal plates on the helix wire
between the feeding point and the beginning of the helix.
The impedance approach to 50 Ω can be done by adjusting
the distance between the ground plane and the plate [15].
Improvement VSWR by adjusting the distance between
the ground plane and the beginning of the plate or helix wire
as in Figure 1. Another way is to give additional plates to ¼
last turn of helix as in Figure 2.
Figure 1. adjusment space between ground plane and helix wire
Figure 2. Plate addition on ¼ last turn helix wire
Figure 3. Final result of the helix antenna for GS
IV. ANTENNA UAV
Antennas are usually made using conductor material,
low-loss dielectric material or a combination of both.
Material selection and construction strength form an
important part of ensuring the manufacture of antennas [10].
In principle, all conductor materials can be used as antennas,
but antenna efficiency is closely related to material
conductivity. The higher the conductivity of the material, the
higher the efficiency. When building antennas, it is not only
the conductivity that is noticed, but the costs incurred, the
weight, and the purpose of using the antenna also influence.
On helix antennas from standard antennas telemetry uses
copper material for radiating elements. Copper material has
good conductivity. Copper has a conductivity value 5,8 x
107 S/m and above that there is still silver that has
conductivity 6,3 x 107 S/m [10]. With conductivity below
silver, copper has bigger loss than silver.
In the transmission line from the male SMA connector to
the helix, the standard telemetry antenna uses 178 RG
coaxial cable. The 178 RG coaxial cable has a resistance of
29 dB / 100 ft at a frequency of 400 MHz. There is a coaxial
cable that has a smaller resistance than RG 178, that is RG
402. RG 402 has a resistance of 7.2 dB / 100 ft at a
frequency of 400 MHz and its diameter is not as big as other
types of coaxial cables that have small obstacles[10].
Silver material was chosen as a substitute for copper
material in the radiation element. At the transmission line,
RG 402 is chosen instead of RG 178. In the antenna
connector is selected connector 90 L male SMA because
telemetry on the UAV is placed in a horizontal position
while the antenna must be in a vertical position while RG
402 has semi-rigid character is not more flexible than RG
178. The following in Figure 4 is a helix antenna design for
telemetry on UAV. The geometry of normal mode helix for
UAV is as follows :
D = 3,5mm
C = 10,99 mm
n = 28,5
A = 21mm
 d = 0.5mm
Figure 4. Geometry of antenna UAV
Figure 5. Final result of the helix antenna for UAV
V. MEASUREMENT RESULT
The helix antenna for ground station has a pretty good
VSWR value, which is 1.05 at a frequency of 433 MHz. By
testing the frequency of 430 MHz up to 440 MHz, the
highest VSWR value is at 1.35 which is at the 440 MHz
frequency. SWR 1.35 at 440 MHz is still quite far from the
set limit which is ≤ 2. With the VSWR value indicates that
the antenna is working properly.
Obtaining a good VSWR value is obtained by adjusting
the distance between the ground plane and the starting point
of the helix wire and giving an additional plate at the
beginning of the helix rotation. Factors that greatly affect
the VSWR apart from the antenna geometry itself are ¼ the
initial rotation of the helix both the distance with the ground
plane and the width of the wire or plate at the awal initial
rotation of the helix wire.
In the ground station antenna radiation pattern, it can be
seen that the radiation pattern is directional. But in the
vertical radiation pattern, the minor lobe appears to be large
enough so that the direction is not good or less efficient.
With the presence of a minor lobe, this indicates that the
power cannot be radiated completely to mayor lobe. This
can be caused by the use of a reflector or ground plane with
a diameter of λ3/4. To minimize the minor lobe can be by
increasing the diameter size of the ground plane.
The highest gain peaks are at 350° both horizontally and
vertically. This shift can be caused by reflection of signals
from objects around when testing. Because testing like this
requires very minimal space from reflections like in the
Anechoir Chamber. With limited equipment and facilities,
testing in the room or in the ideal space cannot be done.
In the UAV radiation pattern it appears that the UAV
antenna have omni radiation. In the horizontal radiation
pattern, it appears that the radiation pattern is not perfectly
circular. There are some signal decreases at certain angles.
Whereas in the vertical radiation pattern, almost the same as
the horizontal there are some decrease in signal power in
certain angles.
With the omni radiation pattern, it is expected that
reception of signals or emission signals from antennas in
various angles can be done well. Power reduction in some
angles experienced by these antenna can be caused by poor
antenna construction. In addition to the antenna geometry, it
can also be caused by conditions when testing. Conditions
when testing ideally are minimal from unexpected signal
reflections and places around can absorb signal radiation as
well as in the anechoir chamber. Conditions when testing is
done in a field that cannot be free from unexpected signal
reflections.
The gain test for the three antennas is directly done by
comparison method. The antenna used as a comparison is
the dipole antenna λ / 2 which has a gain of 2.15 dBi. The
tested antenna has a circular polarization in accordance with
the nature of the antenna, helix type antenna. in this test the
transmitting antenna uses a linear dipole antenna. So that in
testing there is a loss because the difference in polarization
is 3 dB. Then to calculate the gain the result is added to 3
dB. so that the final unit will be dBic which means relative
to circular antennas.
In the test results the result is 8,243 dBic. While in the
calculation, the gain is 11.299 dB. When compared between
the measurement and the calculation of the results is far
enough, the calculation method in the calculation of gain is
only a method for approaching the gain value. In the
measurement, there are factors that influence the results of
the measurement of gain, which is due to the reflection of
the signal around the test place, the antenna when the test
direction is not exactly in accordance with the optimal gain
peak. In addition to the measurement factors, loss on the
antenna, loss on the transmission line can also affect the
results of the gain measurement.
For helix antenna UAV the gain test result is 3,823 dBic.
There is an increase in gain when compared to the antenna
gain standard telemetry that is equal to 3.461 dBic. With the
same antenna geometry between UAV helix antennas and
standard telemetry antennas, UAV helix antennas have
greater gain. This can be caused by the use of silver
materials which have greater conductivity and the use of
transmission lines that have a smaller loss. So the antenna
efficiency is higher due to loss due to antenna material and
the transmission line is smaller.
Figure 6. Antenna VSWR

Figure 7. Radiation pattern helix ground station
Figure 8.radiation pattern helix UAV
VI. CONCLUSION
In this project, helix antennas with monofilar axial-mode
antennas were designed and analyzed instead of ground
station telemetry antennas and helix antennas with silver
material for UAV telemetry antennas. Based on
measurement data and analysis at a frequency of 433 MHz,
the gain of the helix antenna for ground station telemetry
has a gain of 8,243 dBic with a number of rounds 4.5 with a
VSWR of 1.05. Helix antenna gain for UAV obtained gain
of 3,823 dBic greater than the standard telemetry antenna
that is 3,461 dBic with VSWR 1,2. With this increase in
gain, theoretically the signal level receive will increase so
that the range will be even further.
REFERENCES
[1] [1] P. Skorput, S. Mandzuka, and H. Vojvodic, “The Use of
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Forest Fire Monitoring,” IEEE, 2016.
[2] [2] Z. H. Firouzeh and M. Moradian, “Design and Implementation
of Ground Station Antennas for UAV Data Radio Link in UHF Band,”
IEEE, 2006.
[3] [3] M. Mahardika, E. Y. Prasetyo, and G. Nugroho, “UAV Long
Range Surveillance System Based on BiQuad Antenna for the Ground
Control Station,” IEEE, 2016.
[4] [4] M. Ramdhani, Sistem Pemantauan Wilayah Berbasis Mobile
Wireless Sensor Network untuk Early Warning System Kebakaran
Hutan. Tugas Akhir. Jurusan Teknik Elektro. Politeknik Negeri
Semarang, 2016.
[5] [5] A. P. Pradinawan, Peningkatan Coverage Mobile Wireless
Sensor Network Menggunakan Automatic Yagi Antenna Tracker.
Tugas Akhir. Jurusan Teknik Elektro. Politeknik Negeri Semarang,
2016.
[6] [6] R. Maulana, Rancang Bangun Perangkat Telemetri Radio 433
MHz Untuk Transmisi Data Figure. Tugas Akhir. Jurusan Teknik
Elektro. Universitas Sumatera Utara, 2014.
[7] [7] E. R. Juma, H. Wijanto, and U. Sunarya, “Implementasi Dan
Analisis Kinerja Sistem Automatic Tracking Control Polarisasi
Antena Penerima Frekuensi 433 MHz Berbasis GPS,” e-Proceeding
Eng., vol. 2, no. 1, 2015.
[8] [8] J. D. Kraus, R. J. Marhefka, and A. S. Khan, Antenna and Wave
Propagation, 4th ed. New Delhi: McGraw-Hill Education, 2006.
[9] [9] F. Sadeghkia, M. Mahmoodi, H. H. Meneh, and J. Ghayoomeh,
“Helical Antenna Over Different Ground Planes,” IEEE, 2014.
[10] [10] Y. Huang and K. Boyle, Antennas From Theory to Practice, 1st
ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2008.
[11] [11] C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory Analysis and Design, 4th ed.
New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
[12] [12] O. R. P. Simangunsong, Perancangan Antena Helix Secara
Simulasi Untuk Aplikasi Bluetooth. Tugas Akhir. Departemen Teknik
Elektro. Fakultas Teknik. Universitas Sumatera Utara, 2011.
[13] [13] A. S. Raharjo, A. Budi, and Y. Christiyono, “Rancang Bangun
Antena Monofilar Axial-Mode Helical Pada Band UHF TV (300-800
MHz),” UNDIP-IR, 2011.
[14] [14] L. Kumar and N. K. Reddy, “Design of helical antenna using
4NEC2,” Int. J. Eng. Res. Gen. Sci., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 1394–1398,
2015.
[15] [15] T. A. Milligan, Modern Antenna Design, 2nd ed. New Jersey:
John Wiley & Sons, 2005.