Calculating Reflection and VSWR

in Antennas

Dr. Farahmand
Updated: 10/20/14
 Radiation

Antenna Pradiated

o  How much RF energy the antenna Power

Forward
ZL
can radiate or emit?
n  This is due to its radiation resistance
(Rr) (resistive characteristic of the Power
Reflected

antenna – imaginary part: jX)

n  The ohmic resistance (Ro)of the
antenna acts as physical resistance,
Zo
converting energy to heat)
o  Radiate Power Pt: I2xRr Zin

RF Current
at the
feedline
 Remember
How Electromagnetic Waves Work
o  So if waves travel what happens when they hit an
object?
n  RF signal creates disturbances in the media
n  Some of the signal reflects when the standing wave hits an
object (some get observed)
o  Reflected wave (BLUE)
o  Incident wave (RED)
o  Resulting Standing wave (BLACK)

Between source and

Antenna

http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/stwaverefl.htm
 Voltage Standing Wave Radio
(VSWR)
o  Determines loss of forwarded radiation due to returned power
n  Note that the loss can be compensated by high power àDamage
the transmitter
o  VSWR results from mismatched impedance
o  To calculate the VSWR, first calculate the reflection coefficient:

o  VWSR is represented as VWSR:1;

n  e.g., 3:1 assuming reflection coefficient is 0.5 – represent how
much mismatch we have!
o  Based on VWSR we can determine the power loss
n  http://www.microwaves101.com/calculators/872-vswr-
calculator

http://www.antennex.com/preview/vswr.htm
 Voltage Standing Wave Radio
(VSWR)
o  Determines loss of forwarded radiation due to returned power
§ W hat is minimum value of COR?
o  VSWR results from mismatched impedance
o § S hort:
The CORà
loss can -1 by high power
be compensated
§  O pen: CORà 1
n  Damage the transmitter
o  To calculate the VSWR, first calculate the reflection coefficient:

o  VWSR is represented as VWSR:1; e.g., 3:1 assuming reflection

§ What is the
coefficient is 0.5 maximum value of VSWR?
o  Based on VWSR we can determine the power loss
§ n Shortà Zero
Verify these values: http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/
§ Openà Infinity
documents/VSWRreturn.pdf

http://www.antennex.com/preview/vswr.htm
 Voltage Standing Wave Radio
(VSWR)
o  Determines loss of forwarded radiation due to returned power
§ W hat is minimum value of COR?
o  VSWR results from mismatched impedance
o § S hort:
The CORà
loss can -1 by high power
be compensated
§  O pen: CORà 1
n  Damage the transmitter
o  To calculate the VSWR, first calculate the reflection coefficient:

We want COR = 0
à VSWR = 1

o  VWSR is represented as VWSR:1; e.g., 3:1 assuming reflection

§ What is the
coefficient is 0.5 maximum value of VSWR?
o  Based on VWSR we can determine the power loss
§ n |Γ|=1àInfinity
Verify these values: http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/
§ |Γ|=0à1
documents/VSWRreturn.pdf

http://www.antennex.com/preview/vswr.htm
Return Loss
o  The return loss of a load is merely the
magnitude of the reflection coefficient
expressed in decibels
Example
o  Consider VSWR of 3:1
n  Find COR
n  Find Return Loss (dB)
n  Find Mismatch Loss (dB)

http://www.microwaves101.com/calculators/872-vswr-calculator
 Examples
Bounce Diagram
Assume Vg=60V ; Rg = 100; Zo= 50; L = 1 meter; Vp=2C/3

t=0;
V1 2.5
ns 5 ns

Time Response Voltage 7.5

V(z=0.5,t)
V1.ΓL=-6.67 ns
10ns
12.5 ns
15 ns
V1.ΓL.
V1.ΓL. ΓL.
20 Γg=
Γg=0.74
-6.67/3=-
11.13+0. 20ns
20-6. 2.2
74= 25
67 13.33- 11.87
ns
0.23469
=13.3 2.2 Stables
3 =11.13

2.5 7.5 12.5 17.5 22.5 ns

ns ns ns ns
L/2
Power Reduction Due to
Reflection
 Power Budget
o  Read the handouts

http://www.zytrax.com/tech/wireless/calc.htm#fresnel
 Introduction to Power Budget –
A simple Example
o  Assume the following:
n  Transmitter is transmitting 100mW on channel 1, 802.11b
n  A, C, D connectors each have a loss of -3dB
n  Transmitter antenna has an active gain of +12dB
n  The two antennas are 124 meters away from one another
n  Ignore the attenuation of the coax cable
o  Answer the following
n  The power in Watts as Receiver Y receives.
n  Assuming the sensitivity of the receiver antenna is -5dBm, will Y
receive the transmitted information properly?

Coax
Transmitter Cable Receiver
A C D
X Y
d

Do it!
 802.11b Frequency Band
o  In the United States and Canada there are 11 channels available for
use in the 802.11b 2.4GHz WiFi Frequency range. This standard is
defined by the IEEE.

1 2.401 2.412 2.423

2 2.404 2.417 2.428
3 2.411 2.422 2.433
4 2.416 2.427 2.438
5 2.421 2.432 2.443
6 2.426 2.437 2.448
7 2.431 2.442 2.453
8 2.436 2.447 2.458
9 2.441 2.452 2.463
10 2.446 2.457 2.468
11 2.451 2.462 2.473

http://www.moonblinkwifi.com/2point4freq.cfm