Introduction to Practical Antennas

by

David M. Pozar


Synopsis:
This short course will provide an introduction to the principles and design of antennas, including
important antenna characteristics and parameters, operation of basic antenna elements, and the
operation and design of many practical antennas. Use of the PCAAD software package is
integrated throughout the course, and used for a variety of antenna design problems and
demonstrations. Emphasis will be on the basic characteristics and practical design of antennas.
While theoretical aspects will not be emphasized, some theory is necessary for a meaningful
understanding of the material. The course is intended for engineers and students working with
wireless and related RF and microwave systems.

The course consists of seven chapters, each containing a discussion of new concepts, examples,
review questions, and problems. Answers to all problems are given in the Answers file.

Prerequisites:
The level of this course is intended to be similar to a senior-level electrical engineering
university course. Prerequisites therefore include undergraduate courses in electric circuit theory,
transmission lines, and electromagnetics. Familiarity with waveguides and basic microwave
networks will be helpful.
Course Outline
Introduction to Practical Antennas

1.0 Introduction to antennas
1.1 Types of antennas
1.2 Fields and power radiated by an antenna
1.3 Definitions of basic antenna parameters
1.4 Antenna polarization

2.0 Antennas in communication and radar systems
2.1 Power density radiated by an antenna
2.2 Effective area
2.3 The Friis equation
2.4 Polarization mismatch
2.5 The radar equation
2.6 Antenna measurements

3.0 Basic antenna elements
3.1 Radiated fields due to current sources
3.2 The far-field approximation
3.3 Far-fields from arbitrary current sources
3.4 The short dipole antenna
3.5 The small loop antenna
3.6 Image theory

4.0 Antenna arrays
4.1 The array factor
4.2 Linear arrays
4.3 Planar arrays
4.4 Beam scanning

5.0 Wire antennas
5.1 Dipole antennas
5.2 The Yagi-Uda array
5.3 The log periodic dipole array

6.0 Aperture antennas
6.1 Slot antennas
6.2 Open-ended waveguide
6.3 Horn antennas
6.4 Reflector antennas

7.0 Microstrip antennas
7.1 Analysis of the Microstrip Antenna
7.2 Feeding methods
7.3 Microstrip antenna arrays
References

General References on Antennas:
C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design, second edition, John Wiley and Sons,
1997.

W. L. Stutzman and G. A. Thiele, Antenna Theory and Design, John Wiley and Sons, 1981.

J. D. Kraus, Antennas, second edition, McGraw Hill, 1988.

T. A. Milligan, Modern Antenna Design, McGraw Hill, 1985.

S. Silver, ed., Microwave Antenna Theory and Design, MIT Radiation Laboratory Series, vol.
12, McGraw Hill 1949.

Antenna Handbooks:
R. C. Johnson and H. Jasik, Antenna Engineering Handbook, second edition, McGraw Hill,
1984.

Y. T. Lo and S. W. Lee, eds., Antenna Handbook, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988.

A. W. Rudge, K. Milne, A. D. Olver, P. Knight, eds., The Handbook of Antenna Design (two
volumes), Peter Peregrinus, 1982.

Books on Specific Types of Antennas:
D. M. Pozar and D. H. Schaubert, Microstrip Antennas: The Analysis and Design of Microstrip
Antennas and Arrays, IEEE Press, 1996.

J. R. James and P. S. Hall, Handbook of Microstrip Antennas (two volumes), Peter Peregrinus,
1989.

A. W. Love, ed., Reflector Antennas, IEEE Press, 1978.

A. W. Love, ed., Electromagnetic Horn Antennas, IEEE Press, 1976.

N. Amitay, V. Galindo, and C. P. Wu, Theory and Analysis of Phased Array Antennas, John
Wiley and Sons, 1972.

Prerequisite Material:
D. K. Cheng, Field and Wave Electromagnetics, Addison-Wesley, 1989.

C. G. Skitek and S. V. Marshall, Electromagnetic Concepts and Applications, Prentice-Hall,
1982.

D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering, second edition, John Wiley and Sons, 1997.

D. M. Pozar, Microwave and RF Design of Wireless Systems, John Wiley & Sons, 2001.


Useful Journals Related to Antennas:
IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
IEE Electronics Letters
Microwave Journal
RF & Microwaves Magazine

Conferences and Symposiums Related to Antennas:
International IEEE Symposium on Antennas and Propagation (US)
International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation (ISAP - Japan)