KULLIYYAH OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER

ENGINEERING

ANTENNA AND WAVE PROPAGATION

LABORATORY
(ECE 4243 L)

EXPERIMENT NO:1
DIPOLE ANTENNA

ANTENNA LAB REPORT

LAB REPORT SUBMISSION
Students are required to submit the reports within 7 days after performing the experiment. The
reports should be submitted at the lab.
REPORT FORMAT
The following format is one that should be followed by the students in all their laboratory reports:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Cover Page
Objectives
List of Components
Procedures
Theory
Results and Plotting Graph
Discussion of Result
Conclusion

Of these listed above each section included in a report should be clearly nominated with the
appropriate heading. The information to be given in each section is set out below:
1.Cover Page:
The cover page of the report should include the experiment title, the lab instructor,
the members names, the matric numbers and the date of the experiment. DO NOT
WRITE THE DATE OF SUBMISSION.
2.Objectives:
It may be verification of law, a theory or observation of particular phenomena.
Writing out the aim of experiment is important to the student as it emphasized the
purpose for which the experiment was conducted.
3.List of Components:
In this section, a record should be made of all major components that were used in
the experiment. The information is best given in tabulated form or diagram.
4.Procedures:
In this section, the students should briefly provide a description of the procedure
which was necessary obtained a set of experimental results. Students should use the
correct tenses. DO NOT EXACTLY COPY THE WORDS FROM THE LAB
MANUAL.
5.Theory:
In this section, the students should briefly provide the related theories. Obtaining
information related to the experiment from textbooks, internet or journals is
HIGHLY encouraged.

6.Results and Plotting Graph:

Results must be tabulated neatly. Wherever necessary, use the given tables in the lab
experimental manual. Students should plot using the polar graph which is provided
with the lab manual.
7.Discussion of Result:
Once the analysis of the result is completed, the students must form some deductions
on the result of their analysis.
The students should be able to express their own ideas on the experiment results and
how well they have been able to analyze the results and make deduction on the
analysis of the result.
It is very rare experiment in which the results are entirely without some discrepancy.
The student should explain what factors, in their opinions, may be the possible causes
to the discrepancies. Similarly, results of an unexpected nature should form the basis
for a discussion of their possible nature and cause. The students should not be
reluctant to give their opinions even though they may not be correct. They should
regard their discussions as an opportunity to demonstrate their reasoning ability.
8.Conclusion:
It is recommended that the conclusion should be made by clear and concise
explanations, based on the experiment results. Usually this involves deducting
whether the final results show the aim of the experiment has been achieved or not,
and if they verify some laws or theories presented to the students during the lectures.
GRADING
Grading is distributed as follows:
REPORT FORMAT SECTION
Objectives
Procedures
Theory
Results and Plotting Graph
Discussion of Result
TOTAL

POSSIBLE SCORE
1
2
2
2
3
10

The highest mark for each report is 10. However, the report marks can be deducted if any of its
formats are not satisfied.
ATTENDANCE
Students who are absent will have a zero grading unless they have reasonable excuses.

DIPOLE ANTENNAS
OBJECTIVE
To become familier with dipole antennas. To broaden our knowledgr of the assembly and
mode of operation. To experimentally investigate the influences of various antenna
lengths and capacitive loads on the directional diagram.
INTRODUCTION
The dipole is one of the oldest and simplest forms of antenna. It is used in all of the
microwave frequency ranges and on up to the long-wave range. Its radiation properties
are dependent on a ratio1/ (dipole length/wavelength). In actual practice, the antenna
length is normally between 1/3 and 5/4 and only rarely exceeds 2 . Since our
antenna experiments are carried out in the X-band, in the frequency range f = 9.40 0.05
GHz dimensions suitable for work in the laboratory. Consequently, they can be
investigated without entailing difficulties.
EQUIPMENTS
i.

1 Rotating antenna platform

737 400

ii.

1 Gunn power supply with SWR meter

737 021

iii.

1 Gunn oscillator

737 01

iv.

1 Isolator

737 06

v.

1 Pin Modulator

737 05

vi.

1 Large Horn Antenna

737 21

vii.

2 RF cable, L = 1 m

501 02

viii.

2 Supports for waveguide components

737 15

ix.

2 Stand base MF

301 21

x.

1 Set of microwave absorbers

737 390

xi.

1 Set of 10 thumb screws M4

737 399

xii.

1 Remote control for rotating antenna platform

737 401

xiii.

1 Dipole antenna kit

737 410

ATTENTION!!
Microwave Radiation
The power of the microwave generated here is only slight ( 20 mW). But in view of
normal professional working conditions with sources of higher power, we recommend
that the student be trained certain points of safety when dealing with this material.
When carrying out changes in the experiment set-up. Switch the modulation of the PINmodulator to EXT. This reduces the power of the radiated microwaves by approx. 10
dB. Nevertheless , avoid looking into the radiating aperture. If this cannot be avoided,
then there is no other alternative but to briefly switch the Gunn oscillator off. This,
however, results in corresponding temperature effects (TC approx. 0.3 MHz/K).

EXPERIMENTS PROCEDURE
1. Assemble the experiment set-up as specified in Fig.1

Fig.1

2. The dipole antenna (Cat. No. 737 410) generally serves as the object under test
without any restrictions. Connect the antenna rod (this contains the dipole and
the diode detector, see

technical description in appendix), with the holder

provided. Set the holder into the central mounting bore for the stand rods in the
rotating antenna platform so that the axis runs parallel and perpendicular to the
marked reference lines on the rotating base in accordance with Fig.2.

Fig. 2
Note :
The following generally applies : the axes of the test antenna and the rotating base
must align. This is fulfilled in antennas, which are inserted into the central mounting
bore of the rotating base. However, there is also the possibility of mounting test
antennas with the aid of stand base. If this is selected, the system must be aligned
very carefully. When the antenna is rotating, it may not carry out any eccentric
movements. Otherwise asymmetries can arise in the directional diagrams. If
necessary, turn the experiment set-up manually to test the accuracy of the assembly.
The built-in slip clutch prevents any damage from occurring to the electro-mechanical
drive.

3. Connect the plug of the antenna output cable to the BNC input socket on the
rotating base. Set the antenna to 0 position, as shown in Fig 2.
4. Switch on the Gunn power supply with SWR meter. Select a Gunn supply voltage
of UG 9.5 V.
5. Set the PIN-modulator switch to INTern and turn the rotary knob

for the

modulation amplitude to the right limit (maximum modulation amplitude).

6. Set the range switch v/dB of the SWR meter to 25 dB.
7. Switch on the rotating antenna platform.
8. Set the bias current to setting 3 using the remote control. An incoming signal
should now appear on the scale of the SWR meter.
9. No bring the rotating antenna platform slowly (SPEED on setting 2 or 3) into
motion by activating the toggle lever + on the remote control. Observe
the scale of the SWR meter. Stop the rotating base when the maximum incoming
signal in reached. Calibrate the GAIN ZERO display of the SWR meter to 0
dB. Here you can expect a voltage of approx. 7 V at the amplifier output
AMP.OUT.
Note :
When the maximum incoming signal is reached, we find ourselves in the main
radiation direction of the major lobe of an antenna, or in the case of several desired
radiating receiving directions in the maximummaximorum of the antenna.
10. Now try to turn the rotating base of the platform in the desired direction by
activating to toggle lever + on the remote control. (SPEED set to
setting 1). The angular position of the antenna fastened to the rotating platform is
indicated on the display of the remote control. Observe the power scale of the
SWR meter for a possible correction of the gain setting.
11. Now carry out an additional test to see whether the bias current setting at setting
3 provides us with the highest sensitivity of the antenna detector. Try to find a
more optimal setting in order to measure with. It may be necessary to calibrate
the SWR meter display to 0 dB again.

12. Now position the test antenna in a desired angular position, e.g. + 10 by
activating the toggle lever + . Measure the incoming signal of the test
antenna. The magnitude of the incoming signal can be read directly on the SWR
meter. There is a logarithmic scale in dB and also a linear scale in % available.
Enter the measured value into the Table 1 or directly as a measured point in
Cartesian coordinates in the sheet prepared for the directional diagram.
13. Repeat point 12 in the angular range 180, in settings of 10 each.
14. Draw a line through the measured points in order to obtain a complete directional
diagram for the test antenna.
15. Determine the 3 dB width of the lobes of the dipole.

Note :
Alternatively a polar diagram can also be used for the graphic evaluation of the
measurement data, instead of the Cartesian directional diagram. Here, any eventual
asymmetry in the two directional lobes of the real dipole might be more visible. You
also have the possibility to use linear or logarithmic representation.

Table 1 : Directional Diagram

Type of test antenna :
Type of source antenna
Distance between source
and test antenna
Detector bias current
WR meter range
Angle
[]

:
:
:
:

ro =
Setting

Polarisation
Polarisation

:
:

A)
Frequency

cm
(
dB

SWR meter
Level [dB]

Angle
[]

-10

10

-20

20

-30

30

-40

40

-50

50

-60

60

-70

70

-80

80

-90

90

-100

100

-110

110

-120

120

-130

130

-140

140

-150

150

-160

160

-170

170

-180

180

GHz
SWR meter
Level[dB]

10

11

12

13

14