HELICAL ANTENNA

AIM:

To design and study the characteristics of Helical antenna.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

 Metal sheet
 Scissors
 Coaxial feed
 Scale
 Marker
 Walkie-talkie
 Soldering kit

THEORY:

First Helical antenna was introduced by an American physicist “John Daniel kraus”.
An antenna which uses helical radiating element is known as helical antenna. It is used at VHF
and UHF frequencies where circular polarization is desired .

The parameters of helix antenna is defined is

 D - Diameter of a turn on the helix antenna.

 C - Circumference of a turn on the helix antenna .
 S - Vertical separation between turns for helical antenna.
 - pitch angle, which controls how far the helix antenna
 grows in the z-direction per turn.
 N - Number of turns on the helix antenna.

Figure :Helical antenna

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.
 H - Total height of helix antenna.
 L-Length of the dipole to the first helix

A Helical antenna is an antennaconsisting of one or more conducting wires (monofilar,

bifilar or quadrifilar with1, 2, or 4 wires respectively) wound in theform of a helix. In
most cases, directionalhelical antennas are mounted over aground plane, while
omnidirectionaldesigns may not be. The feed line isconnected between the bottom of
thehelix and the ground plane. Helicalantennas can operate in one of twoprincipal modes
- normal mode or axialmode.

It can be operated in two modes

 Normal mode radiation or perpendicular mode Helical antenna
 Axial mode or end-fire or beam mode Helical antenna
Normal mode or broad side helical antenna:

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In the normal mode or broadside helicalantenna, the diameter and the pitch ofthe aerial are small
compared with thewavelength. The antenna acts similarly toan electrically short dipole or
monopole ,equivalent to a 1/4 wave vertical and the radiation pattern, similar to theseantennas is
omnidirectional, withmaximum radiation at right angles to thehelix axis. For monofilar designs
the radiation linearly is polarized parallel tothe helix axis. These are used forcompact antennas
for portable hand heldas well as mobile vehicle mount two-wayradios, and in larger scale for
UHF television broadcasting antennas. In bifilar or quadric filar implementations ,broadside
circularly polarized radiation can be realized.

Figure: Normal mode radiation or perpendicular mode Helical antenna

Axial mode or end-fire Helical antenna :
In the axial mode or end-fire Helical antenna, the diameter and pitch of thehelix are comparable
to a wavelength. The antenna functions as a directionalantenna radiating a beam off the ends of
the helix, along the antenna's axis. It radiates circularly polarized radio waves .These are used for
satellite communication. Axial mode operationwas discovered by physicist John D.Kraus[1].

Figure: Axial mode or end-fire Helical antenna

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FORMULAS:
PRACTICAL FORMULAS:
Circumference c=pi*D (cm)
Diameter D=lamda/pi (cm)
Separation distance s=c/4 (cm)
Length of dipole up to first Helix A=s/2 (cm)
THEORETICAL FORMULAS:
Circumference c=pi*D (cm)
Diameter D=lamda/pi (cm)
pitch angle (Degree)
Gain G=

CALCULATION:

We considered ,

Frequency f=1.6GHz
Lamda=C/f (cm)
C=3*1010 cm
Lamda=18.75cm
We considered D=2cm
c =pi*D
=3.14*2
c=6.28cm
s =c/4
=6.28/4
s=1.57cm
A=0.75cm Figure: Model of helical antenna

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PROCEDURE:

1.construct the helical structure as per the calculations.

2.Thencut the reflector ground plane.

3.Now join the helical structure with reflector ground plane by using soldering.

4.finally test the helical antenna with the help of walkie-talkie by changing the range.

ADVANTAGES:

Advantages of helical antenna are

 It is simple in design
 As it uses circular polarized pattern, it is acceptable by both horizontal and
vertical polarized antenna types.
 It can be used for broadband applications due to wider bandwidth .
 It can be used at HF/VHF frequencies for transmission and reception.
 It offers higher directivity.
 It is very robust (strong) in construction.

DISADVANTAGES:

Disadvantages of helical antenna are

 It is large an size .This requires more space for installation.

 For higher number of turns its efficiency decreases. The maximum efficiency of
about 80% can be achieved with the use of 3 to 4 turns.
 It is higher in cost.

APPLICATIONS:

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  This antenna is widely used in ”satellite communication”.
 Application in radio astronomy.
 Used to establish communication between moon and earth.
 It is used for transmission and reception of VHF signals through ionosphere.

Why it is used for satellite communication?

In addition to the circular polarization ,monofilar helical antennas offers the advantage of more
gain and directivity in axial direction over a wide range of frequencies which makes them suite
for application in broadband satellite communications.

Frequency range:

The frequencyrange of operation of helical antenna is around 30MHz to3GHz.This antenna

works in VHF and UHF ranges.

PRECAUTIONS:

1.Construct the helical antenna with accurate values using corresponding calculations.

2.Handle the equipment carefully mainly while dealing with the sicersand soldering kit.

CONCLUSION:

Finally we have studied about the construction and characteristics of the helical antenna.

REFERENCES:

1. Proceedings of the I.R.E., March1949, P.263

2. Kraus, J.D. Antennas 2nd Ed,MacGraw Hill, 1988
3. IEEE Std 149-1979 (R2008), "IEEEStandard Test Procedures for Antennas". Reaffirmed
December 10,2008, Approved December 15, 1977, IEEE-SA Standards Board. Approve October

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.9, 2003, American NationalStandards Institute. ISBN 0-471-08032
2doi:10.1109/IEEESTD.1979.120310 ,sec. 11.1, p. 61.
4. https://www.cv.nrao.edu/~demerson/helixgain/helix.htm.
5. Tomasi, Wayne (2004). ElectronicCommunication Systems - Fundamentals Through
Advanced.Jurong, Singapore: PearsonEducation SE Asia Ltd. ISBN 981-247-093-X.
6. Djordjević, A.R., Zajić, A.G., and Ilić,M.M., “Enhancing the gain of helicalantennas by
shaping the groundconductor”, IEEE Antennas andWireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 5,2006,
pp. 138-140.
7. Djordjević, A.R., Zajić, A.G., Ilić, M.M.,and Stueber, G.L., “Optimization of helical
antennas“, IEEE Antennas andPropagation Magazine, vol. 48, no. 6,December 2006, pp. 107-
115.

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