EE 609: End-Semester Examination

Date: 18th Nov 2022 Total Marks: 40

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 Please make convenient assumptions if the question demands it. Write these assumptions clearly.
 Write appropriate units for final answers. 0.5 marks will be deducted for Improper/ no units.
 Proper explanation MUST be given with the answers to earn credits for the same.
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Q1 Short Questions (2 X 6 =12 marks)
(a) Input impedance of an antenna is 75Ω. This antenna is connected to a transmitter with RF
power output on a transmission line with characteristic impedance of 50 Ω. Calculate the
reflection coefficient, VSWR and the fraction of power transmitted.
(b) Circular microstrip antenna (CMSA) structure has effective dielectric constant (εe) of
2.25. It operates in TM21 mode at resonates at 4 GHz. Compute the effective radius (ae) of
the radiating element. If this radius is increased by a factor of 1.333 (4/3). What will be
its resonating frequency? (Given: K21=3.05424)
(c) For an X-band communication link, a transmitter operating at 10 GHz with the power
output of 1 Watt was used. This communication link used identical antennas for the
transmitting and receiving the signal. After alignment of the antennas, the receiver
located at 4 km received power of -70dBm. What will be the gain of antennas if all losses
are neglected?
(d) Design (compute the length and dipole diameter) of a dipole antenna to operate at 2GHz
and to have resistive (negligible reactive components) input impedance (Rin).
(e) How many corrugations per wavelength are required in a corrugated horn? Write the
advantages of corrugated horn over conventional horn antenna.
(f) Compare Yagi-Uda antenna and log-periodic dipole antenna arrays on features and
differences.

Q 2 Choose one or more correct options. and giving reason wherever necessary to justify your
answers.

(i) The condition to obtain circular polarization in normal mode helical antenna is:

(a) Cλ = 2Sλ2 b) Cλ2 = 2Sλ c) Cλ = √ 2Sλ d) Cλ2 = 2Sλ2

(ii) Amongst given choices, identify the connector with highest power handling capacity

(a) Type- N (b) BNC (c) TNC (d) SMA Connector

(iii) A rectangular door frame (height = 2m and width = 1m) loop antenna for RFID reader is
designed to operate at 13.56MHz. The number of turns required to match it with 50Ω are:
(a) 16 (b) 46 (c)4 (d) 7

(iv) Linear arrays are fed with series feed or corporate feed. For which type of feed(s) the
beam tilts (changes the direction of radiation?
(a)Series Feed (b) Corporate feed (c) Both but the tilt direction changes (d) None
 (v) Target tracking is popularly done using following three techniques.
A. Conical scan, B. Sequential lobing C. Mono-pulse tracking.
These techniques determine the position in terms of ‘AZ-error’ and ‘El-error’ of the
target with respect to the radar beam. Arrange these techniques from fastest to the
slowest. (Fast technique first).
(a) A-B-C (b) C-B-A (c) C-A-B (d)A-C-B

(vi) Target bearing determination technique using two ‘orthogonally placed antenna
elements’ and compare the signals received by the two antennas. This comparison is done
with amplitude as well as phase. What is the disadvantage if only amplitude comparison
is done?
(a) More error (b) Noisy signal (c) Small unambiguous ‘bearing-range’
(d) More power needs to be transmitted

(vii) For tracking multiple targets, multiple beams are formed in

(a) Only in transmit mode (b) Both transmit and receive mode
(c) Only in receive mode (d) Either Transmit or Receive mode; Only one mode at a time

Q3. A linear broadside array of 5 isotropic elements spaced at a distance of 0.6λ is fed with
uniform distribution; every element is fed with RF signal of identical amplitude and phase.
Draw diagram and calculate the ‘First null Bandwidth (FNBW)’. What will be the first ‘side
lobe level (SLL)’?. Just state the value no calculation is necessary. 4 isotropic elements are
added to this array with same antenna spacing to make it a 9-element array. This array is fed
with triangular pattern. This means that the central (5 th) element is fed with maximum power
and the power linearly tapers off on both sides so that the end elements (1 st and 9th) get 0.2
times the maximum power. Calculate the ‘directivity’ and the first ‘side lobe level (SLL)
(7 marks)

Q4 A parabolic reflector antenna with feed horn, achieved a gain of only 40 dBi at 4 GHz due to
very poor manufacturing process. This resulted in poor aperture efficiency of 0.4. Find the
diameter of parabolic reflector. The manufacturing process was improved to increase its
efficiency to 0.7. What will be the improved gain? If focal length to diameter (f/d) ratio is
increased, what happens to the spillover efficiency? Does it increase or decreases? give
reason. (7 marks)

Q5 Design a pyramidal horn antenna to achieve a gain of 18 dBi at 2.45 GHz using WR340
(waveguide dimensions: a = 3.4” and b = 1.7”). The design involves computing the trial and
final values of the slant heights (ρe, ρh). Then the final aperture dimensions (a1, b1) to get
equal values for pe, ph. (7
marks)
 Answers (and guidelines for evaluation)
Q1. Answers to short questions:

Z in −Z 0
Γ in = =0 . 2
(a) Z0= 50 Ω and Zin= 75 Ω  Reflection coefficient Z in + Z (0.5 Marks)
1+|Γ in| 1+0 . 2
= =1. 5
VSWR=
1−|Γ in| 1−0 . 2 (0.5 Marks)

Power to the antenna = 1- (% of the power reflected)= 1-|Γin|2 (0.5 Marks)

= 1-0.04= 0.96 = 96% (0.5 Marks)

K nm c
(b) The expression for the resonant frequency is f 0= (0.5 Marks)
2 πae √ ε e
K nm c 3.05425 ×3 ×10
8
9.16275
rearranging and substituting, a e= = = =0.0243 m=
2 πf 0 √ ε e 2 π × 4 ×10 × √ 2.25 376.99112
9

2.43cm
,, , (1 mark)
If the radius is increased to 4/3 times it initial value, the frequency reduces by 4/3 times.
(as the resonant frequency and the radius of the CMSA are inversely proportional to the radius)
 4 X 3/ 3 GHz (0.5 Marks)

(c) The range (r)= 4000m, Frequency(f)= 10 GHz λ= c/f= 3X108/ 1010= 0.03m= 3 cm.
Received Power = -70 dBm= 10-7mW= 10-10 W and Gt=Gr.= G (0.5 Marks)

Gr λ 2
( ) ( )
Pt G t Pt G t λ 2 0 . 03 2
Pr =10−10= Aeff = × =Pt Gt Gr =1×G2
4 πr 2 4 πr 2 4π 4 πr 4×π×4000
Formula (0.5 Marks) Substitution (0.5 Marks)
G2≈ 280.73  G=16.75≈12.24 dB (0.5 Marks)

(d) The frequency (f) = 2 GHz λ= c/f= 3X108/ 2.4X 109= 0.15m= 15 cm= 150mm(0.5 Marks)
Dipole has real impedance when following condition is satisfied l+d=0.48 λ
We choose d= 2 mm (the condition is d < λ/10= 15 mm) (0.5 Marks)
The diameter should be well below 1/10 of wavelength; can choose up to 4 mm.
The condition (range) for the choice of diameter . or saying arbitrarily chosen withing the
acceptable range OR diagram (as shown) (0.5 Marks)
Computations
 In centimetres, l= 0.48 λ-d=(0.48 X15) -0.2 = 7 cm= 70 mm (0.5 Marks)

2mm

70m

(e) The corrugated horn has 4 to 10 corrugations per wavelength. (0.5 Marks)
Advantages of the corrugated horns:
(i) The corrugated horn results in tapered distribution across the radiating aperture, as a result it has
low side lobe power (or SLL ratio). ON the other hand conventional horn has uniform
distribution across the aperture and has higher SLL compared to the corrugate horns.
(0.5 Marks)
(ii) It is compact ( less length) compared to conventional horn
(iii) Gives higher F/B ratio
(iv) Provides wider bandwidth (0.5 X 2= 1mark) for any two of these advantages)
(f) The features
Yagi-Uda Antenna Log- Periodic Antennas
Narrow Bandwidth Wide Bandwidth
The number of elements depends on Gain No of elements depend on Bandwidth
Gain can be increased by using more directors Gain cannot be increased (≈8 dBi)
The inter-element spacing depends on λ It depends on Dimensions design
parameter σ (Ln and Dn)
Length of element depends on λ Length depends on λ and Design
parameter τ
(0.5 marks each; any for correct points earns full credit) (2 marks)

Q 2 MCQ: One mark each. 0.5 for correct answer and 0.5 for explanation

(j) (b) The condition to obtain circular polarization in normal mode helical antenna is:
Axial Ratio is given by AR= 2Sλ/Cλ2 and For circular polarization, AR=1.

(ii) (a) Type N is a larger connector and has higher power handling capacity
(Fact: No explanation is required)

(iii) (d) The wavelength at 13.56 MHz is 22.123m, hence it is small loop antenna.
Impedance (50 Ω)= 20π2 N2(C/λ)4. Solving we have N2= 0.2533/0.00541)=46.8
N≈7

(iv) (a) The distance between the element is constant for a given array. In series feed, the signal is
fed from one side of the array. The relative phase received by individual elements id different
for different frequencies; given by  (d/λ) X 360⁰. This gradient leads to tilt of the beam

(v) (b) Mono-pulse techniques requires only one pulse hence it is the fastest. Sequential lobing
technique involves electronically switched beams so it is faster than the conical scan which used
mechanical rotation of the feed.
 (vi) (c) The same amplitude ratio is possible for 4 different direction on the range of 360 ⁰. This
needs to be resolved by phase comparison. Unambiguous detection over only 90⁰ of bearing
range. (Similar equivalent argument may be accepted)

(vii) (c ) It is only done in receive mode . It is not possible in transmit mode. No explanation is
required,

Q3: The far field electric field at φ from the broadside due to linear array of n elements is given by
sin(nψ /2 ) 2 πd
E ( φ )=1+e jψ + e j 2ψ +. .+e j( n−1 )ψ = ψ= sin φ
sin ( ψ /2 ) Where λ (1 mark)
The E field pattern is a ‘Sinc’ function. (page 6.12 of GK e-book) In this case, n=5.
It may be noted that the input signal distribution to the radiating elements and the far-field
radiation pattern has “Fourier transform relationship. (The uniform broad side feed is equivalent to a time
domain function of rectangular pulse whose Fourier transform is ‘Sinc’ function!)

The ‘Sinc’ function has first null at (nψ/2) = π ψ=2π/5

Equating ψ=2π X (0.6) X sin (φnull) = 2π/5

φnull=sin-1(1/3)= 19.47122⁰ First null at first null at= 19.47122⁰

 FNBW= 2 X φnull= 38.9420. (1 mark)
φnull
Diagram (1 mark)
1st SLL is -13.15 dB (standard for Sinc function) (0.5 marks)
d
Terms like ‘dB below’ or Any value around it is OK.
1 K K+1 n
2

(Formal computation is by equating the first derivative to zero. But it is not required)

Now, a linear array of 9 elements was formed. This array is fed with triangular distribution.
his situation can be formulated by ‘auto-correlating’ a ‘5-element array with uniform distribution’.
In other words, this configuration can be obtained by correlation of the array in first part of the problem!!
Auto-correlation of 5 element array gives rise to an 11 element array with two extreme elements
with ‘zero-amplitude signal’. This is equivalent to the situation described in the second part. (1 mark)

We know that the correlation in time/ space (input) domain results in product in the Fourier
transform domain!! Therefore, the radiation pattern will be the square of the radiation pattern in the first
part; or a ‘(Sinc)2 function’! (1 mark)

The sinc square shall have nulls at the same points as the first part.  FNBW= 38.942⁰
Assumption: the for an linear array, effective aperture thickness is 0.5 λ.
Directivity using the expression (4π A/λ2) 0.5 X 0.6 X 9 = 33.9292= 15.1 dB
Answer considering 10 or 11 elements, leading to Directivity = 37.699(15.76dB), 41.46 (16.1dB) may
also be considered OK (any other equivalent method is OK) (1 mark)

Since the pattern is a squared function, the 1st SLL will be square of the function in the first part.
In Decibels, Squaring leads to multiplication by 3 in dB. 2 X 13.15 dB= -26.3 dB. (0.5 marks)

Q4. Given Gain = 40 dBi= 104. Operating frequency is= 4 X 109 λ= 0.075m (1 mark)
 η×4 π× A e η×4 π ×π×D 2 0. 4×π 2 ×D 2
Gain=10000= 2
= =
The λ λ 2×4 ( 0 . 075 )2 D2= 14.25 D=3.7747m
Expression for Area (1 mark) and substitution in gain formula (1 mark) and correct computation (1 mark).

If the efficiency is improved to 0.7, The gain will be improved by a factor of 1.75 Or 2.43 dB.
Hence the gain of the antenna with improved reflector will be 42.43 dBi. (1 mark)

The spill over efficiency decreases (1 mark)

Reason: When the f/d increases, the feed at the focus moves away from the reflector. As a result, lesser
part of the feed beam is intercepted (reflected) by the reflector.

( ) ( )
d θ
f= cot 0
OR As f/d increases, the expression shows 4 2 that ‘θ0’ decreases (1 mark)

Q5. . Given Gain = 18 dBi= 63.09. , and f= 2.45 X 109 λ= 12.245 cm

Computing the waveguide dimensions in cms,
a0=3.4”= 8.636cm= 0.7056 λ
b0=1.7”= 4.318cm= 0.3528 λ (1 mark)
G 63
x 1= = =4
χ1 OR 2 π √2 π ( 2 π )1. 5
This is generally taken as minimum value or ‘start value’ for trial & error computations such that
Following equation is approximately satisfied.

(( √ ) )( )
2
G0 3 1 G20 1
( )
2
b a
√ 2 x− (2 x−1 ) = − −1
x 2 π 2π √x λ 6π3 x (1 mark)
After trials we get final (matching to satisfy the above equation) value x= 4.31 (2 marks)
(Students may not get correct/ optimum value. Correct attempt to get nearby value may be given credit)
Now, we have ρe= xλ= 52.75 cm
2
G λ
ρh = 03 × =45 . 44 cm
8π x (1 mark)

√
G0 3
a 1= × ×λ=40 . 85 cm
2π 2 πx
b 1=√ 2 π ×λ=35 . 94 cm (1 mark)

[( ) ] [( ) ]
2 1 /2 2 1/ 2
pe 1 pe 1
Compute, pe =( b 1−b ) − OR ph=( a1−a ) −
b1 4 a1 4
Both should be equal
Pe=Ph= 3.82 λ= 46.76 cm (1 mark)