Hertz Antenna & Discone Antenna

Usman M. Nooruddin (07-0039) | Wave Propagation & Antenna Theory Lab

Introduction:
An antenna is an electrical device which couples radio waves in free space to an electrical current used by a radio receiver or
transmitter. In reception, the antenna intercepts some of the power of an electromagnetic wave in order to produce a tiny voltage
that the radio receiver can amplify. Alternatively, a radio transmitter will produce a large radio frequency current that may be
applied to the terminals of the same antenna in order to convert it into an electromagnetic wave (radio wave) radiated into free
space. Antennas are thus essential to the operation of all radio equipment, both transmitters and receivers. They are used in
systems such as radio and television broadcasting, two-way radio, wireless LAN, mobile telephony, radar, and satellite
communications.

Typically an antenna consists of an arrangement of metallic conductors (or "elements") with an electrical connection (often
through a transmission line) to the receiver or transmitter. A current forced through such a conductor by a radio transmitter will
create an alternating magnetic field according to Ampère's law. Or the alternating magnetic field due to a distant radio transmitter
will induce a voltage at the antenna terminals, according to Faraday's law, which is connected to the input of a receiver. In the so-
called far field, at a considerable distance away from the antenna, the oscillating magnetic field is coupled with a similarly
oscillating electric field; together these define an electromagnetic wave which is capable of propagating great distances.

Hertz Antenna (Horizontal End Fed):

Introduction & History:
Invented by Heinrich Rudolf Hertz in 1886, the Hertz Antenna is defined as a dipole antenna with a length of ½ wavelength (or) a
half wave dipole antenna. The Hertzian Dipole is the name given to a dipole, which is very small, compared to its wavelength that
is about one-hundredths of the wavelength at its operating frequency. Even in this case, the radiation pattern is not truly isotropic.

Construction:
It consists of a conductor that is broken in the center so that RF power can be applied to it. One can think of the half wave dipole
as an open circuited transmission line that has been spread out, so that the transmission line can radiate a signal into space.

A dipole can be any length, but it most commonly is just under 1/2 wavelength long. A dipole
with this length, known as a resonant or half wave dipole, has an input impedance that is
purely resistive and lies between 30 and 80 Ω, which provides a good match to commercially
available 50 Ω coaxial cables as well as commercial transmitters and receivers, most of which
have 50 Ω output and input impedances.

Radiation Pattern:
The 3-dimensional radiation pattern in free space is a fat doughnut with the dipole piercing its central hole.

Notice that unlike an isotropic radiator that

radiates equally well in all directions, the
dipole radiates more RF in some directions
than others.

This means that the dipole has a gain or

directivity over an isotropic radiator
of approximately 2.1 dBs.

That means that the radiation from the dipole

is 2.1 dB stronger in the direction of
maximum radiation than the radiation from
an isotropic radiator in the same direction,
when both antennas are fed with the same
amount of RF power.
Gain, Directivity & Polarization:
The gain of the Hertz Antenna is 2.1dBs. Since the Directivity  Gain, the directivity increases as the gain increases. The Hertz
Antenna is generally horizontally polarized, that is to say that the antenna is placed horizontal to the Earth’s surface. Although the
Hertz Antenna can also be vertically polarized, that is, that the antenna is placed perpendicular, or vertically with respect to the
Earth’s surface.

The advantage of horizontal polarization over vertical polarization is that it provides directivity. It is normally used in reducing the
interference between the transmission line and the antenna.

Applications:
The Hertz Antenna is normally used for small applications and was used in set top TV antennas.

Discone Antenna:
Introduction & History:
The discone antenna receives its name from its distinctive shape. The RF antenna design consists of a top "disc" formulated from a
number of elements arranged in a disc at the top, and further elements pointing downwards in the shape of a cone.

Construction:
A discone may be made from solid metal sheet (often copper), which is practical for small
indoor UHF antennas, such as for Wi-Fi.

At lower frequencies a sufficient number of metal wires or rods in a spoke configuration is

often used to approximate a solid surface. This simplifies construction and reduces wind
loading.

The spokes may be made of stiff wire, brazing rods or even coat hanger wire. The optimal
number of rods comprising the disc and cone is often quoted as being from 8 to 16.

A discone antenna typically has at least three major components:

The disc
The disc should have an overall diameter of 0.7 times a quarter wavelength of the antenna's
minimum frequency. The antenna's feed point is at the center of the disc. It is usually fed
with 50 Ω coaxial cable, with the center conductor connected to the disc, and the outer
conductor to the cone.
The cone
The length of the cone should be a quarter wavelength of the antenna's minimum operating
frequency. The cone angle is generally from 25 to 40 degrees.
The insulator
The disc and cone must be separated by an insulator, the dimensions of which determine
some of the antenna's properties.

Radiation Pattern:
The way in which the discone operates is relatively complicated, but it
can be visualized in a simplified manner. The disc and cone elements
sufficiently simulate an electrically complete disc and cone from which
the energy is radiated. As a result the greater the number of elements,
the better the simulation, although in reality there is a balance between
performance, cost and wind resistance. Often around six elements are
used, but the number is not critical.

The RF antenna radiates and receives energy that is vertically polarized,

and the radiation pattern is omnidirectional in the horizontal plane. The
antenna radiates most of the energy at a low angle which it maintains
over the most of the operating range.
Gain, Directivity & Polarization:
Omnidirectional, vertically polarized and exhibiting unity gain, it is exceptionally wideband, offering a frequency range ratio of up
to ~10:1. The radiation pattern in the horizontal plane is quite narrow, making its sensitivity highest in the plane tangent to the
Earth's surface.

Applications:
Although it is widely used for receiving applications, the discone antenna is less commonly used for transmitting.

The discone's wideband coverage makes it attractive in commercial, military, amateur radio and radio scanner applications.
When employed as a transmitting antenna, it is often less efficient than an antenna designed for a more limited frequency range.
SWR (standing wave ratio) is typically ~2:1 over the range of the design frequency to the second harmonic and ~3.1 thereafter.
The discone's inherently wideband nature permits it to broadcast undesirable spurious emissions from faulty or improperly
filtered transmitters.

References:
 Wikipedia
o Antennas
o Heinrich Hertz
o Dipole Antenna
o Discone Antenna

 YCARS
o Electronics for Radio Amateurs
o Module C - Antennas, Propagation, and Transmission Lines