A&P Formulas reference Table

Antenna Parameters & Formulas Reference Table

This table summarizes key parameters and formulas discussed in the Antenna course.

Category Parameter Symbol Definition / Formula Notes

Fundamental Elemental Solid Angle 𝑑Ω 𝑑Ω = sin𝜃𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜙 In spherical coordinates
Units
Total Solid Angle of Sphere Ω𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 Ω𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 = 4𝜋 Units: Steradians (sr)
Wavelength 𝜆 𝜆 = 𝑐/𝑓 𝑐 ≈ 3 × 108 m/s in free
space
Basic EM Instantaneous Power 𝑆⃗ 𝑆⃗ = 𝐸⃗⃗ × 𝐻
⃗⃗ Poynting Vector, Units:
Concepts Density W/m2
Average Power Density ⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑎𝑣
𝑊 1 Time-averaged Poynting
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑎𝑣 = Re[𝐸⃗⃗ × 𝐻
𝑊 ⃗⃗ ∗ ]
2 Vector, Units: W/m2
Intrinsic Impedance 𝜂 𝜂 = √𝜇/𝜖 𝜂0 ≈ 377Ω in free space
Propagation Constant 𝑘 𝑘 = 𝜔√𝜇𝜖 = 2𝜋/𝜆 Units: rad/m
Phase Velocity 𝑣𝑝 𝑣𝑝 = 𝜔/𝑘 = 1/√𝜇𝜖 𝑣𝑝 = 𝑐 in free space
Radiation Radiation Intensity 𝑈(𝜃, 𝜙) 𝑈(𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝑟 2 𝑊𝑟𝑎𝑑 (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜙) Power radiated per unit
Properties solid angle, independent of
𝑟 in far-field. Units: W/sr
Total Radiated Power 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑 Units: Watts
𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑 = ∮ 𝑈 (𝜃, 𝜙)𝑑Ω
Ω
2𝜋 𝜋
=∫ ∫ 𝑈 (𝜃, 𝜙)sin𝜃𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜙
0 0
Average Radiation 𝑈𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑈𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑 /(4𝜋) Average over all directions
Intensity

D.ZIANI-KERARTI Antenna & Propagation 1

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Category Parameter Symbol Definition / Formula Notes

Normalized Pattern 𝐹(𝜃, 𝜙) 𝐹(𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝑈(𝜃, 𝜙)/𝑈𝑚𝑎𝑥 Maximum value is 1
Beam Solid Angle Ω𝐴 Units: Steradians (sr)
Ω𝐴 = ∮ 𝐹 (𝜃, 𝜙)𝑑Ω
Ω
2𝜋 𝜋
=∫ ∫ 𝐹 (𝜃, 𝜙)sin𝜃𝑑𝜃𝑑𝜙
0 0
Directivity 𝐷(𝜃, 𝜙) 4𝜋𝑈(𝜃, 𝜙) Dimensionless
𝐷(𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝑈(𝜃, 𝜙)/𝑈𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑
Maximum Directivity 𝐷0 4𝜋𝑈𝑚𝑎𝑥 4𝜋 Maximum value of 𝐷(𝜃, 𝜙).
𝐷0 = =
𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑 Ω𝐴 𝐷0 = 1 (0 dB) for isotropic
antenna.
Partial Directivity 𝐷𝜃 , 𝐷𝜙 𝐷(𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝐷𝜃 (𝜃, 𝜙) + 𝐷𝜙 (𝜃, 𝜙) For orthogonal polarizations
HPBW Θ𝐻𝑃𝐵𝑊 Angular width where 𝑈 = 𝑈𝑚𝑎𝑥 /2 Derived from pattern
formula. Units: degrees or
radians
FNBW Θ𝐹𝑁𝐵𝑊 Angular width between first nulls Derived from pattern
formula. Units: degrees or
radians
Antenna Input Impedance 𝑍𝑖𝑛 𝑍𝑖𝑛 = 𝑅𝑎 + 𝑗𝑋𝑎 At antenna terminals. Units:
Impedance Ohms (Ω)
Antenna Resistance 𝑅𝑎 𝑅𝑎 = 𝑅𝑟 + 𝑅𝐿 𝑅𝑟 : Radiation Resistance,
𝑅𝐿 : Loss Resistance
Radiation Resistance 𝑅𝑟 1 2 Specific value depends on
𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 𝐼 𝑅
2 𝑖𝑛 𝑟 antenna type/geometry.
Units: Ohms (Ω)
Loss Resistance 𝑅𝐿 1 2 Specific value depends on
𝑃𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝐼𝑖𝑛 𝑅𝐿
2 antenna

D.ZIANI-KERARTI Antenna & Propagation 2

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Category Parameter Symbol Definition / Formula Notes

type/geometry/materials.
Units: Ohms (Ω)
Antenna Reactance 𝑋𝑎 𝑋𝑎 = Im[𝑍𝑖𝑛 ] 𝑋𝑎 = 0 at resonance. Units:
Ohms (Ω)
Matching & Reflection Coefficient Γ 𝑍𝑖𝑛 − 𝑍0 At antenna terminals. 𝑍0 :
Γ=
Mismatch 𝑍𝑖𝑛 + 𝑍0 transmission line
impedance.
Mismatch Efficiency 𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑟 = 𝜂𝑚 = 1 − |Γ|2 Also called Reflection
(reflection) = 𝜂𝑚 Efficiency. 0 ≤ 𝜂𝑚 ≤ 1.
VSWR VSWR 1 + |Γ| Voltage Standing Wave
VSWR =
1 − |Γ| Ratio. VSWR ≥ 1. VSWR=1
for perfect match.
Efficiency Radiation Efficiency 𝑒𝑐𝑑 = 𝜂𝑟 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑅𝑟 Accounts for losses in
𝑒𝑐𝑑 = 𝜂𝑟 = =
(conduction or dielectric) 𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑅𝑟 + 𝑅𝐿 antenna structure. 0 ≤
𝜂𝑟 ≤ 1.
Total Antenna Efficiency 𝑒0 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑑 Accounts for structural
𝑒0 = 𝜂𝑒 = = ecd 𝑒𝑟 = 𝜂𝑟 𝜂𝑚
= 𝜂𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑛 losses and mismatch losses.
0 ≤ 𝜂𝑒 ≤ 1.
Gain Gain 𝐺(𝜃, 𝜙) 4𝜋𝑈(𝜃, 𝜙) Includes radiation
𝐺(𝜃, 𝜙) = = 𝜂𝑟 𝐷(𝜃, 𝜙)
𝑃𝑖𝑛 efficiency. Dimensionless.
𝐺 ≤ 𝐷.
Maximum Gain 𝐺0 𝐺0 = 𝜂𝑟 𝐷0 Maximum value of 𝐺(𝜃, 𝜙).
𝐺0,𝑑𝐵 = 𝐺0 (𝑑𝐵) =
10log10 (𝐺0 ).
Realized Gain 𝐺𝑟𝑒 (𝜃, 𝜙) 𝐺𝑟𝑒 (𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝜂𝑒 𝐷(𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝜂𝑟 𝜂𝑚 𝐷(𝜃, 𝜙) Includes all losses
(radiation, mismatch).
𝐺𝑟𝑒 ≤ 𝐺 ≤ 𝐷.

D.ZIANI-KERARTI Antenna & Propagation 3

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Category Parameter Symbol Definition / Formula Notes

Aperture Effective Aperture 𝐴𝑒 (𝜃, 𝜙) 𝐴𝑒 (𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑐 (𝜃, 𝜙)/𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑐 (𝜃, 𝜙) Receiving capability. Units:
m2 .
Maximum Effective 𝐴𝑒,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝜆2 Fundamental relation
𝐴𝑒,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐺
Aperture 4𝜋 0 between 𝐴𝑒 and 𝐺0 .
Physical Aperture 𝐴𝑝 Geometric area of aperture antenna Units: m2
Aperture Efficiency 𝜂𝑎𝑝 𝜂𝑎𝑝 = 𝐴𝑒,𝑚𝑎𝑥 /𝐴𝑝 For aperture antennas. 0 ≤
𝜂𝑎𝑝 ≤ 1.
Polarization Polarization Loss Factor PLF PLF = |𝜌̂𝑤 ⋅ 𝜌̂𝑎 |2 = |cos𝜓𝑝 |2 Accounts for polarization
mismatch. 0 ≤ PLF ≤ 1.
PLF𝑑𝐵 = 10log10 (PLF).
Antenna Noise Antenna Temperature 𝑇𝐴 1 Units: Kelvin (K). Represents
𝑇𝐴 = ∮ 𝑇 (𝜃, 𝜙)𝐺(𝜃, 𝜙)𝑑Ω
4𝜋 Ω 𝑒𝑛𝑣 received environmental
noise.
Noise Power 𝑃𝑛𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑃𝑛𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 𝑘𝑇𝐴 Δ𝑓 𝑘: Boltzmann’s constant,
Δ𝑓: noise bandwidth. Units:
Watts.
System & Link EIRP EIRP 𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑃 = 𝑃𝑖𝑛 𝐺𝑡 = 𝑃𝑡 𝐺𝑡 Effective Isotropic Radiated
Power. Units: Watts or
dBW.
Power Flux Density 𝑊 EIRP At distance 𝑅 in direction of
𝑊=
4𝜋𝑅 2 EIRP. Units: W/m2 .
Free-Space Path Loss 𝐿𝑓𝑠 4𝜋𝑅 2 Dimensionless ratio ≥ 1.
𝐿𝑓𝑠 = ( )
𝜆
Free-Space Path Loss (dB) 𝐿𝑓𝑠,𝑑𝐵 4𝜋𝑅 𝑅 in meters, 𝜆 in meters OR
𝐿𝑓𝑠,𝑑𝐵 = 20log10 ( 𝜆 ) or ≈ 32.45 +
𝑅 in km, 𝑓 in MHz. Units:
20log10 (𝑅𝑘𝑚 ) + 20log10 (𝑓𝑀𝐻𝑧 )
dB.

D.ZIANI-KERARTI Antenna & Propagation 4

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Category Parameter Symbol Definition / Formula Notes

2
Friis Transmission 𝑃𝑟 /𝑃𝑡 𝑃𝑟 𝜆 Basic form (assumes 𝜂𝑚 =
Equation = 𝐺𝑡 𝐺𝑟 ( ) 1, PLF=1, 𝐺 includes 𝜂𝑟 ).
𝑃𝑡 4𝜋𝑅
Friis Equation (with losses) 𝑃𝑟 /𝑃𝑡 𝑃𝑟 𝜆 2 𝐺 includes 𝜂𝑟 .
= 𝐺𝑡 𝐺𝑟 𝜂𝑚,𝑡 𝜂𝑚,𝑟 PLF ( )
𝑃𝑡 4𝜋𝑅
Friis Equation (Realized G) 𝑃𝑟 /𝑃𝑡 𝑃𝑟 𝜆 2 𝐺𝑟𝑒 includes all losses
= 𝐺𝑟𝑒,𝑡 𝐺𝑟𝑒,𝑟 ( ) except path loss.
𝑃𝑡 4𝜋𝑅
Maximum Range 𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝜆 𝑃𝑡 𝐺𝑡 𝐺𝑟 Basic form (assumes 𝜂𝑚 =
𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 = √ 1, PLF=1, 𝐺 includes 𝜂𝑟 ).
4𝜋 𝑃𝑟,𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑃𝑟,𝑚𝑖𝑛 : minimum received
power.
Parameters for Specific Antenna Types
Hertzian Dipole (𝐿 ≪ 𝜆) 𝑅𝑟 𝑅𝑟 = 80𝜋 2 (𝐿/𝜆)2 Theoretical. 𝐿: dipole
length.
𝐷0 𝐷0 = 1.5 (1.76 dB) Theoretical. Pattern 𝑈 ∝
sin2 𝜃.
Small Dipole (𝐿 ≤ 𝜆/10) 𝑅𝑟 𝑅𝑟 ≈ 20𝜋 2 (𝐿/𝜆)2 Approx. Triangular current.
𝐷0 𝐷0 ≈ 1.5 (1.76 dB) Approx. Pattern 𝑈 ∝ sin2 𝜃.
𝑍𝑖𝑛 𝑍𝑖𝑛 ≈ 𝑅𝑟 − 𝑗𝑋𝐶 Capacitive. 𝑋𝐶 = 1/(𝜔𝐶).
Half-wave Dipole (𝐿 = 𝑅𝑟 𝑅𝑟 ≈ 73Ω At resonance 𝑋𝑎 ≈ 0.
𝜆/2)
𝑍𝑖𝑛 𝑍𝑖𝑛 ≈ 73 + 𝑗42.5Ω At 𝐿 = 𝜆/2. Can be tuned
to resonance by slightly
shortening.
𝜋
𝐷0 𝐷0 ≈ 1.64 (2.15 dB) cos2 ( cos𝜃)
Pattern 𝑈 ∝ sin22𝜃 .
Omnidirectional in 𝜙.

D.ZIANI-KERARTI Antenna & Propagation 5

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Category Parameter Symbol Definition / Formula Notes

Quarter-wave Monopole 𝑅𝑟 𝑅𝑟 ≈ 36.5Ω Over a perfect ground
(𝐿 = 𝜆/4) plane. 𝑍𝑖𝑛 ≈ 36.5 + 𝑗21Ω.
𝐷0 𝐷0 ≈ 3.28 (5.16 dB) Over a perfect ground
plane. Pattern 𝑈 ∝
𝜋
cos2 ( cos𝜃)
2
for 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋/2.
sin2 𝜃
Yagi-Uda Antenna Gain Typically, 8-20 dB (depending on number Directional parasitic array.
(𝐺0 ) of elements and design) No simple exact formula.
Bandw Typically, Narrowband (few %) Can be increased with
idth design techniques.
Patch Antenna Bandw Typically, Narrowband (few %) Low profile, printed. Can
idth be increased with
techniques (e.g., stacking,
slots).
Gain Related to physical size (𝐴𝑝 ) and Typically, 3-9 dB
(𝐺0 ) efficiencies (𝜂𝑟 , 𝜂𝑎𝑝 ). No simple general depending on size and
formula for 𝑅𝑟 or 𝐷0 . design.
Parabolic Dish Gain 4𝜋𝐴𝑝 𝜋𝐷𝑑𝑖𝑠ℎ 2 High gain, narrow beam.
(𝐺0 ) 𝐺0 = 𝜂𝑎𝑝 2 = 𝜂𝑎𝑝 ( ) 𝐴𝑝 = 𝜋(𝐷𝑑𝑖𝑠ℎ /2)2 . 𝜂𝑎𝑝 :
𝜆 𝜆
aperture efficiency (0.5-
0.7 typical).
HPBW Θ𝐻𝑃𝐵𝑊 ≈ 𝐷
70𝜆
(degrees) Approximate, related to
𝑑𝑖𝑠ℎ dish diameter.

D.ZIANI-KERARTI Antenna & Propagation 6