Circularily Polarized Helical Antenna Optimization
Faculty Sponsor
Steve Schennum, Gonzaga University
Research Project Abstract
An omnidirectional circularly polarized bifilar helical antenna element was developed. This low-profile radiating antenna is composed of two individual elements providing orthogonal right and left hand circular polarization in an omnidirectional pattern. A parameterized single element model was captured in HFSS. Circular polarization and an omnidirectional pattern were optimized through parametric sweeps of aspect ratio, number of turns, and transitional bend radius. A mathematical model was produced, such that these parameters could be adjusted independently for optimization. Special attention was given to the transitional bend between the helical arm and the straight crossbar to increase the antenna’s performance. The resultant fabricated element operates at 960MHz, exhibits right hand circularly polarized azimuthal gain at 1.4dBi, azimuthal gain variation ≤1.43dB, ±45° vertical beamwidth, and axial ratio ≤0.9dB. These antennas can be applied in adaptive polarization and MIMO transceiver systems.
Session Number
RS7
Location
Robinson 210
Abstract Number
RS7-a
Circularily Polarized Helical Antenna Optimization
Robinson 210
An omnidirectional circularly polarized bifilar helical antenna element was developed. This low-profile radiating antenna is composed of two individual elements providing orthogonal right and left hand circular polarization in an omnidirectional pattern. A parameterized single element model was captured in HFSS. Circular polarization and an omnidirectional pattern were optimized through parametric sweeps of aspect ratio, number of turns, and transitional bend radius. A mathematical model was produced, such that these parameters could be adjusted independently for optimization. Special attention was given to the transitional bend between the helical arm and the straight crossbar to increase the antenna’s performance. The resultant fabricated element operates at 960MHz, exhibits right hand circularly polarized azimuthal gain at 1.4dBi, azimuthal gain variation ≤1.43dB, ±45° vertical beamwidth, and axial ratio ≤0.9dB. These antennas can be applied in adaptive polarization and MIMO transceiver systems.
