Antenna Fundamentals

This two-day course teaches the basics of antenna and a brief overview of antenna arrays. Fundamental concepts such as beam patterns, radiation resistance, polarization, gain/directivity, aperture size, reciprocity, and matching techniques are presented. Different types of antennas such as dipole, loop, patch, horn, dish, and helical antennas are discussed and compared and contrasted from a performance - applications standpoint. The locations of the reactive near-field, radiating near-field (Fresnel region), and far-field (Fraunhofer region) are described and the Friis transmission formula is presented with worked examples. Propagation effects are presented. Antenna systems (transmit/receive) with active amplifiers are introduced. Finally, measurement techniques commonly used in anechoic chambers are outlined.

This course is invaluable to engineers seeking to work with experts in the field and for those desiring a deeper understanding of antenna concepts. At its completion, you will have a solid understanding of the appropriate antenna for your application and the technical difficulties you can expect to encounter as your design is brought from the conceptual stage to a working prototype.

• Basic antenna concepts that pertain to all antennas and antenna arrays.
• The appropriate antenna for your application.
• Factors that affect antenna systems.
• Measurement techniques commonly used in anechoic chambers.

1. Basic concepts in antenna theory. Beam patterns, radiation resistance, polarization, gain/directivity, aperture size, reciprocity, and matching techniques.
2. Locations. Reactive near-field, radiating near-field (Fresnel region), far-field (Fraunhofer region) and the Friis transmission formula.
3. Types of antennas. Dipole, loop, patch, horn, dish, and helical antennas are discussed, compared, and contrasted from a performance/applications standpoint.
4. Propagation effects. Direct, sky, and ground waves. Diffraction and scattering.
5. Measurement techniques used in anechoic chambers. Pattern measurements, polarization patterns, gain comparison test, spinning dipole (for CP measurements). Items of concern relative to anechoic chambers such as the quality of the absorbent material, quiet zone, and measurement errors. Compact, outdoor, and near-field ranges.
6. Questions and answers.

Dr. Steven Weiss is a senior design engineer with the Army Research Lab in Adelphi, MD. He has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology with master’s and Doctoral Degrees from The George Washington University. He has numerous publications in the IEEE on antenna theory. He teaches both introductory and advanced, graduate level courses at Johns Hopkins University on antenna systems as well as a class on electromagnetic theory. He is active in the IEEE and is a senior life member. Dr. Weiss worked at the Army Research Lab for over 36 years as the lead researcher for antennas and antenna-arrays before his retirement in March 2023. He is a member of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, URSI Commissions A and B, and the Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society (ACES.) He is a licensed Professional Engineer in both Maryland and Delaware.