Fundamentals and Metrics of Antennas – PDF Document
From Learning Antennas Through Simulation: A Hands-On Guide with AN-SOF
Are you studying antennas and want to truly understand the fundamentals and performance metrics?
This standalone PDF, extracted from my book Learning Antennas Through Simulation, provides a solid foundation in antenna metrics. It combines clear explanations, equations, and simulation examples with the AN-SOF Antenna Simulator.
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Who is this PDF for?
- Students learning antenna fundamentals.
- Educators seeking ready-to-use teaching material.
- Self-learners looking for a practical, accessible guide.
What you will learn
In this document, you will explore the essential parameters that define antenna behavior:
- How to interpret radiation patterns and polarization.
- The meaning of antenna efficiency, resistance, and impedance.
- The relationship between directivity and gain.
📖 Table of Contents
Maxwell’s Equations and Electromagnetic Radiation
- Maxwell’s Equations: The Foundation of Electromagnetism
- Sources, Boundary Conditions, and Uniqueness of Solutions
- The Physical Meaning of Maxwell’s Laws
- The Wave Equation in Linear, Isotropic, and Homogeneous Media
- Transverse Electromagnetic (TEM) Plane Waves
- Power Density and the Poynting Vector
- Phasor Representation of Time-Harmonic Fields
- Electromagnetic Radiation and the Frequency Spectrum
The Hertzian Dipole
- Heinrich Hertz and the Hertz Potential
- Field Representation by Scalar and Vector Potentials
- Electromagnetic Fields Expressed in Terms of Their Sources
- Fields of the Hertzian Dipole
- Near-Field and Far-Field Regions
- Radiation Pattern and Field Representation
- Power Density and Radiated Power
- Radiation Resistance of the Hertzian Dipole
- Directivity and Beamwidth
- Equivalent Circuit Model of a Hertzian Dipole
- Radiation Efficiency and Antenna Gain
- Relating Electric Field Strength to Antenna Power and Gain
- What, Then, Is an Antenna?
- Simulating a Hertzian Dipole in AN-SOF
Radiation Pattern Fundamentals
- Radiation Pattern Basics
Polarization
- Linear Polarization Components
- Circular Polarization Components
Radiated Power and Energy Conservation
- Review of Antenna Radiation
- Calculating Total Radiated Power
- Antennas in Free Space
- Antennas Above a PEC Ground Plane
- Antennas Above a Lossy Ground Plane
Radiation Resistance
- Definition of Radiation Resistance
- Relation to the Antenna Input Impedance
- Impact on Impedance Matching
- Illustrative Examples of Radiation Resistance
Radiation Efficiency
- Definition of Radiation Efficiency
- Radiation Efficiency from the Equivalent Circuit
- Key Factors Affecting Antenna Radiation Efficiency
- Accessing Radiation Efficiency in AN-SOF
Directivity and Gain
- Radiation Pattern Control: Directivity and Gain
- Directivity: Antenna Focusing Capability
- Gain: The Practical Performance Metric
- Directivity and Gain in Arbitrary Directions
- Polarization Decomposition
- Visualization of Directivity and Gain in ANSOF
Beamwidth and Sidelobes
- Introduction: Beyond Gain
- Beamwidth: Characterizing the Main Lobe
- Sidelobes: Unintended Radiation
- Front-to-Back and Front-to-Rear Ratios
Why this document?
Unlike traditional textbooks, this guide integrates theory with hands-on simulation. You won’t just read about antenna metrics, you’ll see how they are derived and applied in practice.
Format and Price
- Digital PDF, delivered by email.
- Includes diagrams, equations, and explanations.
- Price: $9.99
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