DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2010.88
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/319
Date of Award
6-2010
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering
Department/Program
Electrical Engineering
Advisor
Dean Arakaki
Abstract
Antenna systems play a significant role in today’s electronic communications. They are essential for cell phones, satellites, radio, and radar among many other important applications. This paper describes the design, assembly, and operation of an antenna demonstration system designed to instill interest in the field of antenna design among high school and undergraduate college students. The system is portable, supplied solely by DC power supplies, easily reproducible, and includes rotational axes to illustrate antenna performance limitations and requirements. It provides a visual indication of wireless signal strength and demonstrates several antenna performance characteristics including polarization, gain and directivity, radiation patterns - nulls and maximums, and spreading loss. Several antenna types used in present-day applications (embedded and reflector antennas), in addition to structural barriers encountered in typical operating environments, are used to define wireless system performance. Students gain insight on radiating structure and orientation effects on antenna system characteristics and hopefully develop interest in future wireless studies.