27 Sep
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A helical antenna is an antenna that is designed with the help of a conducting wire. It has a helix shape and is widely used in high-frequency operations. The polarization properties of a helical antenna depend on various factors such as diameter, number of turns, excitation, space between helical loops, pitch, and wavelength.
This blog highlights everything about a helical antenna its features, uses, benefits, and other factors. We will also discuss the working process of a helical antenna.
Before we discuss everything related to a helical antenna, let us first understand the meaning of this antenna. A helical antenna is also known as a helix antenna. In this antenna, the conducting wire is connected to the ground plate with the help of a feeder line.
This is one of the simplest antennas to use in high-frequency operations. It offers circularly polarized waves and is used mainly for communication in satellite relays and other devices. It works with UHF and VHF ranges.
A conductive wire in a High Gain Helical Antenna is excited with the help of a coaxial cable or two-tore transmission line. This pattern then causes a current flow via a conducting wire. It also further causes emission and generation of field lines and radiations.
The typical helical antenna can radiate in several ways but the most popular modes of the antenna are:
Another name for normal mode is a perpendicular mode of operation. In this normal mode, the radiation is emitted in the plane&#;s direction perpendicular to the antenna axis. It causes circularly polarized waves.
This mode is achieved when the antenna dimensions are smaller than the wavelength. A small dimensional antenna gives low radiation efficiency. The radiation pattern of a helical antenna depends on turn spacing and diameter values.
Another name for axial mode is the end-fire mode of operation. In this mode, the maximum radiations are emitted along the helix axis. The radiation pattern in axial mode is circular. The main difference between the normal mode and axial mode is the radiation pattern.
In normal mode, maximum radiations come along the perpendicular direction of the axis. On the other hand, the maximum radiation comes along the axis in axial mode.
After knowing the Helical Antenna Working and radiation pattern, we will discuss its benefits.
An Advantage of a Helical Antenna is that it has a simple design. It has simple helical loops made of a thick conductor that looks like a screw thread. This antenna is connected to a ground plane made with a conductor. A ground plane contains a sheet or screen of concentric conductors.
Helical antennas come with a compact structure. This compact structure makes it easy to use on several devices that work on VHF and UHF bands. High directivity and simple design of a helical design are the main reasons to use space communication.
One of the major Helical Antenna Benefits is that it includes a circularly polarized pattern. This pattern makes it easy to use a helical antenna to use with other types of antennas with vertical and horizontal patterns. Moreover, this antenna can be used in television and weather satellites.
A helical antenna is mainly used for communication. It can be used in ground stations and satellites. Many weather satellites and data relays also depend on a helical antenna for showing correct data.
Additionally, this antenna is used in space applications because of its simple design and circular polarization. It is also used for radio astronomy and space telemetry. Moreover, the antenna is useful for transmitting and receiving VHF waves for ionospheric propagation.
One of the major benefits of a helical antenna is that it offers a highly directional behavior. It also has a wide bandwidth that gives a good signal. You will get clear communication by installing a helical antenna.
Helical antennas do not rust or corrode easily. They are made of durable materials and can withstand even the strongest windstorms and ice storms. It is easy to use a helical antenna for satellites and radio stations in any type of weather. They give the best performance because of their radiation pattern and high directivity.
We discussed all the advantages of a helical antenna and its patterns. Now, let us discuss the Disadvantages of the Helical Antenna in the below section:
Helical antennas are large in the size. They are larger than other types of antennas. Because of their bulky size, these antennas consume a lot of space in radio stations and satellites. It is also difficult to maintain bulky antennae in day-to-day life. Cleaning this type of antenna is also a difficult task because of its large size.
We discussed the efficiency of a helical antenna depends on several factors. These factors include the number of turns, diameter, space between the helical loops, excitation, pitch, and wavelength. Due to several factors, the efficiency of the antenna is often reduced. Due to a decrease in efficiency, it is difficult to communicate over a long distance.
Helical antennas are more expensive than other kinds of antennas. They are used mainly in large radio stations and satellites.
As a helical antenna is connected with a ground plane, you will need a powerful ground plane to use it. A good ground plane will improve the performance of a helical antenna. It also gives poor signals sometimes due to the narrowband.
It is easy to find the best High Gain Helical Antenna Manufacturer online. You can visit the official site of these manufacturers and look at the list of their products and get the best quotes.
27 Sep
Helical antenna is an example of wire antenna and itself forms the shape of a helix. This is a broadband VHF and UHF antenna.
The frequency range of operation of helical antenna is around 30MHz to 3GHz. This antenna works in VHF and UHF ranges.
Helical antenna or helix antenna is the antenna in which the conducting wire is wound in helical shape and connected to the ground plate with a feeder line. It is the simplest antenna, which provides circularly polarized waves. It is used in extra-terrestrial communications in which satellite relays etc., are involved.
The above image shows a helical antenna system, which is used for satellite communications. These antennas require wider outdoor space.
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It consists of a helix of thick copper wire or tubing wound in the shape of a screw thread used as an antenna in conjunction with a flat metal plate called a ground plate. One end of the helix is connected to the center conductor of the cable and the outer conductor is connected to the ground plate.
The image of a helix antenna detailing the antenna parts is shown above.
The radiation of helical antenna depends on the diameter of helix, the turn spacing and the pitch angle.
Pitch angle is the angle between a line tangent to the helix wire and plane normal to the helix axis.
$$\alpha = \tan^{-1}(\frac{S}{\pi D})$$$$\alpha = \tan^{-1}(\frac{S}{\pi D})$$
where,
D is the diameter of helix.
S is the turn spacing (centre to centre).
α is the pitch angle.
The predominant modes of operation of a helical antenna are &#;
Normal or perpendicular mode of radiation.
Axial or end-fire or beam mode of radiation.
Let us discuss them in detail.
In normal mode of radiation, the radiation field is normal to the helix axis. The radiated waves are circularly polarized. This mode of radiation is obtained if the dimensions of helix are small compared to the wavelength. The radiation pattern of this helical antenna is a combination of short dipole and loop antenna.
The above figure shows the radiation pattern for normal mode of radiation in helical antenna.
It depends upon the values of diameter of helix, D and its turn spacing, S. Drawbacks of this mode of operation are low radiation efficiency and narrow bandwidth. Hence, it is hardly used.
In axial mode of radiation, the radiation is in the end-fire direction along the helical axis and the waves are circularly or nearly circularly polarized. This mode of operation is obtained by raising the circumference to the order of one wavelength (λ) and spacing of approximately λ/4. The radiation pattern is broad and directional along the axial beam producing minor lobes at oblique angles.
The figure shows the radiation pattern for axial mode of radiation in helical antenna.
If this antenna is designed for right-handed circularly polarized waves, then it will not receive left-handed circularly polarized waves and vice versa. This mode of operation is generated with great ease and is more practically used.
The following are the advantages of Helical antenna &#;
The following are the disadvantages of Helical antenna &#;
The following are the applications of Helical antenna &#;
A single helical antenna or its array is used to transmit and receive VHF signals
Frequently used for satellite and space probe communications
Used for telemetry links with ballastic missiles and satellites at Earth stations
Used to establish communications between the moon and the Earth
Applications in radio astronomy
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