Antennas and Propagation

Chapter 2: Basic Electromagnetic Analysis

Outline
Vector Potentials, Wave Equation
Far-field Radiation
Duality/Reciprocity
Transmission Lines

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 2

Chapter 2

Antenna Theory Problems

Analysis Problem
Given an antenna structure or source current distribution, how does
the antenna radiate?
Focus of this course (more mature and developed)

Synthesis problem
Given the desired operational characteristics (like the radiation
pattern), find the antenna structure or source current that will
generate this.
Challenging! Much less developed.
Topic for research.

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 3

Chapter 2

General Antenna Analysis

Problem Statement
Given:

Fields:

Arbitrary volume V
Filled with sources
= electric currents (A/m2)
= magnetic currents (A/m2)

Problem:
Compute fields E and H generated by currents

Solution:
Maxwells equations gives exact solution

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 4

Chapter 2

Maxwells Equations
Equations (Differential Form)
Gauss Law (electric field)
Gauss Law (magnetic field)
Faradays Law
Amperes Law

Constitutive Relationships

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 5

Chapter 2

Quantities
E
H
B
D
J
M

electric field (V/m)

magnetic field (A/m)
magnetic flux density (tesla, T)
electric displacement (C/m2)
electric current density (A/m2)
magnetic current density (V/m2)
electric charge density (C/m3)
permittivity (F/m)
permeability (H/m)
Characteristic impedance

= 0 = 8.8542 x 10-12 F/m

= r 0
Antennas and Propagation

(Ohm)

= 0 = 4 x 10-7 H/m (free space)

= r 0
Slide 6

Chapter 2

Time Harmonic Fields

Assuming
Time-harmonic fields, or exp(jt) variation
Linear, isotropic media

Maxwells equations become

where =2f is the circular frequency (rad/s).

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 7

Chapter 2

Boundary Conditions

Tangential E and H are

Continuous when no surface currents (J, M) (e.g. dielectric media)
Differ according to the surface currents
(conductive surface)

What if region 2 is perfect conductor?

PEC = perfect electrical conductor
PMC = perfect magnetic conductor
Antennas and Propagation

Slide 8

Chapter 2

The Wave Equation

Maxwell famous for relating E and H fields by adding the D/ t term
in Amperes law
Allows wave propagation to be predicted
Given source free-environment, take curl of Faradays law:

Substituting into Amperes law

Wave equation

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 9

Chapter 2

Vector Potential
Basic Antenna Analysis Problem
Given currents J and M , compute fields E and H
Option 1: Direct
Option 2: Use potential

Static Problems
Nice to use electric scalar potential (V =voltage) instead of E
Why? Can solve scalar equations instead of vector equations

Dynamic Problems
Use the vector potential A instead of B
Can solve vector equations
instead of complicated dyadic (matrix) equations
Definition of A chosen to make analysis as simple as possible
Exploit physical and vectorial properties
Antennas and Propagation

Slide 10

Chapter 2

Vector Potential (2)

Properties we exploit in defining vector potential A
Gauss Law: B = 0
Any vector: ( A ) = 0

Therefore,
BA = HA = A

(No loss of generality)

Subscript A means arising from A or from electric current J
Substitute into Faradays law (with M = 0)
EA = -j HA = -j A
( EA + jA ) = 0
Scalar identity: (e) = 0
(e any scalar function)
Finally: EA + jA = -e
Note: when =0 , have normal definition of scalar potential

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 11

Chapter 2

Vector Potential (3)

Summarizing
We have chosen definition of A so vector properties ensure certain
physical conditions are automatically satisfied
Simplifies analysis!

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 12

Chapter 2

Vector Potential (4)

Substituting EA + jA = -e into Amperes Law

Note: We specified A, but A is not yet uniquely defined

So, choose A = -j e (Lorenz Condition)
Antennas and Propagation

Slide 13

Chapter 2

Vector Potential (5)

Finally

Relationship for A that is just the non-homogeneous wave equation

Individually satisfied for each component (e.g. Ax, Ay, Az)
If we need fields,

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 14

Chapter 2

Vector Potential (6)

Vector potential F for magnetic current M
Almost identical procedure, but roles of E and H switch
See notes for derivation

Also, to get E

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 15

Chapter 2

Vector Potential Summary

Summarizing...
Transforms complicated wave equation involving E and H
Simpler scalar wave equations for comps of A and F

Approach
Given J and M solve for A and F
When all finished, then find E and H
Helps us manage the complexity of EM antenna problems

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 16

Chapter 2

Finding A for Known J

Governing equation
Need to solve

Direct solution wrt. some boundary conditions? Numerically...

Alternative Approach
Transform into integral equation
Greens function technique
Advantage:
Automatically incorporates boundary condition
Single equation

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 17

Chapter 2

Greens Function Technique

Roadmap
1. Find fields radiated by a point source at origin
2. Translate solution to arbitrary source location
3. Solution for arbitrary current distribution given
by superposition of point source solutions
Similar to signal analysis for LTI systems!

Impulse response of system h(t)

Response for arbitrary input is y(t) = h(t) x(t)

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 18

Chapter 2

1. Fields due to Point Source at Origin

Assume current distribution

We need to solve

J
x

Only have z-directed component on LHS, therefore also on RHS

Now, solve for point source (unit impulse) at origin:

call solution
Problem:
Antennas and Propagation

Slide 19

Chapter 2

Case 1: Away from origin

Assume r 0

Simplify by invoking symmetry of problem

RHS is only a function of r (point source), so g( r) only should
depend on distance from origin r = |r|

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 20

Chapter 2

Case 1: Away from origin (2)

Do a trick on the d/dr term

So, need to solve

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 21

Chapter 2

Case 1: Away from origin (4)

Only depends on single var r, so have famous ODE

Solutions

Simplification: c2 = 0

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 22

Chapter 2

Case 2: Include contribution at origin

Have solution

But how to find c1?

Need to include effect of source at origin
Consider original problem

Integrate both sides over a sphere

Let sphere shrink to simplify solution

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 23

Chapter 2

Case 2: Include contribution at origin (2)

Note:

Simplify first term with Divergence Theorem

Integrating divergence of something over volume
= Integration of outward normal component on surface

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 24

Chapter 2

Case 2: Include contribution at origin (3)

Becomes

Just need to insert previous result

and solve for c1

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 25

Chapter 2

Case 2: Include contribution at origin (4)

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 26

Chapter 2

2. Translate Solution
Have solution for point at origin
z

r - r

For arbitrary source point r

x

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 27

Chapter 2

3. Arbitrary Current Distribution

Have solution for point source

What about arbitrary source J (r )?

Big Idea: Can solve this equation by substituting the point source
solution into the proper integral equation.

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 28

Chapter 2

Arbitrary Current Distribution (2)

Consider integral equation

Use the vector identity:

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 29

Chapter 2

Arbitrary Current Distribution (3)

But, what is I equal to?
Divergence Theorem
S

Note: Surf. integral 0 as volume becomes large

V
Called the radiation condition
Intuitively: If we are far from all sources, Az and g will shrink to 0.

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 30

Chapter 2

Arbitrary Current Distribution (4)

=0

Recall that we have

Substitute into volume equation

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 31

Chapter 2

Arbitrary Current Distribution (5)

Note: We have switched r and r (symmetry)

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 32

Chapter 2

Arbitrary Current Distribution (6)

Interpretation? Like a convolution!

Since we have the same equation for each Cart. component

Similarly for magnetic currents

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 33

Chapter 2

Summary of Greens Function Analysis

Goal
Compute fields radiated by arbitrary current source (antenna).

Solution
Use vector potentials to make problem simpler
Simple inhomogeneous wave equation for A
Solve the equation for a point current source (= Greens function)
Fields for arbitrary current given by integral equation
(Superposition or convolution)

Antennas and Propagation

Slide 34

Chapter 2