A Wideband, Low Profile, Shorted Top Hat Monocone Antenna
Open Access
Author:
Aten, Daniel Warren
Graduate Program:
Electrical Engineering
Degree:
Master of Science
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
None
Committee Members:
Ram Mohan Narayanan, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Ram Mohan Narayanan, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Randy L Haupt, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Keywords:
low profile genetic algorithm wideband
Abstract:
This thesis describes a new, innovative, wideband antenna design which is short compared to wavelength and has an omni-directional radiation pattern that is theta polarized. This type of antenna is important on many devices that require a low profile antenna design. One particular example is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
To investigate this problem commercially available programs, Feko Suite 5.1 and Microwave Studio (MWS) were used in conjunction with a genetic algorithm(GA). Using these two modeling software packages previously researched antenna designs were modeled and experimental prototypes were fabricated for verification.
The new antenna design proposed is a shorted top hat mono cone design that is tall and displays a larger bandwidth, 3:1, than current low profile antennas found in literature. The design was optimized using a GA and MWS. To verify the results, the antenna was prototyped and tested. The tested results yielded a comparison of and an antenna pattern, which matched simulated results. Furthermore, a link budget analysis was completed verifying that the final design performs equally well or better than currently used UAV antennas.
