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82

HEIGHT RADIUS EFFECT ON MF AM TRANSMITTING MONOPOLE ANTENNA


Valentin Trainotti
Senior Member IEEE
Carlos Calvo 665
1102 Buenos Aires, Argentina
ABSTACT
Measurements have been made on ground electri-
cal field intensity in order to obtain a coefficient
for the shadow or diffraction factor. This factor
permits to determine with good accuracy the ground
E field from the transmitting antenna to a point
well beyond the radio horizon. The ground E field
is of paramount importance to obtain the nocturnal
service area of an broadcast station. Nocturnal
service area depends on the anti fading properties
of the transmitting monopole antenna. Critical study
of height-radius relationship (H/a) effect has been
made in order to determine the performance of the
transmitting monopole antenna.
Results are very interesting because they per-
mit to evaluate what is the best H/a relationship
for a determined antenna height in order to obtain
maximum directivity and maximum diurnal and noctur-
nal service area. Improvements in existing MF MI
antennas can be achieved for high fidelity stereo
transmissions choosing the optimum H/a relationship.
Measured data on reduced scale models are shown
and compared with theoretical predictions. Good
agreements have been achieved between them.
1. INTRODUCTION
Medium frequency (MF) modulated (AM)
broadcast station monopole antenna has been studied
long time ago by several investigators. Ballantine
gave the electrical field intensity theoretical
curve as a function of physical monopole antenna
height and supposing a sinusoidal current distribu-
tion along the antenna structure. Maximum electrical
field intensity along the earth surface is achieved
close to 0.64", antenna physical height.
Heigher values are inadecuated due to a decrease in
the E field along the earth surface and due to an
increase of the radiated E field at high elevation
angles referred to the earth surface or the ground
plane. This high angle radiation is responsable to
produce a severe interference at some distance from
the transmitting antenna during the night and as
more radiation is transmitted at these angles closer
to the station this interference occurs.
Experience indicates that the optimum antenna height
is lower than 0.64" and this value depends on f re-
quency, conductivity and relative dielectric constant
of the soil surrounding the transmitting antenna, so
this value is not fixed or around 0.55)"
This value must be adopted in order to obtain maxi-
mum diurnal and nocturnal service area. Even though
this theoretical value calculated on a sinusoidal
based current distribution very thin monopole antennna
is quite 10\;er. This is ducc because actual monopole
antenna of any kind, self supported or guyed masts
have height-radius relationship (H/a) that falls
between 50 and 250 approximately. In these actual
cases the radiation pattern is quite different from
that of very thin monopole and depending of electri-
cal height,the radiated energy at high elevation
angles is much more intense as it is suppose to be.
To calculate the radiation pattern of an actual
monopole antenna is necessary to know the current
distribution along the antenna structuFe. This cur-
rent distribution depends on the antenna physical
height and on the height-radius antenna relation-
ship (H/a). Several theories have been developed
to calculate the current distribution, the input
impedance and the radiation pattern of simple
antennas like cylindrical ones. One of them is the
method of moment theory that permits to evaluate the
current distribution on a cylindrical antenna.
Cylindrical antenna is a better approximation to
actual antennas instead of very thin antenna theory
where sinusoidal current distribution is supposed.
Method of moments theory is used here to obtain the
input impedance and the radiation pattern of cylin-
drical monopoles as a function of height radius
relationship (H/a).
2. CYLINDRICAL MONOPOLE ANTENNAS.
The first approximation to actual MF AM broad-
cast monopole antennas is to suppose that the struc-
ture is a cylinder with a determined height-radius
relationship (H/a). In case of triangular or square
section structures an equivalent cylindrical radius
is used to simulate the equivalent cylinder. Equi-
valent cylindrical radius of a triangular section
section structure is approximately 0.45 side length
and for a square one is approximately 0.6 side
length. In the case of thin wire antennas, the cur-
rent distribution along the wire is assumed to be
sinusoidal and for finite radius wire the sinusoidal
current distribution is representative but not exact.
To find the current distribution for a cylindrical
antenna an integral equation is usually derived and
solved. To solve the integral equation it is con-
venient to use moment method techniques. Knowing
the voltage at the feed terminals and determining
the current distribution, it permits one to obtain
the input impedance, radiation pattern and directi-
vity or monopole ideal gain. ( Gain and directivity
are related through efficiency so they have the same
value as ground plane and antenna structure have
infinite conductivity).
Cylindrical monopole antenna coordinates used
in the analysis and the eqUivalent radius concept
are shown in figure 1. As the current along the
antenna structure flows in a longitudinal way it
should be convenient to put copper wires from the
feeding point to the antenna structure top. A good
0018-9316/90/0300-0082$01.00 1990 IEEE
practice is using at least 12 wires in a triangular
structure, 4 in each sides and 16 in a square one
with the same distribution. This technique increases
structure radiation efficiency and avoids malfunctions
by non contacts between mast sections.
Calculated input impedance of cylindrical
monopole antennas as a function of height-radius
relationship and antenna height are shown as resis-
tance and reactance curves in figure 2. At the same
time radiation patterns have been calculated and
figure 3 shows 0.5 A and 0.55"- monopole antenna
height as examples. Monopole antenna directivity
is obtained as radiated energy integration in the
upper hemisphere. Isotropic source is taken as re-
ference. Figure 4 shows monopole antenna directi-
vity as a function of antenna height and Hla relation-
ship as parameter. Directivity as a function of Hla
and as parameter can be seen in figure 5.
Traditionally, short monopole has been taken as
directivity or gain reference, nevertheless this re-
ference must be theoretical too, as isotropic source
is. If not it's very difficult to obtain an accurate
reference because gain depends on antenna height and
on ground plane conductivity and ground plane dimen-
sions. Isotropic source is always theoretical and at
present time is taken as standard reference in antenna
field. Isotropic reference is more convenient refe-
rence source because pattern integration of any an-
tenna leads to directivity, as definition.
Directivity of a short monopole antenna (theoreti-
cally speaking ) referred to an isotropi source is
three times the radiated energy in the radiation
pattern maximum and it occurs at zero elevation angle
(et= 0) for infinite ground conductivity. In short
monopole antenna case directivity is a function of
direction while in isotropic source case it is dire-
ction independent and it doesn't depend on ground
conductivity. Nevertheless, if an antenna directi-
vity is known it is very easy to know its value re-
ferred to the traditionally ideal short monopole an-
tenna by 4.77 dB sustraction.
3. EFFECT ON SERVICE AREAS
Diurnal service area is based on having an el-
ectrical field intensity more than 88, 74 and 54 dBu
(25, 5 and 0.5 mV/m) according to urban, residential
or rural areas. To reach these values, transmitting
power, antenna gain (efficiency and directivity)
frequency and soil physical constants (conductivity
and relative dielectric constant) are taken into
account. In the antenna case only directivity must
be taken into account because the other parameters
remain constant for a typical installation.
Directivity curves permit diurnal service evaluation
due to directivity increase or decrease as a function
of antenna height and Hla relationship. Directivity
change as a function of Hla relationship is quite
smooth for almost any kind of monopole antenna height
used in practice, as calculations suggested.
Attention must be paid to lower monopole antenna
height were an increase in directivity is achieved
for low Hla relationship. This increase occurs for an-
tc'f1[lil height" up to (1.5).. but with a peak near 0.4)...
iigure 6 shows directivlLy changes as a function of
Hla relationship. This possibility would be very
useful because it can be achieved with only a small
increase in the radiating system cost.
To obtain monopole ancenna diameter increase in
MF AM band a wire cage around the supporting mast or
tower must be built with a minimum of 24 wires to
simulate a solid tube. This cage should be preferably
83
cylindrical. For a monopole antenna shorter than
0.5)., advantage not only in ground electrical field
intensity due to directivity increase but at the same
time an increase in the antenna bandwidth and a small
increase in the nocturnal service area (distortionless
area) are achieved. Increase in antenna bandwidth is
due to lower input impedance variation as a function
of frequency and this would be very useful for stereo
high fidelity AM transmissions. These properties
would be an important advantage in the lower part of
the MF AM band where higher physical structures are
necessary and taller monopole antennas lead to less
bandwidths and very high costs. Modifications on
existing structures and impedance matching would be
very easy to introduce.
Figure 7 shows the easy way antenna feeder on an
existing tower or mast modification and at the same
time a different point of view where a grounded mast
is used and the tuning box or house is eliminated.
In this latter case transmission line technique mat-
ching impedance could be used, bringing the power at
the proper resistant point on the cage and cancelling
reactance by a piece of the same transmission line.
Care must be taken for monopole antennas higher
than because they must be maintained as thin
as possible. In this case Height-radius relationship
is of paramount importance in anti fading properties
or maximum nocturnal service area. It's important
to reaffirm that this area is radiated power inde-
pendent but of course a minimum power is necessary
in order to reach the previous levels of electrical
field intensity (diurnal service area). This noctur-
nal service area is nonsense in very low power local
stations, but is of paramount importance in high po-
wer very expensive installations.
Directivity curves are illustrative to know what
is expected for a dermined monopole antenna height
and Hla relationship. For monopole antennas higher
than 0.5 care must be taken looking at figure 8
where nocturnal service area is shown at a frequency
of 1 MHz and for different physical soil parameters
(conductivity and relative dielectric constant).
Similar behavior is obtained at other frequencies
into the MF AM band. Of course higher values in
nocturnal service area for lower frequencies and lower
for higher frequencies at the same conductivity.
4. MONOPOLE ANTENNA MEASUREMENTS.
Cylindrical monopole antenna radiation patterns
have been calculated on a moment method theory basis
that determines the current distribution on a cylin-
drical structure. Nevertheless it's important to ve-
rify practical radiation patterns for different mo-
nopole antenna heights and Hla relationships.
Due to the large dimensions of the aatenna it's more
practical to use a scale model for the measurements.
To measure the radiation pattern a reducedscale mo-
del was placed on a l1x6 meter image plane range.
The source antenna for the range is a log
dipole antenna mounted on a fiberglass gantry whose
radius is such that the distance from the source an-
tenna to the monopole antenna being tested is appro-
ximately 7.5 meters. The arc movement permits measu-
rements from 0 to 180 degrees of elevation angle.
The scaled frequency of operation is within the VHF
band. The electronic measurement system is based on
an HP 8410 network analyzer with a generator and a
wide band amplifier, so that the radiation pattern
dynamic range is in excess 40 db with good linearity
inamplitude. The source antenna position is determined
by a digital system that drives the X axis of an XY
recorder. As an example of these measurements figure
84
-- ---_. ---------------------------------
[7] W.L. Stutzman, G.A. Thiele."Antenna Theory &
Design", John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981.
[6] P.E. Patrick, "The service area of medium power
broadcast stations", Proc. IRE, Vol. 30,
pp.404-410; September 1942.
z
a
1-
Iz
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY.
S. Ballantine, "On the optimum transmitting
wavelength for a vertical antenna over perfect
earth", Proc. IRE, Vol. 12, pp.833-839;
December 1924.
C. Balanis, "Antenna Theory", Harper &Row Pub.
New York, 1982.
G.H. Brown, "A critical study of the characte-
ristics of broadcast antenna current distribu-
tion", Proc. IRE, Vol. 24, pp. 48-81;
January 1936.
R. Harrington, "Field computation by moment
methods", R. Krieger Pub. Co. ,Malabar, Fl. 1982.
[5] R.W.P. King, "The Teory of Linear Antennas"
Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA. 1956.
[8] V. Trainotti, "On the service area of broadcast
stations,the optimum broadcast antenna" Antenna
Application Symposium, Allerton House, Univ.
of Illinois. September 1987.
[ 1 ]
[4]
[2]
[3]
Input impedance and radiatlon patterns of dif-
ferent H/a relationship monopole antennas have been
calculated. These radiation patterns permit to ob-
tain the theoretical nocturnal service area in order
to show the effect of the H/a relationship in the
monopole antenna behavior. It's intersting the con-
tary effect that was discoverred using low H/a rela-
tionship in lower than 0.5A and higher than 0.5A
monopole antenna height. This effect will be taken
into account in future transmitting system designs
or transmitting systems modifications.
5. CONCLUSIONS.
Theoretical calculations by moment method theory
indicate a small gain for monopole antennas with low
H/a relationship and a height lower than 0.5A. Model
gain measurements in HF band cOLfirm this achievement.
At the same time model pattern measurements in VHF
band show too, higher gain for monopole antennas with
low H/a relationship making the best impedance mat-
ching as possible. This is very important because
the gain increase is within a dB, and this gain is
very difficult to achieve in metium frequencies.
Figure 10 shows some of these measurements.
Grounded masts permit to protect the radiating
systems from electrostatic potentials and storm ef-
fects. This property is very important and even more
when solid state transmitters are employed. One pos-
sibility is using a folded monopole antenna. In this
case the transmitting mast could be isolated by its
driving point on its lower part and the folded part
connects the mast top to ground directly. Three or
four guys from the mast top to ground could be the
folded part and at the same time part of the support
system. Model measurements show almost no difference
in the antenna radiation pattern with or without four
guys connected direcly from mast top to ground if
monopole antenna height is close to 0.25 A.. Different
thing occurs if monopole antenna height is close to
0.5A-where high angle radiation is very high.
Figure 11 shows radiation patterns of these two cases.
9 shows measured radiation patterns of monopole an-
tenna models as a function of H/a relationship.
Radiation patterns obtained by this measurement sys-
tem confirm the theoretical patterns obtained on a
moment method theory basis. As H/a relationship is
varied from 10 to 1000 increase in high elevation
angle radiation for any height from 0.25 to 0 . 6 4 ~
are obtained but this increase is very important for
monopole antennas higher than 0.45 A while the ra-
diation patterns are practically the same for mono-
pole antennas lower than 0.35 A-. This is a very good
confirmation of the theoretical predictions. Prac-
tical models show a little more radiation in the se-
condary lobes than the theoretical ones and always
these secondary lobes are very broad without a sharp
null between principal and secondary lobes. Small
variations in pattern level due to finite ground
plane instearl of an infinite one can be seen. This is
due to ground plane edge diffraction.
Measurements on different models in HF and VHF
bands confirm this effect. It would be useful to
confirn it in an actual model within the MF AM band
in the near future.
Figure 1. Cylindrical monopole antenna coordinate
system. Equivalent radius for triangular and square
section structure.
600
400
.2 .4
.6 .8
.4
.6 H/\ .8
85
Figure 2. Base input resistance
and reactance for a cylindrical
monopole antenna as a function of
and H/a relationship.
Fi g u r e 3. Cylindrical
monopole antenna
radiation pattern as
a function of H/a
relationship.
D(d ;)
8.0
7.0
._+---
5.0
4.5
.2 .4 .6
Figure 4. Cylindrical monopole
antenna directivity as a function
of for H/a as a parameter.
Soil conductivity cJ= ;x)
.--
Figure 5. Cylindrical monopole
antenna directivity as a function
of H/a relationship for H/">.. as
a parameter.
Soil conductivity rJ= 'X)

oIt}
-
-----l-- ----
P

v:;
}

V
.58
IA
.55

II
r-
50
1-

f---

.45
J,O-
r---.
:--
.40
1---
--- --_.-

r
--
1--,---
.25

I
.20
H/o
2 5 10 2 5 100 2 5 1000
o
86

JOQ I
-.__---i.__..__
200
100
f -= lMHz
- -- (1' " 4--

Figure 6. Cylindrical monopole
directivity variation as a fun-
ction of H/a relationship.
((1= Xl)

Figure 7. Cylindrical monopole


feeding systems.
R (Km)
10
15.0,,----+----1
(:1 MHz
.0.03 S/II'I\
,-c 30

.2
- R
10
l(Kml
150 I

o
.2
.6 H/>- .8
.8
.2 .4 .6 H/A- .8
R
10
(Km) I =
----l--- ---- ---"-'-,-------
70 I l
-000 _
50 100

L-
l5 _
20 I I
----------r---- ----l _
_LQ __
<1 =0.001 S/m
o IS
.3 .4 .5 H/\ .6
Figur' 8.Nocturnal service area for cylindrical monopole antennas. RIO is the
distance from the transmitting antenna "here the surface "ave is 10
dB higher than the ionospheric or sky "ave.(Nocturnal service area
definition) .
~
e-----
,./ dB
-- -
V
~
~
1----
bt
10
----- f--- f----.
f-----
~ - -
HA 00.2 5
~
f----- ---
_._--
I---
10
I-Va
'" 44
20 ",
-l
/5
f-----
----
000<
79
.'"
105
~ f
1----.... --
~
+++
500
30
--- --1----1----- f-----
0(
40
80 60 4-0 20 o
80 60 40 20
lQ
2()
40
o
87
I
--1-
60 40
dB:
10
{.O:
20 0
Figure 9. Cylindrical monopole antennas measured radiation patterns.
88
0:
80 60 4() 20 0
a) b)
Figure 10. Gain enhance for low H/a relationship monopole antennas.
a) radiation patterns for almost perfectly match monopoles in VHF band.
b) Comparison or received power in HF band. Thinner monopole antenna
is taken as reference.
dB
o
20
20 40 60
H/>- =0.5
80
at. (I
v ~ ~ ~
. - / ~
--l!",--f------ --
B ,'!
, .- , ;f--r-
J
----
JQ
-
'. ,JI ,A /<L__ ,1 I I
---'-i-
A
1
1 1 - 1 ~ 1 ' - B - - -
/ i -}t I \ 1s. _
_/ --;1--'\---
1----
o
20
20
0.2;66
__J __
lli- I::
40 60 80
Figure 11. Radiation patterns for ungrounded and grounded monopole
antennas by means of 4 top guys to ground.



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