The impedance and radiation pattern parameters of a /spl lambda//2 quadrifilar helix antenna (QHA) with turn angles in the range 0/spl deg/ to 235/spl deg/ are analyzed. It is shown that by selecting the helix turn angle to satisfy the minimum bandwidth and beamwidth requirements, an improved electrical performance and a reduction in the physical size of the antenna is obtained.

Abstract

The objective of this study is the design and implementation of a Quadrifilar Helix Antenna (QHA) for telemetry, tracking and control of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. Because of its cardioid-shaped circularly polarized beam, QHA can satisfy requirements of satellite communications completely. In this paper, a variation of QHA referred to as “self-phased QHA” with a single feeding circuit, has been proposed to reduce implementation complexity. The designed antenna has been analyzed and the experimental results show that the radiation pattern provides good wide-beam in the desired frequency while the antenna’s bandwidth is around 200MHz when VSWR is less than 2.

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• Download Citation Design of a Self-Phased Quadrifilar Helix Antenna for Satellite Communication The objective of this study is the design and implementation of a Quadrifilar Helix Antenna (QHA.
• A self-phased quadrifilar helix antenna is designed, simulated, fabricated and measured for use in Army air-to-ground and airborne-assisted ground-to-ground communication systems. The effect of the metallic ground plane provided by the aircraft fuselage is explored through simulation, and the ideal standoff distance from this ground plane to maximize realized gain is determined.

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