A Very Compact Normal Mode Multiloop Helical Antenna with Enhanced Bandwidth

Abstract

The physical size of an antenna becomes an important characteristic when receiving signals in bands with long wavelengths. Size determines two important aspects of antenna performance; impedance and efficiency. For example, the VHF antennas installed on radio sets that intended to receive FM or the latest technology Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio signals in Bands II, III respectively. Antennas that are installed on mobile platforms (i.e. portable receivers) require a receiver that utilizes a whip telescopic antenna with adjustable length which can operate as a λ/4 monopole antenna. Whereas, non-portable applications like a deck commercial receiver has no built in antenna due to the large size of the radiator needed and so must be connected with an external antenna. This paper presents a new design of a very small size Normal Mode Multiloop Helical Antenna (NMMHA) with superior performance developed for commercial receivers operate in band II, III. The major drawback which has been overcome with this design is the very narrow bandwidth of the Normal Mode Helical Antenna, which originally was optimized to provide the minimum Voltage Standing Wave Ratio VSWR response across Band II (87.5 - 108 MHz). The NMMHA’s size allows it to be a build in block of a deck commercial receiver.