Authors : M.O. Alade, M.A. Salawu, A.S. Adewumi and P.C. Amalu
Abstract: In this study, the design, construction and experimental investigation of the performance of two-element helical antenna array for television and mobile phone networks operating at 400-900 MHz band are reported. The Chang Puak online simulator was employed to carry out the geometrical structural design, using 4 mm diameter copper pipe for the helical elements constructions, flat plate aluminium as the reflector, 110 mm diameter PVC pipe and steel plates as supports for the helical elements. The spacing of the helical elements of the array corresponds to the wavelengths of the upper, middle and lower frequencies of the desired frequency band. The experimental measurements of the frequency responses and radiation patterns of the proposed antenna array were carried out to analyze the performances of the antenna within the frequency band under consideration while varying the spacing between the helical elements. The results obtained show that practical Butterworth (flat) frequency responses were observed for the proposed antenna at the desired frequency band for all spacing under consideration. Also, the results of measured radiation patterns obtained at all resonant frequency within the desired frequency band for all spacing under consideration show that the proposed 2-element helical antenna array is highly bi-directional type. The antenna can be employed as a mobile phone signal booster’s antenna and also as a Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency (VHF/UHF) television reception antenna.
M.O. Alade, M.A. Salawu, A.S. Adewumi and P.C. Amalu, 2010. Experimental Investigation of the Performance of Two-Element Helical Antenna Array for Television and Mobile Phone Networks Operating at 400-900 MHz Band. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 5: 342-346.