pdf Antenna Engineering Fundamentals Volume II: Arrays, Propagation, Simulation, and Measurement

Antenna Engineering Fundamentals — Volume II: Arrays, Propagation, Simulation, and Measurement continues from the foundations of Volume I and moves into the more advanced problems encountered in real antenna engineering.

This volume focuses on how antennas behave as part of larger systems: arrays, propagation environments, feeds, platforms, simulation models, measurement setups, and complete design workflows.

The book begins with antenna arrays and beam steering, including array factor, phased arrays, mutual coupling, grating lobes, and calibration. It then develops polarization, circular polarization, multipath, diversity, traveling-wave antennas, helices, log-periodic antennas, spirals, and broadband design.

The second half of the volume is devoted to practical engineering work. It covers propagation and Fresnel clearance, antenna placement, cables and baluns, common-mode current, enclosure and platform effects, electromagnetic simulation, convergence, optimization, VNA measurement, radiation-pattern testing, gain, efficiency, uncertainty, and systematic troubleshooting.

Topics include:

• Array factor, uniform linear arrays, and phased-array scanning
• Mutual coupling, active impedance, grating lobes, and calibration
• Linear, circular, and elliptical polarization
• Axial ratio, polarization mismatch, multipath, and diversity
• Traveling-wave, helical, log-periodic, and spiral antennas
• Broadband design and electromagnetic scaling
• Free-space propagation, ground reflection, and Fresnel zones
• Antenna height, terrain, clutter, and platform integration
• Feed lines, connectors, baluns, and common-mode currents
• Human-body, enclosure, and nearby-structure effects
• MoM, FEM, FDTD, physical optics, and hybrid simulation methods
• Meshing, materials, ports, convergence, and validation
• Antenna optimization and tolerance analysis
• VNA measurements, gain and pattern measurements, and efficiency testing
• Measurement uncertainty, repeatability, and troubleshooting
• Complete antenna design case studies from requirements to final verification

Throughout the book, emphasis is placed on the difference between a mathematically correct model and a physically credible design. Simulation results are connected to material properties, feeds, reference planes, manufacturing tolerances, and measurement uncertainty.

The volume also shows why antenna performance cannot be judged from S11 alone. Realized gain, efficiency, polarization, radiation pattern, propagation conditions, and installation effects must all be considered together.

Written for engineering students, RF technicians, radio amateurs, telecommunications professionals, and practicing engineers, Volume II provides a practical bridge between antenna theory and the simulation, measurement, troubleshooting, and validation methods used in real engineering work.