Optimization Of Helical Antennas

Antonije Djordjevic, Dragan Olcan, Alenka Zajic, and Milan Ilic

Helical antennas have been known for a long time, but the literature is overwhelmed with controversial information about their performance. We have systematically investigated helical antennas located above an infinite ground plane and obtained design curves. We have observed that the shape of the ground conductor has influence on the helical antenna performance. We have optimized the dimensions of ground conductors that have the form of a cup and a cone to significantly increase the antenna gain. Simultaneous optimization of the helix and the ground conductor is under way to improve the antenna performance.