Conical Helical Antenna

The project is intended to strengthen my research on broadband antenna conducted on summer of 2005 here at Minnesota State University, Mankato: Antenna Research Lab which investigated the behavior of cone shaped helical antenna. This broadband antenna is used mainly for transferring and receiving microwave signals with reasonably good directivity. The microwave signals are high frequency electromagnetic signals that propagate in straight line. These signals are less affected by atmosphere. The microwave signals allow the use of smaller dish and exhibit high power gain, excellent sensitivity and directional characteristics. This investigated antenna is conical in shape where the metallic rod winds around to form a helical shape structure. These antennas can be used all by themselves in short-range radar systems, such as those used by law-enforcement officers to track the vehicle speed. This type of antenna does not exist and no significant research has been done on it. This research is intended to construct such antenna and determine the possibility of manufacturing them commercially. Compared to other commercially available antennas, this antenna has smaller size and lighter mass which makes it more portable. Since the antenna is conical in shape it can be faced towards one direction and all the signals can be sent to that particular direction. This will increase the coverage range and signal reception. Also because of its conical shape, a number of such antennas can be combined horizontally to form an array to further improve its reception and coverage range