Recent Publications:


Application of Spatial Bandwidth Concepts to MAS Pole Location for Dielectric Cylinders

J. Richie, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 59, No. 12, pp. 4861 - 4864, Dec. 2011.

Abstract

The concept of effective spatial bandwidth (EBW) is extended from the case of an MAS solution for perfectly conducting (PEC) cylinders to dielectric cylinders. It is shown that the ideas and results for the con- ducting cylinder apply in a straightforward manner to the dielectric case. For the dielectric case, there are two auxiliary surfaces. Because the EBW calculations are independent of the scatterer material, the auxiliary sur- face for the scattered field will follow the same guidelines for both the PEC and dielectric cases. The guidelines for the second auxiliary surface are de- scribed and verified here. Guidelines for both a plane wave incident field and a monopole line source incident field are provided.

MAS Pole Location and Effective Spatial Bandwidth of the Scattered Field

J. Richie, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 58, No. 11, pp. 3610 - 3615, Nov. 2010.

Abstract

In this work, the concept of effective spatial bandwidth (EBW) is introduced for periodic domains. The EBW is applied to the incident and scattered fields along the boundary of an infinite circular cylinder. The scattered field is formulated using the Method of Auxiliary Sources (MAS). In MAS, monopoles on an auxiliary surface (AS) are used to model the scattered field. It is shown that the EBW of the incident field can provide some insight regarding the placement of poles for the MAS scattered field model. Example simulations are provided to demonstrate the usefulness of EBW with respect to monopole placement rules in MAS.

UHF Propagation in the Magnetic Resonance Bore

J. A. Black, and J. Richie, IEEE Antennas and Wave Propagation Letters, Vol. 8, pp. 869-871, 2009

Abstract

The magnetic resonance (MR) bore's structure, loading parameters, and material make-up greatly influence the ability of a frequency-specific signal to propagate. The relative path loss behavior of the MR bore has been determined experimentally at ultra high frequencies. An experiment is conducted to determine signal attenuation when the bore is empty (air-filled) or dielectrically loaded (patient-filled). This information is especially important to the wireless network designer who is implementing an in-bore physiological monitoring network. Experimental results show that the MR bore exhibits impressive path loss performance at 434 MHz, with greatest signal strength arriving at the receiver when the bore is dielectrically loaded.

A Top-Mounted, Two-Loop Antenna Configuration with Nearly Omnidirectional Radiation Characteristics

J. Richie, B. Koch, IEEE AP-S International Symposium Digest, Albuquerque NM, July 2006.

The Use of Side-Mounted Loop Antennas on Platforms to Obtain Nearly Omnidirectional Radiation

J. Richie, and B. Koch, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Dec. 2005.

Abstract

Antennas mounted to vehicles at VHF frequencies are limited to whip and loop antennas. Often, mechanical constraints force antenna placement to be less than optimal. In this work, we investigate the use of side-mounted loops on rectangular conducting platforms. It will be shown that tall thin platforms radiate simlar to a dipole. In addition, as the thickness increases, the loop antennas can radiate in a nearly omnidirectional fashion if the antenna-mounted sides of the platform are not too wide. In effect, a narrow platform width implies return currents for a loop antenna that remain mostly vertical.


HF Antennas for NVIS Applications Mounted to Helicopters with Tandem Main Rotor Blades

J. Richie, and T. Joda, IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, May 2003.

Abstract

Antennas mounted to helicopters for HF Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) communication suffer from severe rotor modulation at frequencies where the blades are nearly resonant. Helicopters with tandem main rotors such as the US Army Chinook cargo helicopter are considered. It is determined that there are two effects contributing to rotor modulation: the parasitic radiation from the rotor blades, and the induced current on the hubs. It is shown here that two towel bar (loop) antennas, one on each side of the airframe and centered with respect to the hubs, can be used to reduce the severe drop in gain due to hub currents. However, the variation in gain due to parasitic radiation from the blades remains.


VHF Helicopter Antennas the Incorporate the Airframe and Reduce Rotor Modulation

J. Richie, and T. Barrett, IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, August 2000.

Abstract

Antennas at VHF frequencies mounted to small (with respect to wavelength) helicopter platforms are usually limited to whip and loop antennas. Antenna placement and rotor position can drastically change antenna performance due to induced currents on the platform. This work illustrates deliberate antenna-platform interactions that cause induced currents to reinforce and improve the radiating system performance. Additionally, rotor modulation effects can be simultaneously limited. This is accomplished by using oppositely placed loop antennas at a location on the airframe that is nominally one wavelength in circumference. The resulting broadcast pattern admits low cross-polarization radiation and low copolarized rotor modulation, but is not uniform. The dipole moment of the loops dictates this nonuniformity. Double-loop antennas are used to create a more uniform broadcast pattern without sacrificing the desired low cross-polarized radiation and low copolarized rotor modulation.