The performance properties of an electrically small folded spherical helix antenna

The performance properties of an electrically small folded spherical helix antenna are presented. This antenna has a total height less than 0.06/spl lambda/ where it is self-resonant and has a radiation resistance near 50 ohms. This antenna exhibits typical monopole radiation patterns, it is predominantly vertically polarized and it has an efficiency in excess of 90%. Finally, near its resonant frequency it exhibits a Q that closely approaches the fundamental Q-limit.