Radiation characteristics of Side Fed Bifilar Helix Antenna for L-Band LEO satellites and terrestrial mobile communications

The parametric study of Side Fed Bifilar Helix Antenna (SFBHA) is reported for varying height and varying sized finite metallic ground planes for L-Band communications. The radiation characteristics like 3dB power beamwidth and boresight axial ratio are enhanced when SFBHA is deployed over smaller ground planes. Also, increase in height of the SFBHA above these ground planes plays a supportive role in the improvement of boresight axial ratio. Up to the height of 0.5λ, gain of SFBHA varies with the varying size of finite metallic ground plane. Afterwards, size and height of finite metallic ground plane are not influencing in defining these radiation characteristics. Results encourage the deployment of SFBHA in terrestrial and space systems where low profile character of SFBHA at low frequencies is another added advantage in highly maneuverable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and ground based mobile communication systems.