Introduction to Circularly Polarized Antennas

Chapter 1 introduces the reader to basic concepts of antenna parameters and principles of circularly polarized antennas. This can help readers who are not familiar with the antenna basics. In the first part of the chapter, the main antenna parameters such as radiation pattern, gain, polarization, circular polarization, efficiency, bandwidth, and so on are explained. In the second part of the chapter, basic antenna types for circular polarization are presented. These include CP patch antennas, crossed dipoles, helix antennas, QHA, PQHA, spiral antennas, slot antennas, dielectric resonator antennas, patch arrays, and slot arrays. The operation principles of each type of CP antenna are explained. The third part of the chapter discusses typical requirements and challenges in CP antenna designs, followed by a brief summary and a list of references.