Q Bounds for Arbitrary Small Antennas: A Circuit Approach

Circuit models for the lowest-order modes radiating from within an arbitrarily-shaped envelope have been developed based on the exact circuits for spherical modes and the radar scattering from a conductor of the arbitrary shape. These circuits predict lower bounds on the Q of small antennas with any combination of coupling between modes. Circuit parameters are tabulated for a range of shapes, and the procedure for computing parameters for other shapes is explained. The bounds on a small circularly-polarized cylindrical antenna illustrate an application. Predictions for scattering by the arbitrary envelope filled with a high μ or ε material serve to validate the procedure.