Dipole antenna radiation field equation

Question

Can anybody provide me with an idealised formula that describes the radiation pattern of an omnidirectional dipole antenna?

In particular I am interested in the formula that creates a plot similar to the following:

Note: I am looking for a simplified closed-form equation, not a full field simulation.

The polar pattern in the OP reports 10.46 dBi "gain," which is much higher than the 2.15 dBi directivity of a center-fed, 1/2-wave dipole in free space. — Richard Fry, Oct 24 '18 at 23:14

score 7 · Answer 1 · edited Oct 24 '18 at 14:47

7

The antenna you describe is "omnidirectional" only in the xy-plane; it has zero radiation along the z-axis. Thus, your dipole is mounted vertically; i.e., x=0 and y=0 for all segments.

According to Antennas by John Kraus, the far E-field for a center-fed $\lambda/2$ dipole in free space is:

$$E = \frac{\cos\left({\pi\over 2}\cos\theta\right)}{\sin\theta}$$

In the case of a vertically mounted antenna, $\theta$=0 at the horizon of the plot.

edited Oct 24 '18 at 14:47

Phil Frost - W8II

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answered Oct 24 '18 at 13:49

Brian K1LI

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You might add that power, as plotted by EZNEC, is proportional to the square of the E-field. – Phil Frost - W8II Oct 25 '18 at 12:11
If the OP really is interested in the equation to calculate the polar pattern included there — that would not be the Kraus equation shown in the answer, to date. – Richard Fry Oct 25 '18 at 12:48
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Dick, please enlighten us with the correct equation. – Brian K1LI Oct 25 '18 at 14:37
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That would require an accurate definition of the radiator/array to which that pattern applies, which was not provided. – Richard Fry Oct 25 '18 at 16:59

Dipole antenna radiation field equation

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