Mechanically tunable multiband compact quadrifilar helix antenna with dual mode operation

We show that by introducing a gap at the center of the helical sections (where the current is minimum) of a [lambda]/2 quadrifilar helix antenna (QHA) and varying the axial length and radial gap between the overlapping volutes, the antenna gives a 28% impedance bandwidth which is nine times the bandwidth of a conventional QHA. A 16% bandwidth with a front to back ratio of > 14 dB is achievable with 5-14% reduction in the size of the QHA. The structure can yield a monopole radiation pattern suitable for terrestrial applications or a hemispherical pattern suitable for satellite use. The simulation results are validated by measurements at L-band. Index Terms--Dual mode antenna, quadrifilar helix antenna, satellite antenna, size reduction, tunable antenna, wideband antenna.