COMPILATION OF PROBLEMS IN RF DESIGN,

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION AND

TRANSMISSION MEDIA AND ANTENNA
SYSTEMS

Practice Problems:
1. What is the longest wavelength that a 2.5 cm wide waveguide will support in the
dominant mode of operation (m=1)? (Answer: 5cm)
c 1 2 1 2 c 3.0 x 108 100 cm
Fc =
2 a √( )
+
b () λ= =
f 6 x 10 9 = 0.05m x
1m
3 x 108 2
1
=
2 √( 2.5 x 10 )
−2
+ 0 λ = 5cm

Fc = 6GHz

2. Find the radius and guide wavelength in air dielectric cylindrical wavelength for the
dominant mode of operation at f=27Ghz = 1.5 fc (TE). (Answer: 0.488cm,1.49cm)

3. Determine the via net loss for a satellite link with a one way delay of 300ms.
VnLdB = 0.2(Δt) + 0.4dB
= 0.2(300) + 0.4dB

VnLdB = 60.4

4. Suppose the thermal noise contribution 210pW, the IM noise contribution 39.5pW,
and antenna IM noise contributions 15pW, calculate the total noise
Total Noise = (-200 + 210 +39.5 + 15) x 10 -12
Total Noise = 64.5pW

5. A line of sight radio link operating at a frequency of 4Ghz has a separation of 35

km between antennas. An obstacle in the path is located 8km from the transmitting
antenna. By how much must be the beam clear the obstacle? (Answer: 12.92m)
6. A system operates at a bit rate of 40 Mbps. With a received signal power of 631pW
and a noise power density ratio of 4.83x10 -21 W/Hz. Calculate the energy per bit to
noise density ratio. (Answer: 35.41dB)
 631 pW
Eb= C = 40 M =3266.05
R 4.83 x 10−21
EbdB =10log 10 Eb=10log 10 ( 3266.05 )=35.41 dB
7. Calculate the minimum a dimension needed to support a 0.75cm signal in the
dominant mode in a rectangular waveguide. (Answer: 0.375cm)
λ c =2 a
0.75=2 a
0.75
a= =0.375 cm
2
8. A satellite has an ERP of 65.5dBW, the FSL is 210.dB, and the ground station
figure of merit is 32.9dB/k. What is the carrier to noise density at the ground station
receiver? (Answer: 116.4dB)
9. A hallow rectangular waveguide with cut-off frequency of 2.66 GHz is used at 3.7
GHz. calculate the guide wavelength, phase velocity and the guide propagation
velocity. (answer: 0.1166m, 4.316E8m/s, 2.0853E8m/s)
c
λg=
3 x 108
√ ¿ ¿ 2
(f ¿ 2 −fc )=

2
fc
√ 2
( 3.7 x 109 ) −( 2.66 x 109 )
2.66 x 10 9 2
2
=0.1166 m ¿ ¿

c 2
√
Vgroup=c 1−( ) =3 x 10 1−(
f
8 2
(3 x 10 )
8

√ 3.7 x 10 9
) =2.0853 x 108 m/s

Vph= = =4.31 x 108 m/s

g 208528182.6
10. Find the group velocity for a waveguide with cut-off frequency at fc=3.75 GHz, at a
frequency of 5GHz. (Answer:198x106m/s)
fc 2 3.75 2
λg=c 1−
√ ( ) f √
=3 x 108 1− ( )
5
=198.43 x 106 m/s

11. Calculate the characteristics impedance of a waveguide operating at 10.5 GHz if

the cut-off frequency is 6 GHz (Answer:471.25Ω)
377 377
Zo= 2
= =459.39 Ω
fc 6 2
√ 1− ( )
f ( )
√1−
10.5

12. A remote sensing satellite is in circular orbit around earth at an altitude of 3000km
above the earth surface. Calculate its orbital period. (Answer: 150.55mins)
r=3000+6378=9378Km
GM E (6.63 x 10−11 )( 5.974 x 1024 )
V=
√r
=√
9378 x 103
=6498 m/s=6.498Km/s
 2 πr 2 π (9378 Km) 1 minute
T= = =9067.977 s =151.13 minutes
V 6.498 Km/s 60 seconds
13. For a system gain of 125dB, a minimum input C/N of 28dB, and an input noise
power of 110dB, determine the minimum transit power.
MTP = Gain –Noise +Input
= 125dB -110dB + 28dB
MTP = 43dBm
14. A satellite transponder with a bandwidth of 500 MHz uses polarization diversity. If
the bandwidth allocated to transmit a single TV channel is 6MHz, how many TV
channels can be carried by the transponder?
500 MHz
TV Channel = = 88(2) = 166
6 MHz

15. Calculate the total noise power far a receiver with an input bandwidth of 30MHz
and an equivalent noise temperature of 550K (Answer: -126.43dBW)
N = KTB NdBw = 10log(N)
-23 6
= (1.38 x 10 )(500)(30 x 10 ) = 10 log(2.77 x 10-13)
N = 2.77 x 10-13 NdBw = -126.43dBw

16. A transmitting antenna is on a 75-ft tower and a receiving antenna is on a 50-ft

tower. How far apart is the radio horizon distance between them?
D = √ 2 ht + √ 2 hr
= √ 2(75)+ √ 2( 50)
D = 22.25miles

17. Calculate the free space loss at 300MHz between the earth station and a satellite
transponder at 37,000 km.
FSL = 32.4 + 20 log10f(MHz) + 20 log10D(km)
= 32.4 + 20 log (300) + 20 log (37,000)
FSL = 173.3dB

λ
18. Determine the gain and beamwidth of a helical antenna with diameter of , 10
3
λ
turns at pitch of , used at 100MHz. (Answer: 16dB, 31.41°)
4
c 3 x 108
λ= = =3
f 100 x 106
2
3 3

[
Ae =10 log 15
2

[ ) ( )]
( πDλ ) ( NSλ )]=10 log 15(
π
3
3
10( )
3
4
=16 dB
 52 52
θ= = =31.41°
πD NS 3
( )
λ
√
λ π1
( ) √
10( )
4
3 3
19. A helical antenna is operated at twice its original frequency, what is the change in
gain? (Answer: gain is increased 8 times)
G=6.2c 2 N s ¿ ¿= The gain is increased 8 times.
20. Which antenna has greater F/B ratio one with a forward gain of 8dB and a
backward gain 4dB, or one with forward and backward gains of 12 and 10dB,
respectively? (Answer: the 8dB and 4dB antennas)
8 12
=2; =1.2 ; 2> 1.2
4 10
12
=1.2
10
8 dB∧4 dB
21. An FM station has a 1000-ft tower. How far can its signal reach if the listeners have
antennas on the receiver that may be at ground level? How much additional
distance is gained if anf FM receiver is placed on the roof, 30ft off the ground?
(Answer: 44.7miles, 7.8miles)
√ 2 ht + √ 2 hr=√ 2(0)+√ 2 ( 1000 )=44.7 miles
√ 2 ht+ √ 2 hr=√ 2(1000)+ √ 2 ( 30 ) =52.467 miles
52.467 miles−44.7 miles=7.8 miles
22. The input current to a well-designed Marconi antenna is 10A in rms. What is the
input power? (Answer: 3650W)
Radiation resistance=3.65Ω
V =(I ¿¿ ¿)2 R ¿=102(3.65)=365V
P=IV =10 ¿)=3650W
23. A microwave dish antenna has a beamwidth of 0.1° at 4GHz. Calculate its gain
when the efficiency is 70%. (Answer:65.3dB)
ηD 2 70 c
G=η ( ) λ
; θ=
fD
70(3 x 108)
0.1=
( 4 GHz ) D
70(3 x 108 )
D= = 0.019
4 GHz (0.1)
G= 0.7¿ ¿
G=10log(3385274.31)=65.3dB
24. Calculate the power received from a 10W transmitter, 22,00mi from earth, if the
receiving antenna has an effective area at 1500m 2. (Answer:0.953x10-12W)
 25. Determine the power density on earth station from a 5W satellite source. That is
22,00mi from earth (Answer: 31154x10-18)
26. If a field intensity of 30mV/m develops 2.3V in a certain antenna, what is its
effective height? (Answer:76.67m)

N
FI =
E

2.3
FI=
30 x 10−3

FI=76.67m

27. A ship radiotelephone transmitter operates on 2458kHz signal has a measured

field strength of 150mV/m. the second harmonic emission been attenuated below
the 2458kHz fundamental? (Answer: 50.95dB)
28. Calculate the effective radiated power of an FM broadcast station if the output of
the transmitter is 20kW, antenna transmission line loss is 75W, and the antenna
power gain is 6. (Answer: 119.55kW)
29. A half wave dipole is driven with a 10W signal at 00MHz. A receiving dipole 100km
away is aligned such that its gain is cut in half. Determines the received power and
voltage into a 75Ω receiver. (Answer: 15.14x10-12W, 33.24µV)
30. Calculate the efficiency of an antenna that has a radiation resistance of 72Ω and
an effective loss resistance of 6Ω. (Answer: 92.31%)
Radiation resistance
ŋ= × 100
Radiation resistance+ effective loss
72Ω
ŋ= × 100
72 Ω+6 Ω
ŋ=92.31 %

31. Determine the characteristic impendance of a quarter wavelength section used to

match a 300Ω antenna to a 50Ω line.

Zo = √ Zin(λ/4)⋅ZL
= √ (300)(50)
Zo = 122.5Ω

32. An antenna has a maximum forward gain of 18dB at its 110MHz centre frequency
its reverse gain is -9dB and the beamwidth is 34°. For a bandwidth extending from
50 to 190Mhz, find (a) the gain, (b) the bandwidth (c) the F/B ratio, and (d) the
maximum gain at 190MHz. (Answer: 13.5dB, 140MHz, 27dB, 13.5dB)
33. What is the required diameter for a parabolic dish antenna operating at 3GHz with
40dB gain?

GdB = 17.8 + 20log10(fgHz) + 20log10 (Dm)

40dB = 17.8 + 20log(3) + 20log (D)
D = 4.3m

34. Calculate the required aperture area for an optimum rectangular horn antenna
operating at 1.5GHz with 20dB gain.

λ2
Ae = G
4π
2
3.0 x 108
(
= 1.5 x 109 ) 20
(10 10 )
4π
Ae = 0.31787m2

35. Determine the radiation resistance of an antenna which radiates 1500W when
drawing 6A.

P = IV V = IR
V = P/I R = V/I
= (1500W) / 6A = 250V/6A
V = 250V R = 41.7Ω

36. Determine the maximum usable frequency for a critical frequency of 25MHz and an
angle of incidence of 35°.

fc 25 x 106
MUF = =
cos ∅ cos 35
MUF = 30.52MHz

37. Determine the efficiency for an antenna with radiation resistance R r=24.6Ω, a dc
resistance, Rdc=3.1Ω, and a directive gain, D=200.
 Rr
η= x 100 %
R r+ R dc
24.6 Ω
= x 100%
24.6 Ω+3.1Ω
η = 88.8%

38. Determines the Q of an antenna cut for a frequency of 180MHz having a

bandwidth of 6MHz.

fc 180 MHz
Q= =
f 2−f 1 6 MHz
Q = 30

39. An antenna having a gain of 6dB over a reference antenna radiate in order to be
equally as effective in the most preferred direction? (Answer: 2986W (= 3kW))
40. The maximum power density radiated by a short dipole at a distance of 1km is
60nW/m2. Calculate the radiation resistance if the current is 10.5A. (Answer:
9.12mΩ)
2
60 nW 2 dl
PD= ; R rad =80 π ( )
m2 λ
41. A pulse is sent through a cable with a propagation factor of 0.6c. The echo is
received 5µs later. What is the distance to the fault? (Answer: 450m)
Pf ( C )(ε r ) 0.6(3 x 10 8)(5 x 10−6)
= =450 m
2 2
42. A cable has inductance of 125nH/m and 75pF/m at a specified frequency. What is
the characteristic impedance?
125 x 10−9
Zo =
√ 75 x 10−12
Zo = 40.8Ω
43. Calculate the characteristic impedance for an open wire line made up of standard
No. 18 AWG (0.040 inches in diameter) spaced 0.4 inch apart. (Answer:359Ω)
2D
Z o=276 log 10
d
D=0.4 inch ; d=0.04 inch
2(0.4)
Z o=276 log 10 =359 Ω
0.04
44. A transmission line has a voltage node of 4.5V and an antidote value of 6V.
Determine the VSWR. (Answer: 1.330)
 Vmax 6V
VSWR = =
Vmin 4.5 V
VSWR ¿ 1.3333
45. Determine the SWR on a 50Ω line that is terminated by a 300Ω antenna.
Vmax 300Ω
SWR = =
Vmin 50Ω
SWR ¿ 6
46. For a 75Ω line and capacitive load with Z L=50-j25, what is the SWR and the
reflection coefficient? (Answer: 1.77, 0.277∠-123.7°)
ZL−Zo 50−25 j−75
Γ= = =0.277 ∠−123.69°
ZL+Zo 50−25 j+75
47. Calculate the electrical length in degrees of a 5m cable that propagates the signal
at 0.67c at 100MHz. (Answer: 16.63 rad or 895.5°)
48. A lossless line with Ɛr=2.28 is measured with allotted line at 1.5GHz to have a
Vmax= 15mV and Vmin=3mV. The first voltage minimum is 1.8 inches from the
load. Determine (a) the operating wavelength, (b) VSWR, (c) reflection coefficient
magnitude, (d) the distance in wavelength between the load and first voltage node,
and (e) the distance in mm between the voltage antinode and node. (Answer:
132.5m, 5, 0.67, 0.345λ, 33.11mm)
49. Calculate the attenuation in nefers for a 10km length of RG58 A/U coax with of
5dB/100ft. (Answer: 188.8 Nepers)
10Km=32808.39895ft
dBln 10 5 ln 10
Np= = =0.5756
20 20
0.5756(32808.39895 ft )
=188.8Np
100 ft
50. Find the input impedance for a 50Ω transmission line 2.3 λ long, if the load is
20+j75Ω. (Answer: 6.335-j12.656Ω)
51. A series-tuned circuit operating at a frequency of 1GHz is to be constructed from a
shorted section of air dielectric coax. Calculate the required length if k=0.95.
(Answer: 143mm)
v
V = kc λ=
f
285000 kV
= (0.95)(3.0 x 108) ¿
1 x 10 9
V = 285000kV λ = 143mm

52. If two towers of a 1500kHz antenna are separated by 150 electrical degrees, what
is the tower separation in feet? (Answer: 273.3ft)
53. A transmission line is specified to offer a loss of 4dB/100m at 800MHz. calculate
the power that will reach the load if the transmitter puts 100W of power into the
cable. (Answer: 30.2WΩ)
54. A 50Ω transmission line is terminated in a load with Z L=100+j50Ω. Calculate the
voltage reflection coefficient and the voltage standing wave ratio. (Answer:
0.45˂26.6°, 2.6)
ZL−ZO 100+50 j−50 2 1
Γ= = = + j
ZL+ Z 0 100+50 j+50 5 5

SWR=1+ ¿ Γ ∨ ¿ ¿
2 1
1+( + j)
5 5
1−¿ Γ ∨¿= =2+1=0.45∠ 26.6 ° ¿
2 1
1−( + j)
5 5
55. Find the characteristic impedance of a lossless transmission line whose input
impedance was measured as Zin(SC)=j40.42Ω when terminated in a short circuit
and as ZIN(OC)=-j121.24Ω when terminated in an open circuit (Answer: 70Ω)
Sc=40.42 j Ω ;Oc=121.24 jΩ
Sc=Zotanbd ; Oc=−Zocotbd
40.42 121.4
Zosc = ; Zosc =
tanbd cotbd
40.42 cotbd
−121.24−
tanbd
bd=30
40.42
Zosc = =70 Ω
tanbd
121.24
Zooc = =70 Ω
cotbd

56. A 50Ω lossless transmission line uses an insulator with Ɛr=2.25. how long should
the line be for its input impedance to be equivalent to a 10pF capacitor at 50MHz,
when it is terminated in an open circuit? (Answer:9.92cm)
for a 10-pf @50MHz
1 −j 1000
Z c= = =− j Ω
6
jωC 2 π ( 50 x 10 ) ( 10 x 10 )
−12 π
6
2 π 2 π √ ε r 2 πf √ ε r 2 π (50 x 10 ) √ 2.25
β= = = = =1.57 rad /m
λ λ c 3 x 108
for a lossless line with open circuit
Zin=-j Z 0 cotβL=− j50 cot 1.57 L
1000
-j =− j 50 cot 1.57 L
π
L=9.92cm
57. A coaxial line has an open circuit impedance Z OC=110˂20°Ω and a short circuit
impedance ZSC=23˂-6°Ω. Find the characteristic impedance of the line. (Answer:
50.3˂7°Ω)
Zo=√ Zsc ( Zoc )= √(103.37+37.62i)(22.87−2.41i)
Zo=√ 2364.0719−249.121217 i+860.3694 i−(−90.6642)
Zo=√ 2454.7361+611.24771 i
Zo=√ 2529.69 ∠ 13.98
13.98
Zo=√ 2529.69 ∠
2
Z=50.3∠ 7 °

58. A lossless transmission line has inductance L=125nH/m. find the velocity factor for
this line if the shunt capacitance is 200nF/m. (Answer: 0.021)
1 1
Vp= = =6324555.32
√ LC √ ( 125 x 10−9 ) ( 200 x 10−9 )
Vp 6324555.32
K= = =0.021
c 300,000,000

59. A uniform transmission line has constant R=1mΩ/m, G=2.5µS/m, L=15µH/m and
C=25nF/m. calculate the attenuation at this line in dB at a frequency of 10GHz.
(Answer: 0.44dB/km)
−5 Np

√) ( )
−9 −6
Y= 1 R C +G L = 1 1 x 10−3 25 x 10−6 + 2.5 x 10−6 15 x 10−9 =5.103x10
2 (√
L C 2
−5
√
15 x 10
20 Np 20(5.103 x 10 ) 4.432 x 10−4 dB
√
25 x 10 m

dB= = = =0.44 dB /Km

ln 10 ln 10 1000 m
m (
1 Km )
60. With a 50Ω lossless transmission line terminated in a load impedance
ZL=100+j50Ω, determines the fraction of the average incident power reflected by
the load. (Answer: 20%)
Z L −Z o 2 100+50 i−50 2
2
(
Γ L= ) (
Z L −Z o
= )
100+50 i+ 50
= ( 0.4+0.2 i )2=0.12+0.16 i=0.2 ∠53.13°

0.2 x 100=20 %