Frequency characteristics of tapered backfire helical antenna with loaded termination

Effects of loaded termination on a tapered backfire bifilar helical antenna are numerically and experimentally investigated over a wide frequency range of ratio 1:1.7. With the help of the scalar potential for a lumped resistance at the arm end, the current distribution along the helical wire is determined. It is found that nearly constant input impedance, high front-to-back ratio and low axial ratio are realised. The inherent absolute gain is not significantly deteriorated in spite of the use of a terminal resistor. The existence of the phase centre is also demonstrated, and the phase centre location is presented as a function of frequency.