1. The content of these slides remains as presented in 2013
The content of these slides remains as presented in The resources information was updated in April 2018 to reflect Next Generation Science Standards and current contact information.

2. Electromagnetic Radiation & Satellites
Antenna Design
Pete Arvedson
California Science Conference
October 26, 2013
Hosted by Satellite Educators Association
Lesson plan development supported by a grant from NOAA-CREST West

3. California Science Conference 2013
Session Objectives
Relate wavelength and frequency
Construct 1/10th scale model wave
Calculate antenna length
Apply to 5-element Yagi antenna design
Build 1/10th scale antenna
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

4.  Solar radiation reaches Earth surface
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

5.   Surface features reflect solar radiation to remote sensors
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

6. 
Satellite sends radio signal from remote sensors to Earth station  
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

7. California Science Conference 2013
Wave Properties
wavelength, λ (meters)
crest
amplitude
trough
How many waves pass a point each second = frequency, ν (1/sec or Hertz)
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

8. Electromagnetic Spectrum
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

9. California Science Conference 2013
Wave Properties c λ ν
c = λν
λ = c / ν
ν = c / λ
c = speed of light = 299,792,458 m/s
-in vacuum ~ 300 x 106 m/s
-in metal = x 106 m/s
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

10. Wavelength from Frequency
POES WEFAX frequency = MHz
λ = c / ν
λ =
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

11. Build Wave Model: 1/10 Scale
wavelength: λ = 2.18 m
1/10 scale model wave: λ = 21.8 cm
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

12. Antenna Size – First Look
EMR energy resonates in antenna metal wire producing current
Antenna length should match radio signal wavelength
Wavelength for 137.5MHz = 2.18 m
½ or ¼ wavelength is best!
2.18 / 2 = 1.09 m
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

13. California Science Conference 2013
Antenna Size - Actual
2.182 m
2.038 m
½ wavelength =
1.019 m
10.19 cm
1/10 scale model antenna length =
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

14. California Science Conference 2013
Yagi Antenna
1926 Hidetsugu Yagi & Sintaro Uda Tohoku Imperial University, Japan
Driven element; parasitic directors & reflector
Highly directional & wavelength selective
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

15. California Science Conference 2013
Brent Stirton,
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

16. California Science Conference 2013
Design Your Antenna
87.4 cm
8.74 cm
3.0 cm
92.0 cm
9.20 cm
96.8 cm
9.68 cm
18.3 cm
10.19 cm
4.1 cm
112.1 cm
11.21 cm
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

17. California Science Conference 2013
Extension
Build scale models other antenna types
Design antenna for 1693 MHz
Build several real antennas & determine which is best for satellite reception
Compare/Contrast crossed Yagi with QHA
Investigate theory of Yagi-Uda antenna to explain reduced length of directors
Research theory to explain use of antenna length equal to ½ or ¼ wavelength
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

18. Next Generation Science Standards
Grades 9-12: Energy
PE- HS-PS3-5 - Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electrical or magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to interaction.
DCI- HS-PS3.C - When two objects interacting through a field change relative position, the energy stored in the field is changed.
SEP- Develop and use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between compounds of a system.
CC- Cause and effect relationships can be suggested and predicted for complex natural and human designed systems by examining what is known about smaller-scale mechanisms within the system.
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

19. Next Generation Science Standards
Grades 9-12: Waves & Their Applications
PE- HS-PS4-1- Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.
DCI- HS-PSPS4.A - The wavelength and frequency of a wave are related to one another by the speed of travel of the wave, which depends on the type of wave and the medium through which it is passing.
SEP- Use mathematical representations of phenomena or design solutions to describe and/or support claims and/or explanations.
CC- Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects..
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

20. Next Generation Science Standards
Grades 9-12: Engineering & Technology
PE- HS-ETS1-2 - Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
DCI- HS-ETS1.C - Criteria may need to be broken down into simpler ones that can be approached systematically, and decisions about the priority of certain criteria over others may be needed.
SEP- Design a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013

21. California Science Conference 2013
Resources
Pete Arvedson -
Satellite Educators Association Lesson Plan Library
More opportunities to involve students doing research: SEA’s M.Y. S.P.A.C.E.* Program - an international collaborative environmental research program for K-12
* (Multinational Youth Studying Practical Applications of Climatic Events)
Satellite Educators Association
California Science Conference 2013