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Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
electronics
Article
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna
with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection
Keyur K. Mistry 1 , Pavlos I. Lazaridis 2, * , Zaharias D. Zaharis 3 , Ioannis P. Chochliouros 4 ,
Tian Hong Loh 5 , Ioannis P. Gravas 3 and David Cheadle 5
 1    Oxford Space Systems, Harwell OX11 0RL, UK; keyur.mistry@oxford.space
 2    Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
 3    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
      54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; zaharis@auth.gr (Z.D.Z.); igravas@auth.gr (I.P.G.)
 4    Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. Member of the Deutsche Telekom Group of Companies,
      15122 Athens, Greece; ichochliouros@oteresearch.gr
 5    5G and Future Communications Technology Group, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington TW11 0LW,
      UK; tian.loh@npl.co.uk (T.H.L.); david.cheadle@npl.co.uk (D.C.)
 *    Correspondence: p.lazaridis@hud.ac.uk
                                                                                                  
 Received: 19 October 2020; Accepted: 31 October 2020; Published: 3 November 2020                 

 Abstract: The coexistence of TV broadcasting and mobile services causes interference that leads to
 poor quality-of-service for TV consumers. Solutions usually found in the market involve external
 band-stop filters along with TV reception log-periodic and Yagi-Uda antennas. This paper presents
 a log-periodic antenna design without additional filtering that serves as a lower cost alternative to
 avoid interference from mobile services into the UHF TV. The proposed antenna operates in the
 UHF TV band (470–790 MHz-passband) and rejects the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands (stopband)
 of 4G/LTE-800 and GSM900 services, respectively. Matching to 50 Ohms is very satisfactory in the
 passband with values of S11 below −12 dB. Furthermore, the antenna is highly directive with a
 realized gain of approximately 8 dBi and a front-to-back ratio greater than 20 dB.

 Keywords: CST simulations; GSM900 band rejection; log-periodic dipole antennas; 4G rejection

1. Introduction
      The adoption of digital modulation and advanced video compression techniques for terrestrial TV
broadcasting, replacing analog broadcasting, resulted in considerable improvements in the efficiency
of frequency spectrum utilization, making it possible to broadcast several TV programs in multiplex in
a single 8 MHz TV channel. This transition set a part of the TV spectrum free for utilization for other
applications, and thus, the wireless communications industry saw this transition as an opportunity to
use the released frequency spectrum for mobile communication services. In turn, that led to European
Member States being urged by the European Parliament to make sure that the frequency spectrum is
efficiently utilized [1]. The European Commission (EC) investigated the allocation of the 790–862 MHz
frequency band (the so-called 800 MHz band and part of the former UHF TV band) to Long Term
Evolution (LTE-800) wireless services as a “digital dividend”, thus redistributing the benefits of digital
TV migration [2]. The EC decision described in [3] suggests a harmonized plan that was adopted
by European states (ITU Region 1) for LTE network deployment in the 800 MHz band. This band is
particularly important for the mobile communications industry because of its relatively low building
material penetration radio losses and the fact that most of the time mobile phones are used indoors.
According to this plan, the spectrum of 790–862 MHz involves the use of chunks of 30 MHz uplink
and 30 MHz downlink transmissions in the FDD (Frequency Division Duplex). Moreover, the uplink

Electronics 2020, 9, 1830; doi:10.3390/electronics9111830                  www.mdpi.com/journal/electronics
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
Electronics 2020, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW                                                                 2 of 12
Electronics 2020, 9, 1830                                                                              2 of 12
11 MHz-wide frequency gap. On the other hand, DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) is allocated the
470 MHz to 790 MHz band and that just leaves a 1 MHz-wide frequency gap between DTT
spectrum is separated from the downlink spectrum using an 11 MHz-wide frequency gap. On the
broadcasting and LTE-800 mobile communications. A useful study performed in [4] investigates the
other hand, DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) is allocated the 470 MHz to 790 MHz band and that just
effects of interference on the degradation of the QoS (quality-of-service) in the TV broadcasting band
leaves a 1 MHz-wide frequency gap between DTT broadcasting and LTE-800 mobile communications.
due to its vicinity with the LTE-800 band. Following the clearance of the 800 MHz band, the
A useful study performed in [4] investigates the effects of interference on the degradation of the QoS
requirement of allocating the 700 MHz band (694–790 MHz) was stated in a worldwide resolution
(quality-of-service) in the TV broadcasting band due to its vicinity with the LTE-800 band. Following the
[5], which was later approved in the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) of
clearance of the 800 MHz band, the requirement of allocating the 700 MHz band (694–790 MHz) was
ITU-R [6]. Thereafter, the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) [7] of ITU-R states
stated in a worldwide resolution [5], which was later approved in the 2012 World Radiocommunication
the provisions used to deploy the 700 MHz band in ITU Region 1. Another significant study is
Conference (WRC-12) of ITU-R [6]. Thereafter, the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference
presented in [8] and investigates the interference effects due to coexistence of the DTT broadcasting
(WRC-15) [7] of ITU-R states the provisions used to deploy the 700 MHz band in ITU Region 1.
service and LTE service in both the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands.
Another significant study is presented in [8] and investigates the interference effects due to coexistence
      This paper is an extended version of a paper submitted to the IEEE NEMO-2019 conference [9].
of the DTT broadcasting service and LTE service in both the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands.
Moreover, the proposed antenna in this paper has been further optimized to achieve higher and
      This paper is an extended version of a paper submitted to the IEEE NEMO-2019 conference [9].
flatter realized gain (RG) along with a higher FBR (front-to-back ratio) throughout the DTT reception
Moreover, the proposed antenna in this paper has been further optimized to achieve higher and flatter
passband.
realized gain (RG) along with a higher FBR (front-to-back ratio) throughout the DTT reception passband.
2. Conventional LPDA Geometry
2. Conventional LPDA Geometry
     LPDAs (Log Periodic Dipole Arrays) or simply log-periodic antennas are frequently used for
     LPDAs (Log Periodic Dipole Arrays) or simply log-periodic antennas are frequently used for
TV reception since the 1960s because of their excellent wideband properties and high directivity
TV reception since the 1960s because of their excellent wideband properties and high directivity
despite the fact that their peak gain is generally lower than that of similar size Yagi-Uda antennas
despite the fact that their peak gain is generally lower than that of similar size Yagi-Uda antennas [10].
[10]. Furthermore, LPDAs provide flat gain throughout their operating band and are thus
Furthermore, LPDAs provide flat gain throughout their operating band and are thus considered as
considered as the best solution for applications where broadband behavior and gain flatness are
the best solution for applications where broadband behavior and gain flatness are important [11,12].
important [11,12]. Compared to Yagi-Uda antennas, which are generally narrowband, LPDAs
Compared to Yagi-Uda antennas, which are generally narrowband, LPDAs provide better gain flatness
provide better gain flatness but a relatively lower RG. The performance of these antennas differs also
but a relatively lower RG. The performance of these antennas differs also because of their different
because of their different feeding pattern [13]. Conventional LPDAs are usually designed using
feeding pattern [13]. Conventional LPDAs are usually designed using calculation guidelines proposed
calculation guidelines proposed by Carrel in [14]. The basic LPDA geometry is shown in Figure 1.
by Carrel in [14]. The basic LPDA geometry is shown in Figure 1.

         Figure 1. Geometry of a conventional LPDA (Log Periodic Dipole Array) proposed by Carrel.
         Figure 1. Geometry of a conventional LPDA (Log Periodic Dipole Array) proposed by Carrel.
       A conventional LPDA is constructed using two booms arranged parallel to each other and
       A conventional
separated   by air usingLPDA    is constructed
                           insulating            using
                                       or metallic      two booms
                                                     fasteners  at thearranged
                                                                       rear end,parallel
                                                                                  as welltoaseach  other end,
                                                                                              the front  and
separated   by  air using insulating  or  metallic fasteners at the rear end, as well as  the front
and sometimes in the middle of the antenna (see Figure 3). The two booms are forming a two-line     end, and
sometimes intransmission
air-dielectric    the middle of   thewhich
                              line,   antenna   (see
                                            feeds  theFigure 3).dipoles.
                                                       antenna    The twoThebooms
                                                                               rear are
                                                                                    endforming
                                                                                         fastener aistwo-line
                                                                                                      usually
air-dielectric transmission line, which feeds the antenna dipoles. The rear end fastener is usually
metallic and acts also as a short-circuit stub. The spacing between the two conducting booms along with
metallic and acts also as a short-circuit stub. The spacing between the two conducting booms along
their cross-section size and shape controls the transmission line characteristic impedance, and therefore,
with their cross-section size and shape controls the transmission line characteristic impedance, and
it is important for matching of the antenna to a feeder cable [15]. In most cases, the antenna is matched
therefore, it is important for matching of the antenna to a feeder cable [15]. In most cases, the antenna
to a feeding cable impedance of 50 Ohms in general or 75 Ohms for TV reception. The dipoles are fixed
is matched to a feeding cable impedance of 50 Ohms in general or 75 Ohms for TV reception. The
to the booms in such a way that the length of the dipoles decreases as we move from the rear end of the
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
Electronics 2020, 9, 1830                                                                             3 of 12

antenna toward the front end. In addition, half-dipoles are alternatively connected to the upper and
lower booms, and two half-dipoles together form a complete dipole. The phase inversion between the
feeds of the two consecutive dipoles is achieved because of the dipoles being arranged in a criss-cross
fashion. This phase inversion ensures that the antenna always radiates as an end-fire dipole antenna
array [16]. Contrary to Yagi-Uda antennas, where there is only one dipole that is active and all the
other dipoles are passive, all the dipoles in an LPDA are fed by the conducting booms transmission
line, and therefore all the dipoles are active. Depending on dipole length and thickness, each dipole of
the LPDA resonates around a specific frequency. Antenna gain and/or bandwidth significantly increase
with the total number of dipoles used [17]. The feeding is provided at the front end of the booms (left
end of the booms in Figure 3) using a coaxial cable that is usually passing though one of the booms
that are hollow.
      Carrel [14] introduced design equations for the calculation of the dimensions in the case of the
conventional LPDA geometry. The apex angle is the half angle in which all the dipoles are confined,
and it is mathematically expressed as

                                                            1−τ
                                                               
                                            α = tan−1            .                                       (1)
                                                             4σ

     In the above expression, the parameter τ is called the “scaling factor” and is the ratio of the lengths
or diameters of two consecutive dipoles as shown by the following expression:

                                                 Ln + 1   dn+1
                                            τ=          =                                                (2)
                                                  Ln       dn

where Ln and dn are, respectively, the length and the diameter of the nth dipole. In addition,
the parameter σ shown in (1) is called the “spacing factor” and is defined as:
                                                       sn
                                                 σ=                                                      (3)
                                                      2Ln

where sn is the spacing between the nth dipole and its consecutive (n + 1)th dipole. The overall physical
dimensions of the antenna significantly depend on the above two factors (τ and σ). Sometimes, a fixed
diameter is used for the dipoles in order to simplify the antenna design and reduce costs.

3. Proposed LPDA Geometry
      The proposed LPDA geometry can be used to mitigate the interference caused by the LTE-800 and
GSM-900 mobile communications band transmissions to the TV broadcasting service band. This solution
is actually a UHF TV reception log-periodic antenna composed, in this example, of 10 dipoles that can
act as a filter and reject frequencies in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands. One of the already existing
solutions that is most widely used to mitigate interference is the use of a conventional TV reception
antenna along with an external bandstop filter that rejects the undesired 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
However, not enough research work has been performed on TV reception antennas without using
external bandstop filters. In [18], an LPDA is proposed that is optimized by a variant of the PSO
(Particle Swarm Optimization) method, i.e., by PSOvm (PSO with velocity mutation). This antenna
design is capable of rejecting signals, which reside in the 800 MHz band and are directed toward
the antenna axis; however, relatively low VSWR values in the 800 MHz band still raise a concern of
receiving interference signals from other directions. In the above-mentioned LPDA design, the first
dipole is longer in length compared to its adjacent dipoles (i.e., 2nd and 3rd dipole) and therefore acts
as reflector for signals that reside in the 800 MHz band.
      An early effort was made in [19] to design an LPDA that rejects the 800 MHz band without using
any external filters and avoids LTE-800 signals from every direction of arrival. As a starting point,
Carrel’s design procedure [14] was used to calculate the antenna dimensions. Then, the shorter dipole
lengths and the distances between these dipoles were optimized using the TRF optimization algorithm
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
Electronics 2020, 9, 1830                                                                                     4 of 12

in CST (Trusted Region Framework) in order to obtain rejection in the 800 MHz band. This type of
optimization achieves LTE-800 rejection by finding appropriate values for the lengths of some (two or
three) of the shorter dipoles and for the distances between them.
     Extending the LPDA design presented in [19], an improved version of this LPDA [9,20] is proposed
in this paper. Instead of optimizing the whole antenna geometry, which would lead to an increased
computational burden and doubtful convergence, this design is the result of optimizing the lengths of
the front three dipoles only as well as the distances between these dipoles. The rest of the antenna
is identical to the conventional design. In comparison to the conventional LPDA design (Carrel’s
model) and the LPDA design given in [19], the antenna presented in this paper achieves lower values
of S11 (i.e., better matching) as well as higher and flatter RG and FBR throughout the passband, and it
concurrently provides better rejection of the LTE-800 and GSM-900 services. The TRF algorithm,
which is available in the CST environment, is employed to optimize the antenna according to the
goals listed in Table 1. The antenna optimization could also have been carried out using several other
algorithms, such as IWO (Invasive Weed Optimization) in [21–24], PSO in [25,26], and PSOvm in [27].

                                   Table 1. Optimization specifications and goals.

                 Parameter                  Goal             Frequency (MHz)                Weight
                    S11                  10 dBi           470–790 (Passband)                1.0
            Front-to-back ratio           >14 dB            470–790 (Passband)                 0.2
                    S11                   >−1 dB            810–960 (Stopband)                 5.0
              Realized gain              >−10 dBi           810–960 (Stopband)                 1.0

     The reason that only the front three dipoles take part in the optimization is due to the fact that the
front dipoles determine the behavior of an LPDA at higher frequencies. So, the lengths of the first three
dipoles, i.e., L1 , L2 and L3 , and their distances, i.e., s0 , s1 , s2 , and s3 , are the only parameters considered
for optimization. The optimization settings for the TRF algorithm are taking into consideration that
the optimal values of these parameters cannot deviate more than 30% from the respective values of
a conventional LPDA design. Therefore, by multiplying the parameter values of this conventional
design by 0.7 (30% less) or by 1.3 (30% more), we find the parameter boundaries, which are listed in
Table 2. These boundaries are used to restrict the search area of every parameter and thus help the
optimization algorithm converge faster.

                       Table 2. Lower and upper boundaries of the parameters to be optimized.

          Parameter            Initial Values from [18]       Lower Boundary               Upper Boundary
               L1                        138                      96.6 mm                      179.4 mm
               L2                       111.8                     78.26 mm                    145.34 mm
               L3                       126.2                     88.34 mm                    164.06 mm
               s0                         28                       19.6 mm                     36.4 mm
               s1                        15.3                     10.7 mm                      19.9 mm
               s2                        18.6                     13.0 mm                      24.2 mm
               s3                         22                       15.4 mm                     28.6 mm

      Table 1 shows the optimization goals that were used to optimize the LPDA parameters that
are specified in Table 2. This LPDA optimization resulted in a design, where the first four dipoles
are arranged in an unusal pattern compared to the conventional LPDA design. The arrangement of
first four dipoles were such that the 1st (front) dipole is longer than the 2nd dipole. Furthermore,
the length of 2nd dipole is longer than the 3rd dipole, and the length of 4th dipole is longer than the
3rd dipole. The optimized antenna design follows the conventional LPDA design rule after the 4th
dipole, whereafter, the lengths of dipole keep increasing until the last (rear) dipole.
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
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Electronics 2020, 9, 1830     gap                              10                     11.7                        5                          5 of 12

                             Stubgaplength                      10
                                                               79                      11.7
                                                                                       45                        455
                              Stub   length                     79                       45                       45
       The physicalStub           thickness
                            dimensions         of the optimized35          LPDA design 35       are 356 mm35× 302.6 mm × 35 mm
                            Stub thickness                      35                       35                       35
(length × width × thickness). In order to mantain the seperation gap between the two booms,
4. LPDA Simulations and Measurements
a cuboidal fastener is embodied at the rear end of the antenna, which also provides an advantage of
 4. LPDA Simulations and Measurements
acting   as a short-circuit
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                                                                                                           involvesrange
                                                                                                                      from
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                                                                                                                              10TV,
                                                                                                                                  mm450 toMHz
                                                                                                                                            5 mm
                                                                                                                                       LTE-800,    to
 1000
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and     MHz
      GSM-900    with
           to match      10
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                          the The
                               antenna resolution,
                                            to 50 chamber
                                     anechoic            because
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                                                                                Thereafter,
                                                                  at the National           of  interest
                                                                                                the proposed
                                                                                         Physical           involves
                                                                                                     Laboratory           UHF
                                                                                                                    antenna
                                                                                                                      (NPL),was   TV,   LTE-800,
                                                                                                                                 UK fabricated
                                                                                                                                      was used
 and
to testGSM-900
using   alluminium
         and measure bands.     The
                           components
                             the      anechoic
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                                                    LPDAUniversity at the
                                                               design.   of National
                                                                              HuddersfieldPhysical    Laboratory (NPL),
                                                                                                 Manufacturing                    UK was
                                                                                                                        laboratory.     Figureused  4
 to test  and    measure      the   fabricated       LPDA      design.
shows the fabricated model that follows the exact dimensions of the CST-optimized LPDA design.

       Figure 2. CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model of Carrel’s conventional model (left) and the
        Figure2.2.CAD
       Figure
       proposed    CAD
                  LPDA
                       (Computer-Aided
                          (Computer-Aided
                         (right)
                                          Design) model of Carrel’s conventional model (left) and the proposed
                                             Design)
                                 shown as a top view. model of Carrel’s conventional model (left) and the
       LPDA   (right) shown   as a top view.
        proposed LPDA (right) shown as a top view.

                            Figure 3.
                            Figure    Side-view of
                                   3. Side-view of the
                                                   the CAD
                                                       CAD model
                                                           model of
                                                                 of the
                                                                    the proposed
                                                                        proposed LPDA
                                                                                 LPDA design.
                                                                                      design.
                             Figure 3. Side-view of the CAD model of the proposed LPDA design.
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
Electronics 2020, 9, 1830                                                                                        6 of 12

                              Table 3. Conventional and proposed LPDA dimensions.

          Parameter               Carrel’s Design          Proposed Design in [19]           Proposed Design
        Variable name               Value (mm)                    Value (mm)                    Value (mm)
               L1                        98                           138                          145.4
               L2                       110                          111.8                         128.4
               L3                       124                          126.2                          112
               L4                       140                          121.4                         121.4
               L5                       160                          157.2                         157.2
               L6                       180                          180.2                         180.2
               L7                       206                          203.6                         203.6
               L8                       232                          235.4                         235.4
               L9                       264                           267                           267
              L10                       298                          302.6                         302.6
            L-boom                      356                           356                           356
           H-boom                        15                            15                            15
           W-boom                        15                            15                            15
       Dipole diameter                    4                             4                             4
          Stub width                     15                            15                            15
               s0                        30                            28                           24.1
               s1                        16                           15.3                          11.4
               s2                        18                           18.6                          14.9
               s3                        20                            22                           17.9
               s4                        22                           25.3                          25.3
               s5                        26                           27.3                          27.3
               s6                        28                            27                            27
               s7                        34                           36.3                          36.3
               s8                        37                           40.4                          40.4
               s9                        42                           40.6                          40.6
              gap                        10                           11.7                           5
         Stub length                     79                            45                            45
        Stub thickness                   35                            35                            35
Electronics 2020, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW                                                                           7 of 12

                       Figure 4. Fabricated
                                 Fabricated LPDA built using the optimized LPDA dimensions.

4. LPDA
     The Simulations
           surface currentanddensity
                                 Measurements
                                          of the optimized antenna was simulated in order to obtain the
current  distribution  at  four   specific
     Maxwell’s equations are often solved    frequencyusingpoints:
                                                              FDTD (a)(Finite-difference
                                                                        470 MHz, (b) 630time-domain)
                                                                                             MHz, (c) 790 variants
                                                                                                             MHz, and in
(d) 960  MHz    as shown    in  Figure    5.  The  four   frequency    points  were   specifically
various electromagnetic simulation software packages. CST is one of the many electromagnetic        selected  such that
three of thesoftware
simulation     frequency    points that
                       packages      lie in   the passband
                                           utilizes FDTD for(470–790       MHz),
                                                                 simulations.   Thisand  a frequency
                                                                                      software   offers point  is in the
                                                                                                        a user-friendly
stopband/rejection    band    (810–960     MHz)     of  the  antenna.   The   surface  current  density
interface that allows the user to model fully parametric CAD models. It has a wide range of solvers       presented   in
Figure
that can5 validates  thesimulations
           be used for    fact that each     dipole
                                          such       resonates
                                                 as time    domainat asolvers,
                                                                       specificfrequency
                                                                                 frequency.domain
                                                                                              Figure 5a  suggests
                                                                                                       solvers,  andthat
                                                                                                                      an
the longest
integral      dipole
          solver.    of the antenna
                  However,                has the highest
                               any electromagnetic            surface requires
                                                          simulation    current density,   as the
                                                                                  an accurate      longestofdipole
                                                                                               meshing              will
                                                                                                             the model.
resonateadvantage
Another    at the lowest
                      of CSTfrequency      of bandwidth.
                               is that it provides            However,
                                                     a fast, automatic      Figurewith
                                                                         meshing     5b shows   a shift in capabilities
                                                                                         mesh refinement     maximum
surface  current
that adapt        density
            the quality  ofto  the 7thdepending
                            meshing      dipole at 630 on MHz,    which
                                                           the model   andis uses
                                                                             approximately    the center
                                                                                  Perfect Boundary        frequency of
                                                                                                      Approximations
the bandwidth. Figure 5c demonstrates that the maximum current density is at the 2nd and 6th
dipoles of the antenna, thereby stating that both the dipoles resonate at 790 MHz. The reason for this
is the intentionally created anomaly in the antenna design, which results in the energy getting
trapped between these two dipoles, which ultimately leads to high rejection beyond this frequency.
As seen in Figure 5d, at 960 MHz, very minimal current density is seen throughout the antenna
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
Electronics 2020, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW                                                                           7 of 12

Electronics 2020, 9, 1830                                                                                               7 of 12

(PBA) [28]. For this paper, the Finite Integration Technique (FIT) included in CST was used to simulate
the proposed antenna design. The model was hexahedrally meshed using 4,668,482 mesh cells, and the
simulations were performed with −50 dB accuracy. Open boundary conditions with a reflection level
of approximately 10−4 were used to model this antenna in CST. A discrete 50 Ω port that connects
the center points of both the booms at front end of the antenna is used to provide the excitation.
The antenna was simulated in the frequency range from 450 MHz to 1000 MHz with 10 MHz resolution,
because the frequency of interest involves UHF TV, LTE-800, and GSM-900 bands. The anechoic
chamber at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), UK was used to test and measure the fabricated
LPDA design.             Figure 4. Fabricated LPDA built using the optimized LPDA dimensions.
      The surface current density of the optimized antenna was simulated in order to obtain the current
         The surface
distribution             current frequency
               at four specific     density of points:
                                                  the optimized     antenna
                                                         (a) 470 MHz,      (b) was  simulated
                                                                               630 MHz,          in MHz,
                                                                                           (c) 790   order and
                                                                                                             to obtain
                                                                                                                  (d) 960the
                                                                                                                          MHz
as current
   shown distribution
             in Figure 5.atThe  fourfour
                                      specific  frequency
                                           frequency         points:
                                                         points       (a) specifically
                                                                   were   470 MHz, (b)selected
                                                                                           630 MHz, such(c) 790
                                                                                                            thatMHz,
                                                                                                                  threeand
                                                                                                                         of the
   (d) 960 MHz
frequency    pointsaslieshown
                          in thein   Figure 5.(470–790
                                  passband       The fourMHz),
                                                            frequency
                                                                   and apoints   were point
                                                                           frequency     specifically  selected
                                                                                               is in the          such that
                                                                                                          stopband/rejection
band (810–960 MHz) of the antenna. The surface current density presented in Figure is
   three  of  the frequency      points  lie in  the passband     (470–790   MHz),    and   a frequency     point     in the
                                                                                                                   5 validates
   stopband/rejection       band   (810–960   MHz)    of  the  antenna.    The  surface   current  density
the fact that each dipole resonates at a specific frequency. Figure 5a suggests that the longest dipole       presented   in
of Figure   5 validates
   the antenna      has the
                          the fact  that each
                               highest          dipole
                                          surface       resonates
                                                     current         at a specific
                                                               density,    as the frequency.
                                                                                   longest dipoleFigure   5a suggests
                                                                                                       will   resonatethat
                                                                                                                         at the
   the longest dipole of the antenna has the highest surface current density, as the longest dipole will
lowest frequency of bandwidth. However, Figure 5b shows a shift in maximum surface current
   resonate at the lowest frequency of bandwidth. However, Figure 5b shows a shift in maximum
density to the 7th dipole at 630 MHz, which is approximately the center frequency of the bandwidth.
   surface current density to the 7th dipole at 630 MHz, which is approximately the center frequency of
Figure 5c demonstrates that the maximum current density is at the 2nd and 6th dipoles of the antenna,
   the bandwidth. Figure 5c demonstrates that the maximum current density is at the 2nd and 6th
thereby stating that both the dipoles resonate at 790 MHz. The reason for this is the intentionally
   dipoles of the antenna, thereby stating that both the dipoles resonate at 790 MHz. The reason for this
created
   is theanomaly      in the
           intentionally       antenna
                             created       design,inwhich
                                       anomaly                resultsdesign,
                                                      the antenna       in the energy     gettingintrapped
                                                                                which results                  between
                                                                                                      the energy          these
                                                                                                                    getting
twotrapped between these two dipoles, which ultimately leads to high rejection beyond this frequency. 5d,
     dipoles,   which      ultimately   leads    to high   rejection   beyond    this  frequency.     As  seen   in Figure
at 960  MHz,invery
   As seen            minimal
                 Figure    5d, at current
                                   960 MHz,  density
                                                 very is seen throughout
                                                       minimal                 the antenna
                                                                  current density     is seen model,    which
                                                                                               throughout        suggests
                                                                                                               the antennathat
none   of the
   model,      dipoles
            which        of thethat
                    suggests      antenna
                                      none ofresonates   at this
                                               the dipoles        frequency.
                                                              of the antenna resonates at this frequency.

                 (a)                          (b)                           (c)                           (d)

      Figure
        Figure   Surface
              5. 5. Surfacecurrent
                            currentdensity
                                    densityof
                                            of the
                                               the optimized  antennaatat(a)
                                                   optimized antenna      (a)470
                                                                              470MHz,
                                                                                  MHz,(b)(b)
                                                                                          630630 MHz,
                                                                                              MHz,     (c) 790
                                                                                                   (c) 790     MHz,
                                                                                                            MHz,
      and (d)(d)
        and    960  MHz
                  960 MHz from
                            fromsimulation.
                                  simulation.

      The S11 values of the simulated and the measured LPDA design using Carrel’s design guidelines
        The S11 values of the simulated and the measured LPDA design using Carrel’s design
areguidelines
    shown in Figure   6. Ininaddition,
               are shown       Figure 6.the
                                          InS11 values the
                                             addition, of the
                                                           S11optimized
                                                                values of antenna  are alsoantenna
                                                                           the optimized     shown are
                                                                                                   in Figure
                                                                                                       also 6.
Theshown in Figure 6. The graphs suggest that the S11 values of the optimized antenna are relatively to
     graphs   suggest that   the S11 values   of the optimized   antenna   are relatively  lower compared
thelower
     Carrel’s modelto
          compared   inthe
                         theCarrel’s
                              passband,
                                     model hence  validating
                                              in the passband,the improved
                                                                hence         S11 the
                                                                      validating   of the optimized
                                                                                       improved       antenna.
                                                                                                 S11 of the
This also demonstrates excellent antenna matching for the reception in the passband. Furthermore,
in the LTE-800 and GSM-900 mobile service bands (stopband), the S11 values of the optimized antenna
are significantly higher compared to the Carrel’s model. This demonstrates the ability of the optimized
antenna to reject the interference from the stopband from all the directions. This figure also indicates a
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
optimized       antenna.
  Electronics 2020,  9, x FORThis
                              PEERalso
                                    REVIEWdemonstrates excellent antenna matching for the reception in 8the            of 12
passband. Furthermore, in the LTE-800 and GSM-900 mobile service bands (stopband), the S11
  optimized
values     of theantenna.
                     optimized Thisantenna
                                      also demonstrates     excellent
                                              are significantly          antenna
                                                                    higher          matching
                                                                             compared    to theforCarrel’s
                                                                                                   the reception
                                                                                                            model. in   the
                                                                                                                     This
  passband. Furthermore,
demonstrates       the ability ofin  thethe LTE-800antenna
                                          optimized     and GSM-900
                                                                 to rejectmobile    service bands
                                                                           the interference         (stopband),
                                                                                              from the  stopbandthe fromS11
allvalues    of2020,
                 the9, optimized
     the directions.
   Electronics                       antenna
                        1830This figure   also are   significantly
                                                indicates   a goodhigher       compared
                                                                       agreement           to the
                                                                                     between   the Carrel’s
                                                                                                   simulated  model.   This
                                                                                                                and 8theof 12
  demonstrates        the   ability of the optimized    antenna    to reject  the interference
measured S11 values of the proposed antenna design. The measured S11 values have been corrected from  the  stopband   from
inall  the to
    order    directions.     This figure
                take into account      somealso
                                             extraindicates
                                                    losses inathe
                                                                good    agreement
                                                                    fabricated        between the simulated and the
                                                                                antenna.
   good agreement
  measured       S11 valuesbetween   the
                                of the   simulated
                                        proposed      and thedesign.
                                                   antenna     measuredThe S11   values S11
                                                                            measured    of the proposed
                                                                                             values have antenna    design.
                                                                                                           been corrected
   The   measured       S11  values   have  been   corrected  in  order  to
  in order to take into account some extra losses in the fabricated antenna.take  into account   some  extra  losses in the
   fabricated antenna.

      Figure 6. S11 plot of Carrel’s conventional LPDA design and the optimized LPDA design of this
      paper.
        Figure 6. S11 plot of Carrel’s conventional LPDA design and the optimized LPDA design of this paper.
        Figure 6. S11 plot of Carrel’s conventional LPDA design and the optimized LPDA design of this
      Figure
        paper.
        Figure 7 7compares
                    comparesthethesimulated
                                    simulatedandandmeasured
                                                     measuredRG RGofofCarrel’s
                                                                       Carrel’sconventional
                                                                                 conventionalLPDA
                                                                                              LPDAwith withthe
                                                                                                             the
simulated
  simulated  RG RGofof
                     the
                       theoptimized
                            optimized    LPDA
                                           LPDA  and
                                                   and the
                                                         themeasured
                                                              measured   results. The
                                                                           results.  Themeasured
                                                                                           measured   RGRGofofthe theproposed
                                                                                                                       proposed
antenna Figure
          has    7 compares
                been  corrected  the
                                   in simulated
                                       order  to    andinto
                                                 take      measured
                                                              account   RG
                                                                        some ofextra
                                                                                Carrel’s   conventional
                                                                                      losses  in  the        LPDAantenna.
                                                                                                      fabricated        with the
  antenna has been corrected in order to take into account some extra losses in the fabricated antenna.
  simulated
This  result    RG of the
               shows   that optimized
                              the         LPDAantenna
                                   optimized       and theachieves
                                                              measured  a  results. RG
                                                                           higher   Thecompared
                                                                                          measured to  RGthat
                                                                                                            of the     proposed
                                                                                                                  derived     byby
  This result shows that the optimized antenna achieves a higher RG compared to that derived
  antenna
Carrel’s    has
          model.  been  corrected
                    Furthermore,     in  order
                                      thethe    to take
                                           optimized      into
                                                         antennaaccount   some
                                                                   demonstrates extra   losses
                                                                                     a steep    in  the
                                                                                               rejectionfabricated
                                                                                                          in in
                                                                                                              thethe    antenna.
                                                                                                                    stopband,
  Carrel’s   model.   Furthermore,           optimized      antenna   demonstrates      a steep   rejection            stopband,
  This result
where   the  RG  shows
                  drops  that
                         below  the
                                  0  optimized
                                    dBi.  This     antenna
                                                ensures    thatachieves
                                                                 that     a higher
                                                                      antenna         RGthe
                                                                                rejects    compared
                                                                                              signals    to that
                                                                                                       from    all   derived
                                                                                                                    the  anglesby
  where the RG drops below 0 dBi. This ensures that that antenna rejects the signals from all the angles                         of
  Carrel’s
ofarrival   model.    Furthermore,
    arrivalofofradiation.
                 radiation.    The      the
                                    measured optimized
                                                  realized antenna
                                                              gain   demonstrates
                                                                     of the   proposed a steep   rejection
                                                                                           antenna          in
                                                                                                      follows   the   stopband,
                                                                                                                   closely   the
                           The measured realized gain of the proposed antenna follows closely the simulated
  where theRG
simulated       RG drops thebelow 0 dBi. This     ensuressomethat that  antennacanrejects  the signals   from allmeasured
                                                                                                                      the angles
  RG inside theinside
                    passband.passband.
                                  However, However,
                                               some difference      difference
                                                                   can  be seen betweenbe seen
                                                                                             the between
                                                                                                   measuredthe  and simulated
  of simulated
and  arrival of RG radiation.
                       of  the   The measured
                                proposed     antennarealized
                                                        from    gain
                                                               700  MHzof the
                                                                           to  proposed
                                                                              1000  MHz.    antenna
                                                                                             The   RG   follows
                                                                                                       drops         closely
                                                                                                                 faster   inin the
                                                                                                                             the
  RG of the proposed antenna from 700 MHz to 1000 MHz. The RG drops faster in the stopband                                      the
  simulated
stopband    in  RG
                the inside   the
                    measurement   passband.
                                       than  in However,
                                                the           some
                                                     simulation.      difference   can   be seen    between     the   measured
  measurement than in the simulation.
  and simulated RG of the proposed antenna from 700 MHz to 1000 MHz. The RG drops faster in the
  stopband in the measurement than in the simulation.

       Figure 7. Realized
         Figure            gain
                 7. Realized    plot
                             gain    of of
                                  plot  Carrel’s conventional
                                           Carrel’s           LPDA
                                                    conventional    and
                                                                 LPDA   thethe
                                                                      and    proposed LPDA
                                                                               proposed    of of
                                                                                        LPDA  this paper.
                                                                                                 this paper.

      The   simulated
       Figure           FBR
               7. Realized    ofplot
                           gain  theof
                                     optimized    LPDA is compared
                                       Carrel’s conventional LPDA and with  Carrel’sLPDA
                                                                      the proposed   conventional   LPDA in
                                                                                         of this paper.
  Figure 8. This plot shows that the proposed antenna exhibits highly directive characteristics in the
  passband. In contrary to this, Carrel’s model demonstrates a highly directive nature in the passband
  as well as stopband, therefore being vulnerable to the interference. Furthermore, in comparison to
  Carrel’s model, the optimized antenna also achieves a somewhat improved FBR in the passband.
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
passband.diagram
schematic       In contrary   to this,
                          of the       Carrel’s
                                 test setup  formodel   demonstrates aishighly
                                                 gain measurements        showndirective  nature
                                                                                  in Figure 9. TheinS12
                                                                                                     the from
                                                                                                          passband
                                                                                                                the
test antenna to the reference antenna was measured using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). Then,to
 as  well   as  stopband,    therefore  being  vulnerable  to  the interference. Furthermore,   in  comparison
 Carrel’s
these  datamodel,
              were usedthe optimized
                            along withantenna    also known
                                         the already  achievesgain
                                                                a somewhat
                                                                    values of improved   FBRantenna
                                                                              the reference  in the passband.
                                                                                                      to calculate
        Figure    9 shows   the test setup in an  NPL  anechoic   chamber  for the measurement
the RG of the test antenna. As shown in Figure 10, the reference antenna and the test             of antenna
                                                                                                     realized gain
                                                                                                                are
 and radiation
Electronics
oriented    parallelpatterns
            2020, 9, 1830      of the optimized
                       to the ground   in order toLPDA.   The
                                                    perform     Schwarzbeck
                                                            E-plane            USLP-9143B LPDA was used
                                                                      measurements.                          9 ofas
                                                                                                                  12a
 reference antenna in these measurements. The AUT (Antenna Under Test) was placed 2 m apart
 from the reference antenna, and both the antennas were placed at 1.2 m above the absorbing floor. A
 schematic diagram of the test setup for gain measurements is shown in Figure 9. The S12 from the
 test antenna to the reference antenna was measured using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). Then,
 these data were used along with the already known gain values of the reference antenna to calculate
 the RG of the test antenna. As shown in Figure 10, the reference antenna and the test antenna are
 oriented parallel to the ground in order to perform E-plane measurements.

             8. FBR
     Figure 8.
     Figure     FBR(front-to-back
                    (front-to-backratio) plot
                                    ratio)    of Carrel’s
                                           plot           conventional
                                                 of Carrel’s           design
                                                              conventional    and the
                                                                            design andoptimized LPDA design.
                                                                                        the optimized LPDA
     design.
      Figure 9 shows the test setup in an NPL anechoic chamber for the measurement of realized gain
and radiation patterns of the optimized LPDA. The Schwarzbeck USLP-9143B LPDA was used as
a reference antenna in these measurements. The AUT (Antenna Under Test) was placed 2 m apart
from the reference antenna, and both the antennas were placed at 1.2 m above the absorbing floor.
A schematic diagram of the test setup for gain measurements is shown in Figure 9. The S12 from the
test antenna   to FBR
       Figure 8.  the reference   antenna
                       (front-to-back ratio)was
                                             plotmeasured
                                                  of Carrel’susing a Vectordesign
                                                              conventional   Network
                                                                                  and Analyzer   (VNA).
                                                                                       the optimized LPDA Then,
these data  were
       design.     used   along  with the  already  known    gain values of the reference antenna  to calculate
the RG of the test antenna. As shown in Figure 10, the reference antenna and the test antenna are
oriented parallel to the ground in order to perform E-plane measurements.

        Figure 9. A schematic diagram of the test setup for gain measurements in an anechoic chamber.

  Electronics 2020,9.9,A
          Figure       x FOR PEER REVIEW
                         schematic diagram of the test setup for gain measurements in an anechoic chamber.       10 of 12
         Figure 9. A schematic diagram of the test setup for gain measurements in an anechoic chamber.

                            (a)                                                        (b)

     Figure
       Figure    TheThe
             10.10.  testtest
                          setup to measure
                              setup        the radiation
                                     to measure          patterns:patterns:
                                                 the radiation     (a) E-plane
                                                                            (a) and (b) H-plane
                                                                                 E-plane and (b)of H-plane
                                                                                                   the fabricated
                                                                                                             of the
     optimized   LPDA   in an NPL   anechoic chamber.
       fabricated optimized LPDA in an NPL anechoic chamber.

       Figure 11 presents the simulated and the measured E-plane normalized radiation patterns of
  the optimized antenna at (a) 470 MHz, (b) 630 MHz, (c) 790 MHz, and (d) 960 MHz. These plots
  suggest that the simulated radiation patterns and the measured radiation pattern in the E-plane are
  in good agreement. It also validates the highly directional behavior of the antenna in the passband as
Optimization of Log-Periodic TV Reception Antenna with UHF Mobile Communications Band Rejection - MDPI
(a)                                                         (b)

       Figure
Electronics 2020,10.  The test setup to measure the radiation patterns: (a) E-plane and (b) H-plane of the
                  9, 1830                                                                               10 of 12
      fabricated optimized LPDA in an NPL anechoic chamber.

      Figure
      Figure1111presents
                  presentsthe thesimulated
                                   simulatedand andthethe
                                                        measured
                                                          measured E-plane
                                                                       E-planenormalized
                                                                                 normalized  radiation   patterns
                                                                                                 radiation        of the
                                                                                                             patterns  of
optimized   antenna
 the optimized         at (a)at
                  antenna     470(a)MHz,  (b) 630(b)
                                     470 MHz,       MHz,
                                                       630 (c)
                                                           MHz,790 (c)
                                                                   MHz, 790and  (d) and
                                                                             MHz,    960 MHz.
                                                                                           (d) 960These
                                                                                                    MHz.  plots suggest
                                                                                                            These   plots
that the simulated
 suggest              radiationradiation
          that the simulated       patterns patterns
                                             and the measured       radiationradiation
                                                        and the measured        pattern in    the E-plane
                                                                                            pattern  in the are in good
                                                                                                            E-plane   are
agreement.   It also validates
 in good agreement.               the highlythe
                        It also validates     directional  behavior of
                                                 highly directional      the antenna
                                                                       behavior   of theinantenna
                                                                                            the passband   as shown in
                                                                                                    in the passband    as
Figure  11a–c.  The directional    behavior   of the antenna   degrades    in the stopband     as
 shown in Figure 11a–c. The directional behavior of the antenna degrades in the stopband as shown shown   in Figure  11d
at
 in960 MHz.
    Figure 11d at 960 MHz.

             (a)                           (b)                            (c)                            (d)

     Figure 11.
     Figure  11. E-plane
                 E-plane normalized
                         normalized radiation
                                    radiation patterns
                                              patterns at
                                                       at (a) 470 MHz,
                                                          (a) 470 MHz, (b)
                                                                       (b) 630
                                                                           630 MHz,
                                                                               MHz, (c)
                                                                                    (c) 790
                                                                                        790 MHz,
                                                                                            MHz, and
                                                                                                 and (d)
                                                                                                     (d)
     960 MHz.
     960 MHz.

     After
      Afterthetheradiation
                   radiationpattern measurements
                               pattern  measurementson theonE-plane,    the radiation
                                                               the E-plane,            patterns of
                                                                                 the radiation     the optimized
                                                                                                 patterns   of the
LPDA    wereLPDA
 optimized     measured
                      were at the sameatfrequency
                            measured      the same points     on the
                                                      frequency         H-plane.
                                                                   points   on the The   test setup
                                                                                    H-plane.         for setup
                                                                                               The test   H-plane
                                                                                                               for
radiation   pattern measurements
 H-plane radiation                    used exactly
                      pattern measurements      usedthe  samethe
                                                       exactly   testsame
                                                                       setuptest
                                                                              as setup
                                                                                  the E-plane
                                                                                        as the radiation  pattern
                                                                                               E-plane radiation
measurements,     where only
 pattern measurements,         the orientation
                             where             of the test antenna
                                    only the orientation              and antenna
                                                            of the test    the reference
                                                                                     and antenna   were changed
                                                                                          the reference   antenna
to be perpendicularly
 were                    aligned with respect
       changed to be perpendicularly           to the
                                          aligned     absorbing
                                                   with  respect floor,
                                                                   to theasabsorbing
                                                                             shown in floor,
                                                                                       Figureas10. The simulated
                                                                                                shown    in Figure
and  the measured
 10. The  simulatedradiation
                       and the patters
                                 measuredat four frequency
                                             radiation       points
                                                        patters        are compared
                                                                  at four   frequency in  Figure
                                                                                        points    12.compared
                                                                                                are   The results
                                                                                                                in
show
 Figuresatisfactory  agreement
         12. The results         between measurements
                          show satisfactory                 and simulations.
                                              agreement between       measurements and simulations.

             (a)                           (b)                            (c)                            (d)

     Figure 12. Normalized radiation patterns on the H-plane at (a) 470 MHz, (b) 630 MHz, (c) 790 MHz,
     and (d) 960 MHz.

5. Conclusions
     An optimized interference-rejecting 10-dipole LPDA that mitigates interference problems because
of UHF DTT broadcasting co-existence with LTE-800 mobile communications band has been presented.
Compared to conventional LPDAs, the proposed optimized LPDA demonstrates improved performance
in the UHF DTT reception band (passband), which improves the quality-of-service (QoS) of the TV
reception. Another advantage is that the proposed antenna offers high-rejection capabilities in the
LTE-800 band without the use of external bandstop filters, which reduces the final cost of the antenna.
Furthermore, this paper highlights a novel design procedure for LPDAs in order to achieve desired
passband and stopband characteristics by simply optimizing antenna geometry [19]. The proposed
antenna exhibits excellent matching in the passband with low S11 values below −12 dB. Moreover,
Electronics 2020, 9, 1830                                                                                     11 of 12

the antenna achieves a relatively flat gain of approximately 8 dBi in the passband and also demonstrates
a highly directive behavior with a front-to-back ratio of 20 dB. Finally, this paper also presents the S11,
RG, and radiation pattern measurements of the fabricated proposed antenna in an anechoic chamber.
The measured results show good agreement with simulated results.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, K.K.M. and P.I.L.; methodology, K.K.M., P.I.L., Z.D.Z.; software,
K.K.M.; validation, P.I.L., Z.D.Z. and I.P.G.; formal analysis, K.K.M. and P.I.L.; investigation, K.K.M. and P.I.L.;
resources, P.I.L., T.H.L. and D.C.; data curation, K.K.M., T.H.L. and D.C.; writing—original draft preparation,
K.K.M. and P.I.L.; writing—review and editing, Z.D.Z., I.P.G. and I.P.C.; visualization, K.K.M.; supervision, P.I.L.,
Z.D.Z. and I.P.C.; project administration, P.I.L.; funding acquisition, P.I.L. All authors have read and agreed to the
published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by the “European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie”, grant agreement number 861219, and the “European Union’s Horizon 2020
Research and Innovation Staff Exchange programme”, grant agreement number 872857.
Acknowledgments: The work of T. H. Loh and D. Cheadle were supported by The 2017-2020 National Measurement
System Programme of the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS),
under Science Theme Reference EMT20 of that Programme.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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