Plasma Antennas Answers to RF Cafe Quiz #43

Return to RF Cafe Quiz #43

This quiz is based on the information presented in Plasma Antennas, by Theodore Anderson.

Note: Some of these books are available as prizes in the monthly RF Cafe Giveaway.

1.  When the frequency of operation of a plasma antenna decreases, what is the corresponding requirement for plasma density?

c)  Plasma density must decrease

A rule of thumb is that the plasma frequency should be about twice or greater than the operating frequency of the plasma antenna consider the plasma antenna to behave as an effective metal antenna.  (see page 4)

2.  How does plasma density affect signal phase during reflection and/or refraction?

c)  Plasma density affected by both reflection and refraction

This property allows flat panel plasma tube arrays to be programmed as scanning phased arrays, adaptive parabolic, or just about any other shape antenna.  (see page 5)

3.  How is characteristic impedance controlled in a plasma antenna?

d)  All the above

The text specifically cites the plasma density's role in affecting impedance, but the plasma antenna's shape and plasma material also determines impedance.  (see page 34)

4.  What commonly available component is useful as a plasma antenna demonstrator?

a)  Fluorescent bulb

Probably the most useful fluorescent bulbs are the ones with a U shape that have electrode ends which can be placed inside a metal enclosure with only the glass tube exposed as an antenna.

  (see page 38)

5.  What is plasma, by the way?

b)  An ionized gas

Duh.  (see page 45)

6.  In a multiple frequency nested plasma antenna, where is the highest frequency antenna element located relative to the lowest frequency antenna element?

b)  Lowest frequency element on the outside, highest frequency element on the inside

Placing the denser, higher frequency at the innermost location and layering outward with progressively lower densities with correspondingly lower frequencies allows the inner layers to see through the outer layers (see page 47)

7.  What is plasma "windowing?"

a)  Creating electronically switched portal regions around an antenna array

Plasma regions can be made transparent or opaque to the radiating (or receiving) antenna inside the enclosure in order to shape the field beam.  (see page 54)

8.  What is a "smart" plasma antenna?

d)  An antenna that use adaptive techniques to control beam patterns

Computer control can be used to determine angle of arrival, timestamp, and characterize signals, as well as do beam forming to target specific intended recipients.  (see page 79)

9.  How can plasma materials be used to provide filtering?

b)  Layering regions of plasmas allows specific frequencies to be selected and others rejected

Each frequency-selective (FSS) layer has to be modeled using numerical methods and layers are stacked in such a way to create the desired filtering.  (see page 113)

10.  Who is undoubtedly the master of using commercial fluorescent tubes for constructing plasma devices like antennas, filters, and switches?

a)  Theodore Anderson

Hands down. No question about it.  (see entire book Plasma Antennas)