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To: Scott C. Lemon who wrote (4244)	6/20/1999 7:32:00 AM
From: Darren DeNunzio	Respond to of 12823

Regarding Fractal Antennas fractenna.com Fractal antennas may appear exotic, but they are not miracle devices. They invoke no new physics, although they entice us to probe further with extant physics. Certainly they provide many practical and new insights into antenna construction and use. But because many have misunderstood what fractals can and cannot do as antennas, it is useful to stress the limitations of fractal antennas. No doubt this will help clarify points that have been inaccurately promulgated on the Internet and in the press. As these issues are of interest to many, let's clear the air: A Fractal Antenna will NOT provide a VERY SMALL SIZE WITH VERY BROAD BANDWIDTH. Certainly it will provide resonant, shrunken antennae but these resonance(s) are often, but not always, high Q. At higher frequencies very broad band characteristics arise. Resonance clusters (many resonances close together in frequency) do occur at lower frequencies however. A Fractal Antenna will NOT PROVIDE HIGH GAIN, VERY SMALL SIZE and BROAD BANDWITH. As with all antennas, there are tradeoffs of these three attributes. A small Fractal Antenna's field strength is NOT (as it is called elsewhere) ‘STONISHING' (sic). It is high (relative to others) and thus preferable in most circumstances of use. Its high apparent efficiency (field strength) is easily explained by simple physics, such as phasing and multi-turn (coil) radiation resistance. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT FRACTAL ANTENNAS PROVIDE FREQUENCY INDEPENDENCE. This does not mean that some fractal antennae are not frequency independent, however. A Fractal Antenna will NOT provide an efficient radiator when VERY electrically small. Nor will any antenna. In some cases of interest, fractal designs are ‘less poor' than other designs however.