© 2001, Cisco Aironet Systems, Inc. Chapter51
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter52
Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you
should be able to:
• Understand how an antenna is used to
propagate an RF signal
• Explain what an isotropic antenna is and why it
is used as a reference for other antennas
• Identify Cisco Aironet antennas, their coverage
patterns, and the proper polarization of each
antenna
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter53
Cisco Aironet Antennas
FCC requires that ALL antennas sold by
a spread spectrum vendor be certified
with the radio they are to be sold with
All Cisco Aironetsupplied cables, RF devices
and antennas have reverse TNC
(RPTNC) connectors
Cisco Aironetsupplied antennas meet all
FCC rules
Wide variety antennas for most applications
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter54
Antenna Concepts
Directionality
• Omni (360º coverage) directional
• Directional (limited range of coverage)
Gain
• Measured in dBi and dBd. (0dBd = 2.14dBi)
• More gain means more coverage
in certain directions
Polarization
• Antennas are used in the vertical polarization
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter55
Antenna Gain
In life you never get “something for
nothing;” the same is true in antenna
gain.
If the gain of an antenna goes up, the
coverage area or angle goes down.
Coverage areas or radiation patterns are
measured in degrees.
These angles are referred to as
beamwidth, and have a horizontal and
vertical measurement.
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter56
Antenna Theory
A theoretical
isotropic antenna
has a perfect 360º Side View
vertical (Vertical Pattern)
and horizontal
beamwidth. Top View
(Horizontal Pattern)
This is a reference
for ALL antennas
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter57
Antenna Theory Dipole
To obtain omnidirectional
gain from an isotropic
antenna, the energy lobes
are ‘pushed in’ from the
top and bottom, and Side View
(Vertical Pattern)
forced out in a doughnut
type pattern. Vertical Beamwidth
The higher the gain,
New Pattern (with Gain)
the smaller the vertical
beamwidth, and the larger Top View
the horizontal lobe area (Horizontal Pattern)
This is the typical dipole
pattern. Gain of a dipole
is 2.14dBi (0dBd)
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter58
High Gain OmniDirectionals
High gain omni
directional antennas
will create more
coverage area
in away from the Beamwidth
antenna, but the
energy level directly
below the antenna Area of poor coverage directly under the antenna
will become lower.
Coverage here may
be poor.
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter59
Directional Antennas
For directional
antennas the lobes are
pushed in a certain
direction, causing the Side View
energy to be
(Vertical Pattern)
condensed in a
particular area.
Very little energy is in Top View
(Horizontal Pattern)
the back side of a
directional antenna.
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter510
FCC Part 15 Antenna
Requirements
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter511
EIRP
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power
Power Setting dBm w/ 6 dBi Patch EIRP
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter514
2.4Ghz OmniDirectional
Antennas
2.2dBi Ceiling Mount
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT3194
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter515
2.4Ghz OmniDirectional
Antennas
5.2dBi Ceiling Mount
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT1728
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter516
2.4Ghz OmniDirectional
Antennas
5.2dBi Mast Mount Vertical
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT2506
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter517
2.4Ghz OmniDirectional
Antennas
5.2dBi Pillar Mount Diversity
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT3213
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter518
2.4Ghz OmniDirectional
Antennas
5.2dBi Ground Plane
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT2561
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter519
2.4Ghz OmniDirectional
Antennas
12dBi Omni Directional (Outdoor only)
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT4121
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter520
2.4Ghz Directional
Antennas
3dBi Patch Antenna – 65 degree
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT3195
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter521
2.4Ghz Directional
Antennas
6dBi Patch Antenna – 65 degree
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT1729
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter522
2.4Ghz Directional
Antennas
8.5dBi Patch Antenna – 55 degree
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT3549
H Plane
E Plane
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter523
2.4Ghz Directional
Antennas
13.5dBi Yagi Antenna – 25 degree
Cisco Aironet Part # AIRANT1949
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter524
2.4Ghz Directional
Antennas
21dBi Parabolic Dish Antenna – 12 degree
Cisco Part # AIRANT3338
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter525
Summary
Upon completion of this chapter you should be
able to perform the following tasks:
• How different antennas can affect the
propagation of the RF signal
• Compare antenna ratings in dBi vs. dBd
• Assist the customer in choosing the right
antenna for their installation
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter526
Review Questions
1. A 2.14 dBi antenna is the same as a 3.28
dBd antenna (True/False)?
2. An antenna with more gain is always a
better antenna? Why or why not?
3. Ceiling mount antennas are always the best
choice for an indoor installation? Why or
why not?
4. A higher gain antenna adds more output
power to the access point’s output
(True/False)?
© 2001, Cisco Systems, Inc. AWLF1.0—Chapter527
Cisco Aironet Wireless Training© 2000, Cisco Aironet Systems, Inc.