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Antenna - How it Works

The antenna converts radio frequency electrical energy fed to it (via


the transmission line) to an electromagnetic wave propagated into
space.
The physical size of the radiating element is proportional to the
wavelength. The higher the frequency, the smaller the antenna
size.
Assuming that the operating frequency in both cases is the same,
the antenna will perform identically in Transmit or Receive mode
The type of system you are installing will help determine the
type of antenna used. Generally speaking, there are two
‘types’ of antennae:

1. Directional
- this type of antenna has a narrow beamwidth; with the
power being more directional, greater distances are usually
achieved but area coverage is sacrificed
- Yagi, Panel, Sector and Parabolic antennae
- an EUM, NCL Station/Master will use this type of
antenna in both Point to Point and Point to Multipoint
2. Omni-Directional
- this type of antenna has a wide beamwidth and radiates
3600; with the power being more spread out, shorter
distances are achieved but greater coverage attained
- Omni antenna
- a CCU or an NCL Master will use this type of antenna
Yagi
- better suited for shorter links
- lower dBi gain; usually between 7 and 15 dBi
Typical Radiation Pattern for a Yagi
Parabolic
- used in medium to long links
- gains of 18 to 28 dBi
- most common
Typical Radiation Pattern for a Parabolic
Sectoral
- directional in nature, but can be adjusted anywhere from 450 to
1800
- typical gains vary from 10 to 19 dBi
0 0

-15 -15
-20 -20
-30 -30
270 0 -3 -6 -10 dB 90 270 0 -3 -6 -10 dB 90

180 180

Typical Radiation Pattern for a Sector


Omni
- used at the CCU or Master NCL for wide coverage
- typical gains of 3 to 10 dBi
Typical Radiation Pattern for an Omni
Antenna Radiation Patterns
Common parameters
– main lobe (boresight)
– half-power beamwidth (HPBW)
– front-back ratio (F/B)
– pattern nulls

Typically measured in two planes:

• Vector electric field referred to E-field


• Vector magnetic field referred to H-field
Polarization
An antennas polarization is relative to the E-field of antenna.
– If the E-field is horizontal, than the antenna is Horizontally
Polarized.
– If the E-field is vertical, than the antenna is Vertically
Polarized.
No matter what polarity you choose, all antennas in the same RF
network must be polarized identically regardless of the antenna
type.
Polarization may deliberately be used to:
– Increase isolation from unwanted signal sources (Cross
Polarization Discrimination (x-pol) typically 25 dB)
– Reduce interference
– Help define a specific coverage area

Horizontal

Vertical
Antenna Impedance
A proper Impedance Match is essential for maximum power
transfer. The antenna must also function as a matching load for
the Transmitter ( 50 ohms).

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), is an indicator of how


well an antenna matches the transmission line that feeds it.

It is the ratio of the forward voltage to the reflected voltage. The


better the match, the Lower the VSWR. A value of 1.5:1 over the
frequency band of interest is a practical maximum limit.
Return Loss is related to VSWR, and is a measure of the
signal power reflected by the antenna relative to the forward
power delivered to the antenna.
The higher the value (usually expressed in dB), the better. A
figure of 13.9dB is equivalent to a VSWR of 1.5:1. A Return
Loss of 20dB is considered quite good, and is equivalent to a
VSWR of 1.2:1.
VSWR Return Loss Transmission Loss

1.0:1 ∞ 0.0 dB

1.2:1 20.83 dB 0.036 dB

1.5:1 13.98 dB 0.177 dB

5.5:1 3.19 dB 2.834 dB

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