ITNW 1351 Fundamentals of Wireless LANs

Chapter 2 Antennas

Antennas

Antennas are most often used to increase the range of a wireless LAN system Proper antenna selection can also enhance security of a wireless LAN are most sensitive to RF signals whose wavelength is an even multiple of the antennas length (including fractional multiples such as or )

Basic Antenna Principles

1. Antennae convert electrical energy to RF waves in the case of transmitting antennae OR RF waves into electrical energy in the case of receiving antennae 2. The physical dimensions (especially length) of an antenna are directly related to the frequency at which the antenna can propagate or receive waves

Basic Antenna Principles

3. The physical structure of an antenna is directly related to the shape of the area in which it concentrates most of its radiated RF energy

Generic Categories of RF antennas

Omni directional Semi-directional Highly-directional

Each category has multiple types of antennas, each having different RF characteristics and appropriate uses

Omni directional (Dipole) Antennas

Most common wireless LAN antenna is a dipole

Standard equipment on most access points Radiates energy equally in all directions around its axis

Omni directional (Dipole) Antennas

Radiates in a 360-dgree horizontal beam

Sphere = isotropic radiator sun = example only theoretical Radiates in all directions around axis, but does not radiate along the length of the wire itself
Looks like a donut The higher the gain, the more the donut is squeezed until it looks like a pancake

Omni directional (Dipole) Antennas

Dipole Side-View

Coverage Area Top View

Omni directional (Dipole) Antennas

Coverage Area High-gain Side View

Coverage Area Top View

Omni directional (Dipole) Antennas

If placed in center of a single floor of a multistory building, most energy will be radiated along the length of that floor, with some sent to the floors above and below
High-gain omnis offer more horizontal coverage area, but vertical coverage is reduced Important consideration when mounting on high indoor ceiling

Omni directional (Dipole) Antennas

used when coverage in all directions around the horizontal is required

most effective where large coverage areas are needed around a central point commonly used for point-to-multipoint designs with star topology outdoors should be placed on top of structure in the middle of the coverage area

Passive Gain

Antennas use passive gain Total amount of energy emitted by antenna doesnt increase only the distribution of energy around the antenna Antenna is designed to focus more energy in a specific direction Passive gain is always a function of the antenna (i.e. independent of the components leading up to the antenna

Passive Gain

Advantage Does not require external power Disadvantage As the gain increases, its coverage becomes more focused Highest-gain antennas cant be used for mobile users because of their tight beam Active gain involves an amplifier

Omni directional Antenna Usage

Used when coverage is required in all directions around the horizontal axis Most effective when large coverage areas are needed around a central point Commonly used for point-tomultipoint designs

Omni directional Antenna Usage

2 to 5 dBi treat as an isotropic radiator Signal above and below center line will be weaker 5 to 8 dBi Appropriate for mounting above users Increase in gain means decreased vertical tolerance 8 to 10 dBi Very flat

Semi-directional Antennas
Direct energy from the transmitter significantly more in one particular direction Often radiate in a hemispherical or cylindrical coverage pattern Have back and side lobes that, if used effectively, may further reduce the need for additional access points

Semi-directional Antennas

Frequently used types:

Patch & Panel flat, designed for wall mounting

Focus coverage in horizontal arc of 180 or less

Yagi elongated, ribbed, and usually housed in an enclosure for moisture protection
Common vertical & horizontal beamwidths of 90 or less 30 or less average

Semi-directional Antennas

Directional Patch Antenna

Directional Yagi Antenna

Beamwidth

Calculated by measuring the number of degrees off-axis where beam drops to (3 dB) of strength at the 0 position
-3 dB

Beamwidth (degrees)

-3 dB

Beamwidth

Vertical Beamwidth

Two vectors must be considered when discussing an antennas beamwidths Horizontal = parallel to Earth Vertical = perpendicular to Earth

Horizontal Beamwidth

Beamwidth
Antenna Type Omni Patch/Panel Yagi Parabolic Dish Horizontal Beamwidth 360 30 to 180 30 to 78 4 to 25 Vertical Beamwidth 7 to 80 6 to 90 14 to 64 4 to 21

Azimuth & Elevation Charts

Provide a more accurate picture of antennas beamwidth Standard way of representing coverage pattern Azimuth = top-down view Elevation = side-view

See Text

Semi-directional Antenna Usage

Ideally suited for short and medium-range bridging

In some cases, semidirectional antennas provide such long-range coverage that they eliminate the need for multiple access points in a building Patch or panel typically used on short range building-to-building & in-building directional links Yagis most often used on short to medium length building-to-building bridging up to 2 miles (3.3 km)

Highly-Directional Antennas

High-gain antennas that emit the most narrow signal beam of any antenna type
Greatest gain of any of the types

Typically concave, disk-shaped devices (similar to satellite TV antenna)

Parabolic dishes Some are grids (grid antennas) provides good resistance to wind loading

Ideal for long distance, point-to-point wireless links

Highly-Directional Antenna Radiation Pattern

Highly-directional antennas are never appropriate for mobile users

Highly-Directional Antennas

These are not for clients usage

Used for point-to-point communication links
Have a very narrow beamwidth and must be accurately aimed at each other May be aimed directly at each other within a building in order to blast through an RF signal absorbing obstruction

Can transmit at distances up to 58 km (about 35 miles)

Basic Antenna Principles

Line of Sight (LOS) = the apparently straight line from the transmitter to the receiver
Why apparently straight?

Remember refraction, diffraction, & reflection?

Can be affected by blockage of the Fresnel Zone

Basic Antenna Principles

Fresnel* Zone = an area centered on the visible LOS between the transmitting and receiving antenna It defines an area around the LOS that can introduce RF signal interference if blocked As an obstacle obstructs the zone, energy is absorbed and prevented from getting to the receiver *fr-nl'

Basic Antenna Principles

Another way of defining the Fresnel Zone is a series of concentric ellipsoid-shaped areas around the LOS path

TX

Fresnel Zone

LOS

RX

Fresnel Zone

20 to 40 % blockage introduces little to no interference into the link Best to allow no more that 20 % blockage >40 % means link will be unreliable Usually not encroached indoors unless signal is partially or fully blocked Constantly changes in mobile environment Users dismiss it to simply bad coverage

Fresnel Zone
Formula to calculate the 60 % unobstructed (minimum clear) radius around the visual LOS

r = 43.3* Xd/4f
r = radius in feet d = link distance in miles f = frequency in GHz

The radius is 60 % smaller than the radius of the entire zone. *Substitute 72.2 to calculate the radius of the Fresnel Zone itself The beamwidth is NOT a factor in calculating

Basic Antenna Principles

Antenna Gain = results from focusing the RF radiation into a tighter beam which creates a seemingly brighter beam
Example: radiating at 30 degrees rather that 360 degrees at the same power the beam will radiate farther

Basic Antenna Principles

Intentional Radiator (IR) = an RF device specifically designed to generate and radiate RF signals Includes: RF device All cabling All connectors up to but not including the antenna Any reference to power output of the IR refers to power at the last connector before the antenna