Are you wondering what type of antenna to use on your wireless network? This article has information of help to you.
Wireless antennas, as the name suggests, are used in wireless communications between two parties. The most common mode of wireless communication is Wi-Fi. It is a wireless technology that employs radio waves or RF waves of around 2.4 to 5 GHz to provide extremely fast communication to various communication channels. However, the devices have to be connected to the Wi-Fi network for them to communicate. In this line of thought, we will look into the antennas commonly used in the wireless network.
Wi-Fi antennas are responsible for transmitting data packets that enable internet access on several devices. They majorly come in two types that we shall look into in this article. They include; omnidirectional antennas and directional antennas.
Omnidirectional antennas vs directional antennas – what is the difference?
Let us now look into the above types more deeply to clear about – Which of the following are antenna types that are commonly used in Wireless Networks?
Omnidirectional antennas
Omnidirectional antennas radiate EM waves in all directions equally in a uniform plane. The radiation pattern is in the shape of a doughnut. The omnidirectional design makes them have a shorter action radius and therefore, they are mostly used for indoor purposes. They can be used in Wi-Fi routers, Wi-Fi chipsets, mobile phones, televisions, laptops, etc.
One example of omnidirectional antennas is the Dipole Antenna. This antenna is also known as the Half-Wave dipole antenna. This is because it registers half the wavelength of other wireless antennas. Its structure comprises two metal rods that are fed using two wires, separately. These antennas are mostly used indoors.
Directional antennas
Directional antennas, on the other hand, can transmit EM waves in only one direction. They are most commonly used when point-to-point network communication is wanted. The focused beam makes them more efficient and allows for better performance due to the elimination of unwanted noises. Since directional antennas are a wide topic, let us look at some of the antenna types in this category…
Mini panel antennas are the first type of directional antennas we will be looking at. They are designed to enhance wireless communications in one direction. This means that you must point in the direction you want the signal to be received. The antennas that lie under this category are usually long-ranged and they’re mostly used for outdoor purposes.
Next are the Panel Antennas. They are better and enhanced versions of mini-panel antennas and can transmit signals over larger distances. They are stronger, sleeker, and more focused than the mini panel antennas, spotting a 32-degree spread as opposed to the 60-degree spread on the latter.
Another type of directional antenna to discuss is the Cantenna Antennas. These are popular highly-directional compact antennas that offer EM radiation at an angle of 36 degrees. It uses a narrow beam to focus its radiations making it more powerful to the extent of traveling more than three miles along a line of sight.
A parabolic grid is another directional antenna model that offers unparalleled point-to-point communication between a source and receiver. These antennas are highly directional, owing to their very thin beam and ultra-strong gain with a radiating angle of 3-12 degrees.
The entire above discussed antenna types are designed to resist the harsh climate as well as withstand the test of time.
Conclusion
in light of the above information in this article, it is very important to choose the type of antenna you want to install to serve as your wireless antenna. This will. In the long run, prevent connection problems as well as other antenna-related shortcomings. It is always advisable that in a case where you are not sure of what to do, you can always seek advice from a qualified technician.
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