Lesson 3 Antenna Ali Sahar

1. What
a.
b.
c.

is the purpose of the antenna in WLAN?

A Radio Needs a Proper Antenna
An antenna is a device used to transmit or receive signals.
Antennas convert electrical energy into radio frequency (RF) waves
when it transmits, or RF waves into electrical energy when it receives.
d. The size and shape of antennas are determined primarily by the
frequency of the signal they are designed to receive. A high gain
antenna is highly focused, whereas a low gain antenna receives or
transmits over a wide angle.
e. An antenna provides the wireless system with three fundamental
properties: gain, direction, and polarization.

2. What do you think AP without antennas?

The three fundamental properties of an antenna:

1. Gain
a. Measured in dBi/dBd
b. More gain means focusing in certain directions, limited range of
coverage
2. Direction
a. Omnidirectional antennas (360 degree coverage)
b. Directional antennas (limited range of coverage)
3. Polarization
a. Polarization is a physical phenomenon of radio signal propagation
b. The physical orientation of the element on the antenna that actually
emits the RF energy.
c. Must match for a link to work properly.
d. 20dB weaker when polarization mismatch.

1. Define polarization.
a. How does it influence on a WLAN
i. The electro portion of the term electromagnetic describes the
wave and that is can move in different ways.
ii. The way that is moves is its polarization:
1. Vertical
2. Horizontal
3. Circular
iii. A circular shape, to cover a conference room
iv. A long, thin shape, to cover a long corridor

2. Define Omnidirectional Antenna and list the types of antennas.

a. This antenna radiates everywhere on the H-plane, to reach clients in

the whole room or surrounding premises, but has a certain vertical
angle because it is expected to work on a one-floor coverage.
b. The antenna can offer coverage to the floors above and below the floor
it is deployed.
c. This design makes the shape of the radiation pattern more like a
donut than a pure sphere.
3. Define Directional Antenna and list the types of antennas.
a. Directional antennas are usually mounted on walls and have their
radiation patterns focused in a certain direction to cover one specific
directional.
b. The goal is to provide coverage for areas such as long hallways, a
warehouse, or anywhere you need a more directed signal.
c. When it used in an indoor environment, this kind of antenna usually is
placed on walls and pillars.
d. In an outdoor environment it can be seen on rooftops in the form of a
parabolic dish.
e. This kind of antenna provides more gain than an omnidirectional
because the shape or radiation pattern is focused.
f. They employ the one floor. This means that they do not have much
of a range vertically.
4. When to use integrated antennas VS. external antennas?

INTEGRATED

Integrated antenna versions are

designed for mounting on a ceiling
(carpeted area) where aesthetics is
primary concerns.

EXTERNAL

Use for industrial applications

where external or directional
antennas are desired and or
applications requiring higher
temperature ranges.

5. Describe differences in terms of coverage between omnidirectional

and directional antennas including the following:
a. List of the types of antennas under each category.

Directional

Omnidirectional

Directional antennas are usually

mounted on walls and have their
radiation patterns focused in a
certain direction to cover one
specific directional.

The goal is to provide coverage

for areas such as long hallways,
a warehouse, or anywhere you
need a more directed signal.

When it used in an indoor

environment, this kind of
antenna usually is placed on
walls and pillars.

This kind of antenna provides

more gain than an
omnidirectional because the
shape or radiation pattern is
focused.

They employ the one floor.

This means that they do not
have much of a range vertically.

HOW

DO

This antenna radiates

everywhere on the H-plane, to
reach clients in the whole room
or surrounding premises, but has
a certain vertical angle because it
is expected to work on a onefloor coverage.

The antenna can offer coverage

to the floors above and below the
floor it is deployed.

This design makes the shape of

the radiation pattern more like a
donut than a pure sphere.

This shape is common for many

indoor omnidirectional antenna,
the different being the thickness
of the donut; therefore, placed
the Omnidirectional Antennas at
the center of a group of client
devices to provide central
communication capabilities to the
surrounding clients.

THEY

RADIATE?

Although you dont get additional

RF power with a directional
antenna, it does concentrate the
available energy into a given
direction resulting in greater
range.

Lower gain Omni radiates much

like a light Bulb 360 degree

Types Of Antennas
DIRECTIONAL
Patch, Wall Mount

OMNIDIRECTIONAL
AIR-ANT1728

Yagi

Dual-Patch

Parabolic Dish

Dipole

Grid Antenna

b. Where would you install them?

i. Directional Walls or pillars
ii. Omnidirectional Ceilings
6. Refer to the following examples, would you make different decisions
on where to install APs?
a. You are a network consultant and you have two clients:
i. Client 1 Hospitality-oriented services such as hotels and
hospitals
ii. Client 2 Public environments such as school