ANTENNA SPECIFICATION | HOW DO ANTENNAS WORK?

 Antenna Specification
 Antenna Types
Antennas have a consistent set of primary specification or parameters consisting of: Frequency, Gain, Bandwidth, HPBW,
Sidelobes, Polarisation, Cross Polar, Return Loss, and VSWR. See below for an explanation of each of these
specifications:
FREQUENCY

Most antennas are designed to operate efficiently within a 10% bandwidth.

2.5GHz ±5% means a frequency of 2.375 to 2.625GHz which is a 250MHz bandwidth.

At 10GHz an antenna will operate from 9.5 to 10.5GHz

GAIN

Antennas passively increase the radiated power by concentrating it into certain

directions. The gain of an antenna is a measure of its directionality. Gain is measured in dB (isotropic) or dBi and is
usually expressed in dB or dBi relative to an isotropic source (equal in all directions). Antennas are not 100% efficient and
have internal losses.

The gain of an antenna includes these losses:

Gain = Directivity - Internal losses Gain is the additional signal strength that the antenna provides in one direction at the
expense of a signal strength in other directions.

An antenna is normally a passive device providing gain by directing the energy to a required pattern. The result is a higher
signal strength in one direction and lower in other directions.

BANDWIDTH
 The bandwidth of an antenna is the range of frequency where the antenna is operating
effectively. Typically, our antennas have a nominal 10% bandwidth.

This may increase or decrease depending on the antenna and performance required. It is important to specify the exact
bandwidth required.

Specifying L-band, for example, is not sufficient. L-band covers 1 to 2GHz; much larger than at 10% bandwidth.

The diagram to the right shows Gain relative to isotropic pattern of antenna.
HPBW - HALF POWER BEAM WIDTH
Omni Antennas - A dipole is the simplest type of omni-directional antenna. It has 360° azimuth coverage; the energy is
squeezed from top and bottom to provide gain on the horizon. The elevation pattern is measured by taking a vertical cut
through the beam. The antenna's beamwidth is defined by the angle over which the radiated energy falls to half its peak
level. This is known as the Half Power Beam Width (HPBW), or the -3dB point. This will apply to the elevation pattern
whilst the azimuth beamwidth will be 360°.

Directional and Sector Antennas - Energy is directed from vertical and horizontal sides to produce a directional lobe or
sector beam. For directional and sector antennas, azimuth and elevation HPBW are specified separately.

HPBW elevation pattern HPBW elevation pattern

SIDELOBES
 In antenna engineering, sidelobes are the lobes of the radiation pattern that are not the
main beam. An antenna radiation pattern is morer commonly called a beam pattern. The power density in the sidelobes is
generally much less than that in the main beam. Sidelobe levels are measured in dBs relative to the peak of the main beam.
It is possible to control sidelobe levels, depending on the application.

POLARISATION
All electromagnetic radiation is polarised. The figures below show the electric (E) vector in a propagating wave for
various types of polarisation. The polarisation of an antenna describes the orientation of its electrical field or E-Plane.

The polarisation can be linear or circular. Linear polarisation is usually vertical or horizontal. Dual polar antennas can
produce vertical and horizontal polarisation via separate ports. A further extension of this are dual slant antennas; these are
essentially the same as dual vertical and horizontal antennas but with the polarisation rotated by 45°. Circular polarisation
is produced when the E-plane of the antenna spins. Depending on the direction of spin the polarisation is right or left.

Vertical Polarisation Horizontal Polarisation Circular Polarisation

Antennas are never perfectly polarised. Cross polar is a measure of how much energy is in the plane perpendicular to the
E-plane or opposite hand of circular polarisation. It is typically quoted relative to the peak gain of the antenna.
RETURN LOSS AND VSWR
This is the amount of signal that is reflected by the antenna at the connector. This is
expressed either as the relative level of the return signal in dB, or in terms of the Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)
present on the input to the antenna as a result of the reflection. Return loss and VSWR are related.

ANTENNA TYPES | WHAT TYPES OF ANTENNAS ARE

THERE?
 Antenna Specification
 Antenna Types
o Sector
o Directional
o Omni-Directional
o Ultra-Wideband
o Helix

SECTOR
SECTOR AND MULTI-SECTOR ANTENNAS

Sector antennas are normally used as part of a base station, for

example WiMAX/LTE networks. They have narrow elevation and clearly defined azimuth
coverage. The image to the right shows the relative size of sectors with different gain at the same
frequency.

They have wide azimuth coverage, 30° to 210° in horizontal plane wth profiled vertical
coverage.

Sector antennas are used in WiMAX/LTE, WLAN, WiFi, Cellular and other communication
systems in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz and 2175MHz systems, microcell ad picocell
systems where there is dense RF traffic and in the 2.4GHz, 3.5GHz and 5.5GHz, and up to
10GHz and 15GHz frequency bands.

Sector antennas provide wide area coverage for military and security applications.
CHARACTERISTICS
 Low profile
 Azimuth coverage from 30° to 210°
 Polarisation can be: Vertical; Horizontal; Dual Vertical & Horizontal; Right Circular; Left Circular; Dual Circular; Dual
±45°
 Gain up to 20dBi dependent on beamwidth
 Multi-sector arrays provide high gain and wide area coverage
Elevation patterns can be designed with null-fill, electrical downtilt and sidelobe suppresion.
 DIRECTIONAL
DIRECTIONAL FLAT PANEL ANTENNAS - FPA AND LPA
A directional antenna radiates in one direction giving increased gain. The gain of the
antenna is determined by the number of elements. The more elements the higher the gain
and the smaller the HPBW.

The image to the right shows the relative size of

antennas with different gain at the same frequency.

Flat panel antennas can be highly directional with narrow azimuth and elevation radiation
patterns for pinpoint accuracy in a communication network.

All antennas are tested to ensure that they meet their quoted specification, with supporting
technical information and radiation pattern data available.

If the application requires a robust, discreet antenna mounted flat against a wall, or on a
mast where a smaller antenna would be beneficial, this type of flat panel provides the best
option. They can be painted to blend in with the surroundings.

Low wind loading and robust construction enable our antennas to be mounted in the most
demanding of enviroments such as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link where trains travel through
tunnels at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. Another antenna is situated in a prominent
position in St Pancras Internationa Station but, unless you know what you're looking for,
you will not see it.
CHARACTERISTICS
 Low profile
 Gain up to 32dBi
 Frequency range from 250MHz to 18GHz
 Multi-layered microstrip technology for bandwidths up to 15%
 Polarisation can be circular, linear or dual slant
 More efficient than dishes
 OMNI-DIRECTIONAL
Omni-directional antenna specifications and characteristics.
READ MORE

OMNI ANTENNAS, VERTICAL POLARISATION

An omni antenna radiates full power 360° in the horizontal plane. Peak gain usually
on the horizon.

All collinear omni antennas are centre-fed making them ground-plane independent and
providing stable radiation patterns across the band.

High gain omnis can be produced by stacking and feeding more elements. This has the
effect of reducing the elevation beamwidth.

By adjusting phase and amplitude to each element, sidelobes can be controlled and the
elevation beam can be shaped to provide features such as null-fill or electrical tilt.

Collinear antennas combine light weight construction and environmental protection with
rigid glass fibre radomes and aluminium mounting spigots.
 VOA and OA series
 Gain up to 11dBi
 Frequencies up to 18GHz
 Centre fed to ensure peak gain remains on the horizon
 Stable, ground plane independent radiation patterns
 Light weight but rugged, for harsh environments
 For special applications horizontally polarised high gain omnis can be developed
Many applications benefit from circular polarisation to optimise performance, in particular
ground to airborne applications. Circular polarised omni antennas are available with:
 Frequencies 400MHz to 14GHz
 Left or right circular polarisation
 Good axial ratios
 Bandwidths up to 15%

HEMI OMNI ANTENNAS

Hemi omni antennas provide coverage over a hemisphere for applications that require a
single antenna to cover a very wide area such as:
 Links to satellites and airborne platforms
 Air to ground links when inverted
These antennas feature:
 Circular or dual circular polarisation
 2 to 3dBiC peak gain overhead
 120° to 150° beamwidth
 Active or passive

DIPOLE OMNI ANTENNAS

Traditional dipoles have omni-directional coverage, are rugged or flexible, with
approximately 2dBi gain. Monopole and dipole antnnas have a 360° azimuth coverage and
typically 80° elevation coverage.
They are balanced and independent of ground plane.
 EVD2 series - rugged dipoles with rigid glass fibre radome, most have N-type connectors
 SVD2 series - semi rigid with abrasion resistant rubberised coating, most have SMA connectors
 Vertical polarisation
 Gain 2dBi with elevation HPBW 80°
 Frequencies 300MHz to 12GHz

BLADE OMNI ANTENNAS

 Blade antennas can be as little as 2mm thick
 They may be housed in protective radomes
 Aerodynamic
 Light weight
 Specification as for dipole antenna
 Coverage can be omni-directional or directional, depending on the application requirements
Blade (printed circuit) antennas are suitable where a 2mm thick fully efficient antenna is
needed.

ULTRA-WIDEBAND
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) antenna specifications and characteristics.
READ MORE
 OMNI, MULTI-STACKED
Wideband omni antennas can be 'stacked' so that several antennas may be designed into a
single housing
 A single mounting point on any vehicle
 New feed-through technology allows multiple antennas to be co-located
 Ultra wideband omnis in a single package, for example 100MHz to 6GHz with two connectors
 Overlapping frequencies for multipe applications and operational scenarios
 High isolation between bands (17dBi minimum)
 200W per band simultaneously
 Similar footprint to existing designs
 Good return loss across all bands
 Optional NATO spring mounting arrangements available

CAVITY BACKED PLANAR SPIRAL ANTENNAS

 Very wideband: 0.5 to 4GHz, 2 to 18GHz
 Can be used stand-alone or as part of a DF (Direction Finding) array
 Phase and/or amplitude matched to provide accurate DF
 Gain 0 to 5dBiC
 Circular polarisation
 HPBW 50° to 90° across the band

HIGH POWER SPIRAL ANTENNA

 High power and ultra wideband
 Directional, with gain up to 8dBiC
 Circular polarisation provides better chance of jamming
 Flat panel can be disguised if necessary
 Bi-directional option

ULTRA WIDEBAND, EXTENDED PERFORMANCE, OMNI ANTENNAS

 Biconical omnis are fully efficient, vertically polarised antennas
 Depending on configuration, bandwidths from 3:1 to 30:1 are achievable
 Frequencies from 100MHz to 18GHz
 Ground plane independent
 Vertically polarised
 Elevation HPBW typically 30° to 60°
 Gain is typically 0 to 2dBi across the band
 High power
 Excellent azimuth patterns
 Peak gain on horizon across all bands

HELIX ANTENNAS
Helix antennas are a traditional way of producing circular polarisation for a directional
application, over a broad bandwidth, typically 25%.
Applications include outside broadcast and video surveillance where circular polarisation helps mitigate the effects
of multi-path in a highly reflective environment.
 Frequencies up to 4GHz
 Gain up to 17dBiC
 Hand held, pole mount or shrouded
 Good axial ratio, right or left circular polarisation
 N-type connectors and maximum VSWR of 1.5:1
 Light weight, low wind loading
 Optional mounting kits available