The antenna requires special considerations in terms of performance requirements, design constraints, design and realization.
Four main factors which differentiate antennas are frequency response, impedance, directivity, and electromagnetic polarization.
The most basic properties of an antenna are its radiation pattern, gain, impedance, and polarization.
An antenna array is a radiating system, which consists of individual radiators and elements. Each of this radiator, while functioning has its own induction field. The elements are placed so closely that each one lies in the neighbouring one's induction field.
Antenna pattern measurement refers to the determination of the radiation pattern of an antenna under test (AUT). It is the measurement of the relative magnitude and phase of an electromagnetic signal re- ceived from the AUT.
An antenna gives the wireless system three fundamental properties - gain, direction, and polarization. Gain is a measure of increase inpower. Direction is the shape of the transmission pattern. A good analogy for an antenna is the reflector in a flashlight.
There are three parts to an insect antenna: the scape, the pedicel, and the flagellum.
Half-wave Dipole Antennas
The half-wave dipole is based on the dipole antenna, which is the simplest practical antenna made of two conductive rods or wires. The “half-wave” term refers to the physical size of the antenna being half of a wavelength at the frequency of operation.
The three basic segments of the typical insect antenna are the scape or scapus (base), the pedicel or pedicellus (stem), and finally the flagellum, which often comprises many units known as flagellomeres. The pedicel (the second segment) contains the Johnston's organ which is a collection of sensory cells.
PCB Antennas
The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) antenna is perhaps the most cost efficient type of antenna. As the name suggests, a PCB antenna is printed on the circuit board itself. The antenna consists of a copper trace on the circuit board.
An antenna is a specialized transducer that converts electric current into electromagnetic (EM) waves or vice versa. Antennas are used to transmit and receive nonionizing EM fields, which include radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation (IR) and visible light.
The factors that determine the type, size, and shape of the antenna are (1) the frequency of operation of the transmitter, (2) the amount of power to be radiated, and (3) the general direction of the receiving set.
You also want the antenna to be at least 1/4 wavelength long for each band you plan to use. For instance, to work 40m be sure the antenna is at least 10m or 33' long.
There are two types of antennas, directional and Omni-directional.
Copper, brass (copper-zinc alloy), bronze (copper-tin alloy) and aluminum are among widely used conducting materials to build antennas [1].
When wireless designers are experiencing insufficient range distance, all too often a major factor to poor range is the antenna design. Optimizing antenna design and antenna placement will complement the conducted performance of the wireless MCU reference design for maximum distance and system performance.
Antenna design is an important factor in using UAVs over extended range and where there are obstructed views. While this is not directly related to Antenna Tracking/autopilots, it may be useful for some readers.
Traditional antennas are built to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves, which travel fast—up to the speed of light. But electromagnetic waves have a relatively long wavelength. That means antennas must maintain a certain size in order to work efficiently with electromagnetic radiation.
The ability to communicate over long distances generally requires a low radiation angle, meaning that an antenna must be placed high above the ground in terms of the wavelength of the radio wave being transmitted.