RF Antenna types for a wide variety of applications
Did you know that we first began using Antenna technology back in 1888?
Since then, RF Antennas have become an essential component to modern technology, playing a vital role to almost every industry, including Defense, Aerospace, Telecommunications, Energy, Forestry, and so much more!
With the explosion of engineering science during WW2 the advancement of antenna design and its implementation has progressed rapidly. Following the invention of the magnetron and proliferation of microwave technology we have seen a lot more antennas; robust scientific marvels that keep us all connected, protected, and communicating.
There are many types of antennas in use today, we will highlight some of them briefly to explain how and where these antennas are utilized in our everyday lives.
Dipole Antennas
The most widely used type of antenna today is the Dipole (also known as the Hertz, or the Doublet antenna). Simply created with two conductive elements, Dipole antennas radiate and receive electromagnetic waves typically operating in the range of 500 kHz to 300MHz (MF to VHF ranges). Often used in radio and TV broadcasting, Dipole antennas are effective and basic communication systems.
Due to their simple design and easy manufacturing, they are oftentimes utilized in field operations. You see Dipole antennas in use every day in military, security, health care, and police applications. A nostalgic example of the Dipole antenna are the rabbit ears on top of an old TV.
Monopole Antennas
From Dipole antennas comes our next consideration: Monopole antennas. Monopole antennas utilize a single conductive element, as well as a ground plane that operates as a reflector. Monopole antennas typically operate in the range of 500KHz to 3GHz (MF to Microwave ranges). Monopole antennas are most commonly used in mobile applications such as vehicle-mounted systems or cell phones. In Defence, we see Monopole antennas utilized in tactical radios. They are also found in aerospace for navigation and communication systems. A practical everyday example of a Monopole antenna are large radio towers for AM transmission.
Yagi-Uda Antennas
Invented in 1928 in Japan by Shintaro Uda and his student, Hidetsugu Yagi, the directional Yagi-Uda antenna consists of a reflector, multiple directors, and a driven element. They enhance signal gain and directivity, typically operating in the range of 7MHz to 3GHz (HF to UHF ranges). Yagi-Uda antennas are typically used in the television broadcasting industry (e.g. old rooftop TV antennas were often Yagi-Uda). These antennas are also found in Defence applications for surveillance and target tracking, they provide reliable data links for aircraft and satellites.
Dish Antennas
The Dish antenna, and variants known as Parabolic Reflector antennas, use a bowl-shaped or a banana shaped reflector that has the ability to focus radio waves into a narrow beam. These antennas typically operate in the microwave frequency range between 1 GHz and 100GHz. They are highly directional and provide high gain, making them ideal for applications such as radio astronomy, radar systems, and satellite communications. In Defense, the Parabolic Reflector antenna is a critical component in missile guidance, long-range radar, and of course, satellite communications. Notably, in Aerospace, Parabolic Reflector antennas are used to transmit data communications over extremely long distances from deep-space back to Earth.
Phased Array Antennas
Originally invented for military radar systems, the Phased Array antenna is still used today in Defense applications to track missiles, and provide air defense and electronic intelligence. Operating at a wide range of frequencies typically from 30GHz to 300GHz, the Phased Array antenna is special because it consists of multiple radiating elements that are able to be controlled electronically to quickly change the focus of the beam, without moving the antenna physically. They are used in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for observing Earth at high resolution, observing Earth’s orbit and various space objects, including satellites and debris.
Horn Antennas
The Horn antenna is a wide band antenna that directs radio waves into specific patterns. Used commonly as “feeder” antennas for larger reflector antennas, they are also used in microwave transmission and reception. They operate in the microwave frequency range, from below 1GHz to 40GHz. For Defense applications, Horn antennas are used in radar systems and electronic warfare, for signal interception and jamming. In applications for Aerospace, these high gain antennas provide precise directional control for satellite communication and radio astronomy.
Helical Antennas
Helical Antennas are widely used for the low megahertz radios up to cell phones etc. They are often used in place of monopole antennas since they can be shorter than a straight element without a large loss in efficiency. A popular helical is a “Rubber Ducky” antenna. In more advanced forms they are used for space communications. At higher frequencies, they create a circular polarized signal coming off the end of the coil. At lower frequencies, the signal radiates from the sides of the coil similar to a monopole.
Log-Periodic Antennas
For wide-range performance, the Log-Periodic antenna provides consistent performance and is frequency-independent. Operating in the HF to UHF ranges, Log-Periodic antennas are typically used between 3MHz to 3GHz. They are frequently used in electromagnetic compatibility testing, as well as TV broadcasting, TV reception, aircraft navigation, ground-based communication systems and including broadband communication. For Defense applications, they are used for electronic warfare and signal intelligence.
RULES OF THUMB
Antenna gain is inversely proportional to beam width. A vertically mounted Monopole antenna is omnidirectional in the horizontal plane and is lower gain.
A horizontal dipole gives a figure of 8 pattern, with minimum gain at the ends, and in general has a little higher gain.
Yagi, Log Periodic, Horn and Parabolic antennas are very directional but have high gain and good rejection of off axis interference.
Need RF Antenna support? We can help!
MRO supplies high-quality Industrial Antennae for Harsh Environment applications. We provide a broad range of RF antenna solutions for:
- Wi-Fi Dual Band, MIMO
- Cellular Dual-Band LTE
- GPS GNSS
- Magmount
- Springmount
- Custom Antennas
Our WI-FI DUAL BAND 2.5 and 5GHz antenna have been used in a wide variety of applications from connecting computers in a small building to inter-building Wi-Fi to communications between oil drilling platforms, control rooms, and administrative trailers.
Our CELLULAR DUAL BAND LTE antenna connects where signal levels are marginal. The nearby Rocky Mountains and the remoteness of oil fields here in Alberta make us at MRO aware of the importance of the benefits of a good cellular antenna.
External GPS / GNSS antenna allows reception of more of the satellite constellation with the benefits of faster startup and more accurate results.
Our MAGMOUNT antenna is a very convenient way of using portable equipment without physically altering the bodywork of a vehicle.
For industrial mobile applications, SPRING MOUNT antennas allow traveling through bush and low overhead passageways without damaging it. Springmount Antennas are proven to be rugged for abusive conditions showing good waterproofing despite all the flexing.
Do you have a different need? We are able to provide CUSTOM antennas! Just submit the frequency and required power level to us. We can test the SWR up to 6GHz.
Click here to know more about our available Antenna Product lines, or send us an email to tell us more about your project. We are happy to provide or sign an NDA. Send us an email to [email protected] today!