Wireless Antennas

Having the right wireless antennas can be the key component in a successful wireless network. Choosing the right wireless antenna will guarantee optimum network performance as well as decreasing your network costs. There are many different antennas in a variety of shapes and sizes, each built to accomplish a specific function.

Antennas for wireless networks vary widely. You will need to decide how much coverage you need and how the physical terrain will affect the antenna. Clear lines of sight work the best and radio waves travel best over land, not water.

Here is how WiFi antennas work: with a wireless network, data, voice, and video packets of information are transmitted over low-frequency radio waves. The antenna sends the packets through the air as well as receiving them and transporting them to a radio, TV, router, or access point.

There are two basic types of antennas: directional and omnidirectional:

• Directional antennas are used basically in point-to-point networks. Directional antennas concentrate the waves like a flashlight concentrates light. There are backfire (best for practical outdoor use), Yagi (best for long narrow areas like between buildings), dish (best for outdoor use since the wind blows right through them), panel (hung on walls and used in buildings), and sector (often used on campuses) directional antennas.
• Omnidirectional antennas are used in point to multi-point networks. The waves from this type of antenna are in a fan-shape pattern or horizontal plane. There are integrated (often embedded in wireless networking devices), blade (used to pick up signals in no signal spots like cubicles), and ceiling (used in corporate situations) omnidirectional antennas.

There is a great review of antennas at Blackbox.com.

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