Antenna selection
With proper antenna selection the overall performance of a wireless network can be significantly improved. Also the system can be made more controlled, closed and more tolerant to possible external interference.
Antenna types
Basically the antennas are divided into three categories according to radiation characteristics: omnidirectional antennas, offset pattern antennas and directional antennas. The usage of different antenna types is highly dependent on the topology of the radio network: point to point, point to multipoint, number of base stations, fixed or mobile substations, possible repeaters, diversity reception etc.
Directivity and gain
Antenna directivity and antenna gain have a positive correlation i.e. the higher the directivity the higher the gain. The antenna gain is always bi-directional – the same for transmission and reception.
Point to point networks
In point to point, fixed radio networks, it is always highly recommended to use directional antennas (CAY, CAY+, CAY++, CAY+++, CAY++++) when applicable. This is because of better control over the system and closed construction: the signal is forced and noise collected only to and from the relevant directions. This also minimizes the total amount of radio interference in general.
Point to multipoint networks
In point to multipoint radio networks, one or multiple base stations are serving multiple substations: fixed or mobile. Typically base stations have to be equipped with omnidirectional (CAGP, CAGP+) or offset pattern antennas (CAC2, CAC4) in order to serve substations within a wide angle. Usually the system layout is not symmetrical nor the base station in the symmetrical center point. In these cases the offset pattern base station antenna is the best choice. If all substations are within a narrow angle, the directional base station antenna is recommended due the reasons mentioned above. A fixed substation shall always be equipped with a directional antenna. Mobile substations usually have to be equipped with omnidirectional antennas.
Isolation
When using repeaters, transparent or bufferizing, each repeater output has to be considered as a base station for it’s own subsystem and corresponding antennas chosen accordingly for both the base station and substations.
Diversity reception
In space diversity applications dual antennas, chosen as mentioned above, are used and located physically separated on vertical or horizontal axis. In polarization diversity applications, special cross-polarized antennas (CAX, CAX+, CAX++) can be used.
Combining antennas
Multiple antennas can also be combined to form arrays in order to find more gain and radiation pattern combinations to meet the requirements. The antennas are combined with power splitters (CS) to maintain the impedance match.
Lightning protection
When mounting the antennas at high locations, it is always recommended to use separate LP lightning protectors to protect the radio against the stroke of lightning to the antenna, mast or especially to surroundings.
Dielectric strength
Excellent dielectric strength of ComAnt® antennas improves safety in installations.
Power ratings
Maximum power ratings for ComAnt® antennas.
