Wireless antennas for wifi

Types of WiFi Antenna in Wireless Networks

Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, wireless routers, and other wireless networking equipment all contain receiving and transmitting antennas that change electric to EM waves and EM waves into electric signals. The signal’s source is the transmitter, and its destination is the receiver.

The transmitter antenna receives an electric current that causes the electrons to oscillate. Electromagnetic radiation is produced by these electron vibrations and travels as radio waves. The waves cause electrons inside the receiving antenna to vibrate when they reach it. The original signal is recreated by a current flow created by this.

Working Principles of WiFi Antennas:

As different antennas operate over a range of frequencies, the antennas have distinct heights to accommodate effective radiation and reception in their frequencies. The frequency range employed for Wi-Fi communications is 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz. Using the formula c = λ / f, the frequency is used to determine the wavelength, that affects antenna length. The λ stands for wavelength, c for light speed, and f for frequency. The antenna’s length is inversely proportional to frequency and thus it is directly proportional to the wavelength. For higher frequencies, the wavelength is lower and the antenna height is shorter. The radiation pattern of an antenna is also influenced by its design.

The transmission power of the antenna governs the strength of the network that the antenna is transmitting; antenna power levels should be sufficient to provide a high-speed network with adequate range and exposure. An antenna with a 2.4GHz frequency should have a transmission power of 100mW for high speed and a broad range.

Types of Antennas:

The different types of antennas vary based on the diameter of the region through which the reception of the signal strength is best, called the beam width. Since the beam width of these different types of antennas is different therefore the design, orientation, and radio frequency also vary for all of them.

1. Omni Directional Antenna: Omni directional antennas can provide commensurable power signals in all directions, covering all 360 degrees, at an equal radial distance. An Omni directional antenna has the simplest design and it is also called a rod antenna. The Omni directional type of antenna is used principally in households with preferably a more sophisticated shape but covering the same directions since large office spaces and companies can work better with different radiation shapes.

The Omni directional antenna’s general range is given in dBi; the higher the dBi number, the greater the range. Since more compact models are available, household uses comprise mobile applications. Some Omni directional antennas involve TV antennas, dipole antennas, quad antennas, GPS antennas, radio antennas, and many more.

Design of Omni Directional Antenna

2. Semi Directional Antenna: Semi-directional antennas radiate the signal to a single, particular direction for communication from one point to another. They can connect both the indoor and outdoor communication for both small area and large distance coverage, such as in Hallways/Corridors, Wireless ISPs, PTP & PTMP Bridging, since in all these mentioned spaces a specific directional coverage is required.

Semi Directional antennas can also be used to radiate 360-degree coverage by arranging multiple of them into an array. Mainly there are 3 types of semi-directional antennas based on their design and structure.

1. Patch: These antennas are assembled on a thus can be structured into any shape as required, on a custom basis, they are used for PCBs most regularly.
2. Yagi: In Yagi antennas, the components even of the size of a fraction of the wavelength of the antenna are fitted for wireless wavelengths, they are used in TV dishes and where the single-frequency application is needed.
3. Panel: Panel antennas have a wider beam than Yagi antennas thus a larger coverage, and the antenna only performs a single task of either sending or just receiving the signal.

3. Highly Directional Antenna:

Highly directional antennas are also used for directing signals from one point to another but they have a narrow beam with a high focus which is why they can reach much larger distances and thus are called Highly Directional antennas, and are used in outdoor areas, for example from one building to another like in a huge office, university area. Highly Directional antennas are of two types :

1. Parabolic Dish: They have short side lobes, acute radiation angles, and a high front-back ratio, parabolic antennas have been the most efficient kind of directional antenna.
2. Grid Antenna: Since directional antennas direct signals for large distances outside, the grid antennas have a grid-like structure so as to let air pass through them so that the signal is not directed elsewhere during a windy day.

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Best WiFi antenna 2023 • 6 WiFi antennas Reviews

Your home may suffer from a weak network connection. You aren’t the only one, and there are many things you can do to improve it. One of the most popular options is Wi-Fi antennas. Have you heard of them? If not, don’t worry—this article will give you all the information you need!

WiFi antenna Leaderboard 2023

What are Wi-Fi antennas?

Wi-Fi antennas are devices that, when connected to a USB port, act as a “funnel” for nearby Wi-Fi networks. In some cases, they can draw networks that are several meters away. In practice, a Wi-Fi antenna works like a repeater, but in the opposite way: instead of sending the signal further, it “attracts” it to a converging point.

The vast majority of Wi-Fi antennas come from USB adapters due to the universality of the product and easy installation, since only one computer or a set with a USB port is sufficient. However, they are not the only alternative out there.

What types of Wi-Fi antennas are there?

There are two types of antennas: omnidirectional and directional.

Omnidirectional

Omnidirectional antennas provide a 3,600 donut-shaped radiation pattern to provide the widest possible signal coverage in indoor and outdoor wireless applications. An analogy for the radiation pattern would be how an unshaded incandescent light bulb illuminates a room. Types of omnidirectional antennas include “rubber duck” antennas often found on access points and routers, omnidirectional antennas found outdoors, and antenna arrays used on cellular towers.

Directional

Directional antennas, as the name implies, focus the wireless signal in a specific direction, resulting in a limited area of coverage. An analogy for the radiation pattern would be how a vehicle headlight illuminates the road. Types of directional antennas include Yagi, parabolic grid, patch, and panel antennas.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wi-Fi antennas

Wi-Fi antennas have been developed as an alternative to make the signal more stable and to prevent it from dropping out. With Wi-Fi repeaters, Wi-Fi extenders, and PLC adapters, they represent the forefront of technological devices that help us in our daily battle for internet connection. The following chart demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of Wi-Fi antennas.

• Easy configuration and compatibility with multiple systems and equipment
• Light, compact designs that can be transported easily
• Very economical
• Warranties on returns and repairs
• No cables (only a USB port)

Disadvantages

• Transmission speed depends on nearby networks
• Signal stability is not as consistent as other similar devices (i.e., Wi-Fi repeaters or PLC adapters)
• Drivers must be installed every time the equipment is changed

Shopping Criteria for Wi-Fi antennas

In the crusade to improve the connectivity of our homes or offices, Wi-Fi antennas can be useful, practical, and accessible allies. There are many models around, which may mean that you are not sure which to choose. For this reason, we have prepared this section that discusses the essential purchase criteria that you cannot ignore before buying the right Wi-Fi antenna for you.

• Compatibility
• Range
• Transmission speed
• USB port version
• Dual-band operation

Compatibility

It may seem obvious, but there are many Wi-Fi antennas that are not compatible with all the operating systems or are only compatible with some of its versions. Before buying any model, be sure to read the product description on which computer equipment you can install the antennas and which routers you have.

Range

The purpose of the Wi-Fi antennas is to “get closer” to the signal that is far from where you want it to be. Depending on where you live or work, you will need these antennas to have a sufficient range, so as not to run out of connection. While most models support large distances, it never hurts to check it before making any purchase.

Transmission Speed

Once we have established our stable Wi-Fi, thanks to the antennas, we will need high speeds to navigate without problems or interference. Although you will rely heavily on the existing signals that the antennas will pick up, check that the integrated transmission rate is at least 300 Mbps.

USB Port Version

The speed and quality of data transmission of Wi-Fi antennas depend heavily on the version of the USB ports you have. Today, it would not be advisable to purchase Wi-Fi antennas with USB ports of a version less than 3.0.

Dual-Band Operation

Without a doubt, a very important advantage of Wi-Fi antennas are that they work in double bands. This feature improves connectivity in terms of both power and range. This is not very common among the models currently available on the market. Therefore, if you find any, do not hesitate to purchase it.

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FAQs

How are antennas installed?

The popularity of Wi-Fi antennas has been growing, in part, because they have an affordable price and are very easy to install. Many have a built-in plug-and-play system, which starts to work at a press of a button. Although some models may have specific instructions, they all normally follow more or less the same process.

Install drivers for Wi-Fi antennas. In general, they are on a CD that is included with purchase, but almost all manufacturers also provide a link to install them online. The controllers are the necessary software to configure the antennas in the computers.

Place the antennas in the USB port of the computer in the setup of your choice.

Search for available drivers on the computer. Be sure to also select the one that best suits your operating system.

Is the version of the USB port that the antenna has important?

Yes, it is very important. Currently, one of the most recent versions of the USB ports is the 3.0; the one that appears most frequently on Wi-Fi antennas. It is ten times faster than the 2.0 version and guarantees a more stable internet connection, a higher data rate, and virtually no interference or outages.

Is a Wi-Fi antenna the same as a Wi-Fi repeater or a PLC adapter?

Although these devices have a similar function, which is to guarantee a better internet connection and coverage in our surroundings, they do not work in the same way, nor do they show the same results.

Do Wi-Fi antennas only serve to be connected to laptops?

Absolutely. Although it is most common to install and use Wi-Fi antennas on laptops as this is a very practical application, it is not the only option to consider. The advantage of this type of antenna is that most work as a USB adapter. Therefore, they can be connected to any computer that has a compatible port.

For instance, they significantly improve the reception of the Wi-Fi signal on Smart TV. This is very useful if you use platforms like Netflix or if you stream a lot of videos. They also work on smart plugs, tablets, multifunction printers, and desktops.

What does it mean that Wi-Fi antennas work with dual band?

Today, the Wi-Fi we use is through the 2.4 GHz band. In general, one connection may have users, such as in buildings with multiple floors and offices. Here the level of congestion increases, and with it, interference and malfunction. A Wi-Fi antenna with dual-band is capable of transmitting through two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

If you have a Wi-Fi antenna with both networks, you will get a better connection, benefiting from the widest coverage (2.4 GHz band) along with a lower saturation (5 GHz band).

A 5 GHz band has more power and less range.
A 4 GHz band has less power and more range.

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