The very first antennas were built by a German physicist named Heinrich Hertz. In radio engineering, an antenna is considered the interface that exists between radio waves generated through space and electric currents moving within an inductor and is used with a receiver or transmitter. The antenna terminal gets the current from the radio transmitter supplies during the transmission process. The antenna will radiate the energy from the current in the form of electromagnetic waves. During interception, the antenna will take some power from the radio waves to produce electric current at its terminals, then provide it to a receiver to be amplified. Antenna are a crucial part of all sorts of radio equipment.
Why do we Need Antennas?
There are a few reasons concerning why we want or why we use Antenna. Yet, a significant explanation concerning why we use antenna is that they give a primary method for moving transmissions (or information) where different strategies are unthinkable.
For instance, take the example of a plane. The pilot needs to speak with the ATC faculty habitually. It wouldn’t seem OK if we tie up a cable of progressively variable length to the plane’s tail and interface it to the ATC.
Remote communication is the primary achievable choice, and Antenna are the passage for that. Moreover, there are numerous circumstances or applications where cables are liked over remote communication with radio wires like high-velocity ethernet or the association between the gaming console and the T.V.
Different Types of Antennas
Now that you know why Antennas used, it would be helpful to know about the different types of antennas available. There are several types of antenna, and the common ones are as follows:
Wire Antennas
Wire antennas are the most common and widely used antennas. They are used for several applications and can be found in ships, aircraft, automobiles, buildings, etc. However, wire Antennas are available in various sizes and shapes, just like Helix, loop, and straight wire. Therefore, you must choose the ones that suit your application the best.
Short Dipole Antennas
Short dipole antennas known as the simplest of all antennas. It is a speciality dipole antenna. Moreover, being the simple antenna, short Dipole antennas are typically open circuit wires in which the signal is fed to the center. The term short here does not refer to the size of the antenna but the size of the wire in relation to the wavelength of the signal.
Dipole Antenna
Dipole antenna are the less upgraded version of short dipole antennas. They are constructed from two conductors that are present on the same axis, and the length of the wire is required o be small compared to the wavelength.
Loop Antenna
Loop antenna are constructed by one or many turns of wires that creates a loop. The radiation that loop antennas generate can be compared to the short dipole antenna.
Monopole Antenna
As the name suggests, the Monopole antenna consists of only one pole and is considered a particular case of dipole antenna. They known as the half of dipole antenna.
Aperture Antennas
Aperture antenna are a class or category of directional antennas. They have an opening on the surface. Usually feature a dipole or loop antenna in a guiding framework to emit radio waves.
Slot Antenna
Slot antenna are a type of aperture antenna. They have more than one slot cuts present on the surface of the waveguide. Slot antenna generally utilized in microwave frequencies and feature an omnidirectional radiation pattern.
Horn Antenna
Horn antenna are one of the most popular choices. Another word , they known to effect the transmission line and the waves generated in free space. That function as a natural extension to a waveguide.
Applications of Antennas
They are the main functioning components of a wireless communication system. Every type of it has been designed for its specific tasks, and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. You might not have noticed, but all the communication around you always involves some antenna. Modern devices also utilized in the search for radars and defense radars. According to some new scientific research, these devices help cure cancer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, antennas are the main components of all communication systems and are widely used in radio engineering. After knowing about the several types of Antennas, it is now easy to determine which ones you need appropriate for your applications. Finally, each type is constructed for its specific tasks and must be used appropriately as per requirements.