WiFi Antenna is the core element of the wireless LAN area network. WiFi antenna sends the signal at a specific frequency and the receiving device or antenna receives that signal. The range of the WiFi devices depends on the strength of the WiFi antenna. WiFi antennas support all types of wireless signals that we use for web browsing, playing video games, watching movies and working from home.

Wireless devices use the radio signal in order to communicate with each other. Wireless signals use electromagnetic waves in order to transmit the signal. Electromagnetic waves contain a small packet that holds all the information about the signal. The receiving antenna receives that electromagnetic wave (packets that contain the information) and then converts it into an electrical signal for the device to process. And whenever the receiving antenna transmits the signal it converts the electrical signal into electromagnetic waves in order to transmit the information.

There are two different types of frequency band on which the most of wifi antennas are working. Some wifi antennas are working on the frequency of 2.4 GHz (2400-2500 MHz) and some working on 5GHz (5150-5850 MHz). It’s totally depend on the amount of data and the distance between the two routers. Some wifi Antennas uses both bands of frequency called dual band WiFi antennas. Here Hertz measure the frequency. The amount of data transmitted is totally depend on the frequency. The large amount of data is transmitted if the frequency is high. The low frequency transmit low data but covers the wider distance.

Types of WiFi Antenna:

There are different types of WiFi antennas available in the market. Each type is used for a specific purpose and has different functionality. Different types of WiFi Antenna are given below:

Omnidirectional WiFi Antenna:

We generally do not think about the type of antenna when we deploy an internet connection in our homes or offices. The main reason is that they are small and mostly the WiFi antenna comes built-in with the WiFi router. In this type of environment, omnidirectional WiFi antennas are used. Omnidirectional dipole WiFi antennas are used for the home and offices. Its work is similar to lamps that spread the light all around. Same case in omnidirectional WiFi antennas that transmit the signal (radio frequency) in all directions. A perfect omnidirectional WiFi antenna transmits the radio frequency signal in the form of an isotropic radiator. Here an isotropic radiator means that omnidirectional wifi antennas transmit the signal equally in all directions. Omnidirectional WiFi antennas are mostly deployed on the top of buildings in order to communicate with other buildings which are located on either side.

Omnidirectional WiFi antennas provide great coverage in point to multipoint environments like in the home and offices. The WiFi Antenna is placed at the center of the multiple client devices and provides strong signals to all the surrounding devices and enables wireless communication between the different devices.

Outdoor Omnidirectional Antenna:

An outdoor Omnidirectional WiFi antenna works at a frequency band of 2.4/5GHz. The omnidirectional WiFi antenna is designed in such a way that it increases the strength of the signal and also increases the range of the WiFi devices. Most of the outdoor omni WiFi antennas are installed at the top of the building by using fibreglass radome that is more durable. An omnidirectional WiFi antenna comes with both (Mimo and Siso technology). But nowadays most Mimo omnidirectional WiFi antennas are mostly used because Mimo is the latest technology and has more ports which serve more wireless devices and more users as compared to Siso technology.

Directional WiFi Antenna:

Directional WiFi antennas transmit or receive signals only in one direction. So the directional WiFi antenna is only oriented in one direction. The orientation of the directional WiFi antenna is more accurate if the radiated beamwidth is smaller.

As the power of the directional antenna is focused so it can transmit and receive signals at a higher distance. The Directional WiFi Antenna is mostly used for long-range point-to-point connectivity because it behaves like a bridge between the two buildings. The Directional WiFi Antenna is also used in long-range point to multi-point connectivity. There are different types of directional WiFi Antennas available in the market. Each type is used for a specific purpose and has different functionality. Different types of Directional WiFi Antenna are given below:

Panel WiFi Antenna:

Panel WiFi antenna is perfect for the point to point and point to multi-point connectivity.  Panel WiFi antennas are low profile and strong antennas for long-distance connectivity. Its connectivity is flexible, it’s either connected with a router device or access point in order to transmit the signal or it works like a USB adaptor(included a radio module inside the antenna) that receives a signal. Since its directional characteristics, these WiFi panel antenna required exact alignment for a better experience, usually their radiate beamwidth is less than 90 degree, higher gain they are smaller beamwidth they have, and more power.

Panel WiFi antenna comes with both (Mimo and Siso technology). Siso Panel WiFi antenna has fewer features than the Mimo panel WiFi antenna. The Siso-based antennas have only one port but the Mimo-based antennas have a lot of features and have multiple ports and also transmit the data at a higher speed.

Yagi WiFi Antenna:

Yagi WiFi antenna is the most popular directional WiFi antenna. The shape of the yagi antenna is like an arrow. Like panel WiFi antenna, Yagi antenna featured a narrow beamwidth, exact alignment is required for a better experience. It’s an ideal antenna for outdoor long range point to point or point to multi-point connection. Yagi WiFi antenna built with aluminum and its unique wind resistance design make it can withstand the harsh weather in the outside.

Parabolic WiFi Antenna:

The parabolic WiFi antennas are extremely directional. They uses a radiation pattern of 3-20 degrees. They can send and receive signals from very long distances. They are mostly used in long-range (where distance is very high) point-to-point connectivity. Parabolic antennas have a unique design due to this they can work smoothly in bad weather conditions. In a parabolic WiFi antenna, exact alignment is required.

Parabolic antenna includes grid parabolic and dish parabolic, they are both ultra narrow beamwidth antenna, grid WiFi antenna made in wind resistant design while dish antenna made in a solid dish. The parabolic grid and dish antennas are much more higher gain and higher power than panel and yagi type. They are ideal suit for ultra long distance connectivity.

Sector WiFi Antenna:

A sector WiFi antenna is another type of directional antenna. These antennas are mostly used to build a small WiFi base station to provide the reliable WiFi connection in a local area. These antennas can easily handle high gain. The performance of the antenna is determined by the shape and the size of the reflector that is used in the antenna. Sector WiFi antenna uses the radiation pattern of 60, 90,120 degrees in horizontal plane. To cover 360 degrees multiple sector WiFi antennas are used by the telecom company. Sector WiFi antennas are mostly used for WiFi and cellular communication.

Our sector WiFi antenna includes SISO and MIMO, MIMO antenna is latest technology in the market nowadays, antenna with two or more ports, means two or more radiator in a single antenna radome, more path for data transmission and higher speed for data transmission. MIMO sector WiFi antenna is an economical and efficient solution.

Conclusion:

Each antenna has advantages and disadvantages. The omnidirectional antenna delivers excellent all-around coverage and is more economical due to the all-around coverage it offers in a central place. For sending signals to a particular location, whether near or far, directional antennas work well. When developing and constructing a wireless network, it can be quite helpful to have a basic understanding of the various Wi-Fi antenna types.