Antennas can be considered as the most essential component of modern-day communication systems allowing electromagnetic waves transmission and reception over long distances or nearby. Antennas are available in different shapes and configurations to suit different applications such as horn antennas, parabolic antennas, yagi antennas, panel antennas, helical antennas, etc. This article aims to provide a thorough understanding of panel antennas and yagi antennas and how they compare against each other. Overview of Antennas In simple terms, an antenna is a device used for receiving or transmitting signals by converting electric power into electromagnetic waves and vice versa, thus enabling communication. Antennas are the linking device between a transmitter and the free space or the free space and a receiver in a communication system. The quality of the communication system, particularly wireless communication will rely heavily on the quality and performance of the antenna. There are certain parameters of an antenna

The rapid advancement in technology and the increase in the usage of drones have completely revolutionized many industries. However, this increased demand for drones has also brought about new challenges mainly in terms of safety and security in various sectors like military, commercial, and general public.  With the popularity of drones and the increase of safety and security concerns imposed by them, there is a growing need to develop new technology that can effectively deploy countermeasures against the threats and risks of unauthorized drones. Anti-drone antennas which are devices built to detect, track, and neutralize drones are leading the way in these anti-drone technologies. This article will provide a guideline for consumers to select the most suitable anti-drone antenna for a specific application. Understanding Anti-Drone Antennas An anti-drone system works by first detecting, locating, and tracking the invading drone. Then it identifies whether the drone is authorized or unauthorized. Upon

Helium hotspots are blockchain-based decentralized networks that allow users to join the network and harvest cryptocurrency known as Helium Network Token (HNT). These hotspots enable users to connect to IoT devices that span a wide range of distances compared to wireless networks such as Wi-Fi. Moreover, compared to LoRaWAN, Helium networks provide a decentralized approach and are still built upon LoRaWAN technology. Another purpose delivered by Helium hotspots is to achieve low power and secure transmission of IoT data within the Helium network. This allows the users to reduce the costs of long-range IoT systems. This article will discuss one of the most important aspects of developing a Helium hotspot: selecting a suitable antenna for a hotspot. Selecting the best antenna for a given hotspot is crucial as it determines the performance of the hotspot and the overall Helium network. We will first understand the importance of Helium antennas in

This article will discuss about the different use cases and advantages and disadvantages of omni-directional and sector antennas. Omni-directional and sector antennas are some of the most important antennas when considering power, and specific directivity requirements. First, we will briefly understand the importance of antenna technology in modern communication systems. The development of antenna technology is one of the driving factors in modern communication systems. Over the years different types of antennas have evolved. The development of different types of antennas is driven by the following factors: Depending on the aforementioned factors, there are different types of antennas catering to different purposes. In this regard, the omni-directional antenna can provide over all directions, with an ideal coverage of 360 degrees while sector antennas typically restrict the coverage to a certain area with much power. We will formally discuss their advantages and disadvantages in this short article in the upcoming sections. What is omnidirectional antenna?

Polarization is an important phenomenon that is useful in different analyses of electromagnetic (EM) waves. Understanding polarization plays a significant role in maximum signal transmission. Maximum signal transmission is the event where the signal’s fidelity is preserved during the transmission. To achieve maximum signal transmission, the transmitter and receiver antenna elements must maintain the same antenna polarization. In the case when there is no match in polarization the signal strength will be reduced. In this article, we will discuss the importance of understanding antenna polarization. This includes discussing a brief history of polarization, types of antenna polarization, and factors affecting polarization. Furthermore, we will explore some of the applications of antenna polarization and how they are utilized across different domains. This article can serve as a brief and concise comprehensive guide for antenna polarization. Basics of Antenna Polarization An EM wave consists of two perpendicular fields. These fields are: These