The higher that focus is, the flatter the signal pattern. Gain in an antenna is often highly misunderstood – but it is simply the amount of focus being applied to the signal being broadcast or received, like the reflector inside the flashlight in our analogy above.Ī 0 dB gain antenna radiates and receives energy from all directions equally in a sphere - much like a standard light bulb with no reflectors.īut as you apply gain to the antenna, the energy becomes focused and flattened out to be more like a donut or pancake. Or using the flashlight analogy, the focused beam is twice as bright as the bare bulb.Īnd with 10 dB of gain, there is 10x the received energy to work with. Without getting into the math, the simple rule of thumb is that for each 3 dB of gain, the measured power received is doubled - giving your cellular modem more signal to work with. Gain is measured in units known as decibels (dB). The reflector is playing the role of an antenna in this example, and the amount of focusing power is the antenna's gain. The tighter the focus, the brighter and further away the light shines. The way a flashlight directs light is good way to explain gain:Ī flashlight uses a reflector to focus a light bulb in one direction - so that all of the brightness of the bulb is directed to create a brighter light. And a negative gain means the signal is getting weaker, and muffled. Gain is a number that indicates how much a signal can potentially be increased.Ī positive gain essentially means that a signal is getting louder, and easier to hear. The primary performance attribute of all antennas (and amplifiers, like cellular boosters) is known as "gain". These concepts may sound intimidating and overly geeky, but the basics are actually pretty easy to understand.
This guide is focused on selecting the right external antennas for your unique application. Some mobile hotspot devices and cellular embedded routers have antenna ports allowing you to use more powerful external antennas to get a better signal.Īnd if you opt for a cellular booster in your setup, you have a choice in the antenna you utilize, which can play a critical role in the actual data performance you get.
They're built into your smartphones and mobile hotspot devices internally. They are like your ears and mouth - they receive the signal from a carrier's tower and bring that signal to your cellular device's modem to utilize for a connection and send your signal back to the tower.Įvery cellular device you use depends on them. Bookmark Cellular Antennas for Data PerformanceĪntennas are an essential component of any mobile internet arsenal that is based on cellular.
0 kommentar(er)
