• Question: What are antennas?

    Asked by Jessica207 to Nadeem on 7 May 2020.
    • Photo: Nadeem Rather

      Nadeem Rather answered on 7 May 2020: last edited 7 May 2020 2:22 pm

      Thanks for the question –

      An antenna is a vital component of any communication system which is used at both transmitting and as well as receiving end.

      An antenna is basically a conversion device and is made up of a long conductor.

      At the transmitting end, it converts electrical energy into the electromagnetic wave and then radiates into free space, at the receiving end it receives electromagnetic waves and then transforms them into electrical signals which act as input for the receiver.

      Antennas are basically of two types dipole and dish antenna.

      A dipole antenna is omnidirectional and is used in the transmission of radio waves whereas dish antenna is a directional antenna used typically in radars and satellite communication.

      There are many other types used in, for example, your phones, wifi routers, leap cards, contactless credit cards etc

Comments

  • Photo: Achim

    Achim commented on :

    Hi Jessica, just in case you are thinking of the antennas that insects have, these would help the insect to feel it’s environment, to give a sense of touch. Somewhat similar to whiskers of mammals. I assume that when people invented radios etc. and needed a device to capture radio waves, they thought of the visual similarity to insect antennas.