9

When we say, for example, an antenna has spec of 22 dBi;

Does it mean that its power is 22 dB stronger for any point at fixed direction than if it were to emit spherically?

Neil_UK
  • 158,152
  • 3
  • 173
  • 387
Noob_Guy
  • 395
  • 2
  • 11

2 Answers2

22

For an antenna, a gain of 22 dBi means a gain of 22 dB with respect to a theoretical isotropic antenna.

If an isotrpoic antenna radiates 1 watt, it would radiate that power uniformly over the 4π steradians around it, so at a power density of about 80 mW per steradian.

For your antenna with 22 dBi gain, 22 dB is a power ratio of 158, the emitted power density in the peak direction would be 158 * 80m = 12.5 W/steradian for the same total 1 watt radiated.

You don't get something for nothing, and the beam width at this gain would be very small.

As you move further away from the antenna, the gain would stay at 22 dBi, and the power per steradian would stay the same. As the distance increases, the actual area covered by one steradian increases, and the power per area would fall following the standard inverse square law relation.

For reference, there's no physical isotropic radiator. A simple dipole has a gain of 3 dBi, because it radiates its power preferrentially around its equator, and no power towards either pole.

Neil_UK
  • 158,152
  • 3
  • 173
  • 387
7

Say you have a source of 0 dBm power.

If you hook it up to an antenna with 22 dBi gain, then in the direction of the main lobe, your source appears to be 22 dB stronger than it would if it were connected to an ideal, isotropic radiator.

Joren Vaes
  • 12,376
  • 33
  • 64
  • But is it true for all points on the straight line?? – Noob_Guy Nov 09 '20 at 08:43
  • Is the power always 22 dB stronger anywhere in that direction? As in anywhere in the line from the point source? – Noob_Guy Nov 09 '20 at 08:45
  • 1
    Provided you are in the antennas far field (and we ignore things like reflections and so on), it will always be 22 dB stronger than the power of a isotropic source. That does not mean that the power does not decrease, Friss' equation still holds true! You just have a 22 dB starting offset (which is where the gain term in Friss' equations comes in) – Joren Vaes Nov 09 '20 at 09:04