Antennas were first used in 1888 by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) to prove the existence of electromagnetic waves predicted by the theory of James Clerk Maxwell.
Antennas have historically been used for radio and television broadcasting, point-to-point radio communication radar, telecommunication, and space exploration. Perhaps the most popular use of antennas today occurs in cellular handsets and Wi-Fi networks.
An antenna is a transducer designed to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic waves. Antennas convert electromagnetic waves into electrical currents and vice versa. Physically, an antenna is an arrangement of one or more electrical conductors which support an alternating current. The conductors are designed such that the currents generate an optimal radiated electromagnetic field.
In transmission, an alternating current is created by applying a voltage at the antenna terminals, causing the elements to radiate an electromagnetic field.
In reception, the inverse occurs: an electromagnetic field from another source induces an alternating current in the elements resulting in a corresponding voltage at the antenna's terminals.
A variety of antennas are available today supporting most wireless technologies in today’s market including:
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