What is a sector antenna?
A sector antenna is a special antenna that only transmits radio signals in a specific area, i.e. a "sector". In contrast to an omnidirectional antenna, which distributes the signal in all directions, the sector antenna only transmits at a fixed angle, such as 90° or 120°.
How does a sector antenna work?
Imagine a flashlight: It only shines in the direction in which you hold it. In the same way, a sector antenna only transmits its radio signals in a limited area. In comparison, an omnidirectional antenna would be like a lantern: it shines in all directions at the same time, i.e. 360°. The signal is therefore distributed evenly in all directions, but with less energy in each direction.
Energy distribution and range
An important factor for antennas is the power output. In Germany, WiFi are generally allowed to transmit a maximum of 100 MW (milliwatts). A sector antenna concentrates the entire available energy in a smaller area, e.g. a 90° sector. This has some major advantages:
Stronger signal
Within this sector, the signal is stronger because more energy is concentrated on a smaller area.
Greater range
This bundling allows the signal to reach further in the desired direction. For example, a sector antenna achieves a greater range in its sector with the same energy, while an omnidirectional antenna can only distribute the signal over shorter distances in all directions.
Targeted signal coverage
The signal is concentrated on a specific area and is stronger and more stable there.
Fewer faults
Due to the targeted radiation, there is less interference in other areas.
Areas of application
Sector antennas are often used where many people access the network at the same time. Several sector antennas can be attached to a mast to cover different directions or zones and thus efficiently cover a wide area.
Conclusion
A sector antenna concentrates the available energy on a defined area, which not only ensures a stronger signal, but also a greater range in this direction. This makes the sector antenna ideal for providing specific areas with a stable and powerful connection, in contrast to the omnidirectional antenna, which distributes the signal more weakly in all directions.