This section introduces the fundamental antenna parameters for the context of mobile communications. The basic antenna elements - the dipole and loop - are discussed both to fix ideas and to demonstrate design considerations for compact antennas. Antenna elements are often categorised from the basis of the antenna's construction: hence the terms wire antennas, slot antennas, patch antennas, aperture (e.g. horn) antennas, etc. Other categorisations reflect a physics approach: electric source antennas, magnetic source antennas, etc., or some engineering parameter type; for example: low-, medium- or high-gain antennas. We are mostly interested in compact and relatively simple elements, although the mounting, often on a complicated platform such as a handheld terminal, can inadvertently make the antenna appear complicated.

Inspec keywords: mobile radio; antennas

Other keywords: compact antennas; mobile communications; antenna mounting; loop; antenna elements; dipole

Subjects: Single antennas