Antenna Basic Terms
- Antenna Theory - Poynting Vector
- Antenna Theory - Reciprocity
- Antenna Theory - Beam Width
- Antenna - Beam & Polarization
- Isotropic Radiation
- Antenna Theory - Radiation Pattern
- Antenna Theory - Near & Far Fields
- Antenna Theory - Parameters
- Antenna Theory - Basic Parameters
- Antenna Theory - Fundamentals
Types of Antennas
- Parabolic Reflector
- Antenna Theory - Lens
- Antenna Theory - Micro Strip
- Antenna Theory - Slot
- Antenna Theory - Horn
- Antenna Theory - Aperture
- Antenna Theory - Helical
- Antenna Theory - Loop
- Antenna Theory - Rhombic
- Inverted V-Antenna
- Antenna Theory - V-Antennas
- Antenna Theory - Long Wire
- Antenna Theory - Short Dipole
- Antenna - Full-Wave Dipole
- Antenna - Half-Wave Folded Dipole
- Antenna - Half-Wave Dipole
- Antenna Theory - Wire
- Antenna Theory - Types of Antennas
Antenna Arrays
- Turnstile Antenna Theory
- Log-periodic Antenna Theory
- Yagi-Uda Antenna Theory
- Antenna Theory - Parasitic Array
- Antenna Theory - End-fire Array
- Antenna Theory - Broad-side Array
- Antenna Theory - Collinear Array
- Antenna Theory - Antenna Arrays
Wave Propagation
- Terms in Wave Propagation
- Antenna - Lonosphere & its Layers
- Antenna - Types of Propagation
- Antenna - Spectrum & Transmission
Antenna Theory Useful Resources
Selected Reading
- Who is Who
- Computer Glossary
- HR Interview Questions
- Effective Resume Writing
- Questions and Answers
- UPSC IAS Exams Notes
Antenna Theory - Isotropic Radiation
In the previous chapter, we have gone through the radiation pattern. To have a better analysis regarding the radiation of an antenna, a referential point is necessary. The radiation of an isotropic antenna, fills this space.
Definition
Isotropic radiation is the radiation from a point source, radiating uniformly in all directions, with same intensity regardless of the direction of measurement.
The improvement of radiation pattern of an antenna is always assessed using the isotropic radiation of that antenna. If the radiation is equal in all directions, then it is known as isotropic radiation.
The point source is an example of isotropic radiator. However, this isotropic radiation is practically impossible, because every antenna radiates its energy with some directivity.
The isotropic radiation is nothing but Omni-directional radiation.
It has a doughnut-shaped pattern when viewed in 3D and a figure-of-eight pattern when viewed in 2D.
![Omni Directional Radiation](/antenna_theory/images/omni_directional_radiation.jpg)
The figures given above show the radiation pattern of an isotropic or Omni-directional pattern. Figure 1 illustrates the doughnut shaped pattern in 3D and Figure 2 illustrates the figure-of-eight pattern in 2D.
Gain
The isotropic radiator has unity gain, which means having a gain factor of 1 in all directions. In terms of dB, it can be called as 0dB gain (zero loss).
Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power
According to the standard definition, “The amount of power that an isotropical antenna radiates to produce the peak power density observed in the direction of maximum antenna gain, is called as Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power.”
If the radiated energy of an antenna is made to concentrate on one side or a particular direction, where the radiation is equivalent to that antenna’s isotropic radiated power, such a radiation would be termed as EIRP i.e. Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power.
Gain
Though isotropic radiation is an imaginary one, it is the best an antenna can give. The gain of such antenna will be 3dBi where 3dB is a factor of 2 and ‘i’ represents factor of isotropic condition.
If the radiation is focused in certain angle, then EIRP increases along with the antenna gain. Gain of the antenna is best achieved by focusing the antenna in certain direction.
Effective Radiated Power
If the radiated power is calculated by taking half-wave dipole as the reference, rather than an isotropic antenna, then it can be termed as ERP (Effective Radiated Power).
$$ERP(dBW) = EIRP(dBW) - 2.15dBi$$If EIRP is known, then ERP can be calculated from formula given above.
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