Understanding Antenna Pattern Plots And Specifications - Aruba AP-85 Installation Manual

Understanding Antenna Pattern Plots and Specifications

Traditional 2-D pattern plots and beamwidth specifications are like mental puzzles waiting to be solved
because they only provide a snapshot of the information in two planes. These two planes are often
referred to as the azimuth (H-plane or horizontal) and elevation (vertical or E-plane) planes. The
azimuth view would be considered the view from directly above, viewing the antenna pattern on the
horizontal plane. The elevation view is considered to be a side view, viewing the antenna pattern on the
vertical plane. It is helpful to think of these planes as "cuts" of the real antenna pattern, which is
actually 3-D.
pattern.
Figure 27 Antenna Pattern Conventions (Omni-Directional Pattern Shown)
The antenna illustrated by
pattern produced by an ideal dipole antenna. The gain of this antenna is 2.14, which is achieved by
compression in the vertical plane (elevation) compared to the ideal sphere. If referring to the true 3D
pattern, this compression is sometimes called the donut shape (see
Figure 28 Donut Shape Compression of an Omni-Directional Antenna
36 | Understanding Antennas
Figure 27 illustrates where these "cuts" are located for a typical omni-directional antenna
Azimuth, H-plane,
or Horizontal
Pattern Diagram
Figure 27 is commonly referred to as the dipole pattern because it is the
Elevation, E-plane,
or Vertical Pattern
Diagram
Figure
Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series
28).
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