Antenna Definitions
"A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", "G"/"H", "I" to "L", "M" to "O",
"P"/"Q", "R", "S", "T", "U" to "Z"

Backfire Antenna: A directional Antenna.

Back Scatter: Radiated energy returned back to the antenna.

Balanced antenna: An antenna is balanced with respect to ground when both its arms have the same electrical relationship to ground.

Balanced transmission line: A transmission line whose conductors have voltages of opposite polarity and equal magnitude with respect to the Earth.

Balun: A device for feeding a balanced load with an unbalanced line, or vice versa. An acronym for Balanced/Unbalanced. Read more Balun Definition.

Band-Limited Audio. An audio signal (typically consisting of voice, tones, and sounds) that is limited to a subset of the audio spectrum.

Bandwidth: The width of a band of frequencies used for a particular purpose. A range of frequencies, usually +/-3 dB of the amplitude of a reference frequency.

Baseband. The band of frequencies occupied by a signal before it modulates a carrier.

Base-Loaded Antenna: A vertical antenna that uses an inductor at the base of the antenna.

Batwing Antenna: The same basic shape as a Bowtie antenna.

Baud: The number of times per second the carrier signal changes value. Refer to Definition of Baud.

Bay. Part of an antenna array.

Beam: The main lobe of an antenna radiation pattern.

Beam Antenna: An antenna with a radiation pattern concentrated into a beam.

Bedspring Antenna: Slang for an antenna array that looks like a bedspring, being a flat broadside reflector. [example; AN\SPS-43].

Beam steering: Changing the direction of the main lobe of a radiation pattern. Note: In radio systems, beam steering may be accomplished by switching antenna elements or by changing the relative phases of the rf signals driving the elements. In optical systems, beam steering may be accomplished by changing the refractive index of the medium through which the beam is transmitted or by the use of mirrors or lenses.

Beam Width: The angle, in degrees, between the half-power points (-3 dB) of an antenna beam. Refer to the graphic in the right side-bar.

Beverage antenna: A horizontal, long-wire antenna designed for reception and transmission of low-frequency, vertically polarized ground waves. Also called a Wave Antenna. A single wire antenna that is two or more wavelengths long.

Biconical Antenna: An antenna consisting of two conical conductors, having a common axis and vertex, and extending in opposite directions.

Bidirectional: In two directions, usually opposite.

Bidirectional Antenna: In radiates two directions, or receives in two directions.

Bidirectional array: An array that radiates in opposite directions along the line of maximum radiation.

Bilateral Antenna: An antenna with a maximum response in opposite directions.

Billboard Antenna: An array of parallel dipole antennas with flat reflectors, usually positioned in a line or plane.

Binomial Array: A type of directional antenna array.

Bird Cage Antenna: Parallel lines of an antenna forming a cage.

Blade Antenna: A style of flat antenna used for a number of frequency ranges. Many HDTV indoor antennas are blade antennas (really DTV, HDTV is not mandatory).
Click for a larger view.

Blade Antenna Enlarged View

Blob: Small areas of the atmosphere where temperatures and pressure differences produce conditions suitable for the refraction of radio waves.

Boresight: The physical axis of a directional antenna.

Bowtie Antenna: A style of antenna used for UHF reception [TV]. In some cases a reflector may also be used [not shown]. See a picture of a Bowtie Antenna to the right.

Broadband antenna: An antenna capable of operation over a wide band of frequencies

Broadside antenna: Synonym for billboard antenna.

Broadside array: An array in which the direction of maximum radiation is perpendicular to the plane containing the elements.

 
PC motherboard
Home

Distributor rolodex Electronic Components Electronic Equipment EDA CDROM Software Engineering Standards, BOB card Cabled Computer Bus Electronic Engineering Design Table Conversion DB9-to-DB25.
DistributorsComponents Equipment Software Standards Buses Design Reference