confused about antenna radiation patterns and the the information it provides 1

[agent38]

Can someone please help me understand what my attached antenna directivity "relative" plots are telling me?

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...8d15-c4f09a2f9d6c&file=antenna_plots_0001.jpg

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...471d-a8b9-2209f9671454&file=antenna_plots.jpg

For starters I would like to know:

1) Since the E-Plane directivity plot describes the vertical/elevation pattern, what does that truly mean to me? I dont have a clue? Does this mean if the antenna is in its vertical position my most concentrated energy will be pointing to the sky and to the earth?

2) Since the H-Plane directivity plot describes the horizontal/azimuth pattern, what does that truly mean to me? I dont have a clue? Does this mean if the antenna is in its horizontal position my most concentrated energy will be pointing to my left and right?

If I am using a antenna am I occupying both E and H planed equally or am i spending more of my time in a particular plane more than another?

If I am holding my antenna in the vertical/elevation plan do I only have the vertical/elevation energy available to me or do I also have the horizontal-azimuth energy as well?


I understand the difference between Vertical/Elevation and Horizontal/Azimuth. I just dont understand what the radiation pattern is telling me about the energy, if that makes sense.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[VEBill]

What sort of antenna is it?

 

[agent38]

Its a collinear microstrip antenna for 2.4GHz.


4 radiating elements: 1)vertical 2)horizontal 3)vertical 4)horizontal

 

[agent38]

Also the 4 radiating elements are on a pcb

 

[VEBill]

There's a good explanation on wiki HERE.

Both plots you uploaded are for "J1". I presume that's one of the inputs corresponding to oen or more of the elements. You'll need to figure out that detail before it'll all fall into place.

 

[Higgler]

The reason people specify E plane and H plane is that it's antenna patterns relative to the antenna. Hence, you can orient the antenna anyway you want and you'll know how the antenna radiates.

What's missing from your plots is a picture of the antenna, with E or H plane arrows (E plane is common, it's the direction the electrons move). So that's confusing and really needs to show the antenna.

Hence, you should be at least a little confused since info is missing.
If somewhere it says E plane is elevation, then likely the antenna sits flat, like on a desk, and elevation cut is an up/down plot in elevation, where H plane cut is along the horizon.