RF Glossary: A | Terms Starting with A

Absorption Loss, The portion of transmission loss caused by energy dissipation within the propagation medium.

Active Antenna, An antenna that integrates active electronic components such as amplifiers or mixers.

Adapter (Coaxial Adapter), A passive device used to connect two different types of RF connectors.

AGC (Automatic Gain Control), A feedback circuit that automatically adjusts amplifier gain.

AM (Amplitude Modulation), A modulation technique where the carrier amplitude varies with the signal.

Amplifier, An active device that increases the power level of an RF signal.

Amplitude Ripple, The peak-to-peak variation in gain across a frequency band.

Antenna, A device that converts guided electromagnetic energy into free-space radiation.

Antenna Aperture, The effective area of an antenna that captures incident electromagnetic energy.

Antenna Array, Multiple antenna elements arranged to shape the radiation pattern.

Antenna Efficiency, The ratio of power radiated to total power delivered.

Antenna Factor (AF), The ratio of electric field strength to antenna terminal voltage.

Antenna Gain, A measure of an antenna's ability to direct energy in a particular direction.

Antenna Pattern (Radiation Pattern), A graphical representation of antenna radiation properties.

Anti-Cocking Flange, A waveguide flange design that prevents angular misalignment.

Aperture, The physical opening of an antenna for transmitting or receiving energy.

Attenuation, The reduction in signal power as it propagates through a medium.

Attenuation Constant (α), The real part of the propagation constant.

Attenuator, A passive device that reduces signal power by a fixed or variable amount.

Axial Ratio (AR), A measure of polarization purity for circularly polarized antennas.

Azimuth, The horizontal angular coordinate in a spherical coordinate system.

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