AZ
Azimuth
The horizontal angle measured clockwise from true north to the direction of interest, used to describe antenna pointing direction and radiation pattern orientation in the horizontal plane
Understanding Azimuth
In antenna systems, azimuth defines the horizontal steering angle of the main beam. Combined with elevation, it fully describes the beam pointing direction in spherical coordinates. Azimuth is measured from 0 to 360 degrees.
Azimuth patterns of directional antennas show how gain varies in the horizontal plane, which is critical for coverage planning in terrestrial communications, radar systems, and satellite earth stations.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How is azimuth used in antenna systems?
Azimuth specifies the horizontal pointing direction. Antenna positioners rotate in azimuth and elevation to track satellites or scan radar coverage areas.
What is the difference between azimuth and bearing?
Both measure horizontal angles from north, but bearing can be measured from either true or magnetic north, while azimuth typically references true north.
See Also