How do I select between a horn antenna, a patch antenna, and a phased array for my application?
Antenna Type Selection
The antenna choice depends on the system requirements: gain, beamwidth, bandwidth, beam steering, weight, profile, cost, and environmental constraints. No single antenna type is optimal for all applications, and the selection is always a trade among these parameters.
| Parameter | Low Gain | Medium Gain | High Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gain Range | 2-6 dBi | 6-15 dBi | 15-45 dBi |
| Beamwidth | 60-360° | 15-60° | 1-15° |
| Typical Types | Dipole, monopole, patch | Yagi, helical, horn | Parabolic, array, Cassegrain |
| Bandwidth | Narrow to wide | Moderate | Narrow to moderate |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can patches match horn performance?
Individual patch: no (5-9 dBi vs 10-25 dBi for horns). A 4×4 patch array achieves comparable gain (20-22 dBi) to a medium horn in a much thinner profile. However, patch arrays have narrower bandwidth and higher losses than waveguide-fed horns.
When is a phased array justified?
When beam steering speed, multiple simultaneous beams, or adaptive nulling is required. Cost: $100-1000 per element (including T/R module, phase shifter, and MMIC). A 64-element array at 28 GHz may cost $10,000-50,000. Phased arrays are justified when the system value (radar, satellite, 5G) supports this cost.
What about reflectarrays?
Reflectarrays combine the high gain of a parabolic reflector with the flat profile of an array. Elements are printed on a flat surface with varying phase responses to collimate the reflected wave. They are lower cost than active phased arrays because they have no T/R modules, but they cannot steer the beam (fixed beam design).