Choosing An Antenna Webinar | Poynting & NetXL

The right antenna for you depends upon your use case.

We teamed up with Poynting to discuss a requirements-first approach for choosing the right model for you and/or your clients.

Start by considering the technologies you need (WiFi, GPS, Cellular, combination) and the frequencies used by those technologies that will work best for you. (Note: it's important to consider frequencies and the carrier you'll choose together, as the two inform each other). Consider this aspect in combination with the next key aspect: use environment.

If your antenna will be moving through its environment relative to a cell mast's position (think automotive/marine applications), then you know you need an omnidirectional antenna. You also probably need some level of IP/IK rating to protect you from water and impact.

Requirements for fixed wireless access are different. If your location is more rural/remote, then lower frequencies are more important. Check out model radiation patterns and gain stability across the lower frequencies you're interested in by checking out Poynting's datasheets.

Remote locations, again thanks to the greater distance from the nearest cell mast, often necessitate directional antennas.

Urban locations make establishing line of sight with a given cell mast a near impossibility thanks to high-rise buildings or other obstructions. Instead, catch reflected & refracted RF waves by leveraging MIMO technology, diversity and omnidirectionality from your antenna. Higher frequencies are heavily employed in urban areas thanks to the closer proximity with cell masts. Examine radiation patterns and gain levels across these higher frequencies, again, within the Poynting datasheets.

Access Poynting datasheets at the Poynting website or on any NetXL product page.

In the final section of the webinar, Hugo takes you through some expert-level configuration tips for maximising your antenna performance and the science behind them.

Timestamps
00:05 - Aims & Contents
01:50 - Requirements First
03:03 - 1A) Technologies
05:38 - 1A) Frequencies
08:38 - 1A) Carriers
10:11 - 1B) Environment
11:05 - 1B) Mobile
12:40 - 1B) Fixed, Rural
15:07 - 1B) Fixed, Urban
16:46 - 1C) Other Factors
20:32 - Pt 1 Summary
22:26 - Part 2: Examples
29:04 - 3A) Antenna Setup
31:42 - 3B) Network Design
34:31 - 3C) Radio Propagation
36:05 - 3D) Fresnel Zone
41:08 - 3E) Signal Attenuation
46:01 - 3F) Signal Diversity
52:13 - 3G) Choose Poynting

A massive thanks to Hugo and Francisca at Poynting for their help in producing this webinar. We hope you found this presentation useful.

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