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Telecom Business Review | Thursday, November 03, 2022
As the smart antenna concentration gain on the communicating device, the range of operation rises.
FREMONT, CA: A smart antenna system integrates multiple antenna elements with a signal-processing capacity to improve its radiation and/or reception pattern in reply to the signal environment.
Advantages of Smart Antenna:
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1. Increased number of users
Because of the focused nature of smart antennas, frequencies can be reiterated, enabling an increased number of users. Furthermore, more users on the same frequency space mean that the network provider has minimum operating costs in purchasing frequency space.
2. Increased Range
As the smart antenna concentration gain on the communicating device, the range of operation rises. This enables the area serviced by a smart antenna to increase. This can save network providers as they will not need as many antennas /base stations to provide coverage.
3. Security
Smart antennas naturally offer increased security, as the signals are not emitted in all directions as in a traditional Omnidirectional antenna. However, if someone wished to intercept transmissions, they would require to be at the same location or between the two communication devices.
4. Reduced Interference
Interference, which is usually caused by transmissions that radiate in all directions, is less likely to occur because of the directionality introduced by the smart antenna. This aids both the ability to reprocess frequencies and achieve a greater range.
5. Increased bandwidth
The available bandwidth increases from reusing frequencies and adaptive arrays as they can utilize the many paths a signal may follow to reach a device.
Drawbacks of Smart Antenna:
1. Complex
A drawback of smart antennas is that they are far more complex than traditional antennas. This indicates that faults or issues may be tougher to diagnose and more likely to occur.
2. More Expensive
As smart antennas are highly complex, using the latest in processing technology, they are far more pricey than traditional antennas. Still, this cost must be weighed against the price of frequency space.
3. Larger Size
The antenna arrays utilized by smart antenna systems are much larger than traditional systems. This can be an issue in a social context, as antennas can be observed as ugly or unsightly.
4. Location
The location of smart antennas requires to be considered for optimal operation. Because of the directional beam that ‘swings’ from smart antenna locations, which is optimal for a traditional antenna is not for a smart antenna. For instance, in a broad context, smart antennas are better placed away from the road, unlike normal antennas, which are best positioned along the road.
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