Polarisation is perhaps the most fundamental characteristic of an antenna which describes the plane in which its electric field radiates. It is an important parameter to understand as wireless communication requires transmit and receive antennas to operate on the same polarity.
You can learn more about polarisation at our Polarisation Explained page.
Polarisations shown below are used to classify both the antenna and an antenna's internal radiating elements in our databases. When classifying an antenna, it may be necessary to attach multiple polarisations in order for it to appear under all categories which reflect its operation. Radiating elements tend only to have one polarisation which reflects its orientation inside the antenna radome.
| Polarisation | Definition |
|---|---|
Linear |
An antenna is classified as Linearly polarised if the internal element radiates a plane wave whose electric field vector is linearly polarized. This classification is used for antennas which do not have a predefined mounting orientation, and as such should not be classified as either vertically or horizontally polarised. |
Vertical (V) |
An antenna is classified as Vertically polarised if the internal element radiates a linearly polarised wave whose electric field vector is parallel to the ordinary mounting of the antenna radome. |
Horizontal (H) |
An antenna is classified as Horizontally polarised if the internal element radiates a linearly polarised wave whose electric field vector is orthogonal to the ordinary mounting of the antenna radome. |
Slant +45° |
An antenna is classified as Slant +45° polarised if the internal element radiates a linearly polarised wave whose electric field vector is 45 degrees clockwise, when viewed in the forward direction, to the ordinary mounting of the antenna radome. |
Slant -45° |
An antenna is classified as Slant -45° polarised if the internal element radiates a linearly polarised wave whose electric field vector is 45 degrees counterclockwise, when viewed in the forward direction, to the ordinary mounting of the antenna radome. |
Dual Pol (V, H) |
An antenna is classified as Dual Pol (V, H) polarised if it contains two internal elements operating as a single unit, in which the first and second elements radiate linearly polarised waves whose electric field vectors are orientated vertically and horizontally respectively, when viewed in the forward direction, to the ordinary mounting of the antenna radome. |
Dual Slant ±45° |
An antenna is classified as Dual Slant ±45° polarised if it contains two internal elements operating as a single unit, in which the first and second elements radiate linearly polarised waves whose electric field vectors are 45 degrees clockwise and 45 degrees counterclockwise, when viewed in the forward direction, to the ordinary mounting of the antenna radome. |
Left Hand Circular (LHCP) |
An antenna is classified as Left Hand Circularly Polarised if the driven element radiates an electromagnetic wave in which either the electric or the magnetic vector executes a counterclockwise circle perpendicular to the path of propagation with a frequency equal to that of the wave. |
Right Hand Circular (RHCP) |
An antenna is classified as Right Hand Circularly Polarised if the driven element radiates an electromagnetic wave in which either the electric or the magnetic vector executes a clockwise circle perpendicular to the path of propagation with a frequency equal to that of the wave. |