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Antenna
Gain... what does it mean ???
a simplified explanation
Received
signal strength from an antenna with 3 dBi gain will be double that from
an antenna that has 0 dBi gain, received signal strength from a 6 dBi will
be double that from a 3 dBi and so on... An increase in antenna gain of 3
dBi is approximately equal to doubling the transmitter output, received
signal strength or range can be increased by raising antenna gain or
transmitter output. Range can be doubled by either increasing antenna gain
by 6 dBi or quadrupling the transmitter output.
The
maximum allowed 2.4 GHz LIPD Video Transmitter output power is 10
milliwatts (mW) EIRP (in Australia), increasing transmitter output is
illegal and therefore not an option.
Increasing
the gain of the receiver antenna is an alternative to increasing
transmitter output.
In very simple terms: increasing antenna gain from 0
dBi to 3 dBi is equivalent to raising the transmitter output from 10 mW to
~ 20 mW, 5 dBi ~ 33 mW, 8 dBi ~ 66 mW, 12 dBi ~ 160 mW, 15 dBi ~ 320 mW,
18 dBi ~ 640 mW, 21 dBi ~ 1280 mW, 24 dBi ~ 2560 mW.
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