I’m new to the wireless world but have some background in rf. I understand that the antenna in my usb wireless adapter is a ceramic patch antenna. I opened the case and saw that the ceramic device is mouted across the long dimension of the case. My question is: What is the polariztion of this antenna ? Vertical equaling along the long dimension and horizontal equaling across the long dimension.
Also, is the patch antenna directional?
I’m trying to maximize the range of my adapter and as it is connected via a cable and “flying” I would like to orient it in the best posture. The transmitting antenna is vertically polarized.
small fingernail-sized ceramic chip antenna is not what I would call a patch antenna. A patch, to me, is at least 4 in. square and consists of several dipoles, usually as etched traces on a copper clad PC board.
The teeny chip antennas have negative gain, or at best 0 to 2 dBi.
You’d have to look up the specs to know polarization. But these little chip antennas are so poor, you just orient them until you get the best signal strength.
If your signal strength is marginal, the you should get a WiFi device with a full sized antenna - at least one of those with a vertical dipole about 4 or so inches long.
A chip anetenna in a USB dongle can do OK if you put the dongle on the end of a 10ft USB extension cable and elevate the antenna.
Also, if there are many walls/floors between the two WiFi devices, the polarization tends to become random (in any highly non-line-of-sight situation).