The effective range of a microwave antenna depends on its frequency band, gain, and application scenario. Below is a technical breakdown for common antenna types:
1. Frequency Band & Range Correlation
- E-band Antenna (60–90 GHz):
Short-range, high-capacity links (1–3 km) for 5G backhaul and military comms. Atmospheric attenuation reaches 10 dB/km due to oxygen absorption. - Ka-band Antenna (26.5–40 GHz):
Satellite comms achieve 10–50 km (ground-to-LEO) with 40+ dBi gain. Rain fade can reduce range by 30%. - 2.60–3.95 GHz Horn Antenna:
Mid-range coverage (5–20 km) for radar and IoT, balancing penetration and data rate.
2. Antenna Type & Performance
| Antenna | Typical Gain | Max Range | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biconical Antenna | 2–6 dBi | <1 km (EMC testing) | Short-range diagnostics |
| Standard Gain Horn | 12–20 dBi | 3–10 km | Calibration/measurement |
| Microstrip Array | 15–25 dBi | 5–50 km | 5G base stations/Satcom |
3. Range Calculation Fundamentals
The Friis transmission equation estimates range (*d*):
d = (λ/4π) × √(P_t × G_t × G_r / P_r)
Where:
P_t = Transmit power (e.g., 10W radar)
G_t, G_r = Tx/Rx antenna gains (e.g., 20 dBi horn)
P_r = Receiver sensitivity (e.g., –90 dBm)
Practical Tip: For Ka-band satellite links, pair a high-gain horn (30+ dBi) with low-noise amplifiers (NF <1 dB).
4. Environmental Limits
Rain Attenuation: Ka-band signals lose 3–10 dB/km in heavy rain.
Beam Spread: A 25 dBi microstrip array at 30 GHz has a 2.3° beamwidth – suitable for precise point-to-point links.
Conclusion: Microwave antenna ranges vary from <1 km (biconical EMC tests) to 50+ km (Ka-band satcom). Optimize by selecting E-/Ka-band antennas for throughput or 2–4 GHz horns for reliability.
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Post time: Aug-08-2025
