Can anyone tell me what type of antenna this is?

Doing a site survey just wondering if anyone would happen to know by looking what kind of antenna this is? Yagi or Omni and what dbi

Thanks
Jboatman


https://picasaweb.google.com/11010103291366…feat=directlink

This may be a wi fi antennae of the directional (yagi) type, intended to increase gain at the receiving end of a wifi network of an 802.11 LAN system. It might be used, for instance, in an industrial or commercial setting where the base radiates with an omni-directional antannae, and the various remote locations would collect the signal using this yagi antannae. Of the various available units this one may be of a type that has 15dbi or even 18dbi, which could increase the signal strength at the remote receiving end by a factor of 5 and maybe even 6 times the signal strength, making it possible to operate wireless devices including for instance a wireless laptop making it possible to connect to the wifi network at greater than usual distances. For instance, a laptop with a simple wifi adapter dongle would not be able to connect to the LAN, but with this enhanced Yagi antannae the laptop dongle could connect to the wifi network effectively. What prompts your question?

While it does look like it could be a yagi antenna, like this one, it really is hard to tell without any model numbers what is inside that plastic housing. Directional antennas are great as they concentrate the radiation pattern in one (or two) directions, extending the effective range in that (those) directions. However, they also greatly reduce the radiation pattern (and reception) in the other directions - which may not be desirable in a warehouse environment. So, without knowing the layout of the building, where that antenna is in relation to the building layout, the model number of the antenna, or frequency range of the antenna, it is hard to be specific.

I also note that could be for POS (point of sale) operations - to run check out counters - or for inventory scanners, or RFID tracking of tagged items as they move about a warehouse on various conveyor belts and lifts - as might be seen in a FedEx or Amazon distribution center.

All sorts of things. But for the record, I don't think it is Big Brother - too conspicuous.