yagi aerial
Noun: A Yagi aerial is a type of antenna designed for high directivity. It is a sharply directional antenna, meaning it transmits or receives radio waves most effectively in one specific direction while minimizing reception from other directions. This design typically consists of a driven element connected to the transmitter or receiver, along with several parasitic elements (reflectors and directors) that are not directly connected but enhance the antenna's directional properties.
The term "Yagi aerial" is used to describe the physical antenna structure, particularly in contexts of radio communication, television reception, and amateur radio (ham radio). It is synonymous with "Yagi antenna" or simply "Yagi."
Examples: * The radio enthusiast installed a Yagi aerial on his roof to improve reception of distant stations. * For the satellite communication link, a high-gain Yagi aerial was pointed precisely at the horizon. * The old television Yagi aerial was replaced with a modern satellite dish.
- Technical Specification: In engineering contexts, the performance of a Yagi aerial is described by metrics like its gain (signal amplification in the desired direction), front-to-back ratio (how well it rejects signals from the rear), and beamwidth (the angular width of its most sensitive reception area).
- Historical Context: The antenna is named after one of its Japanese inventors, Hidetsugu Yagi. Sometimes the full name "Yagi-Uda antenna" is used in academic or historical references to also credit Shintaro Uda.
- Yagi antenna: The most common synonym, especially in American English.
- Yagi-Uda antenna: The full technical name acknowledging both inventors.
- Beam antenna: A general term for directional antennas, under which the Yagi design is a common type.
- Parasitic array: A technical description of the Yagi's operating principle, where multiple elements work together, with only one being actively driven.
- Directional antenna
- Beam antenna (in a general sense)
- To erect/point a Yagi aerial: Describes the action of installing and aligning the antenna for optimal performance.
- Example: They needed to carefully point the Yagi aerial towards the repeater tower.
- Yagi array: Sometimes used to describe a system using multiple Yagi aerials together.
- a sharply directional antenna