Antenna terminology
Electronics require antennas to convert data into RF signals (and vice versa). They are coupled with
radio transmitters and/or receivers to process the information that is carried over cellular bands.
Antenna design and functionality has evolved over time:
n Internal antennas: An antenna can be concealed within the casing of a device, as seen with
most smart phones. Internal antennas are potentially more prone to interference due to the
close grouping of electrical components.
n External antennas: Situating antennas further away from the rest of the circuit board can
help alleviate interference due to electrical components by maximizing a device's natural
reach. Instead of sitting inside the device directly next to the modem or transceiver, they
screw into place using SMA connectors and protrude from the equipment (think "rabbit ears").
n MIMO: Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology expands the throughput capacity
of a transceiver by leveraging multiple antennas to simultaneously convert RF signals into data
(or vice versa), providing faster transfer speeds as a result. Think of it (loosely) as Carrier
Aggregation for antennas—once again combining individual lanes into a single, coordinated
superhighway. Networks must leverage MIMO antenna transmission to be technically
considered 4G.
Digi EX15 User Guide
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