Choosing between directional and omnidirectional EAPs
Choosing between directional and omnidirectional EAPs
Outdoor APs are designed to provide a much larger coverage area over an open space than indoor APs. This article will describe the differences between directional and omnidirectional antennas on outdoor EAPs and when to use each one.
Directional antennas, as the name implies, broadcast the signal in one direction. This allows the signal to be more focused and thus have a larger range than omnidirectional antennas.
Placing the AP on a pole or a wall to broadcast the signal in one direction is ideal for covering an area such as a park or a swimming pool.
Omnidirectional antennas broadcast the wireless signal in a sphere. This allows a larger area centered on the antenna to connect.
Placing an omnidirectional AP in a sufficiently high location maximizes the coverage area of the AP. This is great for covering a wide area such as a field, especially if meshing Access Points together.
However, each antenna does have its drawbacks. While omnidirectional antennas cover a large area, the coverage distance is not as much as you would get from a directional antenna with the same power level. The reverse is also true; directional antennas do not provide nearly as much coverage in the opposite direction they are facing.
The use case for directional antennas is for any scenario that requires a signal in one direction. A great example is mounting the AP on the side of a building to broadcast to a single area, since signal strength behind the directional antenna would not matter much. Omnidirectional antennas are ideal for situations that require a signal in all directions, such as in the center of a park or stadium.
Omada Products have several options to choose from when it comes to Outdoor APs, with some APs having both directional and omnidirectional antennas. Check out the Outdoor AP lineup at the link below.
EAP725-Outdoor (omnidirectional and directional)