From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A dipole antenna is an Antenna (electronics) with two driven elements. These antennas are the simplest antennas from a theoretical point of view, though the whip antenna is probably the most common, and simplest looking antenna.
The two driven elements in a dipole antenna are arranged end to end, along a line. The two elements are separate, and fed at the center. The length of the two elements is the same, and their overall length determines the antenna's wavelength. The two elements are fed the same signal 180 degrees out of phase.
Dipoles are more efficient than whip antennas. Dipoles have a toroidal radiation pattern where the axis of the toroid centers about he dipole.
Antenna Gain is commonly measured as "X db above a dipole", which means that the antenna in question is being compared to a dipole, and has X db more gain (is more efficient) than the dipole tuned to the same operating frequency.
Related concepts: Antenna theory
