Cisco CCNA (200-301)Network FundamentalsHard
A wireless engineer is deploying access points in a long, narrow warehouse aisle and needs to focus RF energy in a specific direction to extend coverage down the aisle rather than radiating equally in all directions. Which antenna type should the engineer select?
- ARubber duck antenna providing 360-degree coverage
- BDipole antenna mounted vertically on the AP
- CDirectional (Yagi or patch) antenna
- DOmnidirectional antenna
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Directional (Yagi or patch) antenna
Directional antennas, such as Yagi or patch antennas, concentrate RF energy into a focused beam rather than radiating in all directions. This makes them ideal for long, narrow spaces like warehouse aisles or hallways where coverage needs to be extended in one direction.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A rubber duck antenna is a common omnidirectional design, providing broad rather than focused coverage.
- B. A standard dipole is a type of omnidirectional antenna and does not focus energy directionally.
- D. Omnidirectional antennas radiate equally in all horizontal directions, wasting energy outside the narrow aisle.
Directional Antenna
An antenna type (e.g., Yagi, patch) that focuses RF energy into a specific direction rather than radiating equally in all directions, useful for long corridors or point-to-point links.
- Directional antennas increase range/gain in one direction
- Omnidirectional antennas spread coverage evenly in 360 degrees
- Warehouse aisles, hallways, and point-to-point bridges benefit from directional antennas
Memory trick: 'Aisle needs a beam, not a bubble' — directional focuses the signal.