Internet 4G is already quite firmly established in our lives. Nowadays, in Russia, residents of not only large metropolitan areas, but also small towns can use the amenities provided by LTE technologies. There are also such towers in many towns and even villages. However, the quality of 4G Internet in remote areas, unfortunately, usually leaves much to be desired. The reason for this is mountains, hills, forests, etc. You can correct the situation and speed up 3-4G Internet in a village or, for example, in a country house by installing an external LTE antenna. The design of such devices may be different.
Types of antennas
All such devices are primarily classified into:
- regular;
- added with MIMO amplifier.
Simple LTE antennas provide data transfer rates up to 50 Mbps. For MIMO devices, this figure is 100 Mbps.
Also, antennas of this type are classified into:
- directional;
- sector;
- omnidirectional.
By design, such devices are divided into:
- parabolic;
- "Yagi";
- panel.
According to the received signal, 4G antennas are classified into broadband and narrowband.
What is a 4G LTE MIMO antenna and how is it different from a regular one
Devices of this variety, as already mentioned, provide the maximum data transfer rate. However, they are also more expensive than conventional LTE designs. In fact, such models are simultaneously two antennas placed in the same housing, but at some distance from each other. The latter receive the signal independently of each other, while it is transmitted to the modem simultaneously.
The advantages of MIMO LTE antennas over conventional ones are therefore obvious. The speed of the Internet when using them can be almost twice as high.
Directional patterns
Depending on the design, LTE devices can receive signals from one or several towers at once. Directional models are usually mounted on the roof of the house and are directed towards the nearest station. The advantages of such antennas include, first of all, the fact that they practically do not catch interference. However, installing and configuring such devices is a very complicated matter. Directional LTE antennas are usually mounted only by qualified specialists. Another disadvantage of devices of this type is the unreliability of transmission. After all, if the station suddenly stops working for any reason, the signal in the house will immediately disappear.
Sector Antennas
Models of thisvarieties can receive a signal from several stations at once. At the same time, such devices are automatically configured and operate on the fastest “wave”. If the signal suddenly disappears from the main tower, the antenna will immediately switch to another. The Internet in this case will become worse, but still not going anywhere.
Sector antennas have practically no disadvantages. Their only drawback is, perhaps, the high cost.
Omnidirectional models
The principle of operation of LTE antennas of this variety is almost the same as that of sector devices. However, such an antenna is capable of catching a signal as much as 360 degrees. The main advantage of this type of devices is that they provide stable transmission. However, at the same time, omnidirectional models do not increase the speed of the Internet too much.
Antennas of this type are usually used if there are many obstacles in the signal path. Most often these are multi-storey buildings in cities.
Yagi Antennas
Such an interesting name is given to devices well known to many with a horizontal reflector-rod resembling a "ladder". Most often, these models are painted blue.
The main advantage of Yagi antennas is their low cost. They receive a signal worse than other varieties.
Panel Antennas
Devices of this type receive a signal quite well. In houses above one floor, they are allowed to be mounted not even on the mast, but simply against the wall - on specialbrackets. These LTE antennas got their name for the characteristic shape of the reflector, resembling a panel.
Parabolic models
Antennas of this type pick up a signal better than Yagi and panel ones. But they also cost a lot more. Such models are supplied with a parabolic mesh reflector.
Received signal
Among other things, antennas of this type, as already mentioned, can be classified into narrow-band and broadband. Mobile phone towers usually transmit a signal on several frequencies at once. The advantage of broadband LTE antennas is that they can pick up any of them. For example, if for some reason the 4G signal disappears, the model will automatically switch to 3G or 2G.
A narrow-band antenna will simply cease to perform its functions when 4G disappears. The only advantage of such models is their low cost.
4G and 3G
LTE-antennas are devices designed to receive a 4G signal. However, if necessary, such models can easily switch to 3G mode. In the vast majority of cases, they represent one of the varieties of MIMO antennas.
3G models are usually simple devices without an amplifier. But sometimes MIMO technologies are used for such antennas.
The difference between 3G and 4G models lies primarily in the fact that the first type of device catches a signal at frequencies of 2100 Hz or 900 Hz, and the second - 2600 Hz, 800 Hz or 1800 Hz.
Mobiledevices
All external LTE antennas are stationary designs. They are installed on the mast, wall or roof of the house. In most cases, they amplify the signal well. However, such devices, even simple Yagis, are quite expensive. In some cases, it is possible to provide a decent Internet speed without spending a lot of money.
In addition to fixed antennas, there are also mobile LTE antennas on the market. Devices of this type are connected to a computer, router or laptop and installed in the house - on the windowsill or at the highest point in the room. It is advisable to use such models instead of expensive external antennas, for example, in suburban villages or on the streets of villages, partially closed from the nearest towers by a small hill. That is, where the signal from the station is caught even without an antenna, but the Internet speed is not too high or it is somewhat unstable.
Yota LTE antenna
Yota is a relatively new operator on the Russian market. However, its coverage area already exists, including in the outback of Russia. The modems of this operator catch the signal mostly well. However, the Yota coverage area is still (as of 2017) smaller than that of the old operators - Beeline, Megafon and MTS.
Yota modem sellers, persuading buyers from towns or villages to buy their products, usually reassure them that the signal from this operator is well caught in the same places where it is stable from Megafon. However, this, unfortunately, is not always true. Therefore, it is with Yota modems that you have to use LTE-antennas, including external ones, most often.
For the Yota modem, you can, in principle, use an antenna from third-party manufacturers. But you can also buy a Yota brand model. Moreover, modems from this operator often come with an antenna.
Instead of a conclusion
There are several varieties of external LTE antennas, so there are several on the market today. When choosing the most suitable model, it is worth focusing primarily on the number of towers in the vicinity, their location, and remoteness. You should also take into account the features of the area where the antenna will be used. In any case, before buying, you should definitely consult with experts. Or at least agree with the seller on the return of the antenna after the test in the event that it suddenly turns out to be useless.
