What happens to the beamwidth of an antenna as the gain is increased?

As the gain of an antenna increases, the beamwidth decreases. This relationship is based on the principles of antenna design and radiation patterns.

Higher gain antennas are designed to focus their energy more effectively in a specific direction, which results in a narrower beamwidth. A narrower beamwidth means that the antenna can direct the signal more efficiently and over longer distances, thus enhancing its performance in terms of signal strength and reach in the intended direction.

In contrast, antennas with lower gain tend to have wider beamwidths, allowing them to radiate signals over a broader area but with less intensity in any single direction. This trade-off between gain and beamwidth is fundamental in antenna theory, as engineers often choose antenna types based on their required directivity and coverage needs.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for applications such as communications, where achieving the desired coverage and signal quality is essential. Higher gain antennas are typically employed in point-to-point communication or scenarios requiring long-range transmission, whereas lower gain antennas may be more suitable for local area coverage.