What are the two types of antenna polarization?

Antenna polarization refers to the orientation of the electric field component of the radio wave radiated by the antenna. The two main types of polarization are vertical and horizontal.

Vertical polarization occurs when the electric field oscillates in a vertical plane, and this type of polarization is often used for mobile communications and broadcasting. Horizontal polarization, on the other hand, has the electric field oscillating in a horizontal plane and is commonly used in various applications, including television broadcasts and some types of radio communication.

Both vertical and horizontal polarization are essential for ensuring compatibility between transmitting and receiving antennas, as mismatched polarizations can lead to reduced signal strength. Understanding these two types of polarization is critical for designing effective communication systems and optimizing antenna performance.

Other options involve different concepts. Omnidirectional and bi-directional relate to the radiation pattern rather than polarization, circular and elliptical describe specific forms of polarization but are not the primary types discussed in the context of basic antenna theory, and linear and isotropic describe orientation and radiation characteristics rather than the main categories of polarization.