anten

Anten is a term used in several languages to refer to both artificial devices that transmit or receive electromagnetic waves and the sensory appendages of many arthropods. In English, the common terms are antenna for the singular and antennas or antennae for the plural; language-specific forms vary, and the word anten may appear as a base or plural form in some languages. The concept generally covers two broad uses: technological transmission/reception and biological sensing.

In technology and communications, an antenna is a transducer that converts electrical signals into radio waves for transmission and vice versa for reception. Its performance depends on frequency, geometry, materials, and environment. Common types include dipole, monopole, loop, helical, patch, and parabolic reflector antennas, each with characteristic radiation patterns and gain. Antennas are central to radio, television, cellular networks, Wi-Fi, radar, and satellite links. Design often involves impedance matching, bandwidth considerations, and, in more complex systems, phased arrays and beamforming to steer signals electronically.

In biology, antennae (often called antenna in some languages) are paired sensory appendages on the heads of many arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans. They serve tactile and chemical sensing, helping with navigation, foraging, and social interactions. Antennae are typically segmented and equipped with sensory structures that detect touch, temperature, humidity, and odors.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from Latin antenna, with variations across languages. In English, the standard plural forms are antennas or antennae. See also antenna (disambiguation) for related concepts.