sidekõver

A sidekõver, sometimes referred to as a sidelobe, is an unwanted or undesired component of a signal that radiates or is received in a direction other than the main beam of a directional antenna. Antennas are designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic waves most efficiently in a specific direction, known as the main lobe. However, due to the physics of wave propagation and antenna design, some energy will inevitably be emitted or captured in other directions, forming these less intense side lobes.

The presence of side lobes can have several implications. In transmitting antennas, they represent wasted energy that does not contribute to the intended communication and can potentially interfere with other systems operating in those directions. In receiving antennas, side lobes can pick up unwanted signals, leading to interference and reduced signal-to-noise ratio for the desired signal. The strength and pattern of these side lobes are dependent on the antenna's design, its physical characteristics, and the surrounding environment.

Engineers often strive to minimize the energy contained within side lobes through careful antenna design and employing techniques such as beamforming. This is particularly important in applications like radar, satellite communications, and radio astronomy, where precise directionality and minimizing interference are crucial for effective operation. The relative strength of the side lobes compared to the main lobe is a key performance metric for many directional antennas.