On 10/13/2014 11:21 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:48:29 -0500, Lostgallifreyan
wrote:

when I see a Smith chart or other diagram indicating relative
signal transmission strength at some distance and direction,

A Smith Chart is a transmission line matching tool and has nothing to
do with distance, range, direction, and strength of an RF signal.
Reading between the lines, you might be referring to an antenna
pattern polar graph, which sorta looks like a Smith Chart while one is
under the influence of controlled substances.

does this follow
the rule of many 'simple' transducers, in that the same chart exactly models
the sensitivity of the same antenna for reception?

Antennas do not have a sensitivity spec. That's in the receiver. All
antennas do is direct the RF in some particular direction, sometimes
concentrating it, which is called gain. Antennas do not produce,
amplify, or "strengthen" RF. The only re-direct it.

I think you might need some help in basic RF buzzwords. It's helpful
when we're both using the same terms to discuss the same phenomenon.
Google finds several RF glossary lists online. Start with "A" and
work your way to "Z" trying to absorb and understand as many buzzwords
as possible. I do that when I initially approach a new technology and
recently had to do it for optical terminology, of which I know little.
If successful, we might then be able to decode what you're asking.
http://micro.apitech.com/glossary.aspx
http://e-meca.com/tech_papers/glossary.php
http://www.amphenolconnex.com/support/glossary

I'm hoping it does,
otherwise life might get complicated.

Hope is a poor substitute for understanding.
Hit the books and enlightenment will hopefully follow.


Jeff, maybe he is kind of asking about reciprocity in his own way?