Hi all,
Suppose we will determine the direction of arrival (DOA) of a signal based on the amplitude measurement from a single antenna.
Consider these two possibilities:
1) use a directional antenna (e.g. yagi) and determine the DOA finding the maximum of the signal strength
2) use an antnna with a null (e.g. loop) and determine the DOA finding the minimum of the signal strength
In 1), the slope of the function Amplitude vs. direction is zero at the maximum. The maximum can not be determined very accurately (unless the lobe is very narrow, for which a big array is required).
In 2), the slope is not zero (the field changes sign) at the null and the minimum can be determined with accuracy. Nulls are sharp.
For this reason loops are used in direction finding. They give better accuracy.
Regards
Z