What is the primary role of antennas in wireless communication?

The primary role of antennas in wireless communication is to convert electrical energy into electromagnetic waves and vice versa. This process is fundamental to how wireless systems operate. When an antenna transmits a signal, it takes electrical energy generated by a transmitter and converts it into electromagnetic waves that can travel through the air. Conversely, when receiving a signal, the antenna captures these electromagnetic waves and converts them back into electrical energy, which can then be processed by the receiver.

This conversion is crucial because it enables the transmission of information over distances without the need for physical connections, thus allowing for the wireless communication that underpins technologies like radios, televisions, cell phones, and Wi-Fi networks. Understanding this function highlights the antenna's role as a bridge between the electrical domain used by devices and the electromagnetic spectrum utilized for wireless communication.