4G and LTE antennas are suddenly becoming a hot potato! Customers are increasingly asking for 4G/LTE (we will use the term 4G for the purposes of this article) frequency band support for many 2G and 3G only antenna requirements. As 4G is topical, they see the 4G support as a must. In many cases it is not required and can simply compromise the antenna solution.
Let's look at the issues from an antenna perspective:
1. Size - Wideband antennas with frequency support for 2G, 3G and 4G are much more complex to design than quad band GSM or GSM/3G antennas. Often to increase the bandwidth for wideband antennas such as blade antennas, terminal antennas, low profile antennas, there is no alternative but to increase the size of the antenna from the normal form factors seen the GSM/3G market. Small stubby antennas covering 700/800-2700 MHz are unlikely to perform across the band completely to a satisfactory level (despite what the manufacturer may claim).
2. Performance - It is a typical trade-off situation, a very wideband antenna by its nature will have compromises. Mechanically if you keep the antenna small, you will forfeit performance. By having a larger antenna (see point 1 above) you have opportunities for better performance. So to keep the same form factors as GSM/3G antennas, antenna performance will generally suffer when designing 2G/3G/4G wideband antennas.
3. Frequency - Unfortunately for us antenna suppliers, 4G does not operate at a single frequency. Unlike Euro 3G at 2100 MHz, 4G networks are already operating at 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz across Europe and LTE is operating at 700 MHz in North America. Not only does this confuse customers, it makes antenna solutions more complicated as customers and suppliers have to be very sure of the correct operational frequencies before committing to an antenna of choice.
We should realise there are going to be some technical challenges for everyone while we all acclimatise to the 4G applications and perhaps we should be prepared to accommodate our thinking in terms of form factors as we embrace wideband cellular antenna solutions.
EAD and Specialist Antennas are happy to work with customers through the maze of antenna options for multiband 2G/3G/4G applications. You can visit our websites at www.ead-ltd.com or www.specialistantennas.co.uk or contact us on +44 1280 824055. Some select 4G applications can be purchased online via our Connex Technologies website.
Friday, 2 November 2012
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
3G/4G antennas for boating and waterways
We often get asked about antenna solutions to enable 3G broadband for boats used on rivers and waterways. Due to the very nature of the application, fixed line access is just not possible unless the vessel is moored up in one place permanently. Therefore using mobile or wireless broadband makes perfect sense for users who need high speed internet on the move.
From an antenna perspective, there are some challenges especially when the nearest 3G base station may be in a different direction every day/night and where signal strengths and network availability may not be all they might. Therefore antennas that radiate in every direction (known as omni-directional antennas) are most appropriate.
So here is our take on three useful high-gain 3G/4G antenna options for waterways applications:
The first option is a high gain low profile magnetic mount antenna. It requires a reasonable-sized metal surface on which to mount, but supplied with typically 4M of cable which can be routed below deck, it can be flexible enough to provide a significant performance improvement over the antenna built-in to the dongle. With an optimum groundplane, peak gain before cable loss can be up to 4-5 dBi. An example of such antennas can be found here.
A low profile omni antenna is the second option. Whilst not offering as much gain as the magnetic antenna above, it can sit pretty much flush to the deck or roof of the boat. With a 2.5M cable and 3 dBi gain, the low profile can help "move" the signal to enable a dongle to be used inside the boat or below deck. The low profile antenna can be stud-mount or tape-mount. Examples can be found here and here.
The high gain omni-directional antenna option is a more traditional type antenna offering 4-5 dBi gain across the bands. A neat technique is to mount the bracket permanently somewhere on the boat (as high up as possible) and the antenna can be fitted and removed in a matter of seconds so if you are going to have height clearance issues on your travels then this will not cause to much hassle. To go with a high gain omni you would typically need some low loss cable to reduce losses down the cable run, but cables could be run up to 10M if required. An example of the antenna can be found here. A 5M compatible jumper cable looks like this.
In conjunction with these antennas, the correct connector for your 3G device is required. Typically, the following dongle and modem/router manufacturers lean towards the following connectors, though it is worth verifying before you purchase:
Huawei - Common connector CRC9 - CRC Adapters can be found here.
Sierra Wireless - Common connector TS9 - TS9 Adapters can be found here.
Option - Common connector MC-Card - MC-Card Adpaters can be found here.
Often 3G routers will have a SMA-Female Jack for the antenna port. A SMA-Female Jack looks like this:
That means that the antenna will require a SMA-Male connector. The SMA-Male plug looks like this:
For any questions, please feel free to contact us via our websites:
www.ead-ltd.com
www.specialistantennas.co.uk
www.connextech.co.uk
From an antenna perspective, there are some challenges especially when the nearest 3G base station may be in a different direction every day/night and where signal strengths and network availability may not be all they might. Therefore antennas that radiate in every direction (known as omni-directional antennas) are most appropriate.
So here is our take on three useful high-gain 3G/4G antenna options for waterways applications:
The first option is a high gain low profile magnetic mount antenna. It requires a reasonable-sized metal surface on which to mount, but supplied with typically 4M of cable which can be routed below deck, it can be flexible enough to provide a significant performance improvement over the antenna built-in to the dongle. With an optimum groundplane, peak gain before cable loss can be up to 4-5 dBi. An example of such antennas can be found here.
A low profile omni antenna is the second option. Whilst not offering as much gain as the magnetic antenna above, it can sit pretty much flush to the deck or roof of the boat. With a 2.5M cable and 3 dBi gain, the low profile can help "move" the signal to enable a dongle to be used inside the boat or below deck. The low profile antenna can be stud-mount or tape-mount. Examples can be found here and here.
The high gain omni-directional antenna option is a more traditional type antenna offering 4-5 dBi gain across the bands. A neat technique is to mount the bracket permanently somewhere on the boat (as high up as possible) and the antenna can be fitted and removed in a matter of seconds so if you are going to have height clearance issues on your travels then this will not cause to much hassle. To go with a high gain omni you would typically need some low loss cable to reduce losses down the cable run, but cables could be run up to 10M if required. An example of the antenna can be found here. A 5M compatible jumper cable looks like this.
In conjunction with these antennas, the correct connector for your 3G device is required. Typically, the following dongle and modem/router manufacturers lean towards the following connectors, though it is worth verifying before you purchase:
Huawei - Common connector CRC9 - CRC Adapters can be found here.
Sierra Wireless - Common connector TS9 - TS9 Adapters can be found here.
Option - Common connector MC-Card - MC-Card Adpaters can be found here.
Often 3G routers will have a SMA-Female Jack for the antenna port. A SMA-Female Jack looks like this:
That means that the antenna will require a SMA-Male connector. The SMA-Male plug looks like this:
www.ead-ltd.com
www.specialistantennas.co.uk
www.connextech.co.uk
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Dongle frustration - why 3G dongles and modems need antenna connectors!
The vendors of 3G dongles are consistently missing the point. What's the use in bringing out a 3G dongle that doesn't have a connector for an external antenna i.e. so a high gain antenna can be reliably connected to the dongle?
Given that many 3G dongle/modem users are using cellular networks to access the internet because the leased line infrastructure can't support broadband, this often coincides with being on the fringes of the 3G network as well. In these cases, high gain 3G antennas provide the answer to overcoming weak signal enabling a stable and functional 3G connection for many users. The frustration comes when dongle vendors decide that they don't need to build-in an antenna connector - this makes connecting external antennas quite tricky.
An antenna coupler is often offered as a solution for dongles without antenna connectors, but while this type of solution can work, it can be unreliable and the coupler in itself will introduce losses and attenuation that can be ill-afforded by the dongle user.
It makes sense for users to insist on dongles/modems with 3G antenna connectors - the leading dongle suppliers do have models that use them, for example Huawei typically uses CRC9, Sierra Wireless TS9 and Option use MC connectors. If everybody starts insisting on models with antenna connectors, then it hopefully would make a lasting impression on the vendors.
We can only hope that when it comes to 4G/LTE modems and dongles, the vendors take a more enlightened approach moving forward especially for those customers in locations where network signal strength issues might pose a problem.
For high gain antennas for 3G dongles, visit www.connextech.co.uk
Given that many 3G dongle/modem users are using cellular networks to access the internet because the leased line infrastructure can't support broadband, this often coincides with being on the fringes of the 3G network as well. In these cases, high gain 3G antennas provide the answer to overcoming weak signal enabling a stable and functional 3G connection for many users. The frustration comes when dongle vendors decide that they don't need to build-in an antenna connector - this makes connecting external antennas quite tricky.
An antenna coupler is often offered as a solution for dongles without antenna connectors, but while this type of solution can work, it can be unreliable and the coupler in itself will introduce losses and attenuation that can be ill-afforded by the dongle user.
It makes sense for users to insist on dongles/modems with 3G antenna connectors - the leading dongle suppliers do have models that use them, for example Huawei typically uses CRC9, Sierra Wireless TS9 and Option use MC connectors. If everybody starts insisting on models with antenna connectors, then it hopefully would make a lasting impression on the vendors.
We can only hope that when it comes to 4G/LTE modems and dongles, the vendors take a more enlightened approach moving forward especially for those customers in locations where network signal strength issues might pose a problem.
For high gain antennas for 3G dongles, visit www.connextech.co.uk
Thursday, 4 October 2012
New 169 MHz Wall-Mount Omni Antenna from EAD
Embedded Antenna Design Ltd (EAD) has today introduced the WMO-169, a new cost-effective and durable VHF
antenna designed for wireless metering and related applications at the
new 169 MHz EU harmonized frequency band.
The WMO-169 is a 169 MHz fibreglass omni antenna mounted onto a compact L-bracket for wall-mounting. Approximately 480mm in length, the antenna is terminated in a N-Female connector and is mounted securely onto the bracket and the bracket is affixed to the wall. The VSWR of the antenna at 169 MHz is better than 1.2:1 and offers 2 dBi gain at centre frequency.
The WCO-169 should be a fed by a jumper cable which can be customised to the appropriate length. Please contact EAD for jumper cable options.
169 MHz Wall Mount Omni Antenna - WMO-169
The WMO-169 is a 169 MHz fibreglass omni antenna mounted onto a compact L-bracket for wall-mounting. Approximately 480mm in length, the antenna is terminated in a N-Female connector and is mounted securely onto the bracket and the bracket is affixed to the wall. The VSWR of the antenna at 169 MHz is better than 1.2:1 and offers 2 dBi gain at centre frequency.
The WCO-169 should be a fed by a jumper cable which can be customised to the appropriate length. Please contact EAD for jumper cable options.
169 MHz ISM band antennas - a reality check!
The introduction of the EU harmonized ISM band at 169 MHz offers utility businesses a viable alternative to higher frequencies for wireless metering. Using the 169 MHz VHF frequency band, wireless metering can be deployed for longer range applications at relatively low power. This has many advantages for operations and billing organisations.
The challenge however comes with specifying 169 MHz antennas to go with the wireless meters. There are already a number of ISM-band 169 MHz module vendors with released products on the market and I am sure there are many more in development. From a RF perspective the module is relatively straightforward, but to supply compact, discrete antennas is not as easy.
A wavelength at 169 MHz is approximately 1.8M in length and therein lies the problem, for even a 1/4 wave monopole would be half a metre in length once the antenna had been housed in a sheath and connectorized.
For metering applications in domestic environments, discrete, tamperproof antennas are desirable, but not only is making a very low profile 169 MHz hard to achieve, it would also need a large groundplane. This is not particularly achievable on a small-sized utility meter. The options really are to use 1/4 wave 169 MHz helical antenna either bulkhead mount with a RF connector or through-hole mount so the antenna cannot be unscrewed from the meter. Both options would be approximately 120mm in overall length and would ideally need a minimum groundplane size of 85mm x 85mm. This size of groundplane could be possible on most meters, but a larger groundplane required by lower profile antennas are just not going to be possible.
Here are two images of the 169 MHz Helical with SMA and the 169 MHz through-hole mount:
For concentrator applications (where a number of remote meters communicate with a hub using VHF communications), a wall-mount 169 MHz antenna might come in useful. Designed for outdoor use, ideally these will be of fibreglass construcion to withstand the elements. Here below is an image of the 169 MHz wall-mount antenna:
It is also important to be wary of very small 169 MHz antennas as invariably some parameter will be compromised, for example small 169 MHz PCB antennas with a gain of -17.6 dB. It is useful to remember that the laws of physics are not going to change and that the wavelength is always going to be 1.8M. Very small antennas are going to massively compromise RF performance, defeating the very object of the exercise.
In conclusion, the 169 MHz band is a real opportunity for wireless metering and related applications, however the antenna selection and design-in for the meter must be considered early and with the appropriate level of planning to ensure that a suitable antenna design can be accommodated by the meter in terms of available groundplane etc. without comprising performance or aesthetics.
Related links:
An offering of 169 MHz antennas can be found here:
https://www.ead-ltd.com/products/169-433-868-915-antennas
The challenge however comes with specifying 169 MHz antennas to go with the wireless meters. There are already a number of ISM-band 169 MHz module vendors with released products on the market and I am sure there are many more in development. From a RF perspective the module is relatively straightforward, but to supply compact, discrete antennas is not as easy.
A wavelength at 169 MHz is approximately 1.8M in length and therein lies the problem, for even a 1/4 wave monopole would be half a metre in length once the antenna had been housed in a sheath and connectorized.
For metering applications in domestic environments, discrete, tamperproof antennas are desirable, but not only is making a very low profile 169 MHz hard to achieve, it would also need a large groundplane. This is not particularly achievable on a small-sized utility meter. The options really are to use 1/4 wave 169 MHz helical antenna either bulkhead mount with a RF connector or through-hole mount so the antenna cannot be unscrewed from the meter. Both options would be approximately 120mm in overall length and would ideally need a minimum groundplane size of 85mm x 85mm. This size of groundplane could be possible on most meters, but a larger groundplane required by lower profile antennas are just not going to be possible.
Here are two images of the 169 MHz Helical with SMA and the 169 MHz through-hole mount:
169 MHz helical with SMA-Male connector
169 MHz permanent mount with N-Female connector
For concentrator applications (where a number of remote meters communicate with a hub using VHF communications), a wall-mount 169 MHz antenna might come in useful. Designed for outdoor use, ideally these will be of fibreglass construcion to withstand the elements. Here below is an image of the 169 MHz wall-mount antenna:
169 MHz fibreglass wall-mount omni with bracket
It is also important to be wary of very small 169 MHz antennas as invariably some parameter will be compromised, for example small 169 MHz PCB antennas with a gain of -17.6 dB. It is useful to remember that the laws of physics are not going to change and that the wavelength is always going to be 1.8M. Very small antennas are going to massively compromise RF performance, defeating the very object of the exercise.
In conclusion, the 169 MHz band is a real opportunity for wireless metering and related applications, however the antenna selection and design-in for the meter must be considered early and with the appropriate level of planning to ensure that a suitable antenna design can be accommodated by the meter in terms of available groundplane etc. without comprising performance or aesthetics.
Related links:
An offering of 169 MHz antennas can be found here:
https://www.ead-ltd.com/products/169-433-868-915-antennas
Monday, 27 August 2012
Selecting 4G antennas
Interestingly, selecting a 4G antenna in Europe is not going to be as straightforward as selecting a 3G antenna has been. Due to 4G services being offered on a variety of frequency bands, customers will need to be aware at what frequency their 4G service is operating and what frequencies their antenna supports. Broadly speaking, 3G operates at the 2100 MHz across the whole of Europe which has made antenna selection quite straightforward.
For example, quite a number of operators across Europe have licences to run 4G services between 2500-2700 MHz otherwise known as the 2600 MHz band (countries such as Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden for example). Not many 2G/3G antennas operate at 2600 MHz meaning that new antennas are required for customers migrating to 2600 MHz 4G services and antenna manufacturers have to otpimise their antennas to cover 2G/3G/ and 4G in one antenna. Currently, 2600 MHz antenna options for SOHO (small office/home office) are quite limited though vendors are moving quickly to plug this gap.
Alternatively in the UK, Everything Everywhere (formerly Orange & T-Mobile) has been given the go ahead by Ofcom to offer 4G services at 1800 MHz. This means that current European 2G/3G antennas already support the required frequency band for this 4G service. So customers have a wide choice of antenna solutions available to them.
Other frequency bands being considered for European 4G services include 800 MHz whilst the USA has LTE services operating in the 700 MHz.
In conclusion, customers will need to be sure of their frequencies or purchase a very wideband antenna to facilitate operation of their devices with 4G antennas.
For example, quite a number of operators across Europe have licences to run 4G services between 2500-2700 MHz otherwise known as the 2600 MHz band (countries such as Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden for example). Not many 2G/3G antennas operate at 2600 MHz meaning that new antennas are required for customers migrating to 2600 MHz 4G services and antenna manufacturers have to otpimise their antennas to cover 2G/3G/ and 4G in one antenna. Currently, 2600 MHz antenna options for SOHO (small office/home office) are quite limited though vendors are moving quickly to plug this gap.
Alternatively in the UK, Everything Everywhere (formerly Orange & T-Mobile) has been given the go ahead by Ofcom to offer 4G services at 1800 MHz. This means that current European 2G/3G antennas already support the required frequency band for this 4G service. So customers have a wide choice of antenna solutions available to them.
Other frequency bands being considered for European 4G services include 800 MHz whilst the USA has LTE services operating in the 700 MHz.
In conclusion, customers will need to be sure of their frequencies or purchase a very wideband antenna to facilitate operation of their devices with 4G antennas.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Images of cables assembled by EAD/SAS
Here are couple of marketing images of RG58 RF cables with SMA-Male and TNC assembled by EAD.
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