Multi-protocol IoT antenna cuts energy consumption and extends operating range

RangeAnt, a specialist in wideband antennas for embedded applications, has announced the MAX family of compact, 700 MHz to 3000 MHz antennas.

MAX antennas are designed primarily for cellular, IoT and GNSS applications. They feature a free-space efficiency of between 80 and 90%, and a VSWR below 2:1 across the operating bands. The high efficiency of the antennas delivers greater range for the available transmitter power, and improved receiver performance. Alternatively, where reducing energy consumption is a priority, such as in IoT applications, lower transmitter power can be used for a given link range.

MAX antennas are suitable for use with Bluetooth, Zigbee, Sub-GHz, LPWAN (LoRa, Sigfox, Weightless), Wi-Fi, and cellular (2G, 3G, 4G/LTE and NB-IoT) wireless protocols, and GPS/GNSS reception.

They enable wireless module manufacturers and OEMs to build products for global markets while minimising their design effort and inventory by only using one type of antenna.

Full performance is achieved without the use of a separate ground plane, allowing much greater design freedom for mechanical and electrical engineers.  The antenna can be integrated into a product without taking a ground plane into consideration and without compromising wireless reliability or signal quality.

RangeAnt MAX antennas feature a patent-pending, double-sided board design where the conductor patterns are different on each side of the board. The omnidirectional antennas function as a monopole up to 1,600 MHz and a dipole above this frequency. They are designed for a 50 Ohm match in free space but when packaged within a wireless module or system, maintaining optimum efficiency may sometimes require additional matching components.

The antenna board includes pads for installing surface mount matching components, if needed. RangeAnt offers guidance on suitable matching networks and matching services for specific applications.

RangeAnt MAX antennas are now available from stock at Digi-Key Electronics.