Flexible dual-band FPC antennas suitable for WiFi & ISM

They are made to different dimensions, so that electronics manufacturers can select the best fit and performance for their wireless device. The third antenna, named Montana operates in the ISM bands of 863-870MHz and 902-928MHz. This antenna is for use in industry, remote sensors, smart metering, medical devices, monitoring equipment, lighting, security and automotive applications.

The flexible FPC antennas are each just 0.15mm thick, and are supplied with a peel-back self-adhesive area to fix them inside a small electronic device, in various configurations. They are supplied complete with a cable and a connector to attach them to the underside covering or housing of a manufacturer’s electronic product. Each antenna weighs less than 0.5g.

The three new antennas can be popped into the IPEX MHF (UFL) mating connector on a host PCB or wireless module, and are effectively 'plug and play'. Antenova’s design team adopts a philosophy of Design For Integration (DFI) – an approach to antenna design which puts the integration into the customer’s device right at the heart of the design process. Antenova also provides technical assistance to customers during the testing stages of the design process.

Dromus, Amoris and Montana are the first three antennas to ship from Antenova’s new family of 'flexiiANT' products, which was announced in May this year. Their product names follow the company’s tradition of naming each antenna after a species of ant from around the globe. Analysts continue to predict huge market expansion in the M2M and IoT sectors, with some stating that the market will grow to nearly $250bn by 2020.

Commenting, Colin Newman, Managing Director, Antenova says: “The market opportunities are in the areas of energy, smart homes, healthcare, automotive, retail and the new wearable technologies, and we have antenna solutions for all of these sectors.”