Laird, a global technology company, announced that their LTE/MIMO antennas will be installed on a major domestic automobile manufacturer’s North American vehicles, beginning model year 2015. The Laird antennas enable 4GLTE cellular connection to mobile devices, infotainment and safety options inside the vehicle. This offers drivers and passengers a superior in vehicle experience with a full range of features they have come to expect in a connected car.
The installation of Laird’s antennas is the first application of LTE/MIMO (Long-Term Evolution/Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) technology for any domestic North American automaker. The antennas provide enhanced cellular connectivity and data throughput, allowing for faster upload and download speeds. Along with superior cellular connection, the Laird antennas also provide satellite radio, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) along with AM/FM radio in a single antenna solution.
“Our patented MIMO technology allows Laird’s antennas to outperform competitors when it comes to providing cellular coverage in vehicles,” said Steve Brown, Senior Vice President of Laird’s Telematics/ M2M business. “Because of this technology we are able to combine multiple services into a single antenna solution for our customers. This in turn, allows automobile manufacturers to offer many features of a connected vehicle, ultimately enhancing the driving experience.”
New technology is stimulating rapid change in the automotive industry and the LTE/MIMO antennas from Laird are part of this trend. The Laird antennas enable infotainment, safety and diagnostic systems, advancing the concept of connected cars. The antennas provide internet access to the connected vehicle and allow it to share the internet with devices inside and outside the vehicle. The connected car has special features that tap into the internet and provide information to the driver including speed, accident or traffic information. It also enables the driver to access smartphone apps, navigation, music player and car diagnostic systems from one single in-dash system.
Laird is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of telematics products, with a product portfolio consisting of antennas, smart antennas & devices designed to meet the multiple communications requirements of modern vehicles. These products are developed with industry-leading RF expertise to ensure the best possible connectivity while meeting stringent automotive, truck & heavy equipment specifications.
Laird’s Wireless Systems Division designs and supplies a broad range of products, systems and software solutions that enable wireless communications such as “smart” antenna solutions, automotive telematics, M2M, V2V and V2X infrastructure antennas, connectivity products and wireless automation and control solutions. Laird’s Performance Materials Division designs and supplies electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal management solutions and signal integrity products for the smart phone, transportation, IT/telecoms, medical and consumer industries worldwide.
For additional information, visit http://www.lairdtech.com