Antenova Ltd, manufacturer of antennas and RF antenna modules for M2M and the Internet of Things, has announced a new, ultra compact, dual-band antenna for the Wi-Fi 802.11n and ac 2.4 - 2.5 GHz and 4.9 - 5.9 GHz bands. This new antenna, which is called Mutica, is designed to fit within a reduced ground plane on the host PCB, making it ideal for the smaller Wi-Fi products and wireless accessories being created today.
Mutica is an SMD mounted antenna for all dual-band Wi-Fi applications, especially those requiring high speed data transfer and multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) applications, for example security cameras, video cameras, set-top-boxes and devices for connected vehicles. Its specifications will also suit Wi-Fi access points, portable electronics, headsets, PC cards, games consoles, network devices and wearable electronics.
"In 2014 2.4 billion Wi-Fi-enabled devices were shipped worldwide, and the industry surpassed 10 billion Wi-Fi devices cumulatively in early 2015," stated Colin Newman, Director and VP of Sales for Antenova. "Over half of the products shipped are dual band 2.4 GHz /5 GHz, and the market is forecast to grow further over the next five years making 802.11ac the prevailing WLAN standard. 5 GHz 802.11ac offers High Definition video streaming with more channels and less interference than at 2.4 GHz. This coupled with the high efficiency of the Mutica antenna will help to support faster data rates, fewer disconnects and better battery life in portable devices."
Antenova takes a unique approach to the design of its antennas, which it calls Design For Integration (DFI). Because the antennas are always embedded within a customer's product, the company designs them so that the RF elements can easily be added to the customer's design, and so that the antenna will provide excellent performance when it is placed in position on the PCB.
Antenova gives advice on RF design and the integration of the antenna, along with engineering assistance and customer support, and provides the CAD footprint files of each antenna free of charge to customers.
The Mutica antenna is the first in the new family of lamiiANT FR4 SMD antennas which Antenova announced earlier this year. The antennas are supplied on Tape and Reel and are available through distributors worldwide.