Flexible new dual-band FPC antenna trio targets Wi-Fi and ISM

Three new flexible FPC antennas for applications in industrial and consumer electronics have been announced by Antenova. Two of the newcomers (Dromus and Amoris) are high-performance dual-band Wi-Fi antennas operating on the 2.4 - 2.5GHz and 4.9 - 5.9GHz wireless bands, including Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/j/n/ac. They are suitable for access points, portable electronics, PC cards, games consoles, set-top boxes, network devices, and wearable technology. They are made in a range of 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 and 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. Commenting, Colin Newman, managing director, Antenova said: "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."