Centurion Wireless Technologies (a unit of Laird Technologies), a leading global supplier of custom-designed and manufactured antenna and power products for wireless handsets, data devices, networks, telematics and two-way radios unveiled today its leading-edge NanoAnt™ miniature antenna technology that offers system designers a very small-sized antenna with superior performance, implementation flexibility and cost effectiveness for a wide variety of wireless applications.
The NanoAnt antenna technology can operate from 1.575 GHz up to 6 GHz enabling global positioning systems (GPS), Bluetooth, wireless LAN (WLAN) 802.11a/b/g, 802.11n MIMO, public safety band and other device functionalities. The NanoAnt is designed for high-volume surface mount attachment through the use of pick-and-place processing, and does not require a ground connection. Among the NanoAnt’s unique features is that some applications do not require a keep-out space or clearance area.
“The market demands that antenna design choices and board-level placements be considered early in the end-product design cycle. Our NanoAnt technology provides customers with a state-of-the-art solution for their miniaturized antenna requirements,” said Steve Bowles, vice president, Antenna sales, Laird Technologies. “Through the NanoAnt’s ease-of-use, companies can increase the efficiency of their manufacturing process while also lowering costs and improving antenna and system level performance.”
The NanoAnt design is comprised of a metal radiating element insert molded into a high-temperature support structure designed with two legs. One of the legs acts as a radio frequency feed and the other is used for mechanical attachment. Various matching circuits are available from Centurion and are application dependent. The NanoAnt is available in two sizes, 10 mm x 3 mm x 4 mm for GPS, WLAN and public safety and 2.5 mm x 2 mm x 2 mm for Bluetooth applications. The NanoAnt is offered in standard tape and reel packaging for 2,000 quantities per reel. The NanoAnt is priced at $1.10 ea for 10,000 pieces.