The size, shape, and antenna type required greatly depends on the application it will be used for. IoT (Internet of Things) devices, for example, often require an antenna that is capable of mounting inside a small or space-constrained device and operate effectively near other hardware or electrical components. For coverage over long distances or for significantly increased gain, the antenna itself must become much larger. Omnidirectional Base Station antennas, for example, can be 3m in length/height.
To make a high gain antenna more compact, it must change format. For example, Yagi or Log Periodic antennas are significantly smaller than a large base station antenna, but they can offer high gain for coverage over long distances. They achieve this by including many more antenna elements within a more compact format, making the radiation pattern of the antenna highly directional.
There are also advantages in using cellular antennas indoors. Higher frequency cellular, such as 5G, is less able to penetrate from outside to inside a building. To provide seamless connectivity inside the building or campus area, cellular antennas in multiple formats can be installed within the building. This allows for seamless 4G or 5G operations within the building.
Licensed cellular bands allow operators to create private networks. This means that a small portion of a cellular frequency can be purchased or licensed by an operator and is not open to general users. Common examples are the 900 MHz and CBRS/C-band frequency bands that are available to be licensed for more private and therefore secure communications networks.
The mounting location and application of the antenna are highly significant in the antenna options available. TE has the largest portfolio of antennas available as well as custom development and LDS antenna technology on hand. If the antenna is not available in our portfolio, we can create a custom product designed specifically for a customer or application.