The more complex a connected design, the more likely you’re going to need to think hard about custom antennas and how the whole system affects RF performance. Save yourself some setbacks by talking to Radientum.
In another antenna-related ipXperience, Eamon chats with Mikko from Radientum, a company that specialises in custom antenna design and EMC/EMI (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility/Interference) consulting. What does this mean for you engineers?
In short, Radientum is an ideal partner for helping you get the best custom antenna solution for your product, whether you’re working in IoT, wearables, automotive, healthcare, etc. Where an off-the-shelf solution might not quite do the trick, Radientum has vast expertise in the field. Radientum also only tackles the design element of custom antennas, which means there is no minimum order quantity. Any company of any size can use Radientum’s services!
Automotive custom antenna design
Since there are no specific products to talk about, we thought it would be interesting to get Radientum’s insights into automotive antenna design. As Mikko explains, the automotive industry works very differently to other industries in terms of development timeline and testing. The electromechanical aspects of a car must also be considered when getting to a final custom antenna configuration.
Bluetooth, cellular, Wi-Fi, and GNSS technologies are key for connecting cars to devices inside the vehicle and services that will make for a more seamless driving experience. Eamon and Mikko also discuss the complexities of custom antenna design for multiple wireless protocols operating on different bands for different target markets. Usually, this requires clever matching networks, but this is not the only solution…
Radientum also designs custom radar antenna systems, so partnering with Mikko’s team truly grants you access to expertise that goes far beyond wireless communications.
Testing custom antennas is also very important, and Radientum can test smaller modules in its chambers. When it comes to testing a full vehicle, however – and this is a requirement – it is Radientum’s partners that tackle these full-system tests.
EMC testing with Radientum
After acquiring another company, Radientum gained access to even more expertise in the field of electromagnetic testing. There are many similarities between EMC and custom antenna design and testing, but a clear understanding of both is required for qualifying designs.
Mikko gives an example of when noise generated by the electronics of a system caused a partner to fail performance tests for LTE connectivity; this was before coming to Radientum for help. Initially, the partner believed that this was an antenna issue, but Radientum quickly pointed out that it was a fundamental design issue.
With multiple occurrences of similar complications, it was a natural step for Radientum to start offering consulting services for EMC. When combined with its custom antenna design and testing services, this makes Radientum a complete solutions provider for getting the best performance in connected devices.
Why use a custom Bluetooth antenna?
Eamon also asks Mikko about the subtleties of Bluetooth antenna design, given that many of the wireless modules that ipXchange has talked about feature an inbuilt antenna. Mikko stresses that devices like wearables and asset trackers have form factors that do not conform to the ideals required for ‘simple’ antennas.
Bluetooth antennas may find themselves placed close to metals and other materials that will adversely affect the RF performance. A custom Bluetooth antenna is therefore required to ensure the best user experience in such devices. That said, if you just need some short-range connectivity, a module’s stock inbuilt antenna will likely suffice.
The future of antenna technology
Since Radientum is designing custom antennas every day, its team is well versed in the latest innovations in antenna technology from disruptive antenna manufacturers. Mikko highlights stamped metal and transparent antennas as two technologies that have seen some interesting commercial opportunities.
Advancements in metallic 3D printing have also enabled easier fabrication of particularly complex custom antennas. Textile antennas are another technology that he is interested to see flourish.
Working with Radientum for custom antenna designs
There are two main ways of working with Radientum. For the most part, engineers approach Radientum when they start to see a problem in the RF performance of their design. While Radientum can help at this stage, you can do everyone a favour by connecting with Radientum at the start of your design process.
By starting a design with Radientum in the loop, its team can ensure best practices are followed throughout your custom antenna design process. They can also ensure your full design is tested at each key stage of this development timeline. This inevitably means that many common mistakes will not be made, since Radientum becomes an extension of your own product design team. Radientum is also very transparent when a project or a device’s performance is unrealistic.
So, if you’re looking for a custom antenna solution, you can contact Radientum or meet them at a show to learn more and discuss your project. Or, if you want to help ipXchange show its value, head to the user-defined board page using the link below, and apply for a consultation through us. We’ll get you connected!
Keep designing!