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Wireless antenna supplier, Laird Technologies, has developed a line of ceramic antennas for handset and wireless data device markets. The small-form ceramic antennas are designed for Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN) and global positioning system (GPS) applications that can be integrated into personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) cards, mobile handsets, laptops and other wireless products. According to the maker, the ceramic antennas offer low dielectric losses and high isolation at reduced cost.

“Laird Technologies' fully adaptable ceramic antennas offer standard platforms, short lead times and traditional assembly processes,” said Goran Sandstrom, global account manager, Laird Technologies. “Customers' costs are reduced too since additional connectors are not required for the products, added Sandstrom.

The product portfolio includes three different offerings. Existing standard antennas; tuned or adaptive antennas with customized antenna specifications and original dimensions; and fully customized antennas for specific antenna patterns and dimensions.

In the standard line, the surface-mountable antennas are designed for single, dual- and triple-band applications. All designs are monopole. For instance, in the single band for Bluetooth/WLAN application, the ceramic antenna spec offers a center frequency of 2.45 GHz with a bandwidth (BW) of 115 MHz at a VSWR of 3:1, and a peak gain of 3.0 dBi. Its impedance is 50 Ω and polarization is linear. The antenna dimensions are 10.0 (L) mm × 3.0 (W) mm × 4.0 (H) mm. Similarly, the specs for single-band GPS applications include frequency of 1.575 GHz with 10 MHz BW at VSWR of 2:1. Its peak gain is 1.0 dBi and efficiency is 54%. Impedance is 50 Ω and offers linear polarization. Dimensions are 10.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 4.0 mm.

Likewise, there are two dual-band models. For GPS + 2.45 GHz specs, the antenna's center frequency is 1.575 GHz for GPS with 30 MHz BW at VSWR of 2:1, and 2.45 GHz for Bluetooth with 110 MHz BW at VSWR of 3:1. It offers a spatial gain of -0.6 dBi for GPS use and -1.2 dBi for Bluetooth application. The antenna footprint is 20.0 (L) × 3.5 (W) × 2.0 (H) mm. For GPS + US-PCS Rx application, the dual-band ceramic antenna's GPS frequency is 1.575 GHz with a BW of 20 MHz at VSWR of 2:1, and a spatial gain of -0.6 dBi. Its US-PCS Rx frequency is 1.960 GHz with 50 MHz BW at VSWR of 3:1, and a spatial gain of -1.2 dBi. Impedance is 50 Ω and polarization is linear. The dimensions are given as 15.0 (L) × 3.5 (W) × 5.0 (H) mm.

The triple band part handles CDMA800 Rx + US-PCS Rx + GPS frequencies with spatial average gain of -3.77 dBi and 50 Ω impedance. Polarization is linear and occupies a footprint of 20.0 (L) × 3.5 (W) × 5.0 (H) mm.

Ceramic antennas prices range from 15 cents to 40 cents depending on order size and type of antenna.

Laird Technologies
(800) 843-4556
www.lairdtech.com

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