Wireless LAN, WiFi and WiMAX Antennas
By European Antennas

The environment for wireless LAN, WiFi and WiMAX communication systems is becoming more competitive as the world’s leading communication organisations vie for future business that will certainly be valuable over the long term.

Over recent years WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) has become a key broadband wireless access technology for wireless MAN (metropolitan area network). The incentive is to provide an enormous broadband wireless protocol that will enable nearly everyone to access the internet by phone or computer, whether in existing busy RF areas or new and emerging market areas.

Recent moves in the financial world prove just how valuable the communication industry giants consider that WiMAX will become, considering the billions of dollars that have already been invested.

A big challenge to the engineers behind the technology and design at the start of this growing market, and part of the reason why such investment is required, is the convergence of the many mobile and fixed wireless systems that are already in place.

Successful WiMAX roll-outs around the world have coincided with the demand for faster data transfer driving requests for greater bandwidth in order to provide speedy and efficient radio communication systems.

Today’s experts foresee the growth in the WiMAX arena geared towards areas that are difficult to cover with emerging markets in the Middle East and Far East. It is also foreseen that as knowledge and skill increase, and the marketing effort grows, the reputation and advantages of WiMAX will be demonstrated to the end user, instigating even greater demands for fast wireless applications.

Wherever the system is to be located, whether the end user is a location such as a local government area or a large business, the requirement will remain the same. The user must have a system that is solid and reliable from the start. The smallest failure in the system will give doubt, just as the instigation of most computer network systems have done in the past. This is one of the most important factors for system providers. They know that getting it right first time is critical, and is another reason why there has been such a huge investment in the wireless infrastructure.

With most CRM systems online, staff can access critical data anywhere. Connection does not have to be miles away, or in a different country, but can be within the same complex. It’s the convenience which is key. Wireless communications are changing the way in which everyone works; wireless systems are expected to work seamlessly; users no longer consider broadband and bandwidth, they just expect everything to work reliably.

The use for wider band data and voice applications are growing as industrial systems advance. Many systems and data acquisition networks are used in industry for the distribution, evaluation, management and assessment of data that has been sent to a central source for analysis and reporting, or for automatic flagging up of indicators of altering telemetry enabling downtime to be prevented. Applications including chemical processing, material transit and storage, food processing and laboratory testing all use remote wireless systems such as WiMAX and wireless LAN. The more popular and accepted these practices become, the greater the need for more bandwidth.

The Antennas
One element that is frequently overlooked is the final component – the antennas. We know, we are asked all the time. It has to be the right antenna – not just something nearly right, almost there, just about good enough.

The cost of the system, the investment, its success and the reputation of system operator is far too valuable an asset to be compromised at the very last stage, by the “not quite right” antenna.

For WiMAX, the antenna has the benefit of interoperability, as well as being rugged and competitively priced, without compromising quality and specification.

European Antennas now have a large quantity of standard product designs covering wireless LAN, WiFi and WiMAX applications.

European Antennas specialise in the development of antennas to meet individual requirements. Used worldwide, the company’s range of antenna designs meet some of the most demanding applications – not just technically, but in terms of cost. The Vector for WiMAX range has been designed to meet all conformance and interoperability specifications. These cost-effective, high performance antennas meet the ideals that this competitive market dictates, meeting the same stringent quality design parameters to the Vector series as it does to its specialist range of antenna developments used in military and satcom operations.

The Vector series can be used for FRA (Fixed Radio Access) and broadband networks, with the growing demand for broadband and ultra wideband wireless access very much in mind.

Easy to install, the Vector range of antennas offer a high specification. Their light- weight, discreet design ensures minimum impact installation. They are robust with a UV stable, long-life radome. They feature wide operating bands (2.3 to 2.7GHz, 3.30 to 3.80GHz and 4.9 to 5.9GHz) to enable them to be incorporated into new and existing networks, reducing the need to maintain a large variety of narrow band antennas.

Vector base station sector antennas are available with 60º, 90º, 120º or 180º azimuth beamwidth and have built-in electrical down-tilt to benefit installation and operation. Sector antennas are available with a choice of gain, from 13dBi to 19dBi, with a choice of vertical, horizontal or dual slant ±45º polarisation available.

A range of Vector omni-directional antennas with high gain, high specification and vertical polarisation are available at all three major frequencies.

Two directional slim, flat panel antennas are available in the range at 2.4GHz and 5.5GHz.

A new antenna for buildings is the Vector window antenna SA11wimax/9318 that has a frequency range of 3.3 to 3.8GHz and 11dBi gain. This unique antenna has been designed to meet modern office environments whilst not being too intrusive or blocking light.

Vector antennas are tested throughout development and manufactured to meet specific radiation pattern requirements and meet regulatory compliance to ETSI EN 302 326-3 V1.2.2 Class SS2.

Wireless LAN WiFi Antennas, Dual Band, Dual Slant Polarisation
A range of three antennas was developed recently for a prestigious building project to provide full WiFi hotspot coverage. Based in a dense RF environment, it was extremely important that other radio frequencies used in the immediate area were not compromised in any way. Discreet and small in appearance to meet exacting architectural and aesthetic standards, each antenna provides coverage of specific elements within the structure.

All three antennas feature dual slant ±45° polarisation and dual frequency, 2.40 to 2.50GHz and 5.15 to 5.85GHz in order to aid future-proofing of communication system installations.

Low Profile Antenna, Model DLPA6-2.5-5.5DS/1314
This directional antenna measures 55mm by 162mm diameter, weighs 500 grams and has four flying leads with N(M) connectors for convenient mounting in relation to the access point. It is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. Gain is 6dBi, VSWR 2:1 and half power beamwidth 60ºx 60º.

Omni Antenna, Model DSO3-24-54/1177
This omni-directional antenna measures 93mm by 100mm diameter, weighs 230 grams, has four SMA(F) connectors and a flange for ceiling mounting for improved RF performance against access point integrated antennas. Gain is 3dBi and VSWR 2:1.

Low Profile Antenna, Model DLPA6-2.5-5.5DS/1315
This low profile directional antenna measures 37mm by 132mm diameter, weighs 300 grams, has four SMA(F) connectors and can be flush mounted for minimal visibility. It improves access point performance. Gain is 7dBi, VSWR 1.5:1 and half power beamwidth is 60º x 60º.

Airspan Networks Choose European Antennas’ Base Station Antennas for BCL, New Zealand, Extend Wireless Broadband Network
BCL (Broadcast Communications Limited) is an experienced wireless solutions provider in the New Zealand communications industry. The BCL Extend wireless broadband network provides services to rural and provincial users, meeting the challenges posed by New Zealand’s widespread population and mountainous terrain.

BCL worked with Airspan Networks, a leading provider of wireless DSL systems, to provide the broadband access technology. Their technology is based on a patented design that delivers a robust and reliable service.

European Antennas supplied the 60°, 90° and 120° sector antennas to Airspan for the BCL system. The base station antennas are a key component within the Airspan Networks system, ensuring that frequency re-use is optimized throughout the network.

The slim panel 60° sector antenna has 17dBi gain, vertical polarization and weighs 2.4kg (5lbs). The 90° sector has 15dBi gain, whilst the 120° sector has 14dBi gain. Meeting radiation pattern requirements within the 2.0 to 2.3GHz frequency band, all designs are based around phased-array technology for slim, neat antennas that are rugged, reliable and ideal for environmentally sensitive areas. Elevation beamwidth of approximately 7°, when combined with electrical down-tilt, mechanical elevation adjustment and null-fill, provide short to long range coverage.

Information About European Antennas
European Antennas Ltd specialise in the development, design and manufacture of accurate, high specification antennas within the range 250MHz to 40GHz that are used worldwide by defence, satellite, security and commercial applications. Individual antenna development projects are undertaken. Based in the UK, European Antennas Ltd is part of the Cobham Defence Electronic Systems.

Information About Cobham plc
Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The company has four divisions employing more than 10,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries, and annual revenues of more than £1bn (1.9 billion US dollars).

European Antennas
www.european-antennas.co.uk
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