Addressing Connection Concerns with the Increased Use of Antennas

3/9/2023 11:26:58 AM

By now, you have probably heard of IoT (Internet of Things). IoT is the name given to smart devices that are able to transmit anonymous data over a wireless network using antennas. Wireless devices are a normal part of our day, and even mundane products can have a huge impact. Items such as wireless ear buds, smart watches, and even sensors used to monitor crops and weather conditions for agriculture are part of IoT.

The increase in wireless IoT applications has forced many component manufacturers to retool some commonly used parts, including antennas, to transmit signals and data. Some devices are able to use currently available antennas, but miniaturization of devices has decreased available PCB space. This change has led to innovation in antenna technology and support services.

Antennas in IoT

There are three general types of antennas used in IoT: wire antenna, PCB/trace antenna, and chip antenna. Each type has its pros and cons.

Common types of Antenna topologies in IoT:

Wire Antenna

Low cost

Easy design

Space constraints

PCB / Trace Antenna

High performance

Needs sometimes matching

Needs RF expertise

Chip Antenna

Small size

Easy to integrate

Needs usually matching

Multilayer Chip Antennas

Multilayer chip antennas, specifically, have been developed to address the decreased space on the PCB common in smaller IoT devices. Multilayer chip antennas having many benefits including:

Multilayer ceramic structure

High permittivity ceramic mix

Omni-directional radiation pattern

Easy to integrate

Low profile