Multi-Band Antennas for IoT on the Go — New White Paper

Massive machine type communications (mMTC) along with enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) represent the three pillars of the 5G initiative defined by the 3 GPP.  One goal of 5G mMTC is to provide scalable connectivity for the massive number of stationary and mobile IoT devices. The devices themselves support various sensing and actuation functionality through wireless connectivity to the cloud.  

Since these remote devices are battery-constrained in order to support years of field operations without servicing, the RF front-end electronics must be energy efficient. To share data to the network, mMTC is uplink-centric with relatively low data rates, optimized for small packets (down to a few bytes) delivered in response to sporadic user (event-driven) activity or scheduled transmissions. In addition, RF designers need to focus on maximizing antenna efficiency (a measure of power radiated by the antenna relative to the (RF) supply power). Impedance matching between the transmitter and the antenna terminal is critical to ensuring maximum antenna efficiency.  Less reflected power translates into less power required from the front-end amplifier, thereby reducing DC consumption.

 A recent white paper from Cadence discusses the need for multi-band impedance matching to improve antenna efficiency for a commercial Cellular IoT module operating between 700 and 2200MHz, which is addressed through a switched impedance-matching bank and broadband antenna booster from Fractus Antenna.

Read "Multiband Active Antenna Tuner for Cellular IoT Applications" white paper