Nov 27 2013
PCTEL, Inc., a leader in simplifying wireless and site solutions for private and public networks, announced today the release of two new dual-band WiFi antennas designed to provide outstanding performance for critical wireless communications.
These innovative, low-profile antennas can be mounted on any surface, making them convenient for a variety of industrial wireless, fleet management, healthcare, and other wireless networking applications.
Process automation and other industrial wireless applications require reliable communications between sensors and wireless access points to ensure proper functioning of the system. Reliable dual-band performance is essential to keep data flowing, and antennas must also be designed to fit into tight spaces. Since most sensor housings and access point enclosures are made of plastic or fiberglass materials, only a true dipole no ground plane design will provide consistent performance. This design requirement also applies to access points deployed in other industries, as well as use on other non-metallic surfaces such as medical carts and the roofs of some vehicles.
PCTEL has engineered the WLP2458NGP and BMHOD2458IP dual band antennas for consistent performance in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands under a wide variety of mounting conditions. They are compatible with SISO and MIMO systems, including those that meet 802.11a, ac, b, e, g, and n WiFi and 802.15.4 industrial wireless standards. Using PCTEL’s advanced test environment that includes anechoic chambers and network analyzers, both antennas were tested while mounted on both conductive and non-conductive materials, including actual chassis of some of the radios on which they will be used in the field. Under all conditions, the antennas maintained excellent performance in both frequency bands.
Both antennas come in compact designs with IP67 rating for protection from dust and water. The WLP2458NGP fixed mount antenna is only 6 cm tall. Its bulkhead mount provides security from unauthorized removal. The BMHODB2458IP is 7.75 cm tall and comes in a slender, rugged housing with a Type-N Male connector. It can be easily mounted on radio equipment and other enclosures.
"These products fill a substantial need in the market for a compact dual-band WiFi antenna with ubiquitous mounting capability," said Jeff Miller, President of PCTEL Connected Solutions. "PCTEL is committed to providing solutions that industrial wireless and other customers can count on when it matters,” added Miller.
Source: http://www.pctel.com/