So far, my coverage this year of IoT solutions innovator Quectel has been manifold. (If you’d like to catch up, here is a great place to start.) Its lineup of products and services spans EVB kits, GNSS modules, automotive modules, satellite and LPWA modules, Wi-Fi modules, antennas, and 2G/3G, 4G LTE/4G LTE-A, and 5G modules.
Today, we’re focusing on a combo of two of those mentioned: 4G, 5G, and antennas.
That’s the crux of this news: Quectel has unveiled six brand-new antennas designed to provide robust connectivity for IoT devices. These new products cover a wide range of IoT use cases.
Below, I’ve provided a summary of their technical details, all of which gain Quectel’s comprehensive antenna design support; this includes the simulation, testing, and custom manufacturing to meet specific applications’ needs for IoT:
The Quectel YC0001CA is a 4G surface-mount design (SMD) antenna that’s optimized for LTE, LTE-M and NB-IoT networks. This low-profile antenna measures just 35.0 x 8.5 x 3.0mm, operates in the 700-960MHz and 1710-2700MHz band and is both RoHS and REACH compliant for use in sensitive environments. In addition, the antenna can be supplied on tape and reel for high-volume applications, and is compatible with all of Quectel’s 4G, 3G, 2G and LPWA IoT modules.
The Quectel YC0018CA is a 5G SMD antenna that covers 5G NR Sub-6GHz frequency bands. Depending on the ground plane, the antenna is designed to be mounted directly to the printed circuit board (PCB) using a conventional PCB reflow process. Measuring 40.0 x 7.0 x 3.0mm, the antenna operates between -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius and weighs 15g. The antenna, when used with other 5G antennas, can achieve multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) performance. Greater reliability, improved TCO, and other benefits come with this MIMO feature.
The Quectel YECN028AA is a 5G or NTN external antenna that supports 410-470MHz, 617-960MHz and 1425-6000MHz frequency bands. With dimensions of 225 x 54.5 x 13.0mm, the antenna is IP66, RoHS and REACH compliant; this means it has a wide applicability to use cases, particularly in more sensitive environments. It features a high efficiency and gain, and it offers omni-directional high-speed data transmission. For everything from access points to outdoor equipment, real-time monitoring and more, this antenna does the trick.
The Quectel YEMX223J1A is a 5G x 2 combo antenna. The ultra-wideband antenna box is also backwards compatible, supporting 2G and 3G networks as well as Cat-M and NB-IoT. Designed for pure ease-of-integration with connection via two cable lengths from 450-5000mm, custom installation is simplified. It measures 186.0 x 176.0 x 100.5mm, supports 410-470MHz, 617-960MHz, 1420-1520MHz, 1710-2690MHz, 3300-3800MHz and 4000-6000MHz frequency bands, and is IP67, RoHS and REACH compliant.
The Quectel YEMX425J1A is a 5G x 4 combo antenna. Similar to the previous antenna listed, it also offers backwards compatibility with 2G, 3G, Cat-M and NB-IoT. In terms of compatibility, it additionally works with Quectel’s RM520x Series of IoT modules. It is durable thanks to its enclosure, and it measures that measures 186.0 x 176.0 x 150mm. The combo antenna supports the 410-470MHz, 617-2690 MHZ and 3300-6000MHz frequency bands and is both RoHS and REACH compliant.
Lastly, the Quectel YSIS001AA metal spring antenna operates in the 412-427MHz band, the 433-435 MHz band, and the 450-470MHz band, the latter of which is compatible with LTE B31 plus EU433 applications. Measuring 29.0 x 7.0 x 7.90mm, this RoHS and REACH compliant antenna is easily mounted to the host device PCB using what is defined as the “conventional SMD reflow process,” offering high efficiency, to boot.
As stated, those details were technical. Certainly true. That said, the technical parts often carry important weight regarding compatibility, connectivity options, and for what each product can really do.
Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO of Quectel Wireless Solutions, had this to say:
“We’re delighted to further augment our comprehensive range of antennas with the addition of these new antennas and evaluation boards. Internet of Things applications increasingly demand high-performance antennas that meet their specific needs; whether that’s for competitive cost, access to specific network technologies in particular frequency bands, or for robust, safe characteristics such as IP ratings and RoHS and REACH compliance.”
“The expanded Quectel antenna range is sure to meet the needs of your device and deployment,” Muhrer added, “and is backed by our design support and deployment experience, alongside, of course, our widely deployed and comprehensive range of modules.”
Edited by
Greg Tavarez
