Passive antenna adds wireless 400 MHz to 8 GHz communications to IoT devices

Ignion introduces OMNIA mXTEND, a revolutionary triple-radio chip component that streamlines IoT antenna integration.
Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, 12th November 2024: Ignion, an innovative RF connectivity company based in Barcelona, unveils a unique three-port Virtual Antenna component to accommodate simultaneous cellular, GNSS, and Wi-Fi/BLE radios. Known as OMNIA mXTEND, this surface-mounted passive component transforms the ground plane of a printed circuit board (PCB) into a high-efficiency radiating element that covers a wide frequency range from 400 MHz to 8,000 MHz, allowing device manufacturers to select specific bands without the need for size adjustments.

Compared to using three separate antennas, OMNIA mXTEND offers additional flexibility, requiring only a single clearance area while delivering superior long-range connectivity performance across multiple frequencies, making it ideal for remote monitoring applications.

The innovative multi-block design minimizes radio coupling, improving overall performance, reducing the need for extensive matching networks, and simplifying certifications – a critical aspect for IoT devices where every dB matters.

Ignion’s latest innovation also represents a significant advancement in eco-friendly IoT solutions by reducing material consumption by up to four times and lowering manufacturing emissions compared to producing multiple antenna components. Engineered for high efficiency and low power consumption, OMNIA prolongs device lifespans, directly contributing to a reduced environmental CO2 footprint.

Evaluation board measurements demonstrate that an OMNIA mXTEND device achieves an average efficiency of over 55% from 790 MHz to 960 MHz (cellular), more than 75% in the 1,561 MHz – 1,606 MHz range (GNSS), and above 65% between 2,400 MHz and 2,500 MHz (Wi-Fi/BLE). Peak gains for these frequency ranges are 0.9 dBi, 4.0 dBi, and 3.5 dBi respectively, with corresponding maximum VSWR figures of 2.61:1, 1.5:1, and 2.0:1.

OMNIA mXTEND sets a new standard in multi-radio IoT design with its plug-and-play simplicity, reducing the need for complex RF adjustments and expediting time-to-market for multi-radio projects. Ideal for applications such as asset tracking, automotive telematics, smart metering, and industrial IoT, OMNIA enables seamless connectivity while promoting material efficiency – delivering both performance enhancements and sustainability benefits.

In developing OMNIA mXTEND, Ignion collaborated with Nuvathings to integrate this three-port antenna component into the HELIUS-TSL datalogger, a key device in smart farming applications. By supporting NB-IoT, LTE-M, GNSS, and Bluetooth connectivity, the datalogger enables real-time monitoring of critical soil metrics, including moisture, pH, and nutrient levels. This seamless multi-radio connectivity empowers farmers to optimize irrigation, manage soil quality, and enhance crop yields while minimizing water and fertilizer usage.