M2m Antennas: Groundplane Guidelines For Optimum Performance
The use of wireless for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications is expanding rapidly
. M2M Wireless solutions are being installed in a growing range of mobile and device settings: ATM Machines, Smart Grid and Utility Meters, Commercial and Mass-transit Vehicles, Vending Machines, and Agricultural and Mining Sensors.
M2M Antennas are an important and often overlooked link in this type of wireless network. The purpose of this white paper is to provide some guidelines and suggestions on ways to ensure a proper groundplane to ensure optimum performance. Mobile Mark M2M antennas will be used as the examples.
Device antennas are typically designed as quarterwave or halfwave. As a rule of thumb, quarterwave antennas require a groundplane but halfwave antennas are groundplane independent and do not need a groundplane to operate. However, most M2M antennas show improved performance with a larger groundplane.
Mobile Mark offers several antenna styles that can be used as M2M antennas. These antennas have been configured for different frequency ranges, the most common being Cellular at 850 & 1900 MHz, WiFi at 2.4 GHz.
RM, LMW and SMW Surface Mount Series: The RM and SMW Series M2M antennas are based on wideband one quarter-wave elements. For the lower frequencies, 694 to 1200 MHz, additional ground planes are required for the antenna to meet its specifications.
Since the antennas are one quarter-wave based designs, the ground plane we recommend is 12 inch by 12 inch; this is what we use to verify our M2M antennas performance. When mounted on the metal surfaces of a vehicle the ground plane requirements are easily met. However in some cases vehicle will have a non-metallic surface, such as fiberglass, where the antenna is to be mounted. In these cases we recommend the use of aluminum flashing tape on the underside of the fiberglass surface. The tape can be installed in an X shape with the mounting stud of the antenna in the center of the X. The mounting stud/nut must contact the tape.
In telemetry applications it is common for the M2M antenna to be mounted to a metal equipment cabinet. The metal surfaces of the cabinet with fulfill the grounding requirements. In many telemetry applications the use of non-metallic enclosures are becoming more common. Since they are typically fiberglass or plastic they will not provide the necessary grounding for the antenna. In these cases an application of aluminum tape to the inside of the cabinet or possibly a custom metal plate can be fabricated to allow the antenna to function properly. When using these M2M antennas with a pole mount the mounting brackets and hardware provide an adequate ground.
For 1700 to 6000 MHz applications the metal included in the antenna assembly usually provide an adequate ground plane. Of course, as with any antenna, the larger the groundplane the better.
DM, MRM and SMD Surface Mount Series: For the most part these M2M antennas have enough metal to provide adequate grounding as part of their assembly because they are designed to operate on frequencies above 2.0 GHz. As with all of our mobile antennas, we test and characterize these higher frequency M2M Antennas mounted to our standard 12 inch by 12 inch ground plane but they will meet their specifications without it.
SM (Low Profile Surface Mount) Series: The SM Series M2M Antennas in the 800 and 900 MHz ranges require a good ground plane. The ground plane we recommend is 12 inch by 12 inch; this is what we use to verify our antennas performance. When mounted on the metal surfaces of a vehicle the ground plane requirements are easily met. However in many cases vehicle will have a non-metallic surface, like fiberglass, where the antenna is to be mounted. In these cases we recommend the use of aluminum flashing tape on the underside of the fiberglass surface. The tape can be installed in an X shape with the mounting stud of the antenna in the center of the X. The mounting stud/nut must contact the tape. There is no pole mount available for the SM antennas in this frequency range.
The SM Series M2M antennas used from 1700 MHz and above have enough internal metal to act as their own ground plane. Of course, as with any antenna, the larger the groundplane the better.
In telemetry applications it is common for the antenna to be mounted to a metal equipment cabinet. The metal surfaces of the cabinet with fulfill the grounding requirements. In many telemetry applications the use of non-metallic enclosures are becoming more common. Since they are typically fiberglass or plastic they will not provide the necessary grounding for the antenna. In these cases an application of aluminum tape to the inside of the cabinet or possibly a custom metal plate can be fabricated to allow the antenna to function properly.
About Mobile Mark, Inc.:
Mobile Mark, Inc. designs and manufactures site, mobile and device antenna for 600 MHz 9 GHz. Applications include GPS Tracking & Fleet Management, Cellular GSM/CDMA, LTE, WiMAX, WiFi, RFID, Public Safety, Military and Machine-to-Machine (M2M). Engineering and custom design services available. Mobile Marks global headquarters, which include research facilities and manufacturing plant, are located near Chicago, IL. An additional manufacturing and sales facility is located near Birmingham, UK. RFID Antenna Designs by Mobile Mark are used by manufacturers and installer throughout the US and Europe. Complete information on the variety of M2M Antennas can be found on the Mobile Mark website.
by: Mobile Mark
Cheapest And Discounted Airfare By Yatra Get Cheapest Airfare By Making Bookings In Yatra Fights Flight Timings Have An Impact On Airticket Price Catch Flights To Goa And Explore The Europe Of Orient The Huge Convenience Of Airport Hotels Balloon Flights Across Cambridgeshire Seattle Airport Civilian Mig Flight Adventures: Taking First Steps To Real Jet Experiences Gatwick Airport- getting you from A to B Cheap Australia Flights- Booking Flights Is Budget-Soothing Now Cheap Tenerife Flights: The Cheap Flights Are Good To Cut Cost Demon of Flight simulators in today's world Board To Safer & Cheaper Flights To Bangkok