Mobile devices continue to integrate more functions and antenna developer Antenova Ltd. has developed its answer to the antenna requirements for these handsets: a patent-pending, nine-band switchable magnetic dipole antenna (MDA). The firm's Agilis A10346 is designed to cover global dual-mode GSM/LTE plus Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and WiMAX in a single structure. According to Greg McCray, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Antenova, "With mobile operators starting to roll out LTE networks, there has been an increasing demand from device manufacturers for small embedded LTE antennas for mobile devices such as smart phones, portable navigation devices (PNDs), and portable media players (PMPs)."
The MDA measures 40 x 10 x 3 mm and employs a single capacitive feed with a three-PIN-diode switch to select operating bands. In total, it covers 700 to 750 MHz (LTE Low), DCS, PCS, UMTS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and LTE at 2.7 GHz in the first switch position, 750 to 800 MHz (LTE High), DCS, PCS, UMTS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and LTE at 2.7 GHz in the second position, and GSM850, GSM900, DCS, PCS, UMTS, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and LTE at 2.7 GHz in the third position, according to Dr. Devis Iellici, R&D Director of Antenova.