Antenna Enables Utility Network Modernization

Aug. 24, 2021

Dual-band 900-MHz and 3.5-GHz antenna fuels digital transformation for critical utility infrastructure.

Utilities looking to modernize and digitize their communications infrastructures might look at the AW3874 dual-band antenna from Alpha Wireless. The antenna, which supports both 900 MHz and 3.5 GHz/Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum, provides a smooth upgrade path to smarter, more secure network infrastructure and optimal operational efficiency.

With cyber-attacks, vandalism, and severe weather all on the upswing, it’s been important for utilities to upgrade critical communications infrastructure for more modernized operations. Secure, private LTE broadband connectivity delivered with fixed wireless technology provides a reliable and effective method to upgrade device security, improve real-time monitoring, enable active control of energy distribution systems, and collect business-critical data from automated meter-reading (AMR) systems and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

With an ultra-compact, high-efficiency design using Alpha’s frequency-transparent dipole technology (FTDT), the AW3874 reliably delivers single-band-like performance from a multi-band antenna in a compact form factor. The antenna’s small footprint reduces wind load, as well as saving on site lease, installation, equipment, and maintenance costs, without sacrificing performance or signal quality.

"Alpha Wireless brings deployment expertise and the performance of carrier-grade antennas to utilities to help them upgrade toward smarter and more secure infrastructure,” said Tim Sill, Alpha's Vice President of Technology and Business Development. In addition to the AW3874 antenna, Alpha offers a broad portfolio of dual- and single-band antenna solutions designed to allow utilities to leverage the latest communications technologies.

About the Author

David Maliniak | Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF

I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.