The antenna can be used for mobile handsets, wearable trackers, and personal safety devices.
Measuring 37mm long by 13.5mm, the HXDC1600 antenna family is said to be the smallest available antenna that meets the Iridium satellite data network’s voice and short-burst data (SBD) requirements.
Using Helix’s proprietary Dielectrix technology, the Iridium antenna will enable satellite phones to be built at close to the size and cost of a normal cellular mobile phone.
Helix’s DielectriX technology utilises a rugged high dielectric constant material at its heart with multiple helical filaments on its surface to make a self-filtering resonant antenna that is immune to adjacent-band interference, electrical and common-mode noise.
Key capabilities of the antennas are their ability to discriminate true satellite signals from multi-path signals, interference and jamming, delivering high performance in a compact and rugged form factor.
As well as being suitable for handset and wearable applications they are also suitable for mounting on vehicles, marine craft and aircraft, and for critical infrastructure applications where it is integrated into computer systems.
However, the antennas are not only suitable for satellite voice and data communications that are intended to maintain communications in remote areas or places where cellular communications are unviable, but will also help to open up new capabilities for the application of IoT.
James Lewis, CEO of Helix commented, “Right now IoT is driving increased demand for short burst data over the Iridium satellite network, with applications including logistics and asset tracking, and monitoring of critical infrastructure and transportation links. There is also a healthy defence and security market for our products”.
Samples of the antennas are now available.
