Antennas with their feed, matching network and connector for cellular, Wi-Fi and IoT equipment · Frequency bands, efficiency and peak gain, VSWR and return loss, 50 Ω matching, polarisation and pattern, external, terminal and embedded flex antennas, installed performance and environmental ratings
An antenna system is the radiating element together with what connects it to the radio — the feed line or coaxial cable, the impedance-matching network and the connector — chosen so that the transmitter's power is radiated, and incoming signals captured, in the bands and directions the product uses. Ask three things first: which frequency bands, standards and peak-gain limits the radio module sets, where and how the antenna will be mounted (outdoor pole, device terminal, inside a housing) and what surrounds it, and what match, efficiency and environmental ratings must be proved in the installed position.
Antennas and their feeds, matching networks and connectors for cellular (2G–5G), Wi-Fi, ISM and IoT equipment: outdoor omnidirectional antennas, terminal-mount dipoles, embedded flex and PCB antennas, and simple arrays built from them. GNSS receiver antennas (see GPS / GNSS receiver antenna), satellite and radar antenna subsystems with deployment mechanisms, RFID reader heads and base-station sector antennas are outside this page except where compared.
01
Taoglas's OMB.6912.03F21 is an outdoor omnidirectional antenna for 4G routers and modules: a vertically polarised collinear dipole array in a white fibreglass radome covering 698–960 MHz and 1710–2700 MHz with 4.5 dBi peak gain, 50 Ω impedance, 150 W maximum input power, 360° horizontal beamwidth and vertical beamwidths of 59° (698–960 MHz) and 37° (1710–2170 MHz). It is 320 mm long and 150 g, has a copper internal element, an N-type female connector, IP65 sealing, a UL 94 HB flammability rating, wind resistance above 241 km/h, and pole or wall mounting with stainless-steel hardware. [1]
At the device end, Taoglas's GW.71.5153 is a hinged terminal-mount dipole with an RP-SMA (male) connector for 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (2400–2500 and 5150–5850 MHz), 50 Ω, linear polarisation and omnidirectional pattern, 2 W maximum input, Ø12.8 × 194 mm, TPU body, rated −40 to 85 °C. Its data show how mounting changes performance: in the 2.4 GHz band, the antenna bent in free space gives 77.6% efficiency and 3.10 dBi peak gain, but bent on a 15 × 9 cm ground plane gives 74.4% and 2.38 dBi. [2]
For antennas inside a housing, the FXUB63.07.0150C is a 96 × 21 × 0.2 mm flexible polymer antenna covering 600–6,000 MHz with a 150 mm, 1.37 mm mini-coax cable and I-PEX MHF I connector, stuck to plastic or glass by adhesive. Its listed efficiency ranges from 24.6% (698–806 MHz) to 74.3% (2300–2690 MHz), with peak gain from −0.32 to 6.22 dBi across bands, 5 W maximum input and −40 to 85 °C operation. [3]
Taoglas notes that radio-module makers set peak-gain limits measured in free space, that peak gain can fall by at least 1–2 dBi once an antenna is inside a device, and that it can test the antenna in the customer's device and issue a report showing compliance with the module's limits. [2]
Give the supplier the radio module and its antenna requirements (bands, peak-gain limit, impedance, connector), the regions and certifications, mounting (outdoor pole or wall, device terminal, embedded on plastic or glass), the space available and what metal is near it, cable length and type, polarisation and pattern needed, maximum power, IP and temperature ratings, and quantities.
02
Texas Instruments' antenna selection guide (AN058) explains that maximum power reaches the antenna when the line impedance is the complex conjugate of the antenna impedance; the mismatch is expressed as the reflection coefficient, VSWR and return loss. It treats VSWR 1.5 (return loss 14 dB) as a good match, says the matching network should be reviewed when VSWR is above 2.0 (9.5 dB), and uses VSWR 2.0 as the acceptance level that defines antenna bandwidth; it recommends designing in a pi-matching network, which can be populated with a zero-ohm resistor or DC-block capacitor if the antenna is already matched. [4]
The same note explains that a quarter-wave monopole uses the ground plane as its second half, so its performance depends on the ground size, and that data-sheet matching values for chip antennas are based on a given board and change with a different ground-plane size or shape; it gives a quarter wavelength of 3.1 cm at 2.4 GHz and 8.2 cm at 915 MHz. [4]
Taoglas advises mounting its flex antenna at least 10 mm from metal components or surfaces, ideally 20 mm, for best radiation efficiency. [3]
Editorial calculation: the reflected power fraction is |Γ|², with |Γ| = (VSWR − 1)/(VSWR + 1). At VSWR 1.5, |Γ| = 0.2 and 4% of the power is reflected (mismatch loss about 0.18 dB); at VSWR 2.0, |Γ| ≈ 0.33 and about 11% is reflected (about 0.51 dB). Compare this with the efficiency figures above — a 25% efficient band loses about 6 dB — to see which term limits the link. [4] [3]
03
The company below lists antenna system integration among its contract assembly services. Its published pages show what it offers, not tested performance.
04
This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's design.
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Radiating element | Converts guided power to radiated waves. [1] [2] [3] | Type, bands, gain, polarisation. |
| Ground plane | Acts as the second half of a monopole. [4] | Size and shape in the product. |
| Matching network | Brings the impedance to 50 Ω. [4] | Pi network footprint and values. |
| Feed cable | Carries RF between radio and antenna. [3] | Coax type, length, loss. |
| Connector | Joins the antenna to the radio or cable. [1] [2] [3] | N, RP-SMA, U.FL-type. |
| Radome or body | Protects the element. [1] [2] | Material, IP rating, UV resistance. |
| Mounting | Holds position and orientation. [1] [3] | Bracket, hinge or adhesive. |
05
An antenna quotation needs values for your radio and installation. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency range | 698–960/1710–2700 MHz; 2.4/5 GHz; 600–6,000 MHz. [1] [2] [3] | Bands covered with data. |
| Gain (dBi) | 4.5 dBi peak outdoor omni; −0.32 to 6.22 dBi by band on one flex antenna. [1] [3] | Peak gain and efficiency in your device. |
| VSWR | 1.5 good; above 2.0 review the match. [4] | VSWR or return loss across band. |
| Impedance (Ω) | 50 Ω. [1] [2] [3] | Impedance and matching values. |
| Polarization | Vertical linear (omni); linear (dipole, flex). [1] [2] [3] | Polarisation and pattern. |
| Operating temperature (°C) | −40 to 85 °C for a dipole and a flex antenna. [2] [3] | Rated range. |
| Ingress protection | IP65 outdoor omni. [1] | IP rating and UV resistance. |
| Connector type | N-type female; RP-SMA (M); I-PEX MHF I. [1] [2] [3] | Connector and cable. |
| Material | Fibreglass radome; TPU; flexible polymer. [1] [2] [3] | Radome or body material. |
| Weight (kg) | 150 g outdoor omni; 24.6 g dipole. [1] [2] | Weight with bracket. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 320 mm long; Ø12.8 × 194 mm; 96 × 21 × 0.2 mm. [1] [2] [3] | Envelope and clearances. |
06
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Radio: [module; bands; standards; peak-gain limit; power] Antenna: [type; polarisation; pattern; connector] Installation: [outdoor or device; ground plane; nearby metal; cable length] Match and test: [VSWR or return loss limit; efficiency; test in device] Environment: [IP; temperature; UV; wind] Supply: [certification; quantity; samples]
The company below lists antenna system integration among its contract assembly services.
Lists antenna system integration under telecom and network assembly, among contract product assembly services.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
TI's AN058 treats VSWR 1.5 (14 dB return loss) as a good match and says the matching should be reviewed above 2.0 (9.5 dB). [4]
The ground plane, nearby components and housing change it; Taoglas reports peak gain can fall by at least 1–2 dBi inside a device, and its flex antenna should sit 10–20 mm from metal. [2] [3]
Yes, TI recommends a pi-matching network footprint so the antenna can always be matched; if no correction is needed it takes a zero-ohm resistor or DC-block capacitor. [4]
Sources checked 2026-10-11. The Taoglas data sheets describe one maker's antennas and TI's AN058 one chip maker's guidance on matching; band coverage, gain and efficiency for your product must be measured in the installed position by the supplier offered.
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