14 DAY TRIAL // Fractus, a developer of fractal antenna technology, has launched a family of internal passive DVB-H antennas that enable handsets far smaller than current DVB-H devices.
The move toward implementing DVB-H in mobile handsets brings a new set of challenges for RF designers and handset manufacturers. DVB-H operates on a lower frequency than traditional cellular systems - 470MHz-862MHz - as well as utilizing a broader bandwidth. It therefore requires a much larger antenna than is used for either 3G (1900-2025MHz & 2110- 2200MHz) or GSM (890-915MHz & 1710-1785MHz) systems.
The first generation of DVB-H handsets is far larger than non-DVB-H models. Operators continue to demand improved functionality without compromising on the form factor, however handset manufacturers must implement innovative antenna design technologies to create a smaller, second generation of DVB-H handsets and become more competitive in this newly created market.
Fractus has applied its expertise in developing specialized, low-profile internal passive antennas for handset manufacturers such as Samsung, Sagem and other OEMs worldwide to create the new range of passive DVB-H antennas. Fractus is also working closely with OEMs and ODMs to manage interferences that result from the coupling of DVB-H and cellular antennas to achieve optimal device performance.
"DVB-H is changing the way handsets are designed and built, after all, nobody wants to pay a premium for a new service if they struggle with a large archaic looking device," said Josep Puig, Director Mobile Handset Antennas, at Fractus. "Fractus enables OEMs and ODMs to reconcile ever greater consumer demand for multimedia functionality and connectivity in a handset that is increasingly small and fashionable."
Fractus has developed different DVB-H demonstrators for varying handset form factors as antennas operate differently in separate usage scenarios. Fractus' DVB-H demonstrators include a clamshell phone (95 x 45mm) with an 8x35x7mm antenna and a candy bar phone (100x45mm) with a 10x43x7mm antenna.