Siretta 7dBi Low Profile Antennas in IoT Instructions

: June 15, 2024
: Siretta

Table of Contents

Siretta 7dBi Low Profile Antennas in IoT
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Low Profile Antennas in IoT Applications
Mounting of the antenna
Cable length considerations
Ensuring a waterproof fit
CONTACT
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Siretta 7dBi Low Profile Antennas in IoT

Product Information

Specifications

Product Name: Low Profile Antenna
Application: Wireless IoT
Mounting Type: Screw threaded bolt
Cable Retention: RF cable
Waterproof: Yes

Product Usage Instructions

Mounting of the Antenna

Most low-profile antennas for wireless IoT and telemetry applications have a screw-threaded bolt through which the RF cable is retained. When mounting the antenna, follow these steps:

Select a suitable mounting surface.
Ensure that the thickness of the mounting surface is compatible with the through-hole section of the antenna.
If using fibreglass or plastic mounting surfaces, check if the through-hole section is long enough to allow the mounting nut and washer to connect to the screw thread.
Tighten the screw-threaded bolt to securely attach the antenna to the mounting surface.

Cable Length Considerations

When installing the low-profile antenna, consider the length of the RF cable to ensure optimal performance. Follow these guidelines:

Avoid excessively long RF cables as they can cause signal loss.
If required, use high-quality RF cables that are suitable for your specific application.
Ensure that the RF cable is properly connected to the antenna and the device it is being used with.

Ensuring a Waterproof Fit

To prevent moisture ingress and ensure a waterproof fit, follow these recommendations:

Apply an adhesive and/or rubber gasket between the antenna and the mounting surface.
This is particularly important for outdoor and mobile environments, especially when the antenna is used at high speeds.
Regularly inspect the waterproofing measures to ensure they remain intact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is a low-profile antenna?
A: A low-profile antenna is a type of antenna designed for wireless IoT and telemetry applications. It has a compact design and is often mounted with a screw-threaded bolt to ensure a discreet installation.
Q: How can I ensure maximum efficiency when using a low-profile antenna?
A: To ensure maximum efficiency, select a suitable mounting surface, consider cable length, and ensure a waterproof fit as described in the product usage instructions above.
Q: Can I use the low-profile antenna in a mobile environment?
A: Yes, the low-profile antenna can be used in mobile environments. However, it is important to ensure a tight and waterproof fit to prevent moisture ingress while travelling at high speeds.
Q: What should I do if the mounting hole on my surface is not long enough for the antenna?
A: If the mounting hole is not long enough, consider using a different mounting surface or consult with the manufacturer for alternative mounting options.

Low Profile Antennas in IoT Applications

With the continued expansion of wireless-enabled equipment being used in everyday life, occasionally there will be cases where the installation is required in a public area or heavy-use environment.
There are several points to be aware of when selecting this type of antenna to ensure that the equipment is being used with maximum efficiency.

What is a low-profile antenna?
A low profile antenna is designed for discrete installations so that it doesn’t look like a traditional whip or stubby style antenna and is fixed very closely to what it is mounted to. The low profile design is inconspicuous to avoid attention and offers an alternative for many IoT applications that require a wireless device to transmit a signal that is vertically polarised. As low-profile antennas are relatively flat the radiating element is mounted in a horizontal plane and as a result, the direct performance will be slightly affected. As such the low-profile antennas are designed to use the mounting point as an extended ground plane to improve signal performance and remain hidden.

Mounting of the antenna

If the antenna can be mounted vertically, this helps improve the system performance but be mindful of the mounting surface. There are many groundplane-dependent and groundplane-independent products available from Siretta. Low-profile antennas with a steel base are generally ground-plane independent whilst others that have a PCB element encased in plastic housing are groundplane dependent. This will affect the radiating performance of the antenna and therefore care should be taken to use the correct type of antenna for the mounting surface as the radiation pattern when transmitting will be offset, affecting the transmission range.
Most low-profile antennas for wireless IoT and telemetry applications have a screw-threaded bolt through which the RF cable is retained. This means that no external cable is visible once the installation has taken place. Different mounting surfaces have different thicknesses and in the case of fibreglass or plastic mounting surfaces, consideration needs to be given to check whether the through-hole section will be long enough to allow the mounting nut and washer to connect to the screw thread.

Cable length considerations

Low-profile antennas tend to use a ¼ wavelength tuned dipole within a low- height plastic enclosure. As with all antennas, the smaller the antenna used in the design, the more susceptible it will be to detuning and its performance be affected. This situation is made worse by the use of long cable runs. It is worthwhile keeping the cable run as short as possible to minimise RF loss over the length of the cable. However, if this cannot be avoided, it is worth considering a low-loss RF cable and in the case of cellular communication, changing from a high-frequency network band to a lower-frequency network band will greatly improve signal performance.

Ensuring a waterproof fit

When using a low-profile antenna it is possible to ensure a very tight fit to the mounting surface. In outdoor and mobile environments it is important to ensure that moisture does not get through the mounting hole and into the enclosure. Water ingress can be prevented or largely reduced by using an adhesive and/or rubber gasket between the antenna and the mounting surface. This is particularly important if the antenna is used in a mobile environment and is travelling at high speed.