Ultra-small surface-mount GPS antenna announced

Pulse, a Technitrol Company, has introduced the W3011 surface-mount ceramic GPS antenna, which the company claims is the industry's smallest and highest-performing antenna in its size category.

The W3011 measures 3.2 x 1.6 x 1.1 mm (WxLxH), and weighs only 0.033 grams, but it offers an efficiency of 80% over an operating temperature range of -40° to +85°C. The ground clearance area is 4 x 4.25 mm, which makes the device suitable for mobile phones, navigation systems, small portable GPS receivers such as PDAs and PNDs, and surveillance, timing, and other devices that need to access satellite GPS signals.

The antenna can handle frequencies of 1575.42 ±10 MHz. It uses linear polarization and is immune to the detuning effect caused by a user's hand or body. The return loss is 12 decibels (dB) or better at the band edges. The antennas presents an impedance of 50 ohms, unbalanced. Although small, the footprint is designed using standard SMD-compatible mechanics in order to comply with electrical and mechanical installation requirements.

The W3011 is RoHS compliant and compatible with lead-free surface-mount processes. All products are field tested to ensure quality and reliability. The antenna is available in tape-and-reel format.