Original Perspectives can provide a comprehensive service in Antenna Design, understanding the issues when the electromagnetic spectrum is increasingly in demand with an explosion of wireless and communication devices, where requirements are becoming increasingly stringent with specialist applications frequently demanding virtually instantaneous access, maximum range coverage and optimum use of the frequency spectrum to suit the applications. Designers are faced with the challenge of fixed and mobile communications, where the site and any other close proximity antennas can have a drastic effect on the radiation pattern and performance of the antenna to be located. In turn, through unwanted mutual coupling, the ‘new’ antenna can strongly affect an existing installation.
OPL has significant experience in designing specialised antennas. The nature of the work demands that major considerations are given to predicting, measuring and optimising antenna performance to suit specific applications. OPL design approach embraces the nature of the antenna site and the form and dielectric constants of materials covering the antennas (particularly for discrete antennas in mobile applications) and the weight constraints of the system. Whether this is a smart card antenna located in a computer, a vehicle mounted suite of antennas or land based systems, the physical operating environment (frequently harsh), the electromagnetic environment, operational and sizing constraints and the essential performance characteristics are generally peculiar to each application. The team has designed for a range of these including:
Lightweight streamlined antennas for motor sport applications (F1 and Indy Car). OPL are currently working on a range of novel antennas that will allow enhanced communication.
Very wide broad band (over 7 octaves) omnidirectional antennas such as the OPL0110 broadband antenna, the OPLLP series that are low profile for applications that require surface mounting and high gain directional antennas, that can also be combined into a composite system. OPL is very highly skilled in designing and providing antenna and related communications systems against a known requirement as well as assessing and designing complex installations.
RFID antennas for location in IT equipment.
It should be noted that different types of antenna are applicable to different scenarios depending on the customer requirement. For example broadband antennas can be used to reduce the number of different antennas provided in complex installations, they also have the advantage of allowing shorter pulse transmission with less distortion (short pulses in time have a broad frequency range). Omnidirectional antennas have the ability to receive or transmit in a wide range of directions (although the definition of omnidirectionality is often adjusted as true omnidirectionality is rather elusive). High gain antennas increase the amount of signal reaching its destination but this can only be done for one direction at a time. It is possible to combine some features in antennas such as omnidirectionality and broadband or high gain and broadband but others are in broad terms mutually exclusive such as omnidirectional and high gain (although there are some specialist trade offs that can be carried out here given the right circumstances). OPL can provide systems that alter performance depending on conditions set.
There are many other parameters such as polarisation that give advantages or disadvantages in particular scenarios. It is therefore important to understand the customer requirement. OPL can look at the complete customer requirement and provide solutions or alternatively they are happy to provide individual antennas (and components) specified by the customer.
OPL are happy to look at providing antennas that have challenging design requirements.
Modelling prediction skills and extensive formal measurement and trials experience are essential to undertake this work. The Original Perspectives team includes engineers with many years of experience in developing, enhancing and operating major UK antenna modelling and test facilities. Currently the team is involved with major UK projects involving modelling of multiple antenna installations in harsh environments on one level and the design of optical isolators on another. The team has also studied the validity of a range of techniques including computer modelling, scale copper modelling and full-scale measurements. Correlation of these different techniques can be undertaken.
