Shark fin antenna fits automobiles

Laird Technologies Inc. has launched its new "Shark Fin" style modular antenna assembly for automotive vehicles.

The new patented antenna offers high-performance SDARS, GPS, AMPS and PCS antenna coverage in one compact package. The base module has an ultralow profile design of only 16mm and is designed to fit multiple vehicle platforms with various roof curvatures.

The new modular antenna is a two-part assembly. The base antenna is installed on the car in the factory and houses both the SDARS and GPS patch antenna elements including the electronics' multiple LNA stages. The second part of the assembly, the "Shark Fin" style antenna radome, has an approximate height of 65mm and houses a combined AMPS and PCS antenna element.

The Shark Fin antenna is installed onto the base module once the vehicle has reached its final destination. The mating of the base module and Shark Fin is made easy with Laird's newly developed micro-latching mechanism, allowing the antenna to fit multiple car curvatures with only one base module. The module features a "0 gap" design after it is mated with the base module on the vehicle roof.

It is important that the Shark Fin is installed once the vehicle has reached its destination due to the restricted height range required for shipping automobiles. This height restriction allows vehicles to be tightly packed on railroad or trucking car carriers, saving money spent on transport costs.

In addition, the modular antenna assembly integrates high performance with appealing style according to customer specifications, reduces part number complexity for painted roof antennas in numerous vehicle models, and is available with matching paint for high-quality appearance.

"Our engineering team has pushed the boundaries of modern antenna technology with this new Shark Fin modular assembly," said Ralf Lindackers, Laird's global director of engineering, "and we are pleased with the numerous benefits provided to our global customers."

The Shark fin antennas currently appear on some 2009 model year automobiles and are easily adaptable for other vehicle platforms.