WASHINGTON, D.C. -- NAB FASTROAD today announced the release of two reports on the development of improved VHF and UHF frequency band antennas to support reception of broadcast radio and mobile DTV signals in handheld devices. These FASTROAD-funded projects were undertaken to help accelerate the proliferation of radio and mobile DTV receivers in cell phones, which can benefit greatly from the use of embedded antenna solutions.
The reports released today present the results of separate antenna development efforts conducted by Ethertronics, an antenna systems company based in San Diego, CA, and The Technology Partnership (TTP), a technology development company based in the UK. Each company has developed new antenna solutions to operate over low- and high-VHF and UHF TV band frequencies as well as the VHF frequencies which comprise the FM radio band. This broad frequency range requirement, combined with the small size and power constraints of cell phones, presented a significant challenge for design and implementation of small antenna systems.
New, embedded antenna designs, such as those developed under these FASTROAD projects, offer a much more attractive antenna solution to handheld device manufacturers than the headset cords or fragile, telescoping "monopoles" currently in use. NAB and the antenna development partners encourage the use of these new designs by cellular handset and other portable device manufacturers for new radio and ATSC mobile DTV receiver products.
The full text of the TTP report, "Broadcast Antennas for Handsets: Final Report - Executive Summary," and the Ethertronics report, "Embedded FM/TV Antenna System - Final Report," and information on the NAB FASTROAD technology advocacy program are available at www.NABFASTROAD.org. Inquiries on use of this technology in new products is encouraged - please contact NAB Science & Technology Senior Director, Advanced Engineering David Layer at dlayer@nab.org.
About NAB FASTROAD
NAB FASTROAD (Flexible Advanced Services for Television & Radio On All Devices) is the technology advocacy program of the National Association of Broadcasters. The overall mission of the FASTROAD program is to seek and facilitate development and commercialization of new technologies that can be exploited by broadcasters using radio and television broadcast spectrum.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
About Ethertronics
Ethertronics designs and manufactures high-performance embedded antenna solutions for wideband and multi-band wireless devices. Ethertronics' leading-edge product lines, including Prestta metal, Savvi ceramic, and Tavvel active antennas support a wide range of applications including cellular, UMTS, WiFi, LTE, WiMAX, Bluetooth, GPS, FM, MediaFLO, CMMB and DVB-H/T, among others. The company's patented Isolated Magnetic Dipole (IMD) technology enables smaller size, design implementation flexibility, shortened design cycle and higher overall performance, while simultaneously meeting and improving upon standard safety emission requirements. Ethertronics' antennas have been selected by major customers worldwide garnering an installed base of over 250 million units. Ethertronics maintains a global network of design centers and low-cost, high-volume manufacturing operations. For more information, visit www.ethertronics.com.
About TTP
The Technology Partnership plc (TTP) is a technology and product development company. TTP works closely with its clients to bring new products to market and creates new business opportunities from advances in technology across a broad range of market sectors. TTP has extensive experience in developing portable and mobile digital broadcast receiver products and technologies. It is now established as a world leader in providing solutions in the dynamic, growing global market for digital broadcast TV, radio and multimedia services delivered to mobile devices. In wireless and multimedia TTP works in a broad range of technologies, providing consultancy, development services and licensable designs, including: digital broadcasting (radio and multimedia), IPTV, interactive mobile applications, cellular, VHF and UHF communications, standardized and proprietary short-range communications, development of systems, terminal hardware and software, and antennas. For more information visit www.ttp.com.
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