Cellular Antenna

LTE networks are not uniformly available everywhere, often factors such as a high distance to the transmission mast or obstacles can affect the signal strength. By choosing a high-quality Cellular Antenna, you can improve the signal quality and benefit from a stable connection. Every application has different mounting requirements, so we offer many different antenna designs for indoor and outdoor use.

Magnetic Antenna WiFi 2.4 GHz rev. SMA
LTE450 Wall Antenna IP67 5m SMA
LTE450 Wall Antenna IP67 5m SMA
Magnetic Antenna 4G/3G/2G SMA
LTE450 Wall Antenna IP67 5m SMA
Magnetic Antenna WiFi 2.4 GHz rev. SMA

Please submit your inquiry to us!

The highlights of our Cellular Antenna:

  • Very good performance
  • Indoor & outdoor use
  • Versatile mounting types
  • High mechanical stability
  • 5G-ready

Our tests shown

Optimum radio performance with INSYS products

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Flexibility

Diverse antenna designs for different mounting scenarios

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Industrial performance

Extended operating temperature ranges and reliable quality

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Outdoor insert

Effective protection against dust and water thanks to high IP protection class

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Wide frequency coverage

Mobile antennas for global frequency bands, including 5G support

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High quality cable materials

Low signal attenuation for connection and extension cables

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Technical information and features of our Cellular Antenna

Cellular Antenna – Frequently Asked Questions

With our product manager Heiko Noll

What is an Cellular Antenna?

The Cellular Antenna connects the mobile radio device, e.g. an LTE industrial router, to the mobile radio network. The abbreviation LTE stands for “Long Term Evolution” (4G), currently the most frequently used mobile radio technology in industrial applications.

Why is the Cellular Antenna not in the housing of industrial routers?

An LTE industrial router is almost always located in a metal control cabinet that shields the mobile radio signals. Therefore, the antenna must be outside the control cabinet and cannot be integrated into the router. An external Cellular Antenna also offers flexibility in choosing a suitable antenna in terms of mounting type and reception quality.

Which frequency ranges does an Cellular Antenna support?

High-quality industrial Cellular Antenna usually support the following frequency ranges: 700 – 960 MHz, 1700 – 2170 MHz and 2500 – 2700 MHz. Older antenna models often lack the frequency ranges at 700 and 2600 MHz. The Cellular Antenna should cover all frequency bands of the LTE industrial router.

What mounting options do industrial Cellular Antenna offer?

Depending on the type of antenna, it is mounted with screws, adhesive pads or with an integrated magnet on magnetic surfaces. Mast mounting is often possible with antennas for outdoor use. Screw antennas are inserted with thread and cable through a hole, e.g. at the top of the control cabinet, and fixed inside with a nut.

Can an Cellular Antenna be used outdoors?

Yes, as long as the antenna has IP65 protection or higher, is protected against ingress of dust and water and the temperature range fits. In addition, look for high-quality materials, especially resistance to rust and UV radiation. The use of a vandal-resistant antenna can be helpful in areas accessible to the public: flat design for low visibility, resistant housing.

Which connector does an Cellular Antenna use?

On the antenna cable there is an SMA (m) type connector matching the SMA (f) socket on the LTE industrial router. The abbreviations m / f stand for “male” / “female” and refer to the inner conductor of these shielded high-frequency connectors.

Are there extension cables for Cellular Antenna?

If the length of the antenna cable is not sufficient to reach a location with good mobile phone coverage, a high-quality extension cable with low losses will help. The cable should be as short as possible.

How do I choose the right Cellular Antenna?

  1. Selection of design and type of mounting (screw / adhesive / magnetic mounting). In case of unfavourable mobile radio coverage: Optimise mounting location (e.g. outside of buildings) and use a powerful antenna.
  2. Check if the antenna supports all frequency ranges used by the router.
  3. Check hinsichtlich Leistungsfähigkeit von Antenne und Anschlusskabel.
  4. When using an outdoor antenna, the following are relevant: Protection class IP65 or higher, temperature range, rust and UV resistance, vandalism protection if required Cable length/extension cable, mounting accessories if necessary, e.g. mast mounting

Which Cellular Antenna for high reception quality?

Antennas are very complex, the performance cannot be fixed with single values. The antenna gain, for example, is relevant, but usually only given as a maximum value and not a reference without taking into account the frequency response and spatial radiation characteristics. As a rule of thumb: A good Cellular Antenna needs a certain size, a sensible minimum length is approx. 20 cm. This enables the use of the long-range low frequencies, which have a large wavelength and therefore require relatively large antenna dimensions, when mobile radio coverage is difficult. In addition, a high-quality cable material with low losses is important, especially for antennas for outdoor installation with longer connection cables. Sometimes very cheap cables are offered that are unsuitable for higher LTE frequencies.

How can the reception quality be optimised?

The following factors are important: antenna type, mounting location, surface, alignment, distance, cable.

  1. Antenna type – larger antennas are usually better, possibly outdoor mounting, possibly MIMO.
  2. Mounting location – the higher and more undisturbed the better.
  3. Substrate – antennas require a metallic / magnetic substrate in some cases.
  4. Alignment – antennas are to be aligned predominantly vertically
  5. Distance – at least 30 cm away from other antennas and metallic objects.
  6. Cable – high quality cable material, cable does not crush or bend tightly.

We offer detailed installation instructions as download on our website.

Does an Cellular Antenna also support GSM (2G)?

Yes, Cellular Antenna also cover the frequency ranges of the older mobile radio standards. They are therefore downward compatible and support not only LTE (4G) but also the frequency bands of UMTS / HSPA (3G) and GSM (2G).

Does an Cellular Antenna also support 5G?

The frequency ranges of 5G and LTE largely overlap, which is why Cellular Antenna also work in the 5G network. However, 5G antennas are needed to use the new higher-frequency 5G frequency ranges, especially the frequency range from 3400 to 3800 MHz.

Can I use an Cellular Antenna worldwide?

a, selecting the right antenna allows worldwide use, even if some countries use additional mobile phone frequency bands (e.g. in North America). Please also make sure that the LTE Industrial Router supports the frequency bands commonly used in the respective country.

Does the use of an LTE directional antenna make sense?

In areas with very moderate mobile radio signal, the use of a directional antenna is sometimes considered. This type of antenna amplifies the signals significantly in a certain direction, but is almost “blind” in other directions, comparable to a telescope. As long as the location of the base station is known its configuration does not change, it is basically possible to use it. Important: The operator of the router must ensure that the maximum permissible transmission level is not exceeded by the use of the directional antenna (Radio Directive).

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