While 5G dominates headlines, 4G remains a cornerstone for global communication infrastructure, particularly in developing markets. Continued 4G innovation supports voice-over-LTE (VoLTE), M2M communication, and embedded modules in IoT and automotive systems. Key suppliers enhance 4G chipset efficiency, network performance, and compatibility with advanced electronics. Electronics Weekly highlights how 4G advancements still influence component demand, from RF circuits to antenna solutions, and how 4G continues to coexist with 5G in hybrid applications.
Nokia has announced the final integration of its Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) into Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 lander is complete. Dubbed Athena, the lander will be equipped with LSCS when it travels to the lunar south pole region in IM-2 mission. The companies intend to deploy the first cellular network on the Moon. “We believe delivering Nokia’s 4G/LTE system to ...
Need to bring 4G cellular comms into your Raspberry Pi-based project? There's a mini HAT for that: the Clipper HAT mini.
A tethered drone has been used to demonstrate a pop-up large area private 4G LTE cellular network. “This allows the drone to act as a mobile tower in the skies, granting connectivity across expansive areas, covering up to 28km2 for 4G and even further for P25,” according to Simoco Wireless Solutions, which provided P25 radio equipment for the proof-of-concept. “Imagine ...
High-altitude 4G-5G basestation company Stratospheric Platforms (SPL) has received investment from the largest telecommunication infrastructure company in Indonesia, PT Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Protelindo). Its value is not being disclosed. SPL’s aim is to create hydrogen-powered aircraft which carry multi-beam 5G basestations that can each cover thousands of square km. Indonesia is spread over 17,000 islands and 1.9million square km. “This ...
Synzen Precision Technology of Taipei has has unveiled two low-profile antennas for IoT devices. both are only 1.6mm high. Alcor (SZP-C-2L22) is a 5G surface-mount antenna that has been developed cover 617MHz to 6GHz “and a fallback to 4G – 3G -2G”, according to the company. It occupies 40 x 10mm. Clearance is 40 x 13.5mm. Atria (SZP-C-2L23 / 2L24) ...
RangeAnt has created a family of 700MHz to 3GHz antennas, designed primarily for cellular, IoT and GNSS applications. “They feature free-space efficiency of between 80 and 90% and a VSWR below 2:1 across the operating bands,” according to the company. “The high efficiency delivers greater range for available transmitter power, or a lower transmitter power can be used for a ...
Apex TG.66 from Taoglas is a hinged monopole antenna designed to cover all global 5G and 4G frequencies between 600MHz and 6GHz. “Despite its miniature size, the TG.66 has omnidirectional radiation patterns and provides stable gain across the hemisphere,” according to distributor Anglia, which is stocking the part. “The antenna packs a punch for its size, with efficiencies above 45% ...
Antenova is aiming a pet trackers, wearables and OBD-II designs with a surface-mount 4G antenna that can work on PCBs as small as 40 x 50mm. Called Pharaoh (part number SR4L073), it covers all 4G frequencies: 698-824MHz, 824-960MHz, 1,710-2,170MHz, 2.3-2.4GHz and 2.5-2.69GHz. Efficiency in the bands is ~20%, 35%, 70%, 60% and 60% respectively. “The performance of an antenna is directly related to ...
Forefront RF is a Cambridge-based fabless semiconductor company set-up to make ‘adaptive passive cancellation’ ICs to replace conventional switched SAW and BAW crystal filters “across the increasingly wide range of 3G to 6G mobile telephony frequency bands”, it said. It was founded in 2020 by Leo Laughlin (right in photo) and Julian Hildersley. who have been joined by CSR co-founder Phil ...
Novocomms has launched a multi-channel mobile comms antenna for IoT use. Called FPCB LTE 4G it can transmit and receive across 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and satellite frequencies: 698 – 960MHz peak gain 0.37dBi, >25% efficiency 1.5 – 1.65GHz peak gain 1.21dBi, >46% efficiency 1.71 – 2.69GHz peak gain 3.64dBi, >38% efficiency The antenna is a flexible (150μm thick) 100 x 16mm with ...
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