News | October 30, 2006

Fractal Antenna® Designs On Polycarbonate Glazing Developed By EXATEC and FICOSA

Wixom, MI - EXATEC and FICOSA Advanced Antenna Systems Business Unit have successfully demonstrated the integration of Fractal Antenna® Designs into polycarbonate automotive glazing systems. According to the two companies, the combination of these advanced technologies allows a high degree of antenna miniaturization, superior reception compared to conventional antennas, and multi-band capability in a single design. Smart and technologically advanced product solutions for communication services in vehicles are now possible in a completely new way. A demonstration vehicle has been retrofitted in Europe for customer evaluation. It integrates two AM/FM and five FM 2 antennas to:

  • Validate the integration of Fractal Antenna® Design with EXATEC® 900 PC glazing solutions.
  • Demonstrate product integration opportunities
  • Offer a technological platform to develop new products

Polycarbonate panoramic sunroofs manufactured with EXATEC® 900vt can be used as a telematic platform for multi-band antenna integration. Exatec-patented processes allow printing of the Fractal Antenna® Designs, without intermediate subassemblies, thus enabling structures, and allowing economical production. The antenna structures can be hidden beneath either the 2nd shot of a 2K injection molded part, beneath a decorative black-out print or beneath interior trim components. The integrated solution makes it unnecessary to have external attachments, including external masts on vehicle roofs, resulting positively on aerodynamics and aesthetics.

Consumers will continue to demand superior radio reception and additional options for communication inside the vehicle. EXATEC and FICOSA International will continue their technical cooperation to develop additional antenna features:

  • Telephone and GPS antennas
  • Tire pressure systems and Remote Key Entry antennas
  • Antennas for Digital Audio Broadcasting systems (DAB) and Digital TV Broadcasting systems (DVB-H/T)
  • Telematic antennas (WLAN, Bluetooth, RFID)
  • Satellite Radio (XM, Sirius)

SOURCE: EXATEC and FICOSA