Internal flexible-PCB and PCB-trace antennas for embedded modules and tracking devices. This page covers how the class behaves specifically in smart metering and ami antennas work, and lists the 3 catalog models that fit.
What this class does well
An FPC antenna adds effectively no height to a product and can be folded against a curved housing wall, which is often the only way to fit a resonant element inside a sealed enclosure at all.
Where it falls down
Performance is entirely dependent on placement and on the ground plane the host board provides. The same part can measure well on a test fixture and badly in the product.
The range we stock
Across the 3 models in this class the gain runs from 2 to 4 dBi, frequency coverage from 698 to 5850 MHz, and the longest dimension from 55 mm to 55 mm. Check the size figure early. It decides the mount, and on a shared mast it decides whether the part fits at all.
Embedded FPC / PCB Antenna models
| Model | Band (MHz) | Gain | Polarization | Length | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW-FPC2458-4 | 2400–5850 | 4 dBi | Linear | 55 mm | IPEX MHF (U.FL) |
| AW-FPC0827-3 | 698–2700 | 3 dBi | Linear | 55 mm | IPEX MHF (U.FL) |
| AW-PCB0827-2 | 698–2700 | 2 dBi | Linear | 55 mm | Solder pad |
Specifying one for smart metering and ami antennas
Meter-side antennas are internal FPC or short external whips; collectors use pole- or rooftop-mounted omnidirectional fiberglass antennas. Confirm the connector before ordering: changing the interface later means either an adapter, which adds a mismatch and a failure point, or a re-terminated cable. Standard builds ship with an IPEX MHF (U.FL) interface.