Satellite IoT has heralded a new era in wireless connectivity, according to Jacky Hsu, senior manager of IoT sales at Swiss firm TE Connectivity, speaking at last month’s CommunicAsia in Singapore.

Satellite IoT technology using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites offers low energy consumption and broad coverage. In areas where terrestrial mobile networks are unavailable, users and devices increasingly rely on satellites, making them crucial for devices and sensors worldwide to achieve 5G and 6G wireless connectivity.

In this wireless ecosystem, antennas play a vital role, requiring high quality and reliability to provide stable signal transmission and efficient reception. TE Connectivity says its antenna technology helps achieve RF performance with considerations for bandwidth, efficiency, isolation between multiple antennas, and throughput, whether for standard off-the-shelf antennas or custom products.

“As the next generation of network technology, satellite IoT is leading us towards a more intelligent and interconnected world,” said Hsu. “Advanced antenna technology is crucial to achieving this goal. Therefore, we need to continuously innovate and improve the quality and performance of antenna technology to address the challenges and demands of future wireless communications.”

The acquisitions of Laird Connectivity’s external antennas business and Linx Technologies expanded TE’s portfolio and market reach.

At the show, TE explored how its products can empower a smarter world, driving advancements in smart cities, healthcare and industrial automation.

Information and communication technology is key to the development of smart cities. With the evolution of IoT and 5G and 6G technologies, municipalities, distribution companies, internet providers and hyperscale data centres are using connectivity to manage the technology required to operate the resources crucial to competing globally and essential to sustaining the well-being of communities around the world in a more efficient, intelligent and autonomous way.

This development is driven by innovative connectivity products, such as TE’s custom antennas and sealed connectors, lightweight cabling, and multi-attribute sensors. These products help provide interference-free transmission and solid signal performance, incorporating microcells and small cells for 5G connectivity within buildings. TE’s portfolio supports the transformation of traditional technology into smart infrastructures for street lighting and buildings, on-demand transit systems, and real-time smart meters for public parking, home utilities and personal devices, helping smart cities achieve intelligent and green development.

Healthcare is one of the industries most impacted by IoT. The challenge of providing medical resources to more people with a shortage of healthcare workers is significant for many countries, especially developing nations. Consequently, more medical institutions are investing in research on machine communication and IoT applications.

Given the evolving requirements of delicate and complex medical devices across numerous medical specialties and procedures, TE says its products help address the demands of the healthcare industry for durable, precise and miniaturised IoT devices. Additionally, TE’s connectors, cables and cable assemblies are tailored to interface with each other seamlessly, with varying degrees of complexity. These innovations support the healthcare sector by providing intelligent medical devices and telemedicine products, aiding healthcare institutions in achieving digital transformation, improving diagnostic efficiency and enhancing patient experiences.

The industrial sector has many needs for cost-efficiency and productivity, from the mass adoption of edge-to-cloud architecture to real-time control. Automation use cases are moving faster than ever, demanding more technology for connectors and sensors, especially as service robots increasingly require robust networking capabilities.

TE’s portfolio includes wireless connectivity, power and signal connectivity products. These are characterised by their smaller size, faster speeds and functionality. The TE 5G Phantom antenna offers uniform energy radiation, an average efficiency of 80% and versatility, covering all global 4G and 5G bands, as well as wifi and GNSS. It is also shock resistant, and dust- and water-proof. Versions can be installed on metallic and non-metallic surfaces.

TE Connectivity (www.te.com) produces connectors and sensors that distribute power, signal and data for transportation, renewable energy, automated factories, data centres, medical technology and more. It has more than 85,000 employees, including 8000 engineers, working in 140 countries.