Irish firm Taoglas announced a nine-in-one combination antenna, miniature IoT speakers and 38 RF connectors at last week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

They are designed to provide device OEMs with a one-stop shop for quickly and cost-effectively adding wireless connectivity, positioning and other tightly integrated capabilities such as audio to their products.

The MA990 Guardian antenna is said to be the world’s first and smallest nine-in-one combination antenna with dual-band GNSS (L1 and L2) and globally supported cellular (5G and 4G). It has been designed to support emerging market demand for modules that cover specific 5G and 4G bands. For example, two of its eight cellular mimo antennas cover from 600 to 6000MHz, while another two are optimised for 3000 to 6000MHz to cover high-band 5G and C-band and CBRS applications. The product is designed to operate on all carrier networks globally and is futureproofed to work with latest 5G routers in the market.

Housed in a low-profile, robust, IP67-rated waterproof, adhesive-mount external enclosure, the MA990 is for space-constrained, mission-critical applications, including asset and vehicle tracking, first responder vehicles, and HD video sources such as surveillance cameras.

The MA990 also is customisable, including for any variation of antennas below nine-in-one and the addition of wifi and single-band GNSS. 

Taoglas has also introduced the SPKM series of miniature dynamic speakers to its audio portfolio. The speakers have high sensitivity and are for applications requiring audio such as automotive infotainment, smart home and security, alarm systems, drones, or IoT devices. Ten new 8Ω speakers, in a wide variety of form factors, deliver pure and true sound, critical for products that require clear audio output. The products use Taoglas’ design methodology, manufacturing and quality control processes, and stable global supply chain.

The expanded portfolio also includes SMA, MCX and MMCX RF connectors and adaptors. The 38 additions to the existing portfolio of RF connectors and receptacles are designed to provide reliability and performance. They are available in all mounting types including PCB, panel and cable, providing flexibility for system design.

“Transportation, connected healthcare, smart city and other OEMs want to add cellular and high precision positioning as well as other advanced capabilities to their products, but the learning curve is daunting even for those with RF experience,” said Dermot O’Shea, co-CEO of Taoglas. “That’s why Taoglas continues to expand its portfolio of combination antennas, speakers, connectors and other advanced components. Now those OEMs have one design and manufacturing partner to work with for the more complex components, which slashes their cost, risk and lead time of developing their next-generation connected products. Taoglas lead times are standard and no longer compromised by the existing global supply chain issues.”