Product overview and engineering role
The SimtoLink onboard FPC flex antenna sticks on or bends into place. In a wearable, a handheld, or a small gateway cavity it provides a cellular or private-network link, and it takes less height than a metal spring contact or a rigid PCB antenna.
FPC traces and ground points have to hold the bend radius in the reference design. Band, gain, and VSWR in the table are calibrated in the stated housing and bracket. Change the shell or the tool, and measure again. The hardware specification is the reference.
Reliability and field fit
Repeated bends and assembly stress can open micro-cracks and shift VSWR. Production needs a fixture and a torque so nobody pulls the feed by hand.
A nearby battery, speaker, or metal midframe changes efficiency a lot. SimtoLink recommends SAR, radiation-efficiency, and sensitivity checks on the finished product before the mechanical design is frozen.
Key hardware parameters
RF and mechanical ratings below are a typical build, for selection and for a tender clause. For another band, thickness, or connector, ask SimtoLink for the hardware specification and the installation and commissioning guide. Order codes in the family can differ. The nameplate and the documents shipped with the antenna govern.
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency band | 433 / 470 / 868 MHz or LTE / 2.4 GHz, etc. | As ordered |
| Gain | About -2～3 dBi | Depends strongly on the housing and the clearance |
| VSWR | <2.5 | Under the reference whole-device layout |
| Polarization | Linear polarization (typical) | Changes with bending and attachment surface |
| Impedance | 50 Ω | IPEX / pad |
| Power | Limited by chip and SAR/certification | Co-designed with PA |
| Structure | FPC + adhesive / bracket | Hold the minimum bend radius |
| Lead | Short jumper to the main board | No external LMR feeder |
| Operating temperature | -30～85 ℃ | Based on FPC material |
| Installation | Stuck to the shell / locating slot | Away from metal and the speaker magnet |
Typical applications
Four places this flex antenna is usually asked to fit, when the mechanical budget is tight:
Handheld and wearable
Wristbands and handheld meter reading terminals arrange cellular or dedicated network links on curved surfaces.
Tablets and rugged terminals
Conformal along the edges or inside the bracket, balancing drop performance and antenna efficiency.
Small gateway enclosure
Main antenna solution for cases where the internal height of the DIN rail box or panel-type gateway is limited.
ODM complete device
SMT/assembly in the same batch as the main control, reducing the risk of inconsistencies in antenna components.
Installation, grounding, and maintenance
- Construct according to the reference bending radius and the type of double-sided tape; sharp angle folds are prohibited.
- Clean the contact points between the grounding point and the spring clip; use conductive pads if necessary.
- The number of times the FPC connector can be plugged and unplugged is limited; the production line defines sampling for first-time assembly pass rate.
- Maintain the designed distance from the battery/metal parts; remeasure VSWR after the full device thermal test.
- When performing after-sales repairs, record the casing batch and check whether molding changes caused efficiency decline.
Ordering, documentation, and support
SimtoLink provides hardware specifications, structural dimension drawings, wiring tables, and example projects; bulk orders support sample review and on-site factory inspection. Warranty and calibration policies are subject to the contract and accompanying documents.