Smart Antenna Technologies brings single antenna solution to cellular handsets
Birmingham. 19th August 2013. Smart Antenna Technologies (SAT) today announced the launch of its innovative single-antenna technology for cellular handsets.
Currently mobile devices require a separate antenna to support each technology such as Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, GSM and 3G/4G. Handsets are expected to have up to 6 antennae operating on individual band segments. This is highly inefficient in terms of cost and space occupied in the device.
The technology will enable cellular phone and tablet device manufacturers to replace several antennae with a single multi-band antenna. SAT’s single antenna solution is expected to ultimately cost a few $ per handset compared with up to US $20 per handset for existing antennas.
SAT uses software re-configurable hardware to enable manufacturers to cover all bands and produce one device for all territories, reducing costs, streamlining manufacturing and logistics. Its technology has already generated significant interest from its target customers who include cellular handset and chipset manufacturers.
Led by Colin Tucker as Chairman and Rick Hillum as CEO, Mercia Fund Management has completed an initial SEIS investment with a further investment to follow within the next few months.
About Smart Antenna Technologies (SAT)
SAT is a University of Birmingham spin out and has emerged from research within the School of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering. Its patented solution, consisting of a printable/foil antenna and control chip, provides for a highly compact device to replace all existing antennas (DVB-H, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM, GPS, 3G multi-bands and 3.9/4G LTE) with just one antenna at a faction of the cost of existing solutions.
www.smartantennatech.com
About Mercia Fund Management
Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over £19 million under active management.
MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses ranging from early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. Furthermore, MFM can also provide cost-effective incubator accommodation at Forward House in Henley-in-Arden coupled with centralised support services in keeping with its model as a hands-on, supportive investor.
MFM is an FCA authorised and regulated fund manager under FSMA (FRN: 524856).
www.merciafund.co.uk
About The University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a truly vibrant, global community and an internationally-renowned institution. Ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 4,000 international students from nearly 150 countries.
The University is home to nearly 30,000 students. With more than 7,500 postgraduate students from across the world, Birmingham is one of the most popular universities for postgraduate study in the UK.
The University plays an integral role in the economic, social and cultural growth of local and regional communities; working closely with businesses and organisations, employing approximately 6,000 staff and providing 10,000 graduates annually.
www.alta.bham.ac.uk