Antenna / Router Pairings

Compatible Antennas Paired with Cellular Routers

A network operating over a large area will require cellular communication. It’s the preferred choice for connecting mobile fleets and is necessary for remote fixed-wireless operations. Cellular routers require high-performance antennas compatible with their wireless interfaces, frequencies, and operating environment.

There are hundreds of combination antennas on the market, so how do you sort through the selection and find the best one for your router?

Pairing Antennas to a Router

Standard wireless interfaces provided by wireless routers are MIMO cellular, MIMO WiFi, and GPS. 4G LTE routers have two cellular connections, often labeled Main and Aux, also called a 2×2 MIMO configuration. 5G cellular routers may have two or four cellular connections arranged as 4×4 MIMO. Add four WiFi 6 and GPS elements; suddenly, nine antennas are required – four cellular, four WiFi, and GPS. Some routers accommodate two independent 5G modems, requiring eight cellular antennas. The total number of antennas can be substantial for a high-end cellular router.

Other Considerations

Choosing the best antennas for your cellular router vehicle is critical for ensuring reliability and performance. Once the antenna elements are paired with the router, several other factors must be considered.

• Cable length. Combination antennas include a set of RF cables, one for each antenna element mounted in the radome. Typically, the length ranges from one to sixteen feet.
• Connectors. SMA connectors are commonly used for cellular connections and RP-SMA for WiFi. Some vehicle routers, like the Semtech XR90, require FAKRA connectors.
• Gain. Antenna gain is the ability of an antenna to direct the signal in a specific direction. Higher gain antennas provide increased range but result in a narrower radiation pattern.
• Pattern. Omnidirectional antennas provide a 360-degree radiation pattern and a wide coverage area, making them best for vehicles and hotspots. Directional antennas are used for fixed locations and offer a narrow radiation pattern.
• Mounting. Several mounting options are available for combination antennas, including magnetic, adhesive, through-hole, pole, and surface mounts. The antenna must be mounted with proper grounding for optimal performance.
• Environment. Antennas that operate outdoors expose them to weather extremes. Look for a waterproof, UV-resistant, and rugged IP67-rated dome. Inexpensive direct-attach dipole antennas are suitable for indoor installations.
• Frequency Bands. A router’s wireless interfaces, such as 4G and 5G cellular, 2.4 and 5 GHz, WiFi, WiFi 6, GPS, and Bluetooth, operate on different bands. Match the antenna’s frequency ranges accordingly.

Advanced Router and Antenna Bundles from One Source

Improve your cellular router’s networking capabilities with high-performance router and antenna bundles from Westward Sales. Whether you monitor remote equipment, collect big data, or track valuable assets, our networking experts can assist with your project and find the wireless solution that gets the job done. It all starts with a simple phone call or email.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.