Laser Direct Structuring antennas fit any kind of phone
Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) antennas are part of LITEONMOBILE’s antenna portfolio. These antennas can be designed for almost any kind of mobile phone plastic part, and in the case of mechanically integrated solutions developed by LOM, the antennas take up no extra space.
LDS is a technology used to add an antenna radiator or circuit pattern directly onto plastic. The technology can be used on freeform 3D surfaces, This improves antenna performance significantly compared to traditional 2D and 2.5D solutions.
– However, a special LDS-type plastic has to be used, explains Lotta Ekebom, Project Manager for LOM LDS Industrialisation.
The three main process steps are moulding, laser structuring and plating. The laser-structured (activated) area is selectively plated in an electroless plating process with copper, nickel and optionally electrolytic gold on the contact pads.
The advantages of LDS antennas, other than full 3D antenna application, are easy design changes in radiator patterns, making the tuning process effective.
– Radiator positioning with the laser is precise and stable, and no time-consuming and un-accurate assembly of antennas onto plastic cover or carrier parts is needed,” says Sundy Fan, Project Manager from LOM’s Guangzhou site.
“More bands, more performance, and less space”
The development of mobile phone antennas started from stand-alone and module antennas, and is now moving more and more towards mechanically integrated antennas. Traditionally, LDS antennas have been based on separate antenna carriers (stand-alone antennas). LOM has developed new types of LDS antennas that can be integrated directly into visual or structural mechanics, thereby saving space and further increasing performance. Such mechanically integrated antennas are now available for mass production.
The general trend in mobile phone antennas is towards more bands, higher performance and less space. The LDS antenna, and especially LOM’s mechanically integrated LDS antenna, fits the bill nicely. Truly integrated antenna solutions!
Antennas in LITEONMOBILE
LOM’s vision for antennas is to be the leading supplier of antenna solutions integrated into the structural or visual mechanics of mobile handsets. In the field of antenna development LOM is looking for solutions that improve our customers’ antenna performance, as well as space-saving, easy processable and cost-effective new technologies for integrating traditional and 3D antennas into mechanics.
– Having antennas in LOM’s portfolio is an essential part of our VI strategy. We also see LOM antennas as an enabler for other businesses, emphasizes Samuli Kohonen, Sr. Director of Sales & Marketing.