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Behold the world's smallest smartphone antenna

Behold the world's smallest smartphone antenna

Posted: 05 Oct 2012, 07:46, by Nick T.

Categories: Interesting facts Interesting facts

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Behold the world's smallest smartphone antenna

After seven years of research and hard work, scientists from Sofant Technologies in Edinburgh have developed what is referred to as the world's smallest smart antenna. Their creation is meant to make poor signal strength a thing of the past while providing excellent performance when used with next-gen networks operating on the 4G LTE standard.

The trick? A miniature electro-mechanical module controls a steerable antenna while working in tandem with the maker's intelligent software. As a result, their design operates more efficiently, manages to maintain a strong signal, and helps prolong battery life. “Antenna design has not kept pace with the rapid evolution of smart phone technology. New communication protocols, such as LTE and 4G, mean more pressure than ever on existing antenna technology, further impacting smart phone performance and user experience,” noted Sergio Tansini, CEO of Sofant.

The next step for Sofant is to try licensing its smart antenna to smartphone manufacturers. If all goes as planned, over $16 million are going to end up in the company's bank account, while we get to enjoy better reception while using our high-tech handsets. Reportedly, several major companies have already shown interest in Sofant designs, so their technology might make end up being used in a commercial product sooner than we think.

source: Tech Week Europe via Slashdot

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1. whysoserious posted on 05 Oct 2012, 07:53 16 5

Watch out! Apple going to copy it, make their own version and patent it.

2. TheDude13 posted on 05 Oct 2012, 07:57 6 22

U Mean Samsung!!!

3. whysoserious posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:02 15 4

Nah, Samsung doesn't copy other technologies and make it their own.

14. pikapowerize (banned) posted on 06 Oct 2012, 02:42 1 1

i think the reason why apple is acting like this coz of the past!

MS bought the PRESENTER(now called the powerpoint) develop by macintosh people! and microsoft patent it!

so if thats the reason i think they have a decent reason!

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This comment is posted in response to #3 Hide

4. AliNSiddiqui posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:02 11 1

No, Apple.... they are the patent addicts

10. TheDude13 posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:45 1 8

at least patent is legal

This comment is posted in response to #4 Show

This comment is posted in response to #4 Hide

5. PhoneArenaUser posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:02 6 0

"world's smallest smartphone antenna"

"A miniature electro-mechanical module controls a steerable antenna..."

So it is world's smallest electro-mechanical module which can control steerable antenna or it is world's smallest steerable antenna?

6. MeoCao (unregistered) posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:08 7 0

This is awesome, Android phones can take advantage of this innovation.

Google, please buy Sofant before Apple do as Apple will surely try to buy it and prevent other companies from using this technology.

7. nicholassss posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:10 1 0

Can we have a picture next to one we might find in our phones today?

Neat though!

8. kirholstov posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:16 0 0

Amazing

9. som posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:19 4 1

Samsung must buy and patent it now before Apple grab it.

11. rusticguy posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:51 0 0

Wait a min. Does Apple copy they Steal before calling it as their innovation? There's a big diff between copying and stealing ... someone said -- great artists Steal while good one's just copy ... :D

12. Jobes posted on 05 Oct 2012, 10:21 5 0

But an amazing artist makes copies of what he steals and sells it for 93% profit. ;)

13. maxican16 posted on 05 Oct 2012, 10:51 1 0

Technology is great. This is exciting news! These are the articles I love reading on PA. Thanks Nick!

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- OS: Android 4.2.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.0 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
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- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900), CDMA (800 1900)
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Behold the world's smallest smartphone antenna

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14 Comments Follow Following

1. whysoserious posted on 05 Oct 2012, 07:53 16 5

2. TheDude13 posted on 05 Oct 2012, 07:57 6 22

3. whysoserious posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:02 15 4

14. pikapowerize (banned) posted on 06 Oct 2012, 02:42 1 1

4. AliNSiddiqui posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:02 11 1

10. TheDude13 posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:45 1 8

5. PhoneArenaUser posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:02 6 0

6. MeoCao (unregistered) posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:08 7 0

7. nicholassss posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:10 1 0

8. kirholstov posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:16 0 0

9. som posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:19 4 1

11. rusticguy posted on 05 Oct 2012, 08:51 0 0

12. Jobes posted on 05 Oct 2012, 10:21 5 0

13. maxican16 posted on 05 Oct 2012, 10:51 1 0

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