Altair > Case Studies > Leveraging Altair FEKO for the Creation of the World’s Smallest TV Antenna

Leveraging Altair FEKO for the Creation of the World’s Smallest TV Antenna

Technology Category

Sensors - Autonomous Driving Sensors
Sensors - GPS

Applicable Industries

Automotive
Education

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Time Sensitive Networking
Vehicle Telematics

About The Customer

The customer in this case is the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM) in Mexico. Established in 1938, UAEM has grown considerably over the years, developing programs of higher education and becoming an important source of knowledge for the research and development community. The Center for Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences (CIICAp) was established at UAEM to conduct innovative research that can be beneficial to the students but also bring benefits of the research to the masses at an affordable cost. Dr. Margarita Tecpoyotl-Torres leads a team of students and researchers at CIICAp to develop innovative antennas that are useful to society. She holds four patents, two copyrights, and one trademark, and has a research interest in MEMS, antenna design, and microwave devices.

The Challenge

The Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM) in Mexico was faced with the challenge of designing low-cost, lightweight antennas for TV and automotive applications. The goal was to make modern day communications, including TV and GPS, more affordable for the masses, particularly in developing countries. The challenge was particularly significant in the context of TV reception, where the successful transmission of signals to remote areas, especially indoors, was often problematic. The traditional solution, a Yagi array antenna, provided a directed beam towards the TV tower, but the team at UAEM sought to develop an antenna that was smaller, lighter, and improved signal stability.

The Solution

The team at UAEM, led by Dr. Margarita Tecpoyotl-Torres, utilized Altair’s FEKO, a powerful and reliable simulation technology for antenna design. They developed the world’s smallest TV antenna, measuring 11 centimeters in length, 7 centimeters wide, and 6.5 millimeters thick, and weighing only 12 grams. The design was novel, featuring not just a single antenna, but an array of two antennas. The antenna was designed to be fixed to a roof without an attached mast, and could operate under very low temperatures. It could also be used indoors and could be run through a signal splitter to connect to multiple TVs. It did not require electricity to operate. In addition to the TV antenna, the team also designed and fabricated a low-cost GPS antenna for automobile applications.

Operational Impact

The operational results of this project were significant. The team at UAEM was able to develop an antenna that was not only smaller and lighter than traditional antennas, but also improved signal stability. This was a major achievement, as it meant that the antenna could be used in more remote areas and indoors, where signal transmission is often problematic. The antenna was also designed to be easy to install and did not require electricity to operate, making it more accessible and affordable for the masses. In addition to the TV antenna, the team also successfully developed a low-cost GPS antenna for automobile applications, further demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of their design approach.

Quantitative Benefit

The world’s smallest TV antenna was developed, measuring 11 centimeters in length, 7 centimeters wide, and 6.5 millimeters thick.
The antenna weighs only 12 grams, and 80 grams when coated.
When tested in California, the antenna was able to pick up 68 signals, and 28 digital signals in Mexico City.