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No 26/2025 (September 1, 2025)
Telecom antenna made of metamaterials.
A team of researchers at MIT has created a new type of antenna that can change its operating bandwidth by changing its shape. Through the use of metamaterials, the antenna can be stretched, compressed or bent, and its resonant frequency automatically adjusts. This means that one device can replace several different antennas.Every antenna has a so-called resonant frequency, i.e. the range in which it best receives and transmits a signal. In classical designs, this frequency is fixed and results from the geometry of the antenna. In the meta-antenna developed at MIT, the shape can be changed, and with its change the frequency changes. This is possible thanks to metamaterials, i.e. specially designed structures that can deform in a controlled manner due to their structure. The researchers used so-called auxetic structures, which allow for stable shape changes and reproducible antenna operation.
The meta-antenna consists of a dielectric layer (laser-cut from a flexible material), coated with conductive paint. The whole is thin, lightweight and flexible. To ensure that the structure does not deteriorate during repeated bending, the researchers used an additional acrylic coating to protect the most vulnerable parts. Tests have shown that the antenna can withstand more than 10,000 deformation cycles without loss of function.
MIT has also developed a tool that allows meta-antennas to be designed for specific needs. The user can set the size of the conductive field, the thickness of the dielectric layer or the proportion of metamaterial cells, and the system automatically simulates the frequency range in which the antenna will operate.
The device can find applications in many areas of technology. In wireless communication, it will allow a single device to support different bands and protocols, and eliminate the need for several separate antennas. With its strain sensitivity, it can act as a sensor, for example, monitoring breathing by recording chest movements. Its flexible design makes it ideal for wearable electronics, where it can be responsible for both connectivity and wireless power. The researchers have also shown that the antenna can support interactive devices, such as headphones that automatically switch between noise-cancelling and ambient sound-transmitting modes, opening the way to entirely new forms of everyday hardware design.
ZB series ballast holders.
Non-invasive ballast masts ZB-500/38 RAM2/415×265 E8747 and ZB-500/50 RAM2/400×400 E8749 are designed for mounting antennas and cameras on flat, stable surfaces without interfering with the roof structure. Both models have a mast length of 0.5 m and are equipped with a mechanism for vertical mast adjustment from 0 to 5°. However, they differ primarily in their purpose, dimensions and design.
The E8747 model with a 38 mm diameter mast is more versatile and will work well for TV antenna installations, data transmission systems and CCTV monitoring. It has a smaller base measuring 61 × 41.5 cm and uses two 38 × 24 × 12 cm concrete blocks as ballast elements. It is lighter - weighing around 5.9 kg - and less expensive. Its compact design makes it suitable for locations with limited installation space. The manufacturer declares that a mast loaded symmetrically with two concrete blocks of dimensions: 38x24x12 cm (2 x 21 kg) remains stable with a side load of up to 20 kgf applied 5 cm below the top of the mast.
The E8749, on the other hand, has been designed mainly for antennas dedicated to the STARLINK system, as evidenced by its larger mast diameter of 50 mm. Its base is wider and more massive - measuring 93.5 × 42.5 cm - which allows higher stability of the whole structure. In this case, two larger 40 × 40 cm concrete blocks are used and the weight of the set without blocks is approximately 7.2 kg.
Protecting fibre optic cables against rodents.
Fibre optic cables play a key role in modern telecommunications infrastructure - they provide fast and reliable data transmission. However, despite their advanced technology, they are still vulnerable to mechanical damage, particularly from rodents. Rats and other small mammals, attracted by the smell of insulating materials, can chew through cables, leading to costly network failures. For this reason, various methods are used to protect cables. The most popular is the use of glass fibre.Glass fibres are generally used in the form of a coating that surrounds the tube in fibres. Their main advantage is their high mechanical resistance - they are difficult for most rodents to chew through. In addition, glass fibres do not conduct electricity, are resistant to moisture, corrosion and do not adversely affect the cable's transmission properties.
 |  | Structure of the cable: 1. outer sheath 2. fibreglass sheath 3. plastic tube 4. hydrophobic gel 5. fibre | ||
Drak's universal cables feature a glass fibre sheath. This type of protection works best in environments with a moderate risk of rodents - such as networks distributed indoors.
In areas particularly exposed to intensive rodent activity - such as cable ducts, industrial areas or around landfill sites - fibreglass protection may not be sufficient. In such cases, more robust guards such as steel braid or steel armour are necessary. Steel not only effectively blocks rodents' access to the inside of the cable, but also increases its resistance to other mechanical factors such as crushing or compression. However, steel protection is much more expensive and heavier, which can make installation more difficult and increase transport and installation costs. For this reason, their use is limited to high-risk areas.
Here are some of the key parameters to read from a 5G modem/router if you are considering installing an external antenna:
- Signal Strength (RSSI): Signal Strength (Received Signal Strength Indicator) measures the strength of the 5G signal received by the device. The higher the RSSI value, the stronger the signal. RSSI measures the total signal strength received by the device, without distinguishing between the signal coming from the targeted base station (BS) and background signals such as noise and interference. The value can vary depending on specific environmental conditions, but typical limits for RSSI in 5G networks can range from -50 dBm to -120 dBm.
- Signal Power (RSRP): Signal Power (Reference Signal Received Power) is a measure of the power of the 5G signal received by a device. It is one of the key metrics that determines the quality of the connection. RSRP measures the strength of the signal proper, i.e. the signal , which is used to synchronise and make measurements on the mobile network. RSRP focuses on the strength of the signal coming directly from the base station and ignores other interference and noise in the channel. The higher the RSRP value, the stronger the signal. RSRP limits can range from -44 dBm to -140 dBm.
- SINR (Signal-to-Interference plus Noise Ratio): SINR measures the ratio of usable signal to noise in a radio channel. A higher SINR value indicates better signal quality. Typical limits for SINR in 5G networks are around 0 dB to 25 dB.
- CQI (Channel Quality Indicator): The CQI is an indicator of channel quality and gives an indication of the possible throughput of a channel. CQI values typically range from 1 to 15, where higher values indicate better channel quality.
- Bandwidth (Throughput): Throughput is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given unit of time. In the case of 5G, throughput can be very high, reaching gigabit speeds of data transfer.
- Delay is the time taken to transfer data between the device and the server. In 5G, this time can be much lower than in previous generations of networks, which is especially important in applications that require fast response, such as online gaming or remote medical operations.
It can be assumed that with parameters worse than those shown below, an external antenna should be used:
- RSSI below -100 dBm
- RSRP below -110 dBm
- SINR below 10 dB
![Antenna TRANS-DATA 5G KYZ 10/10 + 5 m cable + SMA [698-960, 1710-2700, 3300-3800 MHz]](https://static.dipol.com.pl/images/sk/pict/a741027_10.jpg)
TRANS-DATA 5G KYZ 10/10 antenna A741027_5 (2x5 m cable), A741027_10 (2x 10 m cable). The antenna has SMA connectors.
 | PoE switch (extender) ATTE APT-4-11-CA1 (4 ports, 802.3bt, 10/100 Mbps, IP68) N29827 is a PoE network switch acting as an extender (repeater) of LAN and PoE power supply. It is most often used in situations where several network devices (e.g. several IP cameras) need to be connected on a single UTP cable, or when an additional network branch is required. The device provides compatibility with IEEE 802.3af/at/bt standards as a PoE receiver and with IEEE 802.3af/at standards on all output ports. It is mounted in an external ABOX-CA1 enclosure with IP68 protection. | |
 | GSM/DCS/3G/LTE/5G eight-way splitter 670 - 3800 MHz A6818 is used to distribute a previously amplified signal to indoor antennas. The splitter operates in the band from 670 to 3800 MHz. The element is equipped with N-type connectors. | |
 | The TRANS-DATA LTE450 DZ3 antenna A741010 is an outdoor, omnidirectional antenna designed for LTE450 signal enhancement. The antenna has a gain of 3.6 dBi, making it ideal for mobile signal reception. The antenna is compact in size and designed to be mounted directly on meter housings and other measuring devices requiring access to the mobile network. Thanks to its light weight and minimalist casing, it does not affect the aesthetic qualities of the installation, and its universal mounting facilitates quick and trouble-free installation. | |
Worth reading:
Satellite converter with optical output. In the case of a fibre-optic bus, the size of the facility in which the TV installation is carried out is irrelevant. The signal can be transmitted over hundreds of metres or even tens of kilometres without regeneration. In the case of large buildings, this greatly simplifies the backbone of the installation. A traditional installation, based on copper wires, allows the signal to be transmitted in the trunk line over several tens of metres. This distance can be increased through the use of amplifiers - although this too carries certain limitations (and implementation and operating costs)...>>>more
Example of a fiber optic system using LWO102 4F31 E A3033 optical converter with +4 dBm power to distribute DVB-S2X/S2/S satellite signals in single-mode fiber at 1310 nm wavelength.
Signal Fire Splicers - choose a proven solution
