OMNIA mXTEND™: A Multi-Port Virtual Antenna® for Seamless IoT Connectivity

Ignion, a Barcelona-based leader in RF connectivity, has introduced the OMNIA mXTEND™, a groundbreaking three-port Virtual Antenna® component. Designed to support simultaneous cellular, GNSS, and Wi-Fi/BLE radios, this innovative surface-mounted passive component transforms a printed circuit board’s (PCB) ground plane into a high-efficiency radiating element. Operating across a broad frequency range (400 MHz to 8,000 MHz), OMNIA mXTEND™ eliminates the need for size modifications, enabling device manufacturers to tailor bands with ease.

Performance and Sustainability in One Solution

OMNIA mXTEND™ simplifies IoT device design by replacing three separate antennas with a single clearance area, delivering superior long-range connectivity across multiple frequencies. Its multi-block design minimizes radio coupling, streamlines certification, and reduces the matching network bill of materials (BoM), making it ideal for IoT applications where performance and efficiency are critical.

Beyond performance, Ignion emphasizes sustainability. OMNIA mXTEND™ reduces material usage by up to four times and significantly lowers manufacturing emissions compared to traditional multi-antenna setups. Its high efficiency and low power requirements extend device lifecycles, contributing to a reduced environmental CO2 footprint.

Exceptional Performance Metrics

Evaluation board results highlight OMNIA mXTEND™’s impressive performance:

• Cellular (790–960 MHz): Over 55% efficiency, 0.9 dBi peak gain, and 2.61:1 VSWR.
• GNSS (1,561–1,606 MHz): Over 75% efficiency, 4.0 dBi peak gain, and 1.5:1 VSWR.
• Wi-Fi/BLE (2,400–2,500 MHz): Over 65% efficiency, 3.5 dBi peak gain, and 2.0:1 VSWR.

Accelerating IoT Development

With its plug-and-play simplicity, OMNIA mXTEND™ reduces the complexity of RF adjustments, accelerating time-to-market for multi-radio IoT devices. This makes it a compelling choice for applications such as asset tracking, automotive telematics, smart metering, and industrial IoT.

Smart Farming in Action

Ignion collaborated with Nuvathings to integrate OMNIA mXTEND™ into the HELIUS-TSL datalogger, a smart farming device. The datalogger supports NB-IoT, LTE-M, GNSS, and Bluetooth connectivity, enabling real-time monitoring of soil metrics like moisture, pH, and nutrients. This seamless connectivity helps farmers optimize irrigation, improve soil quality, and boost crop yields while conserving water and fertilizers.

OMNIA mXTEND™ sets a new standard for multi-radio IoT design, delivering unmatched performance, sustainability, and ease of integration.

Learn more about OMNIA mXTEND™ here.