Abstract:
Abstract: One of the key components interfacing between the radio hardware and the ‗Ether‘, i.e. the air-interface for wireless communication is the antenna. With tremendous growth and demand for high speed high data rate wireless communication, more and more antennas, and antennas covering a multitude of frequency bands are required. This paper begins by giving an innovations overview of the evolution of the wireless standards and access technologies, driving antenna innovations from a conventional single narrow band component to today‘s advances capable of multiple services, and cognitive capable antenna systems. The paper will focus on antenna developments in mobile communication systems, in particular cellular base station and cellular handset antennas. Key technological advancements will be presented. In conclusion, we will respond to the question of how many antennas do we really need.
