In a recent press-release Continental presents a new antenna solution that integrates multiple antennas for various carriers together with their control electronics, from the press release:
"The new Intelligent Antenna Module is designed to integrate multiple antennas as well as the corresponding transmission and reception electronics into one unit. It enables wireless communication between the vehicle and its outside environment as well as inside the passenger compartment for applications like telephone, GPS, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring system, WLAN, radio, TV or future car-to-car communication. The antenna module links via a digital bus to various control units in the vehicle, which process the data and make applications available to the user.The concept of adding more intelligence at the antenna end sounds similar to what is being done by Q-Free for the second-generation CVIS antenna.
Continental and Kathrein, the world’s oldest antenna manufacturer, have designed the Intelligent Antenna Module to solve several challenges currently presented by wireless mobile communication. It lowers complexity, reduces costs and improves performance. Since the electronics are located directly at the antenna, less wiring than today is required. The system uses a single data bus connection to shuttle reception and transmission data between the antenna module and the end devices instead of up to ten coaxial cables required by conventional solutions. The concept is highly scalable. Tailored to the needs of the car manufacturer, any mixture of coaxial and databus connections is possible which will reduce the number of cables, connectors and elaborate intermediate amplifiers. With fewer components, the cost and weight of the vehicle can be substantially reduced."
