In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, Fairview Microwave will be closed on Friday, July 3rd. Normal operations will resume on Monday, July 6. 500 Internal Server Error Oops, something went wrong. # Internal server error, refresh the page or contact us if the problem persists. Oops, something went wrong. # Internal server error, refresh the page or contact us if the problem persists. Signing Out Cancel Continue as Guest by Peter McNeil | Feb 02, 2026 Share now Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensor systems are increasingly being deployed in public transit, in-building, campuses, industrial complexes, and virtually all other environments where occupancy, security, and other critical data can be acquired by electronic sensors. Where there are potential efficiency, safety, or operational benefits from increased monitoring or sensor data gathering, there are now likely IoT sensor platforms available that can perform that task. These sensor modules are sometimes conductively connected, but it is increasingly common to find wireless IoT sensor platforms/modules that make use of the myriad of wireless communication technologies to relay vital sensor data. These IoT sensor systems often require gateways/hubs that are connected wirelessly or wired to the internet, or these sensors may include wireless communication modules to cellular, WiFi or other wireless services. Naturally, these services require extensive RF infrastructure, such as Cellular/WiFi/GPS combination IoT Antennas. Key Takeaways Many IoT sensor systems rely on wireless connectivity — the choice of technology affects range, power consumption, cost and deployment complexity. Short-range wireless options like BLE and Zigbee are well suited to device-to-gateway connectivity in local areas. LPWAN technologies (e.g., LoRa, NB-IoT) provide a long range at very low power, ideal for battery-operated sensor nodes. Cellular (4G/5G) and WiFi provide broader bandwidth and infrastructure but may consume more power or cost. Antenna selection, RF path loss, network architecture and network security are critical in sensor networks as much as the sensor itself. Future IoT demands (massive number of nodes, edge processing, ultra-low latency) will continue to shape connectivity technology selection. This post aims to provide a primer on IoT sensor wireless connectivity considerations, technologies, and cloud communication vectors. Readers should gain a foundational understanding of what types of wireless communication technologies exist and the common ways they are deployed. IoT Sensor Devices Wireless Connectivity Considerations There are a diverse range of IoT sensor types, and this influences the amount and type of data these sensors output, and how that data may be handled by wireless connectivity solutions. For instance, IoT sensor camera modules often output a substantially larger amount of potentially higher resolution data than a simple IoT temperature or barometric pressure sensor. Also, depending on the camera module and IoT application, the module may be outputting data continuously, as opposed to temperature or pressure sensors that may only need to transmit data every several seconds to minutes. The amount and frequency of data a sensor outputs has major constraints on what type of wireless connectivity module is suitable for that application. Wireless protocols, such as WiFi and 4G LTE/5G can often handle high data rates from camera modules where others, such as LoRA and Bluetooth are more suited to burst transmissions or low to medium data rates data streaming. The type of IoT platform also has several factors on the available power, energy, and real estate for an IoT wireless connectivity module. Cellular modems for IoT platforms tend to be larger and more power consuming than small Bluetooth and Zigbee modules but may also offer longer range and higher data transmission rates. Cellular connectivity options, along with other proprietary connectivity options, often also require subscription services. The spectrum that a wireless connectivity solution operates in, as well as other key aspects of the transmission/reception and electrical operation are also often regulated in most countries and need certain licensing or certification to be used. The following is a snapshot of several of the most common IoT wireless connectivity considerations: Common IoT Sensor Device Wireless Connectivity Considerations Data rate Data resolution Transmission distance Battery capacity Licensed vs. unlicensed spectrum Device density Deployment environment Firmware updates Component/module selection The wireless protocol/standard that an IoT wireless connectivity module is built for has substantial implications on the capability and operation of the wireless connectivity option. There are a growing number of wireless protocols/standards to choose from, which often creates a challenge for IoT platform developers. Some wireless protocols/standards more common to certain applications, such as Zigbee/Thread/Matter being more common for smart home applications, where Bluetooth, WiFi, and Cellular technologies are more common to portable electronics and entertainment technologies. Example wireless connectivity hardware for cellular and WiFi industrial IoT systems includes components such as this Cellular/WiFi and GPS combination antenna. The proprietary wireless connectivity options for IoT are often much more application specific, and may depend on centralized services, limiting the scope of their utility. However, open protocols/standards usually have vast ecosystems of hardware options and generations/variations that make compatibility and hardware selection extremely complex. Common Wireless Protocols & Standards Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Cellular, Long-term evolution (LTE) 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and future 6G COnstrained Application Protocol (CoAP) Data Distribution Service (DDS) Lightweight machine-to-machine (LWM2M) Wi-Fi Zigbee Z-wave Thread Matter IoT Sensor Device Data Vectors to Cloud Services Cloud Gateways/IoT Gateways A method of extending internet/cloud/wider network networking capability to IoT devices that may not have substantial range is to use cloud/IoT gateways. These gateways use a wireless protocol/standard to connect to IoT devices, often many different types of IoT devices, and use another conductive or wireless connectivity technology to connect to a local area network (LAN), wireless area network (WAN), or internet modem. Some IoT gateways even have built-in internet or cellular modems to provide direct internet connectivity. Smartphone/Cell Phone or Cellular Modem to Cloud Many IoT sensor devices available to consumers or that benefit from provisioning and use with smartphones can pair with smartphones to connect to larger WANS or cloud services. Smart watches, smart rings, and personal medical devices are examples of technologies that make use of a smartphone as a vector for cloud service or wider network access. These devices often do not work if not paired to a cell phone/smartphone which creates a compatibility consideration and smart phone support challenge for companies that use this approach. Direct IoT Sensor Device Wireless Connectivity to Internet Services Some IoT sensors may include conductive Ethernet connectivity, or now, more likely WiFI or cellular modems that allow direct connection to cloud services or wider networks. WiFi and Cellular technologies are the most prominent versions of direct cloud/wider network connection for IoT devices, though there are also proprietary versions of these technologies available that offer certain advantages in some applications. It is often possible to purchase modules that offer Cellular or WiFI connectivity that can be either built into an IoT PCB or connected via common interface buses, such as I2C, SPI, Ethernet, or USB. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Q1. How do I decide between BLE/Zigbee and LPWAN for sensors? A: If your sensors are nearby and data usage is moderate (e.g., indoor, local mesh), BLE or Zigbee may suffice. For wide-area, often outdoor, battery-powered sensors sending infrequent data, LPWAN is better suited. Q2. Does the antenna matter for IoT sensors? A: Yes, even wireless sensors depend on the antenna and RF path. Poor antenna design or placement can reduce range, increase battery drains (due to retries), or cause connectivity failures. Q3. What are the tradeoffs of cellular connectivity for sensors? A: Cellular offers a wide area and existing infrastructure but often higher power consumption, higher cost per device and reliance on carrier networks. For many low-data, long-lifetime sensor nodes, a specialized low-power network may be better. Q4. How important is wireless security for sensor networks? A: Very important. Sensors may sit unattended and be low in power, making them vulnerable. Ensuring encryption, authentication, and firmware updatability is key. Q5. What future wireless technologies should I watch for sensor connectivity? A: Watch for NB-IoT/5G-IoT, enhanced LPWANs, combined edge/AI processing at the sensor/gateway level, and increased integration of multiple wireless protocols into one device. References Related articles Peter McNeil | Jul 19, 2023 | Antennas RF Connectors Waveguides Coax Cables Radio Frequency (RF) signals are merely any useful electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the spectrum that is compatible with available technology. These can be RF signals used for communication, sensing, or any other purpose, such as RF heating, RF plasma, or even RF propulsion. RF signals can be conducted through open-air channels, space, through fluids, through the ground, along/within conductors, or through dielectric channels. So, what is an RF connection? An RF connection is simply the point at which two RF paths meet. This could be via RF Coaxial Connectors , Waveguides , RF Antennas , or any other medium that RF signals pass through. Typically, an RF connection implies some form of hardware connection between two RF paths, such as a coaxial connector, waveguide, RF antenna, PCB vias, probe interfaces, etc. In the case of an RF antenna, the antenna itself is a connection between the air-interface and the conductive interface, such as a coaxial transmission line, waveguide, or planar transmission line/waveguide. Hence, for a wireless link a signal is injected at an antenna’s RF port, the RF signal passes through two RF conductive ports and two air-interfaces. Hence, there are four RF connections in that simple path between two antennas and their RF ports. This isn’t counting the connection between the antenna’s RF ports and any type of transmission line or other conductive RF path. RF Coaxial Cable Assemblies are considered a single RF connection, however, there are actually two RF connections within a coaxial cable assembly. Where the coaxial cable and RF connector meet there is a connection, as well as the connections between each of the RF connectors and the ports that they are connected to. Hence, even for a simple cable assembly connection there are four RF connections. If an RF coaxial cable assembly is the interconnect between an antenna and another RF path, such as a transceiver, then the wireless link between two antennas with RF coaxial cable assemblies involves six RF connections on each side of the wireless link, or 12 RF connections total. It is important to be cognizant of every RF connection within a path, as that connection is an opportunity for failure, signal degradation, or signal leakage. RF signal paths tend to be very susceptible to degradation from poor RF connections. For instance, an improperly attached coaxial connector can lead to an impedance other than the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and/or become weak and lead to a disconnection failure. In general, there is never a perfect impedance match at a given RF connection, so there is always some loss, reflection, and a voltage standing wave ratio greater than 1:1. Peter McNeil | Feb 02, 2026 | Antennas RF Antennas are the primary method for RF communication and sensing systems to convert electrical signals to RF and vice versa. A subset of RF antennas is fixed antennas , which is mainly a description of how they are mounted, installed and generally used. A fixed antenna is any RF antenna that is incapable of motion or steering that is fixed rigidly to a platform. The platform used to support this type of antenna is typically a telecommunications post/pole or tower. There are a variety of different types of antennas that can be classified as fixed antennas, including omnidirectional antennas, dipole antennas, folded dipole antennas, log periodic antennas, exposed dipole antennas, collinear omnidirectional antennas, and more. Key Takeaways Fixed RF antennas are stationary, reliable, and optimized for long-term operation. They come in directional and omnidirectional varieties to meet diverse coverage needs. Proper installation and alignment are critical for achieving optimal performance. These antennas are essential in wireless infrastructure, IoT, defense, and industrial communication systems. Fixed antennas are constructed of an antenna element, interconnect for the antenna element, and some type of mounting structure/fixturing system to allow for the antenna to be securely mounted to the exterior of a structure. As fixed antennas are typically mounted on the exterior of a structure and exposed to the elements, these antennas often are built with environmental protection or some sort of cover/radome. These are most often constructed of fiberglass for environmental ruggedness and physical protection of the otherwise delicate antenna elements. The most common applications for fixed antennas are GPS, cellular, IoT, and other communications use cases. What a fixed antenna is useful for depends on the frequency range capability of the antenna, gain, and the directionality of the antenna. Omnidirectional antennas, or omni-antennas, have a 360 degrees of horizontal antenna pattern, while directional antennas have a narrow antenna pattern and typically higher overall gain in a given direction due to the enhanced directionality. Primary Applications for Fixed Antennas Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global’naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLNSS) Antenna CDMA, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, and/or other cellular technologies Low-power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) Internet-of-Things (IoT), narrow-band IoT (NB-IoT), LTE-machine (LTE-M), and/or long-range (LoRa) Machine-to-machine (M2M) communications Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or other wireless communications The gain of a fixed antenna is always referenced to an ideal isotropic radiator. Higher gain generally means that an antenna is larger, more directional, or otherwise designed and fabricated in such a way to yield a larger gain. As there are practical limits to gain/directionality and other key antenna performance metrics, such as bandwidth, ultra-high gain antennas aren’t generally used for the same applications as fixed antennas, which are generally more affordable than laboratory, mobile, or other antennas designed for specific applications. Recommendations Choose the antenna type based on your required coverage area and gain. Verify frequency compatibility (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, sub-GHz, or cellular bands). Use high-quality RF connectors and cables to reduce signal loss. Consider environmental protection (UV, moisture, temperature) for outdoor applications. Partner with reliable suppliers such as Fairview Microwave for precision engineered RF antennas. Key RF Fixed Antenna Electrical Specifications & Features Frequency range [Hz] Axial Ratio [dB] Temperature range of operation [deg C] FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Q1. What makes an antenna “fixed”? A: A fixed antenna is permanently mounted in one location and is not intended to move or be repositioned during operation. Q2. What is the main difference between a fixed and a mobile RF antenna? A: Fixed antennas are stationary, while mobile antennas are designed for moving platforms like vehicles or handheld devices. Q3. Can fixed antennas be used outdoors? A: Yes, most fixed antennas are weatherproofed and rated for outdoor environments with proper grounding. Peter McNeil | Sep 27, 2023 | Antennas The growing demand for data driven analysis for shipping and logistics is driving up the need for modern vehicle tracking, telematics, navigation systems, fleet management, and eventually, autonomous vehicles. All of these systems are intrinsically reliant on global positioning system (GPS) and other global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technologies. GNSS often includes support for satellite systems other than GPS, such as GALILEO, BeiDou, and GLONASS. For cars, trucks, fleet vehicles, off-road vehicles, and other automobiles, it is critical to have a GPS/GNSS antenna system that is able to deliver a reliable communication link even when exposed to the rugged conditions of the open road or off-road environment. This is where rugged Vehicle GPS/GNSS Antennas come into play. These GPS systems differ from the GPS/GNSS antennas that are typically located in GPS/GNSS electronics, in that they are external antennas that are connected via coaxial connectors to a GPS/GNSS port on modern cellular modems, location tracking units, or fleet vehicle management units. These GPS/GNSS antennas are designed to be mounted on the outside of the vehicle for optimal signal strength compared to being located within a vehicle that may likely shield or otherwise attenuate GPS/GNSS signals. As these antennas are located on the outside of vehicles they need to be reliably performed in tough conditions. A key aspect of external vehicle operation for antennas is the ability to mount in a variety of ways, including being able to be screw mounted for permanent installations and strong magnetic mounting for temporary installations or when ease and speed of installation is top priority. Other considerations for vehicle mounted GPS/GNSS antenna are to have SMA and FAKRA connector options. SMA is the most common coaxial connector type used commercially for GPS, but many military/defense, government, and industrial applications also may use FAKRA connectors. The polarization of GPS/GNSS antennas also matters. Right hand circularly polarized antennas can help by providing cross-polarization isolation (left hand circularly polarized signal rejection) and improved sensitivity (lock-time). Other critical features include a low-profile against the mounting surface to reduce drag and the chance of being struck by road debris or wind driven weather. These antenna types often include integrated low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), as GPS/GNSS signals are extremely weak. Even the small loss along a coaxial cable from an external antenna to a GPS/GNSS receiver located within a vehicle would be significant for the sensitivity of the GPS/GNSS system. Hence, LNA noise figure (NF) is also a consideration for these antennas. Join our mailing list Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and product information First name Last name