Sarantel announces surface mount GPS antenna; - Ideal for automated assembly in the rapidly-growing GPS Market; - Many benefits over traditional patch antennas.

Business Editors

WELLINGBOROUGH, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2003

UK antenna specialist, Sarantel, has announced a surface mount version of its active GeoHelix(TM) miniature GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna.

The GeoHelix-S, which offers a number of technical benefits over conventional patch antennas, can be mounted directly onto the GPS circuit board, thereby simplifying production and lowering costs. It is ideal suited for portable and hand-held GPS applications including use in cellular handsets.

As with all of Sarantel's antennas, the GeoHelix (TM) offers a wider beam-width than conventional patch antennas (3dB contour up to 120 degrees typical) meaning that more GPS satellites can be seen simultaneously, resulting in greater accuracy and positioning reliability. The GeoHelix can also operate alongside other antennas without causing interference, a feature particularly important when incorporating a GPS capability into a mobile handset. Furthermore, being a balanced antenna means that the weak signals from the satellites are not de-tuned when the handset is close to human tissue such as the hand or head.

The GeoHelix-S antenna, which operates on the GPS L1-band (1575.42MHz), measures only 48.5mm x 14.6mm x 13.0mm and uses Sarantel's patented design in which copper tracks, deposited onto a small ceramic cylinder, are individually and automatically laser trimmed for optimum frequency response. The antennas incorporate a 24dBi Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) and draw only 12 mA from a nominal 3 volt dc power supply. They will be manufactured on Sarantel's fully automated assembly line in Wellingborough UK.

Recognising that other options are needed, Sarantel will supply this antenna in edge-mount and flex-mount formas as well. The edge-mount versions will have a choice of SMA or MCX male connectors, and the flex-mount versions will have a 100 mm cable terminated in a choice of MCX, MMCX, SMA , SSMT, or Hirose H-FLmale connectors. For custom requirements, please contact Sarantel.

Barrie Foley, Sarantel's CEO, commented, "Our GeoHelix antennas are proving to be very successful in the rapidly expanding GPS marketplace which includes handhelds, cellular handsets, logistic support systems and personal tracking devices. The GeoHelix-S surface mount device offers manufacturers the possibility of lower production costs and superior performance."

Notes to editors

The PowerHelix technology, developed by Sarantel in conjunction with Loughborough University, has a right-hand circular polarisation generating a cardioid-shaped reception pattern above the antenna.. The active part of the antenna is isolated from the handset case and has a very small near-field region. This makes it far less susceptible to being in close proximity with the body or other absorbing material than with conventional designs.

About Sarantel

Founded in September 2000, UK-based Sarantel (www.sarantel.com) specialises in small antennas for portable and mobile devices, including GPS, ISM band (WLAN, Bluetooth and 802.11) and GSM, PCN, PCS and 3G mobile telephones.

Built on 20 man-years of research effort, Sarantel Ltd is a venture-backed company with a strong management team and a focussed strategy to bring its technology to market.

The company has pioneered a new form of antenna design which deposits copper onto dielectric ceramic cylinders and has also pioneered a highly cost-effective volume manufacturing process at its Wellingborough facility. The company's PowerHelix(TM) technology will find applications in a wide variety of mobile wireless applications where it will offer dramatic improvements in many key performance areas. In addition to supplying antennas to OEM manufacturers world-wide, Sarantel will work with high volume manufacturers to enable them to produce antennas. The company's website is www.sarantel.com.

PowerHelix(TM) is a trademark of Sarantel Ltd.

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