The intelligent antenna module helps automakers reduce energy consumption of air conditioners with solar reflective glazing without sacrificing wireless performance. With infrared reflecting metalized windows as offered today on selected vehicles the interior heats up less, thus reducing the need for the air conditioner and CO2 emissions accordingly. In the case of electric vehicles, the energy required to run the air conditioner reduces the cruising range substantially, so in the future, metalized windows will be particularly beneficial for such vehicles. However, metalized windows attenuate incoming and outgoing electromagnetic waves significantly. This is where the Intelligent Antenna Module comes in. Radio signals within the vehicle are transmitted and received with the internal antennas. Signals from and to the outside are received with the external antennas.
Continental and Kathrein plan to integrate the Intelligent Antenna Module in the area of the roof panel, at the front and rear window or in the trunk lid. Using today’s electronic architectures, modern services in the future would be possible in the car only at high cost. Thanks to its openness for various radio technologies, the Intelligent Antenna Module makes it possible for car manufacturers to integrate the desired technologies into the system at very reasonable prices. The user benefits from low operating costs since the appropriate technology required for the respective situation is put to use. For instance in a downtown area, the Intelligent Antenna Module in a parked vehicle uses the low priced WLAN to connect to internet from a laptop or PDA instead of a costly UMTS.
In the cooperation with Kathrein, the core competencies of the two companies are put to use in an ideal manner: Continental provides the mutual development team with know-how about digital hardware and software as well as systems architecture and integration. As the global market leader for antennas, Kathrein develops the antennas and analog electronics, supported by Continental – which is the world leader when it comes to antenna structures for keyless access control systems as well as tire pressure monitoring systems.
Continental and Kathrein are currently working with two customers to develop an intelligent antenna module for volume production. Two further projects are in the advanced development phase. In a few years, the first Intelligent Antenna Module will be able to reliably link cars to the networked world. “Always On” will then not only apply to just other areas of life, but life in the car as well, making the trip safer and more eco-friendly.
Continental and Kathrein plan to integrate the Intelligent Antenna Module in the area of the roof panel, at the front and rear window or in the trunk lid. Using today’s electronic architectures, modern services in the future would be possible in the car only at high cost. Thanks to its openness for various radio technologies, the Intelligent Antenna Module makes it possible for car manufacturers to integrate the desired technologies into the system at very reasonable prices. The user benefits from low operating costs since the appropriate technology required for the respective situation is put to use. For instance in a downtown area, the Intelligent Antenna Module in a parked vehicle uses the low priced WLAN to connect to internet from a laptop or PDA instead of a costly UMTS.
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
In the cooperation with Kathrein, the core competencies of the two companies are put to use in an ideal manner: Continental provides the mutual development team with know-how about digital hardware and software as well as systems architecture and integration. As the global market leader for antennas, Kathrein develops the antennas and analog electronics, supported by Continental – which is the world leader when it comes to antenna structures for keyless access control systems as well as tire pressure monitoring systems.
Continental and Kathrein are currently working with two customers to develop an intelligent antenna module for volume production. Two further projects are in the advanced development phase. In a few years, the first Intelligent Antenna Module will be able to reliably link cars to the networked world. “Always On” will then not only apply to just other areas of life, but life in the car as well, making the trip safer and more eco-friendly.