Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1490533
radiation pattern) antenna system may be prioritized in the design to ensure continuous communication. However, designing an omnidirectional antenna may present tradeoffs with cost and range, both of which may be crucial for other applications. Therefore, understanding the needs of the application is key to optimizing the connectivity hardware accordingly. Another consideration may be the bandwidth that the application requires. The speed and latency required by an application directly influence the cellular band that the asset will operate within, and this band directly influences the antenna design and topology. Cost is another consideration, but tradeoffs often need to be made between cost and speed. For example, Cat M1 is an extremely low-cost option, but it's also one of the slowest, making it a poor choice for something like an ambulance operation. From a hardware point of view, bandwidth requirements may change the design with respect to the antenna's physical geometry and topology. For example, achieving high-bandwidth communications may require a multiple- input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna, in which multiple transmit and receive antennas are used at the source. Designing for MIMO requires considering how to configure and orient multiple antennas, as well as assuming the higher cost of these multi-antenna systems. Hence, the application requirements of a system—including directionality, bandwidth, and cost—present significant design considerations regarding the connectivity hardware of fleet telematics. Whereas in the past connectivity could be intermittent, people nowadays expect more from their applications. With this increased demand for connectivity, your choice of radio topology and technology has become one of the most important design considerations in fleet telematics." C h a p t e r 2 | C o n n e c t i v i t y D e s i g n C o n s i d e r a t i o n s Paul Fadlovich Senior Manager, TE Connectivity 10 7 Experts on Design Considerations for Fleet Telematics