Skip to content 
Solution Overview
In scenarios where the living space is relatively large, such as in large villas with numerous walls, conventional antennas face substantial signal loss and interference. Factors such as long distances, multiple walls, doors, and other barriers can obstruct and reflect signals, weakening them. This often results in inadequate coverage, necessitating extra boosters or repeaters to maintain reliable performance. The Aboosty team has developed a solution that integrates Z-Wave technology with an omnidirectional, high-gain antenna to overcome these challenges.
Antenna Operating Frequency: 865.2 MHz to 926.3MHz
Intended Application: Indoor smart home control systems
Concept: The design integrates the module and antenna into a single unit, positioning the module at the ground part of the antenna.
Past and Present
Larger spaces with multiple barriers often create challenges for smart home communication between Z-Wave, LoRa, and Wi-Fi node devices and their gateway devices. The distance, walls, doors, and other barriers, can disrupt communication, causing commands sent through the host to be poorly received by the nodes and resulting in a suboptimal user experience.
In the past, antenna design prioritized efficiency over directional patterns. However, in the new generation of the Internet of Things, many node-type terminal devices require effective coverage from the gateways. This transition requires a horizontally omnidirectional pattern from the gateway rather than a directional pattern distorted by the host’s PCBA.
As shown in solution B in the figure below, it is more favorable for the gateway product to cover the node devices in all directions.
At present, smooth communication between the host and the node is commonly achieved by increasing the size of the antennas. To mitigate the impact of the host on the antenna, the antenna and the host are positioned farther apart. This increased separation reduces interference, enabling both the host and the antenna to function more effectively.
Comparison of Initial Solutions
During the initial project phase, to find the best solution, Aboosty engineers meticulously assessed and contrasted the pros and cons of each alternative as shown in the table below.
| No. | Solution | Structure | Performance | Apearance | Cost |
| 1 | Detachable External Omnidirectional Antenna | External, detachable | / | / | High (About $5) |
| 2 | Detachable External Omnidirectional Antenna with Extension Cable | External, detachable with cable | Large signal loss due to the cable | / | High |
| 3 | The Mainboard Embedded in the Antenna | Internal | Radiation patterns remain stable | Unattractive | Moderate |
| 4 | Integrated Mainboard and Antenna Design | Direct USB plug-in | Radiation patterns remain stable | Integrated with the device; ensures performance while being discreet. | Lowest (Under $0.5) |
From the comparison table, the integrated mainboard and antenna design in the fourth solution stands out for its low cost, stable performance, and sleek, discreet outlook. Unlike detachable antennas, it‘s compact and maximumly eliminates signal loss. Its direct USB connection ensures reliable operation, making it both cost-effective and efficient.
Why Z-Wave
Z-Wave, led by Denmark’s Zensys, is a low-cost, low-power, reliable short-range wireless technology operating at 908.42MHz (US) and 868.42MHz (EU) with a data rate of 9.6 kbps. It offers indoor coverage of up to 30m and outdoor up to 100m. Z-Wave networks support up to 232 nodes, using dynamic routing and source routing protocols. The technology has evolved from 9.6Kbit/s to 40Kbit/s. Z-Wave’s simple structure and low cost make it ideal for home automation, and it is increasingly used in various fields beyond smart homes, including industrial and agricultural automation.
The Challenge
On one hand, Z-Wave connectivity can significantly improve the user experience in indoor smart homes. Although significant progress has been made in boosting smart home connectivity, other challenges remain. In environments with high buildings or numerous partition walls, a high-quality, high-performance antenna solution plays a crucial role in overcoming signal interference by enhancing signal strength, expanding coverage range, and ensuring a stable connection to the network.
On the other hand, traditional antenna solutions are encumbered by several drawbacks. Besides the most prominent issue of their excessively large dimensions, they are difficult to install. This is because the antenna and the host must maintain a substantial separation to achieve optimal performance. Furthermore, the significant line loss between the antenna and the host detracts from signal transmission efficiency, compounding the overall performance issues.
In addition to addressing traditional legacy issues, key data such as the reflection coefficient (S11), gain, resonant frequency, and antenna position are essential for developing efficient and cost-effective antenna solutions. However, the complexity of antenna performance data, and the need to meet specific customer requirements, make it challenging to fine-tune antennas for optimal high-gain performance within a short timeframe.
The Final Solution
In terms of wireless technology, our innovative approach involves integrating the Z-Wave module directly with the antenna. This design not only optimizes space but also enhances performance. The core advantages of Z-wave technology are its long-range communication, high penetration capability, and resilience to interference. Reliable Z-wave antennas are essential for addressing issues with signal penetration through walls and obstacles and ensuring stable network connectivity.
Thus, Aboosty engineers selected the Z-WAVE + Monopole + Helix antenna solution, which operates across the 865.2 MHz to 926.3 MHz frequency range, making it ideal for various smart home applications. By using a monopole antenna with a helical element for phase adjustments, we conducted extensive testing on impedance matching, gain optimization, and resonance issues. Through the team’s focused iterative testing and optimization efforts, we achieved the best balance between size, gain, and omnidirectional coverage.
Physically, to overcome the limitations of traditional solutions, we have developed a streamlined gateway product that offers enhanced signal performance.
At the same time, we help our customers redesign the flexible interface product to mitigate the risk of breakage, ensuring greater durability and reliability.
In the final delivered version, we’ve incorporated an indicator light into this antenna, allowing users to effortlessly monitor traffic flow, signal strength, and other customizable information. This feature streamlines the process of obtaining crucial network information, ensuring optimal performance and ease of use.
Conclusion
As the smart home industry advances, the demand for reliable and robust communication solutions is increasing. The Z-Wave module integrated with an omnidirectional high-gain antenna offers an effective solution, setting a new benchmark for performance and reliability. This innovative design delivers stronger signal strength and more dependable connectivity across the smart home, enhancing device operation, reducing connectivity issues, and providing an exceptional user experience. Its applications span from lighting controls to security systems, all benefiting from the improved performance.
Looking ahead, we are committed to continually refining and expanding this technology. We invite you to explore and experience the advantages of our cutting-edge antenna design and join us in ushering in a new era of seamless and efficient smart home connectivity.