Why is antenna selection so important? 

Antenna selection directly impacts coverage and reliability in real-world installations.

Choosing the right antenna is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve wireless performance, helping deliver more consistent coverage and dependable connectivity. Whether you’re deploying LoRaWAN sensors, installing Wi-Fi 6E infrastructure, or using UHF RFID in industrial environments, the antenna you deploy directly influences coverage, signal quality, and long-term system stability. 

This practical guide covers key considerations when selecting an antenna: frequency, gain, mounting, technology, physical constraints, and radiation patterns, using examples from our latest iANT antenna range.

Supporting Wireless Connectivity 

The iANT antenna range is built to keep pace with the latest wireless technologies. With options designed for diverse industrial use cases, our product range gives you the flexibility to specify the correct antenna for each use-case application. iANT antennas support the rollout of connected devices and systems. Specifying and deploying the right antenna ensures your workers, devices, and systems stay connected. 

Frequency & Band Support 

Always make sure that when selecting an antenna, you check it supports the frequency bands your system uses. High frequency (HF) bands, such as 5 GHz and 6 GHz, enable higher data rates and capacity but typically require more careful planning around placement and coverage. Proper tuning ensures strong signal performance, wide coverage, and compliance with regional regulations. 

• The iANT229 covers both 868 MHz and 915 MHz, making it ideal for global LoRaWAN deployments. 

• The iANT230, iANT231and iANT232 support 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, aligning perfectly with Wi-Fi 6E networks. 

Correct frequency matching reduces radio frequency (RF) losses and enables the antenna to support future network upgrades when needed. 

Gain & Coverage Patterns 

Antenna gain affects how far the RF signal travels and how it spreads through its environment. 

• Directional antennas like the iANT228 and iANT231 offer focused, higher-gain coverage; ideal for corridors, long distances, or targeted areas. 

• Omnidirectional antennas such as the iANT229, iANT230, and iANT232 provide consistent 360° coverage, perfect for centrally located access points or gateways. 

Selecting an appropriate gain helps balance range, coverage density, and signal consistency across the site. 

Mounting Options & Environmental Conditions 

Practical installation considerations can determine which antenna will perform best for your site. Our iANT antennas are designed for demanding environments, featuring a rugged build and broad temperature tolerance. 

Some examples of this are:  

• iANT228 with a marine-grade coating and –45°C to +70°C rating for harsh outdoor conditions, suitable for direct mounting in exposed outdoor locations.  

• iANT229 and iANT231, designed for wall or pole mounting and rated –40°C to +60°C for industrial facilities. 

• iANT232, a compact antenna ideal for installations where mounting space or clearance is limited, with the iANT212 offering a smaller alternative for more constrained installations where lower gain is acceptable. 

By planning for mounting, clearance and environmental exposure, you set the foundation for consistent, reliable antenna performance. 

Antenna Technology Requirements: MIMO, Polarisation & Multi-Band Support 

 Different antenna technologies address distinct performance requirements. Understanding how each feature contributes to network behaviour helps ensure the antenna is correctly matched to it’s use case. 

Increasing Capacity and Throughput 

• MIMO 4×4 support, available on the iANT230 and iANT231, enables multiple data streams to be transmitted and received simultaneously. This increases throughput and enhances user experience in high-capacity Wi-Fi 6E deployments. 

Improving UHF RFID  Read Reliability 

• Circular polarisation, used by the iANT228, allows RFID tags to be read regardless of their orientation. This improves read consistency in environments where tag alignment cannot be controlled. 

Supporting Flexible and Future-Proof Deployments 

• Tri-band support throughout the Wi-Fi 6E antenna range enables operation across multiple frequency bands. This provides flexibility during deployment and simplifies future network upgrades without requiring antenna replacement. 

Matching the antenna’s technical features with your access point or radio ensures you get the maximum performance out of your network. 

Radiation Patterns 

Radiation patterns offer insight into how an antenna distributes energy, both horizontally and vertically.  

• Directional patterns help concentrate energy into a defined area for maximum range. 

• Omnidirectional patterns distribute energy evenly, supporting environments with multiple devices spread around a central point. 

Taking such patterns into account helps eliminate blind spots and ensures consistent performance throughout the deployment area. 

Space, Cabling, & Installer Considerations 

Installations often involve practical constraints that influence antenna choice: 

• Limited space may require a compact antenna such as the iANT232. 

• Long cable runs can introduce signal loss, making antenna placement and connector choice important. 

• Clearance from metal structures and correct orientation are essential for reliable connectivity. 

Factoring in these details early can simplify installation. 

If you need a Hazardous Area Wireless Solution

If your connectivity approach is expected to operate in a hazardous area, you must also consider appropriate hazardous area protection methods. In hazardous areas, any electrical equipment, including RF devices, must be safeguarded in a way that prevents sparks, heat, or excess energy from igniting a flammable atmosphere. 

We offer a range of protection approaches and certified solutions to support safe wireless connectivity in hazardous environments:

• The iWAP series is a range of rugged wireless enclosures that make it possible to use standard wireless devices  and antennas in Zone 1 & 2 hazardous areas. When paired with antennas like the iANT range, our iWAP enclosure allows you to deploy connectivity safely in hazardous areas, without needing specialized access points. 

• The iSOLATE501 delivers an intrinsically safe RF output, enabling antennas to be connected directly into hazardous zones. By limiting the energy that can pass through the RF line, it helps ensure safety compliance while maintaining your wireless connectivity. 

• The XBeam Ex-certified antenna range has hazardous area certification built into the antenna. These solutions allow direct, external mounting in Zone 1 or Class I Div 2 areas without additional RF protection measures, simplifying installation while maintaining compliant, reliable wireless coverage.  

• The EXgate215 and EXgate360 are compact, ATEX/IECEx-certified Zone 1 enclosures designed for wireless devices with integrated antennas.  

Conclusion 

By considering frequency support, gain, mounting, technology, environmental factors, and the underlying antenna design you can choose an antenna that enhances coverage and supports future upgrades. 

There are many variables to consider, but in most cases this process is handled by a system integrator or solution provider as part of their site report, helping ensure the right choice is made for each deployment. 

The iANT range provides durable, high-performance options designed for industrial and commercial environments, making antenna selection simpler and more effective. Get in touch to find out more. 

About the Author

JE

James Eastwood

Product Manager

James brings experience from engineering and sales into his role as a product manager. His mix of technical understanding and commercial perspective supports the strategic development of our market-leading products.

Last updated on January 13, 2026

LinkedIn