Rayspan Metamaterial Antennas Reduce Handset Radiation Exposure, Accelerate Test

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MEDIA RELEASE PR37744


Rayspan Metamaterial Antennas Reduce Handset Radiation Exposure, Accelerate Testing & Reduce

Time to Market


SAN DIEGO, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


       Antenna Implementation in the new LG Chocolate (LG BL40) Earns

                         Top Spot in SAR Comparison

 

    Rayspan Corporation, the world's only provider of wireless air interface

(antenna and RF front-end) technology based on metamaterials, announced that

the new LG Chocolate (LG BL40) phone, the first cellular handset to implement


performer in a

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) comparison of the most popular mobile phones

in Europe. With a SAR of 0.21 watts per kilogram (W/Kg), the antenna in the

new LG Chocolate exposes the user to almost three times less electromagnetic

radiation than that of the next-best performer, the Samsung Omnia II, with a

SAR of 0.59. Other phones compared by the British Telegraph 


include the Apple iPhone 3GS (0.79), Nokia N97 (0.66) and Blackberry Curve 8520 (1.22).


    SAR measures how much radio frequency (RF) energy is absorbed by body

tissue while using a mobile phone. In the United States, the level must be

less than 1.6W/kg in one gram of tissue. In Europe, it is capped at 2W/kg in

10 grams of tissue. The new LG Chocolate report is available from the Federal

Communications Commission (FCC). Click on the SAR Report: http://bit.ly/5LsZBk


    Franz Birkner, president and CEO of Rayspan explained that metamaterial

antennas differ from conventional 'physical' ones. Metamaterials allow

Rayspan to concentrate the electromagnetic fields and currents near the

antenna structures, producing handsets that (1) radiate significantly less RF

energy near the head and (2) offer high performance that is unaffected by the

user's hand and head intervention.


    In addition, handset manufacturers can "print" a metamaterial antenna

directly on a conventional printed circuit board (PCB) using a CAD file,

unlike a 'physical' conventional antenna, which must be designed, tooled and

fabricated as a metal-and-plastic assembly. "Our customers enjoy

high-performance, reduced-cost handsets that allow them to reach their

markets quickly -, often before target deadlines, because metamaterial

antennas are quick and easy to implement and manufacture, and they can

reliably achieve mandated SAR specifications and pass field tests exactly as

planned," explained Birkner. Metamaterial antenna design-in usually takes

just two weeks to a month. Following that, customers pay Rayspan a royalty

fee per unit sold, which is almost always less than the cost of the physical

conventional antennas that are eliminated.


    Metamaterials are composite structures engineered using conventional

materials such as PCBs and copper foil that produce unique and highly

desirable electromagnetic behavior. These properties enable antenna

miniaturization and performance improvement while simultaneously reducing

costs and simplifying manufacturing.


    Metamaterial antennas (http://www.rayspan.com/products/whitepapers.html)

operate more efficiently in constrained spaces with fewer RF "hotspots" on

the main handset PCB than conventional antennas such as Planar Inverted-F

Antennas (PIFAs). In such conventional physical antennas, currents can flow

throughout the PCB, but when radiating in the low-frequency cellular bands

they are concentrated at the end opposite the physical antenna structure,

which is typically found on the bottom, near the chin. Hence, with current

concentrated on the 'head' end of the PCB, more RF energy is absorbed by the

head. By contrast, Rayspan's Metamaterial technology can confine the currents

to the area near the antenna structure, directing much of the RF energy away

from the handset user's head and hand.


    A metamaterial antenna also helps handset manufacturers deliver multiband

functionality in a small form factor. Dr. Woo Paik, president and chief

technology officer of LG Electronics, said Rayspan's technology helped them

achieve the "slim dimensions" (10.9mm) and "unsurpassed radio frequency

capabilities" of its new LG Chocolate Phone.


    Typically sized less than 10 by 50 millimeters and as thin as paper,

Rayspan's metamaterial antenna can support four to six cellular frequency

bands. A penta-band implementation designed for global connectivity covers

low-band GSM/WCDMA/HSPA/LTE (700/800/900 MHz) and high-band 

DCS/PCS/WCDMA/HSPA/LTE (1700/1800/1900/2100 MHz) frequencies. It also enables

integration of GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi and WiMax in the same antenna array

without undesirable mixing of their signals, and while eliminating the need

for multiple large external and internal antennas.


    The new LG Chocolate (LG BL40) phone, the fourth handset of the Black

Label Series boasts a distinctive 4.0-inch wide screen high-definition LCD

with an 800 by 345 pixel resolution for a superb viewing quality. The wide

screen breaks away from conventional screen designs with a 21:9 aspect ratio

for a panoramic, cinema-like quality and optimal mobile computing experience.


    About Rayspan

    Rayspan is the world's only developer of miniature antennas and RF

front-end components based on metamaterial technology. Compared to

conventional wireless air interface technologies, Rayspan's metamaterial

devices provide unique and highly desirable electromagnetic propagation

properties not found in conventional antennas that enable ultra-small,

multiband cellular handsets, Wi-Fi routers and modems with improved speed,

range and reliability.


    The company is headquartered in San Diego, California with

customer-support facilities in Seoul, Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; and Beijing,

China. Rayspan Corporation, 11975 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130;

+1-858-259-9596; info@rayspan.com; http://www.rayspan.com.


    About LG Electronics, Inc.

    LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology

innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances,

employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84

subsidiaries around the world. With 2008 global sales of US$44.7 billion, LG

comprises of five business units - Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications,

Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is one of the

world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile

handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term

agreement to become both A Global Partner of Formula 1(TM) and A Technology

Partner of Formula 1(TM). As part of this top-level association, LG acquires

exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer

electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event.


    The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global

mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge

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technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that

provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is

pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while

continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs

and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.



     SOURCE: Rayspan Corporation


    CONTACT: Elizabeth Rose of Rayspan(R) Corporation

             +1-858-259-9596, ext. 321

             elizabeth@rayspan.com





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