NB-IoT & LTE-M · Internal antennas
NB-IoT and LTE-M / Cat-M Antennas
“NB-IoT antenna” is not a specification. NB-IoT and LTE-M run on licensed cellular bands, and which bands you get depends on the module variant and on the carrier in the country where the device ships. Start with the module band list, not with the technology name.
Internal antenna formats for NB-IoT and LTE-M
We currently have three documented internal antenna paths across 698-960 MHz and 1710-2690/2700 MHz, with UFL or IPEX connections. They are starting points for an integration, not universal module compatibility.
Three internal antennas we can quote
Every figure below comes from the product record. Where a field is blank on the product page, it stays blank here.
| Model | Frequency | Format and size | Connector and cable | Why you would pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLFPC01 | 698-960 / 1710-2700 MHz | FPC/PCB, 70 x 20 x 2.5 mm | UFL; datasheet lists RG1.13/RG1.37 | The default internal FPC antenna for a plastic enclosure |
| GL-DY143 | 698-960 / 1710-2690 MHz | Flexible embedded, 90 x 14 x 0.2 mm per the model PDF | IPEX; RF1.13 or other cable | Narrow and very thin, for a tight IPEX layout |
| GL-DY142 | 698-960 / 1710-2690 MHz | Flexible embedded, 110 x 20 x 0.2 mm | UFL; RG1.13/RG1.37 | Longer format when the enclosure has linear space |
GL-DY142 does not publish a gain figure, so we do not quote one. Dimensions and connectors narrow the mechanical choice quickly. They do not replace an antenna review on the real PCB, in the real enclosure, with the real cable route.
Check the module and the network band, not the label
Take SIMCom’s SIM7080G as an example, since it turns up in a lot of designs. It is a dual-mode Cat-M and NB-IoT module, and its Cat-M and Cat-NB band lists are not identical. The Cat-NB list includes Band 71, which extends below 698 MHz.
All three antennas above start at 698 MHz. That does not make them incompatible with the module. It means that if your carrier deploys the device on Band 71, these three do not cover it, and if the carrier deploys on Band 8 or Band 20, they do. We cannot answer that from a part number, which is why we ask for the exact variant and the target network before anyone builds a sample.
For the same reason, nothing on this page should be read as “the SIM7080G antenna”. No RF test in our current evidence proves any of these three works with that module inside a finished enclosure.
How to choose
Format, placement and the things that quietly break performance.
Module bands
Start with the module’s official band list and the band your carrier will actually deploy. Everything else is downstream of this.
Adhesive flexible antennas
Suited to a plastic wall or another controlled surface. What you get depends on position, bend, and what sits next to it. Picking by smallest outline is the most common mistake.
Cable and connector
UFL and IPEX must match the module board connector, including the mating series. Record cable type, length and exit direction; none of the records fixes one standard length.
Ground plane
Review against the production PCB and enclosure, not a prototype in a bare box. A frequency range on a product page is not evidence of TRP, TIS, range or carrier approval.
Where these end up
Smart metering, asset tracking, remote monitoring and compact industrial sensors, wherever the documented bands and the mechanical constraints line up. Selection stays specific to the module, the network, the enclosure and the install. If the device also needs positioning, see GNSS antennas for asset and fleet tracking.
What to send us
Module manufacturer, exact model and hardware variant. Target country, carrier, and the Cat-M or Cat-NB bands they will use. PCB and enclosure drawings, with the antenna keep-out and the ground area marked. What sits nearby: plastic wall, metal, battery, display. UFL or IPEX series, cable type, length and exit direction. Mounting surface and the maximum antenna size that fits. Operating temperature and environment. Quantity, plus any drawings, samples or test records you need.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one antenna that works for all NB-IoT modules?
No. NB-IoT and LTE-M reuse licensed cellular bands, and the supported set changes by module variant and by market. Send the variant and the target carrier band.
What is the difference between an FPC antenna and a flexible embedded antenna here?
GLFPC01 is a 2.5 mm thick FPC/PCB part. GL-DY143 and GL-DY142 are 0.2 mm flexible antennas that adhere to an inside wall. The choice is usually driven by available space and mounting surface, not by performance on paper.
Can you confirm compatibility with my module before I order?
We can confirm whether the documented frequency range covers your required bands. Proving performance in your finished device needs a sample and an RF test on your hardware, which we would rather schedule than promise in advance.
Do you supply a fixed cable length?
The product records list cable types, not one standard length for every order. Tell us the length and exit direction you need and we quote the assembly.
Custom & OEM/ODM antennas
As an RF antenna manufacturer we tune bands, connectors and branding in-house, with sampling, testing and mass production to RoHS, CE and ISO requirements. Send the module variant, band list and enclosure drawing and our engineers confirm feasibility, lead time and MOQ.
Ask for an NB-IoT or LTE-M antenna review
Send the module variant, the band list and the enclosure drawing. We will come back with a shortlist from the three models above and a straight list of the RF checks still needed in your finished device.
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