SABIC Introduces New LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ Compounds for Automotive GNSS Antennas

Latest: Globally diversified chemical company Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) today introduced two new LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ compounds: LNP THERMOCOMP
ZKC0CXXD resin and LNP THERMOCOMP ZKC0DXXD resin. Compared to the second generation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
The ceramic scheme used in the antenna, the new material is expected to improve the signal gain. This is achieved by facilitating the design and implementation of more complex patterned antenna substrates to increase the effective surface area – a key factor in enhancing signal capture.
For customers currently using ceramic, switch to LNP
THERMOCOMP compounds can avoid secondary processing and help reduce system cost while improving antenna performance. When existing materials struggle to meet the requirements for developing new high-resolution GNSS antennas, SABIC’s products will effectively help designers and engineers meet new demands.

SABIC LNP &
Zhao Fianli, Director of Business Management at NORYL, said: “As GNSS antenna technology evolves to the second generation with higher resolution, SABIC will continue to enhance the scope and capabilities of its LNP specialty compound product portfolio to meet new performance requirements. substrates compared to our novel LNPs
THERMOCOMP compounds can help antenna manufacturers achieve higher signal gain. These products are also very flexible in design, providing equivalent sized parts with the same performance as ceramics, but in a smaller or better performance.
The combination of the three benefits—better signal gain, greater design freedom, and lower system cost—will help drive innovation in GNSS technology, which is key to passenger safety today and autonomous driving in the future. ”

The high dielectric constant (Dk) of the LNP THERMOCOMP compound reduces design size and the low dissipation factor (Df) facilitates signal acquisition. In addition, products can be tailored to meet different customer needs;
Both products are electroplatable and offer reliable heat resistance, the high design freedom and production efficiency of thermoplastics. Both products are ideal for shark fin and new conformal antenna designs.

Implement complex patterns for improved signal capture

The antenna is the front end of the GNSS signal processing chain. The larger effective area of ​​the antenna is beneficial to improve the signal gain and enhance the ability to capture satellite signals.
The second-generation GNSS antenna achieves high resolution by combining satellite signals of two different frequencies, which puts forward higher requirements for signal acquisition.
To expand the effective surface area of ​​the antenna substrate, manufacturers design complex antenna patterns. Ceramic materials have certain limitations in the shape and complexity of the antenna pattern because it is difficult to plate in small or confined spaces.
These factors affect antenna performance and limit the suitability of ceramics for high-resolution GNSS systems.

In contrast, SABIC’s new LNP THERMOCOMP compounds can be easily injection molded to accommodate more complex pattern designs.
Complex shapes and designs can significantly increase the effective surface area of ​​existing components to meet the stringent signal gain requirements of high-resolution GNSS antennas.
Unlike ceramic materials, the new materials can achieve higher yields after copper, nickel and/or silver electroplating processes due to their stable electroplating capabilities.

SABIC’s new material also helps reduce system costs compared to ceramic substrates, which require time-consuming secondary processing such as molding, drilling and polishing. Use LNP
Injection molding of THERMOCOMP compounds provides higher yields and productivity, less scrap and lower costs.

Wang Qin, Asia-Pacific R&D and Application Director of SABIC’s Specialty Materials Department, said: “SABIC has industry-renowned innovation capabilities that can quickly respond to technological trends, such as higher and higher GNSS antenna resolution.
We have extensive application development resources to support product development, for example, we can use the dielectric properties of compounds to simulate antenna performance and then fine-tune thermoplastic substrate materials to make them ideal for specific antenna designs.
Our global Applied Technology Centers provide complex engineering, testing, analysis and customization services to help our customers succeed. ”

SABIC’s new LNP THERMOCOMP compounds are available worldwide.