| Hirohisa Sano | Advanced Electronics Research Lab., |
| Hiroyuki Itoh | Information System Components Engineering Center, Tottori Works, Information System Components Company, |
| Hisashi Tate | Advanced Connectivity Solutions Div., |
| Keisuke Fukuchi | Mobile Antenna Gr., Advanced Connectivity Solutions Div., |
As the advancement of wireless-communication technologies, such as embodied by mobile phones, continues apace, the realization of the "ubiquitous information society"—namely, a society in which information is freely available at any time and place—is before our eyes. In addition to traditional voice telephony, offered services are ranging from data communications such as e-mail and file transmission up to multimedia information such as video streaming; consequently, communication bandwidth is increasing dramatically. As the communication bandwidth is expanded, the frequency range available is also widened. Accordingly, it is necessary to realize high-speed wireless transmission that can handle broadband and multiband ranges. To meet this requirement, as regards key devices such as antennas and switches for handling RF signals, as well as compactness and low-loss characteristics, a broad range of functions—from multiple-frequency-range compatibility and noise resistance—are required. To create highly functional portable information devices with improved userfriendliness, Hitachi is developing RF ceramic components and highly functional, compact antennas and implementing them in manufactured products.
ceramic, antenna switch, LTCC, wireless LAN, antenna, IEEE802.11, UWB, broadband
