Overview

Improve in-flight connectivity to wireless networks.

In an age when being connected to the Internet means being connected to the wider world, we expect to have Internet access everywhere — including commercial airplanes, where passengers expect easy access to Internet servers, email and in-flight entertainment while airborne.

GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas keep passengers connected. Our antennas improve signal propagation while reducing the amount of hardware required on the plane. These antennas provide reliable connectivity to different wireless systems, including picocells for mobile phone coverage and access points for airborne Wi-Fi.

Ideal for both wide-body and single-aisle passenger aircrafts, Gore's antennas significantly reduce dead spots, enabling passengers to connect to wireless networks throughout the cabin.

The inherently flame-retardant materials used in the construction of GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas meet the flame and smoke toxicity specifications of FAR Part 25.1359(d) and Airbus ABD0031 without added flame retardants.

Durable Construction

The engineered fluoropolymers used in the construction of GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas are inherently flame-retardant. They meet Airbus ABD0031 and FAR Part 25.1359(d) specifications for flame and smoke toxicity, which ensures reliable flame protection. These materials are also resistant to abrasion and cut-through, reducing the potential for damage during installation.

Reduced Costs for Wireless Access

Broadband technology used in aircraft generally requires separate equipment for each wireless protocol. GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas enable integrated hardware to run multiple protocols through a single antenna, reducing the quantity of wireless-N access points (N-WAPs) required to ensure signal coverage.

These lightweight antennas reduce equipment costs by offering a single solution that provides connectivity for a variety of electronic devices. Because of their durable construction, our Leaky Feeder Antennas don’t require any maintenance for the life of the aircraft, and this further reduces operating costs.

Features & Benefits

GORE<sup>®</sup> Leaky Feeder Antennas

GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas are engineered to be superiorly reliable during flights and over time. Enabling this reliability are features like:

  • uniform signal propagation for wireless access throughout the entire cabin
  • reliable access across a broad range of frequencies with a single antenna
  • reduced costs with single hardware set and cables that require no maintenance for the lifetime of the aircraft
  • outstanding flame and smoke protection with inherently flame-retardant materials
  • easy installation for new production and retrofit applications in both single-aisle and wide-body aircraft
  • increased flexibility with rugged cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant construction
  • reduced exposure to wireless radiation

With a single antenna installed along the length of the cabin, passengers can access wireless networks for their laptops, tablets, mobile phones and in-flight entertainment systems regardless of their location in the cabin.

These antennas dramatically reduce dead spots because of the proprietary technology that maintains excellent antenna gain and coupling loss over a broad range of frequencies and antenna lengths as measured according to IEC 61196-4, Free Space Method.

Applications

GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas are typically used in:

  • wide-body aircraft
  • single-aisle aircraft
  • picocells for mobile phone coverage
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and WiMAX

Additionally, the antennas commonly support connectivity to Bluetooth, DECT, DECT2, Globalstar, GSM, IRIDIUM Sat, MMS, PDC and TETRA protocols.

Proven Performance

GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas maintains excellent antenna gain and coupling loss over a broad range of frequencies and antenna lengths as measured according to IEC 61196-4, Free Space Method.

Figure 1: Antenna Gain: GORE® Leaky Feeder Antenna 355

Antenna Gain: GORE<sup>®</sup> Leaky Feeder Antenna 355

Figure 2: Coupling Loss: GORE® Leaky Feeder Antenna 355

Coupling Loss: GORE<sup>®</sup> Leaky Feeder Antenna 355

Figure 3: Antenna Gain: GORE® Leaky Feeder Antenna 280

Antenna Gain: GORE<sup>®</sup> Leaky Feeder Antenna 280

Figure 4: Coupling Loss: GORE® Leaky Feeder Antenna 280

Coupling Loss: GORE<sup>®</sup> Leaky Feeder Antenna 280

Figure 5: Antenna Gain: GORE® Leaky Feeder Antenna 500

Antenna Gain: GORE<sup>®</sup> Leaky Feeder Antenna 500

Figure 6: Coupling Loss: GORE® Leaky Feeder Antenna 500

Coupling Loss: GORE<sup>®</sup> Leaky Feeder Antenna 500

Product Specifications

Electrical Properties LFA280 LFA355 LFA500
Operating Voltage (V RMS) 300
Impedance (ohms) 50 +5/-2
Frequency Range (MHz) 400 to 6000
Mechanical Properties LFA280 LFA355 LFA500
Nominal Cable Diameter (mm) 6.5 8.1 11.7
Minimum Bend Radius (mm) 40 50 70
Operating Temperature Range (°C) -55 to 85
Maximum Weight (g/m) 72 85 153
Flame and Smoke Toxicity Airbus ABD0031 and
FAR Part 25.1359(d)

Ordering Information

GORE Leaky Feeder Antennas are available in a variety of diameters, lengths and constructions. For assistance in selecting the right antennas for your application, please contact us

Resources

Recent News

Press Release

W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES TO PRESENT NEW MOSA PAPER AT GVSETS CONFERENCE

Posted August 11, 2023

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) will present a new Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) technical paper at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium & Modernization Update (GVSETS) on Tuesday, August 15, in Novi, Mich.

Event

Meet Gore at the Paris Air Show

June 19, 2023 - June 25, 2023

Visit our Booth 2C-C358 to see GORE® Cables and Materials that have been proven and trusted over time in fighter jets, rotorcraft and passenger airliners. Reserve your time slot now for a 1-on-1 discussion to talk with us about your latest airframe and aviation system developments.

Event

Visit Gore at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit (AAAA)

April 26, 2023 - April 29, 2023

Stop by Booth 1023 and ask to see our demonstrations to watch how GORE® Cables and Materials perform reliably before and after installation and over time. We’re also eager to hear about your latest airframe and aviation system developments and talk with you about our solutions to ensure mission performance and aircrew protection for FARA, FLRAA and enduring fleet.

Press Release

W. L. Gore & Associates Expands High-Speed Data Transmission Capabilities

Posted April 18, 2023

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced today its new Cat8 ethernet cable for use in aerospace and defense platforms. The new Cat8 ethernet cable allows for four times the high-speed data transmission previously possible.

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FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY

Not for use in food, drug, cosmetic or medical device manufacturing, processing, or packaging operations.