Hidroconta accelerates smart meter certification with Quectel antenna engineering
Hidroconta, a smart metering specialist based in Murcia, Spain, has partnered with Quectel to address antenna performance challenges and achieve carrier certification for its latest generation of narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) smart meters. When Hidroconta needed to meet stringent telecom operator total radiated power (TRP) and total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) requirements, they worked closely with Quectel to analyze the complete radio frequency (RF) design, identify performance bottlenecks, and optimize the device for certification. This avoided the need to just replace the antenna with an alternative, helping to keep project timelines on track.
Quectel started by developing a compatible antenna solution that allowed Hidroconta to quickly validate its design and make progress with carrier testing. In parallel, Quectel engineered a custom surface-mount design (SMD) antenna that supports NB-IoT bands 8, 20, and 28, and is specifically optimized for Hidroconta’s smart metering platform.
“Quectel helped improve our existing antenna solution and also developed a completely new one. Quectel engineers were involved throughout the project, from PCB design review to RF optimization, working to support us in improving the overall performance of our smart meters.”
Alfonso Corbalán, CEO, Hidroconta
In addition to antenna development, Quectel’s RF engineers reviewed the printed circuit board (PCB) layout, identified RF design issues, and recommended layout improvements to enhance the solution’s overall wireless performance. The custom antenna was designed to satisfy telecom operator TRP and TIS certification requirements while achieving compatibility with three different Hidroconta smart meter platforms. This helps to simplify product development and streamline future deployments.
Engineering beyond the antenna
“Quectel helped improve our existing antenna solution and also developed a completely new one,” says Alfonso Corbalán, CEO of Hidroconta. “Quectel engineers were involved throughout the project, from PCB design review to RF optimization, working to support us in improving the overall performance of our smart meters.”
The collaboration has since expanded beyond the scope of the original smart meter certification project, with Quectel continuing to work with Hidroconta on additional developments.
“Successful wireless products depend on much more than selecting the right antenna,” says Victor Pinazo, Senior Regional Sales Manager at Quectel Wireless Solutions. “By combining antenna design, RF optimization, PCB review, and testing expertise, we were able to help Hidroconta achieve certification more rapidly while delivering a more robust solution for future products.”
