HARMAN's AKG FLOORPAD Near-Field Antenna Increases Signal Quality For Close-Range Applications

LONDON, United Kingdom – Designed to mitigate interference at the antenna in order to protect wireless microphone operations, while reducing the potential for interference to nearby operations, HARMAN's AKG FLOORPAD helps touring and equipment rental companies meet audio demands where a small to medium coverage area is required.

As an innovative and alternative approach to the typical antenna design normally applied to entertainment production wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring systems, where antennae are designed to be deployed at a distance from the speaker or performer at a higher elevation above head level for a clear line of sight, AKG's FLOORPAD is placed on the floor, capable of being hidden under a stage, carpeting or podiums with a high-quality RF link to wireless audio devices.

FLOORPAD is connected to microphone receivers or in-ear monitor transmitters via low-loss coaxial cable and placed in the area of operation. FLOORPAD reduces interference sources lying outside of its range, providing tactical advantage against surrounding high-powered transmitters, other wireless devices or unknown devices surrounding the area.

“Deploying an antenna in the air for a wireless microphone system creates a greater exposure to potential interference from unwanted radio energy, whether from a crowded broadband or noise in general where the user has little to no control,” stated Wolfgang Fritz, product marketing manager, AKG. “AKG's FLOORPAD offers significantly less interference and an unobtrusive performance for users and events with limited propagation. As the FLOORPAD sits relatively close or under the performer, it does not require the same sensitivity as a typical wireless antenna, therefore is less sensitive to potential interferers outside its coverage area.”

The FLOORPAD is a round, flat rubberized package approximately 20” in diameter by ¼” thick with a 10-foot RG316 coaxial tail terminated with a female BNC. The device has a hemispherical radiation pattern, circular polarization and deliberate reduction in sensitivity across its 470-740MHz-frequency range.

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.