Custom n78 5G MIMO Panel Antenna: Balancing Compact Size with 65° Beamwidth
Our client approached us with a clear requirement: they needed a 5G mimo panel antenna operating in the n78 band (3300–3800 MHz)—the widely adopted 3.5GHz frequency for 5G networks across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The specifications were precise:
Half-power beamwidth: 60–65 degrees
Polarization: ±45° dual polarization (MIMO)
Form factor: Compact, small-size design
The challenge was balancing these seemingly conflicting demands. Achieving a 65° horizontal beamwidth in a small-form-factor panel antenna while maximizing gain requires careful engineering—particularly at 3.5GHz, where component dimensions directly influence radiation patterns.
Our Solution: Engineering from the Radiator Up
RF element’s R&D team approached this project systematically, starting with the most critical component: the radiating element.
Proprietary 3.5GHz Die-Cast Aluminum Radiators
Rather than adapting an off-the-shelf design, our engineers utilized our in-house developed 3.5GHz aluminum die-cast radiating elements. These radiators, precision-manufactured through our vertically integrated die-casting process, offer several advantages:
Lightweight yet durable: Aluminum construction with sandblasting and electroplating surface treatment for corrosion resistance
Precision dimensions: 33×33×23 mm, enabling compact array configurations
Proven performance: Operating temperature range of -55°C to +60°C
Our proprietary aluminum alloy die-cast radiator technology delivers superior heat dissipation, lightweight durability (30% lighter than copper alternatives), and precision-machined surfaces that minimize signal loss.
Panel Antenna Architecture
Using these custom radiators, our engineers designed the panel antenna’s aluminum reflector base structure to optimize the radiation pattern. The ±45° dual-polarized MIMO configuration enables spatial diversity and improved signal quality in multipath environments—essential for reliable 5G connectivity.
The resulting 5G MIMO panel antenna achieves the following specifications:
Frequency Range: 3300–3800 MHz (n78)
Gain: 12 dBi
Horizontal Beamwidth: 65°
Vertical Beamwidth: 28°
Polarization: ±45°
VSWR: ≤ 1.8
Dimensions: 239 × 190 × 35 mm
Weight: 1.0 kg
Meeting the Client’s Coverage Needs
The 65° horizontal beamwidth provides optimal sector coverage—wide enough for effective area coverage yet focused enough to concentrate signal energy where it’s needed most. Combined with 12 dBi gain, this 5G panel antenna delivers strong, consistent signal coverage across the target area while maintaining the compact footprint the client required. The small form factor (239×190×35 mm) enables discreet installation in space-constrained environments without compromising performance.
RF element: Your Partner for Custom 5G Antenna Solutions
This project exemplifies RF element’s core strength: translating specific client requirements into optimized, production-ready antenna solutions. As a vertically integrated 5G antenna manufacturer, we control every stage of development—from electromagnetic simulation using CST Microwave Studio and HFSS, through mold design and precision die-casting, to final surface treatment and quality validation.
Our customization capabilities span:
Frequency bands: Sub-6 GHz (including n78, n79) and mmWave
Gain and beamwidth: Tailored to specific coverage requirements
Form factor: Compact, low-profile, or custom dimensions
Polarization: Single, dual ±45°, or circular
Environmental ratings: IP67, extreme temperature ranges, corrosion resistance
Whether you need a 3.5GHz panel antenna for urban small cells, a 5G MIMO panel antenna for industrial IoT, or a custom design for a unique deployment scenario, RF element delivers engineered solutions, not just catalog products.
Contact our engineering team today to discuss your custom 5G panel antenna project. Explore our full antenna portfolio to see how we turn specific requirements into reliable, high-performance antennas.
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n78 MIMO Panel Antenna - Frequently Asked Questions
Questions engineers ask us when specifying a compact 3300-3800 MHz MIMO panel antenna.
How do you get a 65 degree beamwidth out of a compact n78 panel antenna?
We started at the radiator rather than the reflector. This design uses our in-house 3.5 GHz die-cast aluminium radiating element, 33x33x23 mm, and the element spacing and reflector base geometry were then tuned for the target pattern. That is what makes 65 degrees horizontal and 28 degrees vertical possible at 12 dBi in a panel measuring only 239x190x35 mm - a 65 degree sector that stays small enough to mount discreetly.
What are the full specifications of this custom n78 MIMO panel antenna?
Frequency range 3300-3800 MHz (n78), gain 12 dBi, horizontal beamwidth 65 degrees, vertical beamwidth 28 degrees, polarization dual slant plus/minus 45 degrees (MIMO), VSWR 1.8 or lower, dimensions 239x190x35 mm, weight 1.0 kg.
Why use die-cast aluminium radiators instead of PCB elements in a 3.5 GHz array?
Repeatability is the main reason. In an array at 3.5 GHz the element dimensions directly set the radiation pattern, so unit-to-unit variation shows up as pattern variation. Die-casting holds the 33x33x23 mm geometry tightly across a production run, and an aluminium body handles heat and mechanical load better than a laminate inside an outdoor radome. It is also around 30 percent lighter than an equivalent copper solution, and the parts are sandblasted and electroplated for corrosion resistance over a -55 C to +60 C operating range.
Does the compact 239x190x35 mm footprint compromise coverage?
No - the 65 degree horizontal beamwidth is a deliberate choice. It is wide enough to cover a sector properly and narrow enough to concentrate energy where the users are, which is why it is paired with 12 dBi gain rather than pushed higher. The 28 degree vertical beam keeps energy off the horizon where it would be wasted. The compact footprint is what allows discreet installation on poles, walls and small cell furniture without a structural upgrade.
Can you develop a similar panel antenna for another band, such as n79 or mmWave?
Yes. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer, so development runs from electromagnetic simulation in CST and HFSS through mold design, precision die-casting and surface treatment to final validation, all in house. Frequency band (sub-6 GHz including n78 and n79, as well as mmWave), gain, beamwidth, form factor, polarization (single, dual plus/minus 45 degrees or circular) and environmental rating (IP67, extreme temperature ranges, corrosion resistance) can all be specified.
Working on an n78 or n79 panel antenna with a fixed beamwidth or size envelope? Send us the constraints - we will come back with an engineered proposal.
