Despite the emergence of 5G and private wireless networks, 4G LTE remains the backbone of industrial wide-area connectivity. It delivers proven reliability, global carrier support, and the bandwidth needed for everything from basic telemetry to video surveillance and VPN tunnels. For facilities operating in hazardous locations, maintaining this connectivity requires specialized equipment that can perform safely in explosive atmospheres.
Where Industrial 4G LTE Is Deployed
Across oil and gas, chemical processing, water/wastewater, and power generation, 4G LTE connects:
- Remote assets: Pipelines, pump stations, tank farms, renewable energy sites, and distributed telemetry points
- Mobile assets: Vehicle fleets, rail equipment, heavy machinery, and service trucks
- Temporary installations: Construction sites, pop-up operations, rental equipment, and backup systems where wired connectivity isn't practical
These applications rely on 4G LTE to backhaul data from PLCs, RTUs, and industrial gateways to SCADA systems and cloud platforms—often in environments where any electrical equipment must meet stringent safety certifications.
The Challenge: Connectivity in Hazardous Locations
In Class I Division 1 and Division 2 environments where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust may be present, standard commercial antennas aren't an option. Industrial sites need antennas that combine:
- Explosion-proof enclosures rated for hazardous areas
- Environmental sealing against moisture, chemicals, and temperature extremes
- Reliable RF performance across LTE frequency bands
- Mechanical durability for long service life in harsh conditions
Analynk CTX/CTM Series: Engineered for Hazardous Areas
The Analynk CTX/CTM Series explosion-proof 4G LTE antennas are designed specifically for these demanding environments. Key features include:
- Hazardous area certifications: Class I Division 1 and Division 2, suitable for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 classified locations
- Frequency coverage: Multi-band support across 698–960 MHz and 1710–2700 MHz, covering major North American and global LTE bands
- Antenna configuration: Available in omnidirectional and MIMO (2x2) configurations for improved throughput and reliability
- Gain: 3–5 dBi typical, optimized for industrial cellular connectivity
- Environmental rating: IP66/IP67 sealed enclosures with operating temperature range of -40°C to +75°C
- Materials: Corrosion-resistant stainless steel and reinforced composite construction
These antennas mount directly to industrial cellular routers, gateways, and remote terminal units, providing the critical wireless link between field equipment and enterprise networks.
Future-Ready for Evolving Networks
As industrial sites adopt IIoT platforms and integrate legacy fieldbus systems with modern cloud infrastructure, 4G LTE serves as the bridge connecting plant-floor devices to enterprise analytics. The CTX/CTM Series supports this transition, providing the reliable uplink for data aggregation from Modbus, Profibus, and other legacy protocols.
Additionally, these antennas are compatible with private and hybrid LTE deployments on CBRS and other licensed spectrum. Whether deployed on small-cell eNodeBs for campus coverage or as CPE antennas on mobile machinery, the CTX/CTM Series delivers consistent performance across private network architectures—with a clear migration path as facilities move toward 5G.
Certified Connectivity for Critical Operations
For industrial operations where safety and uptime are non-negotiable, the Analynk CTX/CTM Series provides hazardous-area-certified 4G LTE connectivity that engineering teams can trust. These antennas keep remote assets, mobile equipment, and distributed control systems connected—even in the harshest and most dangerous environments.
