Will active antenna modules revolutionize mobile phone antennas?

The long development of antennas for handheld communication radios is reviewed together with corresponding development of the requirements. One conclusion is that the demands seem to be closing up with the limitations set by the nature. A proposed new step in the terminal antenna design is discussed to overcome this possible contradiction and some work in the area is summarized. In short there are good possibilities to make the antenna in other ways than the customary and to integrate the antenna with parts of the analogue circuits of the terminal electronics to enable the combination of a small size with good performance