Contents
How do I choose a chip antenna?
To efficiently broadcast and receive a signal, the antenna length should be no smaller than λ/10, where λ is the wavelength; other ratios such as λ/4 are common. An antenna must be rather small to be incorporated in a printed circuit board, and therefore high frequency chip antennas are most common.
What is a PCB trace antenna?
A PCB Trace antenna is comprised of a trace drawn directly onto a PCB. The examples of the types of traces in use for PCB Trace antennas include inverted F-type traces, straight traces, meandered traces, curved traces, or circular traces..
What kind of antennas can be used on PCB?
RF antennas come in many form factors, ranging from flat chip antennas integrated into ICs to copper antennas printed directly on a PCB. Creating a layout with one or more antennas requires ensuring isolation between different circuit blocks in your PCB.
How is a PCB antenna a transducer?
PCB antenna is a transducer converting current waves into electromagnetic (EM) waves. PCB antennas convert current in high frequency into EM waves that propagate into the air. Installing an antenna, a PCB assembly is able to transmit or receive data at a specific frequency range.
How is the ground plane of a PCB important?
So, for the antenna to function, the ground plane of the host PCB becomes the second radiator. Therefore, your PCB ground plane length is important. If it is too short the antenna will lose efficiency. One way to explain this is to think about an object’s reflection in a mirror.
What should I use to design RF antenna?
When you need to design an RF antenna, you should use CAD tools that help you design isolation structures, transition structures, and even printed antennas for your PCB. This SMA connector makes a coaxial connection with an RF antenna. These days, it’s hard to think of a consumer product that doesn’t contain an antenna.