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Retail Business Review | Sunday, February 13, 2022
The antenna, feed trace, and radio transceiver should always work at the same frequency to effectively transfer energy from the radio to the antenna.
FREMONT, CA: The antenna is one of the most critical components in a wireless system, so it must work effectively. As the antenna's location is crucial for good wireless efficiency, it should not be an eventual decision to place it inside the system.
The position of other components, affecting how well the system transmits and receives data, can also undermine the antenna's signal. Therefore, for good radio frequency (RF) efficiency, it is best to design part and architecture layouts. Here are three factors to consider:
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Isolation
A design often has more than one antenna, like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The signals from one antenna may intervene with or detune the other, so it is essential to keep them apart to prevent interference.
Transmission lines and matching
The antenna, its input trace, and the radio transceiver should often operate at the same frequency (typically 50 ohms) to effectively transfer energy from the radio to the antenna. If the frequency differs along this path, it can be addressed with matching circuits, for example, π-matching topology, which can be tuned to bear the antenna and radio to the equal frequency through lumped element inductors and capacitors.
Ground plane stipulation
SMD antennas utilize a ground plane to radiate, which has to be the correct size and length. To ensure the antenna can work as it should in situ, follow the ground plane specifications mentioned in the manufacturer's datasheet.
Some SMD antennas are available in the right and left versions, and antenna designs for corner positions are accessible. One of these options can enable you to keep the antenna away from the individual and better suit the ground plane's requirements in a design.
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