Hi there,
I am just about to design my first product using the BG95-M3.
For the Cellular Antenna I was thinking to use the AVX P822601. Anyone has experience with that? or any suggestion on SMT Antenna to cover all the 2G/NB-Iot and M1 bands?
For the GPS I was thinking to use the Skywork SKY65943-11 LNA/Filter + Abracon ACAG0301-1575-T chip antenna.
If anyone has previous experience with this module and SMT/chip antenna I will be really glad if you share it.
Thanks and Regards,
Andrea
AVX P822601 requires 50 mm x 140 mm ground plane. Can you offer so much ground plane?
The matching provides 5 components. 5 components with 5x component tolerance. Better antennas can do this with 3 components.
Can you use the Vector Network Analyser? Can you read Smith Charts? Do you have a distributor who can?
With the GPS antenna, it is the same problem. Antennas are not components but systems. More about this in my blog www.gsm-module.de . harald.naumann (at) lte-modem .com
Flowchart for embedded antenna selection out of my LPWAN Cookbook
Internal knowledge about integrated antennas
If you lack knowledge about integrated antennas, then we would recommend that you use an external consultant with experience in antennas who can advise you impartially on antenna selection. In the context of my work as a Sales Director, this basic consulting can usually be done free of charge. A consultation at the beginning of the development saves time and costs.
Large ground plane and budget
If the ground plane is approx. 45 +/5 5 mm and 110 +/-10 mm long then the antenna from the IoT / M2M Cookbook can be converted for 500 USD to 5000 USD for GSM or NB-IoT.
Medium ground-plane (SubGHz, BT, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, GNSS) and budget
A chip antenna for SubGHz may be the better solution for medium-sized ground planes. Chip antennas save space. Chip loop antennas for BT, Wi-Fi, ZigBee or GNSS are very small and inexpensive. The design of a loop antenna as a PCB track certainly requires more installation space.
Medium ground-plane (NB-IoT, GSM, LTE) and budget
For medium-sized ground planes, a chip antenna for NB-IoT, GSM, LTE may be the better solution. Chip antennas save space. Chip loop. The design of a PCB track antenna k usually requires 10% to 20% more space on the board. Chip antennas can stack the antenna structures. With PCB track antennas, the structural racks are in the same plane as the main board.
Small PCB and small ground plane (NB-IoT, GSM, LTE) and Budget
NB-IoT, GSM LTE or any other cellular multi-band technology will need a budget from 5000 to 50000 US$ for the antenna development. On a small ground plane the standard chip antennas for NB-IoT, GSM, LTE do not work. The same applies to large circuit boards with metal (car body or container) near the antenna or large battery near the antenna.
Decision was taken but a poor antenna design
At this point, the external consultant will be asked for support on antennas again. Unfortunately, this still happens too often and the board has to be completely reworked. The thousands of dollars of cost for the redesign can be saved by consulting at the beginning of the design process.
Decision made but and a good antenna design
If everything is correct, then the antenna can be matched with the VNA and production can start after radio approval.
Hi, At Synzen we have released high performing SMD antenna solutions for your requirements. We also offer a free matching and testing service as well as continued support for your project.
OPALA (SZP-C-0L02)
We also offer passive and Active GNSS solutions. Please feel free to contact me here on through our website.
Thanks
Chris
