Antenna Design Note

Rev. Antenna_Design_Note_V3.2
Date: 2020-02-13
Status: Released

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 Antenna Design Note

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 Antenna Design Note

About the Document

Revision History

Version Date Author Description

1.0 2012-06-09 David WEI Initial

1.1 2012-06-15 David WEI Modified Figure 1

Added contact information for antenna manufacturers:
1.2 2012-08-01 David WEI
Antenova and Pulse Electronics
Added contact information for GLONASS antenna
1.3 2012-11-21 David WEI
manufacturer INPAQ
1. Added ceramic chip antennas
1.4 2013-07-10 David WEI
2. Updated contact information
1.5 2014-11-21 Jackie WANG Added the antenna performance and LDS antenna

1.6 2015-04-11 Jackie WANG Added applicable modules

1. Added external PCB antennas
1.7 2016-01-06 Mark ZHANG 2. Added contact information for antenna manufacturer
SAINTENNA and JINGHONG
1. Updated the contact information of antenna
manufacturer JESONCOM
1.8 2016-06-01 Mark ZHANG
2. Updated the address and contact information of
antenna manufacturer Antenova
1. Added description of metal frame antennas in
Chapter 3.8
2. Added description of internal Wi-Fi laminated
antennas in Chapter 7
3. Updated antenna suppliers information in Chapter 8:
1.9 2017-07-14 Vick YANG
 Updated contact information of antenna
manufacturers SAINTENNA and INPAQ
 Deleted information of antenna manufacturer
JINGHONG
 Added information of antenna manufacturer

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 Antenna Design Note

SHEN XUN

1. Optimized the description of EIRP (Effective

Isotropic Radiated Power) in Chapter 2.1.
2. Updated the design note (item 3) for internal Wi-Fi
laminated antenna.
3. Added Chapter 8: GNSS Antenna Isolation Design
Vick YANG/
2.0 2018-01-02 Requirements.
Beny ZHU
4. Updated the address and contact information (tel.
number, email address and fax number) of antenna
supplier Pulse.
5. Added Sunnyway and VLG as new antenna
suppliers.
Numerous changes have been made to this document
3.0 2019-06-21 Riley XU
and thus it is recommended to read in its entirety.
3.1 2019-07-04 Riley XU Updated antenna suppliers information

1. Deleted antenna suppliers information.

3.2 2020-02-13 Riley XU 2. Added Quectel antenna design service information
in Chapter 9.

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 Antenna Design Note

Contents

About the Document ................................................................................................................................... 2

Contents ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Table Index ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Figure Index ................................................................................................................................................. 6

1 Recommended Component Placement on Main PCB ..................................................................... 7

2 Basic Parameters and Requirements of Antennas .......................................................................... 9

2.1. Basic Parameters of Antennas .................................................................................................. 9
2.2. Basic Requirements of Antennas ............................................................................................ 11

3 Embedded 2G/3G/4G/5G Antennas .................................................................................................. 12

3.1. Flexible PCB Antennas (FPC Antennas) ................................................................................ 12
3.2. Embedded Antennas with Plastic Bracket .............................................................................. 13
3.3. Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) Antennas ................................................................................ 14
3.4. Metal-Frame Antennas ............................................................................................................ 15
3.5. Chip Antennas ......................................................................................................................... 16
3.6. PCB Trace Antennas ............................................................................................................... 17
3.7. Other Antennas ....................................................................................................................... 18

4 External 2G/3G/4G/5G Antennas ...................................................................................................... 20

4.1. Dipole Antennas ...................................................................................................................... 20
4.2. Sucker Antennas ..................................................................................................................... 21
4.3. Sleeve Antennas ..................................................................................................................... 22

5 Embedded GNSS Antennas .............................................................................................................. 23

5.1. Embedded GNSS Active Antennas ......................................................................................... 23
5.2. Embedded GNSS Passive Antennas ...................................................................................... 24

6 External GNSS Antennas .................................................................................................................. 25

6.1. External GNSS Antennas ........................................................................................................ 25

7 Internal Wi-Fi Laminated Antennas.................................................................................................. 26

7.1. Internal Wi-Fi Laminated Antennas ......................................................................................... 26

8 Antenna Isolation Design Requirements ........................................................................................ 27

8.1. Antenna Isolation..................................................................................................................... 27
8.2. Isolation between 3G/4G/5G Antenna and GNSS Antenna ................................................... 27
8.3. Isolation Design of Other Antennas ........................................................................................ 28

9 Antenna Design Service .................................................................................................................... 29

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Table Index

Table 1: VSWR and Return Loss ............................................................................................................... 10

Table 2: Basic Requirements of Antennas ..................................................................................................11

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Figure Index

Figure 1: Recommended Component Placement........................................................................................ 7

Figure 2: FPC Antenna (PIFA Antenna, Fed from Soldering Pads) .......................................................... 12
Figure 3: FPC Antenna (PIFA Antenna, Fed from Spring Probes)............................................................ 12
Figure 4: FPC Antenna (PIFA Antenna, Fed from Metal Shrapnel) .......................................................... 12
Figure 5: Example of a PIFA Antenna with Plastic Bracket ....................................................................... 13
Figure 6: Example of an LDS Antenna ...................................................................................................... 14
Figure 7: Example of a Metal-Frame Antenna ........................................................................................... 15
Figure 8: Example of a Chip Antenna ........................................................................................................ 16
Figure 9: Example of PCB trace Antennas ................................................................................................ 17
Figure 10: Example of Other Antennas...................................................................................................... 18
Figure 11: Example of a Dipole Antenna ................................................................................................... 20
Figure 12: Examples of Sucker Antennas.................................................................................................. 21
Figure 13: Example of Sleeve Antennas .................................................................................................... 22
Figure 14: Example of Embedded GNSS Active Antennas with a Welding Needle ................................. 23
Figure 15: Example of an Embedded GNSS Passive Antenna with a Welding Needle ........................... 24
Figure 16: Application of GNSS Passive Antennas with a Welding Needle.............................................. 24
Figure 17: Example of an External GNSS Antenna ................................................................................... 25
Figure 18: Example of an Internal Wi-Fi Laminated Antenna .................................................................... 26

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1 Recommended Component Placement

on Main PCB
This document is applicable to all Quectel modules.

Figure 1: Recommended Component Placement

Notes:

1. It is suggested to keep the RF ports at the edge of the PCB, and keep them away from the other
circuits. Avoid vias and layer changes when routing RF traces. And RF traces should be designed to
have an impedance of 50Ω. Please keep the distance between RF ports and antennas as short as
possible. If there is a long distance and it cannot be shortened anymore, it is recommended to use
antenna cables for antenna connection.
2. Please put antenna feed points at the edge of the main PCB, rather than in the center. For two
antennas working at a similar frequency range, the distance between them should be more than the
quarter-wavelength at the lowest frequency. When the antennas are too close, they are
recommended to be placed orthogonally to each other.
3. Generally speaking, the isolation between the antennas should be at least 10dB to avoid
interference.

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4. Please keep the antenna as far away from CPU/SDRAM/Flash/DC-DC converters/Display FPC
connectors as possible. The antenna should be placed on opposite side of PCB on which these
components are mounted.
5. Please keep the high-speed lines between CPU and SDRAM/Flash/Display FPC connectors as
short as possible, and put these lines in inner layers with ground shielding on not only upper and
lower layers but also right and left sides. Add an EMI filter on high speed lines between CPU and
display FPC if necessary.
6. Please put CPU/SDRAM/Flash/DC-DC converters/Display FPC connectors into the shielding case,
and copper-nickel-zinc alloy shielding cases are preferred.

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2 Basic Parameters and Requirements

of Antennas

2.1. Basic Parameters of Antennas

Gain (dBi): The ratio of “power of antenna” and “power of isotropic radiation from an ideal current source”
in maximum transmitting direction with the same input power. “dBi” is widely used as the unit of antenna
gain.

Gain (dBd): The ratio of “power of antenna” and “power of half wave dipole antenna” in maximum
transmitting direction with the same input power. When it represents the same gain, one formula
indicating relationship between dBi and dBd is given as below: dBi=dBd+2.15.

Directivity: The ratio of “power of antenna” and “power of isotropic radiation from an ideal current source”
in maximum transmitting direction with the same radiated power.

Efficiency: The ratio of the antenna radiation power and antenna input power.

Gain=Directivity × Efficiency
Efficiency=Output Power/Input Power

APIP (Antenna Port Input Power): The input power of antenna.

EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power): EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) is the amount of
power that a theoretical isotropic antenna (which evenly distributes power in all directions) would emit to
produce the peak power density observed in the direction of maximum antenna gain. It is also called
Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power. EIRP can take into account the losses in transmission line and
connectors and include the gain of the antenna. The EIRP is often stated in terms of decibels over a
reference power emitted by an isotropic radiator with an equivalent signal strength. The EIRP allows
comparisons between different emitters regardless of type, size or form. From the EIRP, and with
knowledge of a real antenna's gain, it is possible to calculate real power and field strength values.

EIRP=Pt × Gt
Pt: the output power of the transmitter (unit: dBm)
Gt: the antenna gain of the transmitting antenna (unit: dBi)

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Logarithmic (dB) formula:

EIRP=P - Loss + G
P: output power of transmitter (unit: dBm)
Loss: feeder loss between transmitter output terminal and antenna feed source (unit: dB)
G: antenna transmission gain (unit: dBi)

PEIRP (Peak Effective Isotropic Radiated Power): The peak value of EIRP.

ERP (Effective Radiated Power): Comparing to half wave dipole antenna, it is the power obtained in
maximum transmitting direction.

VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio):

Vmax 1 Γ
VSWR  
Vmin 1 Γ

VSWR is commonly represented in Return Loss (RL) (indicated as S11) in engineering:

V 1
RL  20lg (dB)
V -1

The corresponding relationship between RL and VSWR is shown in the table below:

Table 1: VSWR and Return Loss

VSWR 1.20 1.25 1.30 1.35 1.40 1.50 2.00

Return Loss (dB) -20.83 -19.09 -17.69 -16.54 -15.56 -13.98 -9.54

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2.2. Basic Requirements of Antennas

Table 2: Basic Requirements of Antennas

Items Requirements

Frequency Band Determined by the supported operating bands of devices

VSWR ≤3

Gain (dBi) ≥1

Max Input Power (W) 50

Input Impedance (Ω) 50

 Linear Polarization:
Horizontal Linear Polarization
Vertical Linear Polarization
Polarization Type
 Circular Polarization:
Right Hand Circular polarization (RHCP)
Left Hand Circular polarization (LHCP)

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3 Embedded 2G/3G/4G/5G Antennas

3.1. Flexible PCB Antennas (FPC Antennas)

Figure 2: FPC Antenna (PIFA Antenna, Fed from Soldering Pads)

Figure 3: FPC Antenna (PIFA Antenna, Fed from Spring Probes)

Figure 4: FPC Antenna (PIFA Antenna, Fed from Metal Shrapnel)

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Notes:

1. The PIFA antenna fabricated on FPC can be fixed within a plastic device case, thus especially
suitable for PDA and automotive devices which have a demanding requirement on space. Heat
staking is recommended to be used to reinforce the antenna. The antenna is typically fed from an
intermediate point and a ground point, and when it is found that the bandwidth of a high-frequency
band is not enough during antenna tuning, another ground point will be used to increase the
bandwidth.
2. Keep the distance between antenna and the main PCB more than 5mm. (The actual distance will be
determined by the consulting results from antenna supplier.)
3. For the device case with a curved shape, relief hole and relief groove should be added when fixing
the antenna to avoid warpage and unstable fixation. As the effectiveness of 3M adhesive will be
weakened in high ambient temperature, heat staking or other mounting methods should be used to
fix the FPC antenna.
4. Feed points can be designed as soldering pads, probes or shrapnel. Customers can choose
according to actual usage.

3.2. Embedded Antennas with Plastic Bracket

Figure 5: Example of a PIFA Antenna with Plastic Bracket

Notes:

1. The antenna is typically fed from an intermediate point and a ground point, and when it is found
that the bandwidth of a high-frequency band is not enough during antenna tuning, another ground
point will be used to increase the bandwidth. (RF engineers and structural engineers should both
be involved during antenna selection and initial design stages. And the bracket should be
designed according to the requirements of antenna supplier.)
2. The material of this kind of antenna is hard. The antenna trace routing is simple and inflexible. And
there is usually a large antenna trace area, therefore it has more requirements on environment
conditions.

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3.3. Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) Antennas

Figure 6: Example of an LDS Antenna

Notes:

1. The antenna features high compatibility and precision, stable performance as well as simple and
environment-friendly manufacturing process.

2. Trace can be routed on device case or bracket, thus saving space within the device.

3. The LDS production process and the material of bracket make the price of LDS antenna much
expensive than other antennas.
4. As the antenna is attached to a plastic bracket, deformation of the bracket will cause fracture of the
antenna.

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3.4. Metal-Frame Antennas

Figure 7: Example of a Metal-Frame Antenna

Notes:

1. This type of antenna is the mainstream 4G antenna. In a 4G device, the metal frame of the device
acts as a part of the antenna. The integration of antenna into device facilitates device appearance
design.

2. The antenna design employs tuner and switch for performance improvement.

3. This kind of antenna has a demanding requirement on R&D effort and the R&D cost is high.

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3.5. Chip Antennas

Figure 8: Example of a Chip Antenna

Notes:

1. This type of antenna requires large clearance area and its cost is high.
2. The requirements on reserved space and antenna placement proposed in antenna supplier's
datasheet should be strictly followed.
3. The antenna can be surface mounted and it should be placed at the edge of PCB.

4. The environment and antenna matching have a notable influence on antenna performance.

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3.6. PCB Trace Antennas

Figure 9: Example of PCB trace Antennas

Notes:

1. Antenna design assessment should be carried out at the initial stage of PCB layout so as to reserve
an appropriately sized area for antenna.
2. The environment will have an obvious impact on the antenna performance. And the material,
placement and layout will all affect the antenna performance.
3. The antenna is mainly used for devices with limited operation bands. Besides the antenna trace
area, the length of the ground plane of PCB should not be less than the quarter-wavelength at the
lowest frequency.

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3.7. Other Antennas

Figure 10: Example of Other Antennas

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Notes:
1. The antennas listed above are typically fixed into a plastic device case or mounted in a suitable
notch, and thus they do not occupy any space on the main PCB.
2. The antenna takes large space and metal components cannot be placed in close proximity. The
length of the antenna usually falls between the half-wavelength and one-quarter wavelength at the
frequency of operation.
3. The antenna can be connected by RF connector or soldered onto the RF output port on the main
PCB.
4. During antenna tuning, it may be necessary to make use of the device/PCB’s GND.

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4 External 2G/3G/4G/5G Antennas

4.1. Dipole Antennas

Figure 11: Example of a Dipole Antenna

Notes:

1. The height between antenna and metal plate should be at least 8cm. The dipole antennas are mainly
used for 2G applications due to limited frequency range.
2. As the antenna cable length will impact the antenna performance, low-loss cables are
recommended.

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4.2. Sucker Antennas

Figure 12: Examples of Sucker Antennas

Notes:

1. Sucker antennas are easy to build and install. The choice of antenna types depends on different
working environments.

2. Please place the antennas on metal components to achieve the best performance.

3. As the length of an antenna cable negatively affects the antenna performance, it is recommended to
use low-loss cables when long trace is required.

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4.3. Sleeve Antennas

Figure 13: Example of Sleeve Antennas

Notes:

1. Sleeve antennas are available in a great variety of types and they typically support wide operation
frequency range. They are easy for replacement.
2. They can be fabricated in the form of PCB, copper pipe or FPC.

3. The choice of antenna types depends on different working environments.

4. With proper stands, sleeve antennas can be turned into sucker antennas.

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5 Embedded GNSS Antennas

5.1. Embedded GNSS Active Antennas

Radiation
Side

Figure 14: Example of Embedded GNSS Active Antennas with a Welding Needle

Notes:

1. The active antenna has a built-in LNA to improve signal strength. Please keep the antenna radiation
surface towards open sky.

2. Please make sure the heights of metal components nearby are lower than the antenna.

3. Square-shaped antenna is right hand circular polarized, while rectangle-shaped antenna is linear
polarized. And the former is preferred for better satellite signal receiving.

4. Please keep the antenna cable as short as possible, and low-loss cables are recommended.

5. It is necessary to reserve LNA power supply circuit on the motherboard and a blocking capacitor
should be reserved to block DC. Inductors above 56nH should be connected in series between the
power supply and the impedance line.

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5.2. Embedded GNSS Passive Antennas

Figure 15: Example of an Embedded GNSS Passive Antenna with a Welding Needle

Figure 16: Application of GNSS Passive Antennas with a Welding Needle

Notes:

1. An LNA should be mounted on the motherboard to improve signal strength of the passive antenna.
Please keep the antenna radiation surface towards open sky.

2. Please make sure the heights of metal components nearby are lower than the antenna.

3. Square-shaped antenna is right hand circular polarized, while rectangle-shape antenna is linear
polarized. And the former is preferred for better satellite signal receiving.

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6 External GNSS Antennas

6.1. External GNSS Antennas

Figure 17: Example of an External GNSS Antenna

Notes:

1. Please keep the antenna radiation surface towards open sky.

2. The antenna should be placed away from metal components and provided with sufficient clearance.

3. Customers will decide the length of antenna cable according to different applications. Please keep
the cable as short as possible.

4. The LNA gain may vary with module types.

5. It is necessary to reserve LNA power supply circuit on the motherboard and a blocking capacitor
should be reserved to block DC. Inductors above 56nH should be connected in series between the
power supply and the impedance line.

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7 Internal Wi-Fi Laminated Antennas

7.1. Internal Wi-Fi Laminated Antennas

Figure 18: Example of an Internal Wi-Fi Laminated Antenna

Notes:

1. Wi-Fi antennas typically work at 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz operating bands. As a type of directional
antenna, they can realize maximized performance. The distance between the antenna and
motherboard is preferred to be 20mm.
2. The antenna should be placed away from high metal components and provided with sufficient
clearance.
3. The top patch antenna in green color works at 5GHz, and the ceramic antenna in white color works
at 2.4GHz. The polarization design for the two antennas should be the same as that for the
transmitting antenna.
4. The antenna cable length should be designed according to application demands. Please keep the
cable as short as possible and low-loss cables are recommended.

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8 Antenna Isolation Design

Requirements

8.1. Antenna Isolation

For two or more antennas with overlapping frequency bands in space, antenna isolation is defined as the
ratio of a signal received by one antenna to the signal transmitted by another antenna. The isolation
depends on the radiation pattern of the antenna, the spatial distance of the antennas, etc. Antenna
isolation improvement is to take measures to minimize the impact of various interference on the receiver.

The isolation between antennas can be increased by:

 Increasing the physical separation between the antennas

 Placing antennas working in adjacent bands orthogonally to each other
 Having the antenna's peak radiation in different or opposite directions
 Changing the antenna trace implementation method (such as length, width)

Additionally, adding a filter in the RF signal path will help to improve the desired signals’ suppression
effect on those unwanted signals, thus abating the interference caused by insufficient antenna isolation.

8.2. Isolation between 3G/4G/5G Antenna and GNSS Antenna

 The isolation between a 3G/4G/5G antenna and a GNSS active antenna should be at least 10dB.
 The isolation between a 3G/4G/5G antenna and a GNSS passive antenna should be at least 15dB.

It is recommended to add a filter between a GNSS antenna and a module to suppress interference from
other antennas.

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8.3. Isolation Design of Other Antennas

 The isolation of other antennas should be at least 15dB.

 Isolation design is vital to antennas working at similar frequencies. When two antennas are used
synchronously, one of them is recommended to be designed to support only part of the bands to
ensure better performance.
For example, for a device supporting GSM B1/B3/B5/B8 & LTE B1/B3/B7, the main antenna should
support all the bands while the diversity antenna only needs to support LTE bands.

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9 Antenna Design Service

Quectel antenna design service team will be able to meet each of your antenna design
consulting/evaluation, antenna design/testing, certification support, as well as antenna manufacturing
demands.

For any antenna design issue, please contact Quectel antenna design service team at
[email protected].

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