I am designing a 802.15.4 2.4GHz board based on the TI CC2430 System on a Chip. I want to use a chip antennae and after researching it a bit, I am confused as to the proper layout.
Does anyone have an example layout for a small SMD chip antennae or a design guide that they can point me to.
Thanks,
Ken Crismon
Keep it clear of ground areas on the PCB, and ensure that it is properly matched to the chip.
kcrismon,
Most chip antennae act as 1/4 wave whips, and therefor require a specific orientation and distance from the ground plane in order to work properly. Each chip antenna will be designed a little differently and have different requirements.
This should ideally all be documented in the chip antenna’s data sheet, or their application notes… For example, this antenna’s data sheet has good layout documentation.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=9025
That example shows very clearly how to lay out the antenna. There is a bit of “read between the lines”, and Leon brought up some of those points, i.e. you need to keep components and ground plane well clear of the antenna where it says “no ground”