APPLICATION NOTES BAR mXTENDTM (FR01-S4-232) - AN for 2G/3G/4G Handsets 824-960 MHz and 1710-2170 MHz Fractus Antennas specializes in enabling effective mobile communications. Using Fractus Antennas technology, we design and manufacture optimized antennas to make your wireless devices more competitive. Our mission is to help our clients develop innovative products and accelerate their time to market through our expertise in antenna design, testing and manufacturing. Fractus Antennas products are protected by Fractus Antennas patents. All information contained within this document is property of Fractus Antennas and is subject to change without prior notice. Information is provided "as is" and without warranties. It is prohibited to copy or reproduce this information without prior approval. BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster Fractus Antennas is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. All our antennas are lead-free and RoHS compliant. FR01-S4-232 ISO 9001: 2015 Certified Last updated on January 2018 (c) 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 1 APPLICATION NOTES TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FR01-S4-232 ................................................................ 3 2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ................................................................................... 4 3. EVALUATION BOARD (824-960 MHz and 1710-2170 MHz) ................................... 4 3.1. MATCHING NETWORK .................................................................................... 5 3.2. VSWR AND TOTAL EFFICIENCY .................................................................... 5 3.3. RADIATION PATTERNS (824-960 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY ............... 6 3.4. RADIATION PATTERNS (1710-2170 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY ........... 7 Last updated on January 2018 (c) 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 2 APPLICATION NOTES 1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FR01-S4-232 The BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster has been specifically designed for providing multiband performance in wireless devices (in particular in mobile devices), enabling worldwide coverage by allowing operation in the communication standards GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800/DCS, GSM1900/PCS, UMTS, LTE850, LTE900, LTE1700, LTE1800, LTE1900, LTE2000, and LTE2100. TOP BOTTOM Material: The BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster is built on glass epoxy substrate. APPLICATIONS Handsets Smartphones Tablets Phablets Laptop PCs Netbooks Modules Routers eBook readers BENEFITS High efficiency Small size Cost-effective Easy-to-use (pick and place) Multiband behaviour (worldwide standards) Off-the-Shelf Standard Product (no customization is required) The BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster belongs to a new generation of antenna solutions based on the Virtual AntennaTM technology owned by Fractus Antennas. The technology is mainly focused on replacing conventional antenna solutions by miniature and standard components. Last updated on January 2018 (c) 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 3 APPLICATION NOTES 2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Technical features 824 - 960 MHz 1710 - 2170 MHz Average Efficiency Peak Gain VSWR Radiation Pattern Polarization Weight (approx.) Temperature Impedance Dimensions (L x W x H) > 60 % 1.3 dBi > 75 % 2.1 dBi < 3:1 Omnidirectional Linear 0.21 g. -40 to + 85 C 50 10.0 mm x 3.2 mm x 3.2 mm Table 1 - Technical Features. Measures from the Evaluation Board. See Figure 1. Note that for obtaining comparable results, a ground plane length larger than 100 mm is recommended. 3. EVALUATION BOARD (824-960 MHz and 1710-2170 MHz) This Evaluation Board integrates a UFL cable to connect the BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster with the SMA connector. The BAR mXTENDTM provides operation in two frequency regions, from 824 MHz to 960 MHz and from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz, through a single input/output port. Measure A B C D E mm 131 120 60 7.8 5.0 Tolerance: 0.2 mm D: Distance between the BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster and the ground plane. Material: The evaluation board is built on FR4 substrate. Thickness is 1 mm. Figure 1 - EB_FR01-S4-232-1B-2R-1P. Evaluation Board providing operation from 824 MHz to 960 MHz and from 1710 MHz to 2170MHz. This product is protected by at least the following patents PAT. US 8,203,492, PAT. US 8,237,615 and other domestic and international patents pending. Any update on new patents linked to this product will appear at www.fractusantennas.com/virtual-antenna/. Last updated on January 2018 (c) 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 4 APPLICATION NOTES 3.1. MATCHING NETWORK The specs of a Fractus Antennas standard product are measured in their Evaluation Board, which is an ideal case. In a real design, components nearby the antenna, LCD's, batteries, covers, connectors, etc. affect the antenna performance. This is the reason why it is highly recommended placing pads compatible with 0402 and 0603 SMD components for a matching network as close as possible to the feeding point. Do it in the ground plane area, not in the clearance area. This provides a degree of freedom to tune the BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster once the design is finished and taking into account all elements of the system (batteries, displays, covers, etc.). Please notice that different devices with different ground planes and different components nearby the BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster may need a different matching network. To ensure optimal results, the use of high Q and tight tolerance components is highly recommended (Murata components). Please, if you need assistance contact info@fractusantennas.com for more information related to the antenna booster matching service. 824 - 960 MHz and 1710 - 2170 MHz 7.5nH 0.9pF 3.6 pF BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster 15nH 9.5nH Value 7.5 nH 15 nH 0.9 pF 9.5 nH 3.6 pF Part Number LQW18AN7N5C80 LQW18AN15NG00 GJM1555C1HR90WB01 LQW18AN9N5G80 GJM1555C1H3R6WB01 Figure 2 - Matching Network implemented in the evaluation board (Figure 1). 3.2. VSWR AND TOTAL EFFICIENCY VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) and Total Efficiency versus Frequency (GHz). Figure 3 - VSWR and Total Efficiency for the 824 - 960 MHz frequency range and for the 1710 -2170 MHz frequency range (from the evaluation board (Figure 1)). Last updated on January 2018 (c) 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 5 APPLICATION NOTES 3.3. RADIATION PATTERNS (824-960 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY Measurement System Set-Up Evaluation Board in Plane XY = 90 Plane XY at 890 MHz = 0 Plane XZ at 890 MHz = 90 Plane YZ at 890 MHz Gain Peak Gain 1.3 dBi Average Gain across the band 0.9 dBi Gain Range across the band (min, max) Efficiency -0.5 <-> 1.3 dBi Peak Efficiency 68.7 % Average Efficiency across the band 64.4 % Efficiency Range across the band (min, max) 50.3 - 68.7 % Table 2 - Antenna Gain and Total Efficiency from the evaluation board (Figure 1) within the 824 - 960 MHz frequency range. Measures made in the Satimo STARGATE 32 anechoic chamber. Last updated on January 2018 (c) 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 6 APPLICATION NOTES 3.4. RADIATION PATTERNS (1710-2170 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY Measurement System Set-Up Evaluation Board in Plane XY = 90 Plane XY at 1.71 GHz, 1.94 GHz and 2.17 GHz = 0 Plane XZ at 1.71 GHz, 1.94 GHz and 2.17 GHz = 90 Plane YZ at 1.71 GHz, 1.94 GHz and 2.17 GHz Gain Peak Gain 2.1 dBi Average Gain across the band 1.6 dBi Gain Range across the band (min, max) Efficiency 0.9 <-> 2.1 dBi Peak Efficiency 89.1 % Average Efficiency across the band 79.5 % Efficiency Range across the band (min, max) 64.7 - 89.1 % Table 3 -Antenna Gain and Total Efficiency from the evaluation board (Figure 1) within the 1710 - 2170 MHz frequency range. Measures made in the Satimo STARGATE 32 anechoic chamber. Last updated on January 2018 (c) 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 7