APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on November 2017
© 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. -
1
EZConnectTM (FR05-S1-R-0-105) – AN for Zigbee 868 MHz
Fractus Antennas specializes in enabling effective mobile communications. Using Fractus
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.
EZConnectTM
FR05-S1-R-0-105
Fractus Antennas products are protected
by Fractus 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.
Fractus Antennas is an ISO 9001:2015
certified company. All our antennas are
lead-free and RoHS compliant.
ISO 9001: 2015 Certified
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on November 2017
© 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. -
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ANTENNA DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................. 3
2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ............................................................................................. 3
3. EVALUATION BOARD (868 MHz) ...................................................................................... 4
4. VSWR AND EFFICIENCY .................................................................................................. 4
5. RADIATION PATTERNS, GAIN AND EFFICIENCY (868 MHZ) .......................................... 5
6. RECOMMENDED PCB LAYOUTS FOR A NEW DESIGN .................................................. 6
7. MATCHING NETWORK ..................................................................................................... 7
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on November 2017
© 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. -
3
1. ANTENNA DESCRIPTION
The EZConnectTM antenna has been specifically designed for wireless devices using Zigbee,
RFID and other wireless standards operating at the ISM 868/915 MHz bands.
EZConnectTM antenna uses the space-filling properties of Fractus technology to become one of
the smallest antennas for ISM868/915 applications. Additionally, the antenna maintains a high
radiation efficiency that helps to improve the battery life of your devices and features an
omnidirectional radiation pattern optimal for highly scattered environments such as indoor
environments and public spaces.
TOP
BOTTOM
Material: The EZConnectTM antenna is built on glass epoxy substrate.
APPLICATIONS
Metering (Gas, Electricity, Water...)
RFID (UHF Tags, Readers...)
Sensors (Parking, Speed control,
Optics...)
Modules Zigbee
Gateways
BENEFITS
High efficiency and gain
Small size
Cost-effective
Easy-to-use (pick and place)
2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Technical features
Frequency
868 MHz
Antenna Efficiency
78.1 %
Peak Gain
2.3 dBi
Radiation Pattern
Omnidirectional
VSWR
< 2:1
Polarization
Linear
Weight (approx.)
0.2 g
Temperature
-40 to + 85 ºC
Impedance
50
Dimensions (L x W x H)
18.0 mm x 7.3 mm x 0.8 mm
Table 1 – Technical Features. Measures from the evaluation board. See chapters 3 and 4.
Please contact info@fractusantennas.com if you require additional information on antenna
integration or optimization on your PCB.
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on November 2017
© 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. -
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3. EVALUATION BOARD (868 MHz)
868 MHz configuration for the EZConnectTM chip antenna used in the PCB Evaluation Board.
Measure
mm
A
105.0
B
48.0
C
121.0
D
9.5
E
53.1
Tolerance: ±0.2 mm
Material: The evaluation board is built on
FR4 substrate. Thickness is 0.8 mm
Figure 1 – EB_FR05-S1-R-0-105B. EZConnectTM Evaluation Board at 868 MHz. See pictures below and
in page 5.
4. VSWR AND EFFICIENCY
VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) and Efficiency versus Frequency (GHz).
Figure 2 – Evaluation board at 868 MHz and graph of VWSR and Efficiency vs. Frequency (GHz)
Ground Plane
50 Ohms transmission line
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on November 2017
© 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. -
5
5. RADIATION PATTERNS, GAIN AND EFFICIENCY (868 MHZ)
Orientation: Antenna in Plane ZY
Azimuth Cut θ = 90º Plane XY
Elevation Cut = 0º Plane XZ
Elevation Cut = 90º Plane YZ
Gain
2.3 dBi
Efficiency
78.1 %
Table 2 – Antenna Gain and Efficiency at 868 MHz. Measures made in the evaluation board and in the
Satimo STARGATE 32 anechoic chamber. Data across the band is not significant in this case because
the bandwidth is very narrow (less than 1% or 8 MHz).
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on November 2017
© 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. -
6
6. RECOMMENDED PCB LAYOUTS FOR A NEW DESIGN
The following examples describe the basics for a new design with the EZConnectTM antenna.
Notice the importance of the ground plane area, clearance area, antenna location (in the PCB
corner or in the edge) and the pads for a PI matching network (close to the antenna feeding
point but in the ground plane area).
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
RF system
PI matching network
Clearance Area
Ground plane Area
Clearance Area
Ground plane Area
PI matching network
RF system
RF system
Ground plane Area
PI matching network
Clearance Area
Ground plane Area
RF system
PI matching network
Clearance Area
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on November 2017
© 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. -
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7. MATCHING NETWORK
The specs of a Fractus Antennas standard antenna 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 PI matching
network as close as possible to the antenna feeding point. Do it in the ground plane area, not in
the clearance area. This is a degree of freedom to tune the antenna once the design is finished
and taking into account all elements of the system (batteries, displays, covers, etc).
PI matching network example
Please contact info@fractusantennas.com for more information related to the antenna matching
service.
RF
Circuit
Antenna
