APPLICATION NOTES 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. 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. EZConnectTM Fractus Antennas is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. All our antennas are lead-free and RoHS compliant. FR05-S1-R-0-105 ISO 9001: 2015 Certified Last updated on November 2017 (c) 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 1 APPLICATION NOTES 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 Last updated on November 2017 (c) 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 2 APPLICATION NOTES 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 2. BENEFITS Metering (Gas, Electricity, Water...) RFID (UHF Tags, Readers...) Sensors (Parking, Speed control, Optics...) Modules Zigbee Gateways High efficiency and gain Small size Cost-effective Easy-to-use (pick and place) QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Technical features Frequency Antenna Efficiency Peak Gain Radiation Pattern VSWR Polarization Weight (approx.) Temperature Impedance Dimensions (L x W x H) 868 MHz 78.1 % 2.3 dBi Omnidirectional < 2:1 Linear 0.2 g -40 to + 85 C 50 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. Last updated on November 2017 (c) 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 3 APPLICATION NOTES 3. EVALUATION BOARD (868 MHz) 868 MHz configuration for the EZConnectTM chip antenna used in the PCB Evaluation Board. Measure A B C D E Ground Plane 50 Ohms transmission line mm 105.0 48.0 121.0 9.5 53.1 Tolerance: 0.2 mm Material: The evaluation board is built on FR4 substrate. Thickness is 0.8 mm TM Figure 1 - EB_FR05-S1-R-0-105B. EZConnect 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) Last updated on November 2017 (c) 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 4 APPLICATION NOTES 5. RADIATION PATTERNS, GAIN AND EFFICIENCY (868 MHZ) Orientation: Antenna in Plane ZY Azimuth Cut = 90 Plane XY Elevation Cut = 0 Plane XZ Elevation Cut = 90 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). Last updated on November 2017 (c) 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 5 APPLICATION NOTES 6. RECOMMENDED PCB LAYOUTS FOR A NEW DESIGN The following examples describe the basics for a new design with the EZConnect TM 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). Clearance Area Clearance Area PI matching network PI matching network RF system RF system Ground plane Area Ground plane Area Example 1 Example 2 Clearance Area Clearance Area PI matching network PI matching network RF system RF system Ground plane Area Ground plane Area Example 3 Example 4 Last updated on November 2017 (c) 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 6 APPLICATION NOTES 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). Antenna RF Circuit PI matching network example Please contact info@fractusantennas.com for more information related to the antenna matching service. Last updated on November 2017 (c) 2017 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 7