antenna solutions Ceramic patch antennas are growing in popularity due to their low profile design and their effective balance of performance and price. At Spectrum Control we have developed a complete line of patch antennas that are designed to optimize the transmission and reception of signals for modern wireless products. Beyond the product itself, Spectrum Control offers world class technical support from our experienced engineering department... on a wavelength you can understand. spectrum patch antenna attributes patch antenna applications Satellite Based * GPS Commercial (L1) & Military (L2) * GlobalStar including AeroAstro SENS * Iridium * Inmarsat Terrestrial Based * ISM (Industry, Scientific & Medical) * Zigbee * Bluetooth * RFID Consult Factory other available applications * Small Footprint: Dimensions for antennas from 1 GHz to 3 GHz are from 13mm to 50mm square (excluding the ground plane). * Low Profile: Antennas designed with higher dielectric values are typically <8mm in height and depending upon your bandwidth requirement can be as low as 4mm. * Lightweight: These small antennas can be worn on people with little notice. * Versatile: Antennas not only transmit and receive circularly polarized signals but also linearly polarized signals. * Low Cost: Our antenna elements are very affordable in small and large volume. * Flexible: Antennas can be tuned and optimized very easily making prototyping quick and cost effective. * Omni-directional: Antenna radiation patterns provide excellent gain across all elevation angles but can also be manipulated for more focused requirements. * Performance: These passive devices offer typical gain response from 0 dBi to 3 dBi for half-power beamwidths of 110 degrees. Gain at boresite (90 degrees elevation) can exceed 6 dBi depending upon the proper selection of a ground plane. * Military: We have extensive experience in building hardened military designs. * Testing: All of our products are tested 100% on custom testing systems to ensure quality performance. prototyping We can provide quick turn prototypes by using our on-site engineering lab to hand tune an existing design to meet your specific needs. For advanced designs, we utilize 3-D computer modeling to optimize antenna performance and provide expected real world results of high volume production. 2 Optimizing Performance Don't trust your wireless reception to luck. Let us help you design it right the first time. Our engineering team is ready to help identify critical issues such as the board layout, ground plane size, mounting methods and port measurement that will influence the efficiency of the antenna. We'll look at the polarization and radiation patterns, gain, impedance matching and frequency tolerance to determine the ideal patch for your design. With our computer modeling abilities, we can quickly determine your best options. In addition, we also have an on-site anechoic chamber to validate performance. Our flexible manufacturing and testing processes allow us to easily accommodate the required adjustments to supply an optimized antenna. Key Factors Ground plane: During the design process, consideration must be given to the size and configuration of the ground plane. The ground plane has substantial effects on the performance of the antenna. These effects include frequency shift, gain, axial ratio and radiation pattern. See additional ground plane optimization notes on pages 6 and 7. Element Size: The amount of space available for the antenna element determines not only the material required but also the related performance that can be expected. The element size relates to the material that will be selected, the shape of the element, and the metallization pattern. Each of these has a substantial effect on electrical performance. Assembly Configuration: The final assembly configuration also affects element performance. The position of other components, etc. affects the overall performance of the element. The items mentioned above are areas in which Spectrum Control's engineering staff can assist in developing an optimized antenna element to fit your needs. CERTIFIED SPECTRUM CONTROL INC. * 8061 Avonia Rd. * Fairview, PA 16415 * Phone: 814-474-1571 * Fax: 814-474-3110 * Website: www.specemc.com SPECTRUM CONTROL GmbH * Hansastrasse 6 * 91126 Schwabach, Germany * Phone: (49)-9122-795-0 * Fax: (49)-9122-795-58 3 Patch Antenna Elements Features Temperature stable (-40C to +105C) Low return loss Uniform dielectric constant Offset single-point feeding method Custom designs available (900 MHz to 5.8 GHz) Silver plated electrode and probe Surface mount 50 Ohm impedance RoHS parts available Ordering Information - Standard Single Frequency Patch Element PA 25 - 1575 - 008 S A Class Size Center Frequency (MHz) Bandwidth (MHz) Configuration Series Patch Antennas 2 digits in mm Use 4 digits Use 3 digits S = Square Assigned by factory Application GPS GPS GPS-military (L2) GPS GPS Globalstar Iridium Inmarsat Inmarsat Inmarsat Satellite Radio Satellite Radio ISM ISM ISM Satellite Radio Part # PA25-1575-008SA PA25-1579-008SA PA25-1227-008SA PA18-1580-010SA PA13-1580-005SA PA25-1615-025SA PA25-1621-025SA PA25-1542-025SA PA25-1643-025SA PA45-1592-175SA PA28-2345-025SA PA25-2350-014SA PA37-2400-050SA PA37-2450-150SA PA28-2450-120SA PA28-2370-014SA 2:1 VSWR Center Polarization Frequency (MHz) Bandwidth (MHz) RHCP 1575 20 RHCP 1579 20 RHCP 1227 20 RHCP 1580 15 RHCP 1580 8 LHCP 1615 125 RHCP 1621 25 LHCP 1542 25 LHCP 1643 25 LHCP 1592 125 LHCP 2345 60 LHCP 2350 60 RHCP or LHCP 2400 50 RHCP or LHCP 2450 150 RHCP or LHCP 2450 120 LHCP 2370 60 Gain (dB) 2.5 2.5 0.0 0.0 2.5 3.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 Tested ground Reference plane (mm) Outlines 35X35 B 35X35 B 60X60 B 50X50 C 30X30 D 70X70 B 60X60 B 60X60 B 60X60 B 60X60 F 45X45 A 45X45 B 45X45 E 40X40 E 40X40 A 45X45 A To order RoHS versions, remove dashes in part number and add "LF" to the end of the part. Ex: PA251575008SALF (RoHS version) Consult Factory for custom parts or optimized center frequencies for your specific applications. Dual Frequency SMD Patch Element Spectrum Control offers an innovative solution for dual frequency applications. Our individual SMD antennas can be mounted on an single ground plane to address both frequencies at once. Part # PA451615-1575SA PA451621-1575SA Application Globalstar & GPS (Comm) Iridium & GPS (Comm) Ground Plane Test Size (mm) 76X76 76X76 Reference Outline F F Consult Factory for full product details. 4 SPECTRUM CONTROL INC. * 8061 Avonia Rd. * Fairview, PA 16415 * Phone: 814-474-1571 * Fax: 814-474-3110 * Website: www.specemc.com SPECTRUM CONTROL GmbH * Hansastrasse 6 * 91126 Schwabach, Germany * Phone: (49)-9122-795-0 * Fax: (49)-9122-795-58 Patch Antenna Elements Reference Outlines Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E DRIVEN CONDUCTOR DRIVEN CONDUCTOR Figure F Dimensions in inches (mm) Note: See sales drawing for detailed specifications on each part. SPECTRUM CONTROL INC. * 8061 Avonia Rd. * Fairview, PA 16415 * Phone: 814-474-1571 * Fax: 814-474-3110 * Website: www.specemc.com SPECTRUM CONTROL GmbH * Hansastrasse 6 * 91126 Schwabach, Germany * Phone: (49)-9122-795-0 * Fax: (49)-9122-795-58 5 AC Series Patch Antenna Assembly Options Patch Antenna mounted on a ground plane with a connector mounted directly to the PCB. Standard connector is MMCX. Features Available in partial assembly to complete "Plug-n-Play" assemblies Single or multi-frequency packages Optimized designs for peak performance 100% tested Custom designs * Flexibility on cable and connector selection Standard designs available * AeroAstro SENS * Globalstar * Iridium * GPS RoHS compatible parts available AR Series Patch Antenna mounted on an optimized ground plane with a pigtail cable to a connector, which is tuned and packaged for the plastic radome that covers the complete assembly. Standard cable is RG-316 to MMCX or SMA connectors, others available. Design Options Spectrum Control can supply nearly any variation to meet your design needs, using the three general classifications of assemblies that we manufacture. Our designs can be modified to meet your mechanical, cable length, connector and other specification. Each design is evaluated to provide an optimized performance to achieve maximum gain. Please consult Factory with your specific details. Antenna Design Considerations AP Series Patch Antenna mounted on a ground plane with a pigtail cable to a connector. Standard designs have 6" (15.2 cm) RG-316 cables, connector varies by application. Alternative lengths & connectors available. Ground plane Optimization Fundamental to the performance of a patch antenna is the interaction with the ground plane. The following is a brief overview of the interplay between the element and the ground plane. Consider the classic case of GPS reception, where it is likely that the customer may have the receiver in a less than an ideal environment (e.g. under trees, inside of buildings, various elevations) reducing the possibility of reception. "Off-the-Shelf" components do not address this concern, which why it is so important for the element to be designed for the ground plane. Increasing efficiency can reduce the cold start times and draw less power from the battery supply, in addition to the improving performance. 6 SPECTRUM CONTROL INC. * 8061 Avonia Rd. * Fairview, PA 16415 * Phone: 814-474-1571 * Fax: 814-474-3110 * Website: www.specemc.com SPECTRUM CONTROL GmbH * Hansastrasse 6 * 91126 Schwabach, Germany * Phone: (49)-9122-795-0 * Fax: (49)-9122-795-58 35 mm sq. Ground plane Antenna Design Considerations Figure 1 through 3 detail changes in ground plane sizes and the effect of the radiation pattern and the gain as shown via our computer modeling. Design enhancements that can be considered to improve performance include the use of a thicker ground plane. Figure 4 details the same 35mm plane as in Figure 1, however, it is thicker at 6 mm. This effectively improves the resultant directive gain. The front to back ratios have also improved, as well as pattern fullness or axial ratio measurement. While it may be understood that a larger ground plane will improve the gain of an antenna, there may be a degradation of the axial ratio of the system if the element is not tuned for the ground plane. In Figure 5, the best axial ratio for the element under the test occurs with the 55 mm zero thickness ground plane. Proper evaluation and tuning can improve designs. Spectrum Control offers experienced engineering solutions to optimize your system. In addition to specialized design assistance, we also provide complete optimized assemblies. Additional Interaction Notes: * Center frequency shift: A 13mm GPS element designed for a 70 mm GP will have a f0 = 1580MHz by design. The same element on a 35 mm ground plane will have a f0 =1569 MHz and on an effectively zero ground plane (13mm), the f0 = 1549MHz. y x 55 mm sq. Ground plane Gain(dB) 1.575GHz Figure 2 Ground plane thickness is minimal 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 -1.00 -2.00 -3.00 z y x 75 mm sq. Ground plane Gain(dB) 1.55GHz Figure 3 Ground plane thickness is minimal 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 -1.00 -2.00 -3.00 z y x Figure 5 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 -1.00 -2.00 -3.00 z * Radiation pattern nulls: When a patch antenna is mounted off center on a ground plane, it will realize nonspherical radiation patterns. "Gain tilt" will occur as the radiation pattern will adjust toward the larger surface, and conversely be reduced on the smaller surface. Axial Ratio vs. Ground plane Size Figure 1 Ground plane thickness is minimal 35 mm sq. Ground plane Gain(dB) 1.585GHz Figure 4 Ground plane thickness is 6 mm 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 -1.00 -2.00 -3.00 z "Hg" is ground plane thickness in mm x y Gain(dB) 1.578GHz SPECTRUM CONTROL INC. * 8061 Avonia Rd. * Fairview, PA 16415 * Phone: 814-474-1571 * Fax: 814-474-3110 * Website: www.specemc.com SPECTRUM CONTROL GmbH * Hansastrasse 6 * 91126 Schwabach, Germany * Phone: (49)-9122-795-0 * Fax: (49)-9122-795-58 7 faq's antenna handling & processing What are the min & max temperatures for the antenna? Operating: -40C to +105C Storage: No min to +150C Can the antenna undergo reflow soldering? Yes, the pin is attached with Sn62 on the Non-RoHS versions and Sn96 for RoHS versions. The adhesive is also designed to meet expected profiles. (Do not reflow the solder on the top surface for more than a duration of one minute - to avoid the risk dissolving the silver pattern.) What surfaces are the adhesive compatible or incompatible with? Anything that is well adhered to the substratum and clean. For example, if you place a patch antenna on standard copper FR-4 for longer than a few days, you will likely pull the silver electrode and some ceramic off the patch during removal. (The fired on silver electrode passes ~150 lbs/in2.) What sort of surface preparation is recommended before installing the antenna? Clean, de-grease and dry. The pressure sensitive adhesive will continue the process of bonding to the substratum for days. NO OTHER ADHESIVES are needed.... they will lower the center frequency of the patch (for example, one more layer of adhesive would reduce the frequency by ~1.5MHz). Will the performance be affected if a cover (radome) is placed above the patch and/or on the ground plane? Yes, any covering of the antenna will change its performance characteristics. This would includes any solder mask or a conformal coating. The classic example is applying a radome (cover) over the part. What are the recommended clearances for a radome? Generally the radome should be a minimum of 10mm from the sides of the patch and 5mm above the patch element on the ground plane. Does the ground plane affect the performance of the antenna? Yes. The ground plane is a pivotal part of the antenna, and different sizes and thickness change performance. Please refer to the ground plane optimization section of this catalog. www.specemc.com north america europe china EMI Filters & Components 8061 Avonia Road Fairview, Pennsylvania 16415 Phone: 814-474-1571 Fax: 814-474-3110 Spectrum Control GmbH Hansastrasse 6 91126 Schwabach, Germany Phone: (49)-9122-795-0 Fax: (49)-9122-795-58 Spectrum Control Limited 2nd Industrial Area North Ling Tou Industrial Road Quid Tou Town, Dong Guan City Guang Dong Province 523530 Peoples Republic of China Phone: (011)-86-769-8343-7761 Fax: (011)-86-769-8343-7760 Spectrum Control, Inc. reserves the right to alter the specifications provided in this publication. Consult factory for current specifications. AHA 7/06 3M 27-0027-0049 (c)2006 Spectrum Control, Inc. CERTIFIED Printed in U.S.A.