Antennas that Support Qorvo UWB Technologies | Symmetry Blog
About Tyler Wojciechowicz
When it comes to designing wireless products, selecting the proper antenna to support your application is vital to system performance. It is therefore recommended that the antenna selection is finalized early in the design phase to avoid costly re-designs. To select the optimal antenna, designers must determine product requirements such as the PCB design, size, and enclosure. Additionally, performance parameters including gain, bandwidth, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), and radiation pattern must also be considered.
A low power, short range, and high bandwidth wireless communication protocol–ultra-wideband (UWB) is an emerging technology that is primarily used for precise device-to-device communications and Real-Time Location System (RTLS) applications. With both internal and external antenna options available, design engineers must utilize a UWB-compatible antenna that is most suitable for their specific use case. Utilizing a wide range of frequencies (channels ranging from 3-10 GHz) – designers must consider the global region that their UWB application will be utilized to ensure the antenna is suitable for the ideal frequency bands. As pioneers in the UWB space, Qorvo offers an impressive portfolio of UWB products, including modules, shields, transceivers, and development kits. Offering an Application Engineers’ perspective, the following guide eliminates the guess work and identifies a variety of antenna options that are compatible with Qorvo UWB technologies.
Internal Antennas for Qorvo UWB Products
Ideal for reduced costs, high volume, and addressing strict sizing requirements, internal antennas come in various design options. The following includes surface mount chip and flexible printed circuit (FPC) antenna options that are compatible with Qorvo UWB products.
Taoglas Internal UWB Antennas
Accura UWB UWCCP.01, 6-7 GHz: Taoglas’ UWCCP.01 embedded circular polarized SMT chip antenna is ideal for European and U.S. UWB applications operating in the channel 5 (6.25 - 6.75 GHz) frequency band. Offering a peak gain of 6.5 dBi and compact packaging at 14.3 x 8.35 x 2 mm, the UWCCP.01 is optimal for mobile tag applications used in standard Time of Arrival (ToA) and advanced Angle of Arrival (AoA) localization systems.
Accura UWB UWC.20, 3-5 & 6-9 GHz: Taoglas’ UWC.20 is a small form factor (12*12*2 mm) ceramic chip antenna that is ideal for European and U.S. UWB applications utilizing the 1-10 channel frequency band.
Accura UWB UWCCP.01, 6-7 GHz: The UWCCP.01 SMD UWB chip antenna is ideal for European and U.S. UWB applications operating in the channel 5 frequency band. Offering a peak gain of 6.5 dBi and a compact design of 14.3 x 8.35 x 2 mm, the UWCCP.01 antenna is most suitable for mobile tag applications used in standard ToA and advanced AoA localization systems.
Accura UWB FXUWB20.07.0100C, 3-5 & 6-10 GHz: At just 35*24.5*0.2 mm, the FXUWB20.07.0100C flexible polymer antenna boasts a small and ultra-thin design. With a peak gain of 5 dBi, the FXUWB20.07.0100C covers UWB channels 1-15 with a rejection band in the 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi bands. Target applications include radar, home network connectivity, and position and tracking.
KYOCERA AVX Internal UWB Antennas
1001312 UWB Ceramic Antenna, 6-8.5 GHz: KYOCERA AVX’s 1001312 series of ceramic antennas deliver on the key needs of device designers for higher functionality and performance in smaller/thinner designs. These innovative antennas provide compelling advantages for 2.4 GHz enabled cell phones, media players, and other mobile devices.
1005188F0 UWB FPC Embedded Antenna, 6-8.5 GHz: KYOCERA AVX’s 1005188F0 versatile off-board UWB FPC antenna is optimized for applications spanning 6.0 - 8.0 GHz where off-board implementation is advantageous and necessary. At 15.6 x 18.6 x 0.2 mm and a peak gain of 5.2 dBi, the 1005188F0 is ideal for systems requiring a ground plane independent antenna offering maximum placement flexibility.
1005190F0 UWB FPC Embedded Antenna, 6-8.5 GHz: KYOCERA AVX’s 1005190F0 versatile off-board UWB FPC antenna is optimized for applications spanning 6.0 - 8.0 GHz where off-board implementation is advantageous and necessary. At 18.6 x 15.6 x 0.2 mm and a peak gain of 5.3 dBi, the 1005190F0 is ideal for systems requiring a ground plane independent antenna offering maximum placement flexibility.
External Antennas for Qorvo UWB Products
External antennas offer ease of design and more reliable performance. The following includes terminal dipole, PCB-adhesive, and wall/pole mount external antenna options that are compatible with Qorvo UWB products.
Taoglas External UWB Antennas
TU.60.3H31 UWB 3dBi Terminal Mount Antenna, 3.5-8 GHz: Taoglas’ TU.60.3H31 unique dipole terminal UWB antenna covers European and U.S. UWB channels 2-7. With excellent efficiency and an omnidirectional radiation pattern with 3 dBi gain, the TU.60.3H31 provides strong, homogeneous coverage in all directions from the sensor. Common applications include indoor position location and tracking, smart home device control and entertainment systems, keyless entry, and precision surveying.
PHA.01.A UWB Horn Antenna, 3.7-7 GHz: Taoglas’ PHA.01.A high gain UWB antenna covers UWB band 2 and 5 frequencies. Measuring at 200 x 150 x 252 mm, with a peak gain of 19 dBi and a minimum of 16 dBi, the PHA.01.A is ideal for UWB communications.
PCUWB01.01.0500G UWB FR4 Antenna, 3-5 & 6-10 GHz: Taoglas’ PCUWB01.01.0500G omnidirectional antenna supports European and U.S. UWB applications in the 1-15 channels. The only external adhesive-mount UWB antenna designed to cover all worldwide UWB frequencies – the PCUWB01.01.0500G is suitable for precision surveying, smart home and entertainment systems, and position location and tracking.
Embedded Antenna Design (EAD) External UWB Antenna
FWBTR35382-SM-KR Dipole Antenna, 3-6 GHz: EAD’s FWBTR35382-SM-KR compact dipole antenna offers a hinged connector, with the ability to lock the antenna in place in either a vertical or horizontal position using its SMA or RP-SMA connector. Ideal for indoor positioning and location, access control systems, asset tracking, factory automation, and logistics systems.
Determining UWB Antenna Compatibility
Proper antenna selection is vital to the system performance of your wireless application. Sizing and performance parameters must be determined in the early design phase to combat costly re-designs. To cut out the guess work, the experts at Symmetry Electronics put together this helpful guide to assist in selecting internal and external antennas that are compatible with Qorvo UWB technologies. Still unsure which antenna is most suitable for your design, contact us for free comprehensive design-phase support.