RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Antenna Design and RF Layout Guidelines You Must Know

Introduction

Antennas are a vital component in any wireless system, serving as the

interface between the electronic circuitry and open air. With wireless

capabilities becoming ubiquitous across consumer, automotive, medical,

defense and industrial applications, antenna design has taken on

increased importance. This article provides key guidelines and

considerations for engineers designing and integrating antennas for

printed circuit board (PCB) applications.

Topics covered include:

 Fundamentals of antenna specifications

 Basic antenna theory and types

 Matching network design principles

 Guidelines for integrating antennas on PCBs

 RF layout techniques for antennas

 Considerations for antenna arrays

 Testing and measuring antenna performance

 Real-world antenna integration examples

 Tips for antenna design success

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

By understanding antenna design principles and following RF PCB layout

best practices, engineers can help ensure excellent connectivity, efficiency

and reliability for wireless systems.

Request Antenna PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

Antenna Specifications and Parameters

Key parameters characterize the performance of an antenna and

influence the selection or design process. Important specifications include:

Frequency Range

 Band of operating frequencies the antenna must cover

 Defined by low, high and center frequencies

 Impacts physical size with lower frequencies requiring larger

antennas

Bandwidth

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Range of frequencies over which the antenna meets specifications

 Expressed as absolute bandwidth or percentage of center

frequency

 Wider bandwidth allows more variation in operating frequency

Gain

 Measure of increased signal strength radiated in the peak direction

 Expressed in dBi units relative to an isotropic radiator

 Higher gain focuses energy for longer range

Radiation Pattern

 Spatial variation in radiated signal strength from antenna

 Omnidirectional, directional, or combination patterns

 Impacts coverage area shape and range

Input Impedance

 Resistance and reactance presented by antenna at input terminals

 Affects matching network design and transmission line interface

 50 ohm standard for coaxial cabling

Efficiency

 Ratio of radiated power to input power

 Reduced by resistive and dielectric losses

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/
 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Higher efficiency conserves battery power

Polarization

 Direction of oscillating electric field

 Vertical, horizontal, circular common types

 Matched polarity important between transmitter and receiver

With these key parameters in mind, let’s examine some fundamental

antenna theory that guides design.

Antenna Theory and Design

Several important theoretical concepts form the core foundation of

antenna design:

Resonant Frequency

 Antennas transform wire currents into electromagnetic waves

 Efficient radiation occurs when length matches resonant

wavelength

 Optimal length ~ 1/2 wavelength in dielectric medium

Radiation Patterns

 Radiation properties governed by spatial current distribution on

antenna

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Different distributions produce different field patterns

 Omnidirectional, directional, monopole patterns

Input Impedance

 Driven by feed point location relative to currents

 Center feed minimizes reactance

 Off-center feed induces loop reactance

Reciprocity

 Antenna properties identical whether transmitting or receiving

 Permits design based on transmission characteristics

Miniaturization

 Physical length reduces with higher dielectric constant materials

 But bandwidth and efficiency may decrease

 Loading techniques can reduce size

With a grasp of antenna theory fundamentals, let’s survey some of the

most common antenna types used on PCBs.

Common Antenna Types for PCB Implementation

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

UWB A

ntenna PCB

A wide variety of antenna topologies can be designed and fabricated on

printed circuit boards. Some of the most popular options include:

Monopole

 Single straight element mounted perpendicular to ground plane

 Omnidirectional pattern in azimuth

 Quarter-wave length establishes resonant frequency

Dipole

 Two collinear conductive elements of equal length

 Simple bidirectional pattern perpendicular to axis

 Half-wave length sets resonance

Folded Dipole

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 Dipole wrapped into compact shape

 Increased impedance from larger radiating surface

 Resonant at length slightly shorter than half-wave

Loop

 Closed loop antenna above ground plane

 Circular polarization and pattern

 Can be made small using loading techniques

Patch Antenna

 Flat rectangular conductive patch on grounded dielectric

 Low-profile construction

 Feeds include microstrip, coaxial, aperture

PIFA

 Planar inverted-F antenna

 L-shaped element with ground connection

 Resonant at quarter-wave length

Slot

 Slot cut into large conductive surface

 Fed to excite slot mode radiation

 Complement of a dipole antenna

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/
 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

This provides an overview of antenna varieties commonly integrated into

PCB designs. The choice depends greatly on the radiation pattern,

polarization, bandwidth, gain, and efficiency required. Each antenna type

has advantages and disadvantages that must be weighed against

application needs.

Request Antenna PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

Key Antenna Integration Considerations

GNSS

Antenna

Integrating an antenna onto a densely-populated PCB presents challenges.

Here are some key considerations when incorporating an antenna:

Impedance Matching

 Any impedance mismatch degrades power transfer and efficiency

 Matching network transforms antenna impedance to 50 ohm

transmission line

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

 L-section and pi-section networks common matching topologies

Isolation From Nearby Components

 Radiated interference can disrupt sensitive circuitry

 Strategic placement away from susceptible devices

 Guard traces, ground planes, shields

 Component shielding cans if needed

Proximity to Ground Planes

 Nearby ground planes impact antenna pattern shape

 Adjust feed point and ground clearance appropriately

 Ensure consistent distance to ground across operating bands

Effects of Nearby Traces

 Adjacent traces change antenna impedance and coupling

 Increased cross-talk and pattern distortion

 Use guard traces, distance, and compact layout

Impact of Components

 Components in antenna field perturb radiation properties

 Change tuning, efficiency, pattern shape

 Only essential devices near antenna

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Careful integration combining electrical isolation and mechanical stability

is vital to realize optimal antenna performance.

RF PCB Layout Guidelines for Antennas

In addition to antenna-specific integration considerations, following

general PCB RF layout best practices helps safeguard performance:

Controlled Impedances

 Match trace impedances to antenna feed point

 Maintain 50 ohm transmission line impedance

 Use impedance calculators and controlled dimension traces

Minimize Stubs

 Stray branches and stubs cause reflections

 Use stubless, point-to-point routing

Continuous Return Path

 Complete uninterrupted ground under antenna and traces

 Eliminate ground gaps which increase radiation loss

Minimize Crossovers

 Signal crossing split ground plane induces noise

 Route antenna feed on same layer as ground under antenna

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Solid Ground Plane

 Large uninterrupted ground plane stabilizes radiation pattern

 Provides shielding from interference

Component Placement

 Strategically position components to avoid antenna coupling

 Ensure clearance from antenna fields

Layer Stacking

 Stack power and ground planes between signal layers

 Enclose RF and antenna traces between ground planes

By combining sound antenna design principles with proven RF PCB

layout techniques, optimal wireless performance can be realized.

Designing Antenna Arrays

PCB

Dipole Antenna

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Arraying multiple antennas on a PCB provides benefits like higher gain,

electronic beam steering, and pattern diversity. Key array design

considerations include:

Gain Enhancement

 More elements increases antenna gain

 But mutual coupling effects must be accounted for

Beam Steering

 Varying phase between elements rotates beam direction

 Permits rapid electronic scan without physical movement

Resonance Control

 Interactions between arrayed elements changes impedance

 May require larger matching network, isolation structures

Pattern Optimization

 Spacing between elements shapes overall pattern

 Wider separation broadens beamwidth

Layout Symmetry

 Equal spacing between identical elements

 Maintains uniform characteristics for phased arrays

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Isolation Structures

 Prevent coupling between elements

 Trenches, neutralization lines, parasitic elements

By applying sound array design principles, multiple antennas on a PCB can

work cooperatively to produce tailored performance exceeding single

elements.

Testing and Measuring Antenna Performance

Evaluating antenna parameters on an assembled PCB requires specialized

measurement techniques:

Impedance

 Vector network analyzer scans impedance versus frequency

 Confirms proper matching at desired band

Reflection Coefficient

 Measures power reflected from antenna due to mismatch

 Minimized by antenna-feed impedance alignment

Radiation Pattern

 Conducted in anechoic chamber or open field

 Record signal strength versus spherical or planar angle

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Directivity and Gain

 Comparative measurements using reference antenna

 Remove effects of mismatch loss

Efficiency

 Measure input and radiated power to determine losses

 Assess effects of nearby components

Careful antenna testing validates design simulations and ensures all

specifications are satisfied prior to release.

Request Antenna PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

Real-World Antenna Integration Examples

ADSB
Antenna PCB

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Here are some examples of antenna integration in different wireless

systems:

Smartwatch

 PCB area constraints necessitated compact monopole antenna

 Matched to 50 ohms using L-section network

 Quarter-wave length selected for 2.4GHz Bluetooth band

 Orientation parallel to watch band for omnidirectional pattern

Automotive RADAR PCB

 Four patch antennas arrayed for beam steering

 Microstrip feed lines with tuned isolation trenches

 Integrated into 24GHz RADAR transceiver PCB

 Broadside directional pattern oriented forward

Wearable Medical Sensor

 Meandered inverted-F antenna (MIFA) for size reduction

 Resonant at 915MHz ISM band for sensor data links

 Flexible antenna on flexible PCB conforms to skin

 Ground plane shields antenna from body

These examples illustrate how antenna integration must be tailored to the

specific constraints and use cases of each wireless system.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Tips for Successful On-Board Antenna Design

Here are some useful tips to help guide the antenna design and

integration process:

 Clearly identify key electrical specs like frequency, bandwidth, gain

patterns

 Select antenna topology suited to physical constraints

 Model antenna behavior with electromagnetic simulation

 Design matching network early once antenna selected

 Carefully position antenna considering isolation needs

 Review impact of nearby components like batteries or processors

 Verify final performance through antenna pattern and network

analysis measurements

 Build and test prototypes to characterize real-world effects

 Iterate on design based on measured results

By following a structured design flow, RF engineers can overcome the

difficulties of on-board antenna integration to achieve wireless

connectivity objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common FAQs regarding PCB antenna design:

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Q: What are some good antenna options for a small wearable device?

Compact monopoles, loops, helices and meandered antennas are good

options. Ensure adequate ground plane clearance for proper radiation.

Q: How early should antenna design be started in the development

process?

Ideally during the concept phase so size and placement can inform early

PCB layout. Retrofitting antenna design late causes compromises.

Q: What are some techniques to reduce coupling between multiple

antennas?

Physical separation, ground trenches, neutralization lines and orienting

orthogonally help isolate closely spaced antennas.

Q: How can I estimate the transmission line impedance needed to match

my antenna?

Tools like Smith charts allow converting from complex antenna impedance

to appropriate real transmission line impedance for a given matching

network.

Q: What should I look out for when testing an integrated PCB antenna?

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

The effects of antenna proximity to the PCB and nearby components.

Performance often differs significantly from isolated simulations.

Conclusion

On-board antenna integration presents challenges but following sound

design practices enables robust wireless connectivity in the smallest

products. As antennas become ubiquitous across virtually all electronics,

mastering antenna design and layout flows is an invaluable skill for

modern electrical engineers. The guidance provided throughout this

article aims to equip PCB designers with the key principles and best

practices to unlock the full potential of integrated antenna solutions.

1.Introduction

Antenna PCB design and RF layout are critical in a wireless system that

transmits and receives electromagnetic radiation in free space. The

wireless range that an end-customer gets out of an RF product with a

current-limited power source such as a coin-cell battery depends greatly

on the antenna design, the enclosure, and a good PCB layout. It is not

uncommon to have a wide variation in RF ranges for designs that use the

same silicon and the same power but a different layout

and antenna-design practice. This application note describes the best

practices, layout guidelines, and an antenna-tuning procedure to get the

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

widest range with a given amount of power. Other important general

layout considerations for RF trace, power supply decoupling, via

holes, PCB stackup, and antenna and

grounding are also explored. The selection of RF passives such as

inductors and capacitors is covered in detail.

Request Antenna PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

Each topic ends with tips or a checklist of design items related to the topic.

Figure 1 shows the critical components of a wireless system, both at the

Transmitter (TX) and Receiver (RX).

Figure 1. Typical Short-Range Wireless Syst

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Typical

Short-Range Wireless Syst

A well-designed antenna ensures optimum operating distance of the

wireless product. The more power it can transmit

from the radio, the larger the distance it can cover for a given packet error

rate (PER) and receiver sensitivity.

Similarly, a well-tuned radio at the receiver side can work with minimal

radiation incident at the antenna. The RF

layout together with the radio matching network needs to be properly

designed to ensure that most of the power from

the radio reaches the antenna and vice versa

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Request Antenna PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

2.Antenna Basics

An antenna is basically a conductor exposed in space. If the length of the

conductor is a certain ratio or multiple of

the wavelength of the signal1, it becomes an antenna. This condition is

called resonance‖, as the electrical energy

fed to antenna is radiated into free space.

Figure 2. Dipole Antenna Basic

Dipole Antenna Basic

feeds the antenna at its center point by a transmission line known

as ―antenna feed. At this length, the voltage and

current standing waves are formed across the length of the conductor, as

shown in Figure 2.

The electrical energy input to the antenna is radiated in the form

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

of electromagnetic radiation of that frequency to free

space. The antenna is fed by an antenna feed that has an PCB

impedance of, say, 50 Ω, and transmits to the free space,

which has an impendence of 377 Ω2

Thus, the antenna geometry has two most important considerations:

1. Antenna length

2. Antenna feed

The /2-length antenna shown in Figure 2 is called a dipole antenna.

However, most antennas in printed circuit

boards achieve the same performance by having a /4-length conductor

in a particular way. See Figure 3.

By having a ground at some distance below the conductor, an image is

created of the same length ( /4). When

combined, these legs work like a dipole antenna. This type of antenna is

called the quarter-wave ( /4) monopole

antenna. Most antennas on the PCB are implemented as quarter-wave

antennas on a copper ground plane. Note that

the signal is now fed single-ended and that the ground plane acts as the

return path.

Figure 3. Quarter-Wave Antenna

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Quarter-Wave Antenna

For a quarter-wave antenna that is used in most PCBs, the important

considerations are:

Request Antenna PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

1. Antenna length

2. Antenna feed

3. Shape and size of the ground plane and the return path

3 Antenna Types

As described in the previous section, any conductor of length /4

exposed in free space, over a ground plane with a

proper feed can be an effective antenna. Depending on the wavelength,

the antenna can be as long as the FM

antenna of a car or a tiny trace on a beacon. For 2.4-GHz applications,

most PCB antennas fall into the following

types:

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

1. Wire Antenna: This is a piece of wire extending over the PCB in free

space with its length matched to /4 over a

ground plane. This is generally fed by a 50-Ω

4 transmission line. The wire antenna gives the best performance and RF

range because of its dimensions and three-dimensional exposure. The

wire can be a straight wire, helix,or loop. This is a three-dimensional (3D)

structure, with the antenna over a height of 4-5 mm over the PCB

plane,protruding into space.

Figure 4: Wire Antenna

Wire Antenna

2. PCB Antenna: This is a trace drawn on the PCB. This can be a straight

trace, inverted F-type trace, meandered

trace, circular trace, or a curve with wiggles depending on the antenna

type and space constraints. In a PCB

antenna, the antenna becomes a two-dimensional (2D) structure in the

same plane of the PCB; see Figure 5.There are guidelines

5 that must be followed as the 3D antenna exposed in free space is

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

brought to the PCB plane as a 2D PCB trace. A PCB antenna requires

more PCB area, has a lower efficiency than the wire antenna,but is

cheaper. It has easy manufacturability and has the wireless range

acceptable for a BLE application.

Request Antenna PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

Figure 5. PCB Antena

PCB Antena

3. Chip Antenna: This is an antenna in a small form-factor IC that has a

conductor packed inside. This is useful

when there is limited space to print a PCB antenna or support a 3D wire

antenna. Refer to Figure 6 for a

Bluetooth module containing a chip antenna. The size of the antenna and

the module in comparison with a one cent is coin is given below.

Figure 6. Cypress EZ BLE Module (10 mm × 10 mm) with Chip Antenna

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

Cypress EZ BLE Module (10 mm × 10 mm) with Chip

Antenna

Next Part We will take about how to Choosing an Antenna.

Related Posts:

1. BGA Layout Tutorial: What are the Guidelines for BGA Routing?

2. How to Design a PCB Layout

3. PCB Design Guidelines For EMI EMC

4. RF PCB Design Guidelines You Must Know

https://www.raypcb.com/antenna-design-and-rf-layout-rules-part-i/

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/