{"id":18082,"date":"2018-02-02T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2018-02-02T16:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/eagle\/blog\/?p=2142"},"modified":"2023-07-07T20:21:49","modified_gmt":"2023-07-08T03:21:49","slug":"how-to-select-right-antenna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/how-to-select-right-antenna\/","title":{"rendered":"Everyday App Note: How to Select the Right Antenna for Your First RF Project"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"everyday-app-note-how-to-select-the-right-antenna-for-your-first-rf-project\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyday App Note: How to Select the Right Antenna for Your First RF Project<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antennas are a vital component in any wireless communications system, allowing you to send electrical signals through space between a transmitter and receiver. However, choosing the right antenna is no easy feat, with considerations needing to be made for size, cost, performance and a ton of other variables. Are you already considering these variables when selecting an antenna?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to handle undesired magnetic fields generated by your PCB. <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to handle objects that disrupt the Line of Sight (LOS) of your antenna. <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to improve the radiation efficiency of your antenna.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this is your first RF project, then you have a lot of information to consider when it comes to selecting the right antenna. This Everyday App Note from <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ti.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Texas Instruments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> packs antenna theory and practical guidelines together to make your antenna selection process a success. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"379\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/TexasInstruments-Logo.svg_-1-1024x379.png\" alt=\"texas instruments\" class=\"wp-image-58499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/TexasInstruments-Logo.svg_-1-1024x379.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/TexasInstruments-Logo.svg_-1-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/TexasInstruments-Logo.svg_-1-768x284.png 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/TexasInstruments-Logo.svg_-1.png 1116w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"types-of-antennas-covered\">Types of Antennas Covered<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This app note presents several antenna types to consider that are widely used in short-range wireless communications systems, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pcb-antennas\">PCB Antennas<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These antennas offer solid performance above 868 MHz and are the most affordable solution available. However, they can be difficult to design when requiring smaller footprints and performance of 433 MHz or below.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-2144 size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/nJNrL.jpg\" alt=\"pcb antennas\" class=\"wp-image-58504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/nJNrL.jpg 504w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/nJNrL-300x245.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/electronics.stackexchange.com\/questions\/180072\/pcb-microstrip-antenna\">Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"chip-antennas\">Chip Antennas<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These antennas are the generalists of the antenna family. They offer the smallest footprint available, average performance, and average cost. Chip antennas are a great solution if you need the fastest time to market for your RF project.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-2145 size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"860\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_4.jpg\" alt=\"chip antennas\" class=\"wp-image-58509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_4.jpg 860w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_4-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_4-768x586.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/solarbotics.com\/product\/51772\/\">Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whip-antenna\">Whip Antenna<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These antennas offer great performance, but their large size makes them difficult to fit into many wireless communications systems. They are also one of the most expensive antenna types to design and manufacture. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-2146 size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"847\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/XBee_Series_2_with_Whip_Antenna-1024x847.jpg\" alt=\"whip antenna\" class=\"wp-image-58514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/XBee_Series_2_with_Whip_Antenna-1024x847.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/XBee_Series_2_with_Whip_Antenna-300x248.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/XBee_Series_2_with_Whip_Antenna-768x636.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/XBee_Series_2_with_Whip_Antenna-1536x1271.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/XBee_Series_2_with_Whip_Antenna.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:XBee_Series_2_with_Whip_Antenna.jpg\">Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"parameters-to-consider\">Parameters to Consider<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing about antenna types alone won\u2019t dispel the mystery of which is the best for your RF project. There are also several general parameters that need to be considered, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"radiation-patterns\">Radiation Patterns<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These patterns measure how radiation will vary around an antenna. Knowing this pattern will help you to understand the ideal orientation an antenna should be placed in to maximize coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-2147\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"467\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_1.jpg\" alt=\"radiation patterns\" class=\"wp-image-58519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_1.jpg 467w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_1-300x278.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 467px) 100vw, 467px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ti.com\/lit\/an\/swra161b\/swra161b.pdf\">Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ground-effect\">Ground Effect<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to understand how the size and shape of your ground plane will affect your radiation pattern. Effective use of a ground plane can restrict RF emissions in specific planes and guide antenna direction for the highest efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-2148\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2-3.jpg\" alt=\"ground effect\" class=\"wp-image-58524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2-3.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Screenshot_2-3-300x280.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ti.com\/lit\/an\/swra161b\/swra161b.pdf\">Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"size-cost-amp-performance-balance\">Size, Cost &amp; Performance Balance<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s always a trade-off to be made between size, cost, and performance. For example, a board with limited space might be more effective with a small, high frequency antenna than with a low frequency antenna.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"download-this-app-note\">Download This App note<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to learn about all the different antenna types, design considerations, and parameters you need to consider for your next RF project? This app note is great for beginners and veterans alike. There\u2019s an introduction to antenna theory for those new to RF, and plenty of practical guidelines to make your antenna selection process a success!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ti.com\/lit\/an\/swra161b\/swra161b.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download the Antenna Selection Guide App Note now!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embarking on your first RF project? Learn how to select the right antenna in this Everyday App Note from Texas Instruments!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2425,"featured_media":1913,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[434],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-18082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eagle","dhig-theme--light"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Antenna Selection Guide | Everyday App Note | EAGLE | Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to select the right antenna for an RF project such as PCB antenna, chip antenna, whip antenna, wire antenna, and IP based antenna.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/how-to-select-right-antenna\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Antenna Selection Guide | Everyday App Note | EAGLE | Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to select the right antenna for an RF project such as PCB antenna, chip antenna, whip antenna, wire antenna, and IP based antenna.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/how-to-select-right-antenna\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Fusion Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-02-02T16:00:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-07-08T03:21:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sam Sattel\" \/>\n<meta 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