PCB Component to Antenna Aperture Clearance Guidelines

[SeattleChris]

Hello,

I am working on a prototype board based on the nRF7002 DK. I have managed to preserve the entire PCB layout sections for the nRF5340 and nRF7002 radios and antenna without modification. However, I have a lot of application hardware to add around this in a small form factor. Can anyone advise as to whether or not I can add other application circuitry in the green boxes as shown below? I'm basically trying to understand what a reasonable rule of thumb is for the green "?" clearance distances between arbitrary application circuitry and the antenna planar void section (top of graphic) and the guarded RF signal feed (lower part of graphic).

Thank you in advance,

Chris

[JONATHAN LL]

Hi, 

Adding extra components here in the green boxes is not an issue generally. If you add something that is very noisy like a switching regulator or something similarly noisy then you might see noise bleeding in to the RF parts, but that is not a big concern for most components. 

You can also add some extra via fencing around the edges as an extra measure to keep any possible disturbance away from the RF section. 

Regards,
Jonathan

[SeattleChris]

Hi Jonathan,

Thank you the speedy response. That's generally what I was presuming. I will not be locating any synchronous circuitry in these areas.

Cheers,

Chris

[JONATHAN LL]

You can submit a review request here on Devzone and we will have a look at the design and provide som feedback if we see anything of concern. 

Regards,
Jonathan