NRF24L01 basic trace antenna, load cap tuning and lenght

RE: NRF24L01 basic trace antenna, load cap tuning and lenght

mathiaso — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:14:58 GMT

As you likely have some extra length on your antenna now, and you have limited equipment available, I'd suggest that you try tuning your antenna by trimming 1 mm off it at a time, until you reach a maximum range.

RE: NRF24L01 basic trace antenna, load cap tuning and lenght

patallen — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:11:32 GMT

document is very interesting and is a good start point. i do have a vna but cannot reach 2.4ghz... how about a 1/2 wavelenght antenna of the same manner ? thanks.

RE: NRF24L01 basic trace antenna, load cap tuning and lenght

mathiaso — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:06:16 GMT

Hi, Patrick.

The easiest way to tune a trace antenna is to give some extra length at first and then cut it to have it resonate at the desired frequency. A shunt component might often be helpful to bring its impedance closer to 50 ohms. We do have this white paper on PCB trace antenna design that you might find helpful.

To be able to tune the antenna in a good way, you'll need to connect it to a VNA. I don't know if this is something you've got access to? We have this white paper on antenna tuning as well.

Best regards,
Mathias