question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Heidi — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 07:13:37 GMT

Hi!

Gerber files are preferred, but you can attach the Eagle files as well. In addition, we'll need PDF for schematics.

Just make a new, private ticket for the PCB design review.

Best regards,

Heidi

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Cindy — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 15:03:11 GMT

Hi Heidi,

About the PCB design review, does Nordic accept Eagle file?

Cindy

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Heidi — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 13:10:03 GMT

Hi, yes you can also buy an external NFC antenna from a third party provider. All of them should work right out of the box, just make sure the frequency is 13.56 MHz.

The other thing to consider is that the size and shape of an NFC antenna should be roughly the same size and shape as the reader you're gonna use it with, to achieve maximum power transfer. For example the antennas on Nordic's development kits have roughly the same size and shape as the NFC Forum Reference Antenna Poller 6, which works with most NFC readers.

The NFC Forum sets these specifications, so you could also take a look at their website for more information.

Best regards,

Heidi

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Cindy — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 14:25:14 GMT

can I just get an external NFC antenna? would any of them work? or it has to a specific one? or any specifications I should look for?

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Heidi — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:33:00 GMT

Hi, I just linked the pdf as an example. Here is the folder with all hardware files, including the Altium files.

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../nRF52-Development-Kit-_2D00_-Hardware-files-1_5F00_2_5F00_1.zip

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Cindy — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:04:40 GMT

Hi Heidi

Thanks for your reply, I checked the PCA64110_Schematic_And_PCB.pdf file you attached, it's like a printed picture of the NFC antenna, there's no dimension or anything. I still don't know how to design my own, would you mind explain it a little more?

I never designed an antenna, so I just add the antenna on my pcb board top or bottom layer and don't cover it copper pour?

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Heidi — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 15:26:02 GMT

Hi Cindy!

I recommend reading this blog post regarding general PCB design guidelines for the nRF52 series.

Specifically the section entitled "Antenna" is relevant to your question. You can choose between using a PCB antenna and a chip antenna (consider that the PCB antenna is cheaper as it is one less component), and if you choose PCB antenna there is a white paper called Quarterwave printed monopole antenna for 2.4GHz that explains how to design it.

Regarding the NFC antenna, the schematic for Nordic's NFC antenna is available on our website here in the download section under nRF52-DK hardware files and I have also attached it below. So, the easiest would just be to use this design and produce your own.

Note that you can send your PCB files to us for review before production. Just create a private ticket and attach the relevant files.

I hope this answers your questions!

Best regards,
Heidi

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../PCA64110_5F00_Schematic_5F00_And_5F00_PCB.pdf

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Cindy — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 14:12:35 GMT

thanks for the suggestion. idk they have third-party modules before, but my pcb design is almost finished just need an antenna. would you mind give me more suggestion on how to pick an attached antenna?

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

awneil — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 14:07:10 GMT

[quote userid="81003" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/52029/question-about-nfc-and-bluetooth-antenna/209210"]nRF52832 doesn't have a built-in Bluetooth antenna[/quote]

Correct.

But many 3rd-party modules are available which incorporate an antenna; eg,

https://www.nordicsemi.com/?sc_itemid=%7BB04D6848-53F6-4DA2-85E1-B99CDFEE3FC5%7D

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

Cindy — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 13:55:34 GMT

Thanks for your reply.

So I think nRF52832 doesn't have a built-in Bluetooth antenna. When I look for a ready-made antenna, what specifications I should care about? and the nfc antenna as well?

RE: question about NFC and Bluetooth antenna

awneil — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 13:49:29 GMT

[quote userid="81003" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/52029/question-about-nfc-and-bluetooth-antenna"]I'm really new to this filed [/quote]

Which field, exactly?

Antenna design is very much a specialist subject - requiring specialist skills, experience, test equipment, etc.

You will be far better off using a module which either includes the antenna, or provides a connector for a ready-made antenna.