nRF9160 GPS RF Switch and Amplifier

[Gtech]

Hello,

I am currently designing a new board using the nRF9160 chip and looking for an alternative component to use instead of the GPS RF Amplifier QM14501 and RF Switch QM13132. 

I would like to implement a PCB antenna by Fractus Antennas same as used in the Thingy91 board and have UFL connectors as an alternative to the PCB antenna to connect an external flexible antenna for the LTE and GPS. 

Please advise. 

Looking forward for your reply

[ketiljo]

For the GPS LNA, an alternative is the SKY65943-11. For  the RF switch, you can use just about anything that can handle 23 dBm power with the correct frequency range.

[Gtech]

What RF switch would you recommend to use? Is the switch needed for LTE and GPS or can I use 1 switch for both? I would like you use the Fractus Antenna as on the Thingy91 and have a UFL Connector. 1 for LTE and 1 for GPS. Would I need to have 2 RF switches ? 

[ketiljo]

Thingy91 uses the same antenna for LTE and GPS. As there are two separate RF ports on the nRF9160, you need a switch to select which port to use. 

To select a U.FL connector instead of the antenna, you need another switch, or two if you need U.FL for both the GPS and LTE antennas.

You'll find a description on how this is done in the Thingy91 documentation

[Gtech]

Which RF switch would you recommend for the LTE and GPS ? As an alternative to the QM13132. 

[Gtech]

Is this a good RF Switch alternative for the LTE and GPS ? 

SKY13414-485LF 

I would like to use 1 for LTE and 1 for GPS. 

Or do you think I could you a Dual RF switch like this one RFSW6222 for both LTE and GPS in a single package IC.

[ketiljo]

Depends a bit how you are going to use this. The SKY13414-485LF is a 1 to 4 switch, so you can't use this alone. I'd consider using two 1 to 2 switches instead, to select between antenna and U.FL connector. You may need an additional switch if you are going to use just one antenna, to select between LTE and GPS.

[Gtech]

If there are two outputs from the nRF9160 for LTE and GPS. Do I still need a switch for switching between LTE and GPS ? Like Nordic did with the Thingy91. I will be using the same Fractus PCB antenna as the Thingy91