nrf24l01 module location on pcb.

[Fabio Fernandes]

I am using NRF24L01 modules sold on ebay. I have 3 boards where these modules are soldiers and notice a big difference in range. More distant of other components, better range. What is the safe distance to other components of the pcb? Thanks

[Asbjørn]

The antenna characteristics is dependent on the distance to other metallic object, but there's no clear guide to how far. You see yourself that when you have the module some distance away from the board, it performance better. It's difficult to make repetitive measurements like this as the angle between receiver and transmitter could affect the result quite a bit. On board 3 the antenna is placed right above the board and potentially other metal parts, this will most likely de-tune the antenna. So the recommendation is to keep the antenna in as free open area as possible.

If you move the three module between the three board, do the module perform equally? By that I mean, if you take the module from board 1 and place it in board 3, does it perform equally to the module 3 in board 3 do? I suspect all the module perform equally, it's just a matter on where they are placed on the board that makes a difference.

[Fabio Fernandes]

tks. but no distributors for my country, Brazil. the problem of these modules purchased in China is that in the same package they have different performance. and seems to be antenna tuning, because even the bad, there is always a length of wire that soldier to end the antenna does the module work better. and the modules that found in better stores have high price for my application. any suggestions? in several of these modules, I found that some cutting board antenna it works much better. seemed insane. another thing I did not understand well is that if you measure these Chinese antenna modules will notice that this grounded. after searching a lot, I discovered that the antenna section works as a coil in this frequency. is the straight part behind the zigzag. are correct ? i don't know !