RE: GPS and LTE frontend testing and improvements

dzenbo — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 11:42:52 GMT

Hi Andreas.

Thank you for your answering

RE: GPS and LTE frontend testing and improvements

Andreas — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 12:35:33 GMT

Hi,

1) See the Hardware Verification Guidelines Whitepaper: https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/nwp_034/WP/nwp_034/nwp_034_intro.html Generally you are limited to either using a call-box tester or the AT%XRFTEST command with a spectrum analyzer.

2) Generally you should replicate the nRF9160 reference design and reference designs or layout guidelines for the antenna you plan on using. If you do not do this you can not expect it to perform according to the specifications. Antennas might also have requirements or specifications that relate to the size of the PCB or ground plane, so you need to make sure that the antenna you use can support the form factor. Smaller size is generally not a good thing though, especially when smaller than a quarter wavelength, this might reduce performance overall and require a tuning circuit like in our Thingy91 to support multiple bands. In addition to the Antenna and RF interface guidelines document, see the Hardware Design Guidelines whitepaper: https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/nwp_037/WP/nwp_037/nwp_037_intro.html?cp=16_1 At the end, when you have received your samples, you need to make sure your antenna is correctly tuned and matched using a network analyzer.

I also recommend that you submit your design for a review here on Devzone before you order samples, or if you experience issues with performance.

Best regards,
Andreas