Use Thingy:91 external matching circuit tuner

[Navid]

Hi
I'm designing a board based on nRF9160 that inspired from Thingy:91. I changed the LTE antenna to Molex 2067600001. Now I need to know that can I use the same external matching circuit tuner that is used on Thingy:91? does changing the antenna type affect on matching circuit between two RF switch?

[JONATHAN LL]

Hi Navid,

Can confirm that it is this Molex Connector Part Number - 206760-0001 antenna or link to the antenna data sheet?

Regards,
Jonathan

[Navid]

yes. The antenna that you mentioned is used.

and I have another question, can I use passive components with 0402 footprints for the matching circuit?

Thanks for your response.

[JONATHAN LL]

Hi Navid,

If your plan is to make a Thingy91 like device that preforms similar on both LTE and GPS i would not recommend using the Molex 2067600001. Reason being that it probably does not work well with GPS. 

Do you plan to use GPS ?

Navid said:

an I use passive components with 0402 footprints for the matching circuit?

Yes


Have you read the nrf9160 Antenna and RF Interface guidelines?

Regards,
Jonathan

[Navid]

Hi JONATHAN
Yes, I plan to use both LTE and GPS but I'm using a standalone antenna for GPS. The GPS antenna is ACAG0301-1575-T.
and unlike Thingy board, I don't connect GPS ANT to RF switch.
So, now can I use exactly the same matching circuit that has been used in Thingy board, with Molex 2067600001 antenna? or I need to tune passive components?

JONATHAN LL said:

Have you read the nrf9160 Antenna and RF Interface guidelines?

Yes, I have read it.

Regard.

[JONATHAN LL]

Hi

Using the same matching circuitry will probably work but other component values might be needed to haw optimal performance. So some tuning might be needed. 

Navid said:

I need to tune passive components?

 High probability of this being the case. 

Regards,
Jonathan