Antenna to use for NRF52840

[Jacob]

I am building a prototype that will use the nrf52840, with limited space. Would making a small pcb antenna or using a chip antenna be better and what is the setup needed for the antenna. (capacitors and inductors)

[bjorn-spockeli]

Hi Jacob,

the smallest PCB trace antenna is going to be a meander antenna, you use the layout of the nRF51 Dongle as a reference, here is the link. In terms of components you usually just need a shunt capacitor and then you adjust the length of the antenna in order to tune it.

If a PCB meander antenna is too big, then your only option is to go for a chip antenna. You will then need a full PI network, two shunt and one series components in order to properly tune the antenna. You can use the Nordic Thingy:52 layout as a reference, here is the link.

Thus, it boils down to cost and how space you have on your PCB for the antenna.

Best regards

Bjørn

[sonus89]

Links are unavailable...

[bjorn-spockeli]

Hi Matthew, 

the links should be fixed now. 

-Bjørn