Antenna tuning means how well antenna impedance is matched to its chipset. For example, a well-tuned 2.4 GHz WiFi antenna will have shallow return loss in 2.4- 2.484 GHz, thus ensuring shallow reflections with the chipset transceiver.
In this service, we optimize antenna performance on physical prototyping. All antennas are sensitive to their environment, such as plastic metals, nearby metals…etc. When the antenna is integrated into the product, it’s expected that its target turnings are slightly off-set from the simulations. Thus, antenna tunings needed to be adjusted to the target frequency range by optimizing matching component values, topology, or slightly changing the antenna’s physical dimension.
The final antenna is always needed to be tuned in its last resting place and with the final usage environment to ensure the best RF link.
The antenna tuning procedure will result in optimal RF performance for the whole product.
We use state-of-the-art Agilent 5071C vector network analyzers with due ECAL kits and measure the antenna’s “raw impedance.” By using antenna matching software, we design antenna matching circuit topology and values. Then we solder appropriate matching components to tune antenna resonance to the target frequency band.
Fig 1: Keysight vector network analyzer E5071C
Once antenna return loss is optimized, antenna efficiency is measured with passive OTA measurement in an anechoic chamber, ETS-8050. Efficiency measurement is crucial because antenna matching only indicates that the antenna accepts the power for the transceiver. It does not mean the antenna radiates. Power can be lost to resonances that can occur in other parts of your device, such as flexes or batteries.
OTA Measurement Facilities at CoreIoT Technologies Ltd.
CoreIoT Technologies has a wide range of professional tools for carrying out all antenna measurements and a fully-equipped anechoic chamber with an over-the-air (OTA) measurement setup. Our antenna anechoic chamber provides a stable, non-reflective environment for antenna testing.
Our OTA measurement setup consists of this equipment:
- ETS AMS 8050 Antenna anechoic chamber
- Keysight vector network analyzer E5071C
- Anritsu Signal Analyzer MS2692A
- Agilent vector network analyzer E5071C
Anechoic Chamber Specifications
At CoreIoT Technologies, we have an antenna anechoic chamber capable of measuring from 700 MHz to 10 GHz. However, measurements below this frequency range are also possible.
Specifications for our Anechoic Chamber are:
- ETS AMS 8050 Antenna anechoic chamber
- Frequency: 700 MHz – 10 GHz
- Size (2.59 x 1.52 x 1.82 meters
- 3D radiation pattern measurement
- Own rotation system for UHF RFID
- Measurement software ETS Lindgren EMQuest
- Passive (with cable) measurements: antenna efficiency, gain, radiation pattern in CW mode
- Active measurements: generic radiated power measurement, WLAN, Cellular 2G, 3G, 4G, BT
Fig 2: ETS AMS 8050 Antenna anechoic chamber
Deliverables
CoreIoT will compile a report on the antenna measurements, including:
- Details of any electrical or mechanical tuning techniques.
- Matching network diagram and values.
- Device sample with implemented matching changes.
- Before and after matching return loss plots.
- Radiation pattern plots for each band.
- Efficiency plots vs. frequency for each band.