Continue to Site

Welcome to EDAboard.com

Welcome to our site! EDAboard.com is an international Electronics Discussion Forum focused on EDA software, circuits, schematics, books, theory, papers, asic, pld, 8051, DSP, Network, RF, Analog Design, PCB, Service Manuals... and a whole lot more! To participate you need to register. Registration is free. Click here to register now.

Etching a 2.4GHz element?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Tripples

Newbie level 6
Joined
Apr 5, 2002
Messages
13
Helped
0
Reputation
0
Reaction score
0
Trophy points
1,281
Activity points
38
2.4ghz element

Hello,
I have recently started playing with my Cisco Aironet card, and I am investigating different antenna designs. I have built two variants of the simple "shotgun" yagi, one of which worked well and the other did not.

I think I have seen references to people etching antennas... Would this be possible with the 2.4GHz band? My idea is to build a simple reflector that focuses on a dipole etched on a PCB. Does anyone have any simple formulas that they can post that would help me calculate the length, width, and general shape of such an element? I was hoping that 2 oz copper clad would provide sufficient thickness. I know there are many variables, but I'm willing to tinker with things to see what happens.

Thanks for any help!
 

pcb etched antenna

Tripples

when you etch antenna on PCB you have to take extra care for its impedance matching with the PCB tracks and unless you are very sure
what you etch after calculating the formulas you wont get desired results .
search on google for bluetooth antennas and you can find readymade low cost many

TS
 

Hi All.

Make a sample board of the same size as the real board.
Fill both sides with a simarlar amount of copper as the real board has.
Add a printed antenna just over a quarter wave length (10mm longer).
Keep area on layers below antenna free from copper.
Tune it up using an analyser at 2.4Ghz (Trim using a scalpel).
When you have the correct antenna length copy it onto you real PCB.
Try to allow a tolerance of +/- 0.025mm (0.001") on copper etching.
Do not cover the antenna with solder mask as this will affect tuning.

Its easy
Phil :lol:
 

Phil,
Any suggestions for protecting the copper track? How about gold plating?



JJ
 

junglejenny said:
Phil,
Any suggestions for protecting the copper track? How about gold plating?



JJ

Gold, Silver or tin coat plating is OK,
I have seen clear nail varnish used.......

Phil :D
 

Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top