Miniature Helical PCB Antenna For 868 MHZ or 915-920 MHZ

Design Note DN038
Miniature Helical PCB Antenna for 868 MHz or 915/920 MHz

By Richard Wallace
Keywords
 Miniature Helical PCB Antenna  CC11xx

 Optimized for compact designs  CC12xx
 868 or 915/920 MHz ISM Bands
1 Introduction
This document describes a compact PCB The miniature PCB helical antenna is more
helical antenna that has been specifically compact (19 mm x 11 mm) with
designed for 868 MHz or 915/920 MHz approximately quarter of the size of the
ISM bands. DN024 [1] but requires matching
components since the impedance is far
The PCB helical antenna requires two from 50 ohms (868 MHz: 10-j88; VSWR
matching components for matching to a 22).
50-ohm load.
When the miniature helical antenna is
When a large PCB area (38 mm x 24 mm) matched then the bandwidth is around 40
is available for the antenna then the MHz and has similar efficiency as DN024
recommended antenna is DN024 [1] since [1] antenna when measured on the
the impedance is closer to 50 ohm without TRXEB platform.
any external matching components (868
MHz: 30+j11; VSWR 1.8) and the All measurement results presented in this
bandwidth is around 90 MHz. document are based on measurements
performed on the CC110L EM Rev 1.0
Reference Design [3], shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. CC110L EM 868 / 915 MHz
SWRA416 Page 1 of 24
Design Note DN038
Table of Contents
KEYWORDS.............................................................................................................................. 1
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1
2 ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................... 2
3 ANTENNA DESIGN ........................................................................................................ 3
3.1 PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS .............................................................................................. 3
3.2 ANTENNA MATCH NETWORK ...................................................................................... 4
3.3 ANTENNA BANDWIDTH MEASUREMENT........................................................................ 7
3.4 ANTENNA OTA MEASUREMENT .................................................................................. 7
3.4.1 868 MHz OTA Measurement Summary ............................................................................ 7
4 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 9
5 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 10
6 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 10
6.1 DOCUMENT HISTORY ............................................................................................... 10
7 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 11
7.1 CTIA OTA REPORT – 868 MHZ (ANTENNA MATCHED AT 868 MHZ)........................... 11
7.1.1 OTA Evaluation Results .................................................................................................. 11
7.1.2 RP_868.000_tot .............................................................................................................. 12
7.1.3 RP_868.000_hor ............................................................................................................. 13
7.1.4 RP_868.000_ver ............................................................................................................. 14
7.1.5 Theta = 0, Phi = 0 .......................................................................................................... 15
7.1.6 Theta = 180, Phi = 0 ...................................................................................................... 15
7.1.7 Theta = 90, Phi = 0 ........................................................................................................ 16
7.1.8 Theta = 90, Phi = 180 .................................................................................................... 16
7.1.9 Theta = 90, Phi = 270 .................................................................................................... 17
7.1.10 Theta = 90, Phi = 90 ...................................................................................................... 17
7.2 CTIA OTA REPORT – 915 MHZ (ANTENNA MATCHED AT 868 MHZ)........................... 18
7.2.1 OTA Evaluation Results: ................................................................................................ 18
7.2.2 RP_915.000_tot .............................................................................................................. 19
7.2.3 RP_915.000_hor ............................................................................................................. 20
7.2.4 RP_915.000_ver ............................................................................................................. 21
7.2.5 Theta = 0, Phi = 0 .......................................................................................................... 22
7.2.6 Theta = 180, Phi = 0 ...................................................................................................... 22
7.2.7 Theta = 90, Phi = 0 ........................................................................................................ 23
7.2.8 Theta = 90, Phi = 180 .................................................................................................... 23
7.2.9 Theta = 90, Phi = 270 .................................................................................................... 24
7.2.10 Theta = 90, Phi = 90 ...................................................................................................... 24
2 Abbreviations
ANT Antenna
CTIA Cellular Telephone Industry Association
DC Direct Current
EM Evaluation Module
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
FCC Federal Communications Commission
FR4 Material type used for producing PCB
ISM Industrial, Scientific, Medical
NM Not Mounted
OTA Over The Air
PCB Printed Circuit Board
SRD Short Range Devices
TRP Total Radiated Power
TRXEB Evaluation Board
Design Note DN038
3 Antenna Design
3.1 Physical Dimensions
Figure 2. Top Layer Layout
Figure 3. Zoom of Top and Bottom Layer Layout with Via Markings
Dimension H H1 H2 W W1 W2 Via dia

12 mm 6 mm 0.5 mm 19 mm 1 mm 1 mm 0.38 mm
Table 1. Antenna Dimensions
Top layer is shown in blue and the bottom layer is shown in red for Figure 2 and Figure 3. The
“X” markers indicate via positions which route between the top and bottom layers.
PCB board thickness for the CC110L EM 868 / 915 MHz reference design [3] is 0.8 mm.
Another PCB thickness can be used but then the antenna match must be re-calculated.
Design Note DN038
Dimensions for the antenna can be found in Table 1 and the gerbers for the antenna design
are also available for 868/915 MHz [3]
3.2 Antenna Match Network

There are several ways to tune an antenna to achieve better performance. For resonant
antennas the main factor is the length. Ideally the frequency which gives least reflection
should be in the middle of the frequency band of interest. Thus if the resonance frequency is
too low, the antenna should be made shorter. If the resonance frequency is too high, the
antenna length should be increased.
Even if the antenna resonates at the correct frequency it might not be well matched to the
correct impedance. Size of ground plane, distance from antenna to ground plane, dimensions
of antenna elements, feed point and plastic casing are factors that can affect the impedance.
Since the impedance will change depending on several parameters; with a pi-network as
illustrated in Figure 4, the antenna match can always be restored to a 50 ohm match. Only two
of the components (ANT2 + (ANT1 or ANT3) ) are required to match the impedance to 50
ohm depending on the start impedance. For the PCB helical antenna at 868 / 915 MHz, only
ANT2 and ANT3 are required.
Figure 4. Antenna Match Network
Design Note DN038
Figure 5. Start Impedance with 0-ohm (ANT2) Resistor in Antenna Match

The impedance of the PCB helical antenna is far from 50 ohm without the antenna matching
network so the matching network acts as a load and matching network for the antenna. The
impedance of the antenna can be seen in Figure 5 when ANT2 is set to 0 ohm.
Figure 6 shows the theoretical load and match to at 868 MHz. The Smith diagram shows a
shunt component of 11.4 nH (ANT3) and a series capacitor of 1.0 pF (ANT2). ANT1
component is not required and can be left open. 11.4 nH value does not exist so a 12 nH is
used instead.
Design Note DN038
Figure 6. Theoretical Antenna Match
Assembling ANT2 (1.0 pF) and ANT3 (12 nH) based on the theoretical calculated match, then
the impedance can be re-measured and a good match is measured and can be seen in Figure
7.
Figure 7. With Antenna Match Components - ANT2: 1.0 pF and ANT3: 12 nH
Design Note DN038
3.3 Antenna Bandwidth Measurement
Figure 8. Bandwidth Measurement at VSWR 2
As can be seen from Figure 8, the bandwidth is 40 MHz with a VSWR 2 and 68 MHz with a
VSWR 3.
3.4 Antenna OTA Measurement

The conducted output power from the radio is 0 dBm and the results shown in section 3.4.1
show the performance of the antenna of the CC110L EM 868 / 915 MHz on the TRXEB
platform.
3.4.1 868 MHz OTA Measurement Summary
Total Radiated Power -1.83 dBm

Peak EIRP 2.33 dBm
Directivity 4.16 dBi
Efficiency -1.83 dB
Efficiency 65.55 %
Gain 2.33 dBi
NHPRP 45° -4.06 dBm
NHPRP 45° / TRP -2.23 dB
NHPRP 45° / TRP 59.86 %
NHPRP 30° / TRP 39.32 %
NHPRP 22.5° -7.26 dBm
NHPRP 22.5° / TRP -5.42 dB
NHPRP 22.5° / TRP 28.69 %
UHRP -4.91 dBm
UHRP / TRP -3.07 dB
UHRP / TRP 49.28 %
Design Note DN038
LHRP -4.78 dBm
LHRP / TRP -2.95 dB
LHRP / TRP 50.72 %
Front/Back Ratio 2.52
PhiBW 332.2 deg
PhiBW Up 238.7 deg
PhiBW Down 93.4 deg
ThetaBW 82.9 deg
ThetaBW Up 46.3 deg
ThetaBW Down 36.6 deg
Boresight Phi 90 deg
Boresight Theta 15 deg
Maximum Power 2.33 dBm
Minimum Power -12.00 dBm
Average Power -0.91 dBm
Max/Min Ratio 14.33 dB
Max/Avg Ratio 3.24 dB
Min/Avg Ratio -11.10 dB
Best Single Value 1.11 dBm
Best Position Phi = 45 deg; Theta = 165 deg; Pol = Ver
For the full CTIA report including 3D radiated plots at 868 MHz please refer to section 7.1.
The antenna was also measured at 915 MHz to show the performance degradation whilst
keeping the same matching network at 868 MHz; this is shown in section 7.2. For optimum
performance at 915 MHz, the antenna needs to be re-matched at this frequency.
For the Over-The-Air (OTA) Measurements performed in the chamber, please refer to Figure
9 for coordinate correlation to the CTIA reports.
Figure 9. Coordinates Correlation to CTIA OTA Reports
Design Note DN038
4 Conclusion
When a large PCB area (38 mm x 24 mm) is available for the antenna then the recommended
antenna is DN024 [1] since the impedance is closer to 50 ohm without any external matching
components (868 MHz: 30+j11; VSWR 1.8) and the bandwidth is around 90 MHz.
When there is a need for a more compact antenna then the miniature PCB helical antenna is
ideal (19 mm x 11 mm) with approximately quarter of the DN024 antenna size [1] but requires
matching components since the impedance is far from 50 ohms (868 MHz: 10-j88; VSWR
22). It is important to match this antenna since the match network is also used for loading the
antenna to 868 MHz or 915 / 920 MHz.
When the miniature helical antenna is matched then the bandwidth is around 40 MHz and has
similar efficiency as DN024 [1] antenna when measured on the TRXEB platform.
A single match network can be used for 868 MHz and 915 / 920 MHz but due to the reduce
bandwidth compared to DN024 antenna [1] then there will be some degradation in
performance. For the antenna matching network components it is recommended to use tight
tolerance components.
Optimal antenna match for the CC110L EM 868 / 915 MHz reference design [3] is a series 1.0
pF capacitor (ANT2) and a shunt inductor of 12 nH (ANT3) for 868 MHz operation.
The PCB board thickness for the CC110L EM 868 / 915 MHz reference design [3] is 0.8 mm.
The same match has been tested at 1.24 mm thick PCB and the performance was still good
but generally if the PCB thickness is changed then the antenna match should be re-calculated.
Design Note DN038
5 References
[1] DN024 Monopole PCB Antenna (DN024)
[2] DN035 Antenna Quick Selection Guide (DN035)
[3] CC11xL EM 868/915 MHz Ref Design (swrr082)
[4] AN058 Antenna Measurement with Network Analyzer (AN058)
6 General Information
6.1 Document History

Revision Date Description/Changes
SWRA416 2012.11.27 Initial release.
Design Note DN038
7 Appendices
7.1 CTIA OTA Report – 868 MHz (Antenna matched at 868 MHz)
7.1.1 OTA Evaluation Results

Peak EIRP 2.33 dBm
Efficiency -1.83 dB
Efficiency 65.55 %
Gain 2.33 dBi
NHPRP 45° / TRP 59.86 %
NHPRP 30° / TRP 39.32 %
NHPRP 22.5° -7.26 dBm
NHPRP 22.5° / TRP -5.42 dB
NHPRP 22.5° / TRP 28.69 %
UHRP -4.91 dBm
UHRP / TRP -3.07 dB
UHRP / TRP 49.28 %
LHRP -4.78 dBm
LHRP / TRP -2.95 dB
LHRP / TRP 50.72 %
PhiBW 332.2 deg
PhiBW Up 238.7 deg
PhiBW Down 93.4 deg
ThetaBW 82.9 deg
ThetaBW Up 46.3 deg
Best Single Value 1.11 dBm
Design Note DN038
7.1.2 RP_868.000_tot
Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation
(deg) 0 deg 15 deg 30 deg 45 deg 60 deg 75 deg 90 deg 105 deg
(dB) (dB) (dB) (dB) (dB) (dB) (dB) (dB)
0.00 0.02 -0.55 -1.69 -3.23 -2.91 -2.06 -1.31 -0.58
15.00 -0.04 -0.48 -0.80 -2.29 -1.12 -0.76 -0.52 -1.20
30.00 0.08 0.04 0.05 -0.56 0.06 0.48 -1.00 -1.71
45.00 0.46 0.80 0.81 0.59 0.92 0.74 -1.25 -1.39
60.00 0.63 1.34 1.42 1.60 1.02 0.60 -2.04 -1.20
75.00 1.19 1.85 1.99 1.78 0.57 -0.25 -2.81 -1.24
90.00 1.12 2.33 2.00 1.95 -0.58 -1.64 -4.64 -2.42
105.00 1.37 2.21 1.97 1.65 -1.54 -3.80 -7.33 -4.84
120.00 1.47 1.92 1.68 0.57 -2.67 -6.03 -11.79 -6.83
135.00 1.20 1.25 1.22 -0.69 -3.29 -6.70 -12.00 -7.10
150.00 1.04 0.65 0.65 -1.58 -3.26 -5.29 -7.51 -5.75
165.00 1.04 0.25 0.64 -2.14 -3.25 -3.79 -4.77 -3.39
180.00 0.96 0.14 0.33 -2.17 -2.97 -2.32 -2.90 -1.64
195.00 0.80 0.15 0.24 -2.14 -2.70 -1.86 -2.48 -0.39
210.00 0.91 0.58 -0.06 -2.21 -3.18 -1.65 -2.80 -0.09
225.00 0.71 0.70 -0.32 -2.75 -3.63 -2.49 -4.01 -0.41
240.00 0.88 0.77 -0.90 -3.48 -4.99 -3.50 -5.53 -1.75
255.00 0.85 0.76 -1.59 -4.90 -6.85 -5.37 -7.83 -3.27
270.00 0.98 0.64 -2.34 -6.81 -7.89 -7.40 -9.26 -5.09
285.00 0.94 0.29 -3.49 -8.36 -7.48 -8.68 -11.38 -7.19
300.00 0.86 0.09 -3.82 -8.52 -6.04 -8.61 -9.86 -6.42
315.00 0.85 -0.23 -3.65 -7.17 -5.33 -7.12 -8.26 -4.34
330.00 0.45 -0.71 -3.37 -5.39 -4.28 -7.11 -5.75 -2.38
345.00 0.33 -1.06 -2.72 -4.77 -3.70 -5.69 -3.32 -1.22
360.00 -0.35 -0.55 -2.02 -3.50 -3.23 -2.91 -1.78 -0.68
Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

(deg) 120 deg 135 deg 150 deg 165 deg 180 deg
(dB) (dB) (dB) (dB) (dB)
0.00 -0.76 -2.14 0.37 1.33 0.87
15.00 -1.03 -1.52 1.09 1.31 0.85
30.00 -0.65 -0.91 1.35 1.53 0.76
45.00 0.19 -0.33 1.21 1.31 0.45
60.00 0.15 0.13 0.65 0.89 0.17
75.00 -0.60 -0.27 -0.24 0.79 -0.10
90.00 -1.84 -0.98 -1.34 0.26 -0.26
105.00 -3.63 -1.76 -2.10 0.20 -0.06
120.00 -4.61 -2.51 -2.33 -0.20 0.09
135.00 -3.93 -2.41 -1.83 -0.29 0.70
150.00 -2.76 -2.06 -0.94 -0.06 1.32
165.00 -1.84 -1.90 -0.46 0.21 1.81
180.00 -1.28 -1.51 -0.15 0.31 1.98
195.00 -0.87 -1.60 -0.32 0.54 1.65
210.00 -0.70 -1.57 -0.80 0.21 1.33
225.00 -1.46 -1.79 -1.02 0.08 0.61
240.00 -2.37 -1.91 -0.86 -0.10 -0.01
255.00 -3.54 -1.96 -1.24 -0.10 -0.56
270.00 -4.36 -2.45 -1.54 -0.19 -0.61
285.00 -4.49 -2.45 -1.31 -0.31 -0.74
300.00 -3.36 -2.34 -1.29 -0.15 -0.50
315.00 -1.91 -2.28 -0.73 -0.03 -0.03
330.00 -0.78 -2.28 -0.43 0.37 0.43
345.00 -0.13 -2.07 0.01 0.66 0.69
360.00 -0.81 -2.13 0.39 1.19 0.52
Design Note DN038
7.1.3 RP_868.000_hor
0.0 -4.16 -5.12 -6.99 -9.59 -12.40 -18.01 -10.47 -6.31
15.0 -6.76 -7.78 -8.26 -11.23 -15.26 -12.98 -9.90 -8.02
30.0 -10.53 -9.87 -9.14 -13.25 -16.86 -10.46 -11.90 -10.38
45.0 -9.41 -7.61 -9.08 -11.76 -11.68 -9.79 -14.69 -11.82
60.0 -6.02 -5.10 -6.47 -7.35 -9.39 -9.50 -18.97 -11.68
75.0 -3.19 -2.47 -3.22 -4.56 -7.23 -10.27 -19.30 -11.80
90.0 -1.25 -0.48 -1.14 -2.24 -6.06 -10.02 -16.55 -11.80
105.0 0.14 0.57 0.09 -1.25 -4.56 -9.49 -14.42 -10.88
120.0 0.94 1.07 0.66 -1.17 -4.13 -8.71 -15.05 -10.39
135.0 0.90 0.81 0.68 -1.62 -4.06 -8.04 -17.48 -10.19
150.0 0.47 0.01 -0.31 -2.79 -4.71 -8.16 -19.20 -11.48
165.0 -0.60 -1.40 -1.56 -4.71 -6.59 -8.59 -16.45 -14.01
180.0 -2.38 -4.03 -3.98 -7.25 -9.81 -10.30 -14.79 -19.31
195.0 -5.40 -8.08 -7.44 -11.65 -14.07 -11.99 -15.21 -16.76
210.0 -8.54 -13.22 -11.98 -17.44 -18.71 -14.46 -15.42 -14.48
225.0 -10.51 -10.14 -15.98 -21.30 -17.17 -17.02 -17.49 -12.57
240.0 -7.07 -6.29 -11.62 -14.77 -14.74 -20.18 -22.70 -12.50
255.0 -3.64 -3.82 -8.03 -13.01 -13.77 -22.70 -21.66 -10.78
270.0 -1.81 -2.37 -5.92 -12.33 -12.56 -22.70 -18.08 -9.96
285.0 -0.68 -1.63 -5.86 -11.25 -12.19 -22.70 -17.50 -9.78
300.0 -0.07 -1.38 -5.66 -11.20 -11.60 -21.61 -17.27 -8.39
315.0 0.20 -1.52 -5.28 -10.46 -11.06 -18.27 -18.37 -6.73
330.0 -0.69 -2.21 -5.85 -9.82 -9.10 -16.50 -16.84 -5.62
345.0 -1.68 -3.39 -6.33 -9.63 -9.44 -22.62 -13.44 -5.71
360.0 -3.92 -4.37 -6.90 -9.18 -11.27 -22.70 -10.75 -6.34

0.0 -5.95 -5.72 -2.33 -2.15 -3.58
15.0 -7.74 -6.58 -3.13 -4.16 -6.26
30.0 -10.02 -8.42 -4.56 -7.56 -9.99
45.0 -12.26 -9.58 -7.20 -12.25 -16.62
60.0 -14.37 -9.62 -9.34 -11.88 -10.12
75.0 -13.44 -8.08 -9.03 -6.38 -5.53
90.0 -10.31 -5.75 -6.02 -3.44 -2.83
105.0 -7.97 -3.99 -3.94 -1.46 -0.98
120.0 -6.03 -3.09 -2.63 -0.64 -0.05
135.0 -4.71 -2.49 -2.09 -0.34 0.57
150.0 -4.53 -2.69 -2.01 -0.66 0.58
165.0 -5.42 -3.82 -2.99 -1.59 0.11
180.0 -7.81 -5.62 -4.68 -3.52 -1.09
195.0 -12.81 -9.68 -7.88 -6.24 -3.56
210.0 -22.70 -19.50 -13.80 -12.67 -7.29
225.0 -13.82 -15.45 -18.70 -17.43 -17.19
240.0 -10.53 -9.04 -9.58 -9.64 -13.11
255.0 -7.85 -5.76 -5.83 -5.25 -6.89
270.0 -6.50 -4.35 -3.44 -2.53 -3.42
285.0 -5.38 -3.44 -2.22 -1.26 -1.56
300.0 -4.58 -3.04 -1.52 -0.40 -0.61
315.0 -3.94 -3.32 -0.94 -0.13 -0.27
330.0 -3.52 -3.77 -0.98 -0.19 -0.57
345.0 -3.98 -4.29 -1.31 -0.86 -1.50
360.0 -5.47 -5.69 -1.82 -1.64 -3.33
Design Note DN038
7.1.4 RP_868.000_ver
0.0 -2.07 -2.41 -3.21 -4.37 -3.42 -2.18 -1.87 -1.93
15.0 -1.08 -1.37 -1.66 -2.88 -1.29 -1.03 -1.05 -2.21
30.0 -0.31 -0.42 -0.50 -0.80 -0.03 0.11 -1.36 -2.35
45.0 -0.01 0.13 0.34 0.33 0.67 0.33 -1.45 -1.81
60.0 -0.43 0.23 0.65 1.01 0.60 0.15 -2.13 -1.60
75.0 -0.79 -0.15 0.43 0.64 -0.22 -0.70 -2.91 -1.64
90.0 -2.65 -0.89 -0.88 -0.14 -2.03 -2.32 -4.93 -2.95
105.0 -4.69 -2.82 -2.57 -1.48 -4.53 -5.17 -8.28 -6.08
120.0 -7.89 -5.58 -5.11 -4.24 -8.11 -9.39 -14.56 -9.35
135.0 -10.56 -8.91 -8.10 -7.86 -11.18 -12.47 -13.45 -10.04
150.0 -8.05 -7.96 -6.38 -7.71 -8.71 -8.45 -7.81 -7.10
165.0 -3.97 -4.75 -3.38 -5.63 -5.94 -5.54 -5.08 -3.79
180.0 -1.75 -1.96 -1.68 -3.79 -3.98 -3.07 -3.20 -1.72
195.0 -0.40 -0.56 -0.57 -2.65 -3.02 -2.30 -2.72 -0.49
210.0 0.39 0.40 -0.34 -2.34 -3.31 -1.89 -3.05 -0.25
225.0 0.37 0.33 -0.44 -2.81 -3.82 -2.65 -4.21 -0.68
240.0 0.13 -0.18 -1.28 -3.81 -5.47 -3.59 -5.62 -2.13
255.0 -1.05 -1.10 -2.71 -5.63 -7.83 -5.45 -8.01 -4.12
270.0 -2.25 -2.38 -4.84 -8.24 -9.71 -7.53 -9.87 -6.81
285.0 -4.12 -4.18 -7.26 -11.49 -9.27 -8.86 -12.59 -10.67
300.0 -6.30 -5.33 -8.44 -11.90 -7.46 -8.84 -10.73 -10.81
315.0 -7.73 -6.12 -8.69 -9.93 -6.68 -7.46 -8.70 -8.08
330.0 -5.93 -6.05 -6.98 -7.33 -6.02 -7.64 -6.10 -5.17
345.0 -3.99 -4.87 -5.20 -6.49 -5.05 -5.78 -3.77 -3.13
360.0 -2.86 -2.89 -3.72 -4.86 -3.97 -2.96 -2.36 -2.05

0.0 -2.33 -4.65 -2.98 -1.26 -1.05
15.0 -2.08 -3.14 -0.98 -0.14 -0.09
30.0 -1.18 -1.76 0.07 0.96 0.38
45.0 -0.07 -0.88 0.53 1.11 0.36
60.0 0.00 -0.35 0.19 0.65 -0.26
75.0 -0.83 -1.06 -0.86 -0.13 -1.56
90.0 -2.50 -2.75 -3.15 -2.16 -3.75
105.0 -5.62 -5.74 -6.70 -4.78 -7.27
120.0 -10.17 -11.57 -14.09 -10.39 -14.67
135.0 -11.78 -19.62 -14.19 -19.71 -14.33
150.0 -7.52 -10.79 -7.55 -8.95 -6.75
165.0 -4.34 -6.37 -3.99 -4.48 -3.10
180.0 -2.37 -3.64 -2.04 -2.01 -0.97
195.0 -1.16 -2.34 -1.16 -0.48 0.09
210.0 -0.73 -1.64 -1.03 -0.02 0.69
225.0 -1.72 -1.98 -1.10 0.00 0.54
240.0 -3.09 -2.85 -1.48 -0.61 -0.23
255.0 -5.54 -4.30 -3.10 -1.68 -1.72
270.0 -8.48 -6.97 -6.05 -3.99 -3.83
285.0 -11.83 -9.34 -8.55 -7.35 -8.40
300.0 -9.47 -10.64 -14.24 -12.74 -16.57
315.0 -6.20 -9.01 -14.06 -16.80 -12.83
330.0 -4.08 -7.65 -9.69 -8.78 -6.44
345.0 -2.44 -6.05 -5.79 -4.63 -3.33
360.0 -2.63 -4.65 -3.61 -2.01 -1.79
Design Note DN038
7.1.5 Theta = 0, Phi = 0
7.1.6 Theta = 180, Phi = 0
Design Note DN038
7.1.7 Theta = 90, Phi = 0
7.1.8 Theta = 90, Phi = 180
Design Note DN038
7.1.9 Theta = 90, Phi = 270
7.1.10 Theta = 90, Phi = 90
Design Note DN038
7.2 CTIA OTA Report – 915 MHz (Antenna matched at 868 MHz)
7.2.1 OTA Evaluation Results:

Peak EIRP 0.01 dBm
Efficiency -3.35 dB
Efficiency 46.20 %
Gain 0.01 dBi
NHPRP 45° / TRP 60.42 %
NHPRP 30° / TRP 39.49 %
NHPRP 22.5° -8.72 dBm
NHPRP 22.5° / TRP -5.37 dB
NHPRP 22.5° / TRP 29.05 %
UHRP -6.28 dBm
UHRP / TRP -2.92 dB
UHRP / TRP 51.01 %
LHRP -6.45 dBm
LHRP / TRP -3.10 dB
LHRP / TRP 48.99 %
PhiBW 85.3 deg
PhiBW Up 40.5 deg
PhiBW Down 44.8 deg
ThetaBW 272.4 deg
ThetaBW Up 118.8 deg
Best Single Value -0.16 dBm
Design Note DN038
7.2.2 RP_915.000_tot
0.00 -1.09 -2.11 -2.67 -3.21 -6.21 -7.46 -7.02 -6.05
15.00 -1.29 -2.11 -2.21 -3.23 -5.40 -5.93 -5.16 -5.56
30.00 -1.24 -1.80 -1.61 -2.63 -4.14 -4.38 -3.52 -4.43
45.00 -1.31 -1.26 -1.82 -1.96 -2.98 -3.29 -2.76 -3.39
60.00 -1.51 -1.20 -1.54 -1.21 -2.09 -2.39 -2.36 -2.48
75.00 -1.54 -1.00 -1.76 -0.66 -1.73 -2.82 -2.75 -2.86
90.00 -1.87 -0.83 -1.77 -0.65 -2.03 -3.90 -4.55 -4.72
105.00 -2.24 -0.90 -1.61 -0.77 -3.02 -5.23 -7.19 -8.17
120.00 -2.37 -1.11 -1.05 -1.20 -3.40 -6.89 -12.40 -13.73
135.00 -2.45 -1.41 -0.56 -1.38 -3.29 -6.70 -13.49 -10.32
150.00 -2.33 -1.40 -0.26 -1.33 -2.57 -4.63 -8.31 -5.78
165.00 -2.26 -1.45 -0.19 -1.42 -1.81 -2.49 -4.92 -3.01
180.00 -2.32 -1.49 -0.07 -1.35 -1.47 -1.17 -2.67 -1.34
195.00 -2.03 -1.42 -0.32 -1.41 -1.75 -0.68 -1.96 -0.23
210.00 -2.26 -1.42 -0.66 -1.46 -2.13 -1.04 -2.35 0.01
225.00 -2.05 -1.12 -0.87 -1.87 -2.80 -1.70 -3.32 -0.52
240.00 -1.78 -1.42 -1.48 -2.69 -4.50 -3.24 -5.18 -1.64
255.00 -1.57 -1.43 -2.17 -3.49 -6.35 -4.76 -7.75 -3.56
270.00 -1.39 -1.80 -2.71 -4.99 -8.18 -6.66 -11.21 -5.51
285.00 -1.20 -2.25 -3.41 -5.66 -8.97 -8.81 -14.00 -7.68
300.00 -1.31 -2.55 -3.62 -6.05 -8.69 -10.09 -15.33 -8.97
315.00 -1.24 -2.58 -3.72 -5.53 -8.54 -10.57 -14.59 -8.42
330.00 -1.15 -2.71 -3.40 -4.94 -7.90 -10.23 -11.90 -7.50
345.00 -1.10 -2.81 -3.10 -3.94 -7.34 -9.36 -9.25 -6.90
360.00 -1.38 -2.29 -2.77 -3.35 -6.74 -8.00 -7.42 -6.26

0.00 -5.15 -5.17 -2.23 -1.10 -0.45
15.00 -4.56 -4.45 -1.75 -1.39 -0.59
30.00 -3.45 -3.11 -1.54 -1.38 -0.69
45.00 -2.44 -2.29 -1.76 -1.13 -0.99
60.00 -2.04 -1.92 -2.02 -0.96 -1.10
75.00 -2.64 -2.14 -2.55 -0.81 -0.81
90.00 -4.14 -2.87 -3.26 -0.70 -1.11
105.00 -6.22 -3.71 -3.98 -0.75 -0.80
120.00 -7.19 -4.78 -3.75 -0.77 -0.72
135.00 -6.89 -4.75 -3.15 -1.25 -0.56
150.00 -4.91 -3.95 -2.43 -1.63 -0.45
165.00 -3.36 -3.28 -1.93 -1.67 -0.69
180.00 -2.42 -2.48 -1.59 -1.61 -0.88
195.00 -1.81 -1.96 -1.28 -1.73 -1.25
210.00 -1.81 -1.70 -1.38 -1.55 -1.69
225.00 -2.13 -1.54 -1.56 -1.31 -1.87
240.00 -2.58 -1.75 -1.79 -1.48 -2.12
255.00 -3.76 -2.01 -1.93 -1.42 -1.93
270.00 -4.80 -2.81 -2.21 -1.57 -2.17
285.00 -5.12 -3.09 -2.20 -1.42 -1.65
300.00 -5.04 -3.96 -2.32 -1.31 -1.05
315.00 -4.92 -5.05 -2.38 -1.27 -0.53
330.00 -5.22 -5.78 -2.28 -1.05 -0.20
345.00 -4.90 -5.78 -2.04 -1.25 -0.09
360.00 -5.13 -5.74 -2.02 -1.06 -0.52
Design Note DN038
7.2.3 RP_915.000_hor
0.0 -5.94 -7.73 -8.14 -7.43 -11.86 -17.06 -13.93 -12.37
15.0 -8.64 -9.66 -9.28 -9.11 -13.79 -17.09 -13.79 -13.93
30.0 -11.34 -11.09 -11.32 -10.70 -16.72 -17.39 -13.19 -16.91
45.0 -11.19 -11.23 -13.18 -10.66 -14.84 -15.17 -13.74 -16.93
60.0 -8.60 -8.44 -10.43 -8.20 -11.28 -12.36 -14.86 -15.84
75.0 -6.50 -5.78 -7.36 -5.27 -8.07 -12.08 -15.99 -14.05
90.0 -4.42 -3.56 -4.41 -3.41 -5.76 -10.82 -17.80 -13.93
105.0 -3.65 -2.28 -2.67 -2.26 -5.02 -9.19 -16.46 -14.61
120.0 -3.18 -1.78 -1.58 -1.94 -4.05 -7.93 -16.27 -14.53
135.0 -3.10 -1.95 -1.46 -2.14 -3.88 -7.37 -15.70 -14.36
150.0 -3.61 -2.64 -2.15 -3.11 -4.43 -7.74 -15.07 -14.98
165.0 -4.67 -4.38 -3.69 -5.38 -5.90 -8.34 -14.86 -17.32
180.0 -6.61 -6.61 -6.08 -8.28 -8.49 -9.48 -13.82 -24.22
195.0 -9.20 -10.13 -8.91 -11.62 -11.75 -11.60 -14.53 -18.21
210.0 -12.09 -12.92 -11.64 -11.30 -14.18 -14.35 -14.23 -14.21
225.0 -10.64 -10.41 -10.31 -10.59 -14.40 -15.25 -16.41 -12.86
240.0 -7.46 -7.71 -8.14 -9.35 -14.35 -18.25 -17.74 -11.80
255.0 -5.09 -5.60 -6.74 -8.56 -14.72 -20.89 -22.62 -11.90
270.0 -3.52 -4.57 -5.73 -8.61 -14.80 -21.74 -24.22 -11.33
285.0 -2.42 -4.04 -5.57 -8.01 -14.86 -20.89 -23.74 -11.91
300.0 -2.25 -3.96 -5.62 -8.46 -14.28 -22.09 -21.88 -11.37
315.0 -2.33 -4.21 -6.13 -8.28 -13.69 -21.93 -21.81 -10.50
330.0 -2.91 -5.02 -6.69 -8.06 -12.50 -21.43 -17.15 -10.06
345.0 -4.08 -6.32 -7.02 -7.48 -11.70 -17.58 -14.45 -10.65
360.0 -5.87 -7.16 -7.91 -6.99 -11.67 -17.16 -13.44 -11.62

0.0 -10.25 -10.26 -5.37 -5.43 -5.89
15.0 -12.10 -10.81 -6.04 -8.45 -8.80
30.0 -13.54 -10.83 -8.16 -12.64 -13.95
45.0 -15.14 -11.47 -11.00 -12.96 -12.58
60.0 -15.91 -11.56 -12.65 -8.18 -7.78
75.0 -16.34 -9.84 -10.26 -5.17 -4.36
90.0 -13.65 -7.55 -6.87 -2.91 -2.71
105.0 -10.47 -5.91 -5.28 -1.75 -1.43
120.0 -8.50 -5.14 -3.91 -1.03 -0.85
135.0 -8.49 -5.00 -3.73 -1.42 -0.76
150.0 -8.58 -5.64 -4.63 -2.56 -1.34
165.0 -9.88 -7.56 -6.12 -4.13 -2.50
180.0 -12.47 -10.42 -9.03 -6.54 -4.49
195.0 -18.10 -15.90 -13.95 -10.81 -7.72
210.0 -16.44 -18.39 -15.79 -12.95 -12.09
225.0 -10.94 -11.95 -10.92 -9.39 -13.28
240.0 -8.60 -7.67 -7.32 -6.68 -8.84
255.0 -7.11 -5.73 -4.94 -4.25 -5.23
270.0 -6.38 -4.95 -3.43 -2.85 -3.51
285.0 -5.92 -4.27 -2.61 -1.78 -1.97
300.0 -5.75 -4.75 -2.50 -1.40 -1.17
315.0 -6.00 -6.03 -2.78 -1.58 -1.06
330.0 -6.98 -7.32 -3.13 -2.10 -1.52
345.0 -7.68 -8.73 -3.81 -3.30 -2.78
360.0 -9.74 -10.81 -4.79 -4.58 -4.95
Design Note DN038
7.2.4 RP_915.000_ver
0.0 -2.81 -3.50 -4.12 -5.27 -7.59 -7.96 -8.01 -7.20
15.0 -2.17 -2.96 -3.16 -4.53 -6.08 -6.28 -5.80 -6.24
30.0 -1.68 -2.34 -2.10 -3.37 -4.39 -4.61 -4.01 -4.68
45.0 -1.78 -1.72 -2.15 -2.59 -3.27 -3.58 -3.12 -3.58
60.0 -2.45 -2.11 -2.14 -2.17 -2.64 -2.85 -2.62 -2.69
75.0 -3.21 -2.76 -3.16 -2.50 -2.87 -3.37 -2.96 -3.21
90.0 -5.40 -4.13 -5.19 -3.92 -4.42 -4.89 -4.76 -5.28
105.0 -7.81 -6.56 -8.26 -6.14 -7.36 -7.46 -7.74 -9.29
120.0 -10.07 -9.59 -10.38 -9.27 -11.95 -13.64 -14.70 -21.45
135.0 -11.00 -10.72 -7.86 -9.28 -12.26 -15.16 -17.48 -12.49
150.0 -8.28 -7.43 -4.78 -6.06 -7.16 -7.54 -9.33 -6.34
165.0 -5.98 -4.56 -2.76 -3.65 -3.95 -3.80 -5.38 -3.17
180.0 -4.35 -3.09 -1.33 -2.33 -2.43 -1.86 -3.01 -1.36
195.0 -2.95 -2.05 -0.97 -1.84 -2.21 -1.05 -2.20 -0.30
210.0 -2.73 -1.74 -1.02 -1.93 -2.41 -1.24 -2.64 -0.16
225.0 -2.70 -1.67 -1.40 -2.50 -3.11 -1.89 -3.54 -0.79
240.0 -3.15 -2.58 -2.53 -3.74 -4.98 -3.38 -5.43 -2.08
255.0 -4.12 -3.54 -4.04 -5.11 -7.03 -4.86 -7.90 -4.25
270.0 -5.49 -5.07 -5.72 -7.46 -9.25 -6.79 -11.43 -6.83
285.0 -7.31 -6.97 -7.49 -9.45 -10.26 -9.08 -14.49 -9.75
300.0 -8.43 -8.13 -7.93 -9.77 -10.09 -10.37 -16.41 -12.69
315.0 -7.78 -7.63 -7.43 -8.81 -10.12 -10.90 -15.50 -12.62
330.0 -5.94 -6.55 -6.16 -7.85 -9.75 -10.57 -13.44 -11.03
345.0 -4.13 -5.38 -5.36 -6.47 -9.32 -10.06 -10.81 -9.28
360.0 -3.28 -4.00 -4.35 -5.81 -8.43 -8.56 -8.67 -7.76

0.0 -6.75 -6.77 -5.12 -3.09 -1.91
15.0 -5.40 -5.59 -3.77 -2.34 -1.30
30.0 -3.90 -3.92 -2.60 -1.72 -0.90
45.0 -2.68 -2.85 -2.31 -1.42 -1.30
60.0 -2.22 -2.42 -2.41 -1.88 -2.15
75.0 -2.83 -2.94 -3.36 -2.79 -3.34
90.0 -4.65 -4.68 -5.75 -4.68 -6.21
105.0 -8.26 -7.73 -9.83 -7.61 -9.45
120.0 -13.01 -15.76 -18.06 -12.98 -16.31
135.0 -11.99 -17.34 -12.18 -15.57 -13.97
150.0 -7.34 -8.86 -6.43 -8.79 -7.76
165.0 -4.46 -5.32 -4.01 -5.31 -5.37
180.0 -2.87 -3.24 -2.45 -3.29 -3.36
195.0 -1.91 -2.14 -1.52 -2.30 -2.36
210.0 -1.97 -1.79 -1.55 -1.88 -2.11
225.0 -2.75 -1.95 -2.10 -2.05 -2.20
240.0 -3.83 -3.04 -3.21 -3.05 -3.16
255.0 -6.45 -4.41 -4.95 -4.62 -4.66
270.0 -9.94 -6.92 -8.35 -7.51 -7.93
285.0 -12.83 -9.34 -12.66 -12.43 -13.22
300.0 -13.25 -11.78 -16.18 -18.26 -16.54
315.0 -11.50 -12.01 -12.94 -12.92 -9.96
330.0 -9.98 -11.03 -9.77 -7.72 -6.00
345.0 -8.15 -8.85 -6.79 -5.49 -3.44
360.0 -6.98 -7.36 -5.28 -3.62 -2.46
Design Note DN038
7.2.5 Theta = 0, Phi = 0
7.2.6 Theta = 180, Phi = 0
Design Note DN038
7.2.7 Theta = 90, Phi = 0
7.2.8 Theta = 90, Phi = 180
Design Note DN038
7.2.9 Theta = 90, Phi = 270
7.2.10 Theta = 90, Phi = 90
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Miniature Helical PCB Antenna For 868 MHZ or 915-920 MHZ

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Design Note DN038

Miniature Helical PCB Antenna for 868 MHz or 915/920 MHz

 Miniature Helical PCB Antenna  CC11xx

Figure 1. CC110L EM 868 / 915 MHz

3.1 Physical Dimensions

Figure 2. Top Layer Layout

Dimension H H1 H2 W W1 W2 Via dia

3.2 Antenna Match Network

Figure 4. Antenna Match Network

Figure 5. Start Impedance with 0-ohm (ANT2) Resistor in Antenna Match

Figure 6. Theoretical Antenna Match

Figure 7. With Antenna Match Components - ANT2: 1.0 pF and ANT3: 12 nH

Figure 8. Bandwidth Measurement at VSWR 2

3.4 Antenna OTA Measurement

3.4.1 868 MHz OTA Measurement Summary

Total Radiated Power -1.83 dBm

Figure 9. Coordinates Correlation to CTIA OTA Reports

[1] DN024 Monopole PCB Antenna (DN024)

[2] DN035 Antenna Quick Selection Guide (DN035)

[3] CC11xL EM 868/915 MHz Ref Design (swrr082)

[4] AN058 Antenna Measurement with Network Analyzer (AN058)

6.1 Document History

7.1.1 OTA Evaluation Results

Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

7.1.6 Theta = 180, Phi = 0

7.1.8 Theta = 90, Phi = 180

7.1.10 Theta = 90, Phi = 90

7.2.1 OTA Evaluation Results:

Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

Azimuth Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation Elevation

7.2.6 Theta = 180, Phi = 0

7.2.8 Theta = 90, Phi = 180

7.2.10 Theta = 90, Phi = 90

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