Product Info

5. Optimal PCB placement of the

MS5168-M00/M05 Module

The JN5168-M00/M05 module features an optimized, low cost, integrated, inverted F, printed PCB antenna. The

antenna has a vertically polarized near omnidirectional radiation pattern and up to 1.6 dBi of peak gain. The PCB

design has been elongated in order to increase the ground plane area which increases the antenna efficiency. This

allows standalone operation without any additional ground plane however care must be taken when mounting this

module onto another PCB. The area around the antenna must be kept clear of conductors or other metal objects

for an absolute minimum of 20 mm. This is true for all layers of the PCB and not just the top layer. Any conductive

objects close to the antenna could severely disrupt the antenna pattern resulting in deep nulls and high directivity

in some directions.

The diagrams below show various possible scenarios. The top 3 scenarios are correct; ground plane may be placed

beneath MS5168-M00/M05 module as long as it does not protrude beyond the edge of the top layer ground plane

on the module PCB.

The bottom 3 scenarios are incorrect; the left hand side example because there is ground plane underneath the

antenna, the middle example because there is insufficient clearance around the antenna (it is best to have no

conductors anywhere near the antenna), finally the right hand example has a battery’s metal casing in the

recommended keep out area.

Figure 7 Optimal PCB placement

Note: The antenna radiation pattern is same as JN5168-001-M00