User's Manual

SARA-G3 and SARA-U2 series - System Integration Manual
UBX-13000995 - R08 Objective Specification Design-in
Page 100 of 188
2.4 Antenna interface
The ANT pin, provided by all the SARA-G3 and SARA-U2 series modules, represents the RF input/output used to
transmit and receive the 2G/3G RF cellular signals: the antenna must be connected to this pin. The ANT pin has
a nominal characteristic impedance of 50  and must be connected to the antenna through a 50  transmission
line to allow transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) signals in the 2G and 3G operating bands.
2.4.1 Antenna RF interface (ANT)
2.4.1.1 General guidelines for antenna selection and design
The cellular antenna is the most critical component to be evaluated: care must be taken about it at the start of
the design development, when the physical dimensions of the application board are under analysis/decision,
since the RF compliance of the device integrating a SARA-G3 and SARA-U2 series module with all the applicable
required certification schemes depends from antenna radiating performance.
Cellular antennas are typically available as:
 External antenna (e.g. linear monopole):
o External antenna usage basically does not imply physical restrictions on the design of the PCB
where the SARA-G3 and SARA-U2 series module is mounted
o The radiation performance mainly depends on the antenna: select the antenna with optimal
radiating performance in the operating bands
o If antenna detection functionality is required, select an antenna assembly provided with a proper
built-in diagnostic circuit with a resistor connected to ground: see guidelines in section 2.4.2
o Select an RF cable with minimum insertion loss: additional insertion loss due to low quality or long
cable reduces radiation performance
o Select a suitable 50  connector providing proper PCB-to-RF-cable transition: it is recommended to
strictly follow the layout and cable termination guidelines provided by the connector manufacturer
 Integrated antenna (PCB antennas such as patches or ceramic SMT elements):
o Internal integrated antenna implies physical restriction to the design of the PCB: the ground plane
can be reduced down to a minimum size that must be similar to the quarter of the wavelength of
the minimum frequency that has to be radiated. As numerical example:
Frequency = 824 MHz  Wavelength = 36.4 cm  Minimum GND plane size = 9.1 cm
o The radiation performance depends on the whole PCB and antenna system design, including
product mechanical design and usage: select the antenna with optimal radiating performance in
the operating bands according to the mechanical specifications of the PCB and the whole product
o Select a complete custom antenna designed by an antenna manufacturer if the required ground
plane dimensions are very small (e.g. less than 6.5 cm long and 4 cm wide): the antenna design
process should begin at the start of the whole product design process
o Select an integrated antenna solution provided by an antenna manufacturer if the required ground
plane dimensions are large enough according to the related integrated antenna solution
specifications: the antenna selection and the definition of its placement in the product layout
should begin at the start of the product design process
o It is highly recommended to strictly follow the detailed and specific guidelines provided by the
antenna manufacturer regarding correct installation and deployment of the antenna system,
including PCB layout and matching circuitry
o Further to the custom PCB and product restrictions, the antenna may require tuning to obtain the
required performance for compliance with the applicable certification schemes. It is recommended
to ask the antenna manufacturer for the design-in guidelines related to the custom application