RF & Wireless Communication

Complete Modules

A radio module with the appropriate radio protocol can be selected depending on the requirements for frequency, range, environmental conditions, data rates and available electric power.

Shielding Cabinets

In the near field of an electric noise source the electric field has a high impedance. A low impedant shielding cabinet covering the critical component will act as a sacrificial capacitor plate to divert to noise back to its reference  ground.

MLCCs

RF Inductors

An RF Inductor is a specialized type of inductor designed to operate efficiently at radio frequencies (RF), typically ranging from a few MHz to several GHz. These components are crucial in wireless communication systems, RF filters, oscillators, and impedance matching networks.

Antennas

If a radio module is installed in a conductive casing, for example to protect it from EMC or to use a robust metal casing, the RF signal can be routed through the casing via SMA coaxial connectors. A rod antenna with an SMA connector is ideally suited for mounting on the casing.

RF Connectors

UMRF connectors offer electromechanical connections between PCBs in a small constricted space, efficient matching and EoL testing of the chip antenna.

The SMA coaxial connector connects the rod antenna to the PCB electromechanically.

Filters & Baluns

A Balun (short for Balanced-Unbalanced) is a type of transformer used to convert between balanced and unbalanced signals. This is crucial in RF systems where antennas (balanced) need to interface with transmission lines or circuits (unbalanced).

An RF filter is a passive electronic component that allows certain frequencies to pass while blocking others. It helps eliminate unwanted signals and noise, ensuring clean and reliable communication.

Quartz Crystals & Oscillators

Place the crystal (XTAL) as close as possible to the IC. If feasible, connect the crystal housing to GND. A via fence helps reduce coupling to the ground plane. Alternatively, an oscillator can be used.

Short Introduction to RF & Wireless Communication

For the transmission, the signal will be modulated on a carrier signal, mostly sine with constant amplitude. Thereby, the amplitude or frequency will be adopted in the rhythm of the transmitted signal. The modulated wave is radiated by an antenna and received on the other side with an antenna too. Due to demodulation at the receiver, the transmitted signal can be used. 
Depending on the selected frequency or radio technology, the data rate, read range, and duty cycle may vary.

Multilayer chip baluns are frequently used in RF frontends. The signal chain typically includes a low-/band-pass filter and an impedance matching network between the RF chip and the antenna. An unbalanced signal is converted into a balanced signal.


A balun converts an unbalanced signal into a differential, balanced signal.


Chip bandpass and low-pass filters are frequently used in RF frontends. The signal chain typically includes a balun and an impedance matching network between the RF chip and the antenna.


With the help of the Smith chart, an impedance matching network for an antenna can be determined. For this purpose, you can use the Antenna Matching Design Kit 748001. The kit contains WE-MCA chip antennas, WE-MK ceramic multilayer inductors of size 0402, WE-MLCC high-frequency chip capacitors of size 0402, and WR-CXARY RF coaxial cables for frequencies up to 18 GHz.


Würth Elektronik offers two types of chip antennas, electrical and magnetic. The table shows the respective advantages and disadvantages as well as the areas of application.