APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on January 2018
© 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 1
BAR mXTENDTM (FR01-S4-232) – AN for 2G/3G/4G Handsets
824-960 MHz and 1710-2170 MHz
Fractus Antennas specializes in enabling effective mobile communications. Using Fractus
Antennas technology, we design and manufacture optimized antennas to make your wireless
devices more competitive. Our mission is to help our clients develop innovative products and
accelerate their time to market through our expertise in antenna design, testing and
manufacturing.
BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster
FR01-S4-232
Fractus Antennas products are protected
by Fractus Antennas patents.
All information contained within this
document is property of Fractus Antennas
and is subject to change without prior
notice. Information is provided “as is” and
without warranties. It is prohibited to copy
or reproduce this information without prior
approval.
Fractus Antennas is an ISO 9001:2015
certified company. All our antennas are
lead-free and RoHS compliant.
ISO 9001: 2015 Certified
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on January 2018
© 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FR01-S4-232 ................................................................ 3
2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ................................................................................... 4
3. EVALUATION BOARD (824-960 MHz and 1710-2170 MHz) ................................... 4
3.1. MATCHING NETWORK .................................................................................... 5
3.2. VSWR AND TOTAL EFFICIENCY .................................................................... 5
3.3. RADIATION PATTERNS (824-960 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY ............... 6
3.4. RADIATION PATTERNS (1710-2170 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY ........... 7
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on January 2018
© 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 3
1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FR01-S4-232
The BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster has been specifically designed for providing multiband
performance in wireless devices (in particular in mobile devices), enabling worldwide coverage
by allowing operation in the communication standards GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800/DCS,
GSM1900/PCS, UMTS, LTE850, LTE900, LTE1700, LTE1800, LTE1900, LTE2000, and
LTE2100.
TOP
BOTTOM
Material: The BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster is built on glass epoxy substrate.
APPLICATIONS
BENEFITS
Handsets
Smartphones
Tablets
Phablets
Laptop PCs
Netbooks
Modules
Routers
eBook readers
High efficiency
Small size
Cost-effective
Easy-to-use (pick and place)
Multiband behaviour (worldwide
standards)
Off-the-Shelf Standard Product (no
customization is required)
The BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster belongs to a new generation of antenna solutions based
on the Virtual AntennaTM technology owned by Fractus Antennas. The technology is mainly
focused on replacing conventional antenna solutions by miniature and standard components.
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on January 2018
© 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 4
2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Technical features
824 – 960 MHz
Average Efficiency
> 60 %
Peak Gain
1.3 dBi
VSWR
< 3:1
Radiation Pattern
Omnidirectional
Polarization
Linear
Weight (approx.)
0.21 g.
Temperature
-40 to + 85 ºC
Impedance
50
Dimensions
(L x W x H)
10.0 mm x 3.2 mm x 3.2 mm
Table 1 – Technical Features. Measures from the Evaluation Board. See Figure 1. Note that for obtaining
comparable results, a ground plane length larger than 100 mm is recommended.
3. EVALUATION BOARD (824-960 MHz and 1710-2170 MHz)
This Evaluation Board integrates a UFL cable to connect the BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster
with the SMA connector. The BAR mXTENDTM provides operation in two frequency regions,
from 824 MHz to 960 MHz and from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz, through a single input/output port.
Measure
mm
A
131
B
120
C
60
D
7.8
E
5.0
Tolerance: ±0.2 mm
D: Distance between the BAR mXTENDTM
Antenna Booster and the ground plane.
Material: The evaluation board is
built on FR4 substrate. Thickness is
1 mm.
Figure 1 – EB_FR01-S4-232-1B-2R-1P. Evaluation Board
providing operation from 824 MHz to 960 MHz and from 1710 MHz
to 2170MHz.
This product is protected by at least the following patents PAT. US 8,203,492, PAT. US
8,237,615 and other domestic and international patents pending. Any update on new patents
linked to this product will appear at www.fractusantennas.com/virtual-antenna/.
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on January 2018
© 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 5
3.1. MATCHING NETWORK
The specs of a Fractus Antennas standard product are measured in their Evaluation Board,
which is an ideal case. In a real design, components nearby the antenna, LCD’s, batteries,
covers, connectors, etc. affect the antenna performance. This is the reason why it is highly
recommended placing pads compatible with 0402 and 0603 SMD components for a matching
network as close as possible to the feeding point. Do it in the ground plane area, not in the
clearance area. This provides a degree of freedom to tune the BAR mXTENDTM Antenna
Booster once the design is finished and taking into account all elements of the system
(batteries, displays, covers, etc.).
Please notice that different devices with different ground planes and different components
nearby the BAR mXTENDTM Antenna Booster may need a different matching network. To
ensure optimal results, the use of high Q and tight tolerance components is highly
recommended (Murata components). Please, if you need assistance contact
info@fractusantennas.com for more information related to the antenna booster matching
service.
824 – 960 MHz and 1710 – 2170 MHz
Value
Part Number
7.5 nH
LQW18AN7N5C80
15 nH
LQW18AN15NG00
0.9 pF
GJM1555C1HR90WB01
9.5 nH
LQW18AN9N5G80
3.6 pF
GJM1555C1H3R6WB01
Figure 2 – Matching Network implemented in the evaluation board (Figure 1).
3.2. VSWR AND TOTAL EFFICIENCY
VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) and Total Efficiency versus Frequency (GHz).
Figure 3 – VSWR and Total Efficiency for the 824 – 960 MHz frequency range and for the 1710 –2170
MHz frequency range (from the evaluation board (Figure 1)).
BAR mXTENDTM
Antenna
Booster
9.5nH
7.5nH 0.9pF 3.6 pF
15nH
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on January 2018
© 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 6
3.3. RADIATION PATTERNS (824-960 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY
Measurement System Set-Up
Evaluation Board in Plane XY
= 90º Plane XY at 890 MHz
= 0º Plane XZ at 890 MHz
= 90º Plane YZ at 890 MHz
Gain
Peak Gain
1.3 dBi
Average Gain across the band
0.9 dBi
Gain Range across the band (min, max)
-0.5 <–> 1.3 dBi
Efficiency
Peak Efficiency
68.7 %
Average Efficiency across the band
64.4 %
Efficiency Range across the band (min, max)
50.3 – 68.7 %
Table 2 – Antenna Gain and Total Efficiency from the evaluation board (Figure 1) within the 824 – 960
MHz frequency range. Measures made in the Satimo STARGATE 32 anechoic chamber.
APPLICATION NOTES
Last updated on January 2018
© 2018 FRACTUS ANTENNAS, S.L. - 7
3.4. RADIATION PATTERNS (1710-2170 MHz), GAIN, AND EFFICIENCY
Measurement System Set-Up
Evaluation Board in Plane XY
θ = 90º Plane XY at 1.71 GHz, 1.94 GHz and
2.17 GHz
= 0º Plane XZ at 1.71 GHz, 1.94 GHz and
2.17 GHz
= 90º Plane YZ at 1.71 GHz, 1.94 GHz and
2.17 GHz
Gain
Peak Gain
2.1 dBi
Average Gain across the band
1.6 dBi
Gain Range across the band (min, max)
0.9 <–> 2.1 dBi
Efficiency
Peak Efficiency
89.1 %
Average Efficiency across the band
79.5 %
Efficiency Range across the band (min, max)
64.7 – 89.1 %
Table 3 –Antenna Gain and Total Efficiency from the evaluation board (Figure 1) within the 1710 – 2170
MHz frequency range. Measures made in the Satimo STARGATE 32 anechoic chamber.