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Open Source Hardware
Forum How to build a simple low cost reliable antenna switching circuit
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  • ble 5.1
  • rf switch
  • timer circuit
Related

How to build a simple low cost reliable antenna switching circuit

BigG
BigG over 4 years ago

I'm looking to build a simple (MVP: minimal viable product) BLE antenna array circuit to test BLE direction finding (AoA/AoD) functionality.

 

I'm not wanting precision just yet. So, for my MVP I'm looking at just 3 maybe 4 antennas. For that I will need an RF switch and if I look on any of the major distributor websites I can find plenty single pole 3 or 4 throw (SP3T/SP4T) options.

 

My question is how to build the input control side, which usually consists of logic table like this one (for a SP4T RF switch):

 

Input 1Input 2
Output Mode
00RF1 on
01RF2 on
10RF3 on
11RF4 on

 

 

The switching frequency is at the microsecond(s) level.

 

My BLE chip is a single 3V3 MCU so I don't want to use this MCU to handle the switching as well as the other stuff. It's not a dual core PSoc, for example, where I could've used their hardware timer blocks etc.

 

So what IC options do I have with a power rail of 3V3.

 

Is it a case of using a precision Timer IC with some logic gates (e.g. OR, AND, NAND etc.) or would something like a tiny 8-bit MCU do the trick. Basically looking for as few components as possible which is low cost and reliable etc.

 

Looking to experts for some practical advice.

 

Thanks

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Top Replies

  • shabaz
    shabaz over 4 years ago +8 suggested
    Hi Colin, By coincidence we're thinking on the same track : ) I've been looking at a silabs reference design, and aim to work as closely as possible to it, although it will take longer and is a pain due…
  • Fred27
    Fred27 over 4 years ago +7 suggested
    I recently needed to test out a NFC reader with multiple antennas. I grabbed a Peregrine Semi evaluation board (EK42441-03). It worked very well and it seems to fit your requirements, including the control…
  • BigG
    BigG over 4 years ago in reply to shabaz +5 suggested
    Just to add that when it costs less than $10, including postage, to get some prototype boards made I simply could not help myself... So I went ahead with a basic design. My limited understanding is that…
Parents
  • Fred27
    0 Fred27 over 4 years ago

    I recently needed to test out a NFC reader with multiple antennas. I grabbed a Peregrine Semi evaluation board (EK42441-03). It worked very well and it seems to fit your requirements, including the control logic. The development board wasn't cheap (£83 incl. VAT) but the PE42441 seems more reasonably priced if you're spinning up your own board.

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  • Fred27
    0 Fred27 over 4 years ago

    I recently needed to test out a NFC reader with multiple antennas. I grabbed a Peregrine Semi evaluation board (EK42441-03). It worked very well and it seems to fit your requirements, including the control logic. The development board wasn't cheap (£83 incl. VAT) but the PE42441 seems more reasonably priced if you're spinning up your own board.

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