Cellular connectivity: 3G, 4G and 5G all in one antenna

TRIO mXTEND™ TRIO mXTEND™ Download PDF

TRIO mXTEND™: top triple mobile coverage

  • Antenna component: TRIO mXTEND™ NN03-310
  • Dimensions: 30.0 mm x 3.0 mm x 1.0 mm
  • Frequency regions: 698-960 MHz, 1710-2690 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz
TRIO mXTEND NN03-310 chip antenna component

5G goes beyond the connection of people as the industry is now connecting things. The new generation of mobile communication technology goes even further as technology is now connecting everything. 5G has to take on the challenge given by the upcoming wireless market that requires all types of mobile communications standards and a high level of adaptability to many different multiband wireless devices.

The new TRIO mXTEND™ is a modular, multiband and multi-port antenna that has been designed for providing top quality mobile operation at 3G, 4G and 5G in three frequency regions: 698-960 MHz, 1710-2690 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz. This triple mobile coverage of the TRIO mXTEND™ is presented in an ultra slim, off the shelf component of only 1.0 mm height. This enables TRIO mXTEND™ to be assembled into virtually any mobile or IoT device.

TRIO mXTEND™ is fully reconfigurable, being adaptable to any mobile standard requirement thanks to its modular and multi-port nature that allows the operation at 3G, 4G and 5G at the same time and also the possibility of having other operation architectures depending on the service and application needed. The same component is able, for example, to cover 3G, 4G and 5G simultaneously but also to tune only a full top 5G frequency bands coverage.

Table of contents

1. Product description NN03-310

The TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component has been specifically designed for providing the major level of flexibility to operate any required frequency band inside any wireless device. TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component is capable of operating the main mobile communication standards, enabling worldwide 3G, 4G and 5G coverage, such as GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800/DCS, GSM1900/PCS, UMTS, LTE700, LTE800, LTE850, LTE900, LTE1700, LTE1800, LTE1900, LTE2000, LTE2100, LTE2300, LTE2500, and LTE2600, (698-960 MHz and 1710-2690 MHz) and 5G (3400-3800 MHz), through the same antenna component.

The TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component offers the flexibility to be tuned at the frequency regions of interest through the proper adjustment of the matching network. This characteristic provides an important benefit since it removes the need of including different antenna parts inside the same wireless device for operating different communication standards, thus reducing considerably the integration complexity while saving costs. The results gathered herein present how the matching network should be configured for operating the main mobile communication standards of 3G, 4G and 5G.

Finally, if you need assistance to design your matching network beyond this application note, please contact support@ignion.io. If you are designing a different device size or a different frequency band, run your configuration through Oxion™, Ignion’s free-of-charge1 AI-powered antenna integration platform, and get a complete design report with a custom matching network for your device in 24h. Learn more about Ignion’s engineering services.

Top view of the TRIO mXTEND NN03-310 chip antenna component: 30.0 mm long, 3.0 mm wide and 1.0 mm high
Top
Bottom view of the TRIO mXTEND NN03-310 chip antenna component
Bottom

Material: The TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component is built on glass epoxy substrate.

Applications

  • Handset
  • Smartphones
  • Tablets
  • Laptop PCs
  • Smart Meters
  • IoT Devices
  • Modules
  • Routers

Benefits

  • High efficiency
  • Small size
  • Cost-effective
  • Easy-to-use (pick and place)
  • Multiband behavior (worldwide standards)
  • Off-the-Shelf Standard Product (no customization is required)

The TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component belongs to a new generation of antenna solutions based on the Virtual Antenna® technology owned by Ignion. The technology is mainly focused on replacing conventional antenna solutions by miniature and standard components.

2. Evaluation board (698-960 MHz, 1710-2690 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz)

2.1. Quick reference guide

Technical features698 – 960 MHz1710 – 2690 MHz3400 – 3800 MHz
Average Efficiency> 50 %> 60 %> 65 %
Peak Gain1.5 dBi2.7 dBi3.8 dBi
VSWR< 3:1< 2:1
Radiation PatternOmnidirectional
PolarizationLinear
Weight (approx.)0.25 g
Temperature-40 to +125 °C
Impedance50 Ω
Dimensions (L x W x H)30.0 mm x 3.0 mm x 1.0 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.

2.2. Evaluation board (698-960 MHz, 1710-2690 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz)

This Evaluation Board (part number: EB_NN03-310-M-5G) integrates one TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component to provide operation from 698 to 960 MHz, 1710 to 2690 MHz at port #1, and 3400 to 3800 MHz at port #2. Two UFL cables connect each input/output port to SMA connectors.

Evaluation board EB_NN03-310-M-5G with dimensions A to G marked and the TRIO mXTEND chip antenna component in the clearance area
Figure 1 – EB_NN03-310-M-5G. Evaluation Board for providing operation at 698 – 960 MHz and 1710 – 2690 MHz (Port #1), and 3400 – 3800 MHz (Port #2).
Measuremm
A142
B130
C60
D9
E40
F20
G12
  • Tolerance: ±0.2 mm
  • Material: The Evaluation Boards are built on FR4 substrate. Thickness is 1 mm.
  • D: Distance between the TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component and the ground plane.
  • Clearance Area: 40 mm x 12 mm (ExG)

This product and its use are protected by at least one or more of the following patents and patent applications PAT. US 62/529032; and other domestic and international patents pending.

2.3. Matching network

The specs of an Ignion standard product are measured in their Evaluation Board, which is an ideal case. In a real design, components nearby the antenna, LCDs, 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 TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component once the design is finished and taking into account all elements of the system (batteries, displays, covers, etc.).

Evaluation board photo and layout showing the clearance area and the positions of matching network sections a, b and c
Figure 2 – Matching network distribution

698 MHz – 960 MHz and 1710 MHz – 2690 MHz

Matching network section a schematic: a 12 nH inductor in parallel with a 0.45 pF capacitor
MN section a
ValuePart Number
12 nHLQW18AN12NG00
0.45 pFGJM1555C1HR45WB01
Matching network section b schematic from the NN03-310 port: 3.0 nH series inductor, 8.5 nH shunt inductor, 2.3 pF series capacitor, 1.1 pF shunt capacitor, 0 Ω series resistor and 9.3 nH shunt inductor
MN section b
ValuePart Number
3.0 nHLQW15AN3N0G80
8.5 nHLQW15AN8N5G80
2.3 pFGJM1555C1H2R3WB01
1.1 pFGJM1555C1H1R1WB01
0 Ω
9.3 nHLQW15AN9N3G80

Figure 3 – Matching network implemented in the Evaluation Board port #1 (Figure 1).

3400 MHz – 3800 MHz

Matching network section c schematic from the NN03-310 port: 0.1 pF series capacitor, strip line and 0.2 pF series capacitor
MN section c
ValuePart Number
0.1 pFGJM1555C1HR10WB01
0.2 pFGJM1555C1HR20WB01

Figure 4 – Matching network implemented in the Evaluation Board port #2 (Figure 1).

Please notice that different devices with different ground planes and different components nearby the TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component may need a different matching network. To ensure optimal results, the use of high Q and tight tolerance components is highly recommended (Murata components). If you are designing a different device size or frequency band, run your configuration through Oxion™, Ignion’s free-of-charge1 AI-powered antenna integration platform, and get a complete design report with a custom matching network for your device in 24h. Learn more about Ignion’s engineering services.

2.4. VSWR and total efficiency

VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) and Total Efficiency versus Frequency (GHz).

Chart of VSWR and total efficiency (%) versus frequency (GHz) for port #1, with the 698–960 MHz and 1710–2690 MHz bands shaded
Figure 5 – VSWR and Total Efficiency for the 698 – 960 MHz frequency range and for the 1710 – 2690 MHz frequency range (from the Evaluation Board, port #1 (Figure 1)).
Chart of VSWR and total efficiency (%) versus frequency (GHz) for port #2, with the 3400–3800 MHz band shaded
Figure 6 – VSWR and Total Efficiency for the 3400 – 3800 MHz frequency range (from the Evaluation Board, port #2 (Figure 1)).

2.5. Transmission coefficient

Chart of the transmission coefficient (dB) versus frequency (GHz), with the 698–960 MHz, 1710–2690 MHz and 3400–3800 MHz bands shaded
Figure 7 – Transmission coefficient for the 698-960 MHz range, for 1710 – 2690 MHz range and for the 3400 – 3800 MHz range (from the Evaluation Board (Figure 1)).

Assuming that the TRIO mXTEND™ chip antenna component (NN03-310) is placed in the clearance area of the PCB, see below the recommended footprint dimensions, to provide operation from 698 to 960 MHz, 1710 to 2690 MHz at port #1, and 3400 to 3800 MHz at port #2.

Recommended footprint drawing for the TRIO mXTEND NN03-310 with dimensions A to J, showing the clearance area, the ground plane area and the port #1 and port #2 matching networks
Figure 8 – Footprint dimensions for the single chip antenna component.
Measuremm
A12.0
B23.0
C3.0
D0.5
E1.0
F8.5
G2.0
H2.5
I10.0
J7.0

Tolerance: ±0.05 mm

1 See terms and conditions for the free-of-charge Oxion™ service at oxion.ai.

Ignion products are protected by Ignion patents.

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Contact: support@ignion.io · +34 935 660 710