<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Designing a PCB with the DEX PCB Designer > Designs > Parts > Parametric Parts > Type Selection > Antenna > Monopole PCB Antenna

A monopole antenna is a class of radio antenna that consists of a straight rod or wire, usually mounted perpendicularly over some type of conductive surface, called a ground plane. In the context of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) antennas, the monopole can be a physical wire or component mounted on the board, or it can be a trace etched onto the PCB itself.

Here are some key characteristics of monopole PCB antennas:

•Design and Implementation: Monopole antennas are relatively simple in design and implementation. The length of the antenna is typically about one-quarter of the wavelength of the signal it's designed to receive or transmit. The antenna is fed at one end, with the feed line connected to the bottom of the antenna and the ground plane.

•Ground Plane: The ground plane is critical for a monopole antenna to function correctly. It serves to reflect the signal, creating an image of the antenna that effectively turns it into a half-wave dipole antenna. The size and shape of the ground plane can significantly affect the performance of the antenna.

•Directionality and Polarization: Monopole antennas are omnidirectional in the plane perpendicular to the antenna and have a null in the direction of the antenna's length. They typically produce vertically polarized waves.

•Applications: Monopole antennas are often used in mobile and portable devices due to their simple design and omnidirectional radiation pattern. They're used in a wide range of applications, including mobile communications, Wi-Fi, radio broadcasting, and more.

When designing a monopole PCB antenna, it's essential to consider factors such as the frequency of operation, the size and shape of the ground plane, the materials used in the PCB, and the placement of other components on the board. These factors can all impact the performance of the antenna.

It's generally a good idea to use antenna design software to simulate the antenna's performance before fabrication, and to test the actual PCB in a controlled environment to validate its performance.