ignion NN02-250 Cube mXTENDTM Antenna Solution for Mobile Frequency Bands User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: ignion

Table of Contents

ANTENNA DESCRIPTION
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
ASSEMBLY PROCESS
PACKAGING
PRODUCT CHANGE NOTIFICATION
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

CUBE extent: A STANDARD ANTENNA SOLUTION FOR MOBILE FREQUENCY BANDS
USER MANUAL CUBE extend (NN02-250)

CUBE extent: A STANDARD ANTENNA SOLUTION FOR MOBILE FREQUENCY BANDS
Ignition specializes in enabling effective mobile communications. Using Ignition 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.

CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster NN02-250

Ignion products are protected by Ignion patents.
All information contained within this document is property of Ignion 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.
Ignion is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. All our antennas are lead-free and RoHS compliant.

ANTENNA DESCRIPTION

The CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster has been specifically designed for providing multi-band 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.

Material: The CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster is built on glass epoxy substrate.
APPLICATIONS

Handsets
Smartphones
Tablets
Phablets
Laptop PCs
Netbooks
Modules
Routers
eBook readers

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 CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster belongs to a new generation of antenna solutions based on the Virtual AntennaTM technology owned by Ignion. The technology is mainly focused on replacing conventional antenna solutions by miniature and standard components.

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Technical features	824 — 960 MHz	1710 — 2170 MHz
Average Efficiency	> 50 %	> 70%
Peak Gain	0.7 dBi	2.0 dBi
VSWR	< 3:1
Radiation Pattern	Omnidirectional
Polarization	Linear
Weight (approx.)	0.25 g
Temperature	-40 to +125 °C
Impedance	50 1:1

Dimensions
(L x W x H)| 5.0 mm x 5.0 mm x 5.0 mm

Table 1 Technical Features. Measures from the Evaluation board. See Figure

Note that for obtaining comparable results, a ground plane length larger than 100 mm is recommended.

ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE

3.1. EVALUATION BOARD
This Evaluation Board integrates a UFL cable to connect the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster with the SMA connector. The CUBE 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.

Figure 1 EB_NN02-250-1B-2R-1P. Evaluation Board provides operation from 824 MHz to 960 MHz and 1710 MHz to 2170MHz.
D: Distance between the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster and the ground plane.
E: Distance between the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster and the corner of the evaluation board.
Material: The Evaluation Board is built on FR4 substrate. Thickness is 1 mm.
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 are pending. Any update on new patents linked to this product will appear in www.ignion.io /virtual-antenna/.
3.2. MATCHING NETWORK
The specs of a Ignition 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 to place 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 CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster once the design is finished and considering all elements of the system (batteries, displays, covers, etc.).
Please notice that different devices with different ground planes and different components nearby the CUBE 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). If you need assistance to design your matching network beyond this application note, please contact support@ignion.io, or try our free- of-charge1 NN Wireless FastTrack design service, you will get your chip antenna design including a custom matching network for your device in 24h1. Other related to NN’s range of R&D services is available at: https://www.ignion.io/rdservices/

Figure 2 Matching Network implemented in the evaluation board (Figure 1).
1 See terms and conditions for a free NN Wireless Fast-Track service in 24h at: https://www.ignion.io/fast-track-project/
3.3. 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)).
3.4. RADIATION PATTERNS (824-960 MHz), GAIN AND EFFICIENCY

Gain	Peak Gain	0.7 dBi
Average Gain across the band	0.4 dBi
Gain Range across the band (min, max)	-0.2 <—> 0.7 dBi
Efficiency	Peak Efficiency	61.%
Average Efficiency across the band	56.7 °A)
Efficiency Range across the band (min, max)	50.7 — 60.7 %

Table 2 Antenna Gain and Total Efficiency from the evaluation board (Figure

within the 824 960 MHz frequency range. Measures made in the Satimo STARGATE 32 anechoic chamber.|
3.5. RADIATION PATTERNS (1710-2170 MHz), GAIN AND EFFICIENCY

Table 3 Antenna Gain and Total Efficiency from the evaluation board (Figure

within the 1710 2170 MHz frequency range. Measures made in the Satimo STARGATE 32 anechoic chamber.
3.6. CAPABILITIES AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
Ignion specializes in designing and manufacturing optimized antennas for wireless applications and providing our clients with RF expertise. We offer turn-key antenna products and antenna integration support to minimize your time requirement and maximize your return on investment during your product development efforts. We also provide our clients with the opportunity to leverage our in-house testing and measurement facilities to obtain accurate results quickly and efficiently.

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

4.1. DIMENSIONS AND TOLERANCES

Figure 4 CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster dimensions and tolerances.
The 4 pads are fully symmetrical to mount it on the PCB. The CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster NN02-250 is compliant with the restriction of the use of hazardous substances (RoHS). The RoHS certificate can be downloaded from www.ignion.io.

4.2. SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE INK
Next figure shows the range of the colors in the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster:

4.3. ANTENNA FOOTPRINT
Assuming that the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster NN02-250 is placed in the clearance area of the PCB, see below the recommended footprint dimensions.

Figure 5 Footprint dimensions for the single booster. For additional support in the integration process, please contact support@ignion.io.

ASSEMBLY PROCESS

Figure 6 shows the back and front view of the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster NN02-250. Due to the symmetry in the product configuration, the feeding pad can be any of the 4 pads.
Mounting Pads (2, 3, 4): solder the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster mounting pads to the soldering pads on the PCB. These pads must NOT be grounded.

Feed Pad (1): The 4 pads are fully symmetrical. Once the feeding pad is selected (1), the other 3 pads become mounting pads. Align the feed pad with the feeding line on the PCB. See section 0.
Figure 6  Pads of the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster NN02-250.
As a surface mount device (SMD), the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster is compatible with industry-standard soldering processes. The basic assembly procedure for the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster is as follows:

Apply a solder paste on the pads of the PCB. Place the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster on the board.
Perform a reflow process according to the temperature profile detailed in Table 4, Figure 8 (page 14).
After soldering the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster to the circuit board, perform a cleaning process to remove any residual flux. Ignion recommends conducting a visual inspection after the cleaning process to verify that all reflux has been removed.

The drawing below shows the soldering details obtained after a correct assembly process:

*NOTE():** Solder paste thickness after the assembly process will depend on the thickness of the soldering stencil mask. A stencil thickness equal or larger than 127 microns (5 mils) is required. The CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster NN02-250 can be assembled following the Pb-free assembly process. According to the Standard IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020C, the temperature profile suggested is as follows:

Phase	Profile features	Pb-Free Assembly (SnAgCu)
RAMP-UP	Avg. Ramp-up Rate (Tsmax to Tp)	3 °C / second (max.)
PREHEAT	– Temperature Min (Tsmin) – Temperature Max (Tsmax) – Time (tsmin to
tsmax)	150 °C 200 °C 60-180 seconds
REFLOW	– Temperature (TL)
– Total Time above TL (tL)	217 °C 60-150 seconds
PEAK	– Temperature (Tp) – Time (tp)	260 °C 20-40 seconds
RAMP-DOWN	Rate	6 °C/second max
Time from 25 °C to Peak Temperature	8 minutes max

Table 4  Recommended soldering temperatures.
Next to graphic shows the temperature profile (grey zone) for the CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster assembly process reflow ovens.

PACKAGING

The CUBE mXTENDTM antenna booster NN02-250 is delivered in tape and reel packaging.

Figure 11 Reel Dimensions and Capacity.

PRODUCT CHANGE NOTIFICATION

This document is property of Ignion, Not to disclose or copy without prior written consent
PCN Number: NN19100014
Notification Date: October 07th, 2019
Part Number identification: Part Number changes, it will be applied in all the documents of the company (User Manual, Data Sheet, …)
Previous Part Number …………………….FR01-S4-250
New Part Number…………………………… NN02-250
Reason for change:

Specs (electrical/mechanical)
User Manual/Data
Sheet Material/Composition
Processing/Manufacturing
Manufacturing location
Quality/Reliability
Logistics X Other: Part Number

Change description
1.- Part Number: From FR01-S4-250 FRACTUS to NN02-250 Ignion in the User Manual
Comments:

– Electrical and Mechanical specs remain the same
– Footprint in the PCB to solder the chip antenna remains the same

Identification method
1.- The part number on the documentation of the antenna is different, the antenna layout remains the same
User Manual X Available from May 2020|
Samples X Available from March 2020
Ignion Contact: Sales
Name: Josep Portabella Email: josep.portabella@ignion.io
Supply Chain Albert Vidal albert.vidal@ignion.io
Last Update: January 2021

Contact:
support@ignion.io
+34 935 660 710
Barcelona
Av. Alcalde Barnils, 64-68 Modul C,
3a pl. Sant Cugat del Vallés 08174
Barcelona Spain
Shanghai
Shanghai Bund Centre
18/F Bund Centre, 222 Yan’an Road East,
Huangpu District Shanghai,
200002 China
New Dehli
New Delhi, Red Fort Capital Parsvnath
Towers Bhai Veer Singh Marg,
Gole Market, New Delhi, 110001 India
Tampa
8875 Hidden River Parkway Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33637 USA|
Last Update: January 2021