I have this a chip amp with Bluetooth mounted inside a weatherproof metal cabinet, which is outside. That drastically reduces the Bluetooth range.
The antenna looks like this one:
Can anyone think of some clever way to move the antenna outside the amp, or to extend it's range?
The antenna looks like this one:
Can anyone think of some clever way to move the antenna outside the amp, or to extend it's range?
Any modification to the antenna circuit is likely to be hit or miss because to work properly the physical construction has to ensure a good VSWR between the PCB and the antenna cable (good RF impedance matching to get good signal transmission, not trivial at BlueTooth frequencies). Why not put the amplifier in a weatherproof polycarbonate enclosure? Such enclosures are commonly used for weatherproofing outdoor electrical and electronic equipment.
One wonders if there are bluetooth repeaters. Or some sort of ethernet-to-bluetooth gizmo that you could use.
Just thinking outside the box here.
Tom
Just thinking outside the box here.
Tom
Microstrip Antenna on the board doesn't have 360 degree radiation pattern
usually very directional. maybe only 60 degree. so there will be a sweet spot and that about it.
Simple wire antenna will have 360 degree radiation pattern.
plenty of basic boards just extend range with simple wire
plenty of spreadsheets Im sure for antenna calculation
but found very basic calculation for 2.4 Ghz 1/4 wave antenna using .8mm / 20 gauge copper wire
3.5 mm length
you solder the straight wire to the beginning of built in microstrip.
some people make small cut to built in antenna.
and if you want to return to normal just re solder the small cut.
you can add length to antenna in odd numbers so x3 or x5 31.5 mm
usually very directional. maybe only 60 degree. so there will be a sweet spot and that about it.
Simple wire antenna will have 360 degree radiation pattern.
plenty of basic boards just extend range with simple wire
plenty of spreadsheets Im sure for antenna calculation
but found very basic calculation for 2.4 Ghz 1/4 wave antenna using .8mm / 20 gauge copper wire
3.5 mm length
you solder the straight wire to the beginning of built in microstrip.
some people make small cut to built in antenna.
and if you want to return to normal just re solder the small cut.
you can add length to antenna in odd numbers so x3 or x5 31.5 mm
A 3.5mm piece of wire is not going to improve the signal strength of a bluetooth module sitting inside a metal box.
Its unfortunate the bluetooth board doesn't have any facility to mount a ufl connector to connect an external antenna.
The only option is to change the metal cabinet to a weatherproof plastic cabinet as suggested in post #2.
Its unfortunate the bluetooth board doesn't have any facility to mount a ufl connector to connect an external antenna.
The only option is to change the metal cabinet to a weatherproof plastic cabinet as suggested in post #2.
sorry correct measurement was at end of post #6 for 1/4 wave 2.4 Ghz
31.5 mm not 3.5mm
20 gauge wire ( .8mm) "31.5 mm in length"
as mentioned to increase past 1/4 wave
x3 or x5 = 94.5 mm 157.5mm
that was intention, the antenna needs to be outside or extend past the case.
31.5 mm not 3.5mm
20 gauge wire ( .8mm) "31.5 mm in length"
as mentioned to increase past 1/4 wave
x3 or x5 = 94.5 mm 157.5mm
that was intention, the antenna needs to be outside or extend past the case.
You will need a shielded wire and grommets to get out of the case.
Keep the antenna vertical, pointing down to reduce weather effect.
Old car antenna cut to size works. You get attachment and connection points, and weather proof build...
Keep the antenna vertical, pointing down to reduce weather effect.
Old car antenna cut to size works. You get attachment and connection points, and weather proof build...
The signal is so weak that any new components to the circuit will reduce strength, and RF issues will crop up. What saves you is the fact that the signal is digital, it would be tough in analog.
2.4 GHz is tricky, there are issues of extra signal pickup, and the range is only about 10 meters.
You are better off using a commercial product intended for this use.
Even better, use another device for aux. External switch.
These things are cheap, and modification is not successful for the most part.
2.4 GHz is tricky, there are issues of extra signal pickup, and the range is only about 10 meters.
You are better off using a commercial product intended for this use.
Even better, use another device for aux. External switch.
These things are cheap, and modification is not successful for the most part.
Thanks for the tip!
Reading in other places and with your answer I think I will better use an external BT receiver if I ever need it. At the moment what I need to solve is avoid interruptions in an amp that gives priority to BT over AUX, wondering why that was decided.
Today I remembered that I worked with someone who computed similar antennas for a device we worked on and contacted him. He tells me that disconnecting the marked line at the right will render BT unusable. That's what I'll do.
Reading in other places and with your answer I think I will better use an external BT receiver if I ever need it. At the moment what I need to solve is avoid interruptions in an amp that gives priority to BT over AUX, wondering why that was decided.
Today I remembered that I worked with someone who computed similar antennas for a device we worked on and contacted him. He tells me that disconnecting the marked line at the right will render BT unusable. That's what I'll do.
