Bluetooth and Antenna Matching

Antenna matching is an important aspect of any RF system. A properly designed and matched antenna increases the operating distance of the wireless product. Well matched antennas can transmit more power from the radio – therefore transmit over longer distances. Likewise, a well matched antenna allows the maximum transfer of energy from the receiving antenna to the receiver front end. Thus, allowing better receive characteristics for the system. Antenna matching becomes critical as antennas are reduced in size and placed in small modules that can experience wide temperature ranges and potentially have foreign objects in proximity. This paper discusses one class of intermediate Q capacitors used for SMT antenna matching.