I have a pair of RF IC's, wired with capacitors and coils as suggested by the manufacturer, on a prototype vero-board. (see pictures).
These are an OOK 433MHz transmiter CMT2150 and a receiver CMT2250 by the chineese rf manufacturer COMSTEK.
I made them working but at less than 3 meters distance.
Should I proceed with pcb prototyping/manufacturing hoping that the properly made pcb will improve the range to 20 meters (line of sight) which is the requirement ?
Should I try external LNA ?
\$\begingroup\$
\$\endgroup\$
4
-
1\$\begingroup\$ Until you understand the reason for the performance you're getting, there's no good reason to expect the PCB will have better performance. \$\endgroup\$– user16324Commented Feb 20, 2017 at 21:12
-
\$\begingroup\$ 3 meters for a 433MHz transmitter is very bad. What's the output power? \$\endgroup\$– LundinCommented Feb 22, 2017 at 7:43
-
\$\begingroup\$ CMT2150AW +13dBm \$\endgroup\$– TBELOCommented Feb 23, 2017 at 9:27
-
\$\begingroup\$ That's very awful then. You should have hundreds of meters with proper radio design. \$\endgroup\$– LundinCommented Feb 23, 2017 at 12:54
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
\$\begingroup\$
\$\endgroup\$
2
I would have skipped the breadboard in the first place. At these frequencies, it is hard to predict what differences there might be between such a breadboard and a real PCB with proper layout and routing.
That said, the main difference in range will be the antenna. If the antenna is not self-contained, then the ground plane also matters a lot, since it's really a integral part of the antenna system. For a self-contained antenna, like a center-fed dipole for example, there is no issue of ground plane and you want the lump of conductor that is the circuit to be as small as possible.
Your antenna looks like it probably requires a ground plane.
3 meters is quite short for a properly functioning transmitter and receiver at 434 MHz while sticking to the ISM band limitations. Again, you can't judge RF issues like this except with the final board. A breadboard is essentially useless.
answered Feb 20, 2017 at 21:20
-
\$\begingroup\$ So, more or less, you suggest to proceed with pcb construction. \$\endgroup\$– TBELOCommented Feb 20, 2017 at 22:19
-
1\$\begingroup\$ @TBELO Unless the manufacturer got evaluation boards you can use, then don't even consider using their parts. \$\endgroup\$– LundinCommented Feb 22, 2017 at 7:45