Matching Circuit Optimization For Antenna Applications Whitepaper

Impedance matching is an essential part of antenna design. The input impedance of an antenna needs to be reasonably close to the amplifier impedance (e.g. 50 Ohm), otherwise the signal is reflected back to the amplifier and not radiated by the antenna. In many applications matching circuits consisting of discrete inductors and capacitors, or transmission lines are used to improve the impedance matching characteristics of the antenna. This white paper discusses the optimization of matching circuits especially to antenna applications. Although the design of matching circuits sounds simple, there are many practical considerations that need to be addressed.



Using a matching circuit to change the antenna impedance presents several advantages:



-Tuning the antenna to operate at a desired frequency range is much easier and faster than modifying the antenna geometry



-The matching circuits can add additional resonances to the antenna and thus make it more broadband



-With matching circuits it is easy to incorporate last minute design changes by only changing the values of some discrete components



-There are fast and easy-to use design tools for matching circuit optimization



Download the full Whitepaper below.