Helical coating wire antennas

Advanced Radio Telemetry

Datasheet

Helical antenna is a wire coil basically - one of the terminations is directly connected to the
antenna input/output pin of RF module or radio modem. This antenna type is very efficient
given its small size.
As well as all the unipole antennas, the helical antenna has enhanced sensitive to any
conductive and non-conductive objects in close surroundings. So please be aware of this
fact that antenna surroundings is a integral part of this type of antennas and have a
fundamental influence to the final antenna parameters as impedance, SWR, etc.
To reach a correct antenna features it is necessary to ensure a regular ground plane. Its
shape and dimensions have an influence to the final antenna features as well.
Generally, the area radius should be /4 at least. It is not easy to provide it in many cases.
Also any ground plane parallel placed with the antenna
axis makes undesirable capacities that sadden the
Ground plane
antenna parameters. So it is recommended to trim the
area
wire length number of turns - for optimum results. In
this case you reach an excellent, small and cheap
PCB, e.g.
antenna for your application.

868 MHz Helical antenna:

7 and turns; made from spring steel with Ag coating
Helical dimensions:
Diameter: appr. 7.2 mm
Height (under soldering pin): 27 mm
Ground plane:
Tin plate; appr. 52 mm diameter
Features:
Frequency range: 849 885 MHz
VSWR: < 1.5
Impedance: 51 + j 2 Ohm

433 MHz Helical antenna:

15 and turns; made from spring steel with Ag coating
Helical dimensions:
Diameter: appr. 8 mm
Height (under soldering pin): appr. 34 mm
Ground plane:
Tin plate; appr. 70 mm diameter
Features:
Frequency range: 428 438 MHz
VSWR: < 1.5
Impedance: 47 + j 3 Ohm

Variants and ordering information:

868 MHz Helical antenna:
Part Number: ANT868HEL nn xxx yy
433 MHz Helical antenna:
Part Number: ANT433HEL nn xxx yy
Where:
nn number of turns
(standard: 7.5 turns for 868 MHz; 15.5 turns for 433 MHz)
xxx antenna polarization - see images below
VER - bend on the soldering pin - standard
HOR no bend on the soldering pin as option
yy coating type
Ag Silver plated (excellent)
Sn Tin plated
Cu Copper (economical)
Made from:
Spring steel (EN 10270:1 DH) with a wire coating
Production tolerance:
According to DIN 2095 class 2, DIN 2097 class 2
RoHS:
The antenna is in accordance with the RoHs standard from deliveries after 01/06/2006

Examples:
Part Number: ANT868HEL- 9.5 - HOR- Ag
Silver plated 868 MHz helical antenna horizontal variant (no bend
on the soldering pin 9.5 turns
We can supply you helicals with number of turns according to your
demand.

Part Number: ANT433VER- 15.5 - VER- Ag

Silver plated 433 MHz vertical antenna vertical variant (bend on
the soldering pin 15.5 turns
We can supply you helicals with number of turns according to your
demand.

Important notes:
Helical antennas are a unipole antenna type. All antennas of this type need a ground plane
area with a radius min. lambda/4 to reach optimal antenna parameters. It results from
physical principles about electromagnetic waves radiation. If there is any different matter
than air, the antenna impedance, SWR, and radiation diagram are changed. It could be quite
essentially from the antenna optimal values.
That is the reason why there should not be placed any conductive and also non conductive
objects in near antenna surroundings.
In the cases, that it is impossible to ensure this condition (from mechanical reasons), we
recommend verifying the antenna parameters and turns trimming at a skilled work place.
We are able to provide you with like this test and determinate optimal wire length number
of turns before production. In this case a sample / prototype of your casing including
mechanical parts and PCB is necessary.
Antenna is a source of electromagnetic radiation. It can have an influence on other electronic
circuits placed in its surroundings. Manufacturer of the final product have to ensure the circuit
immunity against the electromagnetic radiation. Manufacturer also has to determinate
operation conditions of the final product in order to exclude any potential damages, which
could be due to the radiation on health and other subjects.