GSM Antenna Detection

Application Note

GSM/GPRS Module Series

Rev: GSM_Antenna_Detection_Application_Note_V1.0

Date: 2013-03-27

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 GSM/GPRS Module
GSM Antenna Detection Application Note

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GENERAL NOTES

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GSM Antenna Detection Application Note

About the document

History

Revision Date

t el Author Description

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1.0 2013-03-20 David WEI Initial

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Contents

About the document ................................................................................................................................... 2

Contents ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Table Index ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Figure Index ................................................................................................................................................. 5

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 6

2 For Antenna Assembly (Recommended) .......................................................................................... 7

3 For DC Short Antenna (e.g. PIFA Antenna)....................................................................................... 9

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4 For DC Open Antenna (e.g. MONO POLE Antenna) ....................................................................... 11

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GSM Antenna Detection Application Note

Table Index

TABLE 1: AN EXAMPLE OF COMPONENTS FOR ANTENNA ASSEMBLY DETECTION ........................ 7

TABLE 2: AN EXAMPLE OF COMPONENTS FOR DC SHORT ANTENNA .............................................. 9
TABLE 3: AN EXAMPLE OF COMPONENTS FOR DC OPEN ANTENNA DETECTION ..........................11

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Figure Index

FIGURE 1: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR ANTENNA ASSEMBLY .............................................................. 7

FIGURE 2: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR DC SHORT ANTENNA .............................................................. 9
FIGURE 3: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR DC OPEN ANTENNA ...............................................................11

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GSM Antenna Detection Application Note

1 Introduction
GSM antenna detection application notes will be provided in this document.

Antenna detection is performed by ADC measurement on the voltage of resistor brought by detection
circuit, the voltage source can be VDD_EXT in the module or other external voltage. The value is reported

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by AT command: AT+QADC? (Refer to corresponding Quectel module AT Commands Manual).

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The following reference circuits are suitable for all Quectel modules with ADC function, such as M10, M12,

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M50, M72, M80 etc.

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GSM Antenna Detection Application Note

2 For Antenna Assembly

(Recommended)
Radiating element

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DC DC

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blocking blocking

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RF_ANT

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RF

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RF
choke choke

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ADC

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Vol_div Vol_div

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resistor resistor

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VDD_EXT

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QUECTEL MODULE ANTENNA ASSEMBLY

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Zo=50 ohm RF signal line

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common signal line

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Figure 1: Reference circuit for antenna assembly

It is recommended to use antenna assembly for antenna detection. The detection components are usually
embedded in the antenna base. This kind of antenna assembly is often customized.

Table 1: An Example of Components for Antenna Assembly Detection

Description Recommended Value

DC blocking capacitor 56pF

RF choke inductor 68nH

Vol_div resistor 10K Ohm

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The response of “AT+QADC?” is:

+QADC: < status>, <value>
The parameter <status>=0 means ADC reports fail, <status>=1 means ADC reports success. The
<value> indicates the report voltage with the unit mV.

Suppose: using the recommended components in the above table; VDD_EXT is 2.8V
Then:

 If antenna is normal, the response value will be 1400±100;

 If antenna is removed, the response value will be 2800±100.

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3 For DC Short Antenna

(e.g. PIFA Antenna)
Radiating element

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DC
blocking

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RF_ANT

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RF

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choke

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ADC Vol_div

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resistor

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VDD_EXT

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Vol_div
resistor

External detection circuit

QUECTEL MODULE DC SHORT ANTENNA

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(e.g. PIFA)

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Zo=50 ohm RF signal line

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common signal line

Figure 2: Reference circuit for DC short antenna

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If the DC impedance between antenna radiating element and ground is zero, the antenna is called DC
short antenna, just like PIFA antenna which is often used and very popular now days. The recommended
antenna detection circuit is given as Figure 2.

Table 2: An Example of Components for DC Short Antenna

Description Recommended Value

DC blocking capacitor 56pF

RF choke inductor 68nH

Vol_div resistor 10K Ohm

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GSM Antenna Detection Application Note

The response of “AT+QADC?” is:

+QADC: < status>, <value>
The parameter <status>=0 means ADC reports fail, <status>=1 means ADC reports success. The
<value> indicates the report voltage with the unit mV.

Suppose: using the recommended component in the above table; VDD_EXT is 2.8V
Then:

 if antenna is normal, the response value will be 1400±100;

 if antenna is removed, the response value will be 2800±100.

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4 For DC Open Antenna

(e.g. MONO POLE Antenna)
Radiating element

DC

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blocking
RF_ANT

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RF RF

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choke choke

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ADC

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Vol_div Vol_div

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resistor resistor

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VDD_EXT

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Embedded into DC

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OPEN antenna

External detection circuit

QUECTEL MODULE DC OPEN ANTENNA
(e.g. MONOPOLE)

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Zo=50 ohm RF signal line

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common signal line

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Figure 3: Reference circuit for DC open antenna

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If the DC impedance between the antenna radiating element and ground is infinite, the antenna is called
DC open antenna, just like MONOPOLE antenna and some vehicle antenna. The recommended antenna
detection circuit is given as Figure 3.

Table 3: An Example of Components for DC Open Antenna Detection

Description Recommended Value

DC blocking capacitor 56pF

RF choke inductor 68nH

Vol_div resistor 10K Ohm

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 GSM/GPRS Module
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The response of “AT+QADC?” is:

+QADC: < status>, <value>
The parameter <status>=0 means ADC reports fail, <status>=1 means ADC reports success. The
<value> indicates the report voltage with the unit mV.

Suppose: using the recommended component in above table; VDD_EXT is 2.8V

Then:

 If antenna is normal, the response value will be 1400±100;

 If antenna is removed, the response value will be 2800±100.

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