This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the RF Antennas category on DigiKey.com
RF Antennas are used to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves. These antennas are designed to be used by devices that work at radio frequencies from DC to 18GHz and RF Families like Bluetooth, Cellular, General ISM, Navigation, Wi-Fi, and 802.15.4. The types of antennas are Bead, Biconical, Blade, Ceramic Patch, Chip, Coiled Inductor, Corner Reflector, Directional Antenna, Dish, Dome, Flat, Flex Notch, Helical, Horn, Log Periodic, Loop, Module, Whip, Yagi, and Puck to name a few.
SelectionCharacteristics
RF Family/Standard: Describes which wireless technology or technologies for which a product is intended to be compatible.
Frequency Group: Indicates the general frequency range(s) in which an antenna’s center frequencies lie.
Frequency (Center/Band): The nominal or center frequency of the band(s) to which an antenna is tuned.
Frequency Range: Indicates the frequency ranges over which a device is intended to be used.
Antenna Type: Described the physical form factor of an antenna.
Number of Bands: The number of distinct frequency ranges for which an antenna is tuned or adapted.
VSWR: Voltage Standing Wave Ratio; a measure of how well an antenna matches the impedance of it’s intended connection medium. (Lower values are typically better)
Return Loss: Characterizes signal loss due to reflection of a portion of an incident signal, expressed in dB as the ratio of incident signal power to reflected signal power.
Gain: Characterizes the peak sensitivity of an antenna’s radiation pattern, typically in reference to a theoretical antenna which is equally sensitive in all directions.
Power - Max: Typically this represents the maximum power rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this power rating may damage the device and other system components.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as a cable or filter.
Termination: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as BNC or SMA connectors.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
IP Ratings
| Protection Level | Solids | Liquids |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Height (Max): Indicates how far the device will extend above the surface to which it has been attached.
Applications: Application is the type of equipment or environment the device will be used in, typically they are tested and rated by a third party to ensure certain minimum standards for the application they are intended for.
ProductExamples
| Digi-Key Part Number | 712-1573-2-ND | |
| Manufacturer | Johanson Technology Inc. | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | 2450AT18D0100E | |
| Description | RF ANT 2.4GHZ CHIP SOLDER SMD | |
| Data sheet | Click Here |
| Digi-Key Part Number | 931-1347-ND | |
| Manufacturer | Taoglas Limited | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | GW.05.0153 | |
| Description | RF ANT 2.4GHZ/5.5GHZ WHIP TILT | |
| Datasheet | Click Here |
| Digi-Key Part Number | 1837-1109-ND | |
| Manufacturer | PulseLarsen Antennas | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | W5098 | |
| Description | DUAL WIFI EXTERNAL SWIVEL DIPOLE | |
| Data sheet | Click Here |
| Digi-Key Part Number | ANT-916-HETH-ND | |
| Manufacturer | Linx Technologies Inc | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | ANT-916-HETH | |
| Description | RF ANT 916MHZ HELICAL SLD TH | |
| Data sheet | Click Here |
| Digi-Key Part Number | ANT-916-HETH-ND | |
| Manufacturer | Linx Technologies Inc. | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | ANT-916-HETH | |
| Description | RF ANT 916MHZ HELICAL SLD TH | |
| Data sheet | Click Here |
| Digi-Key Part Number | 931-1223-ND | |
| Manufacturer | Taoglas Limited | |
| Manufacturer Product Number | GA.110.101111 | |
| Description | RF ANT 750/892MHZ WHIP STR MAGNT | |
| Data sheet | Click Here |
Schematic Symbols
Schematic symbols courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.
MediaLinks
Videos
Antenna Design and Integration Fundamentals 1
Antenna Builder 1
Taoglas Wideband 5G/4G 2*MIMO Cross Polarized
JC Antenna Corporate
High-Precision GPS Antennas
Shark Fin Antenna
DIY Antenna Design Step 1: Placing the antenna component
Antenna Design: Custom vs Off-the-Shelf
Other Antenna Search Results
Articles
Antenna Article Library Results
Product Training Modules
Antenna PTM Library Results
TechForum
NMO Connectors / Mounting - Support / Tech Tips 4
Molex ANTENNAS for the SMART FACTORY 2
Return Loss vs. VSWR in chip antenna selection 2
RangeAnt MAX Antennas 2
Radio Frequency Terminology 2
Silver Oxidation of Antennas 2