How to change u.FL to chip antenna?

Hardware
1

I didn’t realize I’d ordered the u.FL core, so I can’t really set things up. What components do I need to rebuild the spark core with chip antenna? Can someone give me a description how to do it?

Thank you, Kai

2

The easiest way is to buy a small external u.FL antenna.
In order to modify the Core to use a chip antenna, you would need to desolder the uFL connector and solder in:
0.8pF capacitor (C4)
3.3nH inductor (L1)
AT8010 chip antenna (ANT1)

Refer to the design files for more details: https://github.com/spark/core

3

You can also purchase a u.FL antenna, like this:

4

Thanks for the link https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11320

The cable is kind-of long. Any idea if I can cut it shorter?

5

…and if you have amazon prime, you can get one before christmas (cuz we ALL know that we are gonna be playing with our spark cores this holiday!)

i bought the double kit, and one of the antennas internal threading was junked up :frowning:

1 Like
6

What is exact AT8010 part no?
AT8010-E2R9HAA? it is equal to Johanson p/n: 2500AT44M0400

7

Plenty of these ( 2500AT44M0400 ) in stock at Digikey:
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/2500AT44M0400E/712-1403-1-ND/1840081

or Mouser:
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=yCnrNFeXz%2biudLqSjJJ8lg%3D%3D&utm_source=findchips&utm_medium=aggregator&utm_campaign=609-2500AT44M0400E&utm_term=2500AT44M0400

ACX part number AT8010-E2R9HAA and it’s equivalent to Johanson p/n: 2500AT44M0400