Overview
How to route antenna coax cables inside RF products without adding unnecessary loss.
Practical checklist
- Keep coax short and avoid sharp bends.
- Avoid routing coax close to switching regulators and noisy digital traces.
- Secure the cable so movement does not change RF performance.
- Use the correct connector: U.FL, SMA, RP-SMA or board-to-board RF connector.
Installation notes
RF range depends on antenna position, enclosure material, cable loss, ground plane, mounting height and the final installation environment.
Testing advice
Measure RSSI, SNR, packet loss or throughput in the final product position. Bench tests often look better than real installations.