ublox JODY-W5 Bluetooth 5.4 Module
Abstract
This application note describes the module and integrated antenna reference design, which was subsequently used to acquire the appropriate FCC and ISED grant. It highlights the module and antenna requirements, performance expectations, and explains the RF path implemented between the various components of the test setup used during the certification.
Document information
Title JODY-W5 antenna reference design
Subtitle Antenna integration guidance
Document type: Application note
Document number UBXDOC-465451970-3645
Revision and date R01 3-Jul-2025
Disclosure restriction C1-Public
This document applies to the following products:
Product name: JODY-W5 series or third parties may hold intellectual property rights in the products, names, logos, and designs included in this document. Copying, reproduction, or modification of this document or any part thereof is only permitted with the express written permission of u-blox. Disclosure to third parties is permitted for clearly public documents only.
The information contained herein is provided “as is,” and u-blox assumes no liability for its use. No warranty, either express or implied, is given, including but not limited to, concerning the accuracy, correctness, reliability, and fitness for a particular purpose of the information. This document may be revised by u-blox at any time without notice. For the most recent documents, visit www.u-blox.com.
Copyright © u-blox AG.
Introduction
This document describes the antenna reference design integrated with JODY-W5 modules, which was subsequently used to acquire the appropriate FCC and ISED grant. To leverage this existing u-blox grant, customers must copy this design exactly into their application product. Any proposed deviation from this reference design must be filed with the FCC/ ISED to determine whether it can be considered as a “permissive change” to the original grant or is significantly different to warrant the application of a completely new equipment grant of certification (new FCC ID). See also the FCC Permissive Change Policy [3].
The given information should be sufficient to allow a skilled person to implement the antenna design on an application product. It provides the designer with the necessary PCB layout details, including microstrip type, dimensions, and antenna interface requirements.
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The JODY-W5 antenna design supports a connector-based design for use with two (JODY-W562) external antennas.
General description and requirements
The antenna ports ANT0 and ANT1 have a nominal characteristic impedance of 50 Ω. To allow proper
impedance matching along the RF path, each port must be connected to the related antenna through
a 50 Ω transmission line. A bad termination of the pin can result in poor performance or even damage
the RF section of the module. Antenna interface and antenna requirements are described in Table 1.
Table 1: Summary of antenna interface requirements
For optimal performance in multiradio mode, the isolation between the antennas must meet the
requirements specified in Table 2.
Table 2: Summary of MIMO and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth coexistence requirements
RF design of antenna path
The PCB traces connecting the module antenna pins to the U.FL connectors on the module board are
designed with coplanar microstrips, as shown in Figure 1. The artwork is shown in Figure 2 and Figure
3. The schematic, including RF antenna matching components, is shown in Figure 4.
Table 3: Coplanar microstrip specification
The antenna ports shown in Figure 2 are from left to right: ANT1 and ANT0. ANT2 to the far right is
not used. It also shows the artwork of the RF traces with dimensions listed in Antenna coplanar
microstrip dimensions.
The antenna pin configuration is described in the JODY-W5 data sheet [2].
Figure 4 shows the components used for the Pi network impedance matching.
Figure 4: Component selection for RF matching network on module board
Table 4 lists the parts used for the RF matching network and antenna connector design.
Table 4: Included parts in the RF matching network and antenna connector design
3.1 Antenna coplanar microstrip dimensions
Table 5 shows the dimensions of the RF trace between module pin ANT1 and u.FL connector J2.
Table 5: Dimensions for the ANT1 RF trace from U.FL connector to module RF pin
Table 6 shows the dimensions of the RF trace between module pin ANT0 and u.FL connector J1.
Table 6: Dimensions for the ANT0 RF trace from U.FL connector to module RF pin
The trace length is defined from the center of the start to the center of the end pad.
The coplanar microstrip and PCB substrate properties are included in Table 3.
Appendix
A Glossary
Table 7: Explanation of the abbreviations and terms used
Related documentation
[1]
JODY-W5 system integration manual, UBX-23001477
[2]
JODY-W5 series data sheet, UBX-23002865
[3]
FCC Permissive Change Policy, KDB 178919
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Revision history
Revision
Date
Name
Comments
R01
3-Jul-2025
lber
Initial release
Contact
u-blox AG
Address: Zürcherstrasse 68
8800 Thalwil
Switzerland
For further support and contact information, visit us at www.u-blox.com/support.
Documents / Resources
 |
ublox JODY-W5 Bluetooth 5.4 Module [pdf] Instruction Manual JODY-W5 Bluetooth 5.4 Module, JODY-W5, Bluetooth 5.4 Module, Module |