Thu 11 Jan 2007
I recently saw an ad for a Cantenna (a commercialized version of the Pringles-can antenna) and realized that it’s a bit bulky for laptop applications. Sure, they claim 12 dBi gain with 30 degree beam width, but there are multiple examples of planar antennas that have similar performance, but can be put in a laptop bag more easily. Since these antennas are purely passive, there is not a whole lot of magic to their design. I think that it is possible to lay out a single layer PCB that can provide adequate gain and directionality compared to the Cantenna, and once I get time on some RF equipment, I will be sure to make one or two of these. Furthermore, it should be possible to reproduce some strip antenna designs on a substrate like FR4, glass or cardboard by patterning metallic tape and get adequate results. Here is a pair of application notes to get you started with patch and strip antennas.
( an2731.pdf ) ( swra117.pdf )
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