ESP32 PCB vs. External Antenna
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 9:27 pm
Hi All,
This is my first post in this forum.
I plan to install an IoT system powered by an ESP32_WROOM_32 module inside a metal material light canopy -- imagine the ESP32 module enclosed in a metal puck.
My concern is that with the ESP32 module completely enclosed in the described metal enclosure, I would then need a way to radiate the RF out of the enclosure. This means, the ESP32_WROOM_32 with the printed PCB antenna would likely be a poor choice.
I imagine the alternative would be to use the ESP32_WROOM_32U instead which replaces the PCB antenna with an U. FL pin.
Questions:
1. What are some of the compatible antennas that could connect to the U. FL pin of the ESP32U modules
2. In order to minimize cost, could I opt for a short bare wire antenna without the finger-diameter sized plastic enclosure like those seen on a router antenna. Based on my research, this would probably not work since those plastic structures enclose copper coils crucial for the "omni-directionality" of the antenna
Any other suggestions that would help to improve RF performance inside metal enclosure would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Thomas
This is my first post in this forum.
I plan to install an IoT system powered by an ESP32_WROOM_32 module inside a metal material light canopy -- imagine the ESP32 module enclosed in a metal puck.
My concern is that with the ESP32 module completely enclosed in the described metal enclosure, I would then need a way to radiate the RF out of the enclosure. This means, the ESP32_WROOM_32 with the printed PCB antenna would likely be a poor choice.
I imagine the alternative would be to use the ESP32_WROOM_32U instead which replaces the PCB antenna with an U. FL pin.
Questions:
1. What are some of the compatible antennas that could connect to the U. FL pin of the ESP32U modules
2. In order to minimize cost, could I opt for a short bare wire antenna without the finger-diameter sized plastic enclosure like those seen on a router antenna. Based on my research, this would probably not work since those plastic structures enclose copper coils crucial for the "omni-directionality" of the antenna
Any other suggestions that would help to improve RF performance inside metal enclosure would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Thomas