Antenna Coexistence; Wifi Module - Intel Quark SoC X1000 Design Manual

Cable routing: Cable routing that avoids regions of high noise and minimizes cable
lengths allow for noise and losses to be minimized.
Cable thickness (loss): Thick cable (e.g., 1.37 mm) tends to be less lossy while
being more expensive compared to thin cable (e.g., 1.13 mm). Double shielded cable is
useful in ensuring that radio module sensitivity degradation is limited
Antenna Orientation: In some instances where the antennas have polarization
discrimination, the relative orientation of the antennas can be used to enhance
performance.
Distance from Noisy components: Impact of noisy components of the LCD,
especially the timing controller chip in the display row-column drivers and un-shielded
USB web cameras on the antenna must be considered. Modules must be shielded and
antenna placement and cable routing must be optimized to minimize noise pickup by
the antennas.
22.2.2

Antenna Coexistence

Radios Operating
Simultaneously
WLAN interference to BT
BT interference to WLAN
WLAN to ZigBee
BT to ZigBee
22.2.3

WiFi Module

There is a broad offering of Intel and third-party WiFi modules supporting various
802.11 standards. Offerings are also differentiated by the number of inputs and
outputs. In addition to cost, system integrators can keep in mind antenna placement
options and wireless performance/quality requirements while making choices. MIMO-
capable Wireless modules will provide additional flexibility in antenna placement in
addition to providing better throughput. WiFi+BT integrated modules would be a good
option for systems support Bluetooth as well, as these modules will ensure better co-
existence and connectivity of both WLAN and Bluetooth. The current Intel
SoC X1000 guideline is that the WiFi connectivity is provided via a daughter card/
module.
The major design considerations for placement of a WiFi module on the platform are:
• Location of the module with respect to unintentional radiation sources on the
platform (eg., DDR interface, platform clocks, and even emissions from
peripherals)
• Placement of the module within an all-metal chassis without signal degradation
• Shielding of the module
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Intel Quark™ SoC X1000
PDG
168
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Intel Quark™ SoC X1000—Wireless Modules and Antenna Design Guidelines
Acceptable Performance Metric
While WLAN link is active, BT voice performance, as measured by Mean Opinion
Score should not degrade below 3.5. Co-existence scheme between WLAN and
BT should be enabled.
While BT link (Stereo audio) is active, care should be taken to ensure that the
WLAN Radio is not de-sensed by more than acceptable levels. Contact WLAN
module vendors for this information. (De-sense is measured through
throughput vs. received power curves, with and without interference).
When WLAN connection is active, ZigBee performance should not degrade from
when ZigBee alone is active.
When BT headset is being used with Stereo Audio, ZigBee performance should
not degrade from when ZigBee alone is active.
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Quark™
June 2014
Order Number: 330258-002US