AntennaDesign.wikiAntenna design, explained

How do you choose a Bluetooth Low Energy antenna?

From Antenna Design Wiki · By the · Published · Last reviewed · How we research

Bluetooth Low Energy uses the 2.4 GHz ISM band (2400–2483.5 MHz) with 40 channels spaced 2 MHz apart, three of which are primary advertising channels.[1] Because only about 3.4% bandwidth is needed, compact antennas work well: printed IFAs and meandered monopoles from vendor references, chip antennas for very small boards, and loops for body-worn devices. Board size, enclosure and body proximity usually matter more than the antenna type.[2][3]

Which BLE antenna is best?

For boards with space along one edge, a printed IFA such as TI’s DN007 or a compact meander such as AN043 gives good efficiency at zero cost.[4][2] Chip antennas suit very small boards with a corner clearance; loop or slot antennas suit wearables near skin and metal housings.[3]

How does range depend on the antenna?

Each dB of antenna efficiency or gain counts as a dB in the link budget at both ends. Using the Friis equation, free-space range doubles for every 6 dB improvement. Indoors, walls and bodies add tens of dB of loss.[5][6]

What about wearables?

Close proximity to the body detunes and absorbs. Designs that orient the antenna’s electric field away from tissue, use the device chassis or a metal bezel as a radiator, or increase spacing to skin perform best; testing on phantoms is recommended.[7]

Frequently asked questions

Can BLE and Wi-Fi share an antenna?

Yes, with coexistence management and switching; separate antennas improve isolation.

What antenna efficiency is typical in BLE products?

Often 20–60% in small enclosures.

Is BLE range limited by the antenna?

Partly; transmit power, receiver sensitivity, PHY mode and environment also matter.

References

Online sources accessed October 21, 2026; printed works cited by edition. See all sources.

  1. “Bluetooth Core Specification”. Bluetooth SIG. current version.
  2. “AN043: Small Size 2.4 GHz PCB Antenna (SWRA117)”. A. Andersen, Texas Instruments. application note.
  3. “Antenna Selection Guide (SWRA161)”. R. Wallace, Texas Instruments. application note.
  4. “DN007: 2.4 GHz Inverted F Antenna (SWRU120)”. Texas Instruments. design note.
  5. “A Note on a Simple Transmission Formula”. H. T. Friis, Proceedings of the IRE, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 254-256. May 1946.
  6. “Recommendation ITU-R P.1238: Propagation data and prediction methods for the planning of indoor radiocommunication systems”. ITU-R. current edition.
  7. “Modern Small Antennas”. K. Fujimoto and H. Morishita, Cambridge University Press. 2013.
Categories: Applications by band