Does anyone have any experience using zero-ohm resistors in an RF signal path to select antennas?

I've typically used RF switches for this purpose, but that's also when it was necessary to allow the antenna selection to be changed "in the field". But for cases where the antenna selection is a manufacture-time option, I'm considering simple zero-ohm resistors.

I highly recommend using a normal SMD 10pF to 100pF ceramic capacitor, depending on frequency. They’re already used on the board, and tend to be cheaper than zero-ohm resistors, as we buy them by the bazillion rather than the handful.

Read More: Consumer Electronics

#PCB Design

Picture of Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.
Picture of Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

What Others Are Asking

Can we do wave solder the through hole parts without masking it?

We would like to do wave soldering for the through hole components. All through hole components are top side of PCB. Only test points, which require mask during process, are on the bottom side. So there is a extra labour cost at adding and removing the mask. Can we do wave solder the through hole parts without masking it?

What equipment is used by professional PCB manufacturers?

This month we plan to find a proper suppliers to produce PCB for our new products, a healthcare watch. One of our supplier assessment items is about production equipment, which I know few about them. Can you share some common equipment which professional factory may use?

What are the black spots in lead-free solder joints on PCB?

I am prototyping a PCB, using Chip Quik’s “SMDSWLF.031, a Sn96.5/ Ag3.0/ Cu0.5 solder with 2.2% no-clean flux. I find that the black spots appears frequently in larger pads on my board. I wonder if it is because I left the soldering iron more time heating the solder and that burnt the flux. What is that black residue? Is that a sign of a bad joint or maybe bad soldering technique?

Read Detailed Advice From Blog Articles

Scroll to Top