As PT4302 requires few external components to work, so PCB board layout is easier than before, but as always when design RF circuit, certain rules have to be followed.
For quick and easy start, we can always refer to official layout recommended in PT4302’s datasheet, but if you’re interested in more details, we have write it down as follows.
Note, above photo is for showing universal receiver board circuit design purpose, and is not using PT4302 superheterodyne receiver IC.
Proper PCB layout is extremely important for achieving good RF performance, we should always use two-layer PCB for transmitter and receiver, so that bottom layer can incorporate a continuous ground plane, and large number of via holes should connect the ground plane areas between top and bottom layers, note that if the PCB design incorporates printed loop antenna, there should be no ground plane beneath the antenna on the other side of PCB.
Also as same for all circuit, a clean and stable power supply is also important, careful consideration must be paid to supply power and ground at the board level, main ground area plane should be placed as close as possible to all the VSS or GND pins, to reduce supply bus noise coupling, the power supply trace should incorporate series-R, shunt-C filtering as can be seen in many other applications.
Above two points also applies to other superheterodyne receiver chip, such as PT4301 or PT4304, or even many receiver IC made by other companies like Micrel, Infineon etc.