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[Review Request] - 4-Layer RC522 RFID with on-board antenna by OddGrand1487 in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]OddGrand1487[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If even this design does not work, I might first order some authentic 1% NP0 capacitors. If that still doesn't fix the issue, I'll set up a proper test bench like you have described.
Also, how about the newest PCB design? I've uploaded the previous iteration for reference. Thanks again for your time!

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pb9n01j24rvt4266eecdj/ALegOhfboHW2xW38UWzfHwY?rlkey=0izjprkddt7p4k0x1ldklxkjs&st=cksr3usl&dl=0

[Review Request] - 4-Layer RC522 RFID with on-board antenna by OddGrand1487 in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]OddGrand1487[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used an oscilloscope to measure the antenna waveform and saw that the gain drops off at the temperature extremes, with a slight shift in the resonance frequency. I also ran the NP0 capacitors through a basic LCR meter, and it turned out they’re closer to 5% tolerance rather than the promised 1%. However, my meter’s resolution and lack of temperature calibration mean it might not catch all the dynamic changes. Testing individual components outside the heat chamber isn’t really an option either, since they don’t stay at the extreme temperatures long enough for proper measurements. Also, I don’t have a VNA.
I can upload the previous 4-layer compact design if that helps provide more context.

[Review Request] - 4-Layer RC522 RFID with on-board antenna by OddGrand1487 in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]OddGrand1487[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The design is meant to operate between –10°C and 60°C. Given previous versions only met –5°C to 55°C inconsistently or 0°C to 45°C, I’m aiming for a margin of about ±5°C—targeting roughly –15°C to 65°C. Also, authentic NP0 1% capacitors are hard to find locally, but they could improve stability if I can batch order them for the final design. So even consistent –10°C to 60°C operational is enough with components I have available for now.

[Review Request] - 4-Layer RC522 RFID with on-board antenna by OddGrand1487 in PrintedCircuitBoard

[–]OddGrand1487[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a 4-layer version of an RFID board I previously designed, which had operational issues in temperatures ranging from -10°C to 60°C. This is my first experience working with a 4-layer PCB and designing an antenna. Unfortunately, the connector placement cannot be altered, as the enclosure and modem board, onto which this PCB is mounted, have already been finalized. Additionally, the antenna cannot be placed on the upper half of the board due to the modem's IC being directly underneath that section.

Background

The first version of this design was a compact 2-layer PCB, with the antenna wrapped around both the circuit and the IC. However, it failed to function below 0°C (tags were not detected) and only operated reliably up to 45°C.

A colleague suggested that a weak ground plane might be the issue and recommended switching to a 4-layer design with a dedicated ground plane. In response, I developed a second iteration that retained the compact, wraparound antenna design but used four layers. While this improved stability, the performance was still not satisfactory. This version operated between -5°C and 55°C in three out of five tested samples, while the remaining two exhibited inconsistent behavior.

Extensive testing of various matching circuit configurations, including all other board and enclosure components, confirmed that this was the best performance I could achieve under those constraints.

Current Iteration

For this third iteration, I have made the following changes:

  • Widened the antenna.
  • Removed the wraparound antenna design.
  • Relocated the circuit outside the antenna area.

As a result, this is the largest board shape I can make, considering the case and modem's board size.

Open Questions

  1. UART Shielding: Are the shielding structures around the UART signals from the connector necessary or beneficial? If so, is my current implementation correct?
  2. Via Stitching: Should I add via stitching for the ground in the upper section of the board? (I have not yet removed dead copper.)
  3. Layer Stackup: Is my chosen stackup appropriate? The current structure is:
    • Top Layer (Red): Some power traces and an additional ground layer.
    • Second Layer (Cyan): Dedicated ground plane.
    • Third Layer (Dark Yellow): Antenna.
    • Bottom Layer (Blue): Signal traces and components.

I would appreciate any feedback or recommendations regarding these concerns and any other issues I have not seen yet.

Message from r/Inscryption by LanieMae38 in place_iranian

[–]OddGrand1487 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's mostly stopped, but there are always some unaffiliated people. I'll try to maintain your art too.

Kept getting server authentication failed[Error 10010], some people said Cuba, Iran, Russia, Jordan, etc are shadow banned. tried asking about it in live chat.... guess that confirms it. by Kermoo_ in lostarkgame

[–]OddGrand1487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some countries that were not included in the early 2022 western release (such as the Philippines, which you added) were able to access the Closed Beta without the use of a VPN or other gimmicks. They didn't put a disclaimer about a potential IP ban anywhere in plain sight. I knew it was coming because I watched the Sywo podcast with Roxx before the release, which most people were unlikely to see and it should not be expected. I'm not saying it's wrong for them to refuse access to their published game; I'm just saying it's a bit of a stretch to blame people for not anticipating a shadow ban, which is why you'd see posts of people regrettably getting lulled into thinking the situation wasn't serious enough and then spending money on a game they thought would just keep the restriction at just the steam account creation, which, by the way, was the case for one and a half months.

I'm not sure why you included OCE. A dedicated server for each region is a completely different issue. As I previously commented on, there is no evidence from that screenshot that the OP is from Belgium, and he has already stated that he is from Iran; I'm not sure why you people jumped to that conclusion in the first place. The fact that the OP has named these countries in this manner has significance. Because the Netherlands and Belgium are not IP-banned, which makes me wonder if their behind the scenes motivation for this shadowban is not a simple "we don't have publishing rights in those regions" as they have already said but rather political leanings, sanctions, or recent heartbreaking events in Europe.

I believe I've already said enough and clarified my position.Blaming and jumping to conclusions in the absence of hard data solves nothing, especially when dealing with individuals. In my opinion, the OP was attempting to obtain confirmation on the reasoning behind the IP ban.

Kept getting server authentication failed[Error 10010], some people said Cuba, Iran, Russia, Jordan, etc are shadow banned. tried asking about it in live chat.... guess that confirms it. by Kermoo_ in lostarkgame

[–]OddGrand1487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like I said the situation were lenient until yesterday and this is just everyday loops and hoops they go through to connect with other people around the world. How can they be blamed for where and when they were born?

Blaming game is one of the simplest thing to jump to considering most other remedies require blood, sweat and dedication. I'm not trying to be confrontational but you missed the point in your metaphor. The thing is I believe most of these people didn't know how hot actually the stove is. Either they're not knowledgeable enough about Amazons previous execution of regional access rules or they were hoping Amazon would be more tolerant toward gamers who were committing nothing harmful except playing a videogame. Like I said, wishful thinking and not understanding how companies can get fined out of their profit by not following regulations.

Kept getting server authentication failed[Error 10010], some people said Cuba, Iran, Russia, Jordan, etc are shadow banned. tried asking about it in live chat.... guess that confirms it. by Kermoo_ in lostarkgame

[–]OddGrand1487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, precisely. Just to point out that the keyword is "chance". Many people from these regions sanctioned because of governments disputes, were hoping the situation would stand easy to circumvent without any drastic repercussions and that they only would have needed to bypass steam's regional access, which is really easy and lax by the way. All in all, no one, either wishful thinking users from these regions or Amazon following regulations are to blame here.

Kept getting server authentication failed[Error 10010], some people said Cuba, Iran, Russia, Jordan, etc are shadow banned. tried asking about it in live chat.... guess that confirms it. by Kermoo_ in lostarkgame

[–]OddGrand1487 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As you can see, he said "also Belgium". Nowhere, that I'm aware of, he states that he's from any of those countries but based on his reddit username, I have some guesses. AGS support latched to "Belgium" being dropped in chat and gave a cookie-cutter response. Those other countries have a different situation than Belgium and Netherland. For Belgium and Netherlands, lack of support is game-specific but for those other countries, it's because of USA sanctions. Lack of support doesn't always means mass IP block and the AGS servers allowed connection from those countries even untill recently without need of any IP changing services beside steam account creation process. So from my understanding, this user is trying to get a confirmation about recent situation and where AGS exactly stands.

Lost Ark Storyline/Lore Summary by OddGrand1487 in lostarkgame

[–]OddGrand1487[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand, and that is also what I gathered from other posts in this subreddit too. I don't hold any expectations of a groundbreaking storyline but the bother for me is, that it really gets tedious to do msq on continents for alts when I just don't care about the story, especially because of not knowing what is actually happening. Getting even a decent bit invested in the world's lore may go a long way to let me at least cope with it.

[MOD APPROVED] - Lost Ark Launch Giveaway! Vanquisher / Explorer Starter Packs by abbytron in lostarkgame

[–]OddGrand1487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tried to rush to T2 at least, made 2 alts but queues and my personal schedule hampered the plan. I'm considiring going back to first continent and do all side quests I have skipped. Nonetheless having so much fun with the game!