Ep 15: How Engineers Actually Make Tiny Antennas Work at Low Frequencies

In this episode of The Antenna Podcast, Dermot O’Shea is joined by Jaime Molins Benlliure, PhD, Antenna and RF Engineer at Taoglas, to unpack one of the toughest challenges in RF engineering: designing efficient small antennas at low frequencies. Jaime walks through the real physics that limit antenna miniaturisation, explaining why shrinking antennas isn’t just a layout problem—but a fundamental trade‑off between size, efficiency, and bandwidth. Using real examples from his work on 433 MHz LPWAN antennas, he discusses material loading, meandering techniques, PCB‑driven radiation, and why the PCB often matters more than the antenna element itself. The conversation dives deep into Characteristic Modes Analysis (CMA) and how it can be used to understand natural resonances of a PCB, guide antenna placement, and predict radiation behaviour before hardware is built. Jaime also shares why simulation alone isn’t enough, the importance of hands‑on lab work, and how real‑world integration regularly exposes issues no simulator can fully capture. The episode finishes with practical advice on learning antenna engineering properly—balancing theory, discipline, and experimentation. This is a must‑listen for early‑stage antenna engineers, RF designers, and PhD researchers working on small, integrated antenna systems.