NINA-W1 series - User Manual 
     
  Design-in 
3.1  Overview 
For  an  optimal  integration  of  NINA-W1  series  modules  in  the  final  application  board,  it  is 
recommended to follow the design guidelines stated in this chapter. Every application circuit must 
be  properly  designed  to  guarantee  the  correct  functionality  of  the  related  interface,  however  a 
number of points require high attention during the design of the application device. 
The following list provides important points sorted by rank of importance in the application design, 
starting from the highest relevance: 
1.  Module antenna connection: Ant pad 
Antenna  circuit  affects  the  RF  compliance  of  the  device  integrating  NINA-W1x1  modules  with 
applicable  certification  schemes.  Follow  the  recommendations  provided  in  section  3.3  for 
schematic and layout design. 
2.  Module supply: VCC, VCC_IO, and GND pins 
The  supply  circuit  affects  the  performance  of  the  device  integrating  NINA-W1  series  module. 
Follow the recommendations provided in section 3.2 for schematic and layout design.  
3.  High speed interfaces: UART pins 
High  speed  interfaces  can  be  a  source  of  radiated  noise  and  can  affect  compliance  with 
regulatory  standards  for  radiated  emissions.  Follow  the  recommendations  provided  in  section 
3.4.1 for schematic and layout design. 
4.  System functions: RESET_N, GPIO and other System input and output pins  
Accurate  design  is  required  to  guarantee  that  the  voltage  level  is  well  defined  during  module 
boot.  
5.  Other pins:   
Accurate design is required to guarantee proper functionality. 
3.2  Supply interfaces 
3.2.1  Module supply (VCC) design 
Good  connection  of  the  module’s  VCC  pin  with  DC  supply  source  is  required  for  correct  RF 
performance. The guidelines are summarized below: 
  The VCC connection must be as wide and short as possible. 
  The VCC connection must be routed through a PCB area separated from sensitive analog signals 
and  sensitive  functional  units.  It  is  a  good  practice  to  interpose  at  least  one  layer  of  the  PCB 
ground between VCC track and other signal routing. 
There is no strict requirement of adding bypass capacitance to the supply net close to the module. 
However, depending on the layout of the supply net and other consumers on the same net, bypass 
capacitors might still be beneficial. Though the GND pins are internally connected, connect all the 
available pins to solid ground on the application board, as a good (low impedance) connection to an 
external ground can minimize power loss and improve RF and thermal performance.  
3.2.2  Digital I/O interfaces reference voltage (VCC_IO) 
Good  connection  of  the  module’s  VCC_IO  pin  with  DC  supply  source  is  required  for  correct 
performance. The guidelines are summarized below: