Pipo M8 pro wifi antenna upgrade

[chrisbowen]

Hello All

Yesterday I was given a old laptop wifi antenna, it was nothing fancy out of a pretty old laptop, I had been experiencing bad reception with my new ( poor router ) since moving house.

I simply unsoldered the old cable, threw it away, soldered the new one in its place and stuch it near the old antenna.

At first I got much better reception and speed tests - but only with the back cover off, putting the cover on killed signal.

Today I repositioned the antenna so it was as close to the edge of the tablet as possible ( basically the element is exactly where the old one is - this improved signal dramatically with the cover on.

I actually think it is possible to add multiple of these antenna`s to get the best reception. When I find more I will add another.


If anyone wants pics let me know

[elmachinegun]

If anyone wants pics let me know

Can we take a look at your arrangement?

If you still have your stock antenna, could you post a picture showing the copper side?

I have a M9pro and a M7pro, I think all Pipo tablets share the same antenna type.

There is another antenna thread if you want to take a look

http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?8568-Pipo-M9-Pro-wifi-antenna-modification-instructions

Thank you.

[vikidroid]

hello chris,

yes, it would be nice to see what you did with antenna. i have m8pro, same problem - weak wifi signal with backplate.

BTW, is there way to buy somewhere plastic back cover for m8/m8pro?

and i woid my warranty, and do a "tweak" from first post from HERE. i know that two separate and "plain" wires aren't best sollution for wifi antenna, but i got much better results. i used wire from old power adapter of some old mobile phone.

i tryed first with laptop antenna [IMG]http://jhetech.com/****/products/laptop-antenna.jpg[/IMG]

but not much success with that. w/o backplate ok (but with original is also ok), but when i closed it - same thing.

two wires, here i come!

viki.

[chrisbowen]

Hi All

For my initial antenna upgrade I used a very old wifi antenna from a laptop a repair guy gave me.

the trick was to mount it right at the side of the case, just bellow the original one.

Now, it improved things but was really not good, even comparing it to a old Onda vi40 tab.

I ordered this antenna from ****. Now this made a HUGE difference, still not nearly as good as my ipad or iphone.

Im doing two things next. PS I am only doing this for fun, as i only really use the thing the house as i have a Ipad I have to use for work.

There are two sets of solder pads on the mainboard for the antenna, so I am going to mount one either side of the tablet. I may get anohter of the one I used in the above link but I also ordered 2 tyco antenna, the same ones in the post above.

Now I have two options with the TYCO type. I can mount them inside like i did previously. Or as I believe these are self adeshive they would easily be stuck to the back pannel, then two small drill hols taking them to the solder points on the main board - I am sure this will massivle imporve reception. and if a cover is used it will not be noticible, this may be a very good option.

Before I drill and holes am also going to try 2 ipad wifi antenna, working on the assumption that when Apple designed a small antenna they put a bit of thought into it - they are also very cheap, I can wither get them for about 10US each from my local store or http://www.****.com.sg/itm/OEM-New-W...ht_2681wt_1073

Lastly there is plenty of room for a RPSMA connector to be mounted on the back, again one or two could be used, but this means you can then screw in any antenna you like. I would probably keep one internal for home / high signal areas, but if I was in a hotel or some place I could easily screw a external one in.

I am more than happy to help anyone trying to do the above, i am relativly experienced with electronics.
electronics

I hope someone finds this useful

Thanks

Chris

[vikidroid]

hi chris!

i can only see link for iPad antenna.

so, i'm not sure did you forget link or you talking about antenna on picture i send?

please, explain.

next, you wrote "there are two sets of solder pads for antena"?! where are they?? picture will be nice!

and, it will bi very nice that you give us pics of your work/tweak.


many thanks in advance!

[chrisbowen]

Hi Let me take some pics tomorroow and update you

so far this is the best result I have had

http://www.****.com.sg/itm/170921698...ht_2422wt_1073

Im waitiing for 2 of these
http://www.****.com.sg/itm/321322597...9#ht_23wt_1311

I am also going to try as they are so cheap 2 of these
http://www.****.com.sg/itm/OEM-New-W...ht_2681wt_1073

The scond set of solder pads are very small to see, I used my meter to trace them - I will send a pic.


The final thing i am working on, is installing some internal sockets, so when people see cheap internal antenna on **** once they solder the sockets they dont have to solder to try new things out.

Im trying to keep everything interal and see what the best results are..... BUT i am also going to do a external mount as I think wifi will really work well.

Another idea is to cut the metal panel then use epoxy to fill the gap and place the antenna internally on this epoxy part ( this is how some manufacturers do it)

If I can get a donor dead m8 or even just a rear cover I can try some things out.

If you can do some simple soldering I guarantee you can improve your wifi. If you want a external areal ( again needs solder and hole drill you can get wifi almost as good as your lap top

All t
he best

Chris

[giouncino]

Hi All

For my initial antenna upgrade I used a very old wifi antenna from a laptop a repair guy gave me.

the trick was to mount it right at the side of the case, just bellow the original one.

Now, it improved things but was really not good, even comparing it to a old Onda vi40 tab.

I ordered this antenna from ****. Now this made a HUGE difference, still not nearly as good as my ipad or iphone.

Im doing two things next. PS I am only doing this for fun, as i only really use the thing the house as i have a Ipad I have to use for work.

There are two sets of solder pads on the mainboard for the antenna, so I am going to mount one either side of the tablet. I may get anohter of the one I used in the above link but I also ordered 2 tyco antenna, the same ones in the post above.

Now I have two options with the TYCO type. I can mount them inside like i did previously. Or as I believe these are self adeshive they would easily be stuck to the back pannel, then two small drill hols taking them to the solder points on the main board - I am sure this will massivle imporve reception. and if a cover is used it will not be noticible, this may be a very good option.

Before I drill and holes am also going to try 2 ipad wifi antenna, working on the assumption that when Apple designed a small antenna they put a bit of thought into it - they are also very cheap, I can wither get them for about 10US each from my local store or http://www.****.com.sg/itm/OEM-New-W...ht_2681wt_1073

Lastly there is plenty of room for a RPSMA connector to be mounted on the back, again one or two could be used, but this means you can then screw in any antenna you like. I would probably keep one internal for home / high signal areas, but if I was in a hotel or some place I could easily screw a external one in.

I am more than happy to help anyone trying to do the above, i am relativly experienced with electronics.
electronics

I hope someone finds this useful

Thanks

Chris

The iPad antennas are awful!!!
Bad quality: with the iPad antenna I reduced the tablet sensitivity a lot! I replaced the stock wi-fi antenna of mi Pipo M6pro with that fow a while, with terrible results! Then I built a new antenna by myself with a lot better results!

http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?8568-Pipo-M9-Pro-wifi-antenna-modification-instructions/page4

I think that the iPad has a good wi-fi module, because the antenna itself is the worst I've ever seen...

[chrisbowen]

thanks for the heads up on the ipad antenna.

If i remember right ( and my memory is constantly beaten with beers ) the first ipads (1&2) had a plastic strip on the back, I would be pretty sure thats where the antenna was installed. ( ive not got a first gen to take apart). the 3rd and 4th gen then became all metal. Can you remember what gen antenna you tried?
Hey it could be the same in all models -I was just throing it out there that my iphones and pad have way better reception than my pipo. whats going on I think is even when i get a strongish signal ( using wifi analyser ) throughput is terrible i use dd-wrt on my router along with speed test to assess this.

Letting me know the apple antenna are not good has saved my one test - thanks, the solder pads are a bit fragile on the main board.

I can play about with things and let you guys know.

Another option is a internal biquad antenna - i have made a bunch of these before, but I am thinking I can make one out of copper foil to go inside the pipo. 2 problems though you need a metal reflector about 3/4 inch away for best gain, and i have never tried it 20mm away from a metal back plate! they are also quite directional - but if you have ever made one for a PC you will agree it picks very well.

http://www.google.com/imgres?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&biw=1920&bih=872&tbm=isch&tbnid=3XVi2xj4Vd3ziM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmartybugs.net%2Fwireless%2Fbiquad%2F&docid=ch-Vb9yMsv2IAM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmartybugs.net%2Fwireless%2Fbiquad%2Fimages%2Fbiquad_size.png&w=319&h=193&ei=x-ccU7m6C4iNrgfEk4CgBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=1927&page=1&start=0&ndsp=32&ved=0CF8QrQMwAw

As i say im pretty much just playing around - at the moment my wifi is OK. I purchased a cheap TPlink router and turned it into a repeater for my main wireless for movie streaming.

now i have a soldering iron, some simple understandng of antenna design and a shop i walk past every few days selling things like copper foil and connectors I will have a play about.


Has anyone else gone the external route? ive seen people do it on other tabs, looks crazy but I bet performance rocks!!

[giouncino]

thanks for the heads up on the ipad antenna.

If i remember right ( and my memory is constantly beaten with beers ) the first ipads (1&2) had a plastic strip on the back, I would be pretty sure thats where the antenna was installed. ( ive not got a first gen to take apart). the 3rd and 4th gen then became all metal. Can you remember what gen antenna you tried?
Hey it could be the same in all models -I was just throing it out there that my iphones and pad have way better reception than my pipo. whats going on I think is even when i get a strongish signal ( using wifi analyser ) throughput is terrible i use dd-wrt on my router along with speed test to assess this.

Letting me know the apple antenna are not good has saved my one test - thanks, the solder pads are a bit fragile on the main board.

I can play about with things and let you guys know.

Another option is a internal biquad antenna - i have made a bunch of these before, but I am thinking I can make one out of copper foil to go inside the pipo. 2 problems though you need a metal reflector about 3/4 inch away for best gain, and i have never tried it 20mm away from a metal back plate! they are also quite directional - but if you have ever made one for a PC you will agree it picks very well.

http://www.google.com/imgres?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&biw=1920&bih=872&tbm=isch&tbnid=3XVi2xj4Vd3ziM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmartybugs.net%2Fwireless%2Fbiquad%2F&docid=ch-Vb9yMsv2IAM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmartybugs.net%2Fwireless%2Fbiquad%2Fimages%2Fbiquad_size.png&w=319&h=193&ei=x-ccU7m6C4iNrgfEk4CgBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=1927&page=1&start=0&ndsp=32&ved=0CF8QrQMwAw

As i say im pretty much just playing around - at the moment my wifi is OK. I purchased a cheap TPlink router and turned it into a repeater for my main wireless for movie streaming.

now i have a soldering iron, some simple understandng of antenna design and a shop i walk past every few days selling things like copper foil and connectors I will have a play about.


Has anyone else gone the external route? ive seen people do it on other tabs, looks crazy but I bet performance rocks!!

I used the iPad mini antenna, but I think they are identical for all iPads...

Beleave me, I performed so many tests with antennas, and the best you can do is to do this one by yourself:

http://fabiobaltieri.com/2012/06/02/diy-cheap-internal-wifi-antenna/

all other solutions do not improve signal strenght, moreover with the antenna i've posted above you do not need any ground plane!