Need advice on GPS chip antenna PCB layout

Hi all!
I am working on making a wrist watch that uses a SAMD21G mcu, and an E-Paper display. I was thinking it would be cool to add GPS functionality to the watch since why not!? To make thinks a bit easier on myself, I am going to use the Venus638FLPx-L GPS module since sparkfun has a breakout board for it which I can look at as a guide for my circuit. I am going to make a test PCB with just the GPS module and basic components to make sure my circuit works before I try to integrate it into my watch. Now is where this post comes in. Since I need the antenna to be as small as possible to fit on my crowded watch PCB, I am going to use one of these ant016008LCD ceramic antennas. This is my first time doing any RF electronics, so I have no clue what im doing :smiley: . I have layed out a PCB in eagle with what I think looks about right going by the antenna datasheet. I would be very greatful if anyone who knows what they're doing could see if it looks like a reasonable layout that would work reasonably well. Im not after super fast acquisition times, or really high accuracy, just something that works.

Some more info on my layout:
-I used a keep-out area of 15x6mm for the antenna, according to this application note
-The antenna has an impedance of 50 Ohms, which the Venus638FLPx-L says it is already matched to in page 11 of the datasheet

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Some pictures:
*Note that I have only shown the RF components on the board to try and keep it simple to look at at



Thanks in advance for any advice!

Dont bother.

Those small ceramic antennas are very poor performers for ground based applications.

:frowning: The largest antenna I could possible fit on the PCB would be about 20x20mm, and it would also need to be as thin as possible. If you have any ideas of antennas that would work better let me know. I am quite curious how commercial fitness watches get quite good GPS with a tiny case. I guess it is down to rigorous tuning and testing.

I have found a beefier looking antenna which is bigger than I would like, but at least it is only 2mm thick. Seems like it would be a bit better https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10PCS-Lot-1575R-A-1575R-1575-42MHZ-GPS-Passive-Ceramic-Antenna-Connector-25-25-4MM/32776877284.html

EmanEric:
I am quite curious how commercial fitness watches get quite good GPS with a tiny case. I guess it is down to rigorous tuning and testing.

There is really no substitute for testing, does the combination of GPS and antenna give you the performance you want.