Deposited three-dimensional antenna apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. An antenna assembly for use in a mobile device, comprising:
- a thin flexible antenna structure comprising a radiator and a plurality of contacts, wherein the radiator and the plurality of contacts are deposited onto the thin flexible antenna structure using a flowable conductive fluid; and
a housing portion for the mobile device;
wherein;
the thin flexible antenna structure and the housing portion are bonded to one another, and the thin flexible antenna structure comprises a textured surface;
the thin flexible structure comprises a three-dimensional shape configured to couple to an external surface of the housing portion of the mobile device; and
the radiator and the plurality of contacts are disposed on an inner surface of the thin flexible structure and also disposed on the external surface of the housing portion of the mobile device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A “thin” and cost-effective three-dimensional antenna assembly and methods of use and manufacturing thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor portable radio devices, and comprises an antenna (or array of antennas) deposited on a thin preformed flexible or deformable structure using a conductive fluid. The antenna (array) includes one or more antennas each having a radiator and a plurality of contacts. Use of the thin preformed structure allows, among other things, thinner form factors for the host wireless device, and obviates use of a separate molded carrier or other more costly or involved processes (such as laser direct structuring).
79 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An antenna assembly for use in a mobile device, comprising:
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a thin flexible antenna structure comprising a radiator and a plurality of contacts, wherein the radiator and the plurality of contacts are deposited onto the thin flexible antenna structure using a flowable conductive fluid; and a housing portion for the mobile device; wherein; the thin flexible antenna structure and the housing portion are bonded to one another, and the thin flexible antenna structure comprises a textured surface; the thin flexible structure comprises a three-dimensional shape configured to couple to an external surface of the housing portion of the mobile device; and the radiator and the plurality of contacts are disposed on an inner surface of the thin flexible structure and also disposed on the external surface of the housing portion of the mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of manufacturing an antenna assembly for use with a mobile device, the method comprising:
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obtaining a thin flexible polymer structure; texturing the thin flexible polymer structure; forming the thin flexible polymer structure into a three-dimensional form, the three-dimensional shape being configured to couple to an external surface of a housing of the mobile device; disposing a first antenna radiator and a plurality of contacts on an inner surface of the textured thin flexible polymer structure using a deposition process so as to form an antenna for use with at least one wireless interface of the mobile device; and bonding the antenna with a housing portion associated with the mobile device such that the first antenna radiator and the plurality of contacts are also disposed on the external surface of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wireless mobile device, comprising:
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a housing; at least one wireless transceiver; and an antenna assembly in signal communication with the at least one wireless transceiver, the antenna assembly comprising; a thin flexible structure comprising a textured surface, the thin flexible structure having an antenna comprising an antenna radiator and a plurality of contacts, the antenna radiator and the plurality of contacts being deposited onto the thin flexible structure using a flowable conductive fluid; wherein; the thin flexible structure is bonded to the housing; the thin flexible structure comprises a three-dimensional shape configured to couple to an external surface of the housing; and the antenna radiator and the plurality of contacts are disposed on an inner surface of the thin flexible structure and also disposed on the external surface of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification