RF MEMs-tuned slot antenna and a method of making same
First Claim
1. A slot antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a RF signal at a desired one of a plurality of different frequencies, the slot antenna comprising:
- (a) at least one conductive sheet having a slot defined therein, the slot being longer than it is wide, the slot having a first end which is electrically closed and a second end which is open;
(b) a plurality of switch members mounted along said slot closer to the second end than to the first end thereof, each of said plurality of switch members acting, when closed, to couple the at least one conductive sheet on one side of said slot to the at least one conductive sheet on a second side thereof;
(c) a feed point for coupling an RF signal to and/or from the at least one conductive sheet, the feed point being disposed adjacent said slot at a location which is nearer to said first end than it is to a closer or closest one of said plurality of switch members; and
(d) the plurality of switch members be closable in a controlled manner to change a desired resonance frequency at which the slot antenna receives and/or transmits the RF signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A slot antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a RF signal at a desired one of a plurality of different frequencies. The slot antenna includes at least one conductive sheet having a slot defined therein, the slot being longer than it is wide and having at least one end which is open. A plurality of switch members are mounted along said slot close to the open end thereof, each of said plurality of switch members acting, when closed, to couple the at least one conductive sheet on one side of said slot to the at least one conductive sheet on a second side thereof. A feed point is provided for adjacent said slot. The plurality of switch members are closable in a controlled manner to change a desired resonance frequency at which the slot antenna receives and/or transmits the RF signal.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A slot antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a RF signal at a desired one of a plurality of different frequencies, the slot antenna comprising:
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(a) at least one conductive sheet having a slot defined therein, the slot being longer than it is wide, the slot having a first end which is electrically closed and a second end which is open;
(b) a plurality of switch members mounted along said slot closer to the second end than to the first end thereof, each of said plurality of switch members acting, when closed, to couple the at least one conductive sheet on one side of said slot to the at least one conductive sheet on a second side thereof;
(c) a feed point for coupling an RF signal to and/or from the at least one conductive sheet, the feed point being disposed adjacent said slot at a location which is nearer to said first end than it is to a closer or closest one of said plurality of switch members; and
(d) the plurality of switch members be closable in a controlled manner to change a desired resonance frequency at which the slot antenna receives and/or transmits the RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cavity backed slot antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a RF signal at least at a desired one of a plurality of different frequencies, the slot antenna comprising:
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(a) at least one conductive sheet having a first slot defined therein, the first slot being longer than it is wide, the first slot having at least one open end which is electrically closable by MEMS switch devices bridging the first slot, the slot having a cavity disposed behind it, the cavity being defined by (i) said at least one conductive sheet having the first slot defined therein, (ii) another conductive sheet spaced from said at least one conductive sheet having the first slot defined therein and (iii) sidewalls coupling said at least one conductive sheet having the first slot defined therein to said another conductive sheet, at least one of said sidewalls being disposed adjacent said at least one open end of said first slot, the at least one of said sidewalls having a gap therein which aligns with said at least one open end of said first slot;
(b) the MEMS switch devices including a first plurality of switch members mounted along the first slot, each of said first plurality of switch members acting, when closed, to couple at least one conductive sheet on one side of said first slot to the at least one conductive sheet on a second side thereof;
(c) a feed point for coupling an RF signal to and/or from the at least one conductive sheet, the feed point being disposed adjacent said first-slot; and
(d) the plurality of switch members be closable in a controlled manner to change the resonance frequency at which the slot antenna receives and/or transmits the RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of making a slot antenna comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a longitudinal slot in an electrically conductive member, the longitudinal slot meeting at least one edge of the electrically conductive member to thereby define an open end of said slot, the slot having another end remote from said open end; and
(b) disposing a series of MEMS switches along said slot and nearer its open end that its remote end, the series of MEMS switches coupling one side of the slot to an opposite side thereof when closed. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of making a slot antenna capable of operating at a plurality of operating frequencies, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a longitudinal slot in an electrically conductive member; and
(b) disposing a plurality of MEMS switches along said longitudinal slot, the plurality of MEMS switches coupling one side of the slot to an opposite side thereof when closed, the longitudinal slot having at least one end which is electrically closed by at least a selected one of said plurality of MEMS switches to operate at a selected one of said plurality of operating frequencies, the electrically conductive member providing an electrically conductive route in parallel with said at least a selected one of a plurality of MEMS switches which is at least one-quarter of a wavelength long at said selected one of said plurality of operating frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A slot antenna capable of operating at a plurality of operating frequencies, the slot antenna comprising:
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(a) an electrically conductive member having a longitudinal slot defined therein; and
(b) a plurality of MEMS switches disposed along said longitudinal slot, the plurality of MEMS switches coupling one side of the slot to an opposite side thereof when closed, the longitudinal slot having at least one end which is electrically closed by at least a selected one of said plurality of MEMS switches to operate at a selected one of said plurality of operating frequencies, the electrically conductive member providing an electrically conductive route in parallel with said at least a selected one of a plurality of MEMS switches which is at least one-quarter of a wavelength long at said selected one of said plurality of operating frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification