Antennas for handheld electronic devices

• US 20080165065A1
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Schlub, Robert W., Zavala, Juan, Hill, Robert J., Caballero, Ruben
• Granted Patent: US 8,350,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/371 Branching current paths
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/40 Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0421 with a shorting wall or a shorting pin at one end of the element H01Q9/0414 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength

Abstract

Handheld electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry having at least one antenna. The antenna may have a planar ground element and a planar resonating element. The planar ground element may have a rectangular shape that matches a rectangular housing shape for a handheld electronic device. A dielectric-filled slot may be formed in one end of the planar ground element. The planar resonating element may be located above the slot. The antenna may be a hybrid antenna that contains both a slot antenna structure formed from the slot and a planar inverted-F structure formed from the planar resonating element and the planar ground element. The antenna may be fed using a single transmission line or two transmission lines. With two transmission lines, one transmission line may be associated with the slot antenna structure and one transmission line may be associated with the planar inverted-F antenna structure.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic device antenna comprising:

a planar ground element comprising a dielectric-filled slot; and

a planar resonating element located above the slot.

2. The handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 1 wherein the planar ground element comprises a substantially rectangular planar ground element and wherein the slot comprises a rectangular slot.

3. The handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 1 wherein the slot comprises a rectangular slot having lateral dimensions, wherein the planar resonating element has at least one lateral dimension larger than the lateral dimensions of the slot, and wherein the planar resonating element is located less than 10 mm above the slot.

4. The handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 1 wherein the handheld electronic device antenna comprises a hybrid antenna in which the slot is used in forming a slot antenna portion of the hybrid antenna and in which the planar resonating element is used in forming a planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the hybrid antenna, the handheld electronic device antenna further comprising:

a first signal terminal that is electrically coupled to the planar resonating element;

a first ground terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element, wherein the first signal terminal and first ground terminal serve as antenna feed points for the planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the hybrid antenna;

a second signal terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot; and

a second ground terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot, wherein the second signal terminal is different than the first signal terminal, wherein the second ground terminal is different than the first ground terminal, and wherein the second signal terminal and the second ground terminal serve as antenna feed points for the slot antenna portion of the hybrid antenna.

5. The handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 1 wherein the handheld electronic device antenna comprises a hybrid antenna in which the slot is used in forming a slot antenna portion of the hybrid antenna and in which the planar resonating element is used in forming a planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the hybrid antenna and wherein a transmission line that has a ground conductor and a signal conductor conveys radio-frequency signals for the hybrid antenna between handheld electronic device transceiver circuitry and the hybrid antenna, the handheld electronic device antenna further comprising:

a transmission line connection structure having a first terminal that is connected to the signal conductor and a having a ground terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element and the ground conductor;

a first antenna conductor that electrically connects the signal terminal to the planar resonating element and that serves as a feed conductor for planar resonating element so that the first terminal and the ground terminal serve as antenna feed points for the planar-inverted-F portion of the hybrid antenna;

a second terminal that is connected to the planar ground element at a location different from the ground terminal; and

a second antenna conductor that is electrically connected to the second terminal, wherein the first antenna conductor and the second antenna conductor convey signals from the signal conductor to the second terminal so that the ground terminal and the second terminal serve as antenna feed points for the slot antenna portion of the hybrid antenna.

6. A wireless handheld electronic device comprising:

storage that stores data;

processing circuitry coupled to the storage that generates data for wireless transmission and that processes wirelessly received data; and

wireless communications circuitry, wherein the wireless communications circuitry comprises transceiver circuitry, an antenna, and a transmission line, wherein the transmission line has a ground conductor and a signal conductor and conveys radio-frequency signals for the antenna between the transceiver circuitry and the antenna, wherein the antenna comprises a planar ground element with a dielectric-filled slot and a planar resonating element located above the slot.

7. The wireless handheld electronic device defined in claim 6 wherein the antenna comprises a hybrid antenna in which the slot in the planar ground element is used in forming a slot antenna portion of the hybrid antenna and in which the planar resonating element is used in forming a planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the hybrid antenna and wherein the hybrid antenna comprises:

a first terminal connected to the signal conductor;

a ground terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element and the ground conductor;

a first antenna conductive path that electrically connects the ground terminal to the planar resonating element and that serves as a feed conductor for planar resonating element so that the first terminal and the ground terminal serve as antenna feed points for the planar-inverted-F portion of the hybrid antenna;

a second terminal that is connected to the planar ground element at a location different from the ground terminal; and

a second antenna conductive path that is electrically connected to the second terminal, wherein the first antenna conductive path and the second antenna conductive path convey signals from the signal conductor to the second terminal so that the ground terminal and the second terminal serve as antenna feed points for the slot antenna portion of the hybrid antenna.

8. The wireless handheld electronic device defined in claim 6 wherein the planar resonating element comprises a first resonating element arm and a second resonating element arm, wherein the first resonating element arm has a length, and wherein the second resonating element arm has a length that is different than the length of the first resonating element arm.

9. The wireless handheld electronic device defined in claim 6 wherein the planar resonating element comprises a conductor formed on a flex circuit substrate.

10. The wireless handheld electronic device defined in claim 6 further comprising a display coupled to the processing circuitry, wherein the wireless handheld electronic device comprises a device having music player capabilities.

11. Wireless communications circuitry comprising:

at least one wireless transceiver circuit that transmits and receives radio-frequency signals;

an antenna comprising a planar ground element having portions that define a dielectric-filled slot and comprising a planar resonating element located above the slot;

a connector having a ground terminal connected to the planar ground element and having a signal terminal; and

at least one coaxial cable connected between the wireless transceiver circuit and the connector, wherein the coaxial cable has an outer ground conductor connected to the ground terminal and has a signal conductor connected to the signal terminal.

12. The wireless communications circuitry defined in claim 11 wherein the antenna comprises:

a conductive antenna path that electrically connects the signal terminal and the planar resonating element.

13. The wireless communications circuitry defined in claim 11 wherein the antenna comprises:

a first conductive antenna path that electrically connects the signal terminal and the planar resonating element; and

a second conductive antenna path that electrically connects the planar resonating element to a point on the planar ground conductor that is different from where the ground terminal is connected to the planar ground element.

14. The wireless communications circuitry defined in claim 11 wherein the antenna comprises:

a dielectric antenna support structure having a surface on which at least part of the planar resonating element is mounted;

a first conductive antenna path that electrically connects the signal terminal and the planar resonating element; and

a second conductive antenna path that electrically connects the planar resonating element to a point on the planar ground conductor that is different from where the ground terminal is connected to the planar ground element, wherein the first conductive path and the second conductive path are supported by the dielectric antenna support structure.

15. The wireless communications circuitry defined in claim 11 wherein the antenna comprises:

at least one tuning element;

a first conductive antenna path that electrically connects the signal terminal and the planar resonating element; and

a second conductive antenna path that electrically connects the planar resonating element to a point on the planar ground conductor that is different from where the ground terminal is connected to the planar ground element, wherein the slot is rectangular, wherein the first conductive antenna path and the second conductive antenna path comprise strips of metal that are connected by the tuning element, and wherein the planar resonating element comprises two arms.

16. A handheld electronic device, comprising:

a housing having lateral dimensions that form a rectangle and having a thickness in a vertical dimension that is perpendicular to the lateral dimensions;

a substantially rectangular ground plane element having lateral dimensions substantially equal to the lateral dimensions of the housing, wherein portions of the rectangular ground plane element define a dielectric-filled rectangular slot at one end of the rectangular ground plane element; and

a planar antenna resonating element that is located above the slot at a height from the rectangular ground plane element in the vertical dimension that is less than the lateral dimensions, wherein the planar antenna resonating element and the rectangular ground plane element form an antenna for the handheld electronic device.

17. The handheld electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising transceiver circuitry, wherein the antenna and the transceiver circuitry are configured to operate in at least the 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz cellular telephone bands and at least one additional frequency band selected from the group of radio-frequency communications bands consisting of:

a 2.4 GHz band, a 2170 MHz band, and a 1550 MHz band.

18. The handheld electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the ground plane element comprises metal and wherein the planar antenna resonating element comprises at least two arms.

19. The handheld electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising a transmission line, wherein the antenna comprises a hybrid antenna in which a planar-inverted-F portion and a slot antenna portion are simultaneously active, the handheld electronic device further comprising:

first and second antenna terminals that receive radio-frequency signals from conductors in the transmission line; and

a third antenna terminal to which signals from the first antenna terminal are routed through the antenna.

20. The handheld electronic device defined in claim 16 further comprising a transmission line, wherein the antenna comprises a hybrid antenna in which a planar-inverted-F portion and a slot antenna portion are simultaneously active, the handheld electronic device further comprising:

first and second antenna terminals that receive radio-frequency signals from conductors in the transmission line; and

a third antenna terminal to which signals from the first antenna terminal are routed through the antenna, wherein at least one conductive metal strip in the antenna that is used in electrically connecting the first antenna terminal to the third antenna terminal.

21. An antenna for use in a handheld device that has a substantially rectangular housing with lateral dimensions, comprising:

a substantially rectangular ground plane antenna element having lateral dimensions substantially equal to the lateral dimensions of the housing, wherein portions of the rectangular ground plane antenna element define a dielectric-filled rectangular slot; and

a planar antenna resonating element that is located above the slot, wherein the planar antenna resonating element is located above the slot at a distance from the rectangular ground plane antenna element in a dimension that is perpendicular to the rectangular ground plane antenna element that is less than four millimeters.

22. The antenna defined in claim 21 wherein the slot is used in forming a slot antenna portion of the antenna and wherein the planar resonating element is used in forming a planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna, the antenna further comprising:

a first terminal that is electrically coupled to the planar resonating element;

a ground terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element, wherein the first terminal and ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna; and

a second terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element at a different location than the ground terminal, wherein the second terminal and the ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the slot antenna portion of the antenna.

23. The antenna defined in claim 21 wherein the slot is used in forming a slot antenna portion of the antenna and wherein the planar resonating element is used in forming a planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna, the antenna further comprising:

a first terminal that is electrically coupled to the planar resonating element;

a ground terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot, wherein the first terminal and ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna;

a second terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot at a different location than the ground terminal; and

an antenna conductive path that includes a capacitor and that electrically connects the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein the second terminal and the ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the slot antenna portion of the antenna.

24. The antenna defined in claim 21 wherein the slot is used in forming a slot antenna portion of the antenna and wherein the planar resonating element is used in forming a planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna, the antenna further comprising:

a coaxial cable connector having a ground connector and a signal connector;

a first terminal that is connected to the signal connector and that is electrically coupled to the planar resonating element;

a ground terminal that is connected to the ground connector and that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot, wherein the first terminal and ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna;

a dielectric support structure for the antenna;

a second terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot at a different location than the ground terminal; and

a conductive path on the dielectric support structure that electrically connects the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the second terminal and the ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the slot antenna portion of the antenna.

25. The antenna defined in claim 21 wherein the slot is used in forming a slot antenna portion of the antenna and wherein the planar resonating element is used in forming a planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna, the antenna further comprising:

a coaxial cable connector having a ground connector and a signal connector;

a first terminal that is connected to the signal connector and that is electrically coupled to the planar resonating element;

a ground terminal that is connected to the ground connector and that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot, wherein the first terminal and ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the planar-inverted-F antenna portion of the antenna;

a dielectric support structure for the antenna;

a second terminal that is electrically connected to the planar ground element adjacent to the slot at a different location than the ground terminal; and

a conductive path on the dielectric support structure that electrically connects the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the second terminal and the ground terminal serve as antenna terminals for the slot antenna portion of the antenna, wherein the planar resonating element comprises first and second arms that connected to the conductive path.

26. A hybrid handheld electronic device antenna with characteristics of both a planar inverted-F antenna structure and a slot antenna structure, comprising:

a substantially rectangular ground plane antenna element, wherein portions of the rectangular ground plane antenna element define a dielectric-filled rectangular slot associated with the slot antenna structure; and

a planar antenna resonating element that is located above the slot and that is associated with the planar inverted-F antenna structure.

27. The hybrid handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 26 further comprising:

a set of antenna terminals through which a single transmission line conveys radio-frequency signals for both the planar inverted-F antenna structure and the slot antenna structure.

28. The hybrid handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 26 further comprising:

a first set of antenna terminals through which a first transmission line conveys radio-frequency signals for the slot antenna structure; and

a second set of antenna terminals through which a second transmission line that is different than the first transmission line conveys radio-frequency signals for the planar inverted-F antenna structure.

29. The hybrid handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 26 wherein the planar resonating element comprises at least two arms and wherein at least one of the arms has a bend.

30. The hybrid handheld electronic device antenna defined in claim 26 wherein the planar resonating element comprises two arms and wherein each of the two arms has a 180°

bend.