Low-loss RF coupler for testing a cellular telephone

• US 5,394,162 A
• Filed: 03/18/1993
• Issued: 02/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Korovesis, Danny N., Brake, James D., Adrian, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Wimer, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US08/033,727
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 343/703, 343/715, 343/841, 343/906
• US Class Current: 343/703
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1285 with capacitive feeding through the windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/20 of receivers

Abstract

A low-loss RF coupler for testing a cellular telephone through the antenna mount has a base with a hole large enough to fit over said antenna mount and a ground plane extending over a surface of the base. The hole has a contact portion which is electrically isolated from the ground plane by an airgap. A pair of transmission lines is provided, one having a signal portion electrically connected from the contact portion to the test equipment and the other having a ground portion electrically connected from the ground plane to the test equipment.

Claims

1. A low-loss RF coupling device for coupling testing equipment to a conductive antenna mount comprising:

a base having a first planar surface and a beyond planar surface, said base having a hole extending through both said first planar surface and said second planar surface, said hole having an interior surface for receiving said conductive antenna mount, and said hole having an elongated shape with a top portion and a bottom portion, said top portion having a width less than said bottom portion;

a first conductive ground plane extending over said first planar surface;

a contact disposed within said top portion and on said interior surface for electrically connecting to said conductive antenna mount, said contact being electrically isolated from said ground plane; and

a pair of transmission lines, one transmission line being electrically connected from said contact to said test equipment and the other transmission line electrically connected from said first ground plane to said test equipment.

2. A coupling device as in claim 1 further comprising a second ground plane disposed on said second surface and electrically connected to said first ground plane.

3. A coupling device as in claim 1 further comprising a nonconductive handle attached to said base.

4. A coupling device as in claim 1 wherein said base is disk shaped.

5. A coupling device as in claim 3 wherein said base has a diameter of about 3 inches or more.

6. A coupling device as in claim 1 wherein said transmission lines comprise a coaxial cable.