PCMCIA antenna for wireless communications

• US 5,646,635 A
• Filed: 08/17/1995
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Centurion Industries Incorporated (Laird Limited)
• Original Assignee: Centurion Industries Incorporated (Laird Limited)
• Inventors: Prochaska, Stephen L., Simmons, Kenneth D., Cockson, Mark G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ho, Tan
• Application Number:
  US08/516,400
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700 MS, 343/702, 343/846, 343/872, 343/888, 343/901, 343/906, 343/882, 343/715
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2275 associated to expansion card or bus, e.g. in PCMCIA, PC cards, Wireless USB

Abstract

A PCMCIA antenna for wireless communications is provided which provides the performance of a 1/2 wave antenna used for wireless communication, both transmission and receiving, on PCMCIA and other platforms for wireless data communications. The antenna comprises a housing which is adapted to be secured and supported by the host device and comprises a housing including housing members which are ultrasonically welded together. A flexible circuit board is provided in the housing which serves as the lower radiating element. A coaxial cable extends into the housing and has its braid soldered to the lower radiating element so that the same serves as a counterpoise for the antenna. The center wire of the coaxial cable is connected by a flexible trace to a flexible printed circuit board which is encased in an insulated sheath which forms the upper radiating element. The upper radiating element is pivotally secured to the housing so that the upper radiating element may be moved to a stowed position wherein it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, where it may be pivotally moved upwardly with respect to the housing to a 90 degree angle with respect to the housing.

Claims

1. An antenna for use with a PCMCIA card, comprising:

a coaxial connector for electrical connection to the PCMCIA card;

an elongated coaxial cable electrically connected at one end to said coaxial connector;

said coaxial cable including a center wire and a metal braid;

an elongated housing having first and second ends and upper and lower portions;

a first printed circuit board in said housing which creates a lower radiator assembly;

a second printed circuit board positioned outwardly of said housing which creates an upper radiator assembly;

said first printed circuit board including at least one trace thereon;

said second printed circuit board including at least one trace thereon;

a transitionary member electrically connecting the trace on said first printed circuit board with the trace on said second printed circuit board;

said center wire of said coaxial cable being electrically connected to said transitionary member;

said metal braid of said coaxial cable being electrically connected to the trace on said first printed circuit board;

an electrically insulated sheath enclosing said second printed circuit board;

a joint member pivotally secured to said housing which at least partially encloses said transitionary member whereby said upper radiator assembly which is enclosed in said sheath may be pivotally moved with respect to said housing, between stowed and deployed positions.

2. The antenna of claim 1 wherein said printed circuit boards are flexible.

3. The antenna of claim 1 wherein the trace on said first printed circuit board functions as a counterpoise.

4. The antenna of claim 1 wherein said transitionary member is flexible.

5. The antenna of claim 1 wherein said joint member includes detent means for selectively maintaining said upper radiator assembly in its stowed position and in its deployed position.

6. The antenna of claim 5 wherein said upper radiator assembly is elongated and wherein the longitudinal axis thereof is positioned at a 90°

angle with respect to said lower radiator assembly when said upper radiator assembly is in it deployed position.

7. The antenna of claim 1 wherein said upper radiator assembly includes upper and lower portions which are selectively pivotally secured together whereby said upper and lower portions may be positioned in a superposed position or may be positioned in an end-to-end relationship.

8. The antenna of claim 1 wherein said upper radiator is flexible.

9. The antenna of claim 8 wherein said upper radiator comprises first and second elongated radiator elements which are electrically and mechanically connected together.