Flexible diversity antenna
First Claim
1. An antenna, comprising:
- a flexible core surrounded by a first layer of flexible dielectric material and having opposite end portions;
a first layer of flexible conductive material surrounding said first layer of flexible dielectric material at one of said end portions;
an electrical conductor embedded within said flexible core and extending between said end portions; and
an integral, flexible signal feed extending outwardly from said flexible core, said signal feed electrically connected to said electrical conductor embedded within said flexible core.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Flexible diversity antennas having gain and bandwidth capabilities suitable for use within small communications devices such as radiotelephones are provided. A core of flexible material has an electrical conductor embedded therewithin in a meandering pattern and is surrounded by a first layer of flexible dielectric material. At one end of the antenna, the first layer of dielectric material is surrounded by flexible conductive material. The flexible conductive material is surrounded by a second layer of flexible dielectric material. The portion of the antenna surrounded by conductive material serves as a tuning element, and the portion of the antenna not surrounded by conductive material serves as a radiating element. A flexible signal feed is integral with the antenna and extends outwardly from the flexible core.
59 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An antenna, comprising:
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a flexible core surrounded by a first layer of flexible dielectric material and having opposite end portions; a first layer of flexible conductive material surrounding said first layer of flexible dielectric material at one of said end portions; an electrical conductor embedded within said flexible core and extending between said end portions; and an integral, flexible signal feed extending outwardly from said flexible core, said signal feed electrically connected to said electrical conductor embedded within said flexible core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A flexible diversity antenna, comprising:
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an elastomeric core surrounded by a first layer of dielectric material and having opposite end portions, said first layer of dielectric material having selected portions metalized with conductive material; an electrical conductor embedded within said elastomeric core and extending between said opposite end portions; and a signal feed extending outwardly from said flexible core, said signal feed electrically connected to said electrical conductor embedded within said elastomeric core. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A radiotelephone comprising:
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a radiotelephone housing; a circuit board disposed in said housing; a flexible diversity antenna disposed in said housing, said flexible diversity antenna comprising; an elastomeric core surrounded by a first layer of dielectric material and having opposite end portions; a layer of conductive material surrounding one of said end portions; and an electrical conductor embedded within said elastomeric core and extending between said end portions; and a signal feed extending outwardly from said diversity antenna and electrically connecting said electrical conductor embedded within said elastomeric core with said circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of fabricating a flexible diversity antenna having a predetermined impedance, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a planar antenna having an electrical conductor embedded within an elastomeric core, a first layer of dielectric material surrounding the elastomeric core, portions of the first layer of dielectric material surrounded with conductive material, and a second layer of dielectric material surrounding the conductive material; and folding the planar antenna into a shape for assembly within an electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An antenna, comprising:
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a flexible core surrounded by a first layer of flexible dielectric material and having opposite end portions; a first layer of flexible conductive material surrounding said first layer of flexible dielectric material at one of said end portions, wherein said first layer of flexible conductive material comprises metalized fabric, and wherein said metalized fabric is laminated to said first layer of flexible dielectric material with a silicone elastomer; and an electrical conductor embedded within said flexible core and extending between said end portions. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification