Antenna arrangement

• US 6,046,700 A
• Filed: 05/28/1997
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc., World Trade Center of Montreal
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Martin Stevens, Dalley, James Edward Joseph, Kitchener, Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG V
• Application Number:
  US08/864,197
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 343/725, 343/702, 343/846, 343/848, 343/826, 343/828, 343/829, 343/803
• US Class Current: 343/725
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 Electromagnetic shields
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength

Abstract

A wireless subscriber terminal having an improved performance is disclosed. The terminal 12 comprises: a quarter wavelength monopole first antenna 14; a folded monopole second antenna; and a ground plane having a surface 18 angled with respect to the horizontal, wherein the ground plane has an axis a quarter of a wavelength long extending from a feed point for the first antenna and is electrically symmetrical about the axis. Mutual coupling effects between the first antenna and the second antenna are reduced. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A wireless subscriber terminal comprising:

a quarter wavelength monopole first antenna;

a folded monopole second antenna; and

a ground plane having a surface angled with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the ground plane has an axis a quarter of a wavelength long extending from a feed point for the first antenna and is electrically symmetrical about the axis;

wherein in use the quarter wave monopole is operable to receive and transmit signals omnidirectionally in azimuth and wherein the second antenna is operable to provide receive diversity.

2. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1 wherein quarter wavelength monopole antenna has an elevated feed point.

3. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna is positioned in a vertical plane passing through the axis.

4. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second antenna has a feed point not less than 0.18 wavelengths removed from the feed point of the first antenna.

5. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1, wherein the feed point of the second antenna is mounted on a side surface associated with the ground plane.

6. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is operable for use upon a horizontal surface and the ground plane is angled with respect to the horizontal.

7. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is operable for use upon a horizontal surface and the ground plane is angled with respect to the horizontal and wherein the axis of the ground plane is oriented at an angle in the range of 20-90°

to the horizontal.

8. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is operable for use upon a horizontal surface and the ground plane is angled with respect to the horizontal and wherein the first antenna is oriented at an angle between ±

40°

to the vertical.

9. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is operable for use upon a vertical surface and wherein the surface of the ground plane and the first antenna are arranged vertically.

10. A wireless subscriber terminal comprising:

a quarter wavelength monopole first antenna;

a folded monopole second antenna; and

a ground plane having a surface angled with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the ground plane has an axis a quarter of a wavelength long extending from a feed point for the first antenna and is electrically symmetrical about the and wherein the second antenna is an internally bent folded monopole.

11. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 10, wherein the second antenna has a feed point not less than 0.18 wavelengths removed from the feed point of the first antenna.

12. A wireless subscriber terminal according to claim 10, wherein the feed point of the second antenna is mounted on a side surface associated with the ground plane.

13. A method of operating a wireless subscriber terminal comprising:

a quarter wavelength monopole first antenna;

a folded monopole second antenna; and

a ground plane having a surface angled with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the ground plane has an axis a quarter of a wavelength long extending from a feed point for the first antenna and is electrically symmetrical about the axis wherein, in a receive mode, the method includes the steps of receiving signals through both antennas,

wherein mutual coupling effects between the first antenna and the second antenna and between the first antenna and the casing are reduced.

14. A wireless subscriber terminal comprising:

a quarter wavelength monopole first antenna;

a folded monopole second antenna; and

a ground plane having a surface angled with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the ground plane has an axis a quarter of a wavelength long extending from a feed point for the first antenna and is electrically symmetrical about the axis;

wherein the feed point of the second antenna is mounted on a side surface associated with the ground plane.

15. A wireless subscriber terminal comprising:

a quarter wavelength monopole first antenna;

a folded monopole second antenna; and

a ground plane having a surface angled with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the ground plane has an axis a quarter of a wavelength long extending from a feed point for the first antenna and is electrically symmetrical about the and wherein the second antenna is an internally bent folded monopole;

wherein the second antenna has a feed point not less than 0.18 wavelengths removed from the feed point of the first antenna;

wherein the feed point of the second antenna is mounted on a side surface associated with the ground plane.