Diversity antenna system for lan communication system

• US 6,339,404 B1
• Filed: 08/11/2000
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: RangeStar Wireless Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Greg, Keilen, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US09/637,301
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/702, 343/793, 343/794, 343/795, 343/820, 343/822, 343/846, 343/810
• US Class Current: 343/794
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/005 providing two patterns of opposite direction; back to back antennas H01Q25/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 with particular tuning means

Abstract

A diversity antenna structure for a wireless communication device for receiving and transmitting communication signals is provided. The antenna structure including a dielectric substrate defining a pair of major surfaces and having a conductive reflector element disposed upon one of the major surfaces of the dielectric substrate, said reflector element being operatively coupled to a pair of shield conductors of coax feedlines. The antenna further including a plurality of serpentine radiator elements conductively coupled to the reflector element. The antenna assembly also including a pair of transmission lines disposed upon the other major surface of the dielectric substrate substantially opposite the reflector element, each of the pair of transmission lines coupled to one of the center conductors of the coax feedlines, and a pair of conductive balun structures disposed upon the dielectric substrate and coupled to the pair of transmission lines, the baluns being disposed substantially opposite the plurality of serpentine radiators.

Claims

1. A diversity antenna structure for a wireless communication device for receiving and transmitting communication signals, said wireless communication device providing a pair of coax feedlines, each feedline having a center conductor and a shield conductor, said antenna structure comprising:

a dielectric substrate defining a pair of major surfaces;

a conductive reflector element disposed upon one of the major surfaces of the dielectric substrate, said reflector element being operatively coupled to the pair of shield conductors of the coax feedlines;

a plurality of serpentine radiator elements disposed upon said one of the major surfaces of the dielectric substrate, each of the plurality of radiator elements having a first and second end, and each of the plurality of radiator elements conductively coupled at a first end to the reflector element;

a pair of transmission lines disposed upon the other major surface of the dielectric substrate substantially opposite the reflector element, each of the pair of transmission lines coupled to one of the center conductors of the coax feedlines; and

a pair of conductive balun structures disposed upon the dielectric substrate and coupled to the pair of transmission lines, said pair of conductive balun structures being disposed substantially opposite the plurality of serpentine radiator elements.

2. An antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the reflector element is elongated in form, having a length that is substantially greater than a width.

3. An antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radiator elements include disposed proximate a middle portion of the reflector element.

4. An antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the radiator elements are four radiator elements, two disposed upon each side of the reflector element.

5. An antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the radiator elements are symmetrically disposed about a center point of the reflector element.

6. An antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the shield conductors are coupled to the reflector element proximate an edge.

7. An antenna structure of claim 2, wherein the transmission lines are parallel to each other.

8. An antenna structure of claim 7, wherein the transmission lines are generally parallel to the elongated reflector element.

9. A diversity antenna structure for a wireless communication device for receiving and transmitting communication signals, said wireless communication device providing a pair of signal feed lines and a ground plane, said antenna structure comprising:

a dielectric substrate defining a pair of opposed major surfaces;

a conductive reflector element disposed upon one of the pair of major surfaces of the dielectric substrate, said reflector element being operatively coupled to ground plane of the wireless communication device;

a plurality of serpentine radiator elements disposed upon said one of the pair of major surfaces, each of the plurality of radiator elements having a first and second end, and each of the plurality of radiator elements conductively coupled at a first end to the reflector element;

a pair of transmission lines disposed upon the other major surface of the dielectric substrate substantially opposite the reflector element, each of the pair of transmission lines coupled to one of the signal feed lines; and

a pair of conductive baluns structures disposed upon the other major surface and coupled to the pair of transmission lines, said pair of conductive balun structures disposed substantially opposite the plurality of serpentine radiators.

10. An antenna structure of claim 9, wherein the reflector element is elongated in form, having a length that is substantially greater than a width.

11. An antenna structure of claim 9, wherein the plurality of radiator elements are disposed proximate a middle portion of the reflector element.

12. An antenna structure of claim 9, wherein the radiator elements are four radiator elements, two disposed upon each side of the reflector element.

13. An antenna structure of claim 9, wherein the radiator elements are symmetrically disposed about a center point of the reflector element.

14. An antenna assembly of claim 9, wherein the ground plane is coupled to the reflector element proximate an edge.

15. An antenna structure of claim 10, wherein the transmission lines are parallel to each other.

16. An antenna structure of claim 15, wherein the transmission lines are generally parallel with the elongated reflector element.

17. An antenna structure of claim 10, wherein the dielectric substrate is substantially planar.