Meander antenna device

• US 6,351,241 B1
• Filed: 09/01/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laird Technologies AB (Laird PLC)
• Original Assignee: Allgon AB (Bure Equity AB)
• Inventors: Wass, Bo
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Tan
• Application Number:
  US09/387,831
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/715, 343/895, 343/900, 343/901
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/244 extendable from a housing along a given path
• 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

Abstract

An antenna means for a portable radio communication device, in particular a hand-portable mobile telephone, having at least one radiating element that has a meandering and cylindrical configuration. This structure is specifically advantageous in combination with an extendable and retractable whip antenna and, when having two or more meandering radiating elements, in multi-band radiating structures. The antenna device is suitable for manufacturing in large quantities, for example by a flexible printed circuit board technique.

Claims

1. An antenna for a portable communication device, comprising:

a radiating first element tuned to a first frequency,

the first element having a central longitudinal first axis, first and second ends being a first feed point and a first open end, respectively, and arranged in a meander configuration, wherein the first element extending in positive and negative angular directions around said first axis so as to describe a meander curve changing circumferential direction at least once in its extension, and wherein the radiating element being included in the antenna a feed point and a first open end.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, further comprising:

a radiating second element tuned to a second frequency different from the first frequency,

the second element having a central longitudinal second axis, first and second ends being a second feed point and a second open end, respectively, and arranged in a meander configuration,

the second element alternately extending in positive and negative angular directions in relation to the second axis.

3. The antenna according to claim 2, further comprising:

at least one further radiating element having the meander configuration and being similar to the first and second elements, but tuned to a third frequency different from the first and second frequencies.

4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the radiating element does not include a full turn around its central axis.

5. The antenna according to claim 1, further comprising:

a dielectric carrier carrying the radiating element and to be mounted on the radio communication device such that the radiating element projects outwards.

6. The antenna according to claim 5, further comprising:

the carrier having a carrier surface,

the radiating element being formed by a conductive film provided on the carrier surface.

7. The antenna according to claim 5, further comprising:

the carrier being a flexible dielectric film having thereon a printed conductive film constituting the radiating element.

8. The antenna according to claim 5, further comprising:

an impedance matching means integrated on the dielectric carrier for matching impedance of the radiating element to the circuitry of the radio communication device.

9. The antenna according to claim 1, further comprising:

an extendable and retractable whip antenna operable in combination with the element having the meander configuration.

10. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein the element having the meander configuration being fixed to a of a radio communication device and through which chassis the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

11. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein the element having the meander configuration, preferably has substantially quarter-wave characteristics, is fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna, preferably having substantially half-wave characteristics, is to be slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled, preferably capacitively, to the circuitry via an upper portion of the element having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

12. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein the element having the meander configuration being fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled at an upper portion, via a transmission line extending through the element having the meander configuration, to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled at a lower portion, via the transmission line, to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

13. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein the element having the meander configuration being fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being decoupled from the circuitry and, in order to reduce an extension depth into the radio communication device, extends at least partly inside the element having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in a retracted position.

14. An antenna for a portable radio communication device, comprising:

a radiating first element tuned to a first frequency,

the first element having a central longitudinal first axis, first and second ends being a first feed point and a first open end, respectively, and arranged in a meander configuration,

wherein the first element extending in positive and negative annular directions in said first axis so as to describe a meander curve changing circumferential direction at least once in its extension, and

an extendable and retractable whip antenna operable in combination with the element having the meander configuration.

15. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the radiating element does not include a full turn around its central axis.

16. The antenna according to claim 14, further comprising:

a dielectric carrier carrying the radiating element and being mounted on the radio communication device such that the radiating element projects outwards.

17. The antenna according to claim 16, further comprising:

the carrier having a carrier surface,

the radiating element being formed by a conductive film provided on the carrier surface.

18. The antenna according to claim 16, further comprising:

the carrier being a flexible dielectric film having a printed conductive film thereon constituting the radiating element.

19. The antenna according to claim 18, wherein the dielectric film has substantially the shape of a wall of a cylinder or portion thereof.

20. The antenna according to claim 16, further comprising:

an impedance matching means integrated on the dielectric carrier for matching impedance of the radiating element to the circuitry of the radio communication device.

21. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the element having the meander configuration being fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

22. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the whip antenna being slidable into and out of a chassis of a radio communication device,

the element having the meander configuration is fixed coaxially to one end of the whip antenna and is located at all times outside the chassis,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the element having the meander configuration and the whip antenna being coupled in series to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

23. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the whip antenna being slidable into and out of a chassis of a radio communication device,

the element having the meander configuration is fixed coaxially to one end of the whip antenna and is located at all times outside the chassis,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

24. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the element having the meander configuration, preferably has substantially quarter-wave characteristics, and is fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna, preferably having substantially half-wave characteristics, is slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position, and

the whip antenna being coupled, preferably capacitively, to the circuitry via an upper portion of the element having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

25. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the element having the meander configuration being fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled at an upper portion, via a transmission line extending through the element having the meander configuration, to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled at a lower portion, via the transmission line, to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

26. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the element having the meander configuration being fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled at an upper portion, via a transmission line extending through the element having the meander to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled at a lower portion, via the transmission line, to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

27. The antenna according to claim 14, further comprising:

at least one further radiating element having a meander configuration and being similar to the first element, but tuned to a frequency different from the first frequency.

28. The antenna according to claim 14, wherein the element having the meander configuration is fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is to be slidable,

the element having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip is in a retracted position, and

the whip antenna being decoupled from the circuitry and, in order to reduce an extension depth into the radio communication device, extends at least partly inside the element having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in a retracted position.

29. An antenna for a portable radio communication device, comprising:

a radiating first element tuned to a first frequency,

the first element having a central longitudinal first axis, first and second ends being a first feed point and a first open end, respectively, and arranged in a meander configuration,

a radiating second element tuned to a second frequency different from the first frequency,

the second element having a central longitudinal second axis, first and second ends being a second feed point and a second open end, respectively, and arranged in a meander configuration,

the first and second elements extending in a generally cylindrical fashion along said first axis in alternately positive and negative circumferential directions in relation to the first and second axis respectively,

the antenna being operable within first and second frequency bands surrounding the first and second frequencies, respectively.

30. The antenna according to claim 29, wherein none of the radiating elements include a full turn around its central axis.

31. The antenna according to claim 29, wherein the first and second feed points are interconnected.

32. The antenna according to claim 29, further comprising:

a dielectric carrier carrying the radiating elements and mounted on the radio communication device such that the radiating elements project outwards.

33. The antenna according to claim 32, further comprising:

the carrier having a carrier surface,

the radiating elements being formed by a conductive film provided on the carrier surface.

34. The antenna according to claim 32, further comprising:

the carrier being a flexible dielectric film having a printed conductive film thereon constituting the radiating elements.

35. The antenna according to claim 34, wherein the dielectric film has substantially the shape of a wall of a cylinder or portion thereof.

36. The antenna according to claim 32, further comprising:

an impedance matching means integrated on the dielectric carrier for matching impedance(s) of radiating element(s) to circuitry of the radio communication device.

37. The antenna according to claim 29, further comprising:

an extendable and retractable whip antenna operable in combination with the elements having the meander configuration.

38. The antenna according to claim 37, wherein the elements having the meander configuration being fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna being coupled to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

39. The antenna according to claim 37, wherein the whip antenna is slidable into and out of a chassis of a radio communication device,

the elements having the meander configuration are fixed coaxially to one end of the whip antenna and are located at all times outside the chassis,

the elements having the meander configuration being coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the elements having the meander configuration and the whip antenna being coupled in series to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

40. The antenna according to claim 37, wherein the whip antenna is slidable into and out of a chassis of a radio communication device,

the elements having the meander configuration are fixed coaxially to one end of the whip antenna and are located at all times outside the chassis,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is coupled to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

41. The antenna according to claim 37, wherein the elements having the meander configuration, preferably having substantially quarter-wave characteristics, are fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna, preferably having substantially half-wave characteristics, is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is coupled, preferably capacitively, to the circuitry via an upper portion of the elements having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

42. The antenna according to claim 37, wherein the elements having the meander configuration are fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled at an upper portion, via a transmission line extending through the elements having the meander configuration, to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is coupled at a lower portion, via the transmission line, to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

43. The antenna according to 37, wherein the elements having the meander configuration are fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is decoupled from the circuitry and, in order to reduce an extension depth into the radio communication device, extends at least partly inside the elements having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in a retracted position.

44. The antenna according to claim 29, wherein the elements having the meander configuration have a shape corresponding to at least part of a wall of a cylinder.

45. The antenna according to claim 29, further comprising:

at least one further radiating element having a meander configuration and being similar to the first and second elements, but tuned to a third frequency different from the first and second frequencies.

46. An antenna for a portable radio communication device, comprising:

a radiating first element tuned to a first frequency,

the first element having a central longitudinal first axis, first and second ends being a first feed point and a first open end, respectively, and arranged in a meander configuration,

a radiating second element tuned to a second frequency different from the first frequency,

the second element having a central longitudinal second axis, first and second ends being a second feed point and a second open end, respectively, and arranged in a meander configuration,

the antenna being operable within first and second frequency bands surrounding the first and second frequencies, respectively,

wherein the first and second feed points are interconnected for common coupling to radio circuitry.

47. The antenna according to claim 46, wherein the radiating structure includes a small fraction of a full turn around its central axis.

48. The antenna according to claim 46, wherein its configuration is arched or bent.

49. The antenna according to claim 46, its configuration is flat.

50. The antenna according to claim 46, further comprising:

a dielectric carrier carrying the radiating element being mounted on the radio communication device such that the radiating elements project outwards.

51. The antenna according to claim 50, further comprising:

the carrier having a carrier surface,

the radiating elements being formed by a conductive film provided on the carrier surface.

52. The antenna according to claim 50, further comprising:

the carrier being a flexible dielectric film having thereon a printed conductive film constituting the radiating elements.

53. The antenna according to claim 50, wherein the elements having the meander configuration are fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is decoupled from the circuitry and, in order to reduce an extension depth into the radio communication device, extends at least partly inside the elements having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in a retracted position.

54. The antenna according to claim 50, further comprising:

an impedance matching means integrated on the dielectric carrier for match impedance(s) of radiating element(s) to circuitry of the radio communication device.

55. The antenna according to claim 46, further comprising:

an extendable and retractable whip antenna operable in combination with the elements having the meander configuration.

56. The antenna according to claim 55, wherein the elements having the meander configuration are fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is coupled to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

57. The antenna according to claim 55, wherein the elements having the meander configuration, preferably having substantially quarter-wave characteristics, are fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna, preferably having substantially half-wave characteristics, is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled to a circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is coupled, preferably capacitively, to the circuitry via an upper portion of the elements having the meander configuration when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

58. The antenna according to claim 55, wherein the elements having the meander configuration are fixed to a chassis of a radio communication device and through which the extendable and retractable whip antenna is slidable,

the elements having the meander configuration are coupled at an upper portion, via a transmission line extending through the elements having the meander configuration, to circuitry of the radio communication device when the whip antenna is in a retracted position,

the whip antenna is coupled at a lower portion, via the transmission line, to the circuitry when the whip antenna is in an extended position.

59. The antenna according to claim 46, further comprising:

at least one further radiating element having a meander configuration and being similar to the first and second elements, but tuned to a third frequency different from the first and second frequencies.