Capacitive signal coupling device

• US 6,525,620 B1
• Filed: 05/21/1999
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Barabash, Darrell W.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, BENNY T
• Application Number:
  US09/316,457
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 333/24.C, 333/246, 333/260, 343/715, 343/702, 343/850
• US Class Current: 333/24.00C
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40

Abstract

A capacitive signal coupling device to link an antenna radiating element to a peripheral device is disclosed. The capacitive signal coupling device includes a support and at least one conductive element on a first surface of the support. The conductive element is positioned to align with the radiating element of an antenna system and also includes a connector to enable a peripheral device to be connected to a transceiver antenna system without violating the integrity of the transceiver unit itself or without interrupting the operation of the transceiver system.

Claims

1. A method, of coupling an external device to an antenna radiating element comprising:

forming a support-with first and second surfaces;

attaching a conductive element to said first surface;

applying a grounding element to said second surface;

providing a connection to said conductive element and said grounding element;

attaching said support to a transceiver system, said transceiver system having a radiating enclosure;

providing recessed notches in the radiating enclosure;

providing fasteners on the periphery of said support; and

engaging respective said fasteners within corresponding said recessed notches.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein engaging said fasteners within said recessed notches maintains said conductive element and said antenna radiating element in operative alignment.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein engaging said fasteners within said recessed notches maintains a consistent air gap between said conductive element and said antenna radiating element.

4. An antenna radiating element coupler comprising:

a support having first and second surfaces;

said support removably attachable to an enclosure;

at least one conductive element disposed on said first surface, the at least one conductive element being operatively aligned with an antenna radiating element;

a grounding element disposed on said second surface;

a connector attached to said second surface of said support; and

an enclosure.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said antenna radiating element is an active element in a radiating enclosure.

6. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said antenna radiating element is an active element in a patch antenna system.

7. A method of coupling an external device to an antenna radiating element that is an active element in a radiating enclosure, the method comprising:

forming a support with first and second surfaces;

removably attaching said support to an enclosure;

attaching a conductive element to said first surface;

applying a grounding element to said second surface; and

providing a connection to said conductive element and said grounding element.

8. A method of coupling an external device to an antenna radiating element comprising:

forming a support with first and second surfaces;

removably attaching said support to an enclosure;

attaching a conductive element to said first surface;

applying a grounding element to said second surface;

providing a connection to said conductive element and said grounding element;

operatively aligning said conductive element with said antenna radiating element; and

forming a capacitive connection between said conductive element and said antenna radiating element.

9. A method of coupling an external device to an antenna radiating element that is an active element of a patch antenna system, the method comprising:

forming a support with first and second surfaces;

removably attaching said support to an enclosure;

attaching a conductive element to said first surface;

applying a grounding element to said second surface; and

providing a connection to said conductive element and said grounding element.

10. An antenna radiating element coupler comprising:

a support having first and second surfaces;

said support removably attachable to an enclosure;

at least one conductive element disposed on said first surface, the at least one conductive element having a capacitive connection with an antenna radiating element;

a grounding element disposed on said second surface;

a connector attached to said second surface of said support; and

an enclosure.

11. An antenna radiating element coupler comprising:

a support having first and second surfaces;

said support removably attachable to an enclosure;

at least one conductive element disposed on said first surface;

a grounding element disposed on said second surface;

a connector attached to said second surface of said support;

an enclosure; and

a fastener to maintain a consistent air gap between said at least one conductive element and an antenna radiating element.

12. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said fastener further maintains said at least one conductive element and said radiating element in alignment.