Tunable antenna for wireless communication terminals

• US 6,650,295 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2002
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Ollikainen, Jani, Vainikainen, Pertti, Kivekäs, Outi
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US10/058,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20030142022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.124, H01/Q.138, 343/700.MS, 343/745, 343/846, 343/829, 343/830, 343/702, 343/850
• US Class Current: 343/700.0MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0421 with a shorting wall or a shorting pin at one end of the element H01Q9/0414 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 with particular tuning means

Abstract

A radio antenna comprising a tuning component, such as a transmission line, coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line. The adjustment mechanism comprises one or more extension lines, and a switching mechanism, which can be closed to couple one or more of the extension lines to the transmission line. The tuning component can also be one or more lumped reactive elements.

Claims

1. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line.

2. The radio antenna of claim 1, wherein the adjustment means comprises:

an extension line, and

a switching mechanism, operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line for changing the frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the transmission line and the extension line are electrically uncoupled.

3. The radio antenna of claim 2, wherein the telecommunications device has a device ground for shorting the antenna through the grounding point, and the extension line has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the device ground, wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of the extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

4. The radio antenna of claim 2, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a PIN-diode.

5. The radio antenna of claim 2, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a MEM switch.

6. The radio antenna of claim 2, wherein the switching mechanism comprises an FET switch.

7. The radio antenna of claim 1, further comprising:

a further radiating element having a further resonant frequency, and

a further transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonance frequency, wherein the adjustment means is further adapted to adjusting the further frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the further transmission line.

8. The radio antenna of claim 7, wherein the adjustment means further comprises:

a further extension line, and

a further switching mechanism, operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the further extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the further transmission line for changing the further frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further transmission line and the further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

9. The radio antenna of claim 8, wherein the further switching mechanism comprises a PIN-diode.

10. The radio antenna of claim 8, wherein the further switching mechanism comprises a MEM switch.

11. The radio antenna of claim 8, wherein the further switching mechanism comprises an FET switch.

12. The radio antenna of claim 8, wherein the telecommunications device has a device ground for shorting the antenna through the grounding point, and the extension line has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the device ground, wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of the extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

13. The radio antenna of claim 7, wherein the further transmission line comprises a lumped reactive element.

14. The radio antenna of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a lumped reactive element.

15. The radio antenna of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications device has a device ground and the adjustment means comprises:

an extension line having one end coupled to the first end of the transmission line; and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the coupled end of the extension line is coupled to the device ground, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the extension line and the device ground are electrically uncoupled.

16. The radio antenna of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications device has a device ground and the adjustment means comprises:

an extension line having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the extension line is coupled to the first end of the transmission line, and the second end of the extension line is coupled to the device ground; and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first end of the extension line is also coupled to the device ground, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the first end of the extension line and the device ground are electrically uncoupled.

17. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line, wherein the adjustment means comprises;

a plurality of extension lines each having a different extension length, and

a switching mechanism, operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the extension lines is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line for changing the frequency shift by a shift amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled extension line, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the transmission line and said plurality of extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

18. The radio antenna of claim 17, wherein the telecommunications device has a device ground for shorting the antenna through the grounding point, and each of said plurality of extension lines has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the device ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of said one extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

19. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency,

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line,

a further radiating element having a further resonant frequency, and

a further transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonance frequency, wherein the adjustment means is further adapted to adjusting the further frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the further transmission line, wherein the adjustment means further comprises;

a plurality of further extension lines, each having a different extension length, and

a further switching mechanism, operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the further extension lines is electrically coupled to the first end of the further transmission line for changing the further frequency shift by a shift amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled further extension line, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further transmission line and said plurality of further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

20. The radio antenna of claim 19, wherein the telecommunications device has a device ground for shorting the antenna through the grounding point, and each of said plurality of extension lines has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the device ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of said one extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

21. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line, wherein the second end of the transmission line is coupled to the radiating element by capacitive coupling.

22. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line, wherein the second end of the transmission line is coupled to the radiating element via an electrically conducting pin.

23. A hand-held telecommunications device comprising:

a radio antenna having a resonant frequency for communicating with other communication devices, and

a chassis having a chassis ground for disposing the radio antenna, wherein the antenna comprises;

a radiating element,

a feed point,

a grounding point connected to the chassis ground,

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line.

24. The telecommunications device of claim 23, wherein the adjustment means comprises:

an extension line, and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line for changing the frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the transmission line and the extension line are electrically uncoupled.

25. The telecommunications device of claim 24, wherein the extension line has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the chassis ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of the extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

26. The telecommunications device of claim 24, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a PIN-diode.

27. The telecommunications device of claim 24, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a MEM switch.

28. The telecommunications device of claim 24, wherein the switching mechanism comprises an FET switch.

29. The telecommunications device of claim 23, further comprising:

a further radiating element having a further resonant frequency, and

a further transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonant frequency, wherein the adjustment means is further adapted to adjusting the further frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the further transmission line.

30. The telecommunications device of claim 29, wherein the adjustment means further comprises:

a further extension line, and

a further switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the further extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the further transmission line for changing the further frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further transmission line and the further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

31. The telecommunications device of claim 30, wherein the extension line has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the chassis ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of the extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

32. The telecommunications device of claim 29, wherein the further transmission line comprises a lumped reactive element.

33. The telecommunications device of claim 29, wherein the further switching mechanism comprises a PIN-diode.

34. The telecommunications device of claim 29, wherein the further switching mechanism comprises a MEM switch.

35. The telecommunications device of claim 29, wherein the further switching mechanism comprises an FET switch.

36. The telecommunications device of claim 23, wherein the transmission line comprises a lumped reactive element.

37. A hand-held telecommunications device comprising:

a radio antenna having a resonant frequency for communicating with other communication devices, and

a chassis having a chassis ground for disposing the radio antenna, wherein the antenna comprises;

a radiating element,

a feed point,

a grounding point connected to the chassis ground,

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line, wherein the adjustment means comprises;

a plurality of extension lines each having a different extension length, and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the extension lines is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line for changing the frequency shift by a shift amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled extension line, and when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the transmission line and said plurality of extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

38. The telecommunications device of claim 37, wherein each of said plurality of extension lines has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the chassis ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of said one extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

39. A hand-held telecommunications device comprising:

a radio antenna having a resonant frequency for communicating with other communication devices, and

a chassis having a chassis ground for disposing the radio antenna, wherein the antenna comprises;

a radiating element,

a feed point,

a grounding point connected to the chassis ground,

a transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency,

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the transmission line, for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line,

a further radiating element having a further resonant frequency, and a further transmission line having a length between a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonant frequency, wherein the adjustment means is further adapted to adjusting the further frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the further transmission line, wherein the adjustment means further comprises;

a plurality of further extension lines, each having a different extension length, and

a further switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the further extension lines is electrically coupled to the first end of the further transmission line for changing the further frequency shift by a shifting amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled further extension line, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further transmission line and said plurality of further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

40. The telecommunications device of claim 39, wherein each of said plurality of extension lines has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the chassis ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of said one extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the transmission line.

41. A method of tuning a radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device having a chassis ground, wherein the antenna has a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point coupled to the chassis ground, and a feed point, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a transmission line having a length coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

providing an adjustment means for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the adjustment means comprises:

an extension line, and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the extension line is electrically coupled to transmission line for changing the frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the transmission line and the extension line are electrically uncoupled.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the extension line has a first end and a second line end coupled to the chassis ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of the extension line is electrically coupled to the transmission line.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the radio antenna further comprising:

a further a radiating element having a further resonant frequency, said method further comprising the steps of;

providing a further transmission line coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonance frequency, and

providing a further adjusting mechanism for adjusting the further frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the further transmission line.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the further adjustment means comprises:

a further extension line, and

a further switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the further extension line is electrically coupled to the further transmission line for changing the further frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further transmission line and the further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the further adjustment means comprises:

a plurality of further extension lines each having a different extension length, and

a further switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the further extension lines is electrically coupled to the further transmission line for changing the further frequency shift by a shifting amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled further extension line, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further transmission line and said plurality of further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

47. The method of claim 44 wherein the further transmission line comprises a lumped reactive element.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein the transmission line comprises a lumped reactive element.

49. A method of tuning a radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device having a chassis ground, wherein the antenna has a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point coupled to the chassis ground, and a feed point, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a transmission line having a length coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

providing an adjustment means for adjusting the frequency shift by effectively changing the length of the transmission line, wherein the adjustment means comprises;

a plurality of extension lines, each having a different extension length, and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the extension lines is electrically coupled to the transmission line for changing the frequency shift by a shift amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled extension line, and when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the transmission line and said plurality of extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein each of said plurality of extension lines has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the chassis ground, and wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of said one extension line is electrically coupled to the transmission line.

51. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a tuning component having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the tuning component, for adjusting the frequency shift.

52. The radio antenna of claim 51, wherein the adjustment means comprises:

a tuning element, and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the tuning element is electrically coupled to the first end of the tuning component for changing the frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the tuning element and the tuning component are electrically uncoupled.

53. The radio antenna of claim 52, wherein the tuning component comprises a lumped reactive element and the tuning element comprises an extension line.

54. The radio antenna of claim 53, wherein the telecommunications device has a device ground for shorting the antenna through the grounding point, and the extension line has a first line end and a second line end coupled to the device ground, wherein when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the first line end of the extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the lumped reactive.

55. The radio antenna of claim 52, further comprising:

a further radiating element having a further resonant frequency, and

a further tuning component having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonance frequency, wherein the adjustment means is further adapted to adjusting the further frequency shift.

56. The radio antenna of claim 55, wherein the tuning component comprises a lumped reactive element and the further tuning component comprises a further lumped reactive element.

57. The radio antenna of claim 56, wherein the tuning element comprises an extension line and the adjustment means further comprises:

a further extension line, and

a further switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the further extension line is electrically coupled to the first end of the further lumped reactive element for changing the further frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further lumped reactive element and the further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

58. The radio antenna of claim 51, wherein the tuning component comprises a lumped reactive element.

59. The radio antenna of claim 51, further comprising:

a further radiating element having a further resonant frequency, and

a further tuning component having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonance frequency, wherein the adjustment means is further adapted to adjusting the further frequency shift.

60. The radio antenna of claim 59, wherein the tuning component comprises a lumped reactive element and the further tuning component comprises a further lumped reactive element.

61. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a tuning component having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the tuning component, for adjusting the frequency shift, wherein the adjustment means comprises;

a plurality of extension lines each having a different extension length, and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the extension lines is electrically coupled to the first end of the tuning component for changing the frequency shift by a shift amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled extension line, and when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the tuning component and said plurality of extension lines are electrically uncoupled.

62. The radio antenna of claim 61, wherein the tuning component comprises a lumped reactive element.

63. A radio antenna for use in a hand-held telecommunications device, said antenna including a radiating element having a resonant frequency, a grounding point and a feed point, said antenna comprising:

a tuning component having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a frequency shift from the resonant frequency, and

an adjustment means, disposed adjacent to the first end of the tuning component, for adjusting the frequency shift, wherein the adjustment means comprises;

a tuning element, and

a switching mechanism operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the switching mechanism is operated in the first position, the tuning element is electrically coupled to the first end of the tuning component for changing the frequency shift, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the tuning element and the tuning component are electrically uncoupled, and the radio antenna further comprises;

a further radiating element having a further resonant frequency, and

a further tuning component having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end coupled to the radiating element for providing a further frequency shift from the further resonance frequency, wherein the adjustment means is further adapted to adjusting the further frequency shift, wherein the tuning component comprises a lumped reactive element and the further tuning component comprises a further lumped reactive element and, wherein the adjustment means further comprises;

a plurality of further extension lines, each having a different extension length, and

a further switching mechanism, operable in a first position and a second position, wherein

when the further switching mechanism is operated in the first position, one of the further extension lines is electrically coupled to the first end of the further lumped reactive element for changing the further frequency shift by a shift amount commensurable with the extension length of the coupled further extension line, and

when the switching mechanism is operated in the second position, the further lumped reactive element and said plurality of further extension lines are electrically uncoupled.