Printed circuit board wireless access point antenna
First Claim
1. An antenna configured for assembly in an operational configuration for indoor use in a building or other structure having a ceiling, the antenna comprising:
- a ground plate configured to be positioned above an opening in the ceiling;
a substantially planar antenna board carrying a substantially planar radiating antenna element, the antenna board configured for connection to the ground plate with the antenna board positioned substantially perpendicular to the ground plate extending through the opening in the ceiling with the antenna element at least partially suspended below the ceiling; and
the antenna configured for duplex communications within a coverage pattern below the ceiling extending through approximately 360°
azimuth and 180°
elevation when the antenna is assembled in the operational configuration.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A substantially planar antenna configured for easy installation in a ceiling or ceiling tile. The antenna is configured for duplex communications in carrier frequency ranges spanning at least a 2:1 ratio of frequency values from the highest to the lowest frequency in the carrier frequency band, such as the frequency range from 800 to 960 MHz and 1700 to 2400 MHz, and within a coverage pattern below the ceiling extending through 360° azimuth and 180° elevation. The antennas are manufactured as a printed circuit board that snaps apart into a number of panels, which each contains at least a planar antenna element and a cross brace that are used to assemble the antenna. The printed circuit board is a dielectric substrate carrying printed conductor including a radiating circular monopole disc radiating element, associated transmission signal paths, and printed indicia that typically include assembly instructions and a logo. The printed circuit board sheet configuration makes the antennas inexpensive to mass produce and easy to snap apart into individual units, which are themselves self-contained, easy to snap apart and install.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An antenna configured for assembly in an operational configuration for indoor use in a building or other structure having a ceiling, the antenna comprising:
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a ground plate configured to be positioned above an opening in the ceiling; a substantially planar antenna board carrying a substantially planar radiating antenna element, the antenna board configured for connection to the ground plate with the antenna board positioned substantially perpendicular to the ground plate extending through the opening in the ceiling with the antenna element at least partially suspended below the ceiling; and the antenna configured for duplex communications within a coverage pattern below the ceiling extending through approximately 360°
azimuth and 180°
elevation when the antenna is assembled in the operational configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A printed circuit board sheet comprising:
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a plurality of snap-apart panels, each panel containing snap-apart pieces including at least a planar antenna board carrying a substantially planar radiating antenna element and a planar cross brace configured for insertion into a slot through the antenna board; the snap-apart pieces further configured assembly of an antenna in an operational configuration with the antenna board positioned substantially perpendicular to a ground plate located above a ceiling, the cross brace inserted through the sot and supporting the antenna board substantially perpendicular to the ground plate, and the antenna board extending from the ground plate through an opening in the ceiling with the antenna element least partially suspended below the ceiling; and the antenna configured for duplex communications within a coverage pattern below the ceiling extending through approximately 360°
azimuth and 180°
elevation when the antenna is assembled in the operational configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for installing a wireless access point antenna in an operational configuration in association with a ceiling comprising the steps of:
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cutting an opening in the ceiling; placing a ground plate having a slot over the opening in the ceiling; attaching the planar antenna board to the ground plate and through the opening in the ceiling to suspend a substantially planar radiating antenna element carried by the antenna board at least partially below the ceiling. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification