Mobile communication handset with adaptive antenna array

• US 7,530,180 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IPR Licensing Incorporated (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IPR Licensing Incorporated (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gothard, Griffin K., Chiang, Bing, Jorgenson, David C., Snyder, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCUSO, HUEDUNG XUAN CAO
• Application Number:
  US11/706,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20070152892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/700.MS, 343/795, 343/797
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/245 with means for shaping the antenna pattern, e.g. in order to protect user against rf exposure
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/30 the primary active element being centre-fed and substantially straight, e.g. Yagi antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/32 the primary active element being end-fed and elongated
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/44 varying the electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence

Abstract

A wireless mobile handset includes an antenna array. The antenna array includes a passive element disposed on a first portion of a dielectric substrate and an active element disposed on a second portion of the dielectric substrate. The passive element is configured to operate in a reflective mode to produce a bi-directional radiation pattern.

Claims

1. A method of receiving a communication signal in a wireless mobile handset, the method comprising:

providing a housing with a dielectric substrate located therein;

providing a passive antenna element with a base portion on a first portion of the dielectric substrate;

providing an active antenna element with a base portion on a second portion of the dielectric substrate adjacent to the passive antenna element;

the handset localizing a near field of the antenna elements toward the base portions of the antenna elements; and

the handset switching between the passive antenna element and the ground structure to affect a directivity of the communication signal, wherein the communication signal is coupled to the antenna elements.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a microelectronics module between the passive element and the ground structure.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the microelectronics module comprises a switch.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising adjusting an operating mode of the passive element to produce a radiation pattern.

5. A method of receiving a communication signal in a wireless mobile handset, the method comprising:

providing a passive antenna element, wherein the passive antenna element is disposed on a first portion of a dielectric substrate;

providing an active antenna element, wherein the active antenna element is disposed on a second portion of the dielectric substrate; and

the handset adjusting the passive antenna element in a directive mode to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern.

6. A method of receiving a communication signal in a wireless mobile handset, the method comprising:

providing at least two passive antenna elements disposed on a first portion of a dielectric substrate;

providing an active antenna element disposed on a second portion of the dielectric substrate;

the handset operating a first of the at least two passive antenna elements in a reflective mode;

the handset operating a second of the at least two passive antenna elements in a directive mode; and

the handset configuring the at least two passive antenna elements to produce an azimuthal radiation pattern.