Antenna device and wireless communication apparatus

• US 8,508,420 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2009
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Fujieda, Shigeyuki, Kawahata, Kazunari, Ishizuka, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi, Jacob Y
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, GRAHAM P
• Application Number:
  US12/352,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20090115674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/745, 343/750, 343/826, 343/853, 343/700.MS
• US Class Current: 343/745
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/321 within a radiating element or between connected radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/371 Branching current paths
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 with particular tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/145 by varying the electrical length
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/40 Element having extended radiating surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength

Abstract

An antenna device and a wireless communication apparatus that are capable of obtaining a plurality of resonant frequencies and varying the plurality of resonant frequencies over a wide range are provided. A first antenna unit of an antenna device includes a feed electrode, a first radiation electrode, and a first frequency-variable circuit. The first frequency-variable circuit includes first and second reactance circuits each including a variable-capacitance diode. A control voltage is applied to the first frequency-variable circuit, and the resonant frequency of the first antenna unit can thus be varied. A second antenna unit includes the feed electrode, a second radiation electrode, and a second frequency-variable circuit. The second frequency-variable circuit includes first and third reactance circuits each including a variable-capacitance diode. A control voltage is applied to the second frequency-variable circuit, and the resonant frequency of the second antenna unit can thus be varied.

Claims

1. An antenna device comprising:

a first antenna unit including a feed electrode, a first radiation electrode, and a first frequency-variable circuit connected between the first radiation electrode and the feed electrode; and

a second antenna unit including the feed electrode, a second radiation electrode, and a second frequency-variable circuit connected between the second radiation electrode and the feed electrode;

wherein

the first frequency-variable circuit includes a first reactance circuit connected to the feed electrode, the first reactance circuit consisting of a first coil connected in series with a first variable-capacitance diode whose capacitance is variable using a control voltage; and

a second reactance circuit connected between the first reactance circuit and the first radiation electrode, the second reactance circuit consisting of a second coil connected in series with a second variable-capacitance diode whose capacitance is variable using the control voltage;

the second frequency-variable circuit includes the first reactance circuit; and

a third reactance circuit connected between the first reactance circuit and the second radiation electrode, the third reactance circuit consisting of a third coil connected in series with a third variable-capacitance diode whose capacitance is variable using the control voltage; and

the first radiation electrode has a loop shape and includes an open end that faces the feed electrode with a gap therebetween, a reactance of the first antenna unit is provided by the gap between the open end of the first radiation electrode and the feed electrode;

wherein

cathodes of the first, second, and third variable-capacitance diodes are connected to each other, and the control voltage is configured to be applied where the cathodes are connected to each other.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein an internal resistance of at least one of the first to third variable-capacitance diodes is different from internal resistances of the others of the first to third variable-capacitance diodes.

3. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising an additional antenna unit including an additional radiation electrode, the feed electrode, and the first reactance circuit.

4. The antenna device according to claim 1, comprising:

a plurality of additional antenna units; and

at least one of the plurality of additional antenna units comprises an additional radiation electrode, and an additional reactance circuit including a variable-capacitance diode whose capacitance is variable using the control voltage;

said additional reactance unit being connected between the first reactance circuit and the corresponding additional radiation electrode, and a frequency-variable circuit of said at least one of the plurality of additional antenna units is formed by the additional reactance circuit and the first reactance circuit.

5. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

an antenna device comprising;

a first antenna unit including a feed electrode, a first radiation electrode, and a first frequency-variable circuit connected between the first radiation electrode and the feed electrode; and

a second antenna unit including the feed electrode, a second radiation electrode, and a second frequency-variable circuit connected between the second radiation electrode and the feed electrode;

wherein

the first frequency-variable circuit includes a first reactance circuit connected to the feed electrode, the first reactance circuit consisting of a first coil connected in series with a first variable-capacitance diode whose capacitance is variable using a control voltage; and

a second reactance circuit connected between the first reactance circuit and the first radiation electrode, the second reactance circuit consisting of a second coil connected in series with a second variable-capacitance diode whose capacitance is variable using the control voltage;

the second frequency-variable circuit includes the first reactance circuit; and

a third reactance circuit connected between the first reactance circuit and the second radiation electrode, the third reactance circuit consisting of a third coil connected in series with a third variable-capacitance diode whose capacitance is variable using the control voltage; and

the first radiation electrode has a loop shape and includes an open end that faces the feed electrode with a gap therebetween, a reactance of the first antenna unit is provided by the gap between the open end of the first radiation electrode and the feed electrode;

wherein

cathodes of the first, second, and third variable-capacitance diodes are connected to each other, and the control voltage is configured to be applied where the cathodes are connected to each other; and

at least one of a transmitter or a receiver connected to the feed electrode.

6. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a frequency controller supplying said control voltage to said antenna device.