Light transmissable resonators for circuit and antenna applications

• US 8,988,297 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2013
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
• Original Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
• Inventors: Leung, Kwok Wa, Lim, Eng Hock
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TRINH VO
• Application Number:
  US13/893,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20130249757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 343/721
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0485 Dielectric resonator antennas

Abstract

Provided is a circuit for an electronic device having a non-planar transparent resonator. The transparent resonator is mounted on said circuit so as to at least partially occupy a footprint of another component of the circuit. The transparent resonator forms part of a light pathway on said circuit for transmitting light to or from said another component. Also provided is a transparent dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for optical applications. Since the DRA is transparent, it can let light pass through itself and, thus, the light can be utilized by an optical part of a system or device. The transparent DRA can be placed on top of a solar cell. Since the DRA does not block the light, the light can reach the solar cell panel and power can be generated for the system or device. The system or device so obtained is very compact because no extra footprint is needed within the system or device for the DRA. It finds application in compact wireless applications that need a self-sustaining power device.

Claims

1. An electronic device having a non-planar transparent dielectric resonator antenna with a non-planar transparent dielectric resonator element and a light generating element, wherein the non-planar transparent dielectric resonator element is mounted above on the light generating element so as to at least partially enclose the light generating element;

and wherein said non-planar transparent dielectric resonator element forms part of a light pathway for transmitting light from said light generating element to an exterior of the electronic device.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the non-planar transparent dielectric resonator element is hemispherical shaped so as to diverge light transmitted from the light generating element.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the non-planar transparent dielectric resonator element is transparent to light at and/or beyond optical frequencies.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the non-planar transparent dielectric resonator element comprises is made of borosilicate glass material.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the non-planar transparent dielectric resonator element comprises a hollow region arranged to accommodate the light generating element.