Configurable segmented antenna

• US 9,373,887 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2015
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bard, Thomas, Creigh, George, Mahn, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Akinyemi, Ajibola
• Application Number:
  US14/802,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20150325911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 455/130
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0025 Modular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/061 Two dimensional planar arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/22 Antenna units of the array energised non-uniformly in amplitude or phase, e.g. tapered array or binomial array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/247 by switching different parts of a primary active element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/18 Monitoring during normal operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/345 Interference values signal-to-interference ratio [SIR] or carrier-to-interference ratio [CIR] H04B17/336

Abstract

A configurable segmented antenna is described herein. A monitor component can be configured to detect at least one parameter corresponding to one or more segments of an antenna integrated with a communications device. An antenna component can be configured to select at least one segment of the one or more segments in response to the at least one parameter. A control component can be configured to modify a quality of a signal according to the at least one parameter. Further, a transmission component can be configured to transmit the signal from the at least one segment based on the quality.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining, by a system comprising a processor, a direction of propagation of a signal from a segment of a group of segments of an antenna that have been arranged in overlapping strips; and

in response to determining, based on an output of a heat sensor of the system, that the segment has been obstructed, modifying, by the system, the direction of propagation of the signal from the segment, wherein the segment facilitates transmission of a first wireless signal according to a first wireless protocol, and wherein another segment of the group of segments facilitates transmission of a second wireless signal according to a second wireless protocol that is different from the first wireless protocol.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the system, a power of the signal; and

selecting, by the system, the segment according to the power of the signal.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, by the system, the signal from the segment.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

varying, by the system, a power of the signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining that the segment has been obstructed comprises detecting the antenna has been touched by an object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the segment is included on a surface of an enclosure of the system.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising;

determining a direction of propagation of a signal from a first segment of a group of segments of an antenna of the apparatus that are arranged in overlapping strips; and

in response to detecting an obstruction of the first segment using a heat sensor of the apparatus, modifying the direction of propagation of the signal, wherein the first segment is associated with a first wireless protocol, and wherein a second segment of the group of segments is associated with a second wireless protocol different from the first wireless protocol.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:

selecting a second segment of the group of segments for transmitting a first wireless signal according to a first wireless protocol; and

selecting a third segment of the group of segments for transmitting a second wireless signal according to the first wireless protocol.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:

selecting a second segment of the group of segments for transmitting a first wireless signal according to a first wireless protocol; and

selecting a third segment of the group of segments for transmitting a second wireless signal according to a second wireless protocol different from the first wireless protocol.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:

transmitting the signal from the first segment.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:

modifying a power of the signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise:

in response to the detecting of the obstruction, modifying a power of the signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the detecting the obstruction comprises detecting a touch of an object coupled to the antenna.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first segment is on a surface of the apparatus.

15. A system, comprising:

an antenna;

a heat sensor;

a processor; and

a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising;

determining a direction of propagation of a signal from a first segment of overlapping strips of a set of segments of the antenna; and

in response to determining, based on an output of the heat sensor, that the first segment has been obstructed, modifying the direction of propagation of the signal from the first segment, wherein the first segment corresponds to a first wireless protocol, and wherein a second segment of the overlapping strips of the set of segments corresponds to a second wireless protocol distinct from the first wireless protocol.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

increasing a power of the signal resulting in an increased power; and

transmitting the signal via the first segment according to the increased power.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the determining that the first segment has been obstructed comprises detecting contact with an object coupled to the antenna.