Multi-use antenna

• US 9,484,629 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Hoang, Peter S., Hollyer, Robert J., Perry, Jedd A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Dieu H
• Application Number:
  US13/302,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20130127683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,806 Days
• Field of Search: 343/741, 343/744, 343/745, 343/858, 343/702, 343/866
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors

Abstract

Multi-use antenna techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a single fixed radiating structure, a first branch coupled to the single fixed radiating structure to tune to a first frequency range to support a first wireless signal technique, and a second branch coupled to the single fixed radiating structure to tune to a second frequency range to support a second wireless signal technique, the second frequency range being different than the first frequency range.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a battery;

a single fixed radiating structure comprising a single inductive coil;

a wireless charging branch coupled to the single fixed radiating structure to tune to a first frequency range, via inductive coupling of the single fixed radiating structure, to support wireless charging of the battery of the device; and

a near field communication (NFC) power branch coupled to the single fixed radiating structure to tune to a second frequency range, via inductive coupling of the single fixed radiating structure, to support a wireless near field communication (NFC) technique, the second frequency range being different than the first frequency range;

wherein the wireless charging branch includes a pair of inductors that without the use of a switch allows a wireless charging signal to pass through and prevents a signal corresponding to the wireless near field communication (NFC) technique from leaking through, the wireless charging signal usable to wirelessly charge the battery of the device; and

wherein the near field communication (NFC) power branch includes a pair of capacitors that without the use of a switch allows an NFC charging signal to pass through and prevent the wireless charging signal that supports wireless charging of the battery of the device from leaking through.

2. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second branches are configured to use the single fixed radiating structure serially or in parallel.

3. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the first frequency range and the second frequency range reference non-overlapping ranges of frequencies.

4. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the first frequency range and the second frequency range are different by at least an order of magnitude.

5. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second branches are configured to perform respective said tuning using resonators and filters.

6. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second branches are communicatively coupled to respective radios.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein near field communication (NFC) power branch also includes one or more inductors that, together with the pair of capacitors, act as a parallel resonator to maximize the NFC charging signal.

8. A method comprising:

receiving a first wireless signal via inductive coupling of a fixed radiating structure at a first stage of an antenna of a device, the first stage configured to tune to a first range of frequencies, the fixed radiating structure comprising a single inductive coil; and

receiving a second wireless signal via inductive coupling of the fixed radiating structure at a second stage of the antenna of the device, the second stage configured to tune to a second range of frequencies that are different than the first range of frequencies;

wherein the first wireless signal is for use in charging a battery of the device; and

wherein the second wireless signal is for use in providing power for near field communication (NFC);

wherein the first stage includes a pair of inductors that without the use of a switch allows the first signal, but not the second signal, to pass; and

wherein the second stage includes a pair of capacitors that without the use of a switch allows the second signal, but not the first signal, to pass.

9. A method as described in claim 8, wherein the device is a mobile phone or tablet.

10. A method as described in claim 8, wherein the first stage of the device is connected to a radio that supports wireless charging.

11. An apparatus comprising:

an antenna including a single fixed radiating structure comprising a single inductive coil and a plurality of branches, each said branch;

communicatively coupled to the single fixed radiating structure; and

configured to tune to a respective frequency range using resonators and filters; and

a plurality of radios, each of which is communicatively coupled to a respective said branch and configured to support a wireless signal technique via inductive coupling of the single fixed radiating structures;

wherein each said branch is configured to pass a respective signal for use by the branch and to prevent one or more signal(s) for use by the one or more other branch(es) from leaking through, without the use of a switch;

wherein the signal passed by one of the branches is for use in charging a battery; and

wherein the signal passed by another one of the branches is for use in providing power for near field communication (NFC).

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein a first said radio is configured to support wireless charging of a battery of the apparatus.

13. An apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein a second said radio is configured to support wireless communication.