RADIATING ENCLOSURE

• US 20020046879A1
• Filed: 05/21/1999
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xircom Wireless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Xircom Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: BARABASH, DARRELL W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,563,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/258
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/48 Earthing means; Earth screens; Counterpoises
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/006 specially adapted for signal processing applications, e.g. CATV, tuner, antennas amplifier

Abstract

An integrated radiating enclosure is disclosed. The enclosure housing is formed from a dielectric material with a radiating element formed on the exterior surface of the housing and a groundplane material formed on the interior of the housing. The groundplane provides EMI shielding for the enclosed electronics. The three antenna elements are directly connected to the circuitry of a transceiver system, thereby integrating the transceiver antenna components directly into the transceiver enclosure.

Claims

1. A radiating enclosure comprising:

a dielectric housing having an interior surface and an exterior surface;

at least one radiating element attached to the exterior surface of said dielectric housing;

a groundplane material distributed on the interior surface of said dielectric housing; and

an electrical connection between said radiating enclosure and a transceiver system housed within said dielectric housing.

2. A radiating enclosure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dielectric housing further comprises:

a container portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;

a cover portion, having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said cover portion and said container portion are detachable.

3. A radiating enclosure as set forth in claim 2 further comprising

an integrated boss, disposed on the interior surface of said cover portion, said boss protruding essentially normal to the interior surface of said cover portion, said boss having a lateral surface and a perpendicular surface;

and

an electrical connection to said radiating element.

4. A radiating enclosure as in claim 3 wherein said electrical connection to said radiating element is an elongate conductor, said conductor extending laterally through the center of said boss.

5. A radiating enclosure as in claim 3 wherein said boss is essentially circular in cross section, and is fabricated from a dielectric material.

6. A radiating enclosure as in claim 4, wherein said elongate conductor has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of said conductor extending beyond the exterior surface of said upper cover portion and contacting said radiating element, the distal end of said conductor extending beyond the perpendicular surface of said boss.

7. A radiating enclosure as in claim 4, wherein said elongate conductor has a proximal end terminating within said upper cover portion and a distal end extending beyond the perpendicular surface of said boss.

8. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said radiating element is formed from a thin sheet of conductive material adhesively applied to the exterior surface of said integrated radiating enclosure.

9. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said radiating element is formed on said integrated enclosure by an electro-deposition process.

10. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said radiating element is printed on said integrated enclosure.

11. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1 wherein said groundplane material has a thickness sufficient to block electromagnetic interference.

12. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1 further comprising a protective covering over said radiating element.

13. A radiating enclosure as in claim 12, wherein said protective covering is a regulatory compliance sticker.

14. A radiating enclosure as in claim 12, wherein said protective covering is made from a non-conductive material.

15. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said dielectric housing is formed through an injection molding process.

16. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1 wherein said electrical connection between said radiating enclosure and a transceiver system is a coaxial connection mechanism, said coaxial connection mechanism comprising:

a spring biased connection port integrated into said transceiver system;

a connection member formed on the interior surface of said dielectric housing, said connection member protruding essentially normal to the interior surface of said dielectric housing, said connection member having a lateral surface and a perpendicular surface, the lateral surface of said connection member is covered with a groundplane material.

17. A radiating enclosure as in claim 16, wherein said spring biased connection port comprises:

a center pin inner contact element centrally located in said connection port, said inner contact element including a spring biased chamber; and

an outer contact element including a plurality of radially disposed contact bars, said contact bars being spring biased toward the center of said connection port.

18. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said radiating enclosure houses a plurality of transceiver systems, wherein each of said transceiver systems can function independently or in conjunction with each other.

19. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said dielectric housing is essentially in the shape of a rectangular box.

20. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said radiating element has an essentially planar shape.

21. A radiating enclosure as in claim 1, wherein said radiating element has a curved shape.

22. A method of manufacturing an integrated radiating enclosure comprising:

forming a housing from a dielectric material;

applying a groundplane material to the interior surface of said housing; and

attaching a radiating element to the exterior surface of said housing.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a reversible electrical connection from said radiating enclosure to a printed circuit board.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein providing a reversible electrical connection comprises:

providing a spring biased connection port on said printed circuit board; and

providing an integrated connection member on said housing.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising applying a protective covering over said radiating element.

27. The connection device of claim 26 wherein said spring biased connection port further comprises:

a center pin inner contact element, wherein said center pin inner contact element is centrally located in said connection port; and

an outer contact element concentric to said center pin inner contact element.

28. The connection device of claim 27, wherein said inner contact element is a spring biased chamber.

29. The connection device of claim 27, wherein said outer contact element includes a plurality of radially disposed contact bars, said contact bars being spring biased toward the center of said connection port.

30. The connection device of claim 26, wherein said connection device is adapted to be used in a radiating transceiver enclosure.

26. A connection device comprising:

a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion;

a spring biased connection port integrated into said lower portion; and

a connection member integrated into said upper portion.