DUAL FUNCTION HELIX ANTENNA

• US 20160111775A1
• Filed: 05/28/2014
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: YOON, YONG-KYU, CHENG, XIAOYU, KIM, GLORIA JUNG-A, WU, JIYU
• Granted Patent: US 10,396,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/362 for broadside radiating helical 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 1/46 Electric supply lines or communication lines
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/083 Tapered helical aerials, e.g. conical spiral aerials
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits

Abstract

Various examples are provided for a helix antenna with dual functionality, in one embodiment, among others, a helix antenna includes a flexible substrate and a copper trace disposed on a side of the flexible substrate at a tilting angle (Θ). Turns of the helix antenna are formed from the copper trace by wrapping the flexible substrate. In another embodiment, a system includes a helix antenna, a radio frequency (RF) communication circuit coupled to a first end of the helix antenna, and a low frequency (LF) power transmission circuit coupled to the first end of the helix antenna. The RF communication circuit can process RF signals received by the helix antenna and the LF power transmission circuit can regulate LF voltage induced in the helix antenna.

Claims

1. A helix antenna, comprising:

a flexible substrate; and

a copper trace disposed on a side of the flexible substrate at a tilting angle (θ

), where turns of the helix antenna are formed from the copper trace by wrapping the flexible substrate.

2. The helix antenna of claim 1, wherein adjacent turns of the helix antenna are radially displaced by about a thickness of the flexible substrate.

3. The helix antenna of claim 1, further comprising a microstrip feed or a coplanar waveguide feed coupled to an end of the copper trace.

4. The helix antenna of claim 1, wherein a first end of the helix antenna is coupled to a radio frequency (RF) communication circuit.

5. The helix antenna of claim 4, wherein the helix antenna is tuned for a predefined radio frequency for wireless communications.

6. The helix antenna of claim 1, wherein a first end of the helix antenna is coupled to a low frequency (LF) power transmission circuit.

7. A system, comprising:

a helix antenna;

a radio frequency (RF) communication circuit coupled to a first end of the helix antenna, the RF communication circuit configured to process RF signals received by the helix antenna; and

a low frequency (LF) power transmission circuit coupled to the first end of the helix antenna, the LF power transmission circuit configured to regulate LF voltage induced in the helix antenna.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the helix antenna is tuned for a predefined RF for wireless communications.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the RF communication circuit comprises a band pass filter configured to pass communication signals at the predefined RF.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the RF communication circuit comprises a RF transceiver configured to receive and transmit wireless communications via the helix antenna at the predefined RF.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the LF power transmission circuit comprises power management circuitry configured to receive LF voltage induced in the helix antenna and convert the LF voltage into a regulated DC voltage.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the LF power transmission circuit comprises an energy storage device coupled to the output of the power management circuitry.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the helix antenna comprises:

a flexible substrate; and

a copper trace disposed on a side of the flexible substrate at a tilting angle (θ

), where turns of the helix antenna are formed from the copper trace by wrapping the flexible substrate.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein adjacent turns of the helix antenna are radially displaced by about a thickness of the flexible substrate.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a microstrip feed or a coplanar waveguide feed coupled to an end of the copper trace.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the RF communication circuit is coupled to the first end of the helix antenna via the microstrip feed or the coplanar waveguide feed.

17. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is an endoscope and the helix antenna is configured for operation within a human body.

18. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is an endoscope and the helix antenna is configured for operation within a body of an animal.