Antenna structures and methods

• US 9,368,869 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SkyCross Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Li, Caimi, Frank M., Montgomery, Mark T., Kishler, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHAVAL V
• Application Number:
  US14/449,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20150117502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 375/219, 375/304, 375/315, 343/702, 343/893, 343/843, 343/745, 343/703, 343/770
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 23/02 Arrangements for measuring frequency, e.g. pulse repetition rate; Arrangements for measuring period of current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 25/00 Arrangements for measuring phase angle between a voltage and a current or between voltages or currents
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0807 characterised by the application
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/10 Radiation diagrams of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0009 Transmission of position information to remote stations involving assistance data G01S5/0236
• 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 1/243 with built-in 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 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/521 reducing the coupling between adjacent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/103 with variable reactance for tuning the antenna tuning resonant circuits H03J
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/00 Antenna arrays or systems arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0006 Particular feeding systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/12 Parallel arrangements of substantially straight elongated conductive units travelling-wave antennas comprising transmission line loaded with transverse elements H01Q11/02; Yagi antennas H01Q19/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/34 by electrical means active lenses or reflecting arrays H01Q3/46
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/00 : Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements combinations of separate active antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system H01Q21/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/22 : RF wavebands combined with non-RF wavebands, e.g. infrared or optical
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/371 : Branching current paths
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/40 : Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/48 : Combinations of two or more dipole type antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/04 : Resonant antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 : with particular tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/145 : by varying the electrical length
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 : with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/28 : Conical, cylindrical, cage, strip, gauze, or like elements having an extended radiating surface; Elements comprising two conical surfaces having collinear axes and adjacent apices and fed by two-conductor transmission lines waveguide horns or mouths H01Q13/00; slot antennas H01Q13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 : with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/40 : Element having extended radiating surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 : with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/15 : Tuning of resonator by means of digitally controlled inductor bank
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/0245 : Discontinuous tuning using an electrical variable impedance element, e.g. a voltage variable reactive diode, in which no corresponding analogue value either exists or is preset, i.e. the tuning information is only available in a digital form microprocessor tuning H03J1/0008
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/242 : used exclusively for band selection
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/244 : using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0053 : with common antenna for more than one band
• 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: H04B 1/401 : for selecting or indicating operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/024 : Co-operative use of antennas of several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0404 : the mobile station comprising multiple antennas, e.g. to provide uplink diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 : MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 : Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0608 : Antenna selection according to transmission parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0628 : Diversity capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0632 : Channel quality parameters, e.g. channel quality indicator [CQI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0691 : using subgroups of transmit antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 : Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 : for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 : by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 : using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/12 : based on transmission quality or channel quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 : based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

A communication device that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a conductive cover, an antenna structure, and a circuit. The antenna structure can comprise a first portion of the conductive cover having a first slot formed therein. The first portion can form a first antenna element for converting between first electromagnetic signals and first electrical signals. The first slot can define a shape of a trade dress design in the conductive cover. The circuit can be communicatively coupled to first edges of the first slot to define a first port. The circuit can perform operations comprising transmitting the first electronic signals into the first antenna element. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. An antenna structure, comprising:

a conductive cover of an electronic device;

a first antenna element for converting between first electromagnetic signals and first electrical signals, wherein the first antenna element comprises a first slotted opening formed in a first portion of the conductive cover, wherein first locations on first edges of the first slotted opening of the first antenna element define first antenna ports;

first conductive lines coupling the first antenna ports to a circuit of the electronic device;

a second antenna element for converting between second electromagnetic signals and second electrical signals, wherein the second antenna element comprises a second slotted opening formed in a second portion of the conductive cover, wherein second locations on second edges of the second slotted opening of the second antenna element define second antenna ports;

second conductive lines coupling the second antenna ports to the circuit of the electronic device; and

a trade dress design in the conductive cover, wherein a shape of the trade dress design is defined by the first slotted opening comprising the first antenna element and the second slotted opening comprising the second antenna element.

2. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the first slotted opening and the second slotted opening comprise slots formed through the conductive cover.

3. The antenna structure of claim 1, further comprising a coupling element comprising a third portion of the conductive cover having a third slotted opening formed therein, wherein the third slotted opening connects the first slotted opening to the second slotted opening, wherein the coupling element causes differential currents and common mode currents flowing through the first antenna element and the second antenna element to combine in a manner that increases signal isolation between the first antenna ports of the first antenna element and the second antenna ports of the second antenna element.

4. The antenna structure of claim 3, further comprising a non-conductive material filling one of the first slotted opening, the second slotted opening, the third slotted opening, or a combination thereof.

5. The antenna structure of claim 4, wherein the non-conductive material filling the third slotted opening comprises a color scheme of a portion of the conductive cover and does not allow light to pass.

6. The antenna structure of claim 4, wherein the non-conductive material comprises a translucent material.

7. The antenna structure of claim 5, further comprising a lighting source attached inside of the conductive cover, wherein light from the lighting source is visible through one of the first slotted opening, the second slotted opening, the third slotted opening, or any combination thereof.

8. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the trade dress design comprises one of a trademark, a likeness of a person, a rendition of an object, or any combination thereof.

9. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the conductive cover is one of a front cover, a back cover, or a combination thereof, for the electronic device.

10. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the electronic device transmits the first electromagnetic signals via the first antenna element and receives the second electromagnetic signals via the second antenna element.

11. A communication device, comprising:

a conductive cover;

an antenna structure comprising a first portion of the conductive cover having a first slotted opening formed therein, wherein the first portion forms a first antenna element for converting between first electromagnetic signals and first electrical signals, and wherein the first slotted opening defines a shape of a trade dress design in the conductive cover, wherein first locations on first edges of the first slotted opening of the first antenna element define first antenna ports; and

a circuit communicatively coupled to first antenna ports of the first antenna element via first conductive lines, wherein the circuit performs operations comprising;

transmitting the first electronic signals into the first antenna element; and

receiving second electronic signals from the first antenna element.

12. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the antenna structure further comprises a second portion of the conductive cover having a second slotted opening formed therein, wherein the second portion forms a second antenna element for converting between second electromagnetic signals and second electrical signals, and wherein the second slotted opening further defines the shape of the trade dress design in the conductive cover, wherein second locations on second edges of the second slotted opening of the second antenna element define second antenna ports, and wherein the circuit is further communicatively coupled to second antenna ports of the second antenna element via second conductive lines.

13. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the antenna structure further comprises a coupling slotted opening in the conductive cover, wherein the coupling slotted opening connects the first slotted opening to the second slotted opening, and wherein the coupling slotted opening causes differential currents and common mode currents flowing through the first antenna element and the second antenna element to combine in a manner that increases signal isolation between the first antenna ports of the first antenna element and the second antenna ports of the second antenna element.

14. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the coupling slotted opening further defines the shape of the trade dress design in the conductive cover.

15. The communication device of claim 13, further comprising a non-conductive material filling one of the first slotted opening, the second slotted opening, the coupling slotted opening, or a combination thereof.

16. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the circuit further receives the second electromagnetic signals via the second antenna element.

17. A method, comprising:

transmitting or receiving, by a device comprising a processor, first electronic signals to a first slot antenna element, wherein the first electronic signals generate first electromagnetic signals via the first slot antenna element and wherein the first slot antenna comprises a first portion of a conductive cover of the device having a first slotted opening formed therein, wherein first conductive lines couple a circuit of the device to first locations on first edges of the first slotted opening; and

receiving or transmitting, by the device, second electrical signals from a second slot antenna element, wherein the second electrical signals are generated via second electromagnetic signals received by the second slot antenna element, wherein the second slot antenna comprises a second portion of the conductive cover having a second slotted opening formed therein, wherein second conductive lines couple the circuit of the device to second locations on second edges of the second slotted opening, and wherein a shape of a trade dress design in the conductive cover is defined by one of the first slotted opening, the second slotted opening, or a combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the device further comprises a third portion of the conductive cover having a coupling slotted opening formed therein, wherein the coupling opening connects from the first slotted opening to the second slotted opening, wherein the coupling slotted opening causes differential currents and common mode currents flowing through the first slot antenna element and the second slot antenna element to combine in a manner that increases signal isolation between a first port at the first locations on the first edges of the first slotted opening of the first slot antenna element and a second port at the second locations on the second edges of the second slotted opening of the slot second antenna element.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving third electronic signals from the first slot antenna element; and

transmitting fourth electronic signals to the second slot antenna element.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the trade dress design comprises one of a trademark, a likeness of a person, a rendition of an object, or any combination thereof.