Hybrid piezoelectric device / radio frequency antenna
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a ground plane;
a radio-frequency radiator, the radiator offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane by a first distance;
a feed post conductively connected to the radiator; and
a piezoelectric assembly offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane by a second distance, the piezoelectric assembly configured to couple inductively with the radiator and being separated from the radiator by at least a housing structure of the apparatus, wherein the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, and the feed post together form an antenna configured to produce electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals and receive electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals.
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Abstract
A hybrid antenna including a piezoelectric device and an RF radiator. The hybrid antenna is capable of providing both RF and piezoelectric device functionality, e.g., radio frequency transmission/reception capabilities for radio frequency devices as well as sound-producing and/or energy-scavenging functionality via the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device may be in conductive contact with the RF radiator or may not be in conductive contact with the RF radiator.
55 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a ground plane; a radio-frequency radiator, the radiator offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane by a first distance; a feed post conductively connected to the radiator; and a piezoelectric assembly offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane by a second distance, the piezoelectric assembly configured to couple inductively with the radiator and being separated from the radiator by at least a housing structure of the apparatus, wherein the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, and the feed post together form an antenna configured to produce electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals and receive electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method comprising:
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a) providing a radio-frequency radiator, a ground plane, and a feed post, wherein the radiator is separated from the ground plane by a first distance, and wherein the feed post is conductively connected to the radiator; b) mounting the radiator to a first surface of a first housing component; c) providing a piezoelectric assembly; and d) placing the piezoelectric assembly such that the piezoelectric assembly is offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane by a second distance, and is configured to couple inductively with the radiator and is separated from the radiator by at least a housing structure but sufficiently close to the radiator to be coupled with the radiator, wherein the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, and the feed post together form an antenna configured to produce electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals and receive electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification