Abstract: In-building antenna apparatus and methods for manufacturing and installing the same. In one embodiment, the antenna apparatus includes a radome cover, a lower flange, an antenna housing, a spring-loaded mount apparatus, a signaling interface, and a plurality of spring arms. Each of the spring arms may include at least one tie-down location. Accordingly, when a removable tie is placed around a plurality of tie-down locations, the antenna apparatus resides in an installation configuration; however, when the removable tie is removed from around the plurality of tie-down locations, the antenna apparatus transitions towards a default configuration. The spring arms may also act as a ground plane for the antenna. Spring-loaded mount apparatus as well as methods of manufacturing and installing the aforementioned antenna apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Directional antenna apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the directional antenna apparatus includes a chip component disposed on a ground plane. The chip component includes a conductive layer disposed upon a ceramic substrate. The conductive layer of the chip component is connected to electronic circuitry via one or more feed structures and one or more ground structures. The chip component and the ground plane are disposed atop a reflector component in a substantially orthogonal orientation. By spacing the ground plane from the reflector component by a set amount, the directional nature of the directional antenna apparatus may be configured.

Abstract: Antenna apparatus that utilizes a utility line in order to improve performance of the antenna apparatus. In one embodiment, a smart meter that utilizes the aforementioned antenna apparatus is disclosed. The smart meter includes a utility meter housing configured to house a smart metering module, the utility meter housing enclosing: a wireless reporting portion comprising a helical coil radiator, the helical coil radiator being coupled to an RF transmission path, the RF transmission path configured to couple the helical coil radiator to an RF transceiver integrated circuit; an enclosure configured to house the RF transceiver integrated circuit, the enclosure further comprising a distribution portion comprising one or more meter sensing electronics; and a utility line port, the utility line port configured to position a utility line adjacent and parallel with the helical coil radiator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enhanced antenna port isolation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a spatially compact patch antenna apparatus is disclosed. A plurality of walls are incorporated into the antenna assembly's bottom cover. The walls are located under the radiating element located on a top cover of the antenna assembly. The walls are in one implementation oriented orthogonally with respect to one another, and are placed adjacent to respective antenna feeds. The walls are then at least partly metallized using, for example, a laser direct structuring (LDS) process, and are further connected to a ground plane of an external substrate. By incorporating the metallized wall structures on the existing plastic structure of the bottom cover, isolation between the antenna ports is improved without requiring installation of additional components, use of slots in the ground plane, or increased physical separation (i.e., distance). Manufacturing cost and consistency are also advantageously improved.

Abstract: Antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications that utilize satellite wireless links (e.g., GPS), and uses an electromagnetic (e.g., capacitive) feeding method that includes one or more separate feed elements that are not galvanically connected to a radiating element of the antenna. In addition, certain implementations of the antenna apparatus offer the capability to carry more than one operating band for the antenna.

Abstract: Capacitively coupled antenna apparatus and methods of operating and adaptively tuning the same. In one embodiment, the insertion loss component in “beside the hand/head” use scenarios is significantly reduced or eliminated such that the antenna experiences only absorptive losses (which generally cannot be avoided), and a very small insertion loss by the host device radio frequency tuner. The exemplary antenna apparatus may be configured for multi-band operation, and also has a very small form factor (e.g., 3 mm ground clearance only at the bottom of the PCB, 4 mm height in one implementation), thereby allowing for use in spatially compact host devices such as slim-line smartphones, tablets, and the like. The adaptive antenna arrangement (using capacitive feed) can be tuned such that the tuner is used in free space, and the user's hand/head tunes the antenna to the band of interest while in use.

Abstract: A “thin” and cost-effective three-dimensional antenna assembly and methods of use and manufacturing thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor portable radio devices, and comprises an antenna (or array of antennas) deposited on a thin preformed flexible or deformable structure using a conductive fluid. The antenna (array) includes one or more antennas each having a radiator and a plurality of contacts. Use of the thin preformed structure allows, among other things, thinner form factors for the host wireless device, and obviates use of a separate molded carrier or other more costly or involved processes (such as laser direct structuring).

Abstract: Antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications such as smartphones or tablets (and “phablets”) utilizing near field communication (NFC) interfaces. The solution increases the effective size of the antenna without requiring any significant additional space or other structural modifications to the host device (such as changes to the device's metal case or size), while still maintaining a high degree of electrical performance (including a high Q factor).

Abstract: Multi-element dual polarized antenna apparatus and methods of utilizing and manufacturing the same. The antenna apparatus includes two planar antenna elements. One antenna element is configured to communicate RF waves characterized by a first polarization and another antenna element is configured to communicate RF waves characterized by second polarization. Feed elements are disposed such that their longitudinal axes are parallel with one another while their transverse axes are disposed perpendicular with one another. Individual feed elements include planar feed structures disposed on sides of the feed elements that are facing the same quadrant. Arranging the antenna feed structure using the above configuration provides for an antenna characterized by improved improved port to port isolation and/or improved cross polarization discrimination without the use of additional components.

Abstract: Simple, low-cost and modular antenna apparatus and methods associated therewith. In one embodiment, a modular antenna element that can be used either alone or as a basic “building block” for larger arrays and sectorial antennas (i.e., by joining needed number of elements together) is provided. The same parts can be reused for various complete product designs, thereby advantageously reducing the need for customized parts (and the attendant disabilities associated therewith). Moreover, multiple antenna elements can be readily joined together via a common feed network (in one implementation, via the back portion of each element). The antenna gain and beam width are also adjustable through configuration of the array (and the construction of the antenna elements themselves).

Abstract: Wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna with integrated sensor and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, an antenna subsystem and proximity sensing subsystem share a grounded antenna component/parasitic element. The parasitic element can be used to broaden the operating band of the antenna feeding component and provide an input (via a capacitance change) to a proximity sensor. The parasitic element is, in one embodiment, coupled in parallel to the proximity sensor allowing for a reduction in noise due to increased isolation between the antenna subsystem and the sensing subsystem.

Abstract: Wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna with integrated sensor and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, an antenna subsystem and proximity sensing subsystem share a grounded antenna component/parasitic element. The parasitic element can be used to broaden the operating band of the antenna feeding component and provide an input (via a capacitance change) to a proximity sensor. The parasitic element is, in one embodiment, coupled in parallel to the proximity sensor allowing for a reduction in noise due to increased isolation between the antenna subsystem and the sensing subsystem.

Abstract: In-building dual-polarized antenna apparatus components, assemblies, and methods for manufacturing and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the dual-polarized ceiling mount antenna apparatus comprises a multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) device and is constructed to meet one or more aesthetically-related design goals such as e.g., being visually appealing. Specifically, only the horizontally polarized antenna element of the exemplary MIMO apparatus is visible as the remainder of the MIMO antenna apparatus is hidden from view above a ceiling tile. Moreover, the radome of the horizontally polarized antenna element is manufactured from a substantially translucent polymer cover and includes a “thin” radiating mesh. Resident above the ceiling tile, and normally obscured from view, is a vertically polarized antenna element along with an optional reflector element.

Abstract: A chassis-excited antenna apparatus, and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a distributed loop antenna configuration is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone). The antenna comprises two radiating elements: one configured to operate in a high-frequency band, and the other in a low-frequency band. The two antenna elements are disposed on different side surfaces of the metal chassis of the portable device; e.g., on the opposing sides of the device enclosure. Each antenna component comprises a radiator and an insulating cover. The radiator is coupled to a device feed via a feed conductor and a ground point. A portion of the feed conductor is disposed with the radiator to facilitate forming of the coupled loop resonator structure.

Abstract: Antenna systems that make use of an integrated proximity sensor or other sensor in order to implement a closed loop antenna selection system. In one embodiment, the antenna system is implemented within an exemplary portable wireless device and includes as its primary components for implementing the closed loop antenna selection system: a proximity sensor/microcontroller unit (MCU); a switching apparatus; a baseband front end module (FEM); and a number of antenna modules. The integrated proximity sensor/MCU detects the presence (influence) of a user's hand, or other loading by any other dielectric or metal component, through measurements that take place through the antenna modules and selects the appropriate RF path for transmission and/or reception by the mobile device. Methods of using and testing the aforementioned antenna systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conductive element such as an antenna, for use in electronic devices, including mobile devices such as cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, and wireless tablets, and methods of, and apparatus for, forming the same. In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure relates to a conductive antenna formed using deposition of conductive fluids as well as the method and equipment for forming the same. In one embodiment, a complex (3D) conductive trace is formed using two or more different print technologies via creation of different domains within the conductive trace pattern.

Abstract: Low-profile electronic component apparatus and methods of manufacturing and utilizing the same, for use with low-profile mobile devices and other applications. In one embodiment, the mobile device comprises a wireless-enabled smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer, and the component comprises an audio speaker which is recessed into a metallic support element, the latter recessed into the mobile device outer housing. The support element is coated with an insulating material, and conductive traces formed thereon for electrical interface with the contacts of the speaker. When assembled, the installation results in a substantially reduced overall vertical profile, thereby both potentially reducing the overall required thickness of the host device, and creating additional volume within the device housing (such as for other components, and/or enhanced audio response of the speaker) resulting in an additional spacing between the speaker component and any extant antenna assemblies.

Abstract: An adjustable monopole antenna apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, the antenna apparatus is intended for mobile terminals. In an exemplary implementation, there is an adjusting point is provided from which a conductor is branched to an adjusting circuit. The adjusting circuit comprises a switch and alternative reactive elements connected to ground, selectable by the switch. When a reactive element is changed, the electric length and resonance frequency of the radiator change, and the corresponding operating band shifts. If the antenna is configured as a dual-band antenna, the above-mentioned operating band is the lower band. One or more higher operating bands are based e.g. on radiating slots implemented by the same radiator conductor. The operating band of the exemplary embodiment of the antenna below the frequency 1 GHz can be shifted in a wider range than in the corresponding known antennas.

Abstract: Low passive intermodulation (PIM) antenna assemblies and methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the low PIM antenna assemblies described herein offer the lowest PIM level for the DAS antenna as compared with current PIM solutions currently available in the market place as well as the improvement of isolation between the radiating elements using inserted isolation rings as well as a more omni-directional radiation pattern using the insertion of slots into the radiating elements themselves. Methods of manufacturing and using the aforementioned low PIM antenna assembly are also disclosed.