Abstract: Techniques for designing a sensor module that may be inserted into a container, for example, a box, for tracking RFID-labeled items enclosed in the container. In an exemplary embodiment, at least two planar surfaces are adjoined along a linear interface. Each of the planar surfaces supports a planar antenna whose radiation pattern may cover the volume of the container. A battery-powered tracking unit is attached to at least one of the planar surfaces to drive the planar antennas. In an exemplary embodiment, the planar antennas may be driven in succession to avoid collisions between the RFID communication signals, and for better RFID coverage of the items enclosed in the container.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling antenna down tilt in a mixed coordinated/non-coordinated network include receiving one or more input signals defining a waveform to be transmitted, for determining a tilt angle state to be applied to the antenna based on the one or more input signals, and for transmitting a tilt control signal if the determined tilt angle state differs from a current tilt angle state associated with the antenna.

Abstract: A wideband antenna system with multiple antennas and at least one parasitic element is disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a parasitic element. The first antenna has a shape of an open-ended loop with two ends that overlap and are separated by a gap. The second antenna may also have a shape of an open-ended loop with two ends that overlap and are separated by a gap. The parasitic element is located between the first and second antennas. The first and second antennas may be placed side by side on a board, located at either the top end or the bottom end of a wireless device, and/or formed on opposite sides (e.g., the front and back sides) of the board. The parasitic element may be formed on a plane that is perpendicular to the plane on which the first and second antennas are formed.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system with a parasitic element to improve coverage and increase reading distance of RFID tags is disclosed. The parasitic element may be a loop of a conductive material and is not physically connected to any circuit. One or more RFID tags may be located within a predetermined distance of the parasitic element. The parasitic element receives a first signal from an RFID reader and re-radiates the first signal. The re-radiation improves the coverage of the RFID system. An RFID tag receives the re-radiated first signal from the parasitic element and, in response, transmits a second signal. The parasitic element receives the second signal from the RFID tag and re-radiates the second signal. The RFID reader receives the re-radiated second signal from the parasitic element and reads the information sent in the second signal by the RFID tag.

Abstract: A wideband antenna, for use in portable computers incorporating at least one wireless communication device, with improved radiated antenna efficiency across a broad range of operating frequency bands with minimal additional physical size or cost, is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the wideband antenna is defined by at least a first and second housing, where a first metal structure in at least a first one of the at least a first and second housings is commonly connected to at least two antenna RF feed ports at a boundary of the at least a first and second housing. In a further exemplary embodiment, the device is a portable computer, and the first housing is an upper display housing, the second housing includes a wireless communication device with at least two RF signal paths to at least two antenna RF feed ports, and the second housing further includes a second metal structure commonly connected to at least two antenna RF feed ports of the wideband antenna.

Abstract: A multiband antenna for a mobile device is disclosed. The multiband antenna includes a plurality of flexible antenna arms configured to communicate signals in multiple frequency bands, a flexible antenna counterpoise, a battery configured to provide power to the multiband antenna, and control logic configured to control communication of signals of the multiband antenna, where the plurality of flexible antenna arms, the flexible antenna counterpoise, the battery, and the control logic are bonded to a flexible insulation material. The multiband antenna further includes at least a portion of circuit schematics that connect the plurality of flexible antenna arms, the flexible antenna counterpoise, the battery and the control logic are placed and routed on the flexible insulation material.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to an antenna device. A device may include an antenna element including a first electrically conductive element oriented in a first direction and a second electrically conductive element oriented in a second, different direction, the first and second conductive elements being electrically connected at one respective end. The device may further include a matching circuit operably coupled to the antenna element.

Abstract: A wideband antenna, for use in portable computers incorporating at least one wireless communication device, with improved radiated antenna efficiency across a broad range of operating frequency bands with minimal additional physical size or cost, is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the wideband antenna is defined by at least a first and second housing, where a first metal structure in at least a first one of the at least a first and second housings is commonly connected to at least two antenna RF feed ports at a boundary of the at least a first and second housing. In a further exemplary embodiment, the device is a portable computer, and the first housing is an upper display housing, the second housing includes a wireless communication device with at least two RF signal paths to at least two antenna RF feed ports, and the second housing further includes a second metal structure commonly connected to at least two antenna RF feed ports of the wideband antenna.

Abstract: A tunable dual-antenna system for multiple frequency band operation is disclosed, which allows a device to switch between multiple frequencies and/or multiple modes, such as CDMA and GSM. The system may comprise a tunable transmit antenna and a tunable receive antenna. One configuration may comprise multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna array for use in wireless communication devices with up to three simultaneous operating modes with improved antenna efficiency and reduced antenna coupling across a broad range of operative frequency bands with reduced physical size is described. The multi-band antenna array includes at least two loop antenna elements, each of which is orthogonal to, and arranged in an embedded manner, relative to each other. Each loop antenna in the multi-band antenna array may include a corresponding tuning element for tuning to a desired resonant frequency, and be comprised of an upper and lower half with the corresponding tuning element coupled therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna including a high-band antenna and a low-band antenna coupled in serial cascade fashion, where the low-band antenna is coupled at a position relative to the high-band antenna characterized by low coupling between the low-band antenna and the high-band antenna in corresponding operating frequency bands. In one exemplary embodiment, the high-band antenna is a high-band modified monopole antenna. In another, the high-band modified monopole antenna is a high-band quarter ellipse monopole antenna element and the low-band antenna is a low-band modified monopole antenna.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna with improved antenna efficiency across a broad range of operative frequency bands with reduced physical size is described. The multi-band antenna includes a modified monopole element coupled to multiple antenna loading elements variably selectable to tune to one of a plurality of resonant frequencies. In one exemplary embodiment, the modified monopole element has a geometry other than that of a traditional monopole element and includes a switch array disposed between the modified monopole element and the multiple antenna loading elements and configured to couple a selected one or more of the antenna loading elements to the modified monopole element when tuning to a desired one of the plurality of resonant frequencies. The multi-band antenna resonant frequency is controlled by a wireless communication device selecting among the multiple antenna loading elements for tuning the multi-band antenna between operative frequency bands.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer to an electronic circuit including a wireless charging receive antenna comprising a first loop of an energy receiving conductor and at least another loop of said energy receiving conductor electrically coupled to the first loop. The loops form a multi-turn loop antenna to resonate at a wireless charging frequency and provide wirelessly received power to the electronic device. The multi-turn loop antenna is configured for affixing to a housing of the wireless device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer including a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate and generate a near field coupling mode region thereabout in response to a driving signal from a power amplifier. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to control activation of resonance of each of the plurality of antenna circuits. The method for wirelessly charging includes driving a signal from a power amplifier and controlling activation of resonance of a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate in response to the driving signal.

Abstract: The invention utilizes small, narrow-band and frequency adaptable antennas to provide coverage to a wide range of wireless modes and frequency bands on a host wireless device. The antennas have narrow pass-band characteristics, require minimal space on the host device, and allow for smaller form factor. The frequency tunability further allows for a fewer number of antennas to be used. The operation of the antennas may also be adaptably relocated from unused modes to in-use modes to maximize performance. These features of the antennas result in cost and size reductions. In another aspect, the antennas may be broadband antennas.

Abstract: A hybrid antenna system for a portable Wireless Communication Device (WCD) includes a concealed, internal shielded substrate antenna fixedly mounted to and wholly internally within a casing of the portable WCD. The hybrid antenna system also includes a displaceable antenna, such as a whip antenna, that is selectively extendable from and retractable within the casing. The antenna system includes a mechanism for electrically connecting the displaceable antenna to internal RF circuitry of the portable WCD when the displaceable antenna is in an extended position and for electrically isolating the displaceable antenna from the internal RF circuitry when the displaceable antenna is in a retracted position within the casing.

Abstract: A dual strip antenna that includes first and second conductive strips, each made from a conductive material. The first and second strips are separated by a dielectric substrate having a predetermined thickness. The first strip is electrically connected to the second strip at one end. A coaxial signal feed is coupled to the dual strip antenna. A dual strip antenna can be reduced in overall size by utilizing a periodic mesh patterned conductive surface in place of a solid continuous conductive surface. The periodic mesh pattern maintains the relative voltage and current relationships across the antenna strip while enabling a reduction in physical size. Any uniform periodic mesh pattern may be used and the periodic mesh pattern may be utilized for both strip elements. A brick-wall mesh pattern results in approximately 10% reduction in size over a solid continuous dual strip antenna.

Abstract: The balanced, retractable dipole antenna comprises a first radiator element that is selectively extendable from, and retractable into, a mobile phone casing, a second radiator element, and a counterpoise that is electrically isolated from a printed wire board (PWB) of a mobile phone. The balanced, retractable dipole antenna further comprises a signal balancing means coupled between a signal source and at least the second radiator element and counterpoise to generate first and second signals, respectively. The first and second signals are substantially equal in magnitude but out of phase by 180 degrees. When the first radiator is extended, the first signal is transferred to the first and second radiator elements, and the second signal is transferred to the counterpoise. When the first radiator element is retracted, the first signal is transferred to the second radiator, while the second signal is transferred to the counterpoise and the first radiator element.

Abstract: A dual strip antenna that includes first and second conductive strips, each made from a conductive material. The first and second strips are separated by a dielectric substrate having a predetermined thickness. The first strip is electrically connected to the second strip at one end. A coaxial signal feed is coupled to the dual strip antenna. The dual strip antenna provides an increase in bandwidth over conventional microstrip patch antennas, which is made possible by operating the dual strip antenna as an open-ended parallel plate waveguide having asymmetrical conductor terminations. The operation of the dual strip antenna as an open-ended parallel plate waveguide is achieved by selecting appropriate dimensions for the lengths and widths of the first and second strips. Antenna compactness and a greater variety of useful shapes allow the dual strip antenna to be used as an internal wireless device antenna.

Abstract: A balanced dipole antenna for a mobile phone comprises a radiator element and a counterpoise, both formed of a conducting material. The counterpoise is electrically isolated from the ground plane of a printed wire board (PWB) of the mobile phone. A matching network, for example, a balun, provides balanced current to the dipole antenna, resulting in a symmetric radiation pattern. The balanced dipole antenna allows superior performance over conventional antennas found in mobile phones today by enabling a user of a mobile phone to communicate effectively and uniformly in all directions, that is, 360 degrees.