Abstract: A multiband antenna includes at least two resonators that are driven directly and resonate in different frequency bands and a parasitically coupled resonator that resonates in one of the frequency bands. The coupled resonator is grounded with a conductive trace at one end and is thus not directly fed by the RF feed of the antenna. The coupled resonator increases the efficiency bandwidth near the frequency of operation for the coupled resonator. The antenna is fabricated from a stamped metal that is bent around or overmolded by a spacer layer. A clip formed integrally with the antenna by bending a portion of the ground plane permits attachment to the metal shield of the display of a laptop computer and is thus grounded along its length.

Abstract: DC inductive FSS technology is a printed slow wave structure usable for reduced size resonators in antenna and filter applications of wireless applications. It is a dispersive surface defined in terms of its parallel LC equivalent circuit that enhances the inductance and capacitance of the equivalent circuit to obtain a pole frequency as low as 300 MHz. The effective sheet impedance model has a resonant pole whose free-space wavelength can be greater than 10 times the FSS period. A conductor-backed DCL FSS can create a DC inductive artificial magnetic conductor (DCL AMC), high-impedance surface with resonant frequencies as low as 2 GHz. Lorentz poles introduced into the DCL FSS create multi-resonant DCL AMCs. Antennas fabricated from DCL FSS materials include single-band elements such as a bent-wire monopole on the DCL AMC and multi-band (dual and triple) shorted patches, similar to PIFAs with the patch/lid being a DCL FSS.

Abstract: A flip style cellular telephone includes a main housing, a microphone mounted in the main housing and a flip, pivotably mounted to the main housing by a hinge. The flip is formed with an acoustic pipe on a peripheral edge of the flip. The acoustic pipe extends from the free end to the hinged end of the flip, and includes a plurality of holes for a sound inlet at the free end of the flip. The hinge is hollow, and the acoustic pipe connects with the microphone through the hollow hinge. Sound of the user's voice is carried by the acoustic pipe from the inlet to the microphone. The acoustic pipe advantageously only minimally changes the profile and aesthetics of the telephone.

Abstract: Lightweight, small antennas are described that have decreased material and fabrication/processing cost. The antennas may be used in consumer electronics products such as cellular phones, laptops and PDA's. Some of the antennas and fabrication techniques also provide lower part count and increased reliability. All antennas are fabricated with standard materials currently available in high volume production.

Abstract: Lightweight, small antennas are described that have decreased material and fabrication/processing cost. The antennas may be used in consumer electronics products such as cellular phones, laptops and PDA's. Some of the antennas and fabrication techniques also provide lower part count and increased reliability. All antennas are fabricated with standard materials currently available in high volume production.

Abstract: A multiband antenna includes a 5-6 GHz PIFA surrounded on two or three sides by a 2.4 GHz RFPIFA. The PIFA and RFPIFA are tunable by removing fingers from the PIFA and either removing portions of or creating at least one area in the RFPIFA where inductance may be added. The RFPIFA contains an inductive meanderline. An out-of-plane matching stub is provided between the feed and the ground plane to impedance match the antenna. The PIFA/RFPIFA is supported by a plastic mesa tabletop whose legs are mounted directly to the ground plane of a PCB at the corner of the PCB. Electronic components on the PCB can be mounted underneath the multiband antenna.

Abstract: A multiband antenna includes a 5-6 GHz PIFA surrounded on two or three sides by a 2.4 GHz RFPIFA. The PIFA and RFPIFA are tunable by removing fingers from the PIFA and either removing portions of or creating at least one area in the RFPIFA where inductance may be added. The RFPIFA contains an inductive meanderline. An out-of-plane matching stub is provided between the feed and the ground plane to impedance match the antenna. The PIFA/RFPIFA is supported by a plastic mesa tabletop whose legs are mounted directly to the ground plane of a PCB at the corner of the PCB. Electronic components on the PCB can be mounted underneath the multiband antenna.

Abstract: A microelectric module including a circuit substrate having one or more covers or electromagnetic shields disposed thereon. To secure the covers or electromagnetic shields to the circuit substrate, and provide an electrical contact with an underlying ground pattern, a thin plastic film is extended over the covers or electromagnetic shields and the circuit substrate. This film is subjected to heat, causing it to shrink and effectively provide a controlled force that acts to hold and lock the covers or electromagnetic shields to the circuit substrate. Thus the heat-shrunk film mechanically secures the covers or electromagnetic shields to the circuit substrate and at the same time seals the microelectric module formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radio communication devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a programmable radio frequency (RF) sub-system and wireless communications devices using such an integrated antenna/filter sub-system. In one embodiment, the programmable RF front end subassembly includes two antennas, RF filter sections that are integral to each antenna, and a programmable logic device as an antenna control unit. Each antenna consists of a planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) that is tuned to operate over a range of frequencies using voltage variable capacitors or RF switches that connect various capacitive loads in order to achieve the desired resonant frequencies. The wireless communication device further includes a control circuit coupled to the antenna to provide the control signals.

Abstract: Handheld radiotelephones are provided with battery packs that facilitate the transmission of a person's voice to internally mounted microphones. A radiotelephone housing end portion is provided with an aperture that is in acoustic communication with an internally mounted microphone. A passageway extends through a battery pack from a sound inlet in a front portion thereof to a sound outlet in an end portion thereof. The sound outlet is in acoustic communication with the aperture when the battery pack is removably secured to the housing end. Accordingly, the sound inlet is in acoustic communication with the microphone via the passageway.

Abstract: A coplanar antenna connector which interconnects an antenna and a printed circuit board of a portable radiotelephone is described. In particular, the antenna connector includes an antenna connector conductor strip having opposing first and second ends adapted for transmitting a radiotelephone signal from a source to an antenna or from an antenna to a receiver. The connector also includes at least one antenna connector ground strip having first and second opposing ends adapted for transmitting a radiotelephone signal. The at least one antenna connector ground strip and the antenna connector conductor strip are held in coplanar alignment, preferably by a nonconducting carrier ribbon. Each of the at least one antenna connector ground strips and the antenna connector conductor strip are spaced-apart and define a gap therebetween.

Abstract: Electromagnetic shielding devices are provided with walls having a pair of opposing, generally parallel side faces that terminate at a tapered end portion. Each tapered end portion is configured to be surface mounted to a respective conductive portion (e.g., mounting pad) of an electronic substrate via a pair of solder fillets. The tapered end portion of each wall includes a pair of elongate end faces symmetrical about a plane that is generally parallel to, and equidistant between, the wall side faces. The end faces define a pair of elongated cavities with respect to a PCB that are configured to receive the solder fillets.

Abstract: Edge interface electrical connectors 75 and configurations for electrical devices such as radiotelephones position electrical contacts 55 on a lateral or edge surface of a printed circuit board 110, 110A and employ spring contacts 74 to interconnect other components such as batteries 60 or other accessories therewith.

Abstract: A coplanar antenna connector which interconnects an antenna and a printed circuit board of a portable radiotelephone is described. In particular, the antenna connector includes an antenna connector conductor strip having opposing first and second ends adapted for transmitting a radiotelephone signal from a source to an antenna or from an antenna to a receiver. The connector also includes at least one antenna connector ground strip having first and second opposing ends adapted for transmitting a radiotelephone signal. The at least one antenna connector ground strip and the antenna connector conductor strip are held in coplanar alignment, preferably by a nonconducting carrier ribbon. Each of the at least one antenna connector ground strips and the antenna connector conductor strip are spaced-apart and define a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A cellular telephone for improved transmission includes a housing body that is shaped with a curvature so that a front face of the body is convex. A flip pivotally mounted to a bottom end of the body is correspondingly shaped so that the flip is pivotable between a closed position covering the front face, and an open position extended from the body. An antenna is mounted to the top end of the body and extends therefrom. When the flip is in the open position, the body and flip define an S-shaped profile which results in the antenna being spaced away from and oriented away from the user which avoids interference with the user for better transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing of circuitry located on a printed circuit board without placing test point pads on the surface of the printed circuit boards as is currently done. Test point pads which are constructed of a conductive material are placed on the edge of a manufacturing panel holding the printed circuit boards in place during the manufacturing and testing process. The pressure point pads, when located on the edge of a manufacturing panel, do not face design pressures to reduce their size and number in an effort to preserve space as do pressure point pads which are located on the surface of printed circuit boards. The larger pressure point pads of the current invention are electrically connected to the test circuitry on the printed circuit board via router tabs. These router tabs are constructed of printed circuit board material and hold the printed circuit board attached to the manufacturing panel during the manufacturing and testing process.

Abstract: A battery is provided for an electronic device that includes contacts on inside and outside surfaces of the battery enabling additional batteries to be stacked on the battery in use. With respect to a cellular phone, this arrangement enables an operator to add additional talk time without requiring the operator to terminate a call. The battery casing is shaped corresponding to the electronic device to maximize battery capacity while minimizing size. In one arrangement, the male terminals that are not in use are retracted within the battery casing, and a sensor assembly senses the attachment of an auxiliary battery and extends the male contacts outside of the battery casing. The configuration allows greater choice of battery capacity and also permits the addition of more batteries as one is depleted.

Abstract: An audio input for flip phones wherein the acoustical openings currently located on the inside edge of the flip are relocated to the outer edge of the flip. The relocation of the openings allow sound to enter the flip through the openings unobstructed by the face of the telephone user while the phone is in use. The relocation of the openings further allowing for enhanced pick up of ambient noise while the telephone flip is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention places a semi-lossy gasket between a printed circuit board ground pad ring and a metal shield can for shielding electronic components and circuitry which generate electromagnetic radiation. The present invention also provides a variety of means for aligning and mounting the shield can and gasket to the printed circuit board. Guide pins extending from the shield can extend through apertures in the printed circuit board for aligning the shield can to the printed circuit board. The guide pins can be bent or soldered to the printed circuit board and can also include a hooked end for latching on to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A resonator (50) is connected in circuit with a negative resistance element (Q3,Q4) for producing oscillation at a resonant frequency of the resonator (50). A digital phase shifter (58) is incorporated into the resonant frequency in accordance with an applied digital signal. The resonator (50) can be connected in series with the negative resistance element (Q3), in which case the phase shifter (58) is connected as either a short-circuit or an open-circuit transmission line. Alternatively, the resonator (50) can be connected in parallel with the negative resistance element (Q4) in a feedback loop. An analog phase shifter (84) can also be provided in the resonator (50') for continuously variably setting the resonant frequency over the tuning increments of the digital phase shifter (58).