Switching Between Antennas And Lines Patents (Class 343/876)
  • Publication number: 20130342424
    Abstract: In a direction control antenna, a plurality of impedance elements are connected between a ground body and a radiator, a plurality of switches are connected between each impedance element and the ground body, and on/off of a plurality of switches is controlled according to a control instruction from the outside. In this case, by the turned-on switch, a radiation direction and a radiation form are determined according to short circuit positions of the radiator that is short-circuited to the ground body and the number of short circuit positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
  • Publication number: 20130335293
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an antenna apparatus. The antenna apparatus includes multiple antennas, a switching unit, a grounding layer, connecting lines and a dielectric substrate. The antennas are configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves. The connecting lines are configured to connect the switching unit and the antennas. The switching unit is configured to selectively feed signals to the antennas through the connecting lines. The grounding layer serves as a reference of zero potential, and by setting the shape or size of the grounding layer and the distance from the grounding layer to the antennas, the grounding layer is further configured to restrain a transmitting direction of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the antennas. The dielectric substrate is configured to allow the grounding layer to be printed thereon, and the dielectric substrate is further configured to allow the antennas, the switching unit and the connecting lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Long ZHANG, Qingxia LI, Rong RONG, Yuan ZHOU
  • Patent number: 8605004
    Abstract: A dynamically-reconfigurable antenna having a microstrip patchwork radiating surface wherein individual radiating patches can be connected to and disconnected from each other via photoconductive interconnections between the radiating patches. Commands from software alternately turn light from light emitting sources on or off, the light or lack thereof being channeled from an underside layer of the antenna so as to enable or disable the photoconductive interconnections. The resultant connection or disconnection of the radiating patches will vary the antenna's frequency, bandwidth, and beam pointing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: David J. Legare
  • Patent number: 8604984
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include at least two antennas having a different structure. The device may also include wireless transceivers, a load(s), signal processing circuitry, and a controller. The controller may be for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers, and selectively switching a different one of the antennas to at least one of the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ying Tong Man, Yihong Qi, Krystyna Bandurska, Adrian Matthew Cooke
  • Patent number: 8599077
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a plurality of antennas, a plurality of wireless transceivers, and signal processing circuitry. The device may further include a controller for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, and for selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers. Moreover, the controller may also be for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Yihong Qi, Ying Tong Man, Perry Jarmuszewski
  • Patent number: 8593361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-sector radiating device intended to receive and/or transmit electromagnetic signals, comprising at least, arranged on a plane substrate: a first set of antennas, with: a first antenna, a second antenna, a third antenna, arranged in the opposite manner to the first antenna, a fourth antenna, arranged in the opposite manner to the second antenna, the antennas being longitudinal radiation slot type antennas, said antennas each presenting a bisector, wherein the radiating device comprises a switching circuit capable of activating one or more of the antennas, and notably all the antennas of the first set of antennas, -and in that the bisectors of the opposed antennas on the substrate are not combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Robert, Philippe Minard, Ali Louzir
  • Publication number: 20130307750
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a switching circuit and a wireless communication system including the same. In the case in which a control signal applied to a control terminal of a main switch is a first control signal, a first gate resistor is connected to the control terminal, such that the first control signal is applied to the control terminal of the main switch through the first gate resistor, in the case in which the control signal applied to the control terminal of the main switch is a second control signal, a second gate resistor is connected to the control terminal, such that the second control signal is applied to the control terminal of the main switch through the first gate resistor, and the first gate resistor and the second gate resistor have different resistance values, such the switching circuit may pass a multi-band high frequency signal therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Sin Kim, Sung Hwan Park
  • Publication number: 20130303093
    Abstract: RF switching devices are provided that alternatively couple an antenna to either a transmitter amplifier or a receiver amplifier. An exemplary RF switching device comprises two valves, one for a receiver transmission line between the antenna and the receiver amplifier, the other for a transmitter transmission line between the antenna and the power amplifier. Each valve is switchably coupled between ground and its transmission line. When coupled to ground, current flowing through the valve increases the impedance of the transmission line thereby attenuating signals on the transmission line. When decoupled from ground, the impedance of the transmission line is essentially unaffected. The pair of valves is controlled such that when one valve is on the other valve is off, and vice versa, so that the antenna is either receiving signals from the power amplifier or the receiver amplifier is receiving signals from the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: ACCO Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Denis A. Masliah
  • Publication number: 20130303102
    Abstract: A long-wave or medium-wave receiver receives a first signal from a first terminal of a loopstick antenna on a positive antenna input terminal of the receiver and receives a second signal from a second terminal of the loopstick antenna on a negative antenna input terminal of the receiver. The first and second signals are processed differentially in the receiver. The receiver may optionally be configured to operate in either a differential mode or a single-ended mode by setting switches to selectively connect one of the antenna input terminals to ground in single-ended mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael S. Johnson, Russell Croman, Scott D. Willingham
  • Patent number: 8583199
    Abstract: Vehicle telematics systems and methods for vehicle telematics systems are provided. The telematics system includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a processing device. The first antenna is disposed at a first location on the vehicle. The second antenna is disposed at a second location on the vehicle. The second location is remote from the first location. The processing device is coupled to the first antenna and the second antenna. The processing device is configured to monitor a parameter that is indicative as to whether the first antenna is operational, communicate using the first antenna if the parameter indicates that the first antenna is operational, and communicate using the second antenna if the parameter indicates that the first antenna is not operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Mark A Wisnewski, Steven P. Schwinke, Sethu K. Madhavan, Ki Hak Yi, Eray Yasan
  • Patent number: 8581789
    Abstract: A self-reconfigurable multimode antenna system where loading conditions of sensors are analyzed and used to generate control signals to dynamically reconfigure an antenna for improved performance. One or multiple sensors can be coupled to the antenna to dynamically change the radiating structure. One or multiple sensors can be coupled to the input or matching section of the antenna to improve or alter the impedance match of the antenna. An algorithm to relate loading effects of sensors to dynamically adjust the antenna is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ethertronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Desclos, Jeffrey Shamblin, Barry Matsumori
  • Patent number: 8576127
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to antenna system embodiments which allow for hand-held, ultra-wideband (UWB) multi-antenna operation to be realized within the severe size constraints necessary for Department of Defense (DOD) hand-held missions. Further, the antenna system embodiments disclosed herein provide a miniature UWB multiple antenna solution for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and radiation pattern null steering suitable for hand-held soldier radios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah D Wolf, Lee M Paulsen, Mark A Willi, James B West
  • Publication number: 20130285878
    Abstract: An antenna switching circuit and an electronic device and an antenna switching method thereof are provided. The antenna switching circuit is disposed in the electronic device including an internal antenna and a RF module, and includes an external antenna connector and a controller. The external antenna connector has an independent ground terminal for receiving an independent ground signal, and the external antenna connector is electrically connected to an external antenna. The controller has a first RF terminal, a second RF terminal and a control terminal, the first RF terminal is electrically connected to the RF module, the second RF terminal is electrically connected to the internal antenna, and the control terminal detects the independent ground signal. When the controller detects no change in the independent ground signal, the controller electrically connects the RF module to the internal antenna; otherwise, the controller electrically connects the RF module to the external antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: GETAC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yen-Ching Lee, Shang-Ming Chiu
  • Patent number: 8570237
    Abstract: A multi-band electronically scanned array antenna including a first sub-assembly having electronic circuits for a first frequency band; a second sub-assembly mechanically coupled to the first sub-assembly and having electronic circuits for a second frequency band; and an aperture adjacent to the first sub-assembly, the aperture being shared by the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly. The array antenna may further include a band switching circuit, or a combining circuit for coupling the first sub-assembly or the second sub-assembly to the aperture. The array antenna may also include a third sub-assembly including electronic circuits for a third frequency band. In this way, the aperture is shared by the first sub-assembly, the second sub-assembly, and the third sub-assembly to provide a smaller and lighter array antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Matthew D. Brown, George F. Barson, William P. Hull, Jr., Steven P. Mcfarlane, James S. Wilson, Karl L. Worthen, Joshua Lamb, Thomas H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8570223
    Abstract: A micro electromechanical (MEMS) antenna (36) is positioned on one side of a substrate and is connected to a MEMS switch comprising a capacitor bridge (46) and to a transmission line (42) by means of a thru hole or via (48) which forms an electrically conducting path through the substrate. This arrangement provides a common ground plane for the antenna and switch and shields the switch from the electromagnetic radiation received or transmitted from the antenna. The switch may comprise a topmost metal layer which extends across a bridge structure formed by a polymer layer (19). The polymer layer comprises poly-monochloro-para-xylene (parylene-C). Homogeneous or heterogeneous antenna array structures are implemented. The antenna arrays may include one or more different type of antennas with for example different shapes, rotations and reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The University Court of the University of Edinburgh
    Inventors: Tughrul Arslan, Anthony John Walton, Nakul R. Haridas, Ahmed Osman El-Rayis
  • Patent number: 8570235
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the invention are directed to CMOS differential antenna switches with multi-section impedance transformation. The differential architecture can provide relief from large voltage swings of the power amplifiers by distributing the voltage stress over the receiver switch with two of the identical or substantially similar single-ended switches. In order to reduce the voltage stress further, multi-section impedance transformations can be used. Degraded insertion loss due to the impedance transformation technique can be compensated by selecting an optimal impedance for the antenna switch operation. Accordingly, the use of the multi-section impedance transformations with the differential antenna switch architecture enables high power handling capability for the antenna switch with acceptable efficiency for the transmitter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics
    Inventors: Minsik Ahn, Chang-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8558749
    Abstract: The replacement and elimination of duplexers in a tightly coupled dipole phased array starts with transmit and receive functions physically separated and having different antenna port feeds. The simple coupling network used with tightly coupled dipole arrays is replaced by a state switch which alternates between a coupling state and a dipole feed connection state. The basic method can be applied to antenna apertures of various kinds, including both linear and dual polarized versions. The ability to locate state switches at various nodes in tightly coupled dipole phased arrays permits flexibility in antenna design and eliminates bulky and lossy components, simplifies the design requirements and allows independent optimization of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Meharry, Randall R. Lapierre, Bernard J. Schmanski
  • Patent number: 8552921
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device which can be surely supplied electric power by electromagnetic waves in different frequency bands without preventing reduction in size and weight of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device capable of wireless communication is provided with a frequency determining circuit which detects the frequency of the electromagnetic waves received by the antenna and a circuit which automatically adjusts impedance in accordance with information from the frequency determining circuit, and the semiconductor device communicates and obtains electric power by one antenna. For adjustment of impedance, a circuit which can change the inductance or the capacitance, or an antenna which can change the length is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20130257680
    Abstract: An antenna assembly for a wireless communications device and/or system, the assembly comprising a first antenna having a first direction of maximum radiated power; and a second antenna having a second direction of maximum radiated power, wherein the first and second antenna are arranged such that the first and second directions are substantially mutually orthogonal. Also, provided is an antenna assembly having a third or more antenna having a third or further direction of maximum radiated power, wherein the third or more antenna is/are arranged such that the third or further directions is/are substantially orthogonal with the first and second directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GI PROVISION LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Nix, Ioannis Askaroglou
  • Publication number: 20130257679
    Abstract: A communication device includes a ground element, an antenna element, and a reconfigurable circuit element group. The antenna element includes a first radiating portion and a second radiating portion. One end of the first radiating portion is a feeding end of the antenna element, and the other end is an open end. One end of the second radiating portion is coupled to the ground element, and the other end is an open end. The second radiating portion is longer than the first radiating portion. The second radiating portion surrounds the open end of the first radiating portion, and includes a first portion and a second portion. The reconfigurable circuit element group is coupled between the first portion and the second portion of the second radiating portion, and includes at least two branches. The reconfigurable circuit selectively opens and closes the branches such that the antenna element operates in different bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kin-Lu WONG, Shu-Chuan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20130257668
    Abstract: A mobile device at least includes a dielectric substrate, an antenna array, and a transceiver. The antenna array includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a third antenna. The third antenna is disposed between the first and second antennas so as to reduce coupling between the first and second antennas. The first, second and third antennas are all embedded in the dielectric substrate and substantially arranged in a straight line. Each of the first and second antennas is a transmission antenna and the third antenna is a reception antenna, or each of the first and second antennas is a reception antenna and the third antenna is a transmission antenna. The transceiver is coupled to the antenna array and is configured to transmit or receive a signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pei-Zong RAO, Wei-Shin TUNG, Wan-Ming CHEN, Hsin-Chia LU
  • Publication number: 20130257171
    Abstract: A resonant circuit dynamic optimization system is described herein that can exhibit improved system charging functionality, can have multi-input charging functionality, and can improve the efficiency and speed of charging electronic devices. The resonant circuit dynamic optimization system can comprise at least one antenna configured to receive or transmit an electromagnetic signal, at least one variable component, and at least one dynamic adjustment circuit. The dynamic adjustment circuit can adjust the variable component to thereby modify the power transfer efficiency of the electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Jonathan Knight, Patrick Kawamura, Wayne T. Chen
  • Patent number: 8547282
    Abstract: A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna and a communication device using the same is provided. The MIMO antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements in which a feeding unit is formed at one end, and another end is connected to a ground, and a connection unit which connects the antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-hyun Park, Dong-jin Kim, Byung-tae Yoon
  • Publication number: 20130249769
    Abstract: There is provided an antenna device including: a finite ground plane; a feeding point; feed antenna elements arranged in a radial fashion around the feeding point at a height from the finite ground plane; a selector switch to connect a first end of a feed antenna element selected from the feed antenna elements to the feeding point; and parasitic elements arranged correspondingly to the feed antenna elements, in which a first end thereof is connected to the finite ground plane and a portion including a second end thereof is capacitively coupled with the feed antenna element corresponding thereto, wherein a first length of the parasitic element is approximately a quarter of a wavelength of a radio frequency to be used, and a length from the second end of the feed antenna element to the feeding point is shorter than the first length of the parasitic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Makoto HIGAKI, Masaki NISHIO, Ippei KASHIWAGI
  • Publication number: 20130249770
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving signals in a MIMO system comprising: m signal receiver channels, where m is greater than 1; an antenna system constituted either by n directive antennae n>m, each antenna being able to receive signals in one of its own angular sectors, the angular sectors of the n antennae essentially not overlapping each other and together thrilling a total angular sector of 360 degrees, or a multi-sector antenna with n angular sectors n>m the n angular sectors essentially not overlapping each other and having a distinct access; and switching means to associate with each signal receiver channel an antenna from among the n antennae according to a switching schema selected by control means, the switching schema being selected from a plurality of switching schemas of a switching matrix according to a criterion representing the quality of the reception of the signals by said signal receiver channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Robert, Ali Louzir, Dominique Lo Hine Tong, Jean-Yves Le Naour
  • Publication number: 20130241789
    Abstract: A circuit board for wireless communications includes communication circuitry for modulating and/or demodulating a radio frequency (RF) signal and an antenna apparatus for transmitting and receiving the RF signal, the antenna apparatus having selectable antenna elements located near one or more peripheries of the circuit board. A first antenna element produces a first directional radiation pattern; a second antenna element produces a second directional radiation pattern offset from the first radiation pattern. The antenna elements may include one or more reflectors configured to provide gain and broaden the frequency response of the antenna element. A switching network couples one or more of the selectable elements to the communication circuitry and provides impedance matching regardless of which or how many of the antenna elements are selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Victor Shtrom, Darin T. Milton, William S. Kish
  • Publication number: 20130241795
    Abstract: A mobile terminal with an antenna apparatus is provided. The mobile terminal in one embodiment includes an antenna radiator disposed at a first end of the mobile terminal; at least one antenna modifying element disposed at a second, opposing end of the mobile terminal; and a coupling unit for fastening the first and second ends and electrically connecting the at least one antenna modifying element with the antenna device when the first and second ends are fastened. In another embodiment, a deformation detector detects at least one deformation of the mobile terminal, an antenna matching unit is electrically connectable to the first antenna radiator; and a controller is coupled to the deformation detector, for controlling an electrical connection between the antenna matching unit and the first antenna radiator when the at least one deformation is detected. The antenna matching unit may include a second antenna radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Bong SUNG, Hyeon-Uk KANG, Kyoung-Mok KIM, Seung-Hwan KIM, Jae-Ho LEE
  • Publication number: 20130241798
    Abstract: A built-in antenna for an electronic device is provided. The built-in antenna includes a substrate, a 1st antenna radiator with at least two radiating portions, a 2nd antenna radiator, and a switching means. The substrate has a conductive area and a non-conductive area. The 2nd antenna radiator is arranged within the non-conductive area of the substrate and fed by a Radio Frequency (RF) end of the substrate. The 2nd antenna radiator is configured to operate at a band different from at least one operating band of the 1st antenna radiator, and is fed by the RF end in a position adjacent the 1st antenna radiator. The switching means switches to selectively feed the 1st antenna radiator and the 2nd antenna radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-Jong LEE, Seung-Hwan KIM, Dong-Hwan KIM, Austin KIM, Young-Sung LEE, Jae-Ho LEE, Jae-Bong CHUN
  • Publication number: 20130241797
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of a switching multi-mode antenna of a user device are described. A switching multi-mode antenna is coupled to receive an RF input from one of at least two radio frequency (RF) feeds via a switch. The switching multi-mode antenna includes multiple antenna structures to communicate information in multiple frequency bands. A first antenna structure is configured to transmit first information in one of the frequency bands and a second antenna structure is configured to receive second information in the same one of the frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Jerry W. Kuo
  • Patent number: 8531338
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a main body, a cover, a base board, an elastic member, and an antenna module. The cover is attached to the main body. The base board includes a feeding point and a grounding point. The elastic member is connected to one of the feeding point and the grounding point. The antenna module includes a first antenna and a second antenna connected to the other feeding point and the grounding point of the base board. The base board, the elastic and the antenna module are mounted in the cover. The elastic member selectively causes the first antenna or the second antenna to contact to the one of the feeding points and the grounding point of the base board when in an open or closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chin-Hung Ma, Chi-Sheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8525748
    Abstract: A variable directivity antenna apparatus is configured to include a parasitic element, a plurality of antenna elements each provided to be away from the parasitic element by an electrical length of a quarter-wavelength, and a PIN diode connected to the parasitic element and changing over whether or not to ground the parasitic element. A radiation pattern from the variable directivity antenna apparatus is changed by outputting a control signal for changing over whether or not the parasitic element operates as a parasitic element by selectively turning on or off the PIN diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Noguchi, Hiroyuki Yurugi, Masahiko Nagoshi, Sotaro Shinkai, Akihiko Shiotsuki
  • Publication number: 20130222206
    Abstract: A portable terminal includes a first antenna unit including a low-frequency band antenna to service a low-frequency band; a second antenna unit including a high-frequency band antenna to service a high-frequency band; a first sub-antenna to support the low-frequency band antenna during communication; and a second sub-antenna to support the high-frequency band antenna during communication. A portable terminal includes a first antenna unit including a low-frequency band antenna to service a low-frequency band; a second antenna unit including a high-frequency band antenna to service a high-frequency band, in which the first antenna unit is disposed at a first portion of the portable terminal and the second antenna unit is disposed at a second portion of the portable terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Pantech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pantech Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8514143
    Abstract: An electronic device with antenna switch comprises a first antenna, a first proximity sensor, a second antenna, a detection module, a determination module and a control module. The first proximity sensor is located with the first antenna at a first side portion of the electronic device. The detection module detects an approach signal from the first proximity sensor. The determination module determines whether the strength of the approach signal is stronger than a threshold value in real time. The control module initiate the second antenna to receive signals through the switch if the strength of the approach signal is stronger then the strength of the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cho-Kang Hsu, Chia-Hung Su
  • Publication number: 20130210477
    Abstract: Detection of an increase in a mismatch of an antenna of a radio frequency (RF) device and/or a change in a capacitance value of the antenna indicates proximity of a body to the antenna. Upon detection of proximity of a body to the antenna, reduction of transmit power of the RF device may be done to meet Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) level regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Microchip Technology Incorporated
  • Publication number: 20130207865
    Abstract: Pattern shaping elements shape a radiation pattern generated by one or more antennas. A MIMO antenna system generates an omnidirectional radiation pattern. One or more pattern shaping elements may include metal objects which act as directors or reflectors to shape the radiation pattern. The shaping may be controlled by selectively coupling the pattern shaping elements to a ground plane, thus making them appear transparent to the radiation pattern. The pattern shaping elements may be amorphous, have varying shape, and may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Different configurations of selected pattern shaping elements may provide different shapes for a radiation pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Victor Shtrom, Bernard Baron, Chia Ching Ling
  • Publication number: 20130207875
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an expansion assembly configured to increase a transmitting distance of a MIMO system, the expansion assembly comprises N first RF front end units, N second RF front end units, a first power divider and combiner, and a second power divider and combiner. The first power divider and combiner connects with each of the first RF front end units, for delivering a first signal polarized in a first direction to the each of the first RF front end units. The second power divider and combiner connects with each of the second RF front end units, for delivering a first signal polarized in a first direction to the each of the second RF front end units. Accordingly, the first and second signal polarized in a second directions are capable of being transmitted in different directions, so as to implement the omni-directional transmission and increase the transmission distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TRANSYSTEM INC.
    Inventor: Lee-Chuan CHANG
  • Publication number: 20130201067
    Abstract: An electronic device antenna may be provided with an antenna ground. An antenna resonating element may have a first end that is coupled to the ground using an inductor and may have a second end that is coupled to a peripheral conductive housing member in an electronic device. The peripheral conductive housing member may have a portion that is connected to the ground and may have a portion that is separated from the ground by a gap. The gap may be bridged by an inductor that couples the second end of the antenna resonating element to the antenna ground. The inductor may be bridged by a switch. A tunable circuit such as a capacitor bridged by a switch may be interposed in the antenna resonating element. The switches that bridge the gap and the capacitor may be used in tuning the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Hongfei Hu, Mattia Pascolini, Robert W. Schlub, Matthew A. Mow, Nanbo Jin
  • Publication number: 20130194158
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods related to a CMOS switch for radio-frequency (RF) applications. In some embodiments, the switch can be configured to include a resistive body-floating circuit to provide improved power handling capability. The switch can further include an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit disposed relative to the switch to provide ESD protection for the switch. Such a switch can be implemented for different switching applications in wireless devices such as cell phones, including band-selection switching and transmit/receive switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130176189
    Abstract: A mobile terminal that includes a first antenna element disposed in proximity to a first side of the mobile terminal, a second antenna element disposed in proximity to a second side of the mobile terminal, and a third antenna element disposed in proximity to a third side of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal further including a switching mechanism that switches between a first connection mode in which the first and second antenna elements are feed elements and the third antenna element is a parasitic element, and a second connection mode in which the first and third antenna elements are feed elements, and a control unit that controls the switching mechanism to switch between the first connection mode and the second connection mode in accordance with a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichiro KODAMA, Aiko YOSHIDA, Akihiro BUNGO
  • Patent number: 8482465
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for an optically pumped switch device, an optically pumped reconfigurable antenna system (OPRAS), and their related antenna devices. In one embodiment, the switch devices and the antenna devices can have a photoconductive cell. The photoconductive cell can include a semiconductive substrate that is conductive to reflect a radio frequency (RF) signal in response to an optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Sameer D. Hemmady, Ganesh Balakrishnan, Christos G. Christodoulou, Youssef Tawk
  • Publication number: 20130169507
    Abstract: An exemplary wireless communication device includes a housing, a first antenna, a second antenna, a switch, and a radio frequency (RF) circuit. The housing includes a first holding portion corresponding to the second holding portion and a second holding portion corresponding to the first holding portion. The RF circuit is selectively connectable to the first antenna or the second antenna via the switch. The sensor is electrically connected to the switch. The sensor senses a state of the housing, wherein the state of the housing is one of position of the housing and proximity of a user's hand to one of the first antenna and the second antenna, and the sensor controls the switch to select the first antenna or the second antenna to connect to the RF circuit to transmit and receive signals wirelessly according to the sensed state of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: CHENG-HUNG KO, HAO-YING CHANG, CHUAN-CHOU CHI
  • Patent number: 8466849
    Abstract: An antenna device for a portable terminal, in which a first radiator is installed within the portable terminal, a second radiator is elongated lengthwise and installed to be retractable into and extendable from the portable terminal, and a switch portion has at least one plate spring and connects a communication circuit portion of the portable terminal selectively to the first radiator or the second radiator. When the second radiator is retracted into the portable terminal, the communication circuit portion is connected to the first radiator through the at least one plate spring, and when the second radiator is extended from the portable terminal, the communication circuit portion is connected to the second radiator through the at least one plate spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jun Yoon, Yeong-Moo Ryu, Kwon-Sik Min
  • Patent number: 8463340
    Abstract: Provided is a method of accessing to a communication system in a terminal comprising a plurality of antennas, which includes determining a home system which is previously set to preferentially access from a preferred roaming list of a plurality of communications systems, when power is turned on; connecting a system switch to a home antenna for communicating with the home system in a specific frequency band; and accessing the home system to use the home service through the home antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong In Lee, Kun Hui Yi
  • Patent number: 8462057
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a plurality of antennas, a plurality of wireless transceivers, and signal processing circuitry. The device may further include a controller for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, and for selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers. Moreover, the controller may also be for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Yihong Qi, Ying Tong Man, Perry Jarmuszewski
  • Patent number: 8456372
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable handheld housing, and a wireless transceiver carried by the housing. A pair of an antennas are positioned in side-by-side relation preferably in the upper portion of the portable handheld housing. A human interface diversity controller is connected to the wireless transceiver to preferentially operate with the plurality of antennas based upon a relative position of the portable handheld housing with respect to a hand of a human user. The device can select or weight the antennas based upon the position of the device when being held by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Vytas Robertas Kezys, Yihong Qi
  • Publication number: 20130135157
    Abstract: A portable communication device includes an appearance, a substrate and a switchable resonant antenna. The substrate is disposed in the appearance, and the substrate has a ground plane. The switchable resonant antenna comprises a first connection portion, a switching unit, a first metal element and a second metal element, where the first connection portion is electrically coupled between the ground plane and the switching unit, the switching unit is configured to electrically couple the first connection portion to the first metal element or the second metal element according to a control signal generated corresponding to a detecting result, in order to generate a first resonant mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tun-Yuan Tsou, Pei-Ling Teng, Yi-Chun Chen, Hong-Lung Chen, Kuo-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20130135059
    Abstract: A low loss quarter wave Radio Frequency (RF) relay switch apparatus and method provides more efficient transmission of RF energy to downstream antenna switching elements in an antenna switching network. The antenna switching network may include multiple antenna multiplexer modules which are configured to operate in a local use configuration or a pass through configuration. The antenna multiplexer modules are designed for maximum efficiency in the pass through configuration acting virtually lossless when passing through RF energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventor: MARK W. DURON
  • Patent number: 8451186
    Abstract: A system and method for providing overvoltage and overcurrent protection. The present teachings provide a method for protecting a component including the steps of: 1) connecting a first terminal of a normally open micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switch to a source of an input signal with respect to the component; 2) connecting a second terminal of the switch to an input to the component; and 3) connecting a third terminal of the switch to a source of control potential to activate the switch on the application of power thereto. In a most general embodiment, the invention provides an arrangement for protecting a component comprising a MEMS switch having a first terminal coupled to a source of an input signal; a second terminal coupled to said component; and a third terminal adapted to activate the switch on the application of control power thereto. In the best mode, the switch is normally open, the first terminal is a drain terminal, and the second terminal is coupled to a source of ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Steve E. Huettner
  • Publication number: 20130127685
    Abstract: Provided is an antenna device (1) including: an antenna element (120); a substrate (100) on which a ground conductor is provided; a first feeding portion (130); a second feeding portion (140); and a switching section (111, 131, 141). A direction in which high frequency electric current mainly flows in the ground conductor is different from while the first feeding portion (130) feeds the antenna element (120) to while the second feeding portion (140) feeds the antenna element (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Ikehata
  • Patent number: 8447348
    Abstract: A configurable antenna structure includes a plurality of switches, a plurality of antenna components, and a configuration module. The configuration module is operable to configure the plurality of switches and the plurality of antenna components into a first antenna for receiving a MFBMS signal. The configuration module continues processing by identify a signal component of interest of a plurality of signal components of interest within the MFBMS signal. The configuration module continues processing by configuring the plurality of switches and the plurality of antenna components into a second antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Vinko Erceg, Arya Reza Behzad, Brima B. Ibrahim, David Rosmann, John Walley, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran