Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for wireless communication circuitry (202) that includes (1) a first antenna matching circuit (213) configured to tune a first antenna (208) to a first subset of a plurality of frequency bands or a second subset of the frequency bands, and including a first switch (220) with selectable states corresponding to the first and second subsets; (2) a second antenna matching circuit (215) configured to tune a second antenna (210) to a third subset of the frequency bands or a fourth subset of the frequency bands, and including a second switch (222) with selectable states corresponding to the third and fourth subsets; and (3) a third antenna matching circuit (211) configured to tune a third antenna (206) to a fifth subset of the frequency bands. The circuitry is operable with a plurality of service providers associated with the fifth subset and one of the other subsets.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for wireless communication circuitry (202) that includes (1) a first antenna matching circuit (213) configured to tune a first antenna (208) to a first subset of a plurality of frequency bands or a second subset of the frequency bands, and including a first switch (220) with selectable states corresponding to the first and second subsets; (2) a second antenna matching circuit (215) configured to tune a second antenna (210) to a third subset of the frequency bands or a fourth subset of the frequency bands, and including a second switch (222) with selectable states corresponding to the third and fourth subsets; and (3) a third antenna matching circuit (211) configured to tune a third antenna (206) to a fifth subset of the frequency bands. The circuitry is operable with a plurality of service providers associated with the fifth subset and one of the other subsets.

Abstract: A loop antenna includes a ground plane and a conductive element with a first C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a first portion of the ground plane, a second C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a second portion of the ground plane, and a transmission line element disposed between the first C-shaped element portion and the second C-shaped element portion and positioned directly above a third portion of the ground plane.

Abstract: A loop antenna includes a ground plane and a conductive element with a first C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a first portion of the ground plane, a second C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a second portion of the ground plane, and a transmission line element disposed between the first C-shaped element portion and the second C-shaped element portion and positioned directly above a third portion of the ground plane.

Abstract: A mobile communication device 100 has a user interface portion (102) and an ear portion (104). The ear portion slopes or curves away from a plane (202) defined by the user interface portion to urge a user of the mobile communication device to hold the mobile communication device at an angle (404).

Abstract: A mobile communication device (100) uses an extendible antenna structure (200) in addition to a fixed antenna element (401). The extendible antenna structure has first and second conductor elements (210, 212) which are arranged to connect different antenna arrangements to corresponding matching networks (124, 126). A first conductor element couples the fixed antenna element and an antenna element in the extendible antenna structure together to the first matching network when the extendible antenna element is in an extended position. A second conductor element connects the fixed antenna alone to the second matching network when the extendible antenna element is in the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna assembly (102) and a method (600) of operation thereof. In one arrangement, the antenna assembly can include a first antenna element (202) and a second antenna element (204), electrically disconnected from the first antenna element and a switching element (210) to selectively connect the first antenna element and the second antenna element. In another arrangement, the method can include the steps of sliding (604) the switching element to a first position to operate the antenna assembly in a first mode of operation and sliding (606) the switching element to a second position to operate the antenna assembly in a second mode of operation. As an example, in the first mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a one-half wavelength antenna. In the second mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a quarter wavelength antenna.

Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna assembly (102) and a method (600) of operation thereof. In one arrangement, the antenna assembly can include a first antenna element (202) and a second antenna element (204), electrically disconnected from the first antenna element and a switching element (210) to selectively connect the first antenna element and the second antenna element. In another arrangement, the method can include the steps of sliding (604) the switching element to a first position to operate the antenna assembly in a first mode of operation and sliding (606) the switching element to a second position to operate the antenna assembly in a second mode of operation. As an example, in the first mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a one-half wavelength antenna. In the second mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a quarter wavelength antenna.

Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna assembly (102) and a method (600) of operation thereof. In one arrangement, the antenna assembly can include a first antenna element (202) and a second antenna element (204), electrically disconnected from the first antenna element and a switching element (210) to selectively connect the first antenna element and the second antenna element. In another arrangement, the method can include the steps of sliding (604) the switching element to a first position to operate the antenna assembly in a first mode of operation and sliding (606) the switching element to a second position to operate the antenna assembly in a second mode of operation. As an example, in the first mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a one-half wavelength antenna. In the second mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a quarter wavelength antenna.

Abstract: An antenna (100) that includes an outer helical radiator (102) having a first diameter (118) and an inner helical radiator (112) having a second diameter (116) that is smaller than the first diameter. The inner helical radiator can be positioned at least in part interior to the outer helical radiator. Further, the outer helical radiator and the inner helical radiator can be substantially coaxially aligned. For example, the inner helical radiator can be attached to a dielectric member (120) such that the dielectric member maintains the position of the inner helical radiator.

Abstract: An antenna (100) that includes a first helical radiator (102) and a second helical radiator (116) positioned substantially co-linear with the first helical radiator. The first helical radiator can be communicatively linked to a signal source (106). The second helical radiator can be moveable between a first position wherein the second helical radiator is substantially adjacent to the first helical radiator and a second position wherein the second helical radiator is distal from the first helical radiator. The first helical radiator and the second helical radiator can cooperate to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals using an electrical connection and/or electromagnetic coupling. The electromagnetic coupling can primarily include capacitive coupling. The antenna also can include an impedance tuning member (538) which electromagnetically couples to the first helical radiator and/or the second helical radiator.

Abstract: The invention concerns an antenna assembly (102) and a method (600) of operation thereof. In one arrangement, the antenna assembly can include a first antenna element (202) and a second antenna element (204), electrically disconnected from the first antenna element and a switching element (210) to selectively connect the first antenna element and the second antenna element. In another arrangement, the method can include the steps of sliding (604) the switching element to a first position to operate the antenna assembly in a first mode of operation and sliding (606) the switching element to a second position to operate the antenna assembly in a second mode of operation. As an example, in the first mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a one-half wavelength antenna. In the second mode of operation, the antenna assembly can operate as a quarter wavelength antenna.

Abstract: A multiband element antenna (120) used in combination with a unique metal chassis design that enhances antenna performance and that enables the design of a compact and efficient antenna system. A cellular flip phone (100) that has a conductive chassis includes a flip up antenna (120) that pivots between an extended and a retracted position. The antenna (120) pivots at a point that is located on one edge of the top of the cell phone body (102). The conductive chassis of the flip cover (104) is grounded to the flip phone body (102) at a single point or single surface that is substantially opposite the antenna RF feed (122). Conductive surfaces of the cellular flip phone body (102) are grounded at a single point that is near the antenna RF feed point (122). This grounding arrangement has been found to control the flow of induced currents on the conductive portions of the flip cover (104) and body (102), thereby improving the performance of the device's antenna (120).

Abstract: An assembly (200) includes a base assembly (202), a first flip assembly (206) hingeably coupled to the base assembly, a second flip assembly (210) hingeably coupled to the first flip assembly, an antenna (102) carried by the second flip assembly, and a communication device (104) coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna structure (142) having a retractable element (124) and a reactive antenna circuit (118). The antenna structure components conductively disconnect the reactive circuit (118) from the RF drive (138) when the retractable element (124) is extended, and conductively reconnect them when the retractable element (124) is retracted. The retractable element (124) is also conductively connected to the RF drive (138) when the retractable element (124) is extended and conductively disconnected when the retractable element (124) is retracted. The reactive circuit (118) maintains substantially similar impedance to the retractable element (124) for an RF antenna circuit when the retractable antenna (142) is in both the extended and the retracted positions.

Abstract: A wireless communications device (102) includes a flip assembly 106 that includes a speaker (120) and that has a GPS antenna (104) mounted about a far edge. The flip assembly (106) further has a GPS RF amplifier (314) mounted adjacent to the GPS antenna (104) for amplifying signals received by the GPS antenna (104) and providing those amplified signals to a GPS RF stripline (312). The GPS RF stripline (312) includes a flexible RF stripline (404) to accommodate rotationally opening and closing of the flip assembly (106). Positioning of the GPS antenna (104) about the far edge of the flip assembly (106) removes the GPS antenna from a main housing assembly (108) of the wireless communications device (102) and provides for better GPS signal reception performance.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a first communication subsystem (102) and a second communication subsystem (104). The two communication subsystems operate in different frequency bands and use a common antenna structure. The antenna structure includes a fixed antenna element (110) and a retractable antenna (114) that may be electrically coupled to the fixed antenna element when moved to a fully extended position. The retractable antenna changes the impedance characteristics of the antenna structure substantially at the frequency used by the second communication subsystem, so a matching network (108) is switched in or out of the path between the second communication subsystem and the diplexer. A position detecting circuit (116) and switch controller (118) control operating of the matching network (108) depending on the position of the retractable antenna.

Abstract: An antenna structure (142) having a retractable element (124) and a reactive antenna circuit (118). The antenna structure components conductively disconnect the reactive circuit (118) from the RF drive (138) when the retractable element (124) is extended, and conductively reconnect them when the retractable element (124) is retracted. The retractable element (124) is also conductively connected to the RF drive (138) when the retractable element (124) is extended and conductively disconnected when the retractable element (124) is retracted. The reactive circuit (118) maintains substantially similar impedance to the retractable element (124) for an RF antenna circuit when the retractable antenna (142) is in both the extended and the retracted positions.

Abstract: A multiband element antenna (120) used in combination with a unique metal chassis design that enhances antenna performance and that enables the design of a compact and efficient antenna system. A cellular flip phone (100) that has a conductive chassis includes a flip up antenna (120) that pivots between an extended and a retracted position. The antenna (120) pivots at a point that is located on one edge of the top of the cell phone body (102). The conductive chassis of the flip cover (104) is grounded to the flip phone body (102) at a single point or single surface that is substantially opposite the antenna RF feed (122). Conductive surfaces of the cellular flip phone body (102) are grounded at a single point that is near the antenna RF feed point (122). This grounding arrangement has been found to control the flow of induced currents on the conductive portions of the flip cover (104) and body (102), thereby improving the performance of the device's antenna (120).

Abstract: A wireless communications device (102) includes a flip assembly 106 that includes a speaker (120) and that has a GPS antenna (104) mounted about a far edge. The flip assembly (106) further has a GPS RF amplifier (314) mounted adjacent to the GPS antenna (104) for amplifying signals received by the GPS antenna (104) and providing those amplified signals to a GPS RF stripline (312). The GPS RF stripline (312) includes a flexible RF stripline (404) to accommodate rotationally opening and closing of the flip assembly (106). Positioning of the GPS antenna (104) about the far edge of the flip assembly (106) removes the GPS antenna from a main housing assembly (108) of the wireless communications device (102) and provides for better GPS signal reception performance.