Abstract: Mobile communication devices include multi-band antennas that use an internal conductor and a perimeter conductor to define antenna sections that are coupled together based on an RF wavelength of interest. The antenna sections can be selected or deselected by shunting to ground using a passive filter device or an active RF switch. In other examples, filters or switches are configured to couple an internal conductor and a portion of a perimeter conductor together to provide an effective antenna length associated with a selected frequency.

Abstract: An optical disc drive (ODD) includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader. The reader includes a circuit and a coil antenna which has a rotational symmetry with respect to a rotation axis of a motor, shaft and turntable of the ODD. The coil antenna can be secured to a wall of a housing of the ODD or around the motor and/or shaft. The reader can read an RFID tag on an optical disc. The RFID tag includes a circuit and a coil antenna which has a rotational symmetry with respect to the disc. As a result, the RFID tag can be read while the disc is rotating. A magnetic insulating material such as a ferrite polymer composite film is used to magnetically insulate the coil antenna. An authentication code can be read from the RFID tag to control access to content of the optical disc.

Abstract: A dual band printed antenna pair operates simultaneously at both WLAN frequency bands (2.4 GHz/5 GHz). The antenna pair provides high isolation between both antennas while having an efficient over the air performance. The antenna pair achieve greater than 20 dB isolation at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band, while having antennas positioned in close proximity. The high isolation is accomplished using an orthogonal antenna configuration (exploiting orthogonal polarization) and a parasitic element to further enhance isolation at 2.4 GHz. The antenna pair and parasitic element are printed on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) adding relatively little cost to the Radio Frequency (RF) interface. The PCB is then fixed on top of a metal chassis with the antenna keep out area overhanging a corner of the metal chassis to enhance performance.

Abstract: Techniques for utilization of antenna loading for impedance matching are described. In at least some embodiments, a device (e.g., a smart phone) includes multiple antennas that are employed to send and receive wireless signals for the device. The device further includes impedance matching functionality communicatively connected to the antennas, and configured to perform impedance matching for one of the antennas based on loading (e.g., dielectric loading) of another of the antennas.

Abstract: A reconfigurable monopole antenna is described which includes a radiator element coupled to a feed point through at least two different current paths. The current paths are of different lengths to accommodate different frequency bands. To change the current paths, a feed-point switch is positioned at the antenna feed point for selectively supplying current along either a first current path or a second current path. The current paths share a majority of the radiator element so that separate radiator elements need not be used.

Abstract: A multiband monopole antenna for a mobile device is disclosed that can be dynamically switched between a quarter-wave monopole antenna and a half-wave folded monopole antenna. In one embodiment, a radiator element can be built into at least part of a decorative trim on an outer casing of the mobile device. A circuit element embedded into the radiator element can electrically connect or disconnect a radiator element tip from a grounded portion of the decorative trim. In some embodiments, the circuit element can be a switch or a passive filter element, such as an inductor/capacitive-based filter. In other embodiments, the circuit element can be a tunable filter circuit whose impedance can be dynamically changed.

Abstract: Multiband antenna decoupling networks and systems including multiband antenna decoupling networks are provided herein. A multiband decoupling network is connected to two or more closely spaced antennas. The multiband decoupling network includes lumped components and is reconfigurable to decouple the two or more antennas at a plurality of distinct communication frequency bands. The multiband decoupling network may include tunable lumped components and be reconfigurable through tuning the tunable lumped components. A pi network may be used for the multiband decoupling network. At least one separate impedance-matching network may also be used to match the input impedance of the multiband decoupling network to the output impedance of transmission lines leading to the multiband decoupling network.

Abstract: Techniques involving a slot antenna and associated functionality are described. In one or more implementations, the techniques describe a slot antenna that is usable for wireless communication in a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device may include one or more modules communicatively coupled to the slot antenna and configured to employ the slot antenna to enable the wireless communication.

Abstract: Reconfigurable multi-band filter techniques are described. In one or more implementations a device includes a radiating structure and a filter connected to the radiating structure configured to filter wireless signals received by the radiating structure. The filter includes switchable resonators configured to tune to different frequency bands and tunable capacitors configured to tune to different frequencies within the different frequency bands.

Abstract: Reconfigurable multi-band antenna techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes an antenna that can operate at multiple frequency bands that include first and second frequency bands, respectively. The antenna includes a first radiator structure configured to tune to the first frequency band and comprising a first radiator element. In addition, the antenna includes a second radiator structure configured to tune to the second frequency band and comprising the first radiator element and a second radiator element. The antenna also includes a tunable circuit configured to couple the first radiator element to the second radiator element. Additionally, the apparatus includes a communication module configured to use the tunable circuit to adjust one of said first and second frequency bands independently from, and without causing a change in, the other of said first and second frequency bands.

Abstract: A cable is disclosed for transmitting high speed digital baseband signals together with analog RF signals between first and second components. The RF signals may be transmitted between an antenna in the first component and an RF transceiver in the second component at operating frequencies such as for example 70 MHz to 6 GHz. In order to reduce cross-talk between the digital and analog lines, the analog signal may be carried over a line including a pair of wires such as a differential signal pair. The pair of wires carrying the analog signal may include baluns at either end to enable delivery over the pair of wires. The baluns may be wideband baluns to support communication over the full range of operating frequencies. In order to further reduce cross-talk, the digital and/or analog lines may be encased within an EMI-absorbing jacket made of extruded ferrite as one example.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing an integrated antenna structure are described. In at least some embodiments, the integrated antenna structure includes an antenna that is folded and/or meandered in design to enable the antenna to be incorporated into a compact area. The integrated antenna structure further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a ground plane to which the antenna is connected. In implementations, the antenna and the PCB can be combined to form an integrated radiating structure that can be incorporated into a device to enable the device to transmit and/or receive wireless signals.

Abstract: Novel reconfigurable antennas are provided which may be used to accommodate the requirements for wideband multi-standard handheld communication devices. It is shown that using a shape memory alloy spring actuator, the height of a helical antenna and therefore the pitch spacing and angle can be varied. This can in turn tune the far-field radiation pattern and gain of the antenna dynamically to adjust to new operating conditions. The radiation pattern can further be directed using a two-helix array. Finally, a helical antenna embodiment is implemented and measured using a shape memory alloy actuator. Measurement results confirm that while keeping the centre frequency constant, gain tunability can be attained using this structure.

Abstract: A partially-transparent antenna is described that may be utilized to wirelessly transmit or receive data. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes an antenna and one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware. The antenna is formed from a material that is at least partially transparent. The one or more modules are communicatively coupled to the antenna to use the antenna to wirelessly transmit or receive data.

Abstract: Techniques involving a slot antenna and associated functionality are described. In one or more implementations, the techniques describe a slot antenna that is usable for wireless communication in a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device may include one or more modules communicatively coupled to the slot antenna and configured to employ the slot antenna to enable the wireless communication.

Abstract: Novel reconfigurable antennas are provided which may be used to accommodate the requirements for wideband multi-standard handheld communication devices. It is shown that using a shape memory alloy spring actuator, the height of a helical antenna and therefore the pitch spacing and angle can be varied. This can in turn tune the far-field radiation pattern and gain of the antenna dynamically to adjust to new operating conditions. The radiation pattern can further be directed using a two-helix array. Finally, a helical antenna embodiment is implemented and measured using a shape memory alloy actuator. Measurement results confirm that while keeping the centre frequency constant, gain tunability can be attained using this structure.

Abstract: Lithographically fabricated apparatus are provided. The apparatus are capable of self-assembly to extend at least in part in an out-of-plane direction. A cantilever arm is anchored to a substrate at one of its ends and fabricated to provide a cantilever portion that extends from the anchor in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the substrate, One or more posts are fabricated atop the cantilever portion. The posts shrink from a first volume to a second volume, less than the first volume, during fabrication thereof. The change in volume of the post from the first volume to the second volume causes stress between the post and the cantilever arm resulting in the cantilever portion bending from an in-plane orientation extending in the longitudinal direction to a self-assembled orientation extending at least in part in an out-of-plane direction away from the substrate.

Abstract: Lithographically fabricated apparatus are provided. The apparatus are capable of self-assembly to extend at least in part in an out-of-plane direction. A cantilever arm is anchored to a substrate at one of its ends and fabricated to provide a cantilever portion that extends from the anchor in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the substrate, One or more posts are fabricated atop the cantilever portion. The posts shrink from a first volume to a second volume, less than the first volume, during fabrication thereof. The change in volume of the post from the first volume to the second volume causes stress between the post and the cantilever arm resulting in the cantilever portion bending from an in-plane orientation extending in the longitudinal direction to a self-assembled orientation extending at least in part in an out-of-plane direction away from the substrate.