Abstract: Near-field antennas and methods of operating and manufacturing near-field antennas are provided herein. An example near-field antenna for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals includes: (i) a conductive plate including one or more channels extending through the conductive place, a respective channel of the one or more channels having first and second segments, and (ii) a feed element configured to direct a plurality of RF power transmission signals towards the conductive plate. At least some of the RF power transmission signals cause an accumulation of RF energy within a near-field distance of the conductive plate. Furthermore, the accumulation of RF energy includes: (i) a first zone of accumulated RF energy at the first segment, and (ii) a second zone of accumulated RF energy at the second segment, the second zone of accumulated RF energy being distinct from the first zone of accumulated RF energy.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving wireless power from a transmitter is provided. The antenna includes multiple antenna elements, coupled to an electronic device, configured to receive radio-frequency (RF) power waves from the transmitter, each antenna element being adjacent to at least one other antenna element. Furthermore, the multiple antenna elements are arranged so that an efficiency of reception of the RF power waves by the antenna elements remains above a predetermined threshold efficiency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, the predetermined threshold efficiency being at least 50%. Lastly, at least one antenna element is coupled to conversion circuitry, which is configured to (i) convert energy from the received RF power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to the electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

Abstract: An example non-inductive, resonant near-field antenna includes: (i) a conductive plate having first and second opposing planar surfaces and one or more cutouts extending through the conductive plate from the first surface to the second surface; (ii) an insulator; and (iii) a feed element, separated from the first surface of the conductive plate by the insulator, configured to direct a plurality of RF power transmission signals towards the conductive plate. At least some of the plurality of RF power transmission signals radiate through the cutout(s) and accumulate within a near-field distance of the conductive plate to create at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at each of the cutout(s). Furthermore, the at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at the cutout(s) are defined based, at least in part, on a set of dimensions defining each of the cutout(s) and an arrangement of the cutout(s).

Abstract: An antenna for receiving wireless power from a transmitter is provided. The antenna includes multiple antenna elements, coupled to an electronic device, configured to receive radio-frequency (RF) power waves from the transmitter, each antenna element being adjacent to at least one other antenna element. Furthermore, the multiple antenna elements are arranged so that an efficiency of reception of the RF power waves by the antenna elements remains above a predetermined threshold efficiency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, the predetermined threshold efficiency being at least 50%. Lastly, at least one antenna element is coupled to conversion circuitry, which is configured to (i) convert energy from the received RF power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to the electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a near-field antenna for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals includes selecting a set of dimensions for one or more cutouts to be defined through a conductive plate of the near-field antenna. The conductive plate has opposing first and second planar surfaces. The method includes forming the one or more cutouts through the first and second surfaces of the conductive plate in a predefined arrangement. Each of the one or more cutouts has the set of dimensions. The method includes coupling an insulator to the first surface of the conductive plate, and coupling a feed element to the insulator.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a near-field antenna for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals includes selecting a set of dimensions for one or more cutouts to be defined through a conductive plate of the near-field antenna. The conductive plate has opposing first and second planar surfaces. The method includes forming the one or more cutouts through the first and second surfaces of the conductive plate in a predefined arrangement. Each of the one or more cutouts has the set of dimensions. The method includes coupling an insulator to the first surface of the conductive plate, and coupling a feed element to the insulator.

Abstract: An antenna for receiving wireless power from a transmitter is provided. The antenna includes multiple antenna elements, coupled to an electronic device, configured to receive radio-frequency (RF) power waves from the transmitter, each antenna element being adjacent to at least one other antenna element. Furthermore, the multiple antenna elements are arranged so that an efficiency of reception of the RF power waves by the antenna elements remains above a predetermined threshold efficiency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, the predetermined threshold efficiency being at least 50%. Lastly, at least one antenna element is coupled to conversion circuitry, which is configured to (i) convert energy from the received RF power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to the electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

Abstract: An example non-inductive, resonant near-field antenna includes: (i) a conductive plate having first and second opposing planar surfaces and one or more cutouts extending through the conductive plate from the first surface to the second surface; (ii) an insulator; and (iii) a feed element, separated from the first surface of the conductive plate by the insulator, configured to direct a plurality of RF power transmission signals towards the conductive plate. At least some of the plurality of RF power transmission signals radiate through the cutout(s) and accumulate within a near-field distance of the conductive plate to create at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at each of the cutout(s). Furthermore, the at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at the cutout(s) are defined based, at least in part, on a set of dimensions defining each of the cutout(s) and an arrangement of the cutout(s).

Abstract: An example non-inductive, resonant near-field antenna includes: (i) a conductive plate having first and second opposing planar surfaces and one or more cutouts extending through the conductive plate from the first surface to the second surface; (ii) an insulator; and (iii) a feed element, separated from the first surface of the conductive plate by the insulator, configured to direct a plurality of RF power transmission signals towards the conductive plate. At least some of the plurality of RF power transmission signals radiate through the cutout(s) and accumulate within a near-field distance of the conductive plate to create at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at each of the cutout(s). Furthermore, the at least two distinct zones of accumulated RF energy at the cutout(s) are defined based, at least in part, on a set of dimensions defining each of the cutout(s) and an arrangement of the cutout(s).

Abstract: An antenna circuit includes a substrate, an antenna, and a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM). The antenna is fabricated on the substrate and is positioned in a region of the substrate that has a high permittivity. The PAMM produces an artificial magnetic conductor at a distance above a surface of the substrate to facilitate a radiation pattern for the antenna.

Abstract: A broadband antenna element for wireless communications includes one or more radiator layers to receive an electrical signal and to transmit a polarized electromagnetic (EM) wave. A feed layer including a feeding mechanism feeds the electrical signal generated by a transmitter into the radiator layer. A ground layer is coupled to a ground potential of the transmitter. The one or more radiator layers, the feed layer, and the ground layer are conductor layers of a multilayer substrate that includes metal layers and dielectric layers. The antenna element transmits with a broad bandwidth centered at a frequency of about 60 GHz, and maintains the broad bandwidth and polarization purity for scan angles up to a predefined value.

Abstract: An antenna circuit includes a substrate, an antenna, and a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM). The antenna is fabricated on the substrate and is positioned in a region of the substrate that has a high permittivity. The PAMM produces an artificial magnetic conductor at a distance above a surface of the substrate to facilitate a radiation pattern for the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna circuit includes a substrate, an antenna, and a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM). The antenna is fabricated on the substrate and is positioned in a region of the substrate that has a high permittivity. The PAMM produces an artificial magnetic conductor at a distance above a surface of the substrate to facilitate a radiation pattern for the antenna.

Abstract: A communication device includes a processing module, a transmitter section, a receiver section, a wireless communication structure, a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) array, and a metal backing. The transmitter section and the receiver section are on a first layer. The wireless communication structure is on a second layer, the PAMM array is on a third layer, and the metal backing is on a fourth layer. The PAMM array includes a non-conductive area to support coupling of the wireless communication structure to at least one of the transmitter section and the receiver section. In addition, the PAMM array provides electromagnetic shielding of the at least one of the transmitter section and the receiver section from the wireless communication structure.

Abstract: Embodiments include antenna systems capable of producing high quality circularly, elliptically, or linearly polarized radiation. Embodiments include single feed (single-ended or differential) or multiple feed antennas. Embodiments can be electronically configured to adjust the type of polarization of the antenna system. In an embodiment, the polarization of the antenna system is adjusted by adjusting at least the position of a grounding node relative to the position of a feed node. In another embodiment, the polarization of the antenna system is adjusted by configuring one or more input nodes of the antenna between feed nodes, grounding nodes, and open nodes. In another embodiment, the polarization of the antenna system is adjusted by adjusting the phase of a single differential feed of the system.

Abstract: A tunable projected artificial magnetic minor (PAMM) includes a plurality of artificial magnetic minor (AMM) cells and a control module. The AMM cells collectively produce an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) having a geometric shape a distance from a surface of the tunable PAMM for an electromagnetic signal in a given frequency range. The control module is operably coupled to the plurality of AMM cells and provides control information to one or more of the AMM cells to tune at least one of the geometric shape of the AMC and the distance of the AMC from the surface of the tunable PAMM.

Abstract: A programmable antenna includes a substrate, metallic inclusions, bidirectional coupling circuits, and a control module. The metallic inclusions are embedded within a region of the substrate. The bidirectional coupling circuits are physically distributed within the region and are physically proximal to the metallic inclusions. The control module activates a set of bidirectional coupling circuits, which, when active, the set of interconnects a set of metallic inclusions to provide a conductive area within the region. The conductive area functions an antenna.

Abstract: A projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) includes conductive coils, a metal backing, and a dielectric material. The conductive coils are arranged in an array on a first layer of a substrate and the metal backing is on a second layer of the substrate. The dielectric material is between the first and second layers of the substrate. The conductive coils are electrically coupled to the metal backing to form an inductive-capacitive network that, for a a selected frequency band, substantially reduces surface waves along a PAMM surface, the PAMM surface residing within the substrate or above the substrate. The PAMM surface may be substantially adjacent or coexistent with the first layer.

Abstract: A multiple frequency projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) includes a plurality of metal traces, a metal backing, and a dielectric material. The plurality of metal traces is on one or more layers of a substrate and the metal backing is on another layer of the substrate. The dielectric material is between the metal backing and the plurality of metal traces, which is electrically coupled to the metal backing. At least some of the plurality of metal traces is of various sizes and of various positioning and spacing to create a distributed inductor-capacitor network having a first frequency band of operation and a second frequency band of operation.

Abstract: A projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) waveguide includes a substrate, metal patches, a metal backing, multiple dielectric materials, and a waveguide area. The metal patches are on a first layer of a substrate and the metal backing is on a second layer of the substrate. The first dielectric material is between the first and second layers of the substrate. The metal patches are electrically coupled to the metal backing to form an inductive-capacitive network that substantially reduces surface waves along a surface of the substrate within a given frequency band. The second dielectric material juxtaposed to the metal patches, where the waveguide area is between the second and third dielectric materials and includes the surface of the substrate. The inductive-capacitive network, the second dielectric material, and/or the third dielectric material facilitate confining an electromagnetic signal within the waveguide area.