Abstract: In aspects of managing antenna module heat and RF emissions, an antenna module includes antenna elements that emit radio frequency (RF) signals for wireless data communication. The antenna module also includes an integrated heat sink to dissipate heat generated by an amplifier on the antenna module, where the heat sink is formed as a metallic component having a surface approximately coplanar with the antenna elements. The antenna module also includes one or more grooves that are formed into the surface of the heat sink, where the one or more grooves are effective to allow the RF signals being emitted from the antenna elements without deformation of a radiation pattern of the RF signals.

Abstract: A communication device, computer program product, and method provide a heat sink antenna that performs dual functions of thermal energy transferring and radio frequency (RF) communication. The communication device includes a millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna module. The communication device includes a heat sink antenna having a first portion in thermal conductive contact with at least a portion of a surface of the mmWave antenna module. The heat sink antenna has a second portion extending away from the first mmWave antenna module to transfer thermal energy away from the first mmWave antenna module. An RF front end of the communication device includes mmWave transmitter that radiates a mmWave signal via the mmWave antenna module, resulting in generation of the thermal energy.

Abstract: In aspects of managing antenna module heat and RF emissions, an antenna module includes antenna elements that emit radio frequency (RF) signals for wireless data communication. The antenna module also includes an integrated heat sink to dissipate heat generated by an amplifier on the antenna module, where the heat sink is formed as a metallic component having a surface approximately coplanar with the antenna elements. The antenna module also includes one or more grooves that are formed into the surface of the heat sink, where the one or more grooves are effective to allow the RF signals being emitted from the antenna elements without deformation of a radiation pattern of the RF signals.

Abstract: A method, wireless communication device (WCD), and computer program product deploys an additional, retractable antenna to enhance signal communication within an identified network. A processor executes an antenna deployment module (ADM) in order to determine a link status based on a quality and/or a strength of communication signals propagated via at least one stationary antenna. In response to the link status indicating that coverage of a second/target network is available or that a quality of a signal propagated within a first network is less than a threshold level, the ADM provides a deployment signal to a deployment component. In response to receiving the deployment signal, the deployment component deploys the retractable antenna by extending the retractable antenna from a stowed position to a deployed position. The ADM enables the WCD to communicate within the selected network via the deployed retractable antenna using a higher quality communication signal.

Abstract: A communication device includes a processor subsystem that is in communication with a communication module, which is communicatively coupled to an antenna array to transmit and receive signals. The processor subsystem executes a near-field detection application to perform a method including transmitting, via the antenna array, a signal that is swept across a range of frequencies and receiving any back-scattered signals in the range of frequencies. The method includes determining whether a near-field obstruction exists based on characteristics of the received back-scattered signals. In response to determining that a near-field obstruction exists, the method includes triggering the processor subsystem to perform one or more responsive operations on the communication device.

Abstract: A communication device, method, and computer program product monito, by a controller, respective temperatures of two or more antennas of the communication device. A first antenna of the two or more antennas has a first temperature. A modem of the communication device transmits data to the first antenna. The controller compares each of the respective temperatures to a corresponding temperature threshold. In response to determining that the first temperature exceeds the temperature threshold, the controller determines whether at least one second antenna of the two or more antennas has an associated second temperature that is less than a corresponding second temperature threshold. In response to determining that at least one second antenna has a second temperature that is less than the corresponding second temperature threshold, the controller selects a second antenna from among the at least one second antenna and switches data transmission to the selected second antenna.

Abstract: A method, wireless communication device (WCD), and computer program product deploys an additional, retractable antenna to enhance signal communication within an identified network. A processor executes an antenna deployment module (ADM) in order to determine a link status based on a quality and/or a strength of communication signals propagated via at least one stationary antenna. In response to the link status indicating that coverage of a second/target network is available or that a quality of a signal propagated within a first network is less than a threshold level, the ADM provides a deployment signal to a deployment component. In response to receiving the deployment signal, the deployment component deploys the retractable antenna by extending the retractable antenna from a stowed position to a deployed position. The ADM enables the WCD to communicate within the selected network via the deployed retractable antenna using a higher quality communication signal.

Abstract: An electronic communication device performs a method to detect proximity of an object to the device. The method includes determining a set of mutual coupling values for at least one pair of a plurality of antennas arrays of the electronic communication device. Each mutual coupling value indicates an efficiency of a mutual coupling transmission between an antenna element of a first antenna array of a pair of antenna arrays and an antenna element of a second antenna array of the pair of antenna arrays. The method further includes determining object position relative to the plurality of antenna arrays based on the set of mutual coupling values.

Abstract: A communication device includes a processor subsystem that is in communication with a communication module, which is communicatively coupled to an antenna array to transmit and receive signals. The processor subsystem executes a near-field detection application to perform a method including transmitting, via the antenna array, a signal that is swept across a range of frequencies and receiving any back-scattered signals in the range of frequencies. The method includes determining whether a near-field obstruction exists based on characteristics of the received back-scattered signals. In response to determining that a near-field obstruction exists, the method includes triggering the processor subsystem to perform one or more responsive operations on the communication device.

Abstract: A communication device includes a processor subsystem that is in communication with a communication module, which is communicatively coupled to a millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna array to transmit and receive signals. The processor subsystem executes a computer program product of a near-field detection application in memory to perform a method. The mmWave antenna array transmits an mmWave signal that is swept across a range of frequencies and receives any back-scattered signals in the range of frequencies. The processor subsystem determines whether a near-field obstruction exists based on magnitude and phase characteristics of the received back-scattered signals. In response to determining that a near-field obstruction exists, the processor subsystem perform a selected one of: (i) altering a transmission beam transmitted by the communication device; and (ii) triggering an application to execute on the communication device, the application intended to interact with a user of the communication device.

Abstract: A communication device includes a processor subsystem that is in communication with a communication module, which is communicatively coupled to a millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna array to transmit and receive signals. The processor subsystem executes a computer program product of a near-field detection application in memory to perform a method. The mmWave antenna array transmits an mmWave signal that is swept across a range of frequencies and receives any back-scattered signals in the range of frequencies. The processor subsystem determines whether a near-field obstruction exists based on magnitude and phase characteristics of the received back-scattered signals. In response to determining that a near-field obstruction exists, the processor subsystem perform a selected one of: (i) altering a transmission beam transmitted by the communication device; and (ii) triggering an application to execute on the communication device, the application intended to interact with a user of the communication device.

Abstract: An antenna system for implementation in a wireless communication system such as a mobile device, and a wireless communication system employing such an antenna system, and a related methodology, are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a mobile device includes a display, a chassis, and one or more electrical components. The display is provided along a front surface of the mobile device, and the chassis has first and second cavities provided along a rear surface of the mobile device, the rear surface being substantially opposite the front surface. Further, the one or more electrical components is or are supported in between the display and the chassis, and the one or more electrical components provide excitation signals to one or both of the first and second cavities so as to cause electrical fields in accordance with a plurality of modes to occur respectively within the cavities at multiple frequencies, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mid fed traveling wave antenna, which includes a signal feed point including a pair of terminals adapted for receiving a differential signal. The mid fed traveling wave antenna further includes a first transmission line branch extending from the signal feed point in a first direction, and a second transmission line branch extending from the signal feed point in a second direction, where each of the first transmission branch and the second transmission branch is terminated by a reflective termination. In at least one embodiment, the first transmission line branch and the second transmission line branch each have a respective length, where the length of the second transmission line branch is different than the length of the first transmission line branch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing resonant wireless charging in a portable communications device utilize antenna arms formed from openings in a metal unibody construction. Two of the antenna arms are driven by WiFi, GPS, and cellular drives respectively, while a wireless charging antenna sharing the same mechanical connections provides a differential drive across the antenna ends, forming a primary wireless charging coil. In an embodiment, a smaller multi-turn coil is connected to the primary wireless charging coil, and may overlay a device speaker and may also be shielded by a ferrite material. This structure or a dedicated similar structure on the device is then used for resonance-based wireless charging of the device.

Abstract: An electronic communication device performs a method to detect proximity of an object to the device. The method includes determining a set of mutual coupling values for at least one pair of a plurality of antennas arrays of the electronic communication device. Each mutual coupling value indicates an efficiency of a mutual coupling transmission between an antenna element of a first antenna array of a pair of antenna arrays and an antenna element of a second antenna array of the pair of antenna arrays. The method further includes determining object position relative to the plurality of antenna arrays based on the set of mutual coupling values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing NFC (near field communications) in a portable communications device utilize antenna arms formed from openings in a metal unibody construction. Two of the antenna arms are driven by WiFi and cellular drives respectively, while an NFC antenna drive sharing the same mechanical connections provides a differential drive across the antenna ends, forming a primary NFC coil. In an embodiment, a smaller multi-turn coil is connected to the primary NFC coil, and may overlay a device speaker and may also be shielded by a ferrite material.

Abstract: An antenna system for implementation in a wireless communication system such as a mobile device, and a wireless communication system employing such an antenna system, and a related methodology, are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a mobile device includes a display, a chassis, and one or more electrical components. The display is provided along a front surface of the mobile device, and the chassis has first and second cavities provided along a rear surface of the mobile device, the rear surface being substantially opposite the front surface. Further, the one or more electrical components is or are supported in between the display and the chassis, and the one or more electrical components provide excitation signals to one or both of the first and second cavities so as to cause electrical fields in accordance with a plurality of modes to occur respectively within the cavities at multiple frequencies, respectively.

Abstract: A wireless charging apparatus can include an exciter that initiates and shapes electromagnetic fields of microwave frequency. The exciter can include a ground structure and a feed structure disposed within the ground structure. The wireless charging apparatus can also include an adapter configured to hold a device to be charged with a side of the device to be charged exposed external to the apparatus while charging the device to be charged. The adapter can transmit the microwave power from the exciter to the device to be charged.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes an antenna system (150) having two antennas (110, 120). A first antenna (110) has a first antenna element (111) positioned near a first corner (191) of a planar, rectangular ground plane (165) and a second antenna element (115) positioned near a second corner of the ground plane that is diagonally across from the first corner. A second antenna (120) has a third antenna element (121) positioned near a third corner (193) of the ground plane that is adjacent to the first corner and a fourth antenna element (125) positioned near a fourth corner (195) of the ground plane that is diagonally across from the third corner. At low-band frequencies, the antenna elements (111, 115) of the first antenna (110) are driven out-of-phase relative to each other. Similarly, at low-band frequencies, the antenna elements (121, 125) of the second antenna (120) are driven out-of-phase relative to each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing resonant wireless charging in a portable communications device utilize antenna arms formed from openings in a metal unibody construction. Two of the antenna arms are driven by WiFi, GPS, and cellular drives respectively, while a wireless charging antenna sharing the same mechanical connections provides a differential drive across the antenna ends, forming a primary wireless charging coil. In an embodiment, a smaller multi-turn coil is connected to the primary wireless charging coil, and may overlay a device speaker and may also be shielded by a ferrite material. This structure or a dedicated similar structure on the device is then used for resonance-based wireless charging of the device.