Abstract: A wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone handset is disclosed including a housing having a transceiver circuit disposed therein. An internal antenna is also disposed within the housing which is RF connected to the transceiver circuit. An external, retractable antenna is mounted on the housing and is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The external, retractable antenna is RF connected to the transceiver circuit. When the external antenna is retracted, the internal antenna functions as a primary antenna. Should the need arise, the external antenna may be extended to improve the quality of the radio signals.

Abstract: A small multi-band planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) includes a metal radiating element that is physically located above a metal ground plane element, and the space therebetween includes a frequency matching network having a microstrip transmission line that connects an antenna feed to a wireless communications device (WCD) feed. The impedance matching network may include a microstrip impedance transformer whose output provides a 50 ohm connection to the WCD. A number of microstrip stubs are connected to the microstrip transmission line. At least some of the microstrip stubs connect to the microstrip transmission line by way of a LC tank circuit. The LC tanks circuits are responsive to different ones of the multiple frequencies to which the PIFA is responsive, and in this manner the impedance matching network is dynamically reconfigured in accordance with the frequency band currently traversing the microstrip transmission line. The LC tanks circuits include discrete capacitors and inductors.

Abstract: A small multi-band planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) includes a metal radiating element that is physically located above a metal ground plane element, and the space therebetween includes a frequency matching network having a microstrip transmission line that connects an antenna feed to a wireless communications device (WCD) feed. The impedance matching network may include a microstrip impedance transformer whose output provides a 50 ohm connection to the WCD. A number of microstrip stubs are connected to the microstrip transmission line. At least some of the microstrip stubs connect to the microstrip transmission line by way of a LC tank circuit. The LC tanks circuits are responsive to different ones of the multiple frequencies to which the PIFA is responsive, and in this manner the impedance matching network is dynamically reconfigured in accordance with the frequency band currently traversing the microstrip transmission line. The LC tanks circuits include discrete capacitors and inductors.

Abstract: The method of assembling an antenna and over-molding the same with a thermoplastic material is described which ensures that the elongated rod of the antenna is centrally positioned in its molding material and ensures that the helical spring of the antenna is also centrally positioned in the molding material. A sub-assembly is first created by connecting a helical spring to one end of an elongated metal rod and then inserting a threaded location mandrel in the spring. The assembled sub-assembly is then placed in an injection molding tool and is over-molded with a thermoplastic material. During the initial molding process, the metal rod and helical spring are centered in their respective cavities. The molded sub-assembly is then removed from the injection tool and placed in a second injection tool wherein the interior of the helical spring is filled with a thermoplastic material at the same time as an end cap is created. At the same time, the exposed end of the metal rod is also over-molded.

Abstract: A retractable antenna for use with a cellular telephone wherein the retractable antenna is removably mounted on the upper end of the telephone. The retractable antenna includes an antenna housing which extends upwardly from the upper end of the telephone and which has a matching circuit provided therein. A helical radiator is positioned in the antenna housing and has its lower end operatively connected to the matching circuit. An elongated radiator is selectively vertically movably positioned in the antenna housing and the telephone and is movable between extended and retracted positions with respect to the antenna housing and the telephone housing. The lower end of the elongated radiator is electrically connected to the upper end of the helical radiator when the elongated radiator is in its extended position. The elongated radiator is electrically disconnected from the helical radiator when the elongated radiator is in its retracted position.