Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly supports selecting alternate printed antenna geometries of an antenna by selectively placing common PCB components (for example, zero-ohm resistors) on the PCB. The desired zero-ohm resistors may be placed using automated part placement equipment commonly used to place surface mount components. The configurable antenna comprises at least one antenna section having a plurality of antenna components. Zero-ohm resistors are selectively placed in series along the antenna section to couple the desired conductor components when manufacturing the PCB assembly. With some embodiments, a configurable antenna includes a low frequency antenna section that may be selectively coupled with a high frequency antenna section antenna through one or more zero-ohm resistors, where each antenna section has a plurality of antenna components. With this approach, a common printed circuit board may be used to support a plurality of antenna variations spanning different frequency bands.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly supports selecting alternate printed antenna geometries of an antenna by selectively placing common PCB components (for example, zero-ohm resistors) on the PCB. The desired zero-ohm resistors may be placed using automated part placement equipment commonly used to place surface mount components. The configurable antenna comprises at least one antenna section having a plurality of antenna components. Zero-ohm resistors are selectively placed in series along the antenna section to couple the desired conductor components when manufacturing the PCB assembly. With some embodiments, a configurable antenna includes a low frequency antenna section that may be selectively coupled with a high frequency antenna section antenna through one or more zero-ohm resistors, where each antenna section has a plurality of antenna components. With this approach, a common printed circuit board may be used to support a plurality of antenna variations spanning different frequency bands.

Abstract: A low-cost diversity antenna switching system and method is realized by controlling bias voltages on PIN diodes. By increasing the reverse bias voltage impressed upon a PIN diode, an RF signal impressed upon the diode is increasingly attenuated. As the PIN diode is forward biased to conduct in the forward direction, RF attenuation decreases. Two or more PIN diodes are used to increasingly attenuate signals from one antenna as attenuation of signals from another antenna is gradually decreased. The progression of the bias voltages is accomplished using a microprocessor that monitors a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal from a radio receiver. The RSSI is used to control which of two antennas are coupled into the receiver by predicting a signal fade.

Abstract: A low-cost diversity antenna switching system and method is realized by controlling bias voltages on PIN diodes. By increasing the reverse bias voltage impressed upon a PIN diode, an RF signal impressed upon the diode is increasingly attenuated. As the PIN diode is forward biased to conduct in the forward direction, RF attenuation decreases. Two or more PIN diodes are used to increasingly attenuate signals from one antenna as attenuation of signals from another antenna is gradually decreased. The progression of the bias voltages is accomplished using a microprocessor that monitors a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal from a radio receiver. The RSSI is used to control which of two antennas are coupled into the receiver by predicting a signal fade.

Abstract: A low-cost diversity antenna switching system and method is realized by controlling bias voltages on PIN diodes. By increasing the reverse bias voltage impressed upon a PIN diode, an RF signal impressed upon the diode is increasingly attenuated. As the PIN diode is forward biased to conduct in the forward direction, RF attenuation decreases. Two or more PIN diodes are used to increasingly attenuate signals from one antenna as attenuation of signals from another antenna is gradually decreased. The progression of the bias voltages is accomplished using a microprocessor that monitors a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal from a radio receiver. The RSSI is used to control which of two antennas are coupled into the receiver by predicting a signal fade.