Abstract: A peripheral disconnection switch system and method are provided. The system comprises at least one peripheral connected to a processor, and a hardware switch connected to the at least one peripheral. The system is operable such that engaging the hardware switch disables the at least one peripheral.

Abstract: Directional antenna apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the directional antenna apparatus includes a chip component disposed on a ground plane. The chip component includes a conductive layer disposed upon a ceramic substrate. The conductive layer of the chip component is connected to electronic circuitry via one or more feed structures and one or more ground structures. The chip component and the ground plane are disposed atop a reflector component in a substantially orthogonal orientation. By spacing the ground plane from the reflector component by a set amount, the directional nature of the directional antenna apparatus may be configured.

Abstract: Capacitively coupled antenna apparatus and methods of operating and adaptively tuning the same. In one embodiment, the insertion loss component in “beside the hand/head” use scenarios is significantly reduced or eliminated such that the antenna experiences only absorptive losses (which generally cannot be avoided), and a very small insertion loss by the host device radio frequency tuner. The exemplary antenna apparatus may be configured for multi-band operation, and also has a very small form factor (e.g., 3 mm ground clearance only at the bottom of the PCB, 4 mm height in one implementation), thereby allowing for use in spatially compact host devices such as slim-line smartphones, tablets, and the like. The adaptive antenna arrangement (using capacitive feed) can be tuned such that the tuner is used in free space, and the user's hand/head tunes the antenna to the band of interest while in use.

Abstract: A peripheral disconnection switch system and method are provided. The system comprises at least one peripheral connected to a processor, and a hardware switch connected to the at least one peripheral. The system is operable such that engaging the hardware switch disables the at least one peripheral.

Abstract: A unique hardware fingerprint device and method are provided. The device comprises a sensor comprising a dense capacitance matrix, the dense capacitance matrix containing a unique hardware fingerprint. The device further comprises a processor configured to secure the device using the unique hardware fingerprint.

Abstract: A “thin” and cost-effective three-dimensional antenna assembly and methods of use and manufacturing thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor portable radio devices, and comprises an antenna (or array of antennas) deposited on a thin preformed flexible or deformable structure using a conductive fluid. The antenna (array) includes one or more antennas each having a radiator and a plurality of contacts. Use of the thin preformed structure allows, among other things, thinner form factors for the host wireless device, and obviates use of a separate molded carrier or other more costly or involved processes (such as laser direct structuring).

Abstract: Multi-element dual polarized antenna apparatus and methods of utilizing and manufacturing the same. The antenna apparatus includes two planar antenna elements. One antenna element is configured to communicate RF waves characterized by a first polarization and another antenna element is configured to communicate RF waves characterized by second polarization. Feed elements are disposed such that their longitudinal axes are parallel with one another while their transverse axes are disposed perpendicular with one another. Individual feed elements include planar feed structures disposed on sides of the feed elements that are facing the same quadrant. Arranging the antenna feed structure using the above configuration provides for an antenna characterized by improved improved port to port isolation and/or improved cross polarization discrimination without the use of additional components.

Abstract: A chassis-excited antenna apparatus, and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a distributed loop antenna configuration is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone). The antenna comprises two radiating elements: one configured to operate in a high-frequency band, and the other in a low-frequency band. The two antenna elements are disposed on different side surfaces of the metal chassis of the portable device; e.g., on the opposing sides of the device enclosure. Each antenna component comprises a radiator and an insulating cover. The radiator is coupled to a device feed via a feed conductor and a ground point. A portion of the feed conductor is disposed with the radiator to facilitate forming of the coupled loop resonator structure.

Abstract: Antenna systems that make use of an integrated proximity sensor or other sensor in order to implement a closed loop antenna selection system. In one embodiment, the antenna system is implemented within an exemplary portable wireless device and includes as its primary components for implementing the closed loop antenna selection system: a proximity sensor/microcontroller unit (MCU); a switching apparatus; a baseband front end module (FEM); and a number of antenna modules. The integrated proximity sensor/MCU detects the presence (influence) of a user's hand, or other loading by any other dielectric or metal component, through measurements that take place through the antenna modules and selects the appropriate RF path for transmission and/or reception by the mobile device. Methods of using and testing the aforementioned antenna systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multi-element dual polarized antenna apparatus and methods of utilizing and manufacturing the same. The antenna apparatus includes two planar antenna elements. One antenna element is configured to communicate RF waves characterized by a first polarization and another antenna element is configured to communicate RF waves characterized by second polarization. Feed elements are disposed such that their longitudinal axes are parallel with one another while their transverse axes are disposed perpendicular with one another. Individual feed elements include planar feed structures disposed on sides of the feed elements that are facing the same quadrant. Arranging the antenna feed structure using the above configuration provides for an antenna characterized by improved improved port to port isolation and/or improved cross polarization discrimination without the use of additional components.

Abstract: Space- and cost-efficient antenna apparatus and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, the antenna is formed using a deposition process, whereby a conductive fluid or other material is deposited directly on one or more interior components of a host device (e.g., cellular phone or tablet computer). The antenna can be formed in a substantially three-dimensional “loop” shape, and obviates several costly and environmentally unfriendly processing steps and materials associated with prior art antenna manufacturing approaches.

Abstract: Directional antenna apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the directional antenna apparatus includes a chip component disposed on a ground plane. The chip component includes a conductive layer disposed upon a ceramic substrate. The conductive layer of the chip component is connected to electronic circuitry via one or more feed structures and one or more ground structures. The chip component and the ground plane are disposed atop a reflector component in a substantially orthogonal orientation. By spacing the ground plane from the reflector component by a set amount, the directional nature of the directional antenna apparatus may be configured.

Abstract: Grounding apparatus for mobile devices and methods of utilizing and manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, an outer metallized surface of a mobile device is configured to capacitively couple a metal back cover to the device ground. Specifically, in one implementation, an exterior surface of the mobile device is metalized and coupled to the device ground via galvanic contacts. The exterior metalized surface is configured to be capacitively coupled a metal back cover of a mobile device to the device ground when the back cover is installed on the mobile device. By capacitively coupling the back cover to the device ground via the exterior metalized surface, the need to otherwise ground the back cover through the use of galvanic contacts is obviated, thereby reducing the number of components needed.

Abstract: A chassis-excited antenna apparatus, and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a distributed loop antenna configuration is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone). The antenna comprises two radiating elements: one configured to operate in a high-frequency band, and the other in a low-frequency band. The two antenna elements are disposed on different side surfaces of the metal chassis of the portable device; e.g., on the opposing sides of the device enclosure. Each antenna component comprises a radiator and an insulating cover. The radiator is coupled to a device feed via a feed conductor and a ground point. A portion of the feed conductor is disposed with the radiator to facilitate forming of the coupled loop resonator structure.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus with isolated non-interactive sectors and methods operating and forming the same. In one embodiment, an antenna with a radiative element comprising a planar layer with multiple sectors is disclosed. The sectors are configured to be interactive or non-interactive. The interactive sectors contribute to the radiative profile of the antenna. The non-interactive sectors are galvanically isolated from the interactive sectors and do not substantially affect the radiative profile of the antenna. Region borders are present between various ones of the interacting and non-interacting sectors. These region borders provide the galvanic isolation between the interacting and non-interacting sectors. The antenna further includes feed portions coupled to the interactive sectors, thereby defining the antenna pattern. The non-interactive sectors are largely transparent to the radiative mode and thus do not substantially affect the antenna pattern.

Abstract: High radiation-efficiency antenna apparatus, and methods of manufacturing and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, an intentionally “loaded” antenna configuration is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone) in order to enhance radiation efficiency for a given size antenna, or conversely allow for a reduction in size of the antenna for the same electrical performance. In one implementation, the antenna (and optionally chassis of the mobile device) is loaded through use of a magnetically permeable structure to increase propagation of surface currents, thereby increasing the electrical length of the antenna (and enhancing radiation efficiency) without any significant modification to the form factor of the antenna/chassis.

Abstract: Antenna systems that make use of an integrated proximity sensor or other sensor in order to implement a closed loop antenna selection system. In one embodiment, the antenna system is implemented within an exemplary portable wireless device and includes as its primary components for implementing the closed loop antenna selection system: a proximity sensor/microcontroller unit (MCU); a switching apparatus; a baseband front end module (FEM); and a number of antenna modules. The integrated proximity sensor/MCU detects the presence (influence) of a user's hand, or other loading by any other dielectric or metal component, through measurements that take place through the antenna modules and selects the appropriate RF path for transmission and/or reception by the mobile device. Methods of using and testing the aforementioned antenna systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An active diversity antenna apparatus and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the active diversity antenna is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone or smartphone), and enables device operation in several low frequency bands (LBs). The exemplary implementation of the active LB diversity antenna comprises a directly fed radiator portion and a grounded (coupled fed) radiator portion. The directly fed portion is fed via a feed element connected to an antenna feed. The coupled fed portion of the LB antenna is grounded, forming a resonating part of the low frequency band. A gap between the two antenna portions is used to adjust antenna Q-value. Resonant frequency tuning is achieved by changing the length of the grounded element. The LB feed element is disposed proximate the feed element of a high band diversity antenna, thus reducing transmission losses and improving diplexer operation.

Abstract: Multi-element antenna apparatus for mobile devices and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the antenna apparatus includes three antenna elements configured to operate in a plurality of frequency bands. The antenna elements are to a transceiver engine of a radio frequency communications device. Two of the three antenna components are configured to operate in transmit and receive modes. The third antenna component is configured to operate in receive mode. In some embodiments of an antenna apparatus operable in a carrier aggregation communication mode, two antenna components may be electrically combined into a single antenna component. The combined antenna component, characterized by a larger dimension and a larger operating bandwidth, may be operable simultaneously in two frequency bands, thereby enabling the carrier aggregation intra-band communication.

Abstract: A multiband slot loop antenna apparatus, and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the antenna configuration is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone or smartphone). The antenna comprises two radiating structures: a ring or loop structure substantially enveloping an outside perimeter of the device enclosure, and a tuning structure disposed inside the enclosure. The ring structure is grounded to the ground plane of the device so as to create a virtual portion and an operating portion. The tuning structure is spaced from the ground plane, and includes a plurality of radiator branches effecting antenna operation in various frequency bands; e.g., at least one lower frequency band and three upper frequency bands. On one implementation, a second lower frequency band radiator is effected using a reactive matched circuit coupled between a device feed and a radiator branch.