Abstract: Antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications that utilize satellite wireless links (e.g., GPS), and uses an electromagnetic (e.g., capacitive) feeding method that includes one or more separate feed elements that are not galvanically connected to a radiating element of the antenna. In addition, certain implementations of the antenna apparatus offer the capability to carry more than one operating band for the antenna.

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 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-tap switchable antenna apparatus for use with mobile devices and other applications, and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the multi-tap switchable antenna apparatus includes a main radiator coupled to an antenna feed or source. Galvanically connected to the main radiator is a plurality of switchable antenna radiators which are in turn connected to an nPmT switch. The output of the nPmT switch can be connected to a variety of differing electronic component impedances. By altering the state of the nPmT switch, the operational length of the antenna (and hence, the operational frequency band of the antenna) can be varied. Performance characteristics associated with a given implementation of the multi-tap switchable apparatus are also disclosed.

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: Antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications that utilize satellite wireless links (e.g., GPS), and uses an electromagnetic (e.g., capacitive) feeding method that includes one or more separate feed elements that are not galvanically connected to a radiator element of the antenna. In addition, certain implementations of the antenna apparatus offer the capability to carry more than one operating band for the antenna.

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: Multi-tap switchable antenna apparatus for use with mobile devices and other applications, and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the multi-tap switchable antenna apparatus includes a main radiator coupled to an antenna feed or source. Galvanically connected to the main radiator is a plurality of switchable antenna radiators which are in turn connected to an nPmT switch. The output of the nPmT switch can be connected to a variety of differing electronic component impedances. By altering the state of the nPmT switch, the operational length of the antenna (and hence, the operational frequency band of the antenna) can be varied. Performance characteristics associated with a given implementation of the multi-tap switchable apparatus are also disclosed.

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 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 space efficient multi-feed antenna apparatus, and methods for use in a radio frequency communications device. In one embodiment, the antenna assembly comprises three (3) separate radiator structures disposed on a common antenna carrier. Each of the three antenna radiators is connected to separate feed ports of a radio frequency front end. In one variant, the first and the third radiators comprise quarter-wavelength planar inverted-L antennas (PILA), while the second radiator comprises a half-wavelength grounded loop-type antenna disposed in between the first and the third radiators. The PILA radiators are characterized by radiation patterns having maximum radiation axes that are substantially perpendicular to the antenna plane. The loop radiator is characterized by radiation pattern having axis of maximum radiation that is parallel to the antenna plane.

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: Antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications that utilize satellite wireless links (e.g., GPS), and uses an electromagnetic (e.g., capacitive) feeding method that includes one or more separate feed elements that are not galvanically connected to a radiator element of the antenna. In addition, certain implementations of the antenna apparatus offer the capability to carry more than one operating band for the antenna.

Abstract: Antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications that utilize satellite wireless links (e.g., GPS), and uses an electromagnetic (e.g., capacitive) feeding method that includes one or more separate feed elements that are not galvanically connected to a radiating element of the antenna. In addition, certain implementations of the antenna apparatus offer the capability to carry more than one operating band for the antenna.

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: 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 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.