Switching Between Antennas And Lines Patents (Class 343/876)
  • Publication number: 20140320376
    Abstract: A patch antenna system comprises a patch antenna having a patch spatially separated from a ground plane, a plurality of shorting pins interposed between the patch and the ground plane to selectively interconnect one or more predetermined fixed locations of the patch to the ground plane. A control module is operably coupled to a discrete RF switch associated with each shorting pin to set the operating frequency characteristic of the patch antenna by selectively connecting the patch to the ground plane through one or more of the plurality of shorting pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: TAYFUN OZDEMIR
  • Patent number: 8866683
    Abstract: A communication device includes a ground element, an antenna element, and a reconfigurable circuit element group. The antenna element includes a first radiating portion and a second radiating portion. One end of the first radiating portion is a feeding end of the antenna element, and the other end is an open end. One end of the second radiating portion is coupled to the ground element, and the other end is an open end. The second radiating portion is longer than the first radiating portion. The second radiating portion surrounds the open end of the first radiating portion, and includes a first portion and a second portion. The reconfigurable circuit element group is coupled between the first portion and the second portion of the second radiating portion, and includes at least two branches. The reconfigurable circuit selectively opens and closes the branches such that the antenna element operates in different bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Kin-Lu Wong, Shu-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8866694
    Abstract: Provided is a portable terminal wherein reduction of an antenna gain can be suitably suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Togashi
  • Patent number: 8860612
    Abstract: An antenna device for generating a reconfigurable high-order mode conical beam, includes a micro-strip radiator having multiple feeding points, wherein one of the feeding points is a fixed feeding point, and a feeding unit for providing two signals having a same amplitude and a preset phase difference, wherein one of the two signals is fed through the fixed feeding point and the other is fed through any one of remaining feeding points. A mode reconfigurable switching unit, connected to the feeding unit, performs a switching operation to select any one of the remaining feeding points so that the other signal is feed through the selected feeding point in accordance with mode control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Joung Myoun Kim
  • Patent number: 8854276
    Abstract: A portable terminal suppresses reduction of antenna sensitivity. A portable telephone includes an actuating side casing, display side casing, open-close sensor, circuit disposed on the actuating side casing and includes a ground part, power supply part and signal processing part, first conducting part disposed on the actuating side casing and connected to the ground part, second conducting part disposed on the display side casing and connected to the power supply part, antenna element, receiver disposed opposite the antenna element when the telephone is closed, switching part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Koyama, Kunihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8842044
    Abstract: An antenna system for a wireless device and a method for operating same are provided for controlling radiation characteristics of the antenna system. The antenna system includes first and second sets of feed points disposed so that first and second radiation pattern are generated by the antenna system when drive currents are provided at the first and second set of feed points, respectively. The second radiation pattern is different from the first radiation pattern. The first and second drive currents are supplied such that a predetermined overall radiation pattern is generated. The predetermined overall radiation pattern is at least in part a combination of the first radiation pattern and the second radiation pattern. The system and method may be directed toward SAR mitigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: NETGEAR, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Nysen, Todd Van Cleave
  • Publication number: 20140266902
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a single-package communications device that includes an antenna module with a plurality of independently selectable arrays of antenna elements. The antenna elements of the different arrays may send and/or receive data signals over different ranges of signal angles. The communications device may further include a switch module to separately activate the individual arrays. In some embodiments, a radio frequency (RF) communications module may be included in the package of the communications device. In some embodiments, the RF communications module may be configured to communicate over a millimeter-wave (mm-wave) network using the plurality of arrays of antenna elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Telesphor Kamgaing, Adel A. Elsherbini
  • Publication number: 20140266968
    Abstract: A communication device including a ground element and an antenna element is provided. The antenna element includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first end and a second end. The first end is used as a first feeding point of the antenna element. The second portion has a third end and a fourth end. The third end is used as a second feeding point of the antenna element, and the fourth end is open. A first switch is coupled between the second end of the first portion and the third end of the second portion. The first switch is further coupled through the first portion and a first reactive circuit to a communication module. A second switch is coupled to the third end of the second portion. The second switch is further coupled through a second reactive circuit to the communication module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kin-Lu WONG, Meng-Ting CHEN
  • Patent number: 8836606
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus comprises selectable antenna elements including a plurality of dipoles and/or a plurality of slot antennas (“slot”). Each dipole and/or each slot provides gain with respect to isotropic. The dipoles may generate vertically polarized radiation and the slots may generate horizontally polarized radiation. Each antenna element may have one or more loading structures configured to decrease the footprint (i.e., the physical dimension) of the antenna element and minimize the size of the antenna apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kish, Victor Shtrom
  • Publication number: 20140254726
    Abstract: An antenna switching apparatus based on spatial modulation includes a plurality of antennas; a control signal generator configured to generate a plurality of switching control signals; and a plurality of switches configured to switch on to apply a transmission signal to the respective antennas according to the respective switching control signals. Further, the antenna switching apparatus includes a delay analyzer configured to receive the transmission signal output from each of the plurality of switches to calculate delay information for synchronizing the switching control signals applied to the respective switches; and a delay adjuster configured to synchronize the switching control signals to apply the synchronized switching control signals to the respective switches according to the calculated delay information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Bong-Su KIM, Kwang Seon Kim, Min Soo Kang, Woo Jin Byun, Hung Chul Park
  • Patent number: 8818455
    Abstract: A mobile device can detect, select and use an external antenna supported by an attached accessory device. The mobile device queries the accessory device whether it supports an external antenna and receives an indication of whether the accessory device supports external antennas. The indication can comprise a list of accessory device pins operatively coupled to supported external antennas. The mobile device selects an external antenna for use by the mobile device. The selection can comprise selecting a mobile device pin operatively coupled to the selected external antenna. The selected mobile device pin can be a predetermined pin or a pin that is both operatively coupled to a supported external antenna and configured to operate as an external antenna pin. The mobile device can use the selected external antenna. The mobile device can switch between an internal antenna and an external antenna operatively coupled to a selected mobile device pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Harrison, David Deckert
  • Publication number: 20140225804
    Abstract: A reader includes a single receiver circuit and a switching circuit coupled to the single receiver circuit. A first antenna connection is coupled to the switching circuit, wherein the first antenna connection is configured to receive a first signal from a source of radio frequency waves. A second antenna connection is coupled to the switching circuit, and the second antenna connection is configured to receive a second signal from the source of radio frequency waves. A processor is configured to determine angle of arrival information in accordance with the first and second signals. The processor is further configured to determine relative phase information in accordance with the first and second signals. Additionally, the processor is configured to localize the source of radio frequency waves in accordance with the angle of arrival information. The switching circuit includes a multiplexer selectively coupling the first and second antenna connections to the single receiver circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben J. Wild, Robert Barton, Artem Tkachenko, Steve Wang
  • Patent number: 8791874
    Abstract: A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski
  • Publication number: 20140203968
    Abstract: A microstrip antenna transceiver with switchable polarization, used in a satellite signal reception device, includes a base board, having a first surface and a second surface; a ground metal plate, disposed on the first surface of the base board; an antenna module, disposed on the ground metal plate, having a radiating metal patch, a vertically polarized feeding hole and a horizontally polarized feeding hole; a first switch, set on the second surface of the base board; a second switch, set on the second surface of the base board; a first microstrip wire, electrically connected between the vertically polarized feeding hole of the antenna module and the first switch; and a second microstrip wire, electrically connected between the horizontally polarized feeding hole of the antenna module and the second switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WISTRON NEWEB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chieh-Sheng Hsu, Chang-Hsiu Huang, Cheng-Geng Jan
  • Publication number: 20140198012
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a system circuit board, a ground element, a communication module, a first antenna, a second antenna, a first ASM (Antenna Switch Module), and a second ASM. The first antenna is configured to receive or transmit a first signal in a first frequency band. The second antenna is configured to receive or transmit a second signal in a second frequency band. The second frequency band is different from the first frequency band. The first ASM is coupled between the first antenna and the communication module, and is configured to separate frequencies of the first signal. The second ASM is coupled between the second antenna and the communication module, and is configured to separate frequencies of the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Kuo-Hua TSENG, Chih-Hua CHANG, Shao-Yu HUANG
  • Patent number: 8781522
    Abstract: The invention utilizes small, narrow-band and frequency adaptable antennas to provide coverage to a wide range of wireless modes and frequency bands on a host wireless device. The antennas have narrow pass-band characteristics, require minimal space on the host device, and allow for smaller form factor. The frequency tunability further allows for a fewer number of antennas to be used. The operation of the antennas may also be adaptably relocated from unused modes to in-use modes to maximize performance. These features of the antennas result in cost and size reductions. In another aspect, the antennas may be broadband antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Allen Minh-Triet Tran, Ernest T. Ozaki, Jatupum Jenwatanavet, Gregory Alan Breit
  • Patent number: 8780007
    Abstract: A handheld device and a planar antenna thereof are provided. The planar antenna comprises a radiator, a screening element and a switch. The screening element is configured to make the planar antenna operating in a first high-frequency (HF) current path and a first low-frequency (LF) current path, and the switch is configured to make the planar antenna operating in a second HF current path and a second LF current path. The planar antenna operates at a first HF central frequency corresponding to the first HF current path and a first LF central frequency corresponding to the first LF current path when the switch is turned off, and operates at a second HF central frequency corresponding to the second HF current path and a second LF central frequency corresponding to the second LF current path when the switch is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Wei Tseng, Yen-Liang Kuo, Wan-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8766870
    Abstract: A multiple frequency band antenna is provided that includes a radiating unit having a slot formed on a first surface of the substrate that is closed at one end and open at the other end, and a feed unit formed on a second surface of the substrate to pass through an area on the second surface that corresponds with the same area on first surface between the center and the closed side of the slot. The feeding unit comprises at least one switch which adjusts the size of an area for feeding power to the antenna. The radiating unit is resonated in a plurality of frequency bands when the switch is turned off, and the radiating unit is resonated in a single frequency band which is different from the plurality of frequency bands when the switch is turned on. Consequently, an antenna is implemented for use in multiple frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-won Jung, Young-eil Kim
  • Patent number: 8760360
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of a switching multi-mode antenna of a user device are described. A switching multi-mode antenna is coupled to receive an RF input from one of at least two radio frequency (RF) feeds via a switch. The switching multi-mode antenna includes multiple antenna structures to communicate information in multiple frequency bands. A first antenna structure is configured to transmit first information in one of the frequency bands and a second antenna structure is configured to receive second information in the same one of the frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry W. Kuo
  • Publication number: 20140168030
    Abstract: A mobile node (MN) comprising an antenna comprising a proximate end, a distal end, and a midpoint, a first feed coupled to the antenna between the proximate end and the midpoint, a second feed coupled to the antenna between the distal end and the midpoint, a first switch configured to toggle between coupling the first feed to a main feed and coupling the second feed to the main feed, and a controller configured to control the toggling of the first switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daejoung Kim, Shing Lung Steven Yang, Wee Kian Toh
  • Publication number: 20140159989
    Abstract: Adjustable antenna structures may be used to compensate for manufacturing variations in electronic device antennas. An electronic device antenna may have an antenna feed and conductive structures such as portions of a peripheral conductive electronic device housing member and other conductive antenna structures. The adjustable antenna structures may have a movable dielectric support. Multiple conductive paths may be formed on the dielectric support. The movable dielectric support may be installed within an electronic device housing so that a selected one of the multiple conductive paths is coupled into use to convey antenna signals. Coupling the selected path into use adjusts the position of an antenna feed terminal for the antenna feed and compensates for manufacturing variations in the conductive antenna structures that could potentially lead to undesired variations in antenna performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, John B. Ardisana, II, Michael B. Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 8749448
    Abstract: A multiband antenna in a wireless communication device includes a main antenna, a first parasitic portion, a second parasitic portion, a first switch, and a second switch, the first switch is used to control functioning of the first parasitic portion. The second switch is used to control functioning of the second parasitic portion. Therefore, the main antenna can resonate alone or in combination with the functioning first parasitic portion and/or the functioning second parasitic portion, the multiband antenna has different operating frequency bands and different operating SAR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tun-Yuan Tsou, Yi-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 8749442
    Abstract: Presented is an interface circuit for connecting a RF antenna to a RF device. The interface circuit comprises: a first terminal adapted to connect to the RF antenna; a second terminal adapted to connect to the RF device; an inductive load connected to the second terminal; a first switch adapted to connect the inductive load to the first terminal; and a resistive load connected to the second terminal via a second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Frederic Francois Villain, Guillaume Lebailly
  • Patent number: 8743014
    Abstract: At least three resonance frequencies are obtained by two antenna elements. The antenna device includes antenna elements (11) and (12), a wireless section (20) for supplying power to each of the antenna elements (11) and (12), a PIN diode (16) for electrically connecting and disconnecting the antenna element (11) and the wireless section (20) with/from each other, the antenna elements (11) and (12) being provided so as to be capacitively coupled to each other during the electrical disconnection between the antenna element (11) and the wireless section (20) which electrical disconnection is made by the PIN diode (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinori Kondo, Hiroyuki Takebe, Mikio Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 8742995
    Abstract: An earphone antenna of a mobile terminal having a switching function by taking radiation characteristics of an antenna into consideration when the earphone antenna is used for receiving Frequency Modulation (FM) radio broadcasting and Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) is provided. The earphone antenna includes a first connector cable including a first antenna line for receiving DMB, a second connector cable including a second antenna line connected to the first antenna line for receiving FM radio broadcasting, and a switch positioned between the first connector cable and the second connector cable for electrically connecting and separating the first antenna line to and from the second antenna line. The single earphone antenna supports an FM radio broadcasting antenna and a DMB antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Ryong Park
  • Patent number: 8742996
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a plurality of antennas, a plurality of wireless transceivers, and signal processing circuitry. The device may further include a controller for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, and for selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers. Moreover, the controller may also be for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Yihong Qi, Ying Tong Man, Perry Jarmuszewski
  • Publication number: 20140145899
    Abstract: Mobile devices with conductive liquid antennas and related methods are provided. In this regard, a representative mobile device includes a first antenna having a first channel and a first liquid, the first channel defining a first interior volume, the first liquid being electrically conductive and located within the first channel, the first liquid further exhibiting a first volume smaller than the first interior volume; and a first antenna feed mounted such that, responsive to the device being in a first orientation, the first liquid electrically communicates with the first antenna feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Young Yang, William Haywood Tolbert, Koichiro Takamizawa
  • Publication number: 20140134958
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure includes an apparatus for use in a wireless communication device comprising a plurality of antennas, and a selection switch coupled to the plurality of antennas, wherein the selection switch is configured to select a first antenna for use when the wireless communication device is in use in a first physical orientation with respect to a user, and select a second antenna for use when the wireless communication device is in use in a second physical orientation with respect to a user, and wherein the first physical orientation is different from the second physical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jorge Fabrega Sanchez, Kiran Vanjani
  • Patent number: 8717224
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a radar apparatus and an antenna apparatus, and more particularly, an integrated radar apparatus and an integrated antenna apparatus which make it possible to attain angle resolution with high definition, to decrease size and the number of devices, to integrate long and mid-range radar function and short range radar function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Seong Hee Jeong
  • Patent number: 8717247
    Abstract: A front-end circuit includes a signal path and a first antenna port. A first antenna switch is electrically connected to the first antenna port. A second antenna port is electrically connectable or connected to the signal path. An antenna termination circuit is electrically connected to the first antenna switch. The antenna termination includes an impedance element. The first antenna switch electrically connects the first antenna port to the antenna termination circuit when the signal path is electrically connected to the second antenna port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Pasi Tikka, Jarmo Valtonen
  • Patent number: 8717249
    Abstract: A feed element is configured to include a first antenna element having a first width, a dual-band forming inductor, and a second antenna element having a second width wider than the first width, where the first antenna element, the dual-band forming inductor, and a second antenna element are connected in series. The inductor is formed in a meander shape which has a trapezoidal envelope external shape to have a width formed to widen from the first width of a portion connected to the first antenna element toward a portion connected to the second antenna element. Cut portions each having a rectangular shape are further formed at corner portions of another ends of the parasitic elements, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Noguchi, Hiroyuki Yurugi
  • Publication number: 20140104128
    Abstract: An antenna structure with reconfigurable patterns includes a grounded plane, at least one active antenna, and at least one current dragger. The active antenna is disposed adjacent to a side of the grounded plane, while the current dragger is disposed adjacent to another side of the grounded plane. The current dragger includes at least one switch. The at least one switch is configured to selectively conduct a current at the grounded plane to the current dragger or electrically insulate a current at the grounded plane from the current dragger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: TA CHUN PU, JUI HUNG CHEN, HUNG HSUAN LIN, CHUN YIH WU
  • Publication number: 20140104134
    Abstract: An antenna structure is provided, including a first radiator, a second radiator, a second coupling portion and a switch Circuit. The first radiator includes a feed portion and a first radiator body. The second radiator includes a first coupling portion, a second radiator body and a ground portion. The first coupling portion is connected to a first end portion of the second radiator body. The ground portion is connected to the second radiator body. At least a portion of the first radiator body is located between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. When the antenna structure is in a first mode, the switch circuit forms an electric path between the second radiator and the second coupling portion, and when the antenna structure is in a second mode, the switch circuit removes the electric path between the second radiator and the second coupling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron NeWeb Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Hung CHEN, Yi-Hung CHIU, Chia-Hao CHANG, Chih-Sen HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20140097999
    Abstract: A high-frequency module includes port electrodes defining external connection terminals provided on a multilayer body including dielectric layers. A first port electrode is connected to an antenna. A plurality of port electrodes other than the first port electrode are respectively connected to communication systems supporting respective frequency bands. The first port electrode is connected to the plurality of other port electrodes through a plurality of switch elements. A first group of the plurality of switch elements and a second group of the plurality of switch elements are not connected to each other within a switch circuit and are connectable to each other through a common terminal outside of the switch circuit. As a result, a high-frequency module that allows a design change to be made using the same switch circuit without changing the switch circuit is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanori MURASE, Muneyoshi YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8693599
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless receiving apparatus, whereby inter-antenna interference can be reduced without inducing an increase of a mounting area due to an increase of the number of antennas, and the number of RFIC input terminals, circuit scale and power consumption can be reduced. In the wireless receiving apparatus (100), when a receiving antenna (110-1) and a down-converter (130) are connected with a multiplexer (120) therebetween, a capacity control unit (190-2) controls the capacity value of the capacity-variable parasitic element (180-2) connected to the receiving antenna (110-2) such that the communication capacity of the receiving antenna (110-1) is maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyomichi Araki, Noriaki Saito, Tadashi Morita
  • Patent number: 8681070
    Abstract: Antennas that include an inner set of four helical antenna elements and a co-axially arranged outer set of four helical antenna elements. The helical winding directions of the two sets of elements may have the same handedness or opposite handedness. Certain embodiments provide for switch handedness of circularly polarized radiation of the antennas and certain embodiments provide for shifting the directivity of the antenna pattern in polar angle. Systems in which the antennas are used and methods of use are also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Maxtena
    Inventors: Carlo DiNallo, Stanislav Licul, Nathan Cummings
  • Patent number: 8674889
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement including an antenna; a first variable impedance circuit connected between ground and a first point of the antenna; and a second variable impedance circuit connected between ground and a second point of the antenna and a connection from a third point of the antenna to ground wherein; the first point of the antenna and the second point of the antenna are separated along the length of the antenna and the impedance of the first variable impedance circuit and the second variable impedance circuit control the resonant frequency of the antenna arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Erik Bengtsson, Richard Breiter
  • Publication number: 20140071020
    Abstract: A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Boris Y. Tsirline, Mao Tian, Karl Torchalski
  • Publication number: 20140062831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching circuit, which can adjust characteristics such as insertion loss, isolation, and reflection loss according to the need by including a plurality of input/output terminals; at least one antenna; a plurality of main switches for connecting or disconnecting between each of the plurality of input/output terminals and the antenna; and a plurality of shunt switches having one ends respectively connected to the plurality of input/output terminals, wherein a voltage of less than 0 is applied to the other end of at least one of the plurality of shunt switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chan Yong JEONG
  • Patent number: 8665171
    Abstract: A diversity antenna apparatus includes a feed line through which radio communication power is transmitted, antennas connected in cascade through the feed line, and a first rectifier device placed in the feed line, wherein a first one of the antennas and a second one of the antennas each include a second rectifier device having an input terminal thereof connected to the feed line, an antenna device connected to an output of the first rectifier device, and a third rectifier device having an input terminal thereof connected to a connection point between the second rectifier device and the antenna device, and having an output terminal thereof grounded, wherein the first rectifier device placed in the feed line connects between the input terminal of the second rectifier device of the first one of the antennas and the input terminal of the second rectifier device of the second one of the antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventor: Kimihiro Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20140055317
    Abstract: A system includes a first feedpoint and a second feedpoint symmetrically disposed on the left and right sides of an antenna on a small board. A first switch, a second switch, and a third switch are disposed on a mainboard. The first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are controlled through a control instruction so that the system is in a first connection state and a second connection state. Signal strength corresponding to the first connection state and signal strength corresponding to the second connection state are detected, and if the signal strength corresponding to the first connection state is greater than the signal strength corresponding to the second connection state, each switch is controlled through an instruction so that the system is in the first connection state, in which the first feedpoint is working. Otherwise, the second feedpoint is working.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Liang Xue
  • Patent number: 8659491
    Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) device includes an adjustable antenna structure for coupling to a transmit/receive coupling module. The adjustable antenna structure includes an antenna and a plurality of transmission line elements. At least one of the plurality of transmission line circuit elements is selected, based on a transmission line characteristic signal, to form a transmission line circuit that is coupled to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8659498
    Abstract: A patch antenna system comprises a patch antenna having a patch spatially separated from a ground plane; a plurality of pins interposed between the patch and the ground plane selectively connecting the patch to the ground plane; and a control module operably coupled to the plurality of pins and operable to set an operating frequency characteristic of the patch antenna by selectively connecting the patch to the ground plane with one or more of the plurality of pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Trustees Operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Edward J. Rothwell, Lynn Greetis
  • Patent number: 8659480
    Abstract: A frequency reconfigurable antenna may include at least two antenna segments and a photonic crystal positioned between the at least two antenna segments. The photonic crystal may selectably electrically connect or isolate the at least two antenna segments with respect to each other based on a conductive state of the photonic crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald Frank Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8660483
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an antenna switching system includes a (a?3) antennas and a selector. The selector selects b1 (2?b1<a) antennas out of the antennas at first timing, causes the selected antennas to configure an array antenna, selects, at second timing, b2 (2?b2<a) antennas including c (1?c<b1) antennas among the antennas used to configure the array antenna at the first timing out of the antennas, and causes the selected antennas to configure an array antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sunao Tsuchida, Masakazu Kato, Jun Yaginuma
  • Patent number: 8654030
    Abstract: Antenna placement techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, a computing device includes an antenna suite having multiple different kinds of antennas. An antenna zone for the antenna suite may be established along a particular edge of the computing device. Non-interfering materials (e.g., RF transparent material) may be used within the antenna zone and other materials (e.g., metal) may be employed for other regions of the device. The multiple different kinds of antennas in the antenna suite may then be disposed within the established antenna zone. The antennas may be placed to minimize interference between antennas and/or achieve performance objective for the suite of antennas. In one approach, a suite of five antennas may be placed along a top edge of a computing device in a landscape orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Sean Russell Mercer
  • Publication number: 20140043206
    Abstract: A multi-throw antenna switch with off-state capacitance reduction is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of first stage switches connected to an antenna, and a plurality of second stage switches connected to the plurality of first stage switches, each first stage switch connected in series to one or more second stage switches to form a plurality of switchable signal paths connected to the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Minsik Ahn, Chang-Ho Lee, Aristotele Hadjichristos
  • Patent number: 8648768
    Abstract: A switched beam antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a plurality of feed elements arranged radially about a center point. A feed switch provides equidistant signal paths between each antenna element and a transceiver. The production of an antenna beam in a desired direction is achieved by controlling a switch to selectively operate a feed element associated with a beam coverage area that encompasses the desired steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Michael E. Mussler
  • Patent number: 8644012
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus may comprise a screen housing, an antenna, and a waveguide. The screen housing may have a display side and an opposing rear side wherein the display side is a side from which a screen in the screen housing is viewable. The antenna may be disposed on the display side of the screen housing. The waveguide may have a first end and a second end. The first end may be coupled to a feeding point of the antenna. The second end may be coupled to a coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Sunggyoo Lee
  • Publication number: 20140015731
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to optimized switching circuitry utilizing MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems) circuitry in series with solid state circuitry. Specifically, the MEMS circuitry includes a first MEMS circuit in parallel with (and separate from) a second MEMS circuit. A paired signal is defined as a transmit signal and a receive signal (in a single band) that are transmitted or received on separate paths or on separate nodes. The transmit signal is associated with the first MEMS circuit, and the receive signal is associated with the second MEMS circuit. The solid state circuitry switches between the first MEMS circuit and second MEMS circuit without requiring any switching in the first or second MEMS circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Jonathan Hale Hammond