Switching Between Antennas And Lines Patents (Class 343/876)
  • Patent number: 8009115
    Abstract: An antenna made up of small addressable conductive segments, or pixel elements, located in a dielectric space positioned over a two-dimensional pixel element actuator is presented. The small pixel elements can be actuated in less than a millisecond by the actuator to form patterns that create an array of patch antennas and associated transmission lines on the upper surface of the dielectric space. The pixel elements can be formed using small movable conductive particles such as metal flakes or metal chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: The Ohio State University Research Foundation, Syntonics LLC
    Inventors: Eric K. Walton, Bruce G. Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20110207413
    Abstract: A mobile device includes an antenna module, a calculation module, a location sensor, a determination module, and a regulator module. The calculation module calculates a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the antenna module. The location sensor senses a user relative to the mobile device when the mobile device is in a communication mode. The determination module determines whether the RSSI degrades over a default period and whether the user is near the mobile device when the mobile device is in the communication mode. The regulator module regulates antenna characteristic of the mobile device when the RSSI degrades over the default period and the user is near the mobile device when the mobile device is in the communication mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: CHIA-HUNG SU, CHO-KANG HSU
  • Publication number: 20110205137
    Abstract: A horizontally polarized antenna array allows for the efficient distribution of RF energy into a communications environment through selectable antenna elements and redirectors that create a particular radiation pattern such as a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In conjunction with a vertically polarized array, a particular high-gain wireless environment may be created such that one environment does not interfere with other nearby wireless environments and avoids interference created by those other environments. Lower gain patterns may also be created by using particular configurations of a horizontal and/or vertical antenna array. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna systems disclosed herein are utilized in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) wireless environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Victor Shtrom, William Kish, Bernard Barron
  • Patent number: 8005438
    Abstract: A wireless signal transceiver device for receiving wireless signals of multiple frequency bands has an antenna, a radio frequency signal processing unit, an antenna switch module, a primary antenna matching circuit, and an auxiliary antenna matching module. The radio frequency signal processing unit outputs a control signal according to the frequency band of the wireless signal processed. The antenna switch module has a first signal terminal, and a plurality of second signal terminals coupled to the radio frequency signal processing unit, and switches a signal connection between the first signal terminal and one second signal terminal of the plurality of second signal terminals according to the control signal. The primary antenna matching circuit roughly matches the antenna, and the auxiliary antenna matching module matches the antenna with the primary antenna matching circuit based on the frequency band of the wireless signal processed by the radio frequency signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventor: Yung-Jinn Chen
  • Patent number: 7999749
    Abstract: An antenna assembly may include a carrying structure having a number of faces, each face having at least partly a ground plane and each face being provided with at least one dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) element. The antenna assembly may include a controller arrangement, a switching arrangement connected to each of said DRA elements, the controller arrangement being configured to switch the antenna elements and alter frequency, polarization and/or radiation pattern of each DRA element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Zhinong Ying
  • Patent number: 7995000
    Abstract: An electronically controlled monolithic array antenna includes a transmission line through which an electromagnetic signal may be propagated, and a metal antenna element defining an evanescent coupling edge located so as to permit evanescent coupling of the signal between the transmission line and the antenna element. The antenna element includes a conductive ground plate; an array of conductive edge elements defining the coupling edge, each of the edge elements being electrically connected to a control signal source, and each of the edge elements being electrically isolated from the ground plate by an insulative isolation gap; and a plurality of switches, each of which is selectively operable in response to the control signal to electrically connect selected edge elements to the ground plate across the insulative isolation gap so as to provide a selectively variable electromagnetic coupling geometry of the coupling edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir Manasson, Vladimir I. Litvinov, Lev Sadovnik, Mark Aretskin, Mikhail Felman, Aramais Avakian
  • Patent number: 7990319
    Abstract: This radio device operating over a plurality of bands comprises a casing having a front cover and a back cover, an antenna arrangement, a radio frequency circuit set and a matching unit for connecting the antenna arrangement to the radio frequency circuit set. The following measures are proposed: —the antenna arrangement is formed by at least two antenna parts, each of which being related to a set of bands, —the antenna parts are placed close together, —the arrangement comprises a part that is normal to the front cover and another one that is near the back cover and feeding points, —the matching unit comprises control switching means for tuning the arrangement to each band. Thanks to these measures, the coverage of the band is obtained with satisfactory performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventor: Kevin Boyle
  • Publication number: 20110175789
    Abstract: Architectures and implementations of a transceiver system for wireless communications are presented, the system including one or more antennas supporting a single frequency band or multiple frequency bands, a transmit circuit, a receive circuit, and an isolation circuit that is coupled to the one or more antennas and the transmit and receive circuits and provides adequate isolation between the transmit circuit and the receive circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: RAYSPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng Jung Lee, Nhan Duc Nguyen, Ajay Gummalla
  • Publication number: 20110175791
    Abstract: A multi-beam, polarization diversity, narrow-band cognitive antenna system is disclosed. The antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements, switching elements, and transmission feed lines disposed on a PCB substrate, inside or on the enclosure of a consumer wireless device, on the airframe of an air vehicle, or on the surface of a ground vehicle. The plurality of switching elements are arranged with the antenna elements and transmission feed lines to, when selectively closed, electrically couple selected ones of the antenna elements and transmission feed lines to one another to generate an antenna configuration selected from a plurality of antenna configurations. A non-volatile memory is configured to store data representing at least some of the plurality of antenna configurations. A control arrangement operatively coupled to the plurality of switching elements and configured to close selected ones of the switching elements as a function of the data stored in said memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicants: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MONARCH ANTENNA, INC.
    Inventors: Tayfun Ozdemir, Andrzej M. Pawlak
  • Publication number: 20110171901
    Abstract: An antenna and method of using the antenna is disclosed, that may include a feed assembly including a plurality of feed horns disposed at a plurality of different respective angles within the antenna; a detection system for tracking a movement of a satellite through a tracking range of the antenna; and a switch for transferring a communication path through a succession of the feed horns based on data obtained by the detection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Gregory Thane Wyler
  • Publication number: 20110169708
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package are provided. In a hybrid circuit comprising an integrated circuit bonded to a multi-layer package, one or more antenna parameters may be adjusted by configuring a plurality of antenna elements via one or more switching elements. In this regard, the antenna elements and/or the switching elements may be within and/or on the multi-layer package and/or within the integrated circuit. The switching elements may be MEMS switches on and/or within the IC and/or the multi-layer package. The IC may be bonded or mounted to the underside of the package and signals may be communicated between the IC and the package via one or more solder balls. The IC may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for configuring the antenna elements. The antenna elements may be configured based on desired polarization, antenna gain, and/or frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 7973725
    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: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Yihong Qi, Ying Tong Man, Perry Jarmuszewski
  • Patent number: 7973728
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to computer devices utilizing removably radio frequency communication devices used for transmitting and receiving information and more particularly to an improved apparatus for connecting an appropriate antenna to the radio frequency communication device using an antenna cap, and to an improved method and apparatus for connecting a communication card device such as a radio or modem to an appropriate antenna or telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Kinney, Ronald L. Mahany, Guy J. West
  • Publication number: 20110156983
    Abstract: A switching element is provided that realizes an stabilize a potential between the gates of the multi-gates without an increase in the insertion loss, and an antenna switch circuit and a radio frequency module each using the switch element. The switching element includes two ohmic electrodes 39, 40 formed on a semiconductor substrate, at least two gate electrodes 41, 42 disposed between the two ohmic electrodes, and a conductive region 45 disposed between the adjacent gate electrodes among the at least two gate electrodes, a field effective transistor being structured by the two ohmic electrodes, the at least two gate electrodes, and the conductive region. The conductive region has a wider portion that is wider in width than the conductive region interposed between the adjacent gate electrodes on one end thereof. The distance between the adjacent gate electrodes is narrower than the width of the wider portion. Resistors 44, 46 are connected in series between the two ohmic electrodes through the wider portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Shinichiro Takatani, Shigeki Koya, Hiroyuki Takazawa, Shinya Osakabe, Akishige Nakajima, Yasushi Shigeno
  • Patent number: 7969381
    Abstract: A wireless device has a housing, a patch antenna, and an open/shut sensing unit which senses the open/shut state of the housing and forms an open/shut signal indicating the open/shut state. The patch antenna has a first element which corresponds to a first polarized wave, a second element which corresponds to a second polarized wave and is to be added to the first element, and a switching unit. The switching unit disconnects and connects the second element from and to the first element based on the open/shut signal to make the patch antenna suitable for the first or second polarized wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaru Kanazawa, Tabito Tonooka
  • Publication number: 20110151811
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving antenna performance and reducing antenna volume are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a wireless communication device includes a first antenna, a second antenna, and a radio frequency receiver. The first antenna is tuned to support a first set of radio frequency bands. The second antenna is tuned to support a second set of radio frequency bands. The radio frequency receiver combines signals detected by the first and second antennas to produce a baseband signal. The second set of radio frequency bands is different from the first set of radio frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Isaac Lagnado, Ming He
  • Publication number: 20110134014
    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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshinori Kondo, Hiroyuki Takebe, Mikio Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 7952533
    Abstract: A frequency reconfiguration array antenna includes a metal plate and a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna element includes a plurality of radiators and at least one switch for connecting the radiators, and a gain of at least one frequency bandwidth from among the plurality of frequency bandwidths reconfigured by the antenna elements is higher than gains of other frequency bandwidths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Moon man Hur, Soon Young Eom, Young Bae Jung, Soon Ik Jeon
  • Patent number: 7944399
    Abstract: There is provided an antenna device for use with a portable terminal, which can be used in different frequency bands by combining antenna characteristics. Whip antenna is electrically connected to power feeder through contact member, and resonates in a UHF band or higher when extended. Coiled antenna is electrically connected to power feeder through frequency filter mounted on device board. Frequency filter is set to a low impedance in a VHF band to supply electric power to coiled antenna. With this arrangement, external whip antenna is excited in the UHF band or higher, and built-in coiled antenna is mainly excited in the VHF band. The antenna device is thus capable of sending or receiving radio waves in a wide frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuya Harano
  • Patent number: 7940224
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device which can be surely supplied electric power by electromagnetic waves in different frequency bands without preventing reduction in size and weight of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device capable of wireless communication is provided with a frequency determining circuit which detects the frequency of the electromagnetic waves received by the antenna and a circuit which automatically adjusts impedance in accordance with information from the frequency determining circuit, and the semiconductor device communicates and obtains electric power by one antenna. For adjustment of impedance, a circuit which can change the inductance or the capacitance, or an antenna which can change the length is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20110102290
    Abstract: An adjustable multi-band planar antenna especially applicable in mobile terminals. The feed of the antenna can be connected by a multiple-way switch (SW) to at least two alternative points (FP1, FP2, FP3) in the radiator (310). When the feed point is changed, the resonance frequencies and thus the operating bands of the antenna change. Besides the basic dimensions of the antenna, the distance (x, y, z) of each feed point to other feed points and possible short-circuit point in the radiator, the value of the series capacitance (C31; C32; C33) belonging to a reactive circuit between the feed point and switch and the distance of the ground plane (GND) from the radiator are variables in the antenna design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Zlatoljub Milosavljevic
  • Publication number: 20110102293
    Abstract: An antenna module that includes two directional antennae arranged in a back-to-back manner, and a converter. The converter realizes conversion between an omnidirectional antenna mode and a directional antenna mode by switching on two directional antennae simultaneously or by switching on one of the directional antennas. Alternatively, the antenna module includes a horizontal polarization antenna, a vertical polarization antenna and a converter, where the converter provides the conversion between the horizontal polarization antenna mode and the vertical polarization antenna mode by switching on the horizontal polarization antenna or the vertical polarization antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Jun Jie Chen, Min Ding, Jun Ping Geng, Xian Guang Guo, Rong Hong Jin, Mattias Lampe, Christoph Weiler
  • Patent number: 7936315
    Abstract: An antenna system adapted for a communication device has a common antenna with a predetermined length, an AM matching circuit matching with the common antenna and an FM matching circuit matching with the common antenna. A switch alternatively electrically connects the common antenna to the AM matching circuit and the FM matching circuit for achieving the AM function and FM function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Hui Yu, Hung-Jen Chen, Yu-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 7916096
    Abstract: A system and a method for configuring a communication system are provided. The communication system has an antenna system with a 3-D antenna grid. The configurable 3-D antenna grid has a plurality of antenna elements operably coupled to a plurality of switching elements. The method includes selecting a first 3-D antenna configuration associated with the configurable 3-D antenna grid from a plurality of antenna configurations. The method further includes controlling a memory device to output first data corresponding to the first 3-D antenna configuration. The method further includes closing selected ones of the plurality of switching elements to obtain the first 3-D antenna configuration in the configurable 3-D antenna grid in response to the first data. The first 3-D antenna configuration is one of the plurality of antenna configurations wherein at least a portion of the plurality of antenna elements are electrically coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrzej M. Pawlak
  • Patent number: 7911388
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package are provided. In a hybrid circuit comprising an integrated circuit bonded to a multi-layer package, one or more antenna parameters may be adjusted by configuring a plurality of antenna elements via one or more switching elements. In this regard, the antenna elements and/or the switching elements may be within and/or on the multi-layer package and/or within the integrated circuit. The switching elements may be MEMS switches on and/or within the IC and/or the multi-layer package. The IC may be bonded or mounted to the underside of the package and signals may be communicated between the IC and the package via one or more solder balls. The IC may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for configuring the antenna elements. The antenna elements may be configured based on desired polarization, antenna gain, and/or frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20110065477
    Abstract: A multiband built-in antenna for a portable terminal is provided, which includes a feeding part electrically connected to a Radio Frequency (RF) connector of a terminal main board; an antenna radiator comprising at least two ground parts electrically connected to a ground means of the terminal and formed at different locations; and a switching means commonly linked to a ground line of each ground part of the antenna radiator, and selectively connecting one or more of the at least two ground parts electrically to the ground means according to a switching operation
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-Bae KO, Jung-Ho PARK, Austin KIM, Dong-Hwan KIM, Yong-Jin KIM, Ja-Ho LEE, Se-Ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20110063083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an RF tag reader and writer including: an antenna device which has a first radiation element and a second radiation element which is larger than the first radiation element, causes the first radiation element to radiate radio waves with an intensity distribution capable of communicating only with RF tags located in a region in the vicinity of the first radiation element, and causes the second radiation element to radiate radio waves with an intensity distribution capable of communicating with RF tags located in a range broader than that of the first radiation element; and an antenna switching control unit configured to select either the first or second radiation element to radiate radio waves and switching therebetween based on a user's operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kouichi Sano
  • Patent number: 7907094
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a portable terminal apparatus capable of reducing that antenna characteristics of respective antenna elements are deteriorated due to antenna coupling phenomena even when a plurality of wireless communication functions are carried out at the same time by utilizing a plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kakitsu, Hideo Nakanishi, Takahiro Ochi
  • Publication number: 20110057857
    Abstract: A small antenna system which is incorporated in a portable radio apparatus and can ensure high antenna performance in a wide frequency band without impairing the design property or the operability and a portable radio apparatus are provided. An antenna device includes an antenna A1 having a resonance characteristic in a first frequency; an antenna A2 having a resonance characteristic in a second frequency and being spaced from the antenna A1 at a predetermined distance; a circuit board P provided in a mobile telephone 10, a wireless section 16 provided on the circuit board P for supplying or receiving high-frequency power; and a high-frequency switch 13 provided on the circuit board P for selecting connection of an output terminal or an input terminal of the wireless section 16 and a feeding point of the antenna A1 or the antenna A2 so that the feeding point of the antenna A1 or the antenna A2 can be switched and connecting to the wireless section 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenya Nagano, Yoshio Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 7903041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic transmit antenna apparatus comprising: a toroidal core transformer having a primary winding inductively coupled to a secondary winding supplying a low voltage and high current to a magnetic transmit antenna wherein the magnetic transmit antenna includes a wire loop having multiple turns for generating a magnetic field. The toroidal core transformer includes a primary winding that operates in association with the secondary winding to match the impedance of a signal source to the magnetic transmit antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: David O. LeVan
  • Patent number: 7899412
    Abstract: A switching element is provided that realizes an stabilize a potential between the gates of the multi-gates without an increase in the insertion loss, and an antenna switch circuit and a radio frequency module each using the switch element. The switching element includes two ohmic electrodes 39, 40 formed on a semiconductor substrate, at least two gate electrodes 41, 42 disposed between the two ohmic electrodes, and a conductive region 45 disposed between the adjacent gate electrodes among the at least two gate electrodes, a field effective transistor being structured by the two ohmic electrodes, the at least two gate electrodes, and the conductive region. The conductive region has a wider portion that is wider in width than the conductive region interposed between the adjacent gate electrodes on one end thereof. The distance between the adjacent gate electrodes is narrower than the width of the wider portion. Resistors 44, 46 are connected in series between the two ohmic electrodes through the wider portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Shinichiro Takatani, Shigeki Koya, Hiroyuki Takazawa, Shinya Osakabe, Akishige Nakajima, Yasushi Shigeno
  • Publication number: 20110043432
    Abstract: A microwave antenna for wireless interconnection of automation devices has a first printed circuit board, on which a first conductor loop is arranged as a printed conductor track. A second printed circuit board having a second conductor loop in the form of a printed conductor track is arranged transversely with respect to the first printed circuit board. The second printed circuit board is attached to the first printed circuit board. The conductor loops are connected to a common feed connection. A bypass line connects one end of each the first and the second conductor loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Alois INEICHEN, Thorsten Godau
  • Patent number: 7893881
    Abstract: An antenna device for a portable radio communication device operable in at least a first and a second frequency band, includes first and second electrically conductive planar radiating elements. The first radiating element has a feeding portion connectable to a feed device of the portable radio communication device. The second radiating element includes a grounding portion connectable to ground. A controllable switch is arranged between the first and second radiating elements for selectively interconnecting and disconnecting the radiating elements. The state of the switch is controlled by means of a control voltage input. A first filter is arranged between the feeding portion and the control voltage input, to block radio frequency signals. By providing a high pass filter between the first and second radiating elements above a ground plane, quad-band operation is provided with high efficiency in a physically small antenna device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Laird Technologies AB
    Inventor: Anders Thornell-Pers
  • Patent number: 7893888
    Abstract: A programmable antenna includes a fixed antenna element and a programmable antenna element that is tunable to one of a plurality of resonant frequencies in response to at least one antenna control signal. A programmable impedance matching network is tunable in response to at least one matching network control signal, to provide, for instance, a substantially constant load impedance. A control module generates the antenna control signals and the matching network control signals, in response to a frequency selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20110037679
    Abstract: An electrically small antenna includes a first plurality of helical arms extending in one direction from a central portion of the antenna and a second plurality of helical arms extending from the central portion in a direction opposite from the direction of the first plurality of helical arms. A plurality of switches are coupled to control signal transmission and reception on the helical arms, each of the plurality of switches is coupled between a corresponding one of the first plurality of helical arms and the second plurality of helical arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kurt L. Shlager, Liang Chu
  • Publication number: 20110032171
    Abstract: A switch assembly selectively couples an antenna communication circuit to a first feed point of a first antenna, and selectively couples the antenna communication circuit to a second feed point of a second antenna. Each feed point is selected based on polarization of an electromagnetic wave to be radiated from or received by the corresponding antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7884779
    Abstract: A switch designs having very low insertion loss, in which the insertion loss remains the same regardless of the number of inputs. A plurality of inputs are structured for receiving electromagnetic radiation signal having a wavelength ?. A plurality of switches, e.g., PIN diode switches, are coupled to a respective input. A main conductor is coupled to an output. A plurality of leg conductors are coupled at one end to the main conductor and at other end to a respective switch from the plurality of switches, wherein each of the leg conductors has a length substantially equal to n?/2, wherein n is a whole natural number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wavebender, Inc.
    Inventor: Dedi David Haziza
  • Publication number: 20110025577
    Abstract: A nanotube based microstrip antenna element is provided along with arrays of same. The nanotube based microstrip antenna element comprises a dielectric substrate layer sandwiched between a ground plane layer and a conductive nanotube layer, the conductive nanotube layer shaped to form a radiating structure. In more advanced embodiments, the nanotube based microstrip antenna element further includes an integrated two terminal nanotube switch device such as to provide a selectability function to such microstrip antenna elements and reconfigurable arrays of same. Anisotropic nanotube fabric layers are also used to provide substantially transparent microstrip antenna structures which can be deposited over display screens and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. WARD, Robert F. Smith, Brent M. SEGAL
  • Patent number: 7880685
    Abstract: Controlled phase shift in the operation of an RF antenna element is achieved by selectively choosing between different modes of antenna element resonance. Additional phase control resolution is achieved by combining this with other types of phase shifters. Such phase shifters are especially useful within a phased array of RF antenna radiator elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyon Research Corporation
    Inventors: Bill R. Norvell, Robert A. York, Michael P. Grace
  • Publication number: 20110021244
    Abstract: An antenna system includes a wired communications interface, an antenna, and antenna system control circuitry. The wired communications interface is operable to couple to a serviced host device and includes a control interface and an antenna interface. The antenna couples to the antenna interface and has configurable antenna characteristics. The antenna system control circuitry couples to the control interface and to the antenna and is operable to communicate the configurable antenna characteristics to the host device and to configure the antenna based upon communication with the host device. In other constructs the antenna may not be configurable and the antenna characteristics communicated are fixed. The antenna system may further include Radio Frequency (RF) transmit circuitry and/or RF transmit circuitry. Such RF transmit circuitry and RF receive circuitry may be configurable or fixed in its operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, John Walley, Vinko Erceg, Arya Reza Behzad, David Rosmann, Brima B. Ibrahim
  • Publication number: 20110012792
    Abstract: A multimode communication device (10 or 50) having an antenna arrangement (14 or 54) having a first antenna (18) operational in both low bands and high bands, a second antenna (20) operational in high bands, a tuner (26) coupled to the first antenna adapted to adjust matching elements to modify return loss to lower reflected power, a switching mechanism (28) for selecting between the first antenna and the second antenna, and a controller (30) coupled to the switching mechanism and the tuner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Krenz, Bill Alberth, Roger Scheer
  • Patent number: 7864119
    Abstract: A circuit board for wireless communications includes communication circuitry for modulating and/or demodulating a radio frequency (RF) signal and an antenna apparatus for transmitting and receiving the RF signal, the antenna apparatus having selectable antenna elements located near one or more peripheries of the circuit board. A first antenna element produces a first directional radiation pattern; a second antenna element produces a second directional radiation pattern offset from the first radiation pattern. The antenna elements may include one or more reflectors configured to provide gain and broaden the frequency response of the antenna element. A switching network couples one or more of the selectable elements to the communication circuitry and provides impedance matching regardless of which or how many of the antenna elements are selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Shtrom, Darin T. Milton, William S. Kish
  • Patent number: 7864126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission/reception antenna with diversity of radiation comprising on a substrate at least a first and a second radiating elements connected by a network of feeder lines to a transmission/reception circuit of electromagnetic signals, wherein the network is constituted by a first feeder line connected to a first radiating element and by a set of two second feeder lines each connected by means of a switching element to the second radiating element in such a manner as to supply the two radiating elements in phase or in phase opposition, the set of the two second feeder lines being connected to the first feeder line by a third feeder line, the first and third feeder lines being connected by a feeder line common to the transmission/reception circuit of electromagnetic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Nicolas Boisbouvier, Jean-Francois Pintos, Philippe Minard
  • Patent number: 7864133
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing AM/PM and AM/AM distortion are disclosed and may comprise selectively coupling and impedance matching one of a plurality of tunable antennas to a single programmable output stage comprising a single power amplifier on a chip in a transmitter. A programmable matching circuit comprising adjustable inductance and capacitance may be used to impedance match the antenna to the output stage. The selected tunable antenna may be coupled to the output stage utilizing a programmable switch array, which may comprise at least one integrated transistor, for example. The tunable antennas may be designed to operate in different frequency bands and to be tuned within one or more frequency bands. The programmable matching circuit may be integrated on the chip or external to the chip. The matching circuit capacitance may be integrated on-chip, and the inductance may be located off-chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20100328177
    Abstract: There is provided an antenna element for use in an ultra wideband network, the antenna element comprising a radiating element, for radiating signals over a range of frequencies in response to a signal received at a feed point; and a frequency shaping device located near the feed point of the radiating element for acting as a broad-banding device for the radiating element. A plurality of antenna elements may be formed into an antenna array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ITI SCOTLAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Dean Kemp, Michael Philippakis, Neil Williams, I
  • Publication number: 20100328184
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement comprising an input/output connection and a first and a second tuning network with different transfer functions. The arrangement additionally comprises an antenna and a switch for connecting the input/output connection of the arrangement to one of said tuning networks, with a second switch for connecting the antenna of the arrangement to the tuning network to which the input/output connection of the arrangement has been connected. The arrangement comprises a sensor for sensing a form factor of the arrangement or of an apparatus in which the arrangement is used, and said sensor can be used for influencing said first and second switches, so that a device which has been connected to the arrangement may be connected to the antenna via a tuning network optimal for the current form factor of the arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Johansson, Patrik Persson, Jonas Friden, Sven Anders Gösta Derneryd, Anders Stjernman
  • Publication number: 20100321271
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to receive and display digital television signals are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to receive digital television signals comprises an antenna assembly coupled to the signal processing circuitry and comprising a first antenna positioned to maximize reception in a first direction and a second antenna positioned to maximize reception in a second direction, different from the first direction, and a processor coupled to the antenna assembly and comprising a selection logic module to select an antenna to receive a digital television signal for a specific channel, and a tuning logic module to configure the antenna assembly to receive a signal via a selected antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Keate, Armando V. Lopez, Eric S. Tang
  • Patent number: 7855696
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and techniques for using composite left and right handed (CRLH) metamaterial (MTM) structure antenna elements and arrays to provide radiation pattern shaping and beam switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Rayspan Corporation
    Inventors: Ajay Gummalla, Marin Stoytchev, Maha Achour, Gregory Poilasne
  • Publication number: 20100315312
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for selecting a set of antennas, for use during operation of a radio system, from a plurality of antennas. The system, method and apparatus may include selecting one antenna that is part of an array of antennas. Then measuring characteristics of radio signals received at the antenna. The selection and measuring of characteristic is repeated for a desired number of antennas in the array. Then, the measurements are combined, and the combinations of antennas are ranked based upon the combined measurement. From the ranking combinations of antennas are selected for use during operation of a radio system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: WI-LAN, INC.
    Inventors: Dorin G. Viorel, Ronald G. Murias, Jagan N. Seshadri
  • Publication number: 20100317337
    Abstract: In a method for transmitting and/or receiving signals for at least one first and one second different service, particularly having a large range in a vehicle, at least one first antenna 25? transmits and/or receives signals for the at least one first or second service, depending on a detectable event, and an antenna module performs this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Guy-Aymar Chakam