TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an antenna and, specifically, to a folded metal antenna that can be mounted in a non-conductive support structure and coupled to a circuit on a printed circuit board.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any background information described herein is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to the present embodiments that are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light.

[0003] Wireless communication networks are present in many communication systems today. Many of the communication devices used in these systems include a plurality of antennas for interfacing to multiple networks. These communication devices often include, but are not limited to, set-top boxes, gateways, cellular or wireless telephones, televisions, home computers, media content players, and the like. Further, many of these communication devices may include multiple interfaces for the different types of networks. As a result, one or more antennas may be present on or inside the communication device.

[0004] Many of these communication devices continue to be reduced in size. As a result, the antennas, or antenna assemblies, that are designed to fit inside the structure are required to fit into smaller areas. The problem is further complicated in communication devices that have to embed many antennas in order to wirelessly operate over a plurality of wide area networks (WANs) as well as local area networks (LANs). Such requirements often lead to drastic integration issues due to limited space and need to minimize interference between the antennas during operation. Compact antenna designs and assemblies are necessary.

[0005] Compact antenna designs are known. Some of these antenna designs achieve compactness by being highly integrable with a printed circuit board used in the communication device, such as allowing them to be positioned within the limited space between the printed circuit board and the inside of the enclosure for the communication device. Due to the operating frequency for the antenna, the radiating elements of an antenna may need to be positioned perpendicular to the antenna feed connection at the printed circuit board, occupying more space in a direction parallel to the printed circuit board. Having the elements of an antenna oriented perpendicular to the antenna feed connection can be desirable due to the often low profile nature of the communication device. However, in instances where multiple antennas or antenna assemblies are required in the communication device, sufficient separation may be difficult to maintain when the antenna elements are in this perpendicular orientation. It may be advantageous for one or more of the antennas or antenna assemblies to have the antenna elements oriented parallel to the antenna feed connection and perpendicular to the printed circuit board. Additionally, having one or more antennas with antenna elements in a different orientation may be beneficial to operational performance due to improved antenna diversity, better antenna to antenna isolation, and lower combined directional gain.

[0006] However, the low profile of the communication device, along with limited space that often exists between the printed circuit board and the inner surfaces of the enclosure, place constraints on the physical dimensions, such as length, of the antenna elements in the direction perpendicular to the printed circuit board. These constraints may restrict the operational performance of the antenna, particularly at lower operating frequency ranges, such as the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) Wi-Fi frequency range. Therefore, there is a need for an improved antenna that can operate over a desired range of frequencies and also satisfy the constraints associated with the form factor requirements between a printed circuit board and a low profile enclosure used for a communication device.

SUMMARY

[0007] These and other drawbacks and disadvantages presented by antenna assemblies for use in communication devices are addressed by the principles of the present disclosure. However, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present principles may offer advantages in other types of devices and systems as well.

[0008] According to an implementation, an antenna is described that includes a balun, the balun including a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side each having a first end for electrical connection to a surface of a printed circuit board and a second end coupling to one or more radiating elements for communicating signals over a wireless network. The antenna further includes a first radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the first side of the balun, the first portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the first radiating element, the second portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first portion of the first radiating element and a second radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the second side of the balun, the first portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction opposite the first position of the first radiating element away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the second radiating element, the second portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the corresponding first portion of the second radiating element.

[0009] According to an implementation, an electronic device is described that includes a circuit capable of at least one of processing a communication signal received wirelessly from a network and processing a communication signal for transmission wirelessly to the network and an antenna coupled to the circuit, The antenna includes a balun, the balun including a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side each having a first end for electrical connection to a surface of a printed circuit board and a second end coupling to one or more radiating elements for communicating signals over a wireless network. The antenna further includes a first radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the first side of the balun, the first portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the first radiating element, the second portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first portion of the first radiating element and a second radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the second side of the balun, the first portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction opposite the first position of the first radiating element away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the second radiating element, the second portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the corresponding first portion of the second radiating element.

[0010] a balun, the balun including a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side each having a first end for electrical connection to a surface of a printed circuit board and a second end coupling to one or more radiating elements for communicating signals over a wireless network;

[0011] a first radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the first side of the balun, the first portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the first radiating element, the second portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first portion of the first radiating element; and

[0012] a second radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the second side of the balun, the first portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction opposite the first position of the first radiating element away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the second radiating element, the second portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first portion of the second radiating element,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication device to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary gateway device to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0016] FIG. 3A is a first perspective view of an exemplary antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0017] FIG. 3B is a second perspective view of the exemplary antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0018] FIG. 3C is a third perspective view of the exemplary antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0019] FIG. 3D is a fourth perspective view of the exemplary antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0020] FIG. 4A is a first perspective view of an exemplary support structure used with an antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0021] FIG. 4B is a second perspective view of the exemplary support structure used with an antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary antenna assembly including an antenna and support structure to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further exemplary antenna to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable; and

[0025] FIG. 8 is a graph comparing dimensional characteristics of an exemplary antenna assembly to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable to another antenna. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present disclosure may be applicable to electronic apparatuses or devices described as being assembled apparatuses or devices having one or more integrated antenna assemblies. The present disclosure further addresses manufacturing and assembly issues associated with the use of one or more of the various available integrated antenna assemblies that may be used in electronic apparatuses or devices.

[0027] The present description illustrates the principles of the present disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure and are included within the scope of the claims.

[0028] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.

[0029] Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the principles of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

[0030] In the embodiments hereof, any element expressed or described, directly or indirectly, as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a) a combination of elements that performs that function or b) any mechanism having a combination of electrical or mechanical elements to perform that function. The disclosure as defined by such claims resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in the manner which the claims call for. It is thus regarded that any means that can provide those functionalities are equivalent to those shown herein.

[0031] The present embodiments address problems associated with optimizing the orientation and positioning of multiple antennas and antenna assemblies in compact low profile communication devices, particularly those antennas that are oriented primarily perpendicular to the printed circuit board and/or perpendicular to the longer dimension of the communication device. The problems are often created when limited space is available between an edge of a printed circuit board and the inner surface of an enclosure for the communication device and the antenna form factor must be limited in dimension perpendicular to the printed circuit board. The problem becomes even more difficult when the communication device is required to operate at lower frequencies, such as 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz used for Wi-Fi communication. [0032] The present embodiments overcome these drawbacks by utilizing a folded metal antenna design to increase the effective length of the antenna radiating elements while being limited by a physical mechanical height or length constraint within the enclosure. One possible implementation is a folded metal antenna using a folded dipole structure. In this design, the folded portion of each of the antenna elements may be folded orthogonal to the portion of the antenna elements in coplanar orientation with the antenna feed element such that they are oriented in parallel to the printed circuit board in the enclosure. The folded portions of each of the antenna elements may be folded in the same direction to minimize the effects on the polarity performance of the antenna, such as cross-polarization isolation. Other folded metal antenna designs with different antenna element structures that utilize one or more aspects of the present embodiments are also possible.

[0033] The folded metal antenna may be included as part of an antenna assembly that also includes a non-conductive support structure to support various aspects of the antenna. By integrating a non-conductive support structure that provides mechanical support for the various aspects of the antenna elements in the antenna, a low cost, compact, and easy to manufacture solution to the problem is realized. The present embodiments are particularly effective when limited space is available between an edge of a printed circuit board and the inner surface of an enclosure for the communication device and the antenna form factor must be limited in length perpendicular to the printed circuit board.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 1 , a block diagram of an embodiment of a communication device 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Communication device 100 may be used as part of a communication receiver, transmitter, and/or transceiver device including, but not limited to, a handheld radio, a set-top box, a gateway, a modem, a router, a cellular or wireless telephone, a cellular or wireless outdoor unit, a television, a home computer, a tablet, and a media content player. Communication device 100 may include one or more interfaces to wireless networks including, but not limited to, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.11 , Wi-Fi, third generation (3G), LTE, or fifth generation (5G) cellular, or other similar wireless communication protocols. It is important to note that several components and interconnections necessary for complete operation of communication device 100, either as a standalone device or incorporated as part of another device, are not shown in the interest of conciseness, as the components not shown are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0035] Communication device 100 includes a communication circuit 110 that interfaces with other processing circuits, such as a processor, memory, and user interface, not shown. Communication circuit 110 connects to antenna 120. Antenna 120 provides the interface to the airwaves for transmission and reception of signals to and from communication device 100.

[0036] Communication circuit 110 includes circuitry for performing signal transmission and reception of a signal interfaced through antenna 120 to another device over a wireless network. A received signal from antenna 120 may be processed by a low noise amplifier and tuned by a set of filters, mixers, and oscillators included in communication circuit 110. The tuned signal may be digitized and further demodulated and decoded. The decoded signal may be provided to other processing circuits. Additionally, communication circuit 110 generates, converts, and/or formats an input signal (e.g., an audio, video, or data signal) from the other processing circuits for transmission through antenna 120. Communication circuit 110 may include a power amplifier for increasing the transmitted signal level of the signal sent from communication device 100 over the wireless network. Adjustment of the amplification applied to a signal received from antenna 120 as well as amplification for a signal transmitted by antenna 120 may be controlled by a control circuit in communication circuit 110 or may be controlled by other processing circuits.

[0037] Communication circuit 110 also includes interfaces to send and receive data (e.g., audio and/or video signals) to other processing circuits (not shown). Communication circuit 100 further amplifies and processes the data in order to either provide the data to antenna 120 for transmission or to provide the data to the other processing circuits. Communication circuit 110 may receive or send audio, video, and/or data signals, either in an analog or digital signal format. In one embodiment, communication circuit 110 has an ethemet interface for communicating data to other processing circuits and wireless network interface for communicating with antenna 220. Communication circuit 110 includes processing circuits for converting signals between ethemet format and a wireless format (e.g., IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi).

[0038] Antenna 120 interfaces signals between communication circuit 110 and the over- the air wireless network (e.g., IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi). In some embodiments, antenna 120 may be configured for transmitting and receiving wireless signals that are present over a range of frequencies. For instance, antenna 120 may be configured for transmitting and receiving wireless signals over a range of frequencies from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz, referred to as the 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. In one embodiment, antenna 120 may be configured for optimally transmitting and receiving wireless signals that are present in the 2.4 GHz ISM band while having reduced transmission and reception capability for wireless signals present at frequencies outside of that frequency band. In some embodiments, antenna 120 may be a low profile antenna design, such as a low profile folded metal antenna. Details regarding aspects of low profile folded metal antenna designs that may be used will be described below.

[0039] Antenna 120 may be physically separated from communication circuit 110 in communication device 100. The separation may be necessary to prevent interference between the operation of antenna 120 and communication circuit 110. The separation may additionally or alternatively be necessary to allow for proper or best positioning for the operation of antenna 120 with respect to area or space within communication device 100. In these instances, antenna 120 may be referred to as an antenna assembly. Antenna 120 may include a connection interface for communicating the transmitted and received signals with communication circuit 110. In some embodiments, the connection interface may utilize a mechanism to allow for electrical connection of antenna 120 to one or more conductive elements on a printed circuit board that includes communication circuit 110. The mechanism may include, but is not limited to, contact pressure between a conductive element on antenna 120 and the printed circuit board, a terminal and socket connection, a soldering connection, and the like.

[0040] It is worth noting that more than one antenna 120 may be used in communication device 100. The use of more than one antenna provides additional performance capability and control options. For example, in one embodiment, a first antenna may be oriented in a first orientation or axis with a second antenna oriented in a second orientation or axis. In another embodiment, two antennas may be spaced a distance from each other, such as at opposite ends of communication device 100 or a larger apparatus that includes communication device 100.

[0041] Communication device 100 in FIG. 1 is described primarily as operating according to a local wireless network, such as IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other network standards and protocols that incorporate a wireless physical interface may be used. For instance, communication device 100 may easily be configured to operate according to standards and protocols for a Bluetooth network, a WiMax network, a Wi-Fi network or any number of wireless network standards or protocols that are, or will be, available. Further, more than one of these networks may be used either alternatively or simultaneously together.

[0042] Turning to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an exemplary gateway device 200 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Gateway device 200 may operate in a manner similar to communication device 100 described in FIG. 1. In gateway device 200, a wide area network (WAN) is coupled to WAN transceiver 270 through antenna 272 or through a direct network interface connection. WAN transceiver 270 is coupled to processor 210. Processor 210 is coupled to memory 290. Processor 210 is further coupled to audio/video interface 220, local area network (LAN) transceiver 240, LAN transceiver 250, and Ethernet interface 260. LAN transceiver 240 is coupled to antenna 242. LAN transceiver 250 is coupled to antenna 252 and antenna 254. It is to be appreciated that several components and interconnections necessary for complete operation of gateway device 200 are not shown in the interest of conciseness, as the components not shown are well known to those skilled in the art. Gateway device 200 is capable of operating as an interface to a WAN such as a cellular, satellite, microwave, or terrestrial communication network, and is further capable of providing an interface to one or more devices used in a home and connected through either a wired and wireless home network or LAN.

[0043] WAN transceiver 270 includes circuitry to perform network radio frequency (RF) signal modulation and transmission functions on a signal provided to the WAN through antenna 272 or direct network connection from gateway 200 as well as RF signal tuning and demodulation functions on a signal received from the WAN through antenna 272 or direct network connection at gateway 200. The RF modulation and demodulation functions are the same as those commonly used in communication systems, such as cable, satellite, digital subscriber line, or over the air terrestrial systems. It is important to note that in some embodiments, the WAN transceiver 270 may be referred to as a tuner even though the tuner may also include modulation and transmission circuitry and functionality. Processor 210 receives the demodulated network communication signals from WAN transceiver 270 and provides any data or content, formatted for network delivery, to WAN transceiver 270 for modulation and transmission on the external network. WAN transceiver 270 may also include circuitry for signal conditioning, filtering, and/or signal conversion (e.g., optical to electrical signal conversion). Antenna 272 may be any type of antenna suitable for transmitting and/or receiving signals in the frequency range or ranges used by the WAN. In some embodiments, antenna 272 may be included outside the structure of gateway 200 rather than within, as shown.

[0044] System memory 290 supports the content and data processing as well as IP functions in processor 210 and also serves as storage for applications, programs, control code and media content and data information. System memory 290 may include one or more of the following storage elements including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), Electrically-Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), and flash memory. System memory 290 may also encompass one or more integrated memory elements including, but not limited to, magnetic media hard disk drives and optical media disk drives. Digital content and/or data stored in memory 290 may be retrieved by processor 210, processed, and provided to one or more of audio/video interface 220, LAN transceivers 240 and 250, Ethernet interface 260, and WAN transceiver 270.

[0045] Audio/video interface 220 allows connection to an audio/video reproduction device, such as a television display device described above or other media device, such as a set top box and the like. Audio/video interface 220 may include additional signal processing circuitry including, but not limited to, digital to analog converters, signal filters, digital and/or analog signal format converters, modulators, demodulators, and the like. Audio/video interface 220 also includes one or more physical connectors to connect to the audio/video reproduction device using one or more of several different types of audio/video connecting cables. The one or more physical connectors may include, but are not limited to, RCA or phone type connectors, HDMI connectors, digital visual interface (DVI) connectors, Sony/Philips digital interface (S/PDIF) connectors, Toshiba Link (Toslink) connectors, and F-type coaxial connectors.

[0046] Ethernet interface 260 allows connection to external devices (e.g., computers, tablets, and the like) that are compliant with the IEEE 802.3 or similar communication protocol. Ethernet interface 260 includes a registered jack (RJ) type RJ-45 physical interface connector or other standard interface connector to allow connection to an external local computer or other Ethernet connected device.

[0047] Processor 210 may be a programmable microprocessor that is reconfigurable with downloadable instructions or software code stored in memory 290. Processor 210 may alternatively be a specifically programmed controller and data processor with internal control code for controlling, managing, and processing all functions and data in gateway 200. [0048] LAN transceiver 240, along with antenna 242, and LAN transceiver 250, along with antennas 252 and 254, provide a wireless communication interface to other devices in a home network or LAN. LAN transceiver 240 and LAN transceiver 250 may include various electronic circuits for receiving and transmitting signals to other devices through antenna 242 and antennas 252 and 254, respectively. The various electronic circuits may include, but are not limited to, antenna switches, signal amplifiers, signal meters, frequency converters, modulators, demodulators, and transport processors.

[0049] It is worth noting that LAN transceiver 240 and LAN transceiver 250 may operate using two different communication protocols. In some embodiments, LAN transceiver 250 may communicate signals with other wireless devices through antennas 252 and 252 using an IEEE 802.11 protocol that utilizes the 2.4 GHz ISM band and 5.725 - 5.875 GHz (5 GHz ISM band) frequency ranges. LAN transceiver 240 may additionally communicate signals with other wireless devices through antenna 242 using the Zigbee protocol. It is important to note that in other embodiments LAN transceiver 240 and LAN transceiver 250 may be configured to operate using other wireless communication protocols, such as Thread, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi. Antennas 252 and 254 may also be configured for one or more of a transmit/receive, antenna diversity, and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation. In some embodiments, one or more of antennas 242, 252, and 254 may be a low profile folded metal antenna design, such as a low profile folded metal dipole antenna. Details regarding aspects of low profile antenna designs that may be used will be described below.

[0050] Turning now to FIGs. 3A-3D, an exemplary antenna 300 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Antenna 300 may be included as part of an apparatus used for wireless communications, such as communication device 100 described in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 described in FIG. 2. More specifically, antenna 300 may be used for one or more of antennas 242, 252, and 254 described in FIG. 2. Antenna assembly 300 may be referred to as a low profile compact folded metal dipole antenna associated with wireless network communications as described above. For purposes of reference, FIG. 3A shows a view from the left side of antenna 300, with an x-axis coming out the front of the page with respect to an xyz coordinate system shown. FIG. 3B shows a view from the opposite or right side of antenna 300 with an x-axis coming out the front of the page with respect to the same xyz coordinate system shown. FIG. 3C shows a perspective view from the upper left side of antenna 300 with respect to the same xyz coordinate system shown. FIG. 3D shows a perspective view from the upper right side of antenna 300 with respect to the same xyz coordinate system shown. It is important to note that not all of the elements of antenna 300 may be shown in each of FIGs. 3A-3D. However, when an element of antenna assembly 300 is shown in more than one of FIGs. 3A-3D, the same reference number is used.

[0051] As described above, antenna 300 is intended for use in an electronic device (e.g., communication device 100 described in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 described in FIG. 2) that places physical design constraints on the antenna due to its low profile enclosure. As such, the z-axis will always correspond to io the smallest dimension of the low profile enclosure. For purposes of illustration, the z-axis in FIGs. 3A-3D corresponds to the height of an enclosure that is horizontally oriented in which the height is the smallest of the three dimensions of the enclosure. In cases where the enclosure is vertically oriented with the smallest dimension being the width of the enclosure, the z-axis in FIGs. 3A-3D will correspond to the width of the enclosure.

[0052] Antenna 300 includes a pair of conductive interfaces 310, 312. The conductive interfaces 310, 312 provide an electrical connection to a printed circuit board (not shown) in an electronic device (e.g., communication device 100 in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 in FIG. 2), as described earlier. Each one of the pair of conductive interfaces 310, 312 are connected to one end of balun elements 315, 317 respectively. The other end of each of the balun elements 315, 317 are connected to one end of impedance matching elements 320, 322, respectively. The other ends of impedance matching elements 320, 322 are connected together. The other end of each of the balun elements 315, 317 are connected to one end of each of first radiating elements 330, 340, respectively. The other end of each of the first radiating elements 330, 340 are connected to one end of each of second radiating elements 335, 345, respectively. The other end of each of the second radiating elements 335, 345 are connected to one end of each of third radiating elements 336, 346, respectively. The first radiating elements 330, 340, second radiating elements 335, 345, and third radiating elements 336, 346 collectively form the radiating elements of antenna 300.

[0053] Antenna 300 is formed out of conductive material. The conductive material used to form the conductive elements of antenna assembly 300 may use any suitable metal including, but not limited to, aluminum, copper, tin, or other metal or alloy known to those of skill in the art. It is also noted that the metal of metal plating used for antenna 300, and in particular, the metal used for conductive interfaces 310 and 312 may be advantageously similar to, or compatible, compatible with the conductive material used on the printed circuit board in order to prevent galvanic corrosion in the contact between the two structures. In the present embodiments, all of the antenna elements are formed from one piece of conductive material, such as a tin plated steel or steel-plated tin, electrolytic (SPTE) sheet. In some embodiments, the conductive material may be a copper, nickel plated steel, or other similar conductive metal or alloy sheet. In other embodiments, the conductive elements may be formed from separate pieces of conductive material and connected or bonded as needed to form the antenna.

[0054] Each of the conductive interfaces 310, 312 are configured to make an electrical connection to corresponding conductive pads located on the printed circuit board (not shown) included in the communication device (e.g., communication device 100 in FIG. 1). As shown, conductive interfaces 310, 312 are formed to create a flat rectangular surface, referred to as contact ends, along the x-y plane in a direction away from each other and in a direction perpendicular from the ends of the balun elements 315, 317. The contact ends are used to make the electrical connection to the conductive pads on the printed circuit board. The electrical connection may be made using one or more of several fastening mechanisms including, but not limited to, mechanical force, adhesive force, and soldering. In other embodiments, the conductive interfaces may be formed in a manner different than shown depending on the electrical connection requirements.

[0055] Each of the balun elements 315, 317 are positioned in parallel to each other with a gap between them. A balun allows balanced or differential signal lines and unbalanced or single ended lines to be interfaced without disturbing the impedance arrangement between the signal lines. While the word balun implies its use to interface balanced signal lines to unbalanced signal lines, a balun may also be used to interface unbalanced signal lines to unbalanced signal lines (referred to as an un-un) as well as balanced signal lines to balanced signal lines (referred to as a bal-bal). The balun elements 315, 317 may be referred to as the sides of the balun. The impedance is controlled by a ratio between the width of conductive material of the balun elements 315, 317 in the y-z plane and the distance of the gap between the balun elements 315, 317, in the x-y plane. The balun elements 315 also have a length dimension in the y-z plane that may be adjusted based on the frequency range of operation of the antenna 300. As shown, balun elements 315, 317 are angled linearly upward in a direction away from the conduction interfaces 310, 312 along the y-z plane. In other embodiments, the balun elements 315, 317 may be implemented using different arrangements, including curved sections, as well as different shapes and using dimensions other than that shown in FIGS. 3A-3D.

[0056] Impedance matching elements 320, 322, along with balun elements 315, 317, are used to match the characteristic impedance of the radiating elements of antenna 300(i.e., first radiating elements 330, 340, second radiating elements 335, 345, and third radiating elements 336, 346) to the operating impedance of the communication circuit connected to antenna assembly 300. The impedance matching elements 320, 322 may be referred to as the sides of the impedance matching circuit. The impedance matching circuit is determined empirically by adjusting or changing the dimensions of the impedance matching elements 320, 322, such as length and width to effectively form an electrical circuit containing reactive components similar to inductors and capacitors. In some embodiments, the spacing between the impedance elements 320, 322 may also be adjusted. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the balun elements 315, 317 are adjusted to provide a 50 ohm impedance at the conductive interfaces 312 and 314 and the dimensions of the impedance matching elements 320, 322 are adjusted to perform impedance matching between 50 ohms and the impedance of the radiating elements of antenna 300, referred to as the radiation resistance, which is approximately 73 ohms over the 2.4 GHZ ISM band.

[0057] First radiating elements 330, 340, second radiating elements 335, 345, and third radiating elements 336, 346 form an antenna element structure referred to as a dipole element structure. As such, antenna 300 may be referred to as a folded metal antenna using a dipole element structure . First radiating elements 330, 340 are oriented in opposite directions along the z-axis away from the balun elements 315, 317 respectively, having a length and width dimension in the y-z plane. First radiating elements 330, 340 may be referred to as contra-oriented elements similar to the radiating elements of a simple dipole antenna. Second radiating elements 335, 345 are oriented in the same direction along the x-axis and orthogonal to both the balun elements 315, 317 and the first radiating elements 330, 33, having a length and width dimension in the x-z plane. Third radiating elements 336, 346 are oriented along the z-axis in a direction towards each other, having a length and width dimension also in the x-z plane.

[0058] The dimensions (e.g., length and width) of the first radiating elements 330, 340, second radiating elements 335, 345, and third radiating elements 336, 346, along with the relative orientation between the elements, may be determined based on the desired frequency range of operation for antenna. For a simple dipole antenna. The dimensions of the two contra-oriented radiating elements may be determined such that each of the radiating elements have a physical length approximately equal to one quarter of the wavelength for the frequency of operation, referred to as the electrical length of the radiating element. The dimensions of the radiating elements may be adjusted, such as by adjusting the width of the antenna, in order for the radiating elements to operate over a range of frequencies, referred to as the bandwidth of the antenna. The introduction of additional radiating elements oriented in multiple directions, such as in antenna 300, increases the empirical complexity of the design of the antenna, requiring a determination of physical dimensions for each of the radiating elements in order to achieve an effective electrical length of the combined radiating elements that is similar to that described above.

[0059] Further, the dimensions (e.g., length and width) of the first radiating elements 330, 340, second radiating elements 335, 345, and third radiating elements 336, 346, along with the relative orientation between the radiating elements, may further be adjusted based on the space constraints that are present in the enclosure of the electronic device (e.g., communication device 100 in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 in FIG. 2) as described above. In particular, the space constraints in the electronic device required the dimensions of antenna assembly 300 to be less than 38 mm along the z-axis, less than 10 mm from the edge of the printed circuit board along the y-axis at the midpoint of the antenna, and less than 6 mm from the edge of the printed circuit board along the y-axis at the upper and lower points of the antenna. No constraints were placed along the x-axis. The orientation of radiating elements 335 and 345 in a direction that is orthogonal to the planar orientation of radiating elements 330 and 340, respectively, allows the dimension of antenna 330 along the z-axis as well as the y-axis to be reduced. The reduction in these dimensions creates a folded dipole antenna that is compact allowing antenna 300 to meet the spatial limitations imposed by the positioning of the antenna between the printed circuit board and the inner surface of the enclosure for the electronic device.

[0060] In one embodiment, antenna 300 may be designed to operate over the 2.4 GHz ISM band of frequencies. The dimensions of each of radiating elements 330 and 340 may be 16.5 mm long and 3 mm wide, each of radiating elements 335 and 343 may be 8 mm long and 3 mm wide, and each of radiating elements 336 and 346 may be 4.1 mm long and 3 mm wide. Other embodiments may achieve similar performance with different dimensions for one or more of the radiating elements.

[0061] It is worth noting that, as shown in FIGs. 3A-3D. radiating elements 335 and 445 are oriented in the same direction along the x-axis. In other embodiments, second radiating elements 335 and 345 may be oriented in opposite directions along the x-axis. Orienting radiating elements 335 and 345 in the same direction minimizes the overall dimension of antenna 300 along the x-axis. Further, orienting radiating elements 335 and 345 in the same direction also allows any induced currents on radiating elements 335 and 345 from the radiated signal that are flowing in a direction perpendicular to the induced currents flowing along the long axis (i.e., the z-axis) of radiating elements 330 and 340 to cancel out. As a result, these currents are prevented from influencing the polarity of the radiation pattern of antenna assembly 300. As a result, the presence of radiating elements 335, 345 has minimal impact on the polarity characteristics established by radiating elements 330, 340 for antenna assembly 300. Further, second radiating elements 335, 345 are shown in FIGs 3A-3D as being connected at or formed off the same planar edge of first radiating elements 330, 340, respectively, with respect to the y-axis. This configuration minimizes the difference in spatial position of radiating elements 335, 345 with respect to the y-axis. In other embodiments, different configurations for connecting or forming the second radiating elements 335, 345 may be used.

[0062] Additional details may be added to one or more of the radiating elements 330, 340, radiating elements 335, 345, and radiating elements 336, 346 to further adjust operational parameters, such as the effective electrical length of the antenna structure, and fine tune the operational frequency range as well as other operating characteristics for antenna 300. These details include, but are not limited to, the shape of the elements, the radius applied to any comers of the radiated elements, and the like.

[0063] As shown in FIGs. 3A-3D, each of impedance matching elements 320, 322 include a curved portion in order to increase the physical length of the impedance matching elements 320,322 while spanning a minimal distance along the y-axis to accommodate spatial constraints. More specifically, impedance matching element 320 is curved upward away from radiating element 330 in order to minimize any influence on the operational characteristics of radiating element 330. Impedance matching element 322 is curved downward away from radiating element 340 for the same reason.

[0064] It is also worth noting that impedance matching elements 320, 322 provide both an electrical and mechanical connection between the two sides of the physical structure of antenna 300. The electrical connection is used as part of the impedance matching circuit as described above. The mechanical connection may be used in conjunction with a support structure for antenna 300. The support structure may be used to support and retain the position and orientation of the conductive elements used as part of antenna 300. In some embodiments, impedance matching elements 320, 322 may not be included as part of the antenna or may not make a connection. In these embodiments, the antenna may rely on other mechanisms in the support structure to retain its position and orientation. Details regarding a support structure for use with an antenna, such as antenna 300 will be described below.

[0065] As shown in FIGs. 3A-3D, radiating element 340 is curved or sloped along the z-axis away from the conductive interfaces 310, 312 in order to offset the position of radiating element 345 along the y-axis with respect to element 335. The offset position of radiating elements 345 and 335 along the y-axis may improve the design of, as well as attachment to, a support structure for antenna 300. The offset position of radiating elements 345 and 335 along the y-axis may also be used to adjust the antenna operational performance of antenna 300.

[0066] Turning now to FIGs. 4A-4B, an exemplary support structure 400 for an antenna, such as antenna 300, according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Support structure 400 may be included as part of an apparatus used for wireless communications, such as communication device 100 described in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 described in FIG. 2. More specifically, support structure 400 may be used in conjunction with antenna 300 to form an antenna assembly for one or more of antennas 242, 252, and 254 described in FIG. 2. For purposes of reference, FIG. 4A shows a perspective view from the upper left side of support structure 400 with respect to an xyz coordinate system shown. FIG. 4B shows a perspective view from the upper right side of support structure 400 with respect to the same xyz coordinate system shown. It is important to note that not all of the elements of support structure 400 may be shown in each of the perspective views of FIGs. 4A-4B. However, when an element of support structure 400 is shown in more than one of the perspective views, the same reference number is used.

[0067] Support structure 400 provides mechanical support and retention for the antenna elements in an antenna, such as antenna 300 in FIG. 3. Support structure 400 is formed out of a non-conductive material and includes details for allowing the mounting of the antenna elements as well as supporting the antenna elements once the antenna is integrated into a device (e.g., communication device 100 in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 in FIG. 2). The non-conductive material may be any suitable material including, but not limited to, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and the like. In some embodiments, the non-conductive material used to form support structure 400 may be acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. In some embodiments, one or more of the conductive elements used to form an antenna, such as antenna 300, may be bonded to and/or deposited on the support structure 400 . For example, a process may be used to deposit or plate conductive material to the non-conductive material of antenna structure 400 to form the antenna.

[0068] The support structure 400 includes a first support element 450. Support element 450 includes a floor 455 that supports the conductive interface elements (e.g., conductive interfaces 310, 312 in FIG. 3) of the antenna. Support structure 400 further includes a spacer element 460 attached to support, element 450. Spacer element 460 provides and maintains the required spacing between each of the pairs of elements that make up the balun (e.g., balun elements 315, 317), the impedance circuit (e.g., impedance matching elements 320, 322), and some or all of the radiating elements (e.g., radiating elements 330, 340) as part of the antenna. The spacer element 460 includes a support shelf 465 that provides support and retention of the physical structure that forms the impedance matching circuit, such as the point of connection of the impedance matching elements 320 and 322.

[0069] The support structure 400 further includes a second support element 470. Support element 470 provides support and retention for additional radiating elements of the antenna (e.g., radiating elements 335, 345 and radiating elements 336, 346 of antenna 300 in FIG. 3). Further, support element 470 provides stabilization for an antenna having one or more radiating elements oriented orthogonal to a main portion of the antenna. Specifically, support element 470 includes a support shelf 475 for supporting and retaining radiating elements 335 and 336 and a support shelf 477 for supporting and retaining radiating element 345 and 346. As shown, support element 470 is separate from support element 450 and spacer element 460. In some embodiments, support element 470 may be connected to one or both of support element 450 and spacer element 460 in some manner.

[0070] In some embodiments, support structure 400 may include a mounting interface or bracket to attach to one or both of the printed circuit board or the inner surface of the enclosure used with the device (e.g., communication device 100 in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 in FIG. 2). Further, in some embodiments, all or a portion of support structure 400 may be formed as part of the enclosure of the device.

[0071] It is worth noting that support structure 400 may include additional structural details, including structural details shown in FIGs 4A-4B. These additional structural details may be present for other reasons including, but not limited to, the molding process used to form the support structure 400, additional strength to prevent breakage or warping of the support structure, and details to allow proper placement, alignment, and/or attachment of the structure to either the printed circuit board or the enclosure for the device (e.g., communication device 100 in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 in FIG. 2). As such, these details are not described further here for the sake of conciseness as they are well known to those skilled in the art. [0072] Turning now to FIG. 5, an exemplary antenna assembly 500 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Antenna assembly 500 may be included as part of an apparatus used for wireless communications, such as communication device 100 described in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 described in FIG. 2. More specifically, antenna assembly 500 includes antenna 300 described in FIG. 3 attached to support structure 400. As such, antenna assembly 500 may be referred to as a low profile compact folded metal dipole antenna assembly associated with wireless network communications as described above. For purposes of reference, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from the upper left side of antenna assembly 500 with respect to the same xyz coordinate system shown, similar to FIG. 3C and FIG. 4A. Except as described below, elements 510, 512, 520, 530, 535, and 545 are configured and operate in a manner similar to elements 310, 312, 320, 330, 335, and 345 described above in FIGs. 3A-3D and will not be further described here. Similarly, except as described below, elements 550, 555, 560, 565, 570, 575, and 577 are configured and operate in a manner similar to elements 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, and 477 described above in FIGs. 4A-4B and will not be further described here.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5, the conductive interfaces 510, 512 are supported by floor 555 on support element 550. Spacer element 560 provides the spacing between balun element 515, impedance matching element 520, and radiating element 530 on front face of spacer element 560 and the corresponding elements (not shown) of the back face of the spacer element 560. Additionally, support shelf 565 provides support and retention at the connection point between impedance matching element 520 and its corresponding impedance matching element (not shown). Further radiating elements 535 and 545 are supported and retained by support shelves 575 and 577, respectively, as part of support element 570.

[0074] Turning now to FIG. 6, another exemplary antenna 600 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Antenna 600 may be included as part of an apparatus used for wireless communications, such as communication device 100 described in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 described in FIG. 2. More specifically, antenna 600 may be used for one or more of antennas 242, 252, and 254 described in FIG. 2. For purposes of reference, FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from the upper right side of antenna 600 in a manner similar to FIG. 3D with respect to the same xyz coordinate system as shown and described above. Except as described below, elements 610, 612, 615, 617, 620, 622, 630, 640, 635, and 645 are configured and operate in a manner similar to elements 310, 312, 315, 317, 320, 322, 330, 335, 340, and 345 described above in FIGs. 3A-3D and will not be further described here.

[0075] Antenna 600 is a folded metal antenna using a dipole element structure similar to antenna 300 in that it includes radiating elements 635, 645 oriented in the x-z plane orthogonal to radiating elements 630, 640. Radiating elements 635, 645 are also oriented in the same direction along the x-axis as for antenna 300. However, antenna 600 does not include the third set of radiating elements, similar to radiating elements 336, 346, extending from the ends of radiating elements 635, 645, respectively. The dimensions of one or more of the remaining radiating elements 630, 640, and 635, 645 may be adjusted in order to operate the antenna over the desired range of frequencies based on the removal of the third set of radiating elements. In one embodiment, the length of each one of radiating elements 636, 646 may be extended by approximately four mm with respect to the configuration of antenna 300 in order to operate over the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

[0076] Turning now to FIG.7, a further exemplary antenna 700 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Antenna 700 may be included as part of an apparatus used for wireless communications, such as communication device 100 described in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 described in FIG. 2. More specifically, antenna 700 may be used for one or more of antennas 242, 252, and 254 described in FIG. 2. For purposes of reference, FIG. 7 shows a perspective view from the upper right side of antenna 700 in a manner similar to FIG. 3D with respect to the same xyz coordinate system as shown and described above. Except as described below, elements 710, 712, 715, 717, 720, 722, 730, 740, 735, and 745 are configured and operate in a manner similar to elements 310, 312, 315, 317, 320, 322, 330, 335, 340, and 345 described above in FIGs. 3A-3D and will not be further described here.

[0077] Antenna 700 is a folded metal antenna using a dipole element structure similar to antenna 700 in that it includes radiating elements 735, 745 oriented in the x-z plane orthogonal to radiating elements 730, 740. However, radiating elements 735, 745 are not oriented in the same direction along the x-axis as for antenna 300. Instead, radiating elements 735, 745 are oriented extending in opposite directions along the x-axis. Additionally, antenna 700 does not include the third set of radiating elements as described in FIG. 6. The dimensions of one or more of the radiating elements 630, 640, and 635, 645 may be adjusted in order to operate the antenna over the desired range of frequencies based on the changes made to radiating elements 735, 745 and the removal of the third set radiating elements. It is worth noting that, as described above, the space occupied by antenna 700 is greater than either antenna 300 or antenna 600. Also, the orientation of radiating elements 735, 745 may alter the polarity performance of the radiation pattern of antenna 700 with respect to the performance of antenna 300.

[0078] Turning now to FIG. 8 a graph 800 illustrating a comparison of mechanical dimensions of an antenna similar to antenna 300 described in FIGs. 3A-3D a second folded metal antenna having similar performance but with different physical dimensions is shown. Graph 800 includes a first axis 810 displaying the dimensions in mm for along the y-axis direction with respect to the xyz coordinate system described above. Graph 800 also includes a second axis 820 displaying the dimensions in mm for along the z-axis direction. Graph 800 also includes a figure 830 representing the Y-Z projection of the antenna similar to antenna 300. Graph 800 additionally includes a figure 840 representing the Y-Z projection of the second alternative antenna. The projection of figures 830 overlaid on the projection of figure 840. The antenna represented by figure 830 and the antenna represented by figure 840 are both designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, and both have similar operational performance characteristics.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the antenna represented by figure 830 occupies significantly less space along axis 810 and slightly less space along axis 820 than the antenna represented by figure 840. In particular, the antenna represented by figure 830 occupies less space along axis 810 at the upper and lower portions of axis 820 than the antenna represented by figure 840. Specifically, the antenna represented by figure 830 has a span along axis 810 at the upper portion of axis 820 that is approximately 4.5 mm less than for the antenna represented by figure 840. Similarly, the antenna represented by figure 830 has a span along axis 810 at the lower portion of axis 820 that is approximately 5.5 mm less than for the antenna represented by figure 840. Additionally, the antenna represented by figure 830 has a span along axis 820 that is approximately 3 mm less than for the antenna represented by figure 840. As a result, the antenna represented by figure 830 is capable of being used in a more constrained low profile enclosure of an electronic device (e.g., communication device 100 in FIG. 1 or gateway device 200 in FIG. 2), particularly with respect to the height of the enclosure and the distance between the printed circuit board and the wall of the enclosure.

[0080] According to an embodiment, an antenna includes a balun, the balun including a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side each having a first end for electrical connection to a surface of a printed circuit board and a second end coupling to one or more radiating elements for communicating signals over a wireless network. The antenna further includes a first radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the first side of the balun, the first portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the first radiating element, the second portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first portion of the first radiating element and a second radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the second side of the balun, the first portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction opposite the first position of the first radiating element away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the second radiating element, the second portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the corresponding first portion of the second radiating element.

[0081] According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a circuit capable of at least one of processing a communication signal received wirelessly from a network and processing a communication signal for transmission wirelessly to the network and an antenna coupled to the circuit. The antenna includes a balun, the balun including a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side each having a first end for electrical connection to a surface of a printed circuit board and a second end coupling to one or more radiating elements for communicating signals over a wireless network. The antenna further includes a first radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the first side of the balun, the first portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the first radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the first radiating element, the second portion of the first radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first portion of the first radiating element and a second radiating element including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to the second end of the second side of the balun, the first portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction opposite the first position of the first radiating element away from the balun in coplanar relationship to the first side of the balun and perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board, the second portion of the second radiating element coupled at a first end to a second end of the first portion of the second radiating element, the second portion of the second radiating element extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first portion of the second radiating element.

[0082] In some embodiments, the electronic device may be a gateway device.

[0083] In some embodiments, the second portion of the second radiating element may extend away from the first portion of the second radiating element and the second portion of the first radiating element may extend away from the first portion of the first radiating element in the same direction.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first radiating element may include a third portion coupled at a first end to a second end of the second portion of the first radiating element, the third portion of the first radiating element extending in coplanar relationship to and in a direction away from the second element of the first radiating element. Further, the second radiating element may include a third portion coupled at a first end to a second end of the second portion of the second radiating element, the third portion of the second radiating element extending in coplanar relationship to and in a direction away from the second element of the radiating element, the third portion of the second radiating element further extending in a direction towards the third portion of the first radiating element.

[0085] In some embodiments, the antenna may include an impedance matching circuit, the impedance matching circuit including a first side and a second side, the first side of the impedance matching circuit having a first end coupled to the first end of the first portion of the first radiating element, the second side of the impedance matching circuit having a first end coupled to the first end of the first portion of the second radiating element, the impedance matching circuit used to transform a radiation resistance value for the first and second radiating elements to a characteristic impedance at the electrical connection of the printed circuit board.

[0086] In some embodiments, the antenna and/or the electronic device may include a support structure, the support structure including a first support element including a floor supporting the contact end portion of each side in order to facilitate electrical connection to the printed circuit board. The support structure may further include a spacer element mechanically coupled to the first support member, the spacer portion maintaining a coplanar relationship between the first portion of the first radiating element and the first side of the balun and a coplanar relationship between the first portion of the second radiating element and the second side of the balun.

[0087] In some embodiments, the support structure may further include a second support element, the second support structure including a first support shelf and a second shelf for supporting a second end of the second portion of the first radiating element and a second end of the second portion of the second radiating element. For instance, the second support element may be mechanically coupled to at least one of the first support element and the spacer element.

[0088] In some embodiments, the electronic device may include an enclosure that is coupled to the circuit. Further, at least a portion of the support structure may be formed as part of an enclosure for the electronic device.

[0089] In some embodiments, the antenna may operate over a frequency range of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz.

[0090] In some embodiments, the antenna may be a folded metal antenna using a dipole element structure.

[0091] It is to be appreciated that, except where explicitly indicated in the description above, the various features shown and described are interchangeable, that is, a feature shown in one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment.

[0092] Although embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present disclosure have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. Having described preferred embodiments of a low profile compact folded metal antenna, it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the disclosure which are within the scope of the disclosure as outlined by the appended claims.