YING ZHINONG (SE)
WEIDERSTRAND CARL-JOHAN (SE)
SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS (USA) INC (US)
WO2016036450A1 | 2016-03-10 |
JPS5758402A | 1982-04-08 | |||
US20170214422A1 | 2017-07-27 |
CLAIMS: 1. An antenna system (400) for a wireless electronic device, comprising: a ground plane (450); a closed loop antenna comprising two or more turns (410, 430) that are separated from the ground plane, wherein the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on the two or more turns (410, 430) of the loop antenna, and wherein the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a second frequency band based on a first portion of the two or more turns (410, 430) of the loop antenna; and a notch antenna configured to resonate in a third frequency band, wherein the notch antenna comprises a notch (870) in the ground plane. 2. The antenna system of Claim 1, wherein the two or more turns (410, 430) are in respective planes that are parallel to the ground plane (450), and wherein the ground plane (450) is spaced apart from the two or more turns. 3. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 2, wherein the two or more turns (410, 430) are arranged as a coil around the ground plane. 4. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on each of the two or more turns (410, 430) of the loop antenna. 5. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on two or more complete turns (410, 430) of the loop antenna. 6. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the loop antenna is configured to resonate in the second frequency band based on a respective portion of two of the two or more turns (410, 430) of the loop antenna. 7. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a high pass filter (440) between the respective portion of the two of the two or more turns (410, 430), wherein the high pass filter (440) is configured to isolate the first frequency band from the second frequency band. 8. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the two or more turns (410, 430) are in respective planes that are parallel to the ground plane (450). 9. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one turn of the two or more turns (410, 430) extends around a perimeter of the ground plane (450). 10. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a slot antenna comprising a second portion of the loop antenna and a slot (884) between a third portion of the loop antenna and the ground plane (450), wherein the slot antenna is configured to resonate in a fourth frequency band. 11. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 10, further comprising: wherein at least one of the two or more turns (410, 430) and a slot portion (832) between the ground plane (815) and the at least one of the two or more turns (410, 430) are configured to resonate in a fifth frequency band. 12. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein a combination of the notch (870) and a second portion of the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a sixth frequency band. 13. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the first frequency band comprises Near Field Communication (NFC) frequencies, wherein the second frequency band comprises Very High Frequency (VHF) frequencies, wherein the third frequency band comprises Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) frequencies and/or, wherein the fourth frequency band comprises Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) frequencies, wherein the fifth frequency band comprises Long-Term Evolution (LTE) frequencies, and wherein the sixth frequency band comprises Gigahertz (GHz) frequencies comprising one or more of Wifi and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) frequencies. 14. The antenna system of Claim 13, wherein the two or more turns (410, 430) comprise a second portion of the loop antenna, a second turn, and a third turn, wherein the VHF frequencies are generated based on a first turn and the third turn, wherein the NFC frequencies are generated based on the first turn, second turn, and the third turn, and wherein the UWB frequencies are generated based on the notch antenna. 15. The antenna system of any of Claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the two or more turns (410, 430) is on a housing (600) of the wireless electronic device. 16. The antenna system of any of Claims 13 to 15, further comprising: a slot antenna comprising a second portion of the loop antenna and a slot (884) between a third portion of the loop antenna and the ground plane (450), wherein a length of the notch (870) is defined by a quarter wavelength of the UWB frequencies, and wherein a length of the slot (884) is defined by a half wavelength of the GHz frequencies. 17. The antenna system of any of Claims 13 to 16, wherein the fourth frequency band is generated based on a third portion of the loop antenna and the slot (884) between the third portion of the loop antenna and the ground plane (450). 18. The antenna system of any of Claims 13 to 17, wherein the second turn is connected to a first band pass filter (550) that filters the LTE frequencies, and wherein the first turn is connected to a second band pass filter (560) that filters the NFC frequencies and the YHF frequencies. 19. A wireless electronic device used for multi-antenna functionality, the wireless electronic device comprising: a processor (902); a ground plane (450); a closed loop antenna comprising two or more turns (410, 430) that are separated from the ground plane, wherein the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on the two or more turns (410, 430) of the loop antenna, and wherein the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a second frequency band based on a first portion of the two or more turns (410, 430) of the loop antenna; and a notch antenna comprising a second portion of the loop antenna and a notch (870) between the second portion of the loop antenna and the ground plane (450), wherein the notch antenna is configured to resonate in a third frequency band, wherein the processor (902) is configured to process signals in the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and/or the third frequency band. |
Field
[0001] Various embodiments described herein relate to an antenna system.
Background
[0002] Devices with a small footprint, such as remote keys or other wireless communication devices, may communicate with a vehicle and/or a wireless network. Remote functions to control vehicles may include Internet of Things (IoT) technology, peer-to-peer communication, and/or other technologies. Remote devices may need to be sturdy with an attractive outer appearance. Conventional remote control designs may involve complex integration of several different antennas, which may use a large footprint with a short communication range.
Summary
[0003] Conventional antenna systems may include various individual antennas to communicate in a respective frequency band. However, the footprint of a device using individual antennas for different frequency bands may be too large to fit in a key fob that a user may wish to carry in a pocket or handbag. Prior art ring antennas, as for example described in D1 US2017214422A1, may operate by using an open point to produce a ¼ wave IFA antenna or monopole, which usually are sensitive to human hand detuning.
Inventive concepts described herein provide an integrated multi-antenna solution that may provide a small footprint suitable for use in a key fob and low sensitivity to human hand detuning. A design of conductors such as, for example, conductive rings or metal rings that may surround the key fob and that may provide a desirable appearance as well as mechanical strength is described. These conductive rings may be part of one or more antennas for providing various communications and may have their respective antenna apertures or loop areas increased or maximized with respect to the available footprint and hence an improved communication range may be obtained as compared to individually designed antennas for an equally sized footprint. [0004] Various embodiments of the present inventive concepts include an antenna system for a wireless electronic device. The antenna system includes a ground plane, a closed loop antenna that includes two or more turns that are separated from the ground plane. The loop antenna is configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on the two or more turns of the loop antenna. The loop antenna is configured to resonate in a second frequency band based on a first portion of the two or more turns of the loop antenna. The antenna system includes a notch antenna configured to resonate in a third frequency band and including a notch in the ground plane.
[0005] According to some embodiments, the two or more turns may be in respective planes that are parallel to the ground plane. The ground plane may be spaced apart from the two or more turns. The two or more turns may be arranged as a coil around the ground plane. In some further embodiments the loop antenna may be configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on each of the two or more turns of the loop antenna. The loop antenna may further be configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on two or more complete turns of the loop antenna. The loop antenna may be configured to resonate in the second frequency band based on a respective portion of two of the two or more turns of the loop antenna. The antenna system may include a high pass filter between the respective portion of the two of the two or more turns. The high pass filter is configured to isolate the first frequency band from the second frequency band. The two or more turns may be in respective planes that are parallel to the ground plane. At least one turn of the two or more turns may extend around a perimeter of the ground plane. The antenna system may include a slot antenna including the second portion of the loop antenna and a slot between a third portion of the loop antenna and the ground plane. The slot antenna is configured to resonate in a fourth frequency band. At least one of the two or more turns and a slot portion between the ground plane and the at least one of the two or more turns are configured to resonate in a fifth frequency band. A combination of the notch and a second portion of the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a sixth frequency band.
[0006] According to some embodiments, the first frequency band includes Near Field Communication (NFC) frequencies, the second frequency band includes Very High
Frequency (VHF) frequencies, the third frequency band includes Ultra- Wide Band (UWB) frequencies, and the fourth frequency band includes Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) frequencies. The fifth frequency band includes Long-Term Evolution (LTE) frequencies. The sixth frequency band may include Gigahertz (GHz) frequencies including one or more of Wifi and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) frequencies. The two or more turns may be the first turn, a second turn, and a third turn. The VHF frequencies may be generated based on the first turn and the third turn, and the NFC frequencies may be generated based on the first turn, second turn, and the third turn. The UWB frequencies may be generated based on the notch antenna. The GNSS frequencies may be generated based on the slot antenna.
[0007] According to some embodiments, at least one of the two or more turns of the antenna system is on the housing of the wireless electronic device. A length of the notch may be defined by a quarter wavelength of the UWB frequencies, and/or a length of the slot may be defined by a half wavelength of the GHz frequencies. The fourth frequency band may be generated based on a third portion of the loop antenna and the second slot between the third portion of the loop antenna and the ground plane. The second turn may be connected to a first band pass filter that filters the LTE frequencies, and the first turn may be connected to a second band pass filter that filters the NFC frequencies and the VHF frequencies. A separate loop antenna may be formed by short-circuiting the first turn of the loop antenna with its bottom turn using a filter conductive at VHF frequencies, such as, for example, a capacitor at the corner location opposite to the corner of the feed ports of the loop antenna. Thus a bent single turn loop perpendicularly oriented with respect to the multi-turn loop antenna may be formed that is active for VHF frequencies only. Furthermore the first slot antenna formed between the third or bottom turn of the loop antenna to the ground-plane may need to be configured for maximum available slot-length around the periphery of the device, if the size is restricted with respect to operating signal wavelengths. Thus the filters conductive for LTE-bands are near the loop feeding points to short circuit LTE frequencies to ground but open circuit for NFC frequencies and VHF frequencies. Slot antenna feeding points may be located along the bottom turn of the loop antenna at appropriate distances from these grounding points for respective bands, such as at half wavelengths distances.
[0008] Various embodiments of the present inventive concepts include a wireless electronic device used for multi-antenna functionality. The wireless electronic device includes a processor, a ground plane, and a loop antenna that includes two or more turns that are separated from the ground plane. The loop antenna includes two or more turns that are separated from the ground plane. The loop antenna is configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on the two or more turns of the loop antenna. The loop antenna is configured to resonate in a second frequency band based on a first portion of the two or more turns of the loop antenna. The antenna system includes a notch antenna including a second portion of the loop antenna and a notch between the second portion of the loop antenna and the ground plane. The notch antenna is configured to resonate in a third frequency band. The processor is configured to process signals in the first frequency band, the second frequency band, and/or the third frequency band.
[0009] It is noted that aspects of the inventive concepts described with respect to one embodiment, may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Other operations according to any of the embodiments described herein may also be performed. These and other aspects of the inventive concepts are described in detail in the specification set forth below.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] Figures 1 A, IB, and 2 are various antenna system designs, according to various embodiments described herein.
[0011] Figure 3 is a remote key device, according to various embodiments described herein.
[0012] Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, and 9 illustrate various antenna configurations, according to various embodiments described herein.
[0013] Figure 10 is a block diagram of a wireless electronic device, according to various embodiments described herein.
Detailed Description
[0014] Various embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments may take many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0015] As used herein, the term“key” may include a traditional key locking, unlocking, and/or starting the ignition of a vehicle or other object, a remote control fob that includes one or more antennas for key location detection and/or communication with the vehicle and/or a network, and/or an application that controls access to an object.
[0016] Internet of Things (IoT) technology, peer-to-peer communication, and/or other technologies may be used to provide remote functionality to control vehicles or other objects. Communication with various elements in a vehicle may use different RF frequencies with various protocols. For example a key fob may use cellular, Very High Frequency (VHF), Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM), GNSS/GPS, and/or WLAN communication with a vehicle, network, and/or device. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is the standard generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. The term GNSS may include, for example, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou and other regional systems. Conventional systems may include various individual antenna modules and/or systems to communicate in each frequency band. However, the footprint of a device using individual antennas for different frequency bands may be too large to fit in a key fob that a user may wish to carry in a pocket or handbag. Various embodiments described herein arise from the recognition that an integrated multi-antenna solution may provide a smaller footprint suitable for use in a key fob. Various embodiments may include an assembly of metal rings that surround the key fob that provide a desirable appearance as well as mechanical strength. These metal rings may be part of one or more antennas for providing various communications and may have suitable antenna apertures and loop areas that improve communication range.
[0017] Figures 1A and IB illustrate a design for an antenna system in a remote device, according to various embodiments. Figure 1 A is a view in the x-y plane of the antenna system whereas Figure IB is a view in the y-z plane. Referring to Figures 1 A and IB, antenna system 100 may include loop antenna 110, which is a Very High Frequency (VHF) loop antenna operating in a frequency range of 315 MHz to 433 MHz band. The 433 MHz may be associated with the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. The VHF antenna may be used to control heaters for the vehicle and/or engine. Loop antenna 110 may be above a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 140. An Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) antenna 130 may be on the PCB 140 and resonate in a UWB frequency range, such as 6.5 GHz to 7.5 GHz. UWB frequencies may be between 3 GHz and 10 GHz and may be used for applications such as key positioning relative to the car in order to detect if the key in inside the vehicle to allow access to the ignition. Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna 160 may be used for close range communication applications, such as contactless payment systems, and/or to initiate and set up Bluetooth communication. Some embodiments of the NFC circuits can transmit within the globally available and unlicensed radio frequency ISM band of 13.56 MHz, with a bandwidth of almost 2 MHz. Antenna elements 120 may be on the PCB 140 and provide Bluetooth and/or WLAN communication in frequencies between 2400 MHz to 2483 MHz. Antenna elements 120 may be arranged as a narrow conductive track or loop that is printed in PCB 140. A ferrite sheet 150 may be between the PCB 140 and NFC antenna 160 to provide isolation between the various antennas on the PCB 140 and the NFC antenna 160. A wireless power transfer mechanism 170 may be on the bottom of the housing of the wireless antenna system 100.
[0018] Figure 2 is illustrates an antenna system design on a PCB. Referring to Figure 2, PCB 210 may include a low frequency (LF) coil antenna 220 operating in a 22 kHz frequency band, a VHF loop antenna 230, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Category Ml antenna 240, a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna 250, a BLE/WLAN antenna 260 and/or a UWB antenna 270. Due to radiation properties of the various antennas, a distance 235 of, for example, 10 mm clearance may be needed between the LTE antenna 240 and other active components in PCB area 280. Thus, PCB area 280 provides a limited area in which active circuit components may be placed on the PCB 210. An area around the various antenna components, PCB area 290 may be free from the ground plane that is in a layer of the PCB, to provide isolation between various antennas and/or to prevent ground current loops. PCB 210 may be, for example, of size 85 mm x 45 mm.
[0019] Figure 3 is a remote key device that may provide key functionality for a vehicle. Referring to Figure 3, key device 300 may have a housing that includes various antenna system elements are described herein. Figure 4A illustrates an antenna configuration that may be included in the key device 300 of Figure 3. Referring to Figure 4A, antenna system 400 may include two or more loops, which may be also referred to as turns. As a non-limiting example, antenna system 400 may include loop 410, loop 420, and loop 430. Although three loops are described in this non-limiting example, any number of two or more loops may be used within the scope of the present inventive concepts, with variations in filters to provide antennas for various applications. The two or more loops or turns may provide a closed loop antenna as illustrated by the closed loops of Figure 4 A. Moreover, various embodiments described herein may be applied to a closed loop antenna. In some embodiments, a portion of the closed loop antenna 400 may be reconstructed to have a slot (not shown) between the loops 420 and 430 and ground plane 450. The closed loop antenna 400 may comprise several grounding points to produce different effective lengths of the slot, such as a half wavelength for the slot length, which is reasonably insensitive to capacitance from the human body. In contrast, as mentioned before, an open ring antenna as described by prior art may operate by a different principle by using an open point to produce a quarter wavelength IF A antenna or monopole, which usually are more sensitive to human hand detuning. Details regarding the slot will be discussed further with respect to Figure 8.
[0020] In the closed loop antenna of Figure 4A, the two or more loops may provide inductance that provides one or more antennas radiating at various respective frequencies. A portion of loop 410 and a portion of loop 430 may function as a YHF antenna operating in a frequency range of 315 MHz to 433 MHz. Loop 410 and loop 430 may function as an NFC antenna operating in a frequency around 13 MHz. In some embodiments, the NFC antenna may include loops 410, 420, and/or 430. A ground plane 450 may be spaced apart and parallel to the planes of loops 410, 420, and/or 430. The ground plane 450 may be within the boundaries of loops 410, 420, and/or 430 and thus may not be overlapped by loops 410, 420, and/or 430. A high pass filter 440 may be arranged between loop 410 and loop 430 and be configured to filter VHF frequencies between 315 MHz to 433 MHz, thus providing immunity in this frequency to the NFC antenna between loop 410 and loop 430. The loop antenna may be configured to resonate in a second frequency band (i.e. YHF band) further based on arranging the high pass filter 440 between the respective portion of the two of the two or more turns of the loop antenna, such as portions of loops 410 and 430. High pass filter 440 may include a capacitor in the range between 68 pF to 680 pF, for example. In some embodiments, loop 430 may be electrically grounded at LTE frequencies using additional filters. In some embodiments, one or more of the loops 410, 420, and/or 430 may be printed on the inside walls of the frame of key device 300 or may be a part of a flexible film on the inside walls of the key device 300 of Figure 3.
[0021] In some embodiments, the two or more turns may be in respective planes that are parallel to the ground plane. The ground plane may be spaced apart from the two or more turns. The two or more turns may be arranged as a coil around the ground plane. In some embodiments, the coil may be a spiral shape and/or may be continuous circulating. Two or more turns may form a spiral and/or coil that are continuously descending towards the ground plane. The loop antenna may be configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on each of the two or more turns of the loop antenna. In some embodiments, the loop antenna is configured to resonate in a first frequency band based on two or more complete turns of the loop antenna. The two or more turns may be complete turns for a loop antenna that is used for low frequency NFC at 38Mhz.
[0022] Figure 4B is a portion of the antenna system 400 of Figure 4A. Referring to Figure 4B, the high pass filter 440 of Figure 4A between loop 410 and loop 430 filters the NFC frequencies with respect to loop 410 and loop 420. Therefore, at the VHF frequencies between 315 MHz to 433 MHz, the active part of antenna system 400 appears as shown in Figure 4B, with loop 510 being electrically inactive at VHF frequencies between 315 MHz to 433 MHz. Minor coupling may occur from loop 420 into the VHF frequency signals on loop 410 and 430, but may not have a significant impact on the performance of the VHF antenna. Figure 4B illustrates the active portion of loop 410 and 420 with respect to the VHF frequencies as being approximately a half turn with a 90° turn since a lower inductance is needed for VHF frequencies.
[0023] Figure 5A and Figure 5B provide a detailed view of the antenna system 400 of Figure 4A. Referring to Figures 5 A and 5B, the high pass filter 440 between loop 410 and loop 430 filters the NFC frequencies with respect to loop 410 and loop 420. Band pass filter 550 may be connected between loop 420 and ground plan 450. Band pass filter 550 may be connected between loop 430 and ground plan 450. Capacitors 510 and 530 of band pass filters 550 and 560, respectively, may short circuit the LTE and GHz frequencies, respectively. Inductors 520 and 540 may be conductive for the NFC frequencies. Band pass filter 550 may include capacitor 510 and/or inductor 520. Band pass filter 560 may include capacitor 530 and/or inductor 540.
[0024] Figure 5C illustrates a slot antenna, according to various embodiments.
Referring to Figure 5C, the slot antenna may include a slot 580 in ground plane 450.
Although slot 580 is illustrated as being completely surrounded by the ground plane 450, in some embodiments, slot 580 may extend to an edge of the ground plane, forming a notch antenna. The length of slot 580 may be a half wavelength (l/2) wherein a notch antenna length may be a quarter wavelength (l/4). A feed cable 570 may feed the notch antenna at a feed point 590. The antenna system 400 of Figure 4A may include two or more complete turns (such as loop 410 and loop 420) may switch the connection at certain feed points (which will be discussed with respect to Figure 8) to another a part of the single loop for the second frequency (such as ISM 433Mhz) with the grounding to the ground plane. In other words, switching may be utilized to switch between Wifi, BLE, and UWB frequencies. Slot 580 may be formed in the antenna 400 with a length of about half wavelength for use in GHz antennas.
[0025] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate various embodiments of the antenna system with respect to a housing for the key device. The antenna system may be integrated with a housing of the key device and/or be arranged on the housing of the key device. Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, portions of one of more loops of the antenna system may be outside of the key device housing in order to provide a near-full metal body housing 600 for the key device. Referring to Figure 6A, loop 610 of the antenna system may be inside the housing 600, such as inside the top of the housing 600. Loop 620 and Loop 630 may be metal rings on the outside of the housing 600. The NFC antenna may include loop 610, loop 620, and loop 630. The VHF antenna may include loop 610 and loop 630. Referring to Figure 6B, the housing may include loop 640 along the outside periphery of the housing 640. Loop 650 and loop 660 may be inside housing 600 of the key device. The NFC antenna may include loop 640, loop 650, and loop 660. The VHF antenna may include loop 650 and loop 660. In some embodiments, a wireless charging coil may be at the bottom of the housing 600, under a ground plane that is inside the housing 600.
[0026] Figure 7 illustrates a multi-antenna car key including a multi-antenna antenna system. Referring to Figure 7, housing 700 may include a metal body 710, with a sleek, almost seamless ring and one or more slots on a ground plane. Housing 700 may have a form factor that is suitable for placing in a pocket or handbag, such as, for example, 40mm x 70- 80mm. Metal body 710 may include an opening 770. The housing 700 may include a ground plane 740, filters 750 and 760 between the ground plane and metal body 710 that comprises a loop of the antenna system. Loop 720 and loop 730 may be inside metal body 710 and be electrically separate from the metal body 710. Filters 750 and 760 between the ground plane and metal body 710 may provide isolation between various antennas of the antenna system.
[0027] Figure 8 illustrates multiple antennas radiating at frequencies for use in various applications, and integrates antennas such as ones illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and/or 7 into a multiple antenna system that reuses various components across different frequencies. Referring to Figure 8, a wireless antenna system is illustrated. Ground plane 815 on PCB 800 may be surrounded by various loop antennas as illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 6A, 6B, and/or 7. Portions 816, 822, 830, 840, and/or 850 of the loop antenna may correspond to loops 410, 420, and/or 430 of Figure 4A. For example, an LTE antenna in the LTE low band (700 MHz to 960 MHz) may use portion 816. The LTE high 1 band (1710 MHz to 2170 MHz) may use portion 822 and a slot portion 832 between the ground plane 815 and portion 822 and may correspond to loop 430 of Figure 4A. The portions 816, 822, 830, 840, and/or 850 of the loop antenna may be of a shape of a wide bezel surrounding the housing or a narrower wire attached to the inner walls of the housing or printed on a periphery of the PCB 800. A bezel may be a metal or conductive ring. Portions 816 of the loop may be a total length of a half wavelength (l/2) at 800 MHz, i.e. in the LTE low band. Feed point 886 may be a common feed point for the LTE antenna bands.
[0028] Still referring to Figure 8, a notch 870 may be used to form a notch antenna for UWB frequencies. A notch will refer to an opening in the ground plane or other conductor. A slot may be used to form a slot antenna. As used herein, the term“slot” will be used interchangeably with“slit” and will refer to an opening in the ground plane and/or the PCB. Additionally, the term“slot antenna” and“slit antenna” will be used interchangeably.
A slot antenna may be formed when the PCB 800 has a gap or opening that extends a given length that is based on the resonance frequency of the slot antenna. In some embodiments, the slot may be filled with a dielectric to provide a shrunken physical size and/or length of the antenna, and/or to improve antenna performance. The slot antenna may be fed by a bridge across the slot at a position that is a distance away from the edge of the slot, based on the desired impedance and/or bandwidth of the slot antenna.
[0029] Still referring to Figure 8, portion 850 of the loop, filter 894, and/or a notch 870 in the ground plane may produce a notch antenna that resonates at frequencies appropriate for UWB (3.1 GHz to 10 GHz) antennas. A combination of the notch 870 and a portion of the loop antenna may resonate in Wifi and/or BLE frequency bands, such as 2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz. A longer slot may be formed by a combination of the notch 870, which may have the shape of a slot, such that notch 870 may be used as starting point (i.e. common feed port) for an antenna that is the combination of notch 870 and portion 850 of the loop filter. Although the example notch antenna described herein uses portion 850 of the loop, in various embodiments, the notch antenna may be formed between any of the turns of the loop to the ground plane. The length of notch 870 may be related to the wavelength of its resonance frequency such that the longer the notch length, the longer the wavelength and thereby the lower the resonance frequency. The width of the notch is a design parameter for optimizing bandwidth and impedance matching. A common feed point 884 and portion 850 of the loop antenna may provide for the Wifi, BLE, and UWB antennas. Therefore, filter 896 and/or filter 894 may be needed so that the Wifi, BLE, and UWB antennas may coexist in the integrated antenna system. In some embodiments, a switch may be utilized to switch between the Wifi, BLE, and UWB frequencies. In some embodiments, the notch antenna may resonate in the WiFi 5GHz frequency band.
[0030] Still referring to Figure 8, antenna element 860 may be a conductive trace on PCB 800 and radiate in the LTE high2 band (2500 MHz to 2690 MHz) when excited at feed point 886. Slot 884 and portions 830 and/or 840 of the loop may be excited at feed point 882 and radiate in the GNSS frequencies between 1.1 GHz to 1.6 GHz, or more specifically from 1575 MHz to 1610 MHz.
[0031] Still referring to Figure 8, a gap or opening between filter 890 and filter 892 may correspond to opening 770 of Figure 7. This opening between filter 890 and filter 892 may prevent shorting of the various loops of the antenna system. Sections of the loop may be filtered to provide immunity at various frequencies. Filter 890 may filter the NFC frequencies to prevent NFC frequencies from radiating onto the VHF antenna. Filter 892 may filter VHF frequencies to prevent VHF frequencies from radiating onto the NFC antenna. Filters 890 and 892 may include capacitors between 33 pF and 100 pF to filter LTE frequencies 700 MHz to 2700 MHz and prevent the LTE frequencies from the operations of the antennas as the VHF and/or NFC frequencies. Filters 890 and 892 may be connected to the ground plane 815 of the PCB .
[0032] Figure 9 is a block diagram of a wireless electronic device, including the antenna configurations of Figures 1A, IB, 2, 4, 5A-5C, 6A, 6B, 7, and/or 8. Referring to Figure 9, the wireless electronic device 900 may include antenna to perform operations according to one or more embodiments described herein. The wireless electronic device 900 includes a processor circuit 902 and a memory circuit 910 containing computer readable program code 912. The processor circuit 902 may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor, e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor, which may be collocated or distributed across one or more networks. The processor circuit 902 may configured to execute the computer readable program code 912 in the memory 910 to perform at least some of the operations described herein as being performed by the wireless electronic device 900. A network interface 920 is coupled to the processor circuit 902 and may communicate with a server or other external network entity, directly or indirectly. A transceiver 930 may be coupled to the processor circuit 902. An antenna 940 may be coupled to the transceiver 930 and may be configured according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0033] Various embodiments described herein provided an antenna system that includes multiple loops that provide integrated antennas that radiate in multiple frequency ranges. Portions of loops, filters, and/or slots are utilized to object UWB, VHF, NFC, Wifi, BLE, GNSS, and/or LTE antennas in a configuration that could fit in a key remote. A multiturn or multi-ring or multi-loop form factor has been provided. A seamless metal bezel antenna may be used for GHz frequency bands including cellular, Wifi, GNSS, UWB, etc. with multiple feed lines. For a UWB antenna, the bezel antenna may be combined with a notch or slot on the PCB. Multiple low band and/or high band filters are used at the ground points to achieve the multifunctional antenna system. Thus, a robust industry design with mechanically strong metal rings is provided.
Further Embodiments: [0034] In the above-description of various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0035] When an element is referred to as being "connected", "coupled", "responsive", or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly responsive", or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, "coupled", "connected", "responsive", or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0036] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, and elements should not be limited by these terms; rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present inventive concepts.
[0037] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises", "include", "including", "includes", "have", "has", "having", or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.
[0038] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).
[0039] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer- readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.
[0040] A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium may include an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor data storage system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples of the computer-readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM) circuit, a read-only memory (ROM) circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) circuit, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and a portable digital video disc read-only memory (DVD/BlueRay).
[0041] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer- implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as "circuitry," "a module" or variants thereof.
[0042] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable instruction execution apparatus, create a mechanism for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0043] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that when executed can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions when stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which when executed, cause a computer to implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable instruction execution apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatuses or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0044] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. [0045] It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated.
Moreover, although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.
[0046] Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of various example combinations and subcombinations of embodiments and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination. Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles described herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope.