Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6606059
-
Patent Number
6,606,059
-
Date Filed
Monday, August 28, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 12, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Blakley, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 343 700 MS
- 343 709
- 343 895
- 343 891
- 343 893
- 343 725
- 343 729
- 343 824
- 333 172
- 342 374
- 342 434
- 342 435
- 342 403
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An antenna utilizes multiple radiating elements placed at regular interval around a geometric structure. Each of the individual radiating elements are selectably activated in order to narrow the range of transmission and reception for the antenna. Larger antenna gain is achieved by narrowing the radiation pattern and each individual radiating element has significantly more gain than an omni-directional radiator while also reducing the power output requirements of the transmitter.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to antenna systems, including more particularly to antennas with directionally selectable transmission capabilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In wireless voice and data applications, both wireless local loop (WLL) and mobile applications, system capacity remains an important design issue since the power available to a wireless device is often limited. Interference with other devices also limits the system capacity. When operating from a battery supply, such as with a wireless phone, pager, or modem, this problem is exacerbated.
In mobile wireless applications, such as cell phones, pagers, and wireless modems, the spatial orientation of the device antenna is not static (i.e. the user is often moving, or the device itself is moving). Since the instantaneous orientation of the antenna is essentially unknown to a designer of these devices, known wireless systems have addressed this design problem by providing an omni-directional antenna. Omni-directional antennas produce a substantially constant radiation pattern in essentially all directions in at least one plane. While this effectively ensures that the antenna signal reaches an intended base station regardless of the orientation of the antenna or wireless device, it does so at the cost of wasted power and the potential for interference with other users and electronic systems. Whip antennas (long, thin extending antennas) that are often incorporated into cellular phones and other wireless voice and data systems, often utilize this omni-directional transmission technique. This will be the case regardless of where the base station is positioned in relation to the wireless device.
Several problems still remain with the use of these known omni-directional antennas and the use of an omni-directional transmission scheme. First, since an omni-directional antenna radiates in all directions at all times, the transmission may interfere with the other non-target base stations that are within the transmission range of the antenna. As a result, these systems may impact the overall system capacity. Second, since for a given coverage distance, omni-directional antennas have a lower gain than a similarly powered antenna that has a more focused directivity, a larger transmitter power is typically required to effectively operate them. Increasing the transmitter power usually results in increased heat, increased product cost, and increased power consumption, all of which are undesirable.
Known Radio Frequency switching devices that can selectively couple a signal with a particular output, often employ a capacitive junction that functions as a switch to turn the device on or off. In systems that demand complete isolation from the remainder of the circuit, the use of these devices still may present problems due to the remaining capacitance in the off-state. This may limit their ability to provide complete isolation. Since it is still desirable to use these devices due to their low cost and wide availability, a system that cancels the effect of this capacitance is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an antenna with selectably activated radiating elements. In a first embodiment, an antenna comprises a dielectric body and a radiating element formed on the dielectric body. The antenna also comprises a transmission line and a switching device, the switching device has an input and an output, the input is connected to the transmission line and the output is connected to the radiating element.
In another embodiment, an antenna having an exterior surface comprises a plurality of radiating elements formed on the exterior surface of the antenna and switching circuitry connected to said plurality of radiating elements and said transmission line.
In another embodiment, an antenna comprises a dielectric body having an interior and an exterior surface. A plurality of radiating elements is formed on the exterior surface of the antenna body. The antenna also comprises a transmission line and a switching device operative to selectively connect the transmission line with at least one of the radiating elements.
Other embodiments will become apparent hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows a known wireless device that utilizes an omni-directional antenna, and the associated antenna radiation pattern;
FIG. 2
is a top view of the wireless device of
FIG. 1
showing it in relation to a network of base stations;
FIGS. 3A-3C
are diagrams of a wireless device utilizing an antenna in accordance with the present invention in relation to a network of base stations;
FIG. 4A
shows a perspective view of an antenna in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4B
shows a side cross sectional view of the antenna of
FIG. 4A
;
FIG. 4C
shows a top cross sectional view of the antenna of
FIG. 4A
;
FIG. 4D
shows a top view of the antenna of FIG.
4
A and the representative radiation patterns of each of the radiating elements;
FIG. 5
shows a first preferred embodiment of a feed network utilized in an antenna in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6
shows a second preferred embodiment of a feed network utilized in an antenna in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 7A-7B
show a first alternate embodiment of an antenna in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 8A-8B
show a second alternate embodiment of an antenna in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 9
shows a radio module utilizing an antenna in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 10A-10B
show examples of switching devices that are preferably used with an antenna in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a circuit schematic of a capacitive isolation circuit incorporated into a radio frequency switching device;
FIG. 12A
is a diagram of a switching device connected to an antenna radiating element;
FIG. 12B
is a circuit schematic including a radio frequency switching device and an electrical equivalent for the antenna element;
FIG. 13
is a diagrammatic representation of the circuit schematic of
FIG. 12B
;
FIG. 14
is a plot of the radiation pattern of a single antenna element;
FIG. 15A
is a Smith chart showing the impedance of the antenna element of
FIG. 14
; and
FIG. 15B
is a Smith chart showing the impedance of the antenna element of
FIG. 14
with a grounding pin added.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1
shows a wireless device
50
, such as a cell phone, wireless modem, radio module, or pager. Wireless devices, such as the wireless device
50
, most often rely on an antenna
54
in order to maintain communication with a base station (not shown). Base stations typically serve as a link between the wireless device and a larger communication network, such as a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN), or a company network. The base stations allow the wireless devices to access larger data and voice distribution networks throughout the world. Most wireless devices, such as the wireless device
50
shown in
FIG. 1
, utilize a whip or telescoping type of antenna
54
in order to broadcast and receive voice and data signals between the wireless device
50
and a base station. Commercial products manufactured by companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, and Qualcom, utilize whip antennas with a vertical orientation and the antennas used in these products produce an omni-directional radiation pattern in the horizontal plane. Radiation patterns produced by such antennas generally extend outward in all directions from the antenna.
In
FIG. 1
, a radiation pattern
56
is shown emanating from the omni-directional antenna
54
and represents the manner in which omni-directional antennas operate. For ease of illustration, only a single component plane of the radiation pattern
56
is shown, i.e. only the x-y plane component of the radiation pattern is shown. The z-x plane component of the radiation pattern would resemble the shape of a torus. Common to most omni-directional antennas is that the radiation pattern of the antenna signal is directed away from the antenna in a 360° azimuth at all times the antenna is transmitting.
FIG. 2
illustrates how the wireless device
50
utilizing an omni-directional antenna
54
operates in relation to a network of base stations. When the wireless device
50
is activated, either by a user, or by an electronic system, it transmits or receives a signal through its antenna
54
until a base station
60
is acquired. Several base stations may be in the vicinity of the wireless device
50
, and the one that is ultimately acquired is referred to as the target base station. In
FIG. 2
, the target base station is represented by reference number
60
. Most often, the target base station
60
is the base station that is closest to the wireless device
50
. Most commonly, this is the base station that provides the strongest and most consistent signal between the base station
60
and the wireless device
50
. Upon activation, the wireless device
50
transmits its signal in all directions from the antenna
54
. Other visible base stations
62
,
64
, and
66
, that may be within the transmitter range of the wireless device
50
may also see the signal generated by the wireless device
50
but do not establish a connection, typically due to the inferiority of the signal. Even after the target base station
60
is acquired by the wireless device, the antenna
54
continues to broadcast its signal in all directions. This is consistent with the operation of an omni-directional antenna. Since most of the signal pattern transmitted by the antenna
54
is not directed toward the acquired target base station
60
, a large portion of the power that is used to transmit the signal is wasted. Depending on the distance between the target base station and the antenna, as much as 90% of the transmitter power may be wasted.
Since a large portion of the transmission strength is wasted when utilizing an omni-directional antenna, a larger transmitter power is required in order to maintain a strong and consistent signal connection between the target base station
60
and the wireless device
50
. Furthermore, since the signal generated within the antenna radiation pattern
56
is still being broadcast toward the other non-target but visible base stations after the target base station
60
has been acquired, the other “non-target” base stations may experience a degradation in performance due to the interference generated by transmissions that are not intended for that particular base station. Likewise, the target base station
60
that a particular antenna has acquired, may itself experience performance degradation from other wireless devices operating in its vicinity.
FIGS. 3A-3C
illustrate how an antenna in accordance with the present invention can improve the power efficiency of a wireless device
50
, while simultaneously reducing the amount of signal interference seen by non-target base stations. Referring to
FIG. 3A
, the wireless device
50
, includes an antenna
100
in accordance with the present invention. When activated by a user, the wireless device
50
searches for and acquires a target base station. In
FIG. 3A
, the target base station is represented by reference number
70
. Typically, the target base station is the one that maintains the strongest and most consistent signal with the wireless device
50
. Most often the strongest signal is obtained from the base station that is in closest proximity to the wireless device
50
, however, topographic variations, and other sources of interference may dictate that a more distant base station be acquired as the target base station.
Once the target base station
70
has been acquired by the wireless device
50
, the transmitted radiation pattern
58
of the antenna
100
is restricted to the specific radiating element that was directed toward the target base station
70
. Briefly, an antenna in accordance with the present invention utilizes a series of radiating elements. Only one of the radiating elements are utilized once a base station has been acquired, in order to focus the radiation pattern of the antenna toward the target base station
70
and eliminate the excess power needed to transmit the same signal in all directions. In
FIG. 3A
, the non-target base stations that are proximate to the wireless device
50
are indicated by reference numbers
72
,
74
, and
76
. Alternately, more than one radiating element may be activated in order to find the best combination of signal strength and power efficiency.
Since a primary feature of wireless devices are their mobility, a user will most likely be continuously moving and venturing in and out of a particular base station's range. When the signal strength between a particular target base station and the wireless device
50
changes, periodic hand-offs to other base stations become necessary.
FIG. 3B
illustrates what happens when the wireless device either is out of range from the target base station
70
, or when another base station becomes more efficient to use. In the example of
FIG. 3B
, base station
72
becomes the target base station while base station
70
becomes a non-target base station. Upon acquisition of the new target base station
72
, the antenna
100
changes the directivity of the radiation pattern toward the new target base station
72
. Briefly, this is accomplished by selectively activating one or more radiating elements incorporated onto the antenna
100
, and utilizing these limited radiating elements to transmit and/or receive the voice or data signal to and from the target base station. In a similar manner, if the wireless device is rotated, or the user moves so that the same target base station is still acquired, but the previously activated radiating element no longer faces that target base station, the wireless device changes which antenna elements are activated so that continuous contact is maintained with the base station while still only utilizing a small portion of the antenna capability and continuing to conserve power.
FIG. 3C
illustrates the initiation of a further base station hand off as the wireless device
50
moves out of the range of target base station
72
and into the range of target base station
74
. Again, the direction that the signal from the wireless device
50
is transmitted is adjusted so that it is directed toward the new target base station
74
. In this manner, once the target base station
74
has been acquired, the other non-target base stations that are within the range of the wireless device, experience a minimal amount of interference from the wireless device
50
.
Since it takes a larger amount of power to transmit a signal in all directions than it does to transmit a signal through a limited portion of an azimuth, wireless devices that utilize an antenna
100
in accordance with the present invention requires less power to maintain similar performance characteristics as a known omni-directional antenna. For example, if the antenna only transmits a signal from a 90° portion of its total 360° range, only 25% as much power is required to transmit the same range. Since each individual radiating element in the antenna
100
has significantly more gain than a single omni-directional radiator, the power output requirements of the transmitter are reduced accordingly. Antenna gain is achieved by narrowing the radiation pattern of each antenna element. Alternately, a wireless device utilizing an antenna
100
in accordance with the present invention can demand the same power requirements as a known omni-directional antenna while providing a larger coverage area due to the ability to focus the azimuth of the transmission.
FIGS. 4A-4C
show a preferred embodiment of an antenna
100
in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the antenna
100
has a tubular body
102
with a cylindrical outer surface
103
and a cylindrical inner surface
105
. Preferably, the tubular body has a diameter of approximately 50 mm. The body
102
is formed from a dielectric material such as Lexan type
104
. Other materials that are conducive to the construction of patch-type antennas and that are suitable for inexpensive manufacturing processes such as injection molding may also be used to construct the body
102
. The cylindrical interior surface
105
includes on its surface a substantially uniform metalized layer
104
. The antenna
100
is preferably constructed in accordance with the structure of a patch antenna. In that sense, metalized layer
104
forms the ground plane component of the antenna
100
. The exterior surface
103
includes a series of radiating elements (patches) that conform to the cylindrical shape of the exterior surface
103
.
Preferably, each patch element has a physical dimension of:
λ
g
/2×λ
g
/2
where λ
g
is the wavelength of the dielectric material. Thus for an antenna that has n radiating elements, the circumference is approximately:
n/
2*λ
g
and the height is at least λ
g
/2
In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4A-4C
, a series of four radiating elements
106
,
108
,
110
, and
112
are shown, each of the radiating elements covering approximately 25% of the circumference of the exterior surface
103
. The length of each of the radiating elements can vary and will depend on the type of antenna application. There is preferably a space
107
between adjacent radiating elements so that they will operate independently from each other. The size of the space
107
is sufficient so as to reduce any capacitive or parasitic effects between the adjacent radiating elements. Since the radiating elements do not touch, they each cover slightly less than 90° of the circumference of the exterior surface
103
. The use of more or less than four radiating elements is contemplated by the present invention and will largely depend on the specific design requirements and cost considerations. Generally, the more radiating elements that are utilized, the more focused a transmission signal can be and the more efficiently a wireless device can operate. The pattern of a radiating element is fixed and more radiating elements permit finer granularity along the azimuth and a more constant gain.
Together, the tubular body
102
, the ground plane material
104
and the radiating elements
106
,
108
,
110
, and
112
, form the three main components of a patch antenna system. Feed pins
116
,
118
,
120
, and
122
respectively connect each of the radiating elements
106
,
108
,
110
, and
112
to the ground plane material
104
. Feed lines
136
,
138
,
140
and
142
connect a transmission line
134
to switching devices
126
,
128
,
130
, and
132
. The transmission line
134
provides a path for power and RF signals generated at a source location
144
, to reach each of the antenna elements. Further details on the construction of patch antenna systems are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/316,457, and 09/316,459, the details of which are hereby incorporated into this application by reference.
Referring to
FIG. 4C
, the transmission line
134
distributes the power and data signal through a feed line
136
,
138
,
140
, and
142
, to each of the feed pins
116
,
118
,
120
, and
122
. The transmission line
134
is connected to the operating electronics that are associated with a particular wireless device, for example, the transceiver circuitry associated with a cell phone, pager, or wireless modem. Switching devices
126
,
128
,
130
, and
132
operate to selectively direct the data signal and power from each of the feed lines
136
,
138
,
140
, and
142
to the respective radiating element, thereby activating a select one of the radiating elements
106
,
108
,
110
, or
112
. Alternately, the switching devices can selectively direct the power and data signal to a select group of feed lines, thereby activating a select group of radiating elements rather than only a single radiating element. Inherent in this structure is a built in logic function, preferably in the wireless device programming, that is capable of selecting which radiating element to activate depending on the relative signal strength of a base station that is being acquired. This can take the form of a simple search function that initially seeks out a base station with an acceptable signal strength, and acquires that base station. That particular target base station is then maintained in communication with the wireless device by relying only on a narrowed antenna transmission signal. Additional logic circuitry and programming within the wireless device will rotate which antenna elements are utilized depending on the position and orientation of the wireless device in relation to the target base station. If the signal between the target base station and the wireless device drops below a certain threshold level, then the wireless device searches for a more appropriate target base station. During this procedure, more than one, more preferably, all of the antenna elements are utilized in order to find a target base station with the best acquisition parameters.
FIG. 4D
illustrates a plan view of radiation patterns
106
-A,
108
-A,
110
-A, and
112
-A that are associated with each of the radiating elements
106
,
108
,
110
, and
112
. Each radiating element in
FIG. 4D
generates a radiation pattern that covers approximately 25% of the total circumference of the exterior surface of the antenna
100
. For example, the radiation pattern
106
-A substantially covers the 0-90° range of the antenna
100
, the radiation pattern
108
-A substantially covers the 90°-180° range of the antenna
100
, the radiation pattern
110
-A substantially covers the 180°-270° range of the antenna
100
, and the radiation pattern
112
-A substantially covers the 270°-360° range of the antenna
100
. The angular references are relative to FIG.
4
C and it is understood that these ranges will depend on the particular system employed and the arrangement of the radiating elements on the particular antenna. Additionally, since the antenna will in most situations constantly moving, the relative angular coverage will similarly change.
FIG. 5
shows a preferred embodiment of a feed network
150
that is utilized in an antenna
100
in accordance with the present invention. The feed network
150
is used to selectively activate a single radiating element on the antenna
100
. Alternately, the feed network
150
is used to activate a selected group (i.e. one or more) of radiating elements on the antenna. An appropriate programming scheme incorporated into the wireless device determines the precise control over which radiating elements are activated at any given time. A source
144
feeds power and an RF signal through the transmission line
134
. The source
144
power and data signals come from the operative electronics of the particular wireless device being used, for example the transceiver circuitry of a cellular phone, pager or wireless modem. Branching off of the transmission line
134
are each of the feed lines
136
,
138
, and
140
. The configuration shown in
FIG. 5
can be used with an antenna that utilizes any number of radiating elements up to N radiating elements. The feed network
150
can be extended or reduced to accommodate a greater or fewer number of radiating elements. In a preferred embodiment, between three and six radiating elements are utilized. A switching device is located at the point where each of the feed lines connects to the transmission line
134
.
FIG. 5
shows switching devices
126
,
128
, and
130
corresponding respectively to each of the feed lines
136
,
138
, and
140
, and each of the radiating elements
106
,
108
, and
110
. Each switching device preferably functions independently of the others, and independently controls whether the RF signal from the transmission line
134
is directed through the corresponding feed line
136
,
138
, or
140
, and onto the corresponding radiating element
106
,
108
, or
110
. Direct current through the switching device allows the RF signal to flow through, while a reverse bias prevents the RF signal from flowing through. The switching devices allow a selected radiating element or a selected group of radiating elements to be connected to the transmission line
134
, allowing one or more of the N radiating elements to be activated and thereby selected for transmission/reception. The transmission line
134
can be an independently insulted copper conductor, or it can alternately be a printed conductor located on the exterior surface
103
of the antenna body
102
. Also shown in
FIG. 5
are grounding leads
116
,
118
, and
120
that respectively connect each of the radiating elements
106
,
108
, and
110
to the ground plane
104
. The grounding leads function as the return path for the switching device and prevents a static electricity charge from building up on the patch and potentially damaging the electronics.
FIG. 6
shows an alternate embodiment of a feed network
160
that is utilized in an antenna in accordance with the present invention, to selectively feed a single radiating element, or to feed a selected group of radiating elements on the antenna. In contrast to the feed network
150
, the feed network
160
has each of the switching devices
126
,
128
, and
130
all grouped proximate to the transmission line
134
. The feed lines
136
,
138
, and
140
each branch from a respective switching device and connect to a respective radiating element. Grouping the switching device together may provide design layout benefits depending on the particular device being utilized. For example, it may be beneficial to keep each of the switching devices grouped together in order to reduce the amount of wiring that needs to be run from a program control unit located within the wireless device, to the switching devices. As with the feed network
150
, the feed network
160
includes grounding pins
116
,
118
, and
120
respectively connecting each of the radiating elements
106
,
108
, and
110
to the ground plane
104
. Various other configurations for the feed network are contemplated by the present invention and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
FIGS. 7A and 7B
show a first alternate embodiment of an antenna
200
in accordance with the present invention. The antenna
200
is constructed in substantially the same manner as the antenna
100
shown and described in conjunction with
FIGS. 4A-4C
. Notably, the antenna
200
has a rectangularly shaped dielectric body
202
rather than the cylindrically shaped dielectric body
102
of the antenna
100
. In
FIGS. 7A and 7B
, each of the four exterior surfaces
203
-
a
,
203
-
b
,
203
-
c
, and
203
-
d
, of the antenna body
202
includes a single radiating element
206
,
208
,
210
, and
212
respectively. An interior surface
205
of the antenna body
202
includes a metalized ground plane coating
204
, and a feed pin
216
,
218
,
220
, and
222
respectively connects each of the radiating elements to the ground plane
204
. A transmission line
234
distributes power and signals, generated by a source
244
. Feed lines
236
,
238
,
240
, and
242
, pass the power and data signal from the transmission line
234
through a respective switching device
226
,
228
,
230
, and
232
. A particular radiating element or a particular group of radiating elements is activated by selectively enabling one or more of the switching devices
226
,
228
,
230
, and
232
. Depending on the radiating elements that are selected, by switching on one or more of the switching devices, the power and data signal is passed from the transmission line
234
, through a corresponding feed line and power and a data signal is provided to the respective radiating elements.
FIGS. 8A and 8B
show another alternate embodiment of an antenna
300
in accordance with the present invention. The antenna
300
is constructed in substantially the same manner as the antenna
100
shown and described in conjunction with
FIGS. 4A-4C
. Notably, the antenna
300
has a triangularly shaped dielectric body
302
rather than the cylindrically shaped dielectric body
102
of the antenna
100
. In
FIGS. 8A and 8B
, each of the three exterior surfaces
303
-
a
,
303
-
b
, and
303
-
c
, of the antenna body
302
includes a single radiating element
306
,
308
, and
310
respectively. An interior surface
305
of the antenna body
302
includes a metalized ground plane coating
304
, and a feed pin
316
,
318
, and
320
respectively connects each of the radiating elements to the ground plane
304
. A transmission line
334
distributes power and signals, generated by a source
344
. Feed lines
336
,
338
, and
340
pass the power and data signal from the transmission line
334
through a respective switching device
326
,
328
, and
330
. A particular radiating element or a particular group of radiating elements is activated by selectively enabling one or more of the switching devices
326
,
328
, and
330
. Depending on the radiating elements that are selected, by switching on one or more of the switching devices, the power and data signal is passed from the transmission line
334
, through a corresponding feed line and power and a data signal is provided to the respective radiating elements.
While the alternate embodiments shown in
FIGS. 7A-7B
and
8
A-
8
B depict two alternate geometries for an antenna in accordance with the present invention, various other configurations will be apparent to one skilled in the art, for example, hexagonal and octagonal shaped antenna bodies are also contemplated by an antenna in accordance with the present invention. Additionally, radiating elements can be located in any plane, for instance, on the top surface of the antenna to radiate vertically (e.g., toward a satellite).
An antenna constructed in accordance with the present invention can also be used in conjunction with a radio module that is fixed in place and utilized in a wireless local loop (WLL) network. Such radio modules are often permanently mounted on a building, wall, or mast and allow users within a local network to communicate via a wireless loop rather than relying on a completely hard wired system.
FIG. 9
shows such a radio module
400
that incorporates an antenna in accordance with the present invention. The radio module
400
includes a dielectric body
402
that includes a radiating antenna element on each of its side surfaces. In the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 9
, the radio module
400
has four sides and a radiating element is located on each of the four sides. Radiating elements
404
and
406
are visible in FIG.
9
. Since the radio module
400
is typically a fixed installation, the body
402
is preferably tapered in order to give the radio module
400
more stability on its mounting location and to direct each of the antenna elements in a slightly upward direction. Multiple patch systems can also be incorporated onto a single antenna structure in order to provide diversity in the operation of the system.
The radio module
400
also includes indicator lights
410
, data ports
414
and a power cable
412
. A lower portion
407
of the radio module
400
has a textured or ribbed surface
408
to increase the effective surface area of the enclosure and to increase the heat dissipation of the system. U.S. Patent Application Nos. 09/398,724 and 09/400,623 disclose further details of a preferred embodiment of such a radio module, the details of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
Referring briefly to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, each of the feed networks
150
and
160
preferably utilize a PIN diode switch, or another type of known radio frequency switch for the switching devices. Components of this type are well known in the art of antenna design. Preferred examples include switching devices manufactured by Hewlett Packard bearing Model Nos. HSMP-3880, and HSMP-4890.
FIGS. 10A and 10B
show the circuit diagrams for two of these switching devices. A PIN diode operates like a variable resistor for RF signals. It behaves like a diode at low frequencies. Potentiometer
182
represents the equivalent resistance of the PIN diode at RF frequencies. The value of the potentiometer
182
depends on the DC current flowing through the diode. High current equate to a low resistance and low/zero current equates to a high resistance. The impedance is also limited by the reverse capacitance of the capacitor
184
.
In the example of
FIG. 10A
, at an “on” resistance of approximately 6.5 Ω for a large PIN bias current, the switching device
180
is on, and RF will flow from the terminal
186
to the terminal
188
. With no current, the resistance at potentiometer
182
is high and the RF is reduced. An antenna radiating element therefore does not receive an RF signal when the switching device is turned off and will when the switching device is turned on. In the example of
FIG. 10B
, the “on” resistance is at a lower level, i.e. 2.5 Ω, due to a different PIN diode design.
The use of a PIN diode switch or a similar known RF switch for the switching device
180
is preferred due to their wide availability, low cost, and large selection. However, when utilizing a switching device such as the PIN Diode switches
180
and
190
shown in
FIGS. 10A and 10B
, the ability to effectively “shut off” and quickly and substantially isolate a corresponding radiating element or group of radiating elements from the others, may be compromised. Since there is a reverse junction capacitance intrinsic to the reversed biased PIN Diode, some RF is shunted past the potentiometer
182
. This is due in part to the inherent characteristics of a capacitor. This leakage of charge prevents the PIN diode switch from completely isolating the active radiating elements from the deactivated ones. For example, neighboring radiating elements may remain in an activated state until most of the charge is dissipated from the PIN Diode capacitor.
FIG. 11
shows a PIN diode isolation circuit
500
in accordance with the present invention. In
FIG. 11
, the dashed box
181
represents the boundaries of a PIN diode switch
180
, the details of which were described above in conjunction with FIG.
10
A. The PIN diode switch shown in the isolation circuit
500
can be any of the known PIN diode switches. The isolation circuit
500
includes a canceling inductor
506
(L
CANCEL
) joined in series with a blocking capacitor
508
(C
BLOCK
). The canceling inductor
506
and the blocking capacitor
508
are jumpered around the PIN diode switch
180
through conductors
502
and
504
. In this manner, any reactance charge that remains in the PIN diode switch
180
after the switching device is turned off, is resonated out through the canceling inductor
506
and the blocking capacitor
508
. The size of the canceling inductor
506
(L
CANCEL
) and the blocking capacitor
508
(C
BLOCK
) may vary depending on the values of the PIN diode inductor
185
and PIN diode capacitor
186
within the PIN diode switch
180
. In general, the value of the cancellation inductor
506
can be calculated as follows.
This example assumes that an antenna is tuned to 2.0 GHz and that W=12.6×10
9
r/s.
Z
PIN
=jwL
PIN
+1
/jwC
PIN
=−j
186
Ω→Y
PIN
=+j
5.37 mS
Therefore, it is necessary to cancel with an inductor that provides −jB
1/w
L
CANCEL
=5.37 mS →
L
CANCEL
=14.8 nH
Select
L
CANCEL
=15 nH
Select CBLOCK to be insignificant with respect to the inductor reactance:
C
BLOCK
≧10*(5.37 mS)/w=4.3 pF
Select
C
BLOCK
=15 pF
In many cases, it will be desired to have the antenna element at “ground” potential. This may be either to provide a current return path for the PIN diode switch or to prevent a static charge from building up on the antenna element. At the midpoint of each of the antenna elements, along its length and height, the internal field will zero out. Therefore a conductor can be placed between this mid-point on the patch and the ground plane with little or no affect on the antenna performance.
FIGS. 12A
shows a diagrammatic representation
700
of this type of grounding circuit and
FIG. 12B
shows an equivalent electrical circuit layout
720
. In
FIG. 12A
, the antenna element
702
includes a grounding conductor
704
that connects the antenna element
702
to the ground plane element (not shown). The feed networks shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
indicate how the grounding conductor
704
is coupled between the antenna element and the ground plane. An RF signal generated by a source system
710
is fed through a conductor
706
, through the PIN diode switch
180
, and onto the antenna element
702
.
FIG. 12B
indicates the equivalent circuit
720
, where a source
722
coupled with a resistor
724
feed a data signal through the PIN diode
726
and onto an antenna element. The antenna element is represented in the circuit by capacitor
728
, inductor
730
and resistor
732
. The resistor
732
represents the equivalent load that the antenna places on the system. The PIN diode switch
726
is shown with the isolation circuit
500
described in conjunction with
FIG. 11
incorporated.
FIG. 13
shows an equivalent electrical model for circuit simulation
600
resulting from the implementation of a PIN diode switch
180
into an antenna in accordance with the present invention. Port
610
is terminated and its resistance in combination with (C
ANT
)
612
and (L
ANT
)
614
, represent the antenna element, and more specifically the transformed value of the antenna element resistance. Port
602
represents a source input,
604
represents the switching device. In this example, the switching device is the PIN diode switch
180
described previously. Reference number
606
indicates the feed line leading from the switching device
604
to the antenna
608
. Reference number
608
represents the antenna element, including C
ANT
612
and L
ANT
614
.
FIG. 14
shows the x-y and y-z radiation patterns associated with an antenna constructed in accordance with the present invention. In the example of
FIG. 14
, a cylindrical dielectric antenna body was used and three conformal antenna elements were formed on the external surface. A single antenna element was activated and the other two remained inactive. The dielectric antenna body was constructed from Lexan type
104
material. In addition, the antenna elements were tuned for 26 dB RL at 1995 MHz. The total radiated power of this antenna was 2.06×104
−4
Watts, the antenna efficiency was 85% and the directivity was 6.2 dBi.
FIG. 14
shows the selected directivity of the radiation pattern generated by the single activated antenna element.
FIGS. 15A and 15B
show a pair of Smith charts. The chart of
FIG. 15A
represents the antenna described in conjunction with FIG.
14
.
FIG. 15B
represents the same antenna with a grounding connector between the center of the antenna element and the ground plane. This arrangement was described previously in conjunction with
FIGS. 12A and 12B
. As can be seen from a comparison of the two Smith charts, there is a negligible effect on the antenna performance associated with the addition of the grounding conductor
704
.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the above description and drawings, it is understood that this description is by example only and that numerous changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted, except by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
- 1. An apparatus comprising:a monopole antenna coupled to a portable communications device; a plurality of radiating elements mounted on said monopole antenna; control circuitry to select a subset of said plurality of radiating elements; switching circuitry to activate said selected radiating element subset; and a plurality of feeds coupled to the switching circuitry, wherein each of said radiating elements is coupled to one of said feeds.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control circuitry is configured to acquire a base station from a plurality of base stations based on a relative signal strength of said base station.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control circuitry is configured to select another subset of said plurality of radiating elements as said relative orientation between said base station and said apparatus changes.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control circuitry is configured to select said subset to direct a radiation pattern towards said base station.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of radiating elements is arranged on said monopole antenna, such that a first radiation pattern having a total angular range relative to a plane is generated when all of said plurality of radiating elements are activated, and a second radiation pattern having a decreased angular range relative to said plane is generated when said subset of radiating elements is activated.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said plane is an azimuthal plane having a center defined by a longitudinal axis of said monopole antenna.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said total angular range is 360°.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a partial radiation pattern generated when each of said plurality of radiating elements is activated overlaps partial radiation patterns generated when adjacent radiating elements are activated.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said switching circuitry comprises a PIN diode switch.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said switching circuitry comprises a relay.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said selected radiating element subset comprises a single radiating element.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said selected radiating element subset comprises two or more radiating elements.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said monopole antenna comprises a dielectric body, and said plurality of radiating elements is formed on said dielectric body.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dielectric body has an interior and an exterior surface, said antenna further comprising a ground plane on said interior surface of said dielectric body.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transmission line, wherein said switching circuitry is configured to couple said transmission line to said activated radiating elements.
- 16. An antenna, comprising:a monopole antenna coupled to a portable communications device; a plurality of radiating elements mounted around said rigid structure in a 360° configuration; control circuitry configured to select a subset of said plurality of radiating elements; switching circuitry to activate said selected subset of radiating elements; and a plurality of feeds coupled to the switching circuitry, wherein each of said radiating elements is coupled to one of said feeds.
- 17. The antenna of claim 16, wherein the rigid structure has an external surface on which said plurality of radiating elements is mounted.
- 18. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said control circuitry is configured to acquire a base station from a plurality of base stations based on a relative signal strength of said base station.
- 19. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said control circuitry is configured to dynamically select said radiating element subset.
- 20. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said rigid structure has a circular cross-section, and said plurality of radiating elements are circumferentially mounted about said rigid structure.
- 21. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said rigid structure has a rectangular cross-section, and said plurality of radiating elements are mounted on four faces of said rigid structure.
- 22. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said rigid structure has a triangular cross-section, and said plurality of radiating elements are mounted on three faces of said rigid structure.
- 23. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said selected radiating element subset comprises a single radiating element.
- 24. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said selected radiating element subset comprises two or more radiating elements.
- 25. The antenna of claim 16, wherein said rigid structure comprises a dielectric body, and said plurality of radiating elements is formed on said dielectric body.
- 26. A method comprising:acquiring a base station; selecting a subset of a plurality of radiating elements by activating one or more feeds, wherein each of the radiating elements is coupled to one of said feeds; and transmitting a signal from said selected radiating element subset to said acquired first base station.
- 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said base station is acquired based on a signal strength of said base station.
- 28. The method of claim 26, wherein said selected radiating element subset comprises a single radiating element.
- 29. The method of claim 26, wherein said signal is transmitted using radio frequency energy.
- 30. The method of claim 26, wherein said radiating element subset faces said base station.
- 31. The method of claim 26, further comprising:acquiring another base station; selecting another subset of said plurality of radiating elements; and transmitting a signal from said another selected radiating element subset to said acquired second base station.
- 32. The method of claim 31, wherein said wireless device is handed-off from said base station to said another second base station.
- 33. The method of claim 26, further comprising:selecting another subset of said plurality of radiating elements when a relative orientation between said antenna and said base station changes; and transmitting a signal from said another selected radiating element subset to said another base station.
- 34. An antenna comprising:a rigid structure; a plurality of radiating elements mounted to said rigid structure, each radiating element coupled to one of a plurality of feeds; means for selecting a subset of said plurality of radiating elements; and means for transmitting a signal from said selected radiating element subset to a first base station.
- 35. The antenna of claim 34, further comprising means for acquiring said base station based on a signal strength of said base station.
- 36. The antenna of claim 34, wherein said selected radiating element subset comprises a single radiating element.
- 37. The antenna of claim 34, wherein said signal is transmitted using radio frequency energy.
- 38. The antenna of claim 34, wherein said radiating element subset faces said base station.
- 39. The antenna of claim 34, wherein said subset selection means is dynamic.
US Referenced Citations (9)