Cover antennas

Abstract

The specification and drawings present a new apparatus, method and software product for using a cover antenna (e.g., conductive, metallic, etc.) in an electronic device, with multiple coupled feeds (e.g., dual feed) to the antenna and with one or more switches and a matching circuit. Then it is possible to use a metal plate as a metal cover, e.g., for mobile devices, which will act as an antenna with multiple feedings for cellular and non-cellular radios.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a conductive (e.g., metallic) cover antenna with a dual feed, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph of a return loss of two coupled feeds, coupled feed 1 and coupled feed 2 of a conductive (e.g., metallic) cover antenna, as a function of frequency, wherein only one coupled feed is open by switching, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3b are block diagrams of an electronic device comprising a conductive (e.g., metallic) cover antenna with two coupled feeds with one switch, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device comprising a conductive (e.g., metallic) cover antenna with two coupled feeds with two switches and corresponding two matching band pass filters, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A new apparatus, method and software product are presented for using a cover antenna (e.g., conductive, metallic, etc.) in an apparatus (e.g., a an electronic device, a communication device, a wireless communication device, a portable electronic device, a non-portable electronic device, a mobile electronic device, a mobile phone, a wireless access point, a base station, etc.) with multiple coupled feeds (e.g., using a dual feed) to the antenna and with one or more switches and a matching circuit. Then it is possible to use a metal plate as a metal cover, e.g., for mobile devices, which will act as an antenna with multiple feedings for cellular and non-cellular radios. Since space/volume is limited in the mobile devices, reuse of the metal cover as antenna can be advantageous.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus can comprise a conductive (e.g., metallic) antenna with a matching circuit, and M coupled feeds for said antenna, wherein the antenna may comprise a whole cover or be a part of the cover of an electronic device. Furthermore, the antenna may be conductive throughout or may comprise a conductive portion and a dielectric portion.

The antenna can convert N electromagnetic signals (e.g., radio signals) received by the antenna, each having a unique (i.e., operating) frequency out of N frequencies (or frequency bands), into corresponding N electrical (e.g., microwave) signals such that each of the M coupled feeds with a corresponding transmission channel (e.g., a microwave transmission line having a matching length, LC matched or others) is optimized for propagating only at least one of the N electrical signals, i.e., it is optimized only for at least one frequency corresponding to the at least one electrical signal and selected from the N frequencies, wherein M and N are integers each having at least a value of two (i.e., the antenna having at least two coupled feeds), and wherein N≧M.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, one coupled feed can support more than one frequency out of frequencies supported by that coupled feed, such that a signal with the desired frequency is further selected by further filtering, e.g., using a tunable filter. In this case, N>M.

For example, antenna resonances in a mobile terminal can cover four GSM (global system for mobile communications) bands (GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900) or any combination of these GSM bands using, e.g., two antenna resonances, one resonance for GSM850 and/or GSM900 bands and another resonance for GSM1800 and/or GSM1900 bands, and using one coupled feed. Each band can be selected then in said one coupled feed using a tunable or selectable filter as demonstrated in detail in FIG. 3b. Moreover, each of the frequency bands may be used for cellular and non cellular operations, e.g., for BLUETOOTH (BT) and GSM.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the N electrical signals can be switched using at least one switch such that at least one of the N electrical signals is substantially attenuated to zero (e.g., using an infinite impedance) but at least one another of the N electrical signals is passed without being substantially attenuated. The at least one switch can be implemented as: a) one switch configured to attenuate one or more of the N electrical signals to zero and to pass one or more of the N electrical signals without being substantially attenuated, and b) M switches, one for each of the M coupled feeds (or transmission channels), each configured to pass or attenuate one or more electrical signals of the N electrical signals for choosing the signal in a desired channel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention a switch is connected to each of M coupled feeds and selects if this coupled feed will be connected to the next stage. The next stage after the switch at each coupled feed can be a matching circuit that transforms the feed impedance over at least one desired frequency (or frequency band) band so that it is suitable for the following stage (typically to 50 ohms). The next stage can be a filter (typically a band pass filter) as discussed below. It is noted that it may be advantageous to use a matching circuit also between each feed and the switch to control the impedance level of the switch and hence the power loss in the switch as well as the distortion generated by it. Typically, each of the coupled feeds is matched to a frequency band that is substantially different from the others but in principle the coupled feeds can be matched to the same frequency band or overlapping frequency bands as well. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the M coupled feeds, optimized for at least one operational (unique) frequency, can be configured to support a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication, a BLUETOOTH (BT) communication, a wireless metropolitan access network (WiMAX) communication, etc., whereas at least one another of the M coupled feeds, optimized for another at least one operational frequency, can be configured to support a global positioning system (GPS) communication, a digital video broadcasting-handset (DVB-H) communication, etc.

Moreover, M band pass filters (e.g., Chebyshev filters) with fixed or tunable component values, one for each of the M coupled feeds, can be used for passing substantially at least one of the N electrical signals with the unique frequency or frequencies out of the N frequencies. Thus, each of these M band pass filters can select an electrical signal with at least one frequency out of the electrical signals propagating through the corresponding coupled feed by tuning its pass band. Also, it is noted that using a band pass filter can minimize frequency selectivity requirements for the matching circuits. There may be multiple band pass filters which are selected based on the received/transmitted signal frequency. The band pass filter which is discussed here can be used as a pre-selection filter of the radio transceiver. The pre-selection filter provides an attenuation of the unwanted blocking signal outside of the reception band and attenuation for the unwanted transmissions outside of the operational transmission band.

The embodiments described above can be applied to receiving and/or transmitting the electromagnetic signals as further demonstrated in detail in FIG. 3b. Also, it is noted that various embodiments of the present invention recited herein can be used separately, combined or selectively combined for specific applications.

FIG. 1 shows an example among others of a schematic representation of cover antenna 22 (e.g., using metal cover) with a dual feed with coupled feeds 12 and 14 in an electronic device 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coupled feeds 12 and 14 are connected to the antenna 22 with conducting pins 16 and 18, respectively. In this example, the metal antenna 22 with dimensions, e.g., 51 mm×42 mm is a cover of the electronic device 10.

In the example of FIG. 1, the antenna 22 is grounded with a pin 24 to a printing wiring board (PWB) 20. The PWB has dimensions 100 mm×40 mm. The metal antenna 22 can be raised over the PWB 20, e.g., by 5 mm. The coupled feeds 12 and 14 are located at feed points with coordinates at x=0 mm, y=0 mm and x=0 mm, y=25 mm respectively, as shown in FIG. 1, with matching circuit (LC matching circuit optimized for 50 ohm at a center frequency of interest).

It is noted that parameters (e.g., length, width, height over the PWB) of the antenna 22 can be varied and optimized according to a particular design requirements.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a simulation example showing a graph (see curves 26 and 28) of a return loss of two coupled feeds, coupled feed 1 and coupled feed 2 (e.g., coupled feeds 12 and 14, respectively, in FIG. 1) of a conductive (e.g., metallic) cover antenna 22, shown in FIG. 1, as a function of frequency, wherein only one coupled feed 12 or 14 is closed by switching (i.e., no substantial attenuation), while the other coupled feed (14 or 12, respectively) is high impedance (i.e., an open circuit), according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the coupled feed 1 (e.g., the coupled feed 12), is optimized for maximum frequency bandwidth near 2.5 GHz and can cover BT, WLAN(2.4 GHz) or WiMAX communications, when the coupled feed 2 (e.g., the coupled feed 14) is open circuit by switching, which corresponds to the curve 26 in FIG. 2. The coupled feed 2 (e.g., the coupled feed 14) is optimized for maximum frequency bandwidth centered at 1.63 GHz and can cover GPS or DVB_H (US) communication, whilst coupled feed 1 (e.g., the coupled feed 12) is open circuit by switching, which corresponds to the curve 28 in FIG. 2.

The results shown in FIG. 2 are generated using EM (electromagnetic) CST (computer simulation technology) microwave simulation software with a solver accuracy of −40 dB, global meshing properties lines per wavelength, lower mesh limits, a mesh line ratio limit set to 20. The simulations use the PWB (thickness 1 mm) and the metal cover (thickness 0.1 mm) with ideal conductivity and with a dielectric material between the PWB and the metal cover being air. In addition, the simulation boundary is OPEN, i.e., waves can pass a boundary with minimal reflections. Two coupled feeds each correspond to 50 ohm. The s-parameters from the CST simulation were then exported into Agilent ADS (advanced design system) circuit simulator, where the LC matching components and band pass filtering is simulated together with the s-parameters.

FIG. 3 a is an example among others of a block diagram of an electronic device 10 comprising the cover antenna 22 (e.g., using metal cover) with two coupled feeds 12 and 14 and with one switch 30, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3a demonstrates a receiving mode of operation. Two corresponding electrical (microwave) signals 31a and 31b provided by the antenna 22 through the coupled feeds 12 and 14, respectively, are switched by the switch 30 such that only one of these signals 31a or 31b can propagate through matching circuits 34a and 34b for further filtering by band pass filters 32a or 32b, respectively, and then to further processing. A communication control module 42 can send a command signal 44 to the switch 30 to trigger its switching for receiving the desired signal (31a or 31b).

FIG. 3 b is a further example among others of a block diagram of an electronic device 10 comprising the cover antenna 22 (e.g., using the metal cover) with two coupled feeds 12 and 14 and with one switch 30, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3b demonstrates both receiving and transmitting mode of operation. Two corresponding electrical (microwave) signals 31a and 31b provided or received by the antenna 22 through the coupled feeds 12 and 14, respectively, are switched by the switch 30 such that only one of these signals 31a or 31b can propagate further for further filtering by band pass filters 32a or 32b (receiving mode) or to the antenna 22 (transmitting mode), respectively (the matching circuits are not shown). Then the filtered signal (in the receiving mode) is further passed to the transceiver 38a, 38b or 38c and then to a processing module 38. The transceiver is a functional block which includes a transmitter and/or receiver functionality. The transceiver 38a, 38b or 38c can be also a single receiver without the transmitter functionality or a single transmitter without the receiver functionality. A communication control module 42 can send a command signal 44 to the switch 30 to trigger its switching for receiving the desired signal (31a or 31b).

The signals 50a and 50b from the communication control module 42 can be provided to the band pass filters 32a and 32b, respectively. These signals 50a and 50b can control the center frequency of the band pass filters in order to optimize the filtering of the received and/or transmitted signals 40a and 40b. By controlling the band pass filter center frequency or the shape of the band pass filter the transmission and reception signal quality can be optimized. The filter center frequency or the filter shape can be changed by tuning the electrical properties/values of the components of the filters 32a and 32b as known in the art. Alternatively the signals 50a and 50b may be used to select from multiple band pass filters an appropriate filter for the operational frequency. The functional block 32b may include several physical band filters. For example block 32b in FIG. 3b may include band pass filters for both transceivers 38b and 38c, and the operational filter can be selected by the signal 50b.

FIG. 3 b also shows that the transceivers 38b and 38c can be used with a further switch 36, as shown, for transmitting information through the corresponding channels using their optimized frequencies. Thus, the band pass filter 32b can be tuned to transmit two frequencies which are then further selected by the further switch 36 using, e.g., a control signal 50c from the module 42.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the block 30, 36 or 42 can be implemented as a software block, a hardware block or a combination thereof. The blocks 30, 36 and 42 are functional blocks and thus, each of the blocks 30, 36 or 42 can be implemented as a separate block or can be combined with any other standard block of the electronic device 10, or it can be split into several blocks according to their functionality.

FIG. 4 is another example a block diagram of an electronic device 10 comprising the cover antenna 22 (e.g., using the metal cover) with two coupled feeds 12 and 14 and with two switches 30a and 30b (one switch, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, can be used instead), two corresponding matching circuits 34a and 34b, and two corresponding matching band pass filters 32a and 32b, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the matching circuits 34a and 34b for two channels each comprising LC circuits. The LC circuits is only one simple example for implementing matching circuits shown in FIG. 4 among many other possible implementations known in the art. The communication control module 42 can send command signals 44a and 44b to the switches 30a and 30b, respectively, to trigger their switching (e.g., signal 44a is “on” and signal 44b is “off”) for the desired signal (31a or 31b).

As explained above, the invention provides both a method and corresponding equipment consisting of various modules providing the functionality for performing the steps of the method. The modules may be implemented as hardware, or may be implemented as software or firmware for execution by a computer processor. In particular, in the case of firmware or software, the invention can be provided as a computer program product including a computer readable storage structure embodying computer program code (i.e., the software or firmware) thereon for execution by the computer processor.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: an antenna wherein said antenna is at least a part of a cover of said apparatus; anda plurality of coupled feeds to the antenna, configured for reception or transmission of a further plurality of electromagnetic signals at different frequencies, each electromagnetic signal having a unique frequency, wherein each of the coupled feeds is optimized for at least one frequency selected from said different frequencies.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a matching circuit for said antenna.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said matching circuit comprises a plurality of matching circuits and each coupled feed of the plurality of the coupled feeds comprises one corresponding circuit of the plurality of the matching circuits.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said electromagnetic signals has a corresponding electrical signal of a corresponding further plurality of electrical signals, said corresponding electrical signal propagating only in one of said coupled feeds, said apparatus further comprises: at least one switch, for switching said electrical signals so that at least one of said electrical signals is passed without being substantially attenuated and at least one another of said electrical signals is substantially attenuated with respect to the at least one of said electrical signals after it is passed.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one of said electrical signals is only one electrical signal passed without being substantially attenuated.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one switch comprises one of: a) one switch configured to attenuate said at least one another of said electrical signals to substantially zero and to pass said at least one of said electrical signals without being substantially attenuated, andb) a corresponding plurality of switches, one for each of said coupled feeds, each configured to pass or attenuate one or more electrical signals propagating through said each of said coupled feeds.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a corresponding plurality of band pass filters, at least one band pass filter for each of said coupled feeds, wherein said apparatus is configured to select said at least one band pass filter for each of said coupled feeds and wherein each of said band pass filters is configured to pass at least one further electrical signal of said at least one of said electrical signals by tuning said pass band, wherein said at least one further electrical signal is selected from said at least one of said electrical signals.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one further electrical signal is only one electrical signal passed without being substantially attenuated.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one of: a) a corresponding transmission channel matched to one or more of said different frequencies, andb) a corresponding transmission channel implemented as a microwave transmission line and matched to one or more of said different frequencies,wherein each of said coupled feeds is coupled to the corresponding transmission channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a number of said coupled feeds is two.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a number of said coupled feeds is equal or smaller than a number of said different frequencies.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said electromagnetic signals has a first frequency, and a first corresponding coupled feed of said coupled feeds is configured to support one of: a) a wireless local area network communication,b) a BLUETOOTH communication, andc) WiMAX wireless metropolitan access network communication,and wherein at least one another of said electromagnetic signals has a second frequency, and a second corresponding coupled feed of said coupled feeds is configured to support one of:a) a global positioning system communication, andb) a digital video broadcasting-handset communication.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic signals are radio signals.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna completely comprises said cover.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna is conductive throughout.

16. A method, comprising: receiving or transmitting, by an antenna with a matching circuit and with a plurality of coupled feeds, a further plurality of electromagnetic signals at different frequencies, each electromagnetic signal having a different frequency,wherein each of the coupled feeds is optimized for at least one frequency selected from said different frequencies, andwherein said antenna is a part of a cover of an electronic device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of said electromagnetic signals has a corresponding electrical signal of a corresponding further plurality of electrical signals, said corresponding electrical signal propagating only in one of said coupled feeds, said method further comprises: switching said electrical signals so that at least one of said electrical signals is passed without being substantially attenuated and at least one another of said electrical signals is substantially attenuated with respect to the at least one of said electrical signals after it is passed.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one of said electrical signals is only one electrical signal passed without being substantially attenuated.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein each of said coupled feeds is coupled to one of: a) a corresponding transmission channel matched to one or more of said different frequencies, andb) a corresponding transmission channel implemented as a microwave transmission line and matched to one or more of said different frequencies.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein a number of said coupled feeds is two.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein a number of said coupled feeds is equal or smaller than a number of said different frequencies.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said electromagnetic signals are radio signals.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein said antenna completely comprises said cover.

24. A computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage structure embodying computer program code thereon for execution by a computer processor with said computer program code, wherein said computer program code comprises instructions for performing the method of claim 16.

25. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving or transmitting, made of a conductive material, said means for receiving or transmitting is a part of a cover of said apparatus; anda plurality of means for feeding to said means for receiving or transmitting, configured for reception or transmission of a further plurality of electromagnetic signals at different frequencies, each electromagnetic signal having a unique frequency, wherein each of the means for feeding is optimized for at least one frequency selected from said different frequencies.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a matching circuit for said means for receiving or transmitting.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said matching circuit comprises the plurality of matching circuits and each coupled feed of the plurality of the coupled feeds comprises one corresponding circuit of the plurality of the matching circuits.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein each of said electromagnetic signals has a corresponding electrical signal of a corresponding further plurality of electrical signals, said corresponding electrical signal propagating only in one of said coupled feeds, said apparatus further comprises: at least one means for switching said electrical signals so that at least one of said electrical signals is passed without being substantially attenuated and at least one another of said electrical signals is substantially attenuated to zero.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said means for receiving is an antenna.