Patent Grant
9991590
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
1. Technological Field
The present disclosure relates generally to an antenna apparatus for use in electronic devices such as e.g., wireless or portable radio devices, and more particularly in one exemplary aspect to a short-range antenna apparatus for use within e.g., a metal device or a device with a metallic surface, and methods of utilizing the same.
2. Description of Related Technology
Antennas are commonly found in most modern radio devices, such as mobile computers, portable navigation devices, mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or other personal communication devices (PCD). One area of increasing interest relates to short-range radio frequency interfaces, such as so-called “near field communication” (NFC) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. These interfaces are used to wirelessly transfer information, whether in an active mode or passive mode (or combinations thereof) between two entities, such as when one “bumps” their NEC-enabled smartphone against an in-store reader to complete a purchase transaction. Typically, antennas in such short-range interfaces comprise a planar radiating element (e.g., a loop) with a ground plane that is generally parallel to the planar radiating element. The term “near-field” refers generally to the fact the energy radiated by the antenna (or readable by the antenna) is stored in a spatially proximate region to the face of the antenna.
A typical NFC antenna may be for instance a planar loop with 3-5 rounds or loops of conductive trace, wherein the ground plane is generally parallel to the planar loop. This type of antenna requires a typical area on the order of 40×20 mm for adequate performance. However, in many metal cover devices, such a comparatively large metal-free area is not usually available within the cover. For instance, the available metal-free area may be as little as 5 mm in width, making such prior art loop-type antenna impractical.
When the X- or Y-dimension (i.e., planar dimension) of the aforementioned prior art antenna loop is decreased (e.g., to try to fit it within the aforementioned 5 mm-wide space), the parallel loop traces with opposite currents are disposed increasingly closer to each other. This reduced spacing causes cancellation of net current in the loop's generated near-field. This causes a decrease in loop inductance and so-called “Q” value or quality factor (in effect, a measure of the antenna's bandwidth and energy stored in the near field).
Some attempts to work around the foregoing limitations have included for example, increasing the amount of plastic or other dielectric material area in the metal cover, so as to allow for the larger form factor loop. However, one salient drawback of this approach is the decreased metal area, which leads to reduced mechanical strength and a visually less attractive device. Many device manufacturers will simply not tolerate the sacrifice in strength and aesthetics; the NFC antenna must accommodate the design and aesthetic dictated by the host device, and not the inverse.
Another prior art approach includes the use of a slot in the metal back cover of the device to excite image currents in the metal cover. However, this approach also produces less-than-optimal results, particularly with respect to producing a low inductance and Q-value, and hence poor antenna performance.
Accordingly, there is a salient need for a short-range antenna solution for use with, for example, a portable radio device having a small form factor metal body and/or external metallic surface that provides for the desired level of antenna performance, yet which is also compatible with the spatial and other constraints imposed by the use of a metallic cover.
The present disclosure satisfies the foregoing needs by providing, inter alia, a space-efficient short-range antenna apparatus for use within various configurations (including e.g., a metal housing), and methods of tuning and use thereof.
In a first aspect, a short-range antenna apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna apparatus includes: at least one antenna loop, the at least one loop comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to operate as a radiating portion, and the second portion is configured to operate as an impedance matching portion.
In one variant, the at least one antenna loop is configured to operate as a near-filed antenna for very short-range communications.
In another variant, the at least one antenna loop is configured to operate at a frequency between 13 MHz and 14 MHz (e.g., 13.56 MHz), and is compliant with an EMVCo standard when operated at that frequency.
In a further variant, the second portion is disposed proximate at least one shield element, the at least one shield element configured to shield at least the second portion from one or more metallic components proximate the antenna loop.
In another aspect, a wireless enabled mobile device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes: a short-range radio frequency antenna comprising at least one loop, the at least one loop comprising a first radiating portion and a second portion, the second portion disposed proximate one or more metallic components in the device; and at least one shielding element disposed proximate the one or more metallic components and configured to shield at least a portion of the second portion from the one or more metallic components.
In one variant, the second portion provides at least an impedance matching function for the short-range antenna.
In another variant, the short-range radio frequency antenna is disposed on a substrate, the at least one shielding element comprises two shielding elements, and at least a portion of the substrate and the second portion are disposed substantially between the two shielding elements.
In a further variant, the at least one shielding element allows the short-range antenna to be larger than it would be otherwise with no shielding element.
In another variant, the at least one shielding element allows the short-range antenna to have an increased effective or electrical size.
In yet another variant, the device further includes: a display element; and a printed circuit board. The short-range antenna comprises a substrate, the at least one loop formed on or in the substrate, the at least one shielding element comprises two shielding elements, and at least a portion of the substrate is disposed between the two shielding elements, and at least a portion of each of the two shielding elements is disposed between the display element and the circuit board.
In another aspect, a short-range antenna assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the assembly includes: a short-range radio frequency antenna comprising at least one loop, the at least one loop comprising a first radiating portion and a second portion, the at least one loop disposed on a substrate; and two or more shielding elements disposed proximate the second portion and configured to shield at least a portion of the second portion from one or more metallic components of a host device.
In one variant, the two or more shielding elements comprise ferrite shielding elements.
In another variant, the substrate comprises a substantially flexible substrate, the substrate shaped such that the first radiating portion of the at least one loop is disposed at an angle relative to the second portion.
In yet another aspect, a method of configuring an antenna is disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna is for use in a constrained space so that it operates as an electrically larger antenna than allowed by said space, and the method comprises extending at least one loop of the antenna outside of the space and proximate at least one host device component and shield element, thereby creating a radiating portion within the space, and a non-radiating portion outside the space.
In one variant, the near-field antenna, when configured according to the method, is capable of utilizing a metal-free region of a host device that is smaller than a size of the at least one conductive loop.
In another variant, the method further includes shielding the second portion from the one or more components of the host device so as to facilitate the impedance matching.
In yet another aspect, a wireless device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes: an at least partly metallic case or housing; a near-field wireless transceiver; at least one shielding element; and a near field antenna disposed proximate the case or housing, the near field antenna comprising a first radiating portion disposed proximate a metal-free region of the case or housing, and a second portion disposed proximate to both the at least one shielding element and a metallic portion of the case or housing. In one variant, the at least one shielding element shields the second portion from the metallic portion, such that only the first radiating portion radiates electromagnetic energy from the wireless device.
In another aspect, a method of increasing an effective electrical size of a short-range radio frequency antenna in a prescribed available radiating area is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes disposing a first portion of a conductive loop of the antenna within the radiating area, and a second portion of the conductive loop in a non-radiating area, and shielding the second portion from proximate metallic components such that the second portion does not radiate.
In a further aspect, a method of tuning a short range antenna apparatus is disclosed.
In another aspect, a portable communications device comprising the aforementioned antenna apparatus is disclosed.
In a further aspect, a method of operating the aforementioned antenna apparatus is disclosed.
In a further aspect, a method of manufacturing the aforementioned antenna apparatus is disclosed.
Further features of the present disclosure, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.
The features, objectives, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
All Figures disclosed herein are © Copyright 2013 Pulse Finland Oy. All rights reserved.
Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
As used herein, the terms “antenna”, and “antenna assembly” refer without limitation to any system that incorporates a single element, multiple elements, or one or more arrays of elements that receive/transmit and/or propagate one or more frequency bands of electromagnetic radiation. The radiation may be of numerous types, e.g., microwave, millimeter wave, radio frequency, digital modulated, analog, analog/digital encoded, digitally encoded millimeter wave energy, or the like. The energy may be transmitted from location to another location, using, or more repeater links, and one or more locations may be mobile, stationary, or fixed to a location on earth such as a base station.
As used herein, the terms “board” and “substrate” refer generally and without limitation to any substantially planar or curved surface or component upon which other components can be disposed. For example, a substrate may comprise a single or multi-layered printed circuit board (e.g., FR4), a semi-conductive die or wafer, or even a surface of a housing or other device component, and may be substantially rigid or alternatively at least somewhat flexible.
The terms “frequency range”, and “frequency band” refer without limitation to any frequency range for communicating signals. Such signals may be communicated pursuant to one or more standards or wireless air interfaces.
As used herein, the terms “portable device”, “mobile device”, “client device”, and “computing device”, include, but are not limited to, personal computers (PCs) and minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, set-top boxes, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, personal communicators, tablet computers, portable navigation aids, J2ME equipped devices, cellular telephones, smartphones, tablet computers, personal integrated communication or entertainment devices, portable navigation devices, or literally any other device capable of processing data.
Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “radiator,” “radiating plane,” and “radiating element” refer without limitation to an element that can function as part of a system that receives and/or transmits radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation; e.g., an antenna. Hence, an exemplary radiator may receive electromagnetic radiation, transmit electromagnetic radiation, or both.
The terms “feed”, and “RF feed” refer without limitation to any energy conductor and coupling element(s) that can transfer energy, transform impedance, enhance performance characteristics, and conform impedance properties between an incoming/outgoing RF energy signals to that of one or more connective elements, such as for example a radiator.
As used herein, the term “short range” refers without limitation to radio frequency interfaces or technologies adapted for or suitable for use at limited range, including for example and without limitation variants of so-called “near field communication (NFC)” and radio frequency identification (RFID), including the technologies specified by standards such as e.g., ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 18000-3, and EMVCo 2.0 and subsequent.
As used herein, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, and the like merely connote a relative position or geometry of one component to another, and in no way connote an absolute frame of reference or any required orientation. For example, a “top” portion of a component may actually reside below a “bottom” portion when the component is mounted to another device (e.g., to the underside of a PCB).
As used herein, the term “wireless” means any wireless signal, data, communication, or other interface including without limitation Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G (e.g., 3GPP, 3GPP2, and UMTS), HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA, CDMA (e.g., IS-95A, WCDMA, etc.), FHSS, DSSS, GSM, PAN/802.15, WiMAX (802.16), 802.20, narrowband/FDMA, OFDM, PCS/DCS, Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), analog cellular, Zigbee, short range wireless (see above), CDPD, satellite systems such as GPS and GLONASS, and millimeter wave or microwave systems.
Overview
In one salient aspect, the present disclosure provides improved short-range antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning.
In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure utilizes ferrite or comparable shield elements to minimize the effects of the metal casing. Such solution is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications that utilize short-range wireless interfaces (e.g., NFC or RFID) such as smartphones or tablets/phablets, and obviates the disabilities of the prior art relating to either altered metal case geometry, or use of the case as part of the antenna excitation (e.g., placement of slot in the back case).
Advantageously, exemplary embodiments of the antenna of the present disclosure maintain a high degree of electrical performance (i.e., high Q and high inductance), with no sacrifice in aesthetics or dictates on the placement or percentage of the host device case which can be metal. This advantageously permits, for example, maximization of the metal area that can be used on the device back cover, and also for a uniform metal surface (i.e., an unbroken metallic construction and appearance)
Moreover, the foregoing exemplary embodiments provide an antenna which is highly spatially compact, thereby providing the added benefit of increased availability of space within the host device case.
Detailed descriptions of the various embodiments and variants of the apparatus and methods of the disclosure are now provided. While primarily discussed in the context of portable radio devices, such as smartphones or tablets, the various apparatus and methodologies discussed herein are not so limited. In fact, many of the apparatus and methodologies described herein are useful in any number of devices, including both mobile and fixed devices that can benefit from the short-range antenna apparatus and methodologies described herein.
Furthermore, while the embodiments of the antenna apparatus of
Exemplary Antenna Apparatus
Accordingly,
Stated differently, an electrically larger NFC antenna can be implemented to smaller space, and notably at least partially inside metal, PCB or other conducting material(s) that decrease the NFC antenna loop performance. Specifically, the exemplary antenna 200 illustrated in
In the embodiment of
A feed portion or tab 220 is also provided on the antenna 200, so that RF signals can be fed to and received from the antenna during operation by the internal RF transmission/reception circuitry of the host device (not shown). It will be appreciated that while a tab-like configuration is shown for the feed 220, any number of other configurations may be used consistent with the disclosure.
The conductive traces or “loops” of the antenna element 200 can be fabricated using any number of different approaches (or combinations thereof). For example, the antenna may be formed from a sheet of conductive material such as a copper alloy.
Alternatively, an LDS (laser direct structuring) process can be used to form the antenna 200. Recent advances in LDS antenna manufacturing processes have enabled the construction of antennas directly onto an otherwise non-conductive surface (e.g., onto thermoplastic material that is doped with a metal additive). The doped metal additive is subsequently activated by means of a laser. LDS enables the construction of antennas onto more complex three-dimensional (3D) geometries. For example, in various typical smartphones, wristwatch and other mobile device applications, the underlying device housing and/or other components on which the antenna may be disposed, is manufactured using an LDS polymer using standard injection molding processes. A laser is then used to activate areas of the (thermoplastic) material that are then subsequently plated. Typically an electrolytic copper bath followed by successive additive layers such as nickel or gold are then added to complete the construction of the antenna.
Additionally, pad printing, conductive ink printing, FPC, sheet metal, PCB processes may be used consistent with the disclosure. It will be appreciated that various features of the present disclosure are advantageously not tied to any particular manufacturing technology, and hence can be broadly used with any number of the foregoing. While some technologies inherently have limitations on making e.g., 3D-formed radiators, the inventive antenna structure can be formed by using any sort of conductive materials and processes.
However, while the use of LDS is exemplary, other implementations may be used to manufacture the coupled antenna apparatus such as via the use of a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), sheet metal, printed radiators, etc. as noted above. However, the various design considerations above may be chosen consistent with, for example, maintaining a desired small form factor and/or other design requirements and attributes. For example, in one variant, the printing-based methods and apparatus described in co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,993 and entitled “DEPOSITION ANTENNA APPARATUS AND METHODS”, filed Mar. 1, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. Nos. 61/606,320 filed Mar. 2, 2012, 61/609,868 filed Mar. 12, 2012, and 61/750,207 filed Jan. 8, 2013, each of the same title, and each of the foregoing incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, are used for deposition of the antenna radiator on the substrate.
Additionally, while the aforementioned embodiments generally comprise a single short range antenna apparatus disposed within a host device enclosure, it will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, additional antenna elements in addition to, for example, the exemplary antenna apparatus 200 of
Alternate Geometries
It will be appreciated that the reduced “footprint” and dimensions of the exemplary short-range antenna as described herein advantageously allows for positioning (or deposition) of the antenna on any number of locations where previously not possible (and/or in other geometries), in addition to or in place of those described with respect to
In yet another embodiment (not shown), the antenna can be disposed on one or more edges of a PCB. For instance, the radiating portion of the antenna element can occupy most or all of the free space around the perimeter of the PCB (including the planar top/bottom surfaces, and even feasibly the vertical edge area provided by the side of the PCB).
In yet another variant, the antenna is disposed on an edge of another component within the host apparatus, such as e.g., a Lithium Ion or Nickel Cadmium battery. The antenna can be made fixed or removable from the battery (such as via use of an adhesive or other fastening mechanism such as Velcro™), or alternatively can be permanent on the battery, and even included with the battery when manufactured and sold (e.g., as part of a replacement battery, wherein the user or technician swaps out the battery and antenna simultaneously, and makes up the feed to the new antenna simultaneously when electrically connecting the new battery).
Exemplary Performance Data
Referring now to
Table 1 below summarizes the exemplary test data discussed above.
It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the present disclosure are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the disclosure, and may be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the disclosure disclosed and claimed herein.
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the antenna apparatus as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the fundamental principles of the antenna apparatus. The foregoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the present disclosure. This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the claims.
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