Pulse Finland Oy

Filtronic Lk Oy

Lk Products Oy

Heikki Korva

Petteri Annamaa

Kimmo Koskiniemi

Zlatoljub Milosavljevic

Ilkka Heikura

Ari Raappana

Ilkka Niemelä

Petra Ollitervo

Tuomas Jaasko

Antenna apparatus that utilizes a utility line in order to improve performance of the antenna apparatus. In one embodiment, a smart meter that utilizes the aforementioned antenna apparatus is disclosed. The smart meter includes a utility meter housing configured to house a smart metering module, the utility meter housing enclosing: a wireless reporting portion comprising a helical coil radiator, the helical coil radiator being coupled to an RF transmission path, the RF transmission path configured to couple the helical coil radiator to an RF transceiver integrated circuit; an enclosure configured to house the RF transceiver integrated circuit, the enclosure further comprising a distribution portion comprising one or more meter sensing electronics; and a utility line port, the utility line port configured to position a utility line adjacent and parallel with the helical coil radiator.

Antenna apparatus that utilizes a utility line and methods of manufacturing and use

Antenna apparatus and methods of use and tuning. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure is particularly adapted for small form-factor, metal-encased applications such as smartphones or tablets (and 'phablets') utilizing near field communication (NFC) interfaces. The solution increases the effective size of the antenna without requiring any significant additional space or other structural modifications to the host device (such as changes to the device's metal case or size), while still maintaining a high degree of electrical performance (including a high Q factor).

Short-range antenna structure and methods

Wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna with integrated sensor and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, an antenna subsystem and proximity sensing subsystem share a grounded antenna component/parasitic element. The parasitic element can be used to broaden the operating band of the antenna feeding component and provide an input (via a capacitance change) to a proximity sensor. The parasitic element is, in one embodiment, coupled in parallel to the proximity sensor allowing for a reduction in noise due to increased isolation between the antenna subsystem and the sensing subsystem.

Antenna apparatus with an integrated proximity sensor and methods

In-building dual-polarized antenna apparatus components, assemblies, and methods for manufacturing and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the dual-polarized ceiling mount antenna apparatus comprises a multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) device and is constructed to meet one or more aesthetically-related design goals such as e.g., being visually appealing. Specifically, only the horizontally polarized antenna element of the exemplary MIMO apparatus is visible as the remainder of the MIMO antenna apparatus is hidden from view above a ceiling tile. Moreover, the radome of the horizontally polarized antenna element is manufactured from a substantially translucent polymer cover and includes a 'thin' radiating mesh. Resident above the ceiling tile, and normally obscured from view, is a vertically polarized antenna element along with an optional reflector element. Performance characteristics of the MIMO antenna apparatus and methods of manufacturing and using the aforementioned MIMO antenna apparatus are also disclosed.

Broadband omni-directional dual-polarized antenna apparatus and methods of manufacturing and use

An active diversity antenna apparatus and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the active diversity antenna is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone or smartphone), and enables device operation in several low frequency bands (LBs). The exemplary implementation of the active LB diversity antenna comprises a directly fed radiator portion and a grounded (coupled fed) radiator portion. The directly fed portion is fed via a feed element connected to an antenna feed. The coupled fed portion of the LB antenna is grounded, forming a resonating part of the low frequency band. A gap between the two antenna portions is used to adjust antenna Q-value. Resonant frequency tuning is achieved by changing the length of the grounded element. The LB feed element is disposed proximate the feed element of a high band diversity antenna, thus reducing transmission losses and improving diplexer operation.

Switchable diversity antenna apparatus and methods

A multiband slot loop antenna apparatus, and methods of tuning and utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the antenna configuration is used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone or smartphone). The antenna comprises two radiating structures: a ring or loop structure substantially enveloping an outside perimeter of the device enclosure, and a tuning structure disposed inside the enclosure. The ring structure is grounded to the ground plane of the device so as to create a virtual portion and an operating portion. The tuning structure is spaced from the ground plane, and includes a plurality of radiator branches effecting antenna operation in various frequency bands; e.g., at least one lower frequency band and three upper frequency bands. On one implementation, a second lower frequency band radiator is effected using a reactive matched circuit coupled between a device feed and a radiator branch.

Multiband slot loop antenna apparatus and methods

A distributed multiband antenna intended for radio devices, and methods for designing manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) configured to operate in a high-frequency band, and a matched monopole configured to operate in a low-frequency band, are used within a handheld mobile device (e.g., cellular telephone). The two antennas are placed on substantially opposing regions of the portable device. The use of a separate low-frequency antenna element facilitates frequency-specific antenna matching, and therefore improves the overall performance of the multiband antenna. The use of high-band PIFA reduces antenna volume, and enables a smaller device housing structure while also reducing signal losses in the high frequency band. These attributes also advantageously facilitate compliance with specific absorption rate (SAR) tests; e.g., in the immediate proximity of hand and head 'phantoms' as mandated under CTIA regulations. Matching of the low-frequency band monopole antenna is further described.

Distributed multiband antenna and methods

A monopole antenna applicable especially to small mobile stations. In one embodiment, the radiator of the antenna is trough-like in shape so that it covers the head surface, front and rear surfaces and both side surfaces of the dielectric cover of the radio device at an end of the device. On the side of the side surfaces slots are formed in the radiator, starting from its edge, for increasing the electric size. The radiator is fed electromagnetically by a separate element which is shaped so that the antenna has at least two operating bands. The ground plane of the antenna is in one embodiment disposed apart from the radiator, thus not extending inside the 'trough'.

Antenna with cover radiator and methods

An internal dual band antenna meant for small radio devices. In one embodiment, the antenna contains two radiators and a parasite element, which is shared between them. The parasite element is implemented on three sides of the antenna module, which are perpendicular to the side where the two radiators are implemented. The short-circuit conductor of the parasite element extends close to the supply point/points of the antenna on the circuit board of the radio device and is connected to the ground plane of the radio device. The antenna structure is dimensioned such that the two resonance frequencies on both functional bands are at a lower frequency than the resonance frequencies of the actual radiators. Accordingly, both the lower and upper frequency band is widened. The shape of the parasite element does not weaken the adaptation of the antenna in either functional band.

Multi-resonance antenna, antenna module, radio device and methods

A radiating antenna element intended for portable radio devices and methods for designing manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a loop resonator structure for enhanced field (e.g., electric field) is provided, the resonator having an inductive and a capacitive element forming a resonance in a first frequency band. The loop resonator structure is disposed substantially on the ground plane, thereby altering electrical energy distribution. The location of the resonant element is selected to reduce electric field strength proximate to one or more sensitive components, such as a mobile device earpiece, thereby improve hearing aid compliance. Capacitive tuning of the resonator, and the use of multiple resonator structures on the same device, are further described.

Loop resonator apparatus and methods for enhanced field control

A multiband planar antenna intended for small-sized radio devices and a radio device. The basic structure of the antenna is a two-resonance PFA, the radiating plane () of which has a structural part () corresponding to the lowest operating band and a structural part () corresponding to the upper operating band. In addition, a loop resonator () operating as a radiator is formed in the radiating plane. The ground conductor () of the feed line of the loop is at the same time the short-circuit conductor of the PIFA. The second conductor () of the feed line is connected to the opposite end of the loop, and it operates as the feed conductor of the PIFA. At the same time the structural part () of the radiating plane that corresponds to the lowest operating band is located between the loop and the structural part of the PIFA that corresponds to the upper operating band, in order to reduce interference between them. The resonance frequency of the loop radiator is arranged on the upper operating band of the antenna, for example. Thus the loop improves the matching of the antenna on the upper operating band and the matching and efficiency on the lowest operating band as well. This is based on additional inductance caused by the loop conductor () that functions as a part of the feed conductor of the PIFA.

Multiband planar antenna

The invention relates to a cover structure for a portable radio device, which structure also serves the forming of an antenna for the radio device. The cover of the radio device comprises a conductive planar component () and a dielectric planar component () fastened together. A certain part of the dielectric component extends under the conductive component. On the lower surface of that component, i.e. on the inner surface of the cover of the radio device and isolated from the conductive component of the cover, there is a conductive element (), which is dimensioned to function as the feed element of the conductive component of the cover. Then the conductive component of the cover for its part functions as the radiator of the antenna of the radio device. Thus the cover structure of the radio device is utilized with only minor changes to implement such an antenna structure in which the electromagnetically fed radiating element is part of the cover of the radio device. The antenna becomes simple, with stable electric characteristics and using the space of the radio device efficiently.

Cover structure for a radio device

The invention relates to an internal multiband antenna intended for small-sized radio devices, and a radio device with such an antenna. The basic structure of the antenna is a two-band PIFA. A parasitic element () is added to it inside the outline of the radiating plane () of the PIFA, e.g. in the space () between the conductor branches () of the radiating plane. The parasitic element extends close to the feeding point (FP) of the antenna, from which place it is connected to the ground plane of the antenna with its own short-circuit conductor (). The structure is dimensioned so that the resonance frequency based on the parasitic element comes close to the one resonance frequency of the PIFA, thus widening the corresponding operating band, or a separate third operating band is formed for the antenna with the parasitic element. Because the parasitic element is located in the central area of the radiating plane and not in its peripheral area, the radio device user's hand does not significantly impair the matching of the antenna on an operating band which has been formed by the parasitic element. In addition, when the resonance frequency based on the parasitic element is on the upper operating band, the matching of the antenna also improves on the lower operating band.

Internal multiband antenna

An internal multiband antenna and a radio device intended particularly for small-sized radio devices. The antenna has a relatively wide surface radiator (), which is electromagnetically connected to the antenna port of the radio device via a separate feed element (). At least two useful resonances are generated with the aid of the feed element, and at least one inherent resonance of the radiator is also utilized. The radiator has a hole (), by which one useful additional resonance is generated. An oscillation is excited in the hole by placing the feed element close to its edge and by suitably choosing the locations of the feed point (F) and the shorting point (S) of the feed element. The frequency of the hole resonance is finely tuned by varying the capacitance between the hole's edge and the ground plane at a suitable place (). An operating band of the antenna can be widened by means of said additional resonance. If a mobile station has a rear display it is possible at the same time to use its hole as a radiator.

Growing community of inventors

Tupos, Finland

Heikki Korva