Compact radio frequency transmitting and receiving antenna and control

Abstract

A radio frequency antenna for use with a wall mounted transmitter and/or receiver for receiving and/or transmitting signals adapted to control a control device and/or indicate status of the control device. The antenna includes an insulating substrate sized to fit within an area defined by a faceplate sized to cover an outwardly facing opening of an electrical wallbox. Conductors are disposed on both sides of the substrate forming a capacitive component. At least one of the conductors is adapted to radiate radio frequency energy into the environment. The one conductor is electrically coupled to the other conductor, and the one conductor has a pattern such that the conductor is absent in areas so as to provide the antenna with an inductive component. The at least one conductor further provides a connection to the transmitter and/or receiver. The antenna provides an antenna near-field which is substantially at the edges of the substrate and which provides insubstantial electromagnetic field coupling to an electronic circuit disposed adjacent the antenna connected to the antenna and further provides a radiated field substantially isotropic in the antenna far-field.