ULTRABREITBANDANTENNE

Abstract

An ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna includes: a planar portion disposed above and parallel to a ground plane; a ground connection portion configured to electrically connect the UWB antenna to the ground plane; a tapered portion configured to be electrically connected to a feed, wherein the tapered portion extends at least 40 percent of a circumference of the planar portion and extends from the planar portion toward the ground plane, wherein a height of the tapered portion decreases around the circumference of the planar portion upon movement away from the feed, and wherein a lower edge of the tapered portion is spaced from the ground plane by a gap; and a circuit board including one or more circuit components and configured to electrically connect: the feed to the tapered portion;and the one or more circuit components to the ground plane.;

Description

INITIATIONThe present invention relates to antennas and more particularly to an ultra-wideband antenna according to the preamble of claim 1, as substantially known from DE 10 2022 111 245 A1 in the art.Vehicles use telematics systems to support wireless telecommunication and data processing. Examples include cellular communication, global positioning system (GPS) navigation, integrated hands-free devices for mobile phones, wireless security communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, autonomous driving systems, etc.Telematics systems transmit and receive data while the vehicle is travelling on the road. To promote wireless connectivity, the vehicles include one or more antennas connected to telematics system transmitters and / or receivers. Examples of the antennas that can be used include mast antennas and shark fin antennas. Different subsystems in the telematics systems transmit and receive on multiple different frequency bands. Ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas can be a good candidate for cellular applications.Manufacturers are attempting to provide low cost fuel efficient vehicles with attractive design. Some antenna designs are typically undesirable from a design standpoint. The shark fin antenna may be disposed on, for example, the roof of the vehicle above a center of the rear window or on the rear deck lid. As can be seen, locating the shark fin antenna at these locations affects the exterior design of the vehicle. These types of antennas typically have a height that is about one-fourth of a wavelength at the lowest desired operating frequency.SUMMARYAccording to the invention, an ultra-wideband antenna (UWB) is presented, which is distinguished by the features of claim 1.In further features, the one or more circuit components form a matching network configured to electrically connect the feed to the tapered portion.According to further features, the printed circuit board is arranged between the lower edge of the conically tapering section and the ground plane.In further features, the circuit board includes one or more vias that extend through the circuit board and that electrically connect the one or more circuit components to the ground plane.According to further features, a plane of the circuit board is arranged parallel to the ground plane.In further features, a material is disposed within a portion of the opening that is not occupied by the extension portion of the circuit board.In further features, the circuit board includes a first surface and a second surface, the second surface configured to face the ground plane, wherein air is disposed between the second surface of the circuit board and the ground plane.In further features, the one or more circuit components are disposed on the second surface of the circuit board.In further features, one or more spacers are configured to maintain a distance between the circuit board and the ground plane.According to further features, a plane of the circuit board is perpendicular to the planar portion and the ground plane.In further features, one or more electrically conductive vias extend through the circuit board and electrically connect one or more of the one or more circuit components to the tapered portion.According to further features, a lower edge of the circuit board has a distance from the ground plane that is greater than zero.In further features, the circuit board includes an electrical conductor that electrically connects the one or more circuit components or a circuit line to the ground plane of the antenna.In further features, the planar portion, the ground connection portion, and the tapered portion are made of an electrically conductive material.In further features, the height of the tapered portion decreases monotonically as it moves away from the feed.In further features, as the height of the tapered portion decreases, the gap monotonically increases as it moves away from the feed.In further features, an opening is included through the planar portion.In further features, the ground connection portion includes material from within the opening.In further features, a vehicle includes the UWB antenna.Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are provided for illustrative purposes only.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a feed side of an example of an ultra wide band (UWB) antenna disposed over a ground plane according to the present invention; FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating another example of the tapered side portion near the feeding point according to the present invention; FIGS. 2A-2C are perspective views of examples of a back side of the UWB antenna of FIGS. 1A and 1B ; FIGS. 3A-3C are perspective views of an exemplary UWB antenna including a radio frequency (RF) balun; FIGS. 4-10 are perspective views of an exemplary UWB antenna with a rounded RF balun; FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of an example implementation of the matching network; FIGS. 12-20 are perspective views of an exemplary UWB antenna having a rectangular RF balun and non-rounded corners; FIGS. 21-29 are perspective views of exemplary matching networks disposed on a circuit board; FIGS. 25-29 show an exemplary UWB antenna wherein the circuit board extends through an opening in the tapered side portion of the UWB antenna; FIGS. 30-34 are perspective views of an exemplary implementation of a UWB antenna that includes an RF balun; FIGS. 35-37 are perspective views of an exemplary UWB antenna having an RF balun; FIGS. 38-40 show another exemplary orientation of the circuit board and matching network including an RF balun; FIGS. 41-49 are perspective views of an exemplary implementation of a UWB including a rectangular RF balun; and FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an example implementation of a UWB including an RF balun.In the drawings, reference numerals may be reused to identify similar and / or similar elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAn ultra wide band (UWB) antenna according to the present invention has an extremely low profile, enabling the UWB antenna to be installed at various different locations. The extremely low profile allows the UWB antenna to be disposed at less conspicuous locations inside or outside the vehicle. For example, the UWB antenna may be hidden in a cavity in the roof under a non-conductive roof material and above a conductive plane (which may be the same as or different than the ground plane of the antenna), which improves the exterior design of the vehicle. Other example locations for the UWB antenna may be within a spoiler of a vehicle, proximate (e.g., above or below) a rear window of the vehicle, or in an upper or lower portion proximate an edge of the frame. The UWB antennas of the present application described herein include radio frequency (RF) baluns (balanced-to-unbalanced devices) that assist in tuning the UWB antennas.Referring now to FIGS. 1A through 2C, an exemplary UWB antenna 10 is shown. In FIG. 1A, the UWB antenna 10 includes an antenna body 14 disposed over a ground plane 18. Somewhat different from the examples discussed further below, the antenna body 14 includes a planar portion 20 and a tapered side portion 24 extending from a bottom of the planar portion 20 toward the ground plane 18. According to some examples, the planar portion 20 has a rounded rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, or a circular shape.According to some examples, an opening 40 is formed in the planar portion 20 having a shape similar to a shape of the outer edge of the planar portion 20, although other shapes may be used. The opening 40 may have, for example, a rounded rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, or a circular shape.According to some examples, the opening 40 is centered with respect to the planar portion 20 (e.g., vertically and horizontally between opposing sides). If the opening 40 is used, an upper edge of a cylinder 44 is connected to a lower side of the planar portion 20 at the opening 40, while a lower edge of the cylinder 44 is connected to the ground plane 18. According to other examples, the opening 40 may be omitted. If the opening 40 is omitted, an upper portion of the cylinder 44 may be fixed to a lower side of the planar portion 20.According to some examples, the cylinder 44 is a rounded rectangular cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, or a circular cylinder. According to some examples, the cross-sectional shape and size of the cylinder 44 correspond to a shape of the opening 40. the cylinder 44 is connected to the bottom of the planar portion 20 along an edge of the opening 40 or radially outward of the opening 40 to provide electrical continuity between the planar portion 20 and the cylinder 40.According to some examples, the tapered side portion 24 is attached to or near the outer edge of the planar portion 20 while being completely wound around the outer edge of the planar portion 20. According to other examples, the tapered side portion 24 is attached to or near the outer edge of the planar portion 20 while being wrapped around more than or equal to 90% of the edge of the planar portion 20. According to still other examples, the tapered side portion 24 is wound at least 50% of the outer edge of the planar portion (or starting from the antenna feed on the feed side at least 25% at or near the outer edge of the planar portion in both directions).The tapered side portion 24 has a height that varies around the outer edge of the planar portion 20. According to the example of Fig. 1A, the height of the tapered side portion 24 decreases or tapers from a center 30 of the tapered side portion 24 on the feed side shown in Fig. 1A (where the tapered side portion 24 has its highest height) to a location at or near a center 60 of the tapered side portion 24 on the rear side shown in Fig. 2A (where the tapered side portion 24 has its lowest height). In other words, the gap between the lower edge of the tapered side portion 24 and the ground plane 18 varies. A vertical height of the gap increases from the center 30 of the tapered side portion 24 on the feed side shown in FIG. 1A to a location at or near the center 60 of the tapered side portion 24 on the rear side shown in FIG. 2A where the gap has a largest vertical height.According to some examples, the height of the tapered side portion 24 entirely tapers at the center 60, as shown in FIG. 2A. According to other examples, the tapered side portion 24 does not taper completely in the middle, as shown in FIG. 2C. Alternatively, the tapered side portion 24 tapers from a center 30 on the feed side shown in Figure 1, ending before reaching the center 60, as shown in Figure 2B. According to some examples, the height of the tapered side portion 24 decreases monotonically.The antenna body 14 is attached to the ground plane 18 with a gap 28 defined between the center 30 of the feed side tapered side portion 24 and the ground plane 18. According to some examples, an antenna feed 46 extends through an opening 48 formed in the ground plane 18 and is connected to the antenna body 14 at the feed side center 30. For example only, the antenna feed 46 may include an inner conductor of a coaxial cable, and a woven copper shield (not shown) of the coaxial cable may be connected to the ground plane 18. The inner conductor of the coaxial cable may serve as the antenna feed 46 and may be electrically connected to the antenna body 14. While a specific type of antenna feed is shown for illustrative purposes, the antenna may be fed using other antenna feed arrangements. For example, the antenna feed may be located at the feed point parallel to and above the ground plane and connected to the antenna body (and not pass through the ground plane) instead of passing perpendicularly through the ground plane.In Figure 1B, the tapered side portion 24 may optionally taper downwardly adjacent the feed location and then transition to a non-tapered portion 31 at the antenna feed location. According to some examples, a transition between the tapered side portion 24 and the non-tapered portion 31 may be rounded. According to some examples, a lower edge of the non-tapered portion 31 is disposed parallel to the ground plane. According to some examples, the non-tapered portion 31 has a horizontal width in the range of 0.5 mm to 20 mm, although other widths may be used. The horizontal width of the non-tapered portion 31 and the height of the gap 28 may be varied to affect the impedance of the UWB antenna at the antenna feed point.The planar portion 20 lies in a plane that is generally parallel to and spaced above the ground plane 18. A connecting portion 50 is located on a rear side of the antenna body 14 for connecting the planar portion 20 and / or the tapered side portion 24 to the ground plane 18. According to some examples, the connecting portion 50 includes a conductive portion that connects the planar portion 20 to the ground plane 18 but does not extend to the cylinder 44 (FIG. 2A ). According to other examples, the connection portion 50 includes a conductive wall portion having a generally rectangular cross section (in a radial direction of the planar portion 20). If the conductive wall is used, the connecting portion 50 is attached to a bottom of the planar portion 20 near the center 60 of the planar portion 20, extending fully (in FIG. 2B ) or partially (FIG. 2C ) to an outer surface 62 of the cylinder 44.The antenna body 14 may be entirely made of an electrically conductive material such as a metal. Alternatively, one or more portions of the antenna body 14 may include a support surface made of a non-conductive material and a layer of a conductive material attached, deposited, or printed on the non-conductive material.Without wishing to be bound by a theory of operation, the UWB antennas described herein operate as a slot antenna supported with a cavity, with their opposite ends and the cavity wrapped and joined together.Some antenna designs may include a height of the UWB antenna that is at least about a quarter (1 / 4) of the wavelength corresponding to a lowest target operating frequency of the UWB antenna 10. According to some examples, the UWB antennas discussed herein may be designed with a vertical height as low as about 1 / 20 of a wavelength corresponding to the lowest target operating frequency. As used herein, such as 1 / 20 of a wavelength may refer to 4% to 6% of the wavelength corresponding to the lowest desired operating frequency. If the height is of little importance, the UWB antenna 10 may be designed with other vertical heights, such as 1 / 10 of a wavelength corresponding to the lowest target operating frequency, or with other heights. The vertical height may refer to the distance between the ground plane and the vertical top portion of the UWB antenna.The UWB antenna may be designed, for example, for 1.7 GHz applications and have a height of about 8-9 millimeters (mm). According to some examples, the width W and the length L of the UWB antenna are in a range from 0.5 to 5 times the height H of the UWB antenna. According to some examples, the ground plane is wider than L and W, respectively, of the antenna body by first and second predetermined distances. The first and second predetermined distances are the same (symmetric) or different (asymmetric).The UWB antenna 10 has a low profile. The relatively low height of the UWB antenna (e.g., about 1 / 20*wavelength) provides a significant advantage when attempting to locate the UWB antenna in non-noticeable locations to improve the design and visual appearance of the vehicle. The increased height of other antennas makes it more difficult to place them in or on a vehicle without adversely affecting the design of the vehicle or reducing head clearance when it is between the headliner and the roof.For example only, the UWB antenna 10 may be designed for 617 megahertz (617 MHz) applications, and may process a first frequency band from 617 MHz to 960 MHz, a second frequency band from 1.7 gigahertz (GHz) to 2.7 GHz, and a third frequency band from 3.3 GHz to 6 GHz, although other frequency ranges may be used.In the UWB antenna 10 shown in FIGS. 1A to 2C, the UWB antenna 10 is arranged above the ground plane 18. According to this design, the ground plane 18 can operate similar to a mirror and reflect the signals emitted from the UWB antenna 10.FIGS. 3A-3C include perspective views of an example UWB antenna. The UWB antenna of Figures 3A-3C is about half the size (volume) of the UWB antenna discussed above. FIG. 3A is a top perspective side view. FIG. 3B is a side perspective view. FIG. 3C is a top perspective view.The UWB antenna of FIGS. 3A-3C may be about half of the UWB antennas of FIGS. 1A-2C when cut along a line connecting the feed 46 and the connection portion 50.According to the example of Figures 3A-3C, a feed 304 is connected to a first point of the tapered portion 24. The feed 304 is connected to the tapered side portion 24 via a capacitor 308 or other suitable type of filter. The height 312 of the tapered side portion 24 decreases as it moves around the circumference of the UWB antenna. The height 312 may decrease monotonically between the first point and an end point 316 of the tapered side portion 24. According to this example, the tapered side portion 24 extends around three sides of the UWB antenna. As the height of the tapered portion 324 decreases, the gap 314 between the lower edge of the tapered side portion 24 and the ground plane increases.The fourth side of the UWB antenna is planar. A ground connection portion 320 is located on the fourth side along the plane and extends (e.g., perpendicular) from the planar cap portion 20 to the ground plane. The ground connection portion 320 electrically connects the UWB antenna to the ground plane. A planar bottom 324 of the cylindrical portion may also contact the ground plane and electrically connect the UWB antenna to the ground plane.An RF balun 328 is also located on the fourth side along the plane and extends between the planar cap portion 20 and the ground plane. A second connecting portion 332 is also located on the fourth side along the plane and extends (e.g., perpendicular) from the planar cap portion 20 toward or toward the ground plane. The second connection portion 332 may electrically connect the UWB antenna to the ground plane. Air may be present within the RF balun 328. The RF balun 328 provides a high impedance region (balanced line to unbalanced line (balun)). The RF balun 328 helps tune the antenna and match the impedance of the antenna 328 with the impedance of the (cable of) feed 304, which may be, for example, a coaxial cable.The RF balun 328 may be rectangular, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. However, the RF balun may also have another suitable shape, such as circular, ovular, triangular, hexagonal, pentagonal, etc.For example, FIGS. 4-10 include perspective views of an example UWB antenna having a rounded (e.g., circular) RF balun 404. FIG. 4 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna showing the planar cap portion 20. FIG. 5 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna with the planar cap portion 20 removed. FIG. 6 is another perspective side view of the UWB antenna from above with the planar cap portion 20 removed. FIG. 7 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna of FIG. 6, showing the planar cap portion 20. FIG. 8 is a left side perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the UWB antenna.The example of FIGS. 4-10 illustrates the tapered side portion 24 whose height 408 decreases continuously (e.g., monotonically) from (a) where the feed 412 is connected to (b) the ground connection portion 416 around the outer edges of the UWB antenna. The ground connection portion 416 electrically connects the UWB antenna to the ground plane. As the height of the tapered side portion 24 decreases, the gap 418 around the outer edges of the UWB antenna of (a) where the feed 412 is connected to (b) the ground connection portion 416 increases continuously (e.g., monotonically).The UWB antennas discussed herein may be connected to their respective feeds through a matching network 420. The matching network 420 may include, for example, one or more capacitors, one or more inductors, and / or one or more resistors. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of an example implementation of the matching network. A first end 1104 is electrically connected to the feed conductor, such as a coaxial cable.A capacitor 1108 may be connected between the first end 1104 and a first node 1112. An inductor 1116 may be connected between the first node 1112 and a ground potential, such as the ground plane. A capacitor 1120 may be connected between the first node 1112 and a second node 1124. An inductor 1128 may be connected between the second node 1124 and ground potential, such as the ground plane. The second node 1124 is connected to the feed connection point of the UWB antenna.FIGS. 12-20 include perspective views of an exemplary UWB antenna having a rectangular RF balun 1204 and non-rounded corners. A matching network may be included in or omitted from any of the UWB antennas discussed herein. For example, the example UWB antenna of FIGS. 12-20 may not include a matching network.FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the UWB antenna showing the planar cap portion 20. FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 14 is another side perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the UWB antenna of FIG. 6, showing the planar cap portion 20. FIG. 16 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 17 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 18 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna with the planar cap portion 20 (not shown) removed. FIG. 19 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna with the planar cap portion 20 removed. FIG. 20 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna with the planar cap portion 20.The height 1304 of the tapered side portion 24 decreases from (a) where the feed 1308 is connected to (b) the ground connection portion 1312 around the outer edges of the UWB antenna continuously (e.g., monotonically). The ground connection portion 1312 electrically connects the UWB antenna to the ground plane. As the height of the tapered side portion 24 decreases, the gap 1316 increases from (a) where the feed 412 is connected to (b) the ground connection portion 416 to continuously (e.g., monotonically) increase the outer edges of the UWB antenna. The gap here may refer to a distance between a lower edge of the tapered portion 24 and the ground plane. The gap may also be referred to as a slot.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the corners 1604 of the planar cap portion 20 may not be rounded. The corners 1604 may be at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the adjacent sides, such as 1608 and 1612, for example.The planar cap portion 20 may include an opening 1620. According to various implementations, the opening 1620 may have about the same shape as the ground connection portion 1312, wherein an edge of the ground connection portion 1312 may be connected to an edge of the opening 1620, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 17. For example, the grounding portion 1312 may be cut at three edges from the planar cap portion 20 and bent / folded downward to be perpendicular to the planes of the ground plane and the planar cap portion 20. The grounding portion cut from the planar cap portion can reduce the manufacturing complexity of the UWB antenna.According to various implementations, a matching network, if included, may be disposed on a printed circuit board. FIGS. 21-29 include perspective views of example matching networks 2808 disposed on a circuit board 2104. As illustrated in FIGS. 21-24, the circuit board 2104 may be disposed between the lower edges of the UWB antenna and the ground plane and at least partially below the RF balun. According to the example of Figs. 21-24, the RF balun is circular as in the example of Fig. 10.FIG. 21 is a top perspective side view of the UWB antenna and the circuit board 2104. FIG. 22 is a side perspective view of the UWB antenna and the circuit board 2104. FIGS. 23 and 24 are enlarged perspective views of the circuit board 2104 and the matching network 2108. As shown in FIG. 24, vias 2404 may be formed through circuit board 2304 to electrically connect matching network 2108 to the ground plane.However, the circuit board 2104 may be arranged differently with the UWB antenna. For example, Figures 25-29 include a UWB antenna wherein the circuit board 2104 extends through an opening 2504 in the tapered side portion 24. The example of FIGS. 25-29 may reduce the overall height of the UWB antenna and circuit board and reduce manufacturing complexity. As illustrated in FIG. 27, according to this example, the circuit board 2104 includes an extension portion 2704 extending through the opening 50. According to various implementations, a non-electrically conductive material (e.g., a dielectric material such as nylon or plastic) may be disposed within the remainder of the opening 2504 not occupied by the circuit board 2104.According to various implementations, such as in the example of FIG. 21, the circuit board 2104 may be on the ground plane. The feed 2402 extends through the circuit board 2104 as illustrated in FIG. 24 and is connected to 1104.According to various implementations, such as shown in the example of FIG. 26, air may be present between the ground plane 2604 and the circuit board 2104. According to such an implementation, circuit components and electrical conductors may be disposed on the bottom 2608 of the circuit board 2104 between the circuit board 2104 and the ground plane 2604. This may allow for easier electrical connectivity to the electrical components on the circuit board 2104.As illustrated in the example of FIG. 26, one or more electrically non-conductive spacers 2612 (e.g., of nylon, plastic, etc.) may be implemented to maintain the separation between the circuit board 2104 and the ground plane 2604. According to various implementations, the circuit board 2104 may include a conductor on the circuit board 2104 that is electrically connected to the ground plane, wherein the circuit components on the circuit board 2014 may be connected to the conductor. Fig. 38 includes such an example and is discussed further below.As illustrated in Figs. 27-29, the grounding portion 2804 may be cut from the side below the tapered side portion 24 having the smallest height. The grounding portion 2804 according to this example may share a rim 2808 with the portion of the tapered side portion 24 containing the RF balun and be bent / folded inward. This may allow the UWB to be manufactured from a single piece of material (e.g., metal) and reduce manufacturing complexity.FIGS. 30-34 include perspective views of an example implementation of a UWB antenna that includes an RF balun 3004. FIG. 30 is a right side perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 31 is a front side perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 32 is a left side perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 33 is a rear side perspective view of the UWB antenna. FIG. 34 is a front side perspective view of the UWB antenna from above.3008 where the feed is electrically connected to the UWB antenna with or without a matching network. According to the example of Figs. 30-34, the feed side tapered side portion 24 of the UWB antenna extends upward toward the flat cap portion 20 so that a height of the feed side tapered side portion 24 (e.g., monotonously) decreases. On the ground connection side of the UWB antenna opposite to the feed side, the tapered side portion 24 extends downward toward the ground connection portion, so that a height of the tapered side portion 24 on the ground connection side (e.g., monotone) increases. The UWB antenna may also include another ground connection portion 3404 that electrically connects the UWB antenna (the ground side) to the ground plane and that sets the RF balun 3004.FIGS. 35-37 include perspective views of an exemplary UWB antenna having an RF balun 3504. The RF balun 3504 may include a semicircular top above a rectangular bottom. According to this example, the slits 3508 are formed at the corners of the tapered side portion 24. In this manner, the slots 3508 may allow the tapered side portion 24 to be bent / folded into position and the UWB antenna to be formed from a single piece of material, reducing manufacturing complexity.FIGS. 38-40 illustrate another example orientation of the circuit board 2104 and the matching network 2108. According to this example, the vias 2404 are electrically connected to the tapered side portion 24 to feed the UWB antenna.According to various implementations, such as in the example of FIG. 38, the plane of the circuit board 2104 may be parallel to a plane of a portion of the tapered side portion 24. A conductor 3904 may be in contact with and electrically connected to the ground plane. As illustrated, the bottom edge 3908 of the circuit board 2104 may be separated from the ground plane 3912 by air. According to various implementations, the circuit board 2104 may be attached to the tapered side portion 24 of the UWB antenna, such as by fasteners (e.g., screws), using an adhesive (e.g., electrically conductive), by soldering, or in another suitable manner.FIGS. 41-49 include perspective views of an exemplary implementation of a UWB antenna including a rectangular RF balun 4104. The UWB antenna is fed via 4108. One or more slits 4112 are formed between the portions of the flat cap portion 20 and the tapered side portion 24. According to this example, the tapered side portion 24 extends only partially (e.g., about half) around the UWB antenna.The planar cap portion 20 includes an opening 4116 that has approximately the same side and shape as the ground connection portion 4120, similar to the discussion above. The ground connection portion 4120 may include one or more openings 4204 through which the ground connection portion 4120 may be secured (e.g., via fasteners), such as to the ground plane. The UWB antenna 30 may also include one or more other openings 4208 through which the UWB antenna may be secured (e.g., via a fastener), such as to the ground plane. According to various implementations, a tab 4804 may extend from the planar cap portion and be used to hold the tapered side portion 24 in position.The ground connection portion 4120 may be disposed closer to the RF balun 4104 than the end 4124 of the tapered portion 24. A width 4126 of the opening 4116 may be within a predetermined percentage of a total width 428 of the planar cap portion 20 for antenna performance. The predetermined percentage may be 25-60 percent or 30-55 percent, for example. According to various implementations, the total width 4128 may be, for example, 60 millimeters or another suitable width. The width 428 may be measured perpendicular to the lateral sides of the planar cap portion 20.An angle 4220 between a fold line 4224 and an edge 4228 of the planar cap portion 20 may be within a predetermined angular range for antenna performance. The predetermined angular range may be, for example, between 90 and 165 degrees or 145 degrees±15 degrees.The tapered side portion 24 may extend vertically downward toward the ground plane and may be perpendicular or non-perpendicular to the ground plane. The tapered side portions 24 may deviate by ± 3-10 degrees from the perpendicular to the planar cap portion 20 and the ground plane, for example.According to various implementations, the tab 4804 may extend through an opening in the tapered side portion 24. According to various implementations, the tab 4804 may be directly in contact with the outer or inner surface of the tapered portion 24. According to various implementations, the end of the tapered portion 24 may include a rounded edge 4808. As shown in FIG. 50, a slot 5004 may be disposed between the RF balun 4104 and the planar cap portion 20 and between the RF balun and the opening 4116. A second slot 5008 may be disposed on a side of the flat cap portion 20 opposite the slot 5004.The UWB antennas described herein may have an operating frequency range, such as from 617 megahertz (MHz) to 6 gigahertz (GHz), although other frequency ranges may be used. The UWB antenna may be formed of a single piece of material and formed into a three-dimensional (3D) shape. The UWB antenna is made of an electrically conductive material such as aluminum.

Claims

An ultra wide band (UWB) antenna (10) comprising: a planar portion (20) disposed above and parallel to a ground plane (18); and a ground connection portion (50) configured to electrically connect the UWB antenna (10) to the ground plane (18); a tapered portion (24) configured to be electrically connected to a feed (46), wherein the tapered portion (24) extends at least 40 percent of a perimeter of the planar portion (20) and extends from the planar portion (20) toward the ground plane (18), wherein a height of the tapered portion (24) decreases about the perimeter of the planar portion (20) as it moves away from the feed (46), and wherein a lower edge of the tapered portion (24) is spaced from the ground plane (18) by a gap; characterized a printed circuit board (2104) including one or more circuit components and configured to electrically connect: the feed (46) to the tapered portion (24); and the one or more circuit components to the ground plane (18); wherein the tapered portion (24) includes an opening (2504), and the printed circuit board (2104) includes an extension portion (2704) extending through the opening (2504) and resting on an edge of the opening (50).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 1, wherein the one or more circuit components form a matching network (2108) configured to electrically connect the feed (46) to the tapered portion (24).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 1, wherein the circuit board (2104) is disposed between the bottom edge of the tapered portion (24) and the ground plane (18).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 1, wherein the circuit board (2104) includes one or more vias (2404) that extend through the circuit board (2104) and electrically connect the one or more circuit components to the ground plane (18).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 1, wherein a plane of the circuit board (2104) is disposed parallel to the ground plane (18).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 1, further comprising a material disposed in a portion of the opening (2504) that is not occupied by the extension portion (2704) of the circuit board (2104).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 1, wherein the circuit board (2104) includes a first surface and a second surface, the second surface configured to face the ground plane (18), air being disposed between the second surface of the circuit board (2104) and the ground plane (18).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 7, wherein the one or more circuit components are disposed on the second surface of the circuit board (2104).The UWB antenna (10) of claim 8, further comprising one or more spacers (2612) configured to maintain the distance between the circuit board (2104) and the ground plane (18).

Images