Multi-feed Antenna with Integrated Audio Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing antennas for mobile wireless communications devices that provide desired operating characteristics within the limited space available, while also accommodating increasing functionality and convenience, is a challenge.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multi-layer flex antenna assembly with a wrap-around antenna element on a flexible substrate, integrated with an antenna carrier frame that includes a cavity for an audio output transducer, allowing for penta-band operation and efficient use of space, along with a method of positioning the antenna assembly in the lower portion of the device to reduce coupling with other components and enhance sound characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional single-feed antenna is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but it cannot achieve multi-band coverage and requires multiple separate antennas that consume more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single antenna element with multiple feed points that can operate across multiple frequency bands (penta-band: GSM 850/900, DCS 1800, PCS 1900, and UMTS 2100). The antenna structure serves multiple communication functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate antennas for each band, thus achieving multi-band coverage while conserving device space.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is divided into multiple feed points along its structure, with each feed point capable of being independently excited at different frequencies. This segmentation allows the single antenna element to function as multiple resonant structures, enabling multi-band operation without requiring multiple separate antenna elements.
2Ease of operation
If the antenna assembly is positioned in the upper portion of the device, then it is easier to access, but it increases coupling with other components and degrades audio output quality
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is extracted from the traditional upper portion location and repositioned to the lower portion of the device, near the battery compartment. This spatial extraction removes the antenna from the region of harmful electromagnetic coupling with other components, thereby reducing interference while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the device by positioning the antenna assembly in the lower portion near the battery compartment, effectively using the Z-axis spatial arrangement to separate the antenna from other components in the upper portion. This dimensional repositioning reduces electromagnetic coupling and improves audio output quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more components are added to increase device functionality, then the device features are enhanced, but the available space for antennas and audio transducers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna assembly and audio output transducer into a single integrated housing structure. The audio transducer is positioned within the antenna assembly housing, allowing both components to share the same spatial envelope. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated spaces for each component, enabling enhanced device functionality while conserving internal space.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a circuit board carried by the portable housing, a wireless communications circuit carried by the circuit board, and an audio circuit carried by the circuit board. The mobile wireless communications device may further include an antenna assembly including an antenna carrier frame coupled to the circuit board and defining a cavity therein, and an antenna element carried on the antenna carrier frame and having a plurality of spaced apart signal feed points coupled to the wireless communications circuit. In addition, an audio transducer may be carried within the cavity of the antenna carrier frame and coupled to the audio circuit.