FOLDED DIPOLE ANTENNA
A folded dipole antenna that transmits and receives radio frequency waves (RF) waves has two radiating strips that form a dipole. A metallic radiating element is located between the two radiating strips, facilitating an increase in the gain of the antenna. The folded dipole antenna may be used in a wireless communication device.
1 . A folded dipole antenna for at least one of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) waves, the folded dipole antenna comprising:
a first radiating strip;
a second radiating strip, wherein the second radiating strip is separated from the first radiating strip by a predetermined distance, wherein the first radiating strip and the second radiating strip form a dipole; and
a metallic radiating element located between the first radiating strip and the second radiating strip.
2 . The folded dipole antenna of claim 1 , wherein the metallic radiating element is generally U-shaped.
3 . The folded dipole antenna of claim 1 , wherein a combined length of the first radiating strip and the second radiating strip is equal to about one-fourth of the wavelength of the RF waves.
4 . The folded dipole antenna of claim 1 , wherein the folded dipole antenna is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA).
5 . The folded dipole antenna of claim 1 , further comprising a ground plane connected to the first and second strips that is parallel to a plane of the first radiating strip, the second radiating strip and the metallic radiating element.
6 . The folded dipole antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first radiating strip, the second radiating strip, the metallic radiating element and the ground plane are formed on a printed circuit board.
7 . The folded dipole antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first and second radiating strips are mirror images of each other.
8 . A wireless communication device, comprising:
a transmitting folded dipole antenna, the transmitting folded dipole antenna comprising:
a first radiating strip;
a second radiating strip that is separated from the first radiating strip by a predetermined distance, wherein the first radiating strip and the second radiating strip form a first dipole; and
a first metallic radiating element located between the first radiating strip and the second radiating strip;
a receiving folded dipole antenna, the receiving folded dipole antenna comprising:
a third radiating strip;
a fourth radiating strip separated from the third radiating strip by a predetermined distance, wherein the third radiating strip and the fourth radiating strip form a second dipole; and
a second metallic radiating element located between the third radiating strip and the fourth radiating strip; and
a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) connected to the transmitting folded dipole antenna and the receiving folded dipole antenna.
9 . The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein the first and second metallic radiating elements are generally U-shaped.
10 . The folded dipole antenna of claim 8 , wherein the first and second radiating strips are mirror images of each other, and the third and fourth radiating strips are mirror images of each other.
11 . The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein the transmitting folded dipole antenna and the receiving folded dipole antenna are laid out in a stacked structure on a printed circuit board.
12 . The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein the transmitting folded dipole antenna is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA).
13 . The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein the receiving folded dipole antenna is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA).