Antenna systems for wireless devices

1. A wireless communication device comprising:

a plurality of heat transfer fins that project outwardly from the wireless communication device, that receive heat produced by electric components of the wireless communication device, and that transfer heat to air passing the heat transfer fins;

a first antenna that is disposed at least partially within a first recess formed in a first exterior surface of a first one of the heat transfer fins and that contacts at least a portion of the first recess;

a second antenna that is disposed at least partially within a second recess formed in a second exterior surface of a second one of the heat transfer fins and that contacts at least a portion of the second recess;

a wireless transmitter that applies first signals to the first antenna to wirelessly transmit signals via the first antenna; and

a wireless receiver that receives second signals generated by the second antenna.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising:

a third antenna that is disposed at least partially within a third recess formed in a third exterior surface of a third one of the heat transfer fins and that contacts at least a portion of the third recess; and

a fourth antenna that is disposed at least partially within a fourth recess formed in a fourth exterior surface of a fourth one of the heat transfer fins and that contacts at least a portion of the fourth recess,

wherein:

the wireless transmitter applies third signals to the third antenna; and

the wireless receiver receives fourth signals generated by the fourth antenna.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 2 further comprising:

a fifth antenna that is disposed at least partially within a fifth recess formed in a fifth exterior surface of a fifth one of the heat transfer fins and that contacts at least a portion of the fifth recess; and

a sixth antenna that is disposed at least partially within a sixth recess formed in a sixth exterior surface of a sixth one of the heat transfer fins and that contacts at least a portion of the sixth recess,

wherein:

the wireless transmitter applies fifth signals to the fifth antenna; and

the wireless receiver receives sixth signals generated by the sixth antenna.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1 wherein:

the heat transfer fins consist of electrically insulative material;

the first antenna directly contacts at least the portion of the first recess; and

the second antenna directly contacts at least the portion of the second recess.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 1 wherein:

the heat transfer fins include an electrically conductive material; and

the wireless communication device further comprises an electrical isolator that electrically isolates the first antenna from the first one of the heat transfer fins.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 5 wherein the electrical isolator directly contacts both the first one of the heat transfer fins and the first antenna.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 5 wherein the electrical isolator is disposed upon an exterior surface of the first antenna.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 5 wherein the electrical isolator is disposed upon the first recess that receives the first antenna.

9. The wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first electrical connector that is electrically connected to the wireless transmitter and that is disposed within the first recess,

wherein the first antenna includes a second electrical connector that mates with the first electrical connector to form an electrical connection between the first antenna and the wireless transmitter.

10. The wireless communication device of claim 9 further comprising:

a third electrical connector that is electrically connected to the wireless receiver and that is disposed within the second recess,

wherein the second antenna includes a fourth electrical connector that mates with the third electrical connector to form an electrical connection between the second antenna and the wireless receiver.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 1 wherein first and second antennas are retained within the first and second recesses, respectively, via interference fits.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising a first adhesive that adheres the first antenna to the first recess and a second adhesive that adheres the second antenna to the second recess.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising an electronic circuit including:

the wireless transmitter;

the wireless receiver; and

a receiver device that receives audio/visual (A/V) signals from a satellite via a satellite antenna and that outputs A/V signals to a display.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 13 wherein the receiver device outputs the A/V signals to the display via a wired connection between the receiver device and the display.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 13 wherein:

the wireless communication device further comprises a computer readable medium; and

the electronic circuit further comprises a digital video recorder that stores A/V data in the computer readable medium.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 13 wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a network gateway that is connected to a computer network by wire and that communicates over the computer network using an Internet Protocol (IP) communication standard.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter generates the first signals according to an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 1 wherein:

a first outer surface of the first antenna is flush with the first exterior surface of the first one of the heat transfer fins; and

a second outer surface of the second antenna is flush with the second exterior surface of the second one of the heat transfer fins.