Methods for reducing near-field radiation and specific absorption rate (SAR) values in communications devices

1. A method, comprising:

introducing a phase offset between signals applied to antenna ports of an antenna structure such that a first signal applied to one of the antenna ports has a different phase than a second signal applied to another one of the antenna ports to provide antenna pattern control and to increase gain in a direction toward a far-field point, wherein the antenna structure comprises a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports, wherein electrical currents flowing in the antenna structure are such that the antenna ports are isolated at a particular signal frequency range; and

operating at a reduced power that is lower than a power used in a non-pattern control operation of the antenna structure such that a first communications device utilizing the antenna structure satisfies an equivalent wireless link performance with a second communications device at the far-field point using the reduced power compared to the non-pattern control operation, thereby reducing near field radiation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting a relative phase between the signals using an electrically controlled phase shift device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting a relative phase between the signals using a phase shift network.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting a relative phase between the signals by controlling a phase of a carrier signal provided at each of the antenna ports.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first communications device is a cellular handset, personal digital assistance, wireless access point, or a data card for a computer.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of antenna elements comprise helical coils, wideband planer shapes, chip antennas, meandered shapes, loops, or inductively shunted forms.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure comprises a planar structure fabricated on a printed circuit board substrate.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure comprises stamped metal part including a pickup feature for use in a pick and place assembly process.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antenna structure comprises a flexible printed circuit mounted on a plastic carrier or on a plastic housing of a device.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second communications device comprises a base station, a mobile terminal, or a router.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting a relative phase between signals fed to antenna ports operatively coupled to neighboring antenna elements to maintain a communications link with equipment at the far-field point.

12. A method, comprising:

introducing a phase offset between signals applied to antenna ports of an antenna structure comprising a plurality of antenna elements, such that a first signal applied to one of the antenna ports operatively coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements has a different phase than a second signal applied to another one of antenna ports operatively coupled to another one of the plurality of antenna elements to provide antenna pattern control and to increase gain in a selected direction toward a far-field point; and

operating at a first power level that is lower than a second power used in a non-pattern control operation of the antenna structure to meet wireless link performance criteria with equipment at the far-field point using reduced power compared to the non-pattern control operation, thereby reducing near field radiation.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting a phase between the signals using an electrically controlled phase shift device.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting the phase between the signals using a phase shift network.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting the phase between the signals by controlling the phase of a carrier signal provided at each of the antenna ports.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the antenna structure is utilized in a communication device, and wherein the communications device is a cellular handset, personal digital assistance, wireless access point, or a data card for computer.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the equipment at the far-field point comprises a base station, a mobile terminal, or a router.

18. A method, comprising:

introducing a phase offset between signals applied to antenna ports of an antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements, such that a first signal applied to one of the antenna ports operatively coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements has a different phase than a second signal applied another one of antenna ports operatively coupled to another one of the plurality of antenna elements to obtain an antenna pattern control; and

using a reduced power that is lower than the power used in a non-pattern control operation of the antenna such that a wireless link performance criteria is met with equipment at a far-field point using the reduced power compared to the non-pattern control operation, thereby reducing near field radiation.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the equipment at the far-field point comprises a base station, a mobile terminal, or a router.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the introducing of the phase offset between the signals comprises adjusting the phase between the signals using a device that controls phase.