Low profile antenna module
An antenna module is described where uniform radiation pattern coverage is provided in the plane of a low profile antenna radiating element. A polarization that is orthogonal to the plane of the low profile antenna radiating element can be achieved for the radiated field. A ground plate aperture is implemented into the antenna ground plate to minimize frequency shift as the antenna is installed on metallic (conductive) and non-metallic (non-conductive) ground planes of varying sizes. This antenna system technique is applicable for use in communication systems such as a local Area network (LAN), cellular communication network, and Machine to Machine (M2M).
1. An antenna module comprising:
a thermoplastic carrier having a channel extending from a first surface to a second surface thereof, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface;
a first conductor disposed on the first surface of the thermoplastic carrier, the first conductor forming a radiating element coupled to a feed conductor, wherein the feed conductor is configured to extend along the channel of the thermoplastic carrier;
a second conductor disposed on the second surface of the thermoplastic carrier, the second conductor forming a ground plate, wherein the first conductor is positioned above the ground plate with at least a portion of the thermoplastic carrier disposed therebetween such that the first conductor is separated from the second conductor by a gap therebetween, wherein the gap is between one and five hundredths of a wavelength of the radiating element:
further characterized in that:
at least a portion of the ground plate is removed to form a ground aperture, wherein at least a portion of the radiating element is at least partially disposed above the ground aperture;
wherein the ground aperture is selected to provide a first frequency response when the ground plate comprises a metallic support structure, and
wherein the ground aperture is further selected to provide the first frequency response when the ground plate comprises a non-metallic support structure.
2. The antenna module of claim 1 , the antenna module configured to couple with a component of a utility meter.
3. The antenna module of claim 1 , further comprising a coaxial cable connector, wherein the feed is coupled to a center pin and the ground plate is coupled to a connector body of the coaxial cable connector.