Antenna system coupled to an external device
An antenna system is integrated into a cover or accessory and adapted to couple to an antenna in a host device to improve transmission and reception of signals. The antenna system can be passive or active, with the active antenna system designed to amplify coupled signals on the integrated antenna elements in the cover or accessory. Single or multiple frequency bands can be improved with the integrated antenna system, and multiple antennas in the host device can be coupled to and improved. The antenna system can couple to the existing antennas in the host device by capacitive coupling, i.e. no physical contact required, or a connector can be designed into the cover or accessory containing the integrated antenna system that makes contact to electrical ground of the host device or power supply signals or other control signals.
1. A cover accessory for use with a wireless communication device having a housing portion, the wireless communication device comprising one or more antenna radiating structures disposed within the housing of the wireless communication device, the cover accessory comprising:
a body that is removably attachable to the housing of the wireless communication device comprising a non-conductive article adapted to attach to, and conform to about, at least half of the wireless communication device;
a conductive element embedded within the body;
at least one active component embedded within the body; and
a connector at least partially embedded within the body, wherein the connector provides supply power and control signals to the at least one active component;
wherein the active component is coupled to the conductive element, wherein the active component comprises a switch, variable capacitor, or diode, wherein the active component is configured to actively and dynamically tune a signal of the one or more antenna radiating structures disposed within the housing of the wireless communication device via the conductive element.
2. The cover accessory of claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured to be connected to the wireless communication device upon attaching the cover accessory to the housing of the wireless communication device.
3. The cover accessory of claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises a plurality of conductive elements.
4. The cover accessory of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of conductive elements is configured to be positioned at a first location relative to a first antenna radiating structure of the one or more antenna radiating structures within the housing of the wireless electronic device.
5. The cover accessory of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of conductive elements is configured to be positioned at a second location relative to a second antenna radiating structure of the one or more antenna radiating structures within the housing of the wireless electronic device.
6. The cover accessory of claim 5 , wherein the first location is closer to the first radiating structure relative to the second location.
7. The cover accessory of claim 6 , wherein the second location is closer to the second radiating structure relative to the first location.
8. The cover accessory of claim 3 , wherein the at least one active component comprises a first active component coupled to a first conductive element of the plurality of conductive elements and a second active component coupled to a second conductive element of the plurality of conductive elements.
9. The cover accessory of claim 8 , wherein the first active component comprises a switch, variable capacitor, or diode and the second active component comprises a switch, variable capacitor, or diode.
10. The cover accessory of claim 3 , wherein the first antenna radiating structure is configured to operate at a different frequency band relative to the second antenna radiating structure.
11. The cover accessory of claim 3 , wherein the first antenna radiating structure is configured to operate in a cellular band.