Antenna assemblies
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of antenna assemblies configured for reception of television signals, such as high definition television (HDTV) signals. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna assembly generally includes a VHF antenna element and a UHF antenna element. The VHF antenna element and the UHF antenna element may be parasitically coupled without a direct ohmic connection between the VHF antenna element and the UHF antenna element. The antenna assembly may be configured to be operable for receiving VHF and UHF high definition television signals without using a diplexer and a VHF balun.
1. An antenna assembly configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals, the antenna assembly comprising:
a first antenna element; and
a second antenna element;
wherein the second antenna element comprises a curved portion having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of a curved portion of the first antenna element that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the second antenna element; and
wherein:
the antenna assembly further comprises a printed circuit board having one or more fastener holes;
the first antenna element includes one or more fastener holes; and
the printed circuit board is attached to the first antenna element by one or more mechanical fasteners inserted through the one or more fastener holes of the printed circuit board that are aligned with the one or more fastener holes of the first antenna element.
2. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first antenna element comprises a UHF antenna element; and
the second antenna element comprises a VHF antenna element.
3. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the curved portion of the first antenna element overlaps in front of the curved portion of the second antenna element.
4. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the curved portion of the first antenna element overlaps in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element.
5. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna element and the second antenna element are parasitically coupled without a direct ohmic connection between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.
6. An antenna assembly configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals, the antenna assembly comprising:
a first antenna element; and
a second antenna element;
wherein the second antenna element comprises a curved portion having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of a curved portion of the first antenna element that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the second antenna element;
wherein the antenna assembly is configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals without using a diplexer and a VHF balun.
7. An antenna assembly configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals, the antenna assembly comprising:
a first antenna element; and
a second antenna element;
wherein the second antenna element comprises a curved portion having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of a curved portion of the first antenna element that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the second antenna element;
wherein the first antenna element and the second antenna element are parasitically coupled without a direct ohmic connection between the first antenna element and the second antenna element, whereby the antenna assembly is configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals without using a diplexer and a VHF balun.
8. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein a plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the first antenna element, such that the second antenna element is not coplanar with the first antenna element.
9. The antenna assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from the plane including the first antenna element by a distance within a range from about 15 millimeters to about 45 millimeters.
10. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first antenna element is configured to be operable for receiving at least UHF high definition television signals from about 470 megahertz to about 698 megahertz; and
the second antenna element is configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF high definition television signals from about 174 megahertz to about 216 megahertz.
11. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second antenna element comprises first and second extensions extending outwardly relative to the curved portion of the second antenna element.
12. The antenna assembly of claim 11 , wherein the second antenna element comprises a dipole including the curved portion and the first and second extensions that extend linearly in opposite directions from respective first and second end portions of the curved portion of the dipole.
13. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first antenna element includes at least two antenna elements;
each of the at least two antenna elements includes one or more fastener holes; and
the printed circuit board is attached to the at least two antenna elements by one or more mechanical fasteners inserted through the one or more fastener holes of the printed circuit board that are aligned with the one or more fastener holes of the at least two antenna elements.
14. The antenna assembly of claim 13 , wherein each of the at least two antenna elements of the first antenna element includes non-circular inner and outer perimeter portions and a non-circular opening defined by the non-circular inner perimeter portion.
15. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna element comprises at least one tapered and/or loop antenna element having the curved portion that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the second antenna element.
16. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna element comprises at least two antenna elements defining a generally circular or non-circular figure eight configuration.
17. The antenna assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
the antenna assembly further comprises a printed circuit board having one or more fastener holes;
the first antenna element includes one or more fastener holes; and
the printed circuit board is attached to the first antenna element by one or more mechanical fasteners inserted through the one or more fastener holes of the printed circuit board that are aligned with the one or more fastener holes of the first antenna element.
18. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna element comprises at least one antenna element including non-circular inner and outer perimeter portions and a non-circular opening defined by the non-circular inner perimeter portion.
19. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the antenna assembly includes a single feed point on the first antenna element; and
the antenna assembly includes a 75:300 ohm broadband balun.
20. An antenna assembly comprising:
a UHF antenna element; and
a VHF antenna element;
wherein a plane including the VHF antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the UHF antenna element, such that the VHF antenna element is not coplanar with the UHF antenna element; and
wherein the plane including the VHF antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from the plane including the UHF antenna element by a distance within a range from about 15 millimeters to about 45 millimeters.
21. The antenna assembly of claim 20 , wherein:
the UHF antenna element is configured to be operable for receiving at least UHF high definition television signals from about 470 megahertz to about 698 megahertz; and
the VHF antenna element is configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF high definition television signals from about 174 megahertz to about 216 megahertz.
22. An antenna assembly comprising:
a UHF antenna element; and
a VHF antenna element;
wherein:
a plane including the VHF antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the UHF antenna element, such that the VHF antenna element is not coplanar with the UHF antenna element;
the antenna assembly further comprises a printed circuit board having one or more fastener holes;
the UHF antenna element includes one or more fastener holes; and
the printed circuit board is attached to the UHF antenna element by one or more mechanical fasteners inserted through the one or more fastener holes of the printed circuit board that are aligned with the one or more fastener holes of the UHF antenna element.
23. An antenna assembly comprising:
a UHF antenna element; and
a VHF antenna element;
wherein:
a plane including the VHF antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the UHF antenna element, such that the VHF antenna element is not coplanar with the UHF antenna element;
the UHF antenna element includes at least two antenna elements;
the antenna assembly further comprises a printed circuit board having one or more fastener holes;
each of the at least two antenna elements includes one or more fastener holes; and
the printed circuit board is attached to the at least two antenna elements by one or more mechanical fasteners inserted through the one or more fastener holes of the printed circuit board that are aligned with the one or more fastener holes of the at least two antenna elements.
24. The antenna assembly of claim 23 , wherein each of the at least two antenna elements of the UHF antenna element includes non-circular inner and outer perimeter portions and a non-circular opening defined by the non-circular inner perimeter portion.
25. The antenna assembly of claim 20 , wherein:
the VHF antenna element comprises a curved portion having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of a curved portion of the UHF antenna element that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the VHF antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the VHF antenna element; and
the UHF antenna element comprises at least one tapered and/or loop antenna element having the curved portion that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the VHF antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the VHF antenna element.
26. The antenna assembly of claim 25 , wherein the VHF antenna element comprises first and second extensions extending outwardly relative to the curved portion of the VHF antenna element.
27. The antenna assembly of claim 26 , wherein the VHF antenna element comprises a VHF dipole including the curved portion and the first and second extensions that extend linearly in opposite directions from respective first and second end portions of the curved portion of the VHF dipole.
28. The antenna assembly of claim 20 , wherein the UHF antenna element comprises at least two antenna elements defining a generally circular or non-circular figure eight configuration.
29. The antenna assembly of claim 22 , wherein the plane including the VHF antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from the plane including the UHF antenna element by a distance within a range from about 15 millimeters to about 45 millimeters.
30. The antenna assembly of claim 20 , wherein the UHF antenna element comprises at least one antenna element including non-circular inner and outer perimeter portions and a non-circular opening defined by the non-circular inner perimeter portion.
31. The antenna assembly of claim 20 , wherein:
the antenna assembly includes a single feed point on the UHF antenna element; and
the antenna assembly includes a 75:300 ohm broadband balun.
32. An antenna assembly configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals, the antenna assembly comprising:
a first antenna element; and
a second antenna element;
wherein a plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the first antenna element, such that the second antenna element is not coplanar with the first antenna element; and
wherein the plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from the plane including the first antenna element by a distance within a range from about 15 millimeters to about 45 millimeters.
33. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein:
the first antenna element comprises a UHF antenna element; and
the second antenna element comprises a VHF antenna element.
34. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein:
the first antenna element is configured to be operable for receiving at least UHF high definition television signals from about 470 megahertz to about 698 megahertz; and
the second antenna element is configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF high definition television signals from about 174 megahertz to about 216 megahertz.
35. An antenna assembly configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals, the antenna assembly comprising:
a first antenna element; and
a second antenna element;
wherein a plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the first antenna element, such that the second antenna element is not coplanar with the first antenna element; and
wherein the antenna assembly is configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals without using a diplexer and a VHF balun.
36. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein the first antenna element and the second antenna element are parasitically coupled without a direct ohmic connection between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.
37. An antenna assembly configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals, the antenna assembly comprising:
a first antenna element; and
a second antenna element;
wherein:
a plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the first antenna element, such that the second antenna element is not coplanar with the first antenna element;
the antenna assembly further comprises a printed circuit board having one or more fastener holes;
the first antenna element includes one or more fastener holes; and
the printed circuit board is attached to the first antenna element by one or more mechanical fasteners inserted through the one or more fastener holes of the printed circuit board that are aligned with the one or more fastener holes of the first antenna element.
38. An antenna assembly configured to be operable for receiving at least VHF and UHF high definition television signals, the antenna assembly comprising:
a first antenna element; and
a second antenna element;
wherein:
a plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from a plane including the first antenna element, such that the second antenna element is not coplanar with the first antenna element;
the first antenna element includes at least two antenna elements;
the antenna assembly further comprises a printed circuit board having one or more fastener holes;
each of the at least two antenna elements includes one or more fastener holes; and
the printed circuit board is attached to the at least two antenna elements by one or more mechanical fasteners inserted through the one or more fastener holes of the printed circuit board that are aligned with the one or more fastener holes of the at least two antenna elements.
39. The antenna assembly of claim 38 , wherein each of the at least two antenna elements of the first antenna element includes non-circular inner and outer perimeter portions and a non-circular opening defined by the non-circular inner perimeter portion.
40. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein:
the second antenna element comprises a curved portion having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of a curved portion of the first antenna element that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the second antenna element; and
the first antenna element comprises at least one tapered and/or loop antenna element having the curved portion that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the second antenna element.
41. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein:
the second antenna element comprises a curved portion having a curvature substantially matching a curvature of a curved portion of the first antenna element that overlaps in front or in back of the curved portion of the second antenna element and that is alongside the curved portion of the second antenna element; and
the second antenna element comprises first and second extensions extending outwardly relative to the curved portion of the second antenna element.
42. The antenna assembly of claim 41 , wherein the second antenna element comprises a dipole including the curved portion and the first and second extensions that extend linearly in opposite directions from respective first and second end portions of the curved portion of the dipole.
43. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein the first antenna element comprises at least two antenna elements defining a generally circular or non-circular figure eight configuration.
44. The antenna assembly of claim 37 , wherein the plane including the second antenna element is spaced apart from and separated in the z-direction from the plane including the first antenna element by a distance within a range from about 15 millimeters to about 45 millimeters.
45. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein the first antenna element comprises at least one antenna element including non-circular inner and outer perimeter portions and a non-circular opening defined by the non-circular inner perimeter portion.
46. The antenna assembly of claim 32 , wherein:
the antenna assembly includes a single feed point on the first antenna element; and
the antenna assembly includes a 75:300 ohm broadband balun.