Multiple band antenna structures
Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
1. An electronic device, comprising:
a device housing;
a display module positioned at an opening of the housing;
a power source contained within the housing;
a first radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter or receiver;
a second RF signal transmitter or receiver;
a conductive ring positioned about the housing, the conductive ring separated into a plurality of metal elements by a set of non-conductive spacers of the device housing, the plurality of metal elements comprising at least a first metal element and a second metal element; and
antenna matching circuitry coupling the first metal element to the first RF signal transmitter or receiver and the second metal element to the second RF signal transmitter or receiver, wherein electromagnetic fields induce the first and second metal elements to transmit or receive RF signals over respective frequency bands.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) positioned within the device housing and containing the antenna matching circuitry for each of the metal elements.
3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of metal elements includes at least two elements selected from a group comprising: a first metal element configured to transmit or receive at least one of BLUETOOTH and Wi-Fi communications, a second metal element configured to transmit or receive Long-Term Evolution (LTE) low band communications, a third metal element configured to transmit or receive global positioning system (GPS) communications, and a fourth metal element configured to transmit or receive LTE high band communications.
4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the conductive ring is configured to regulate a directivity of the GPS communications to manage UHIS (Upper Hemisphere Isotropic Sensitivity) and PIGS (Partial Isotropic GPS Sensitivity).
5. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a display module positioned proximate a top surface of the device housing, the conductive ring positioned near the top surface of the device housing and around the display module.
6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the non- conductive spacers are nano-molded into the device housing and form four monopole antennas from the conductive ring.
7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of metal elements is configured to also function as an ECG electrode for the electronic device.
8. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the device housing is formed of a plastic or polymer, and wherein the conductive ring is formed of conductive metal or aluminum.
9. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the antenna matching circuitry further includes a set of filters for isolating the metal elements of the conductive ring.
10. An electronic device, comprising:
a device housing;
a first radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter or receiver;
a second RF signal transmitter or receiver;
a multi-element conductor positioned proximate a periphery of the device housing, the multi-element conductor comprising at least a first metal element and a second metal element; and
antenna matching circuitry coupling the first metal element to the first RF signal transmitter or receiver and the second metal element to the second RF signal transmitter or receiver, wherein electromagnetic fields induce the first and second metal elements to function as antennas enabled to transmit or receive RF signals over respective frequency bands.
11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the conductor elements include at least two elements selected from a group comprising: a first conductor element configured to transmit or receive at least one of BLUETOOTH and Wi-Fi communications, a second conductor element configured to transmit or receive Long-Term Evolution (LTE) low band communications, a third conductor element configured to transmit or receive global positioning system (GPS) communications, and a fourth conductor element configured to transmit or receive LTE high band communications.
12. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the multi-element conductor is a metal ring separated into isolated antenna elements by one or more protrusions formed from the device housing.
13. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the multi-element conductor is positioned within the walls of the device housing.
14. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the multi-element conductor is positioned on the interior surface of the device housing.
15. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the multi-element conductor is positioned on an exterior of the device housing.
16. A wearable computing device, comprising:
a device housing;
a strap connected to the device housing and enabling the wearable computing device to be worn by a user;
a processor;
a first radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter or receiver;
a second RF signal transmitter or receiver;
a display module for displaying content under instruction of the processor;
memory including instructions executable by the processor;
a multi-element conductor positioned proximate a periphery of the device housing, the multi-element conductor comprising at least a first metal element and a second metal element; and
antenna matching circuitry coupling the first metal element to the first RF signal transmitter or receiver and the second metal element to the second RF signal transmitter or receiver, wherein electromagnetic fields induce the first and second metal elements to function as antennas enabled to transmit or receive RF signals over respective frequency bands.
17. The wearable computing device of claim 16 , wherein the conductor elements include at least two elements selected from a group comprising: a first conductor element configured to transmit or receive at least one of BLUETOOTH and Wi-Fi communications, a second conductor element configured to transmit or receive Long-Term Evolution (LTE) low band communications, a third conductor element configured to transmit or receive global positioning system (GPS) communications, and a fourth conductor element configured to transmit or receive LTE high band communications.
18. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the multi- element conductor is a metal ring separated into isolated antenna elements by one or more protrusions formed from the device housing.
19. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the multi-element conductor is positioned within the walls of the device housing.
20. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the multi-element conductor is positioned on an interior or an exterior surface of the device housing.