Multi-band antenna for use with limited size ground planes
Multi-band antenna for use with limited size ground planes. In one embodiment, the multi-band antenna includes a substrate having a first radiator branch and a second radiator branch; a first switch that is connected with the first radiator branch and a radio module; and a second switch that is connected with the second radiator branch and matching circuitry. Selection between different states of the first switch and the second switch enable the multi-band antenna to operate in a plurality of operating bands. These operating bands may include both the high and low frequency bands for a long-term evolution (LTE) communication device as well as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) frequency band. Methods of operating the multi-band antenna as well as systems that incorporate the multi-band antenna are also disclosed.
1 . A multi-band antenna, comprising:
a substrate comprising a first radiator branch and a second radiator branch, the first radiator branch and the second radiator branch being galvanically isolated from one another;
a first coupling point for connection with the first radiator branch; and
a second coupling point for connection with the second radiator branch;
wherein the first radiator branch comprises a monopole radiator structure and the second radiator branch comprises a U-shaped radiator structure; and
wherein the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure are separated from one another by a gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure.
2 . The multi-band antenna of claim 1 , wherein the gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure is located at ends of the U-shaped radiator structure.
3 . The multi-band antenna of claim 2 , wherein the gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure enables electromagnetic coupling between the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure.
4 . The multi-band antenna of claim 1 , wherein the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure are each located on a same layer of the substrate.
5 . The multi-band antenna of claim 1 , wherein the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure are each located on different layers of the substrate.
6 . The multi-band antenna of claim 5 , wherein the monopole radiator structure is located on one external surface of the substrate and the U-shaped radiator structure is disposed on an opposing external surface from the one external surface of the substrate.
7 . The multi-band antenna of claim 1 , wherein the monopole radiator structure is configured to be fed by a radio module.
8 . The multi-band antenna of claim 7 , wherein the gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure enables electromagnetic coupling between the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure.
9 . The multi-band antenna of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a rectangular shape comprising two long sides and two short sides; and
wherein the U-shaped radiator structure runs along one of the short sides and over a majority portion of the two long sides.
10 . The multi-band antenna of claim 9 , wherein the monopole radiator structure comprises a rectangular structure that is coupled with an angled structure, the rectangular structure projecting from another one of the short sides and being positioned about a mid-line of the rectangular shape of the substrate.
11 . The multi-band antenna of claim 10 , wherein the angled structure projects from one of the long sides of the substrate towards the rectangular structure of the monopole radiator structure.
12 . A multi-band antenna, comprising:
a substrate comprising a first radiator branch and a second radiator branch, the first radiator branch and the second radiator branch being galvanically isolated from one another;
a first coupling point for connection with the first radiator branch; and
a second coupling point for connection with the second radiator branch;
wherein the first radiator branch comprises a monopole radiator structure and the second radiator branch comprises a U-shaped radiator structure;
wherein the substrate comprises a rectangular shape comprising two long sides and two short sides; and
wherein the U-shaped radiator structure runs along one of the short sides and over a majority portion of the two long sides.
13 . The multi-band antenna of claim 12 , wherein the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure are separated from one another by a gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure.
14 . The multi-band antenna of claim 13 , wherein the gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure is located at ends of the U-shaped radiator structure.
15 . The multi-band antenna of claim 12 , wherein the monopole radiator structure comprises a rectangular structure that is coupled with an angled structure, the rectangular structure projecting from another one of the short sides and being positioned about a mid-line of the rectangular shape of the substrate; and
the angled structure projects from one of the long sides of the substrate towards the rectangular structure of the monopole radiator structure.
16 . The multi-band antenna of claim 15 , wherein the rectangular structure of the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure are separated from one another by a gap on either side of the rectangular structure of the monopole radiator structure.
17 . The multi-band antenna of claim 16 , wherein the gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure is located at ends of the U-shaped radiator structure.
18 . The multi-band antenna of claim 17 , wherein the gap on either side of the monopole radiator structure enables electromagnetic coupling between the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure.
19 . The multi-band antenna of claim 18 , wherein the monopole radiator structure and the U-shaped radiator structure are each located on a same layer of the substrate.
20 . The multi-band antenna of claim 19 , wherein the monopole radiator structure is configured to be fed by a radio module.