CA2546488C - Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor - Google Patents

Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2546488C
CA2546488C CA 2546488 CA2546488A CA2546488C CA 2546488 C CA2546488 C CA 2546488C CA 2546488 CA2546488 CA 2546488 CA 2546488 A CA2546488 A CA 2546488A CA 2546488 C CA2546488 C CA 2546488C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
antenna
portable housing
carried
wireless communications
communications device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA 2546488
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2546488A1 (en
Inventor
Yihong Qi
Ying Tong Man
Perry Jarmuszewski
Adrian Cooke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BlackBerry Ltd
Original Assignee
Research in Motion Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Research in Motion Ltd filed Critical Research in Motion Ltd
Publication of CA2546488A1 publication Critical patent/CA2546488A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2546488C publication Critical patent/CA2546488C/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q19/00Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
    • H01Q19/28Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using a secondary device in the form of two or more substantially straight conductive elements
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/242Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use
    • H01Q1/243Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use with built-in antennas
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/242Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use
    • H01Q1/245Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use with means for shaping the antenna pattern, e.g. in order to protect user against rf exposure
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H01Q1/38Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/52Means for reducing coupling between antennas; Means for reducing coupling between an antenna and another structure
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q19/00Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
    • H01Q19/22Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using a secondary device in the form of a single substantially straight conductive element

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Abstract

A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a satellite positioning signal receiver carried by the portable housing. An antenna may also be carried by the portable housing and connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver. Further, at least one electrically conductive director element may be carried by the portable housing in spaced apart relation from the antenna and inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof.

Description

MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE COMPRISING A
SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM ANTENNA AND ELECTRICALLY
CONDUCTIVE DIRECTOR ELEMENT THEREFOR
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of communications devices, and, more particularly, to mobile wireless communications devices and related methods.
Background of the Invention Cellular communications systems continue to grow in popularity and have become an integral part of both personal and business communications. Cellular telephones allow users to place and receive voice calls most anywhere they travel. Moreover, as cellular telephone technology has increased, so too has the functionality of cellular devices. For example, many cellular devices now incorporate personal digital assistant (PDA) features such as calendars, address books, task lists, etc. Moreover, such mufti-function devices may also allow users to wirelessly send and receive electronic mail (email) messages and access the Internet via a cellular network and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example.
Another feature which is being coupled with cellular communications capabilities is satellite positioning. That is, certain devices now incorporate both cellular and satellite positioning devices, such as global positioning system (GPS) devices, for example. One such device is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,857,016 to Motoyama et al., which is directed to a computer remote position reporting device which includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, monitoring software and an Internet access module for tracking and mapping a position of a mobile object. In one embodiment, the obtained positions are collected, logged and communicated to a desired location by a store-and-forward protocol (e.g., Internet e-mail) or a direct-connection protocol (e.g., file transfer protocol (FTP)) via a wireless cellular transceiver.
As the functionality of cellular communications devices continues to increase, so too does the demand for smaller devices which are easier and more convenient for users to carry. As such, incorporating GPS capabilities in ever-smaller cellular phones becomes increasingly difficult, as smaller GPS antenna designs are required due to space constraints. Thus, one challenge for designers is to provide GPS antennas with adequate signal reception characteristics yet in a relatively small size.
Various attempts have been made improve mobile device satellite positioning antennas. An antenna arrangement for a GPS signal processing device is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 6,720,923 to Hayward et al. in which an antenna member is mounted on a circuit board. The antenna member includes first, second, and third surfaces.
The third surface adjoins the first and second surfaces. The first, second and third surfaces define a cavity within which is disposed dielectric material. At least one conductive connector comprising first and second ends is in communication with the antenna member first surface, and an amplifier is in communication with each conductive connector second end.
Another example is set forth in PCT publication no. WO 02/29988 Al, which discloses a folded inverted F antenna (FIFA) which includes an L-shaped receiving element having a first planar portion and a second planar portion connected along a fold edge. A printed circuit board (PCB) is disposed perpendicular to the second planar portion forming a PCB ground plane. The FIFA includes a second ground plane disposed below and in parallel with the second planar portion. Shorting conductors couple the receiving element to the PCB and the second ground plane, and a receive conductor couples a receiver circuit to the receiving element. The FIFA is for use in a wireless communications device, such as a cellular phone, for receiving position signals from a GPS
satellite.
Despite the availability of such GPS antenna configurations, other GPS antenna configurations may be desirable which are relatively compact yet still provide desired beam direction or shaping for optimizing GPS satellite signal reception, for example.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile wireless communications device in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the mobile wireless communication device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a PCB and antenna arrangement for the wireless communications device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the wireless communications device of FIG. 1 illustrating satellite positioning information display features thereof.
, CA 02546488 2006-05-25 FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a PCB and antenna arrangement for the wireless communications device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mobile wireless communications device arrangement for use with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a prior art monopole antenna.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a monopole antenna and associated electrically conductive director element in accordance with the present invention used for a performance test comparison with respect to the prior art antenna of FIG. 7.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mobile wireless communications device including satellite positioning capabilities with enhanced satellite signal reception characteristics and related methods.
This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a mobile wireless communications device which may include an antenna and at least one electrically conductive director therefor. More particularly, the mobile wireless communications may include a portable housing, and at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a satellite positioning signal receiver carried by the portable housing. The antenna may also be carned by the portable housing and connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver. Further, the at least one electrically conductive director element may be carried by the portable housing in spaced apart relation from the antenna and inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof. That is, the director elements) advantageously directs or shapes the beam pattern of the antenna to provide desired satellite signal reception, and may further provide improved antenna efficiency.
The mobile wireless communications device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing, and the antenna and the PCB may be relatively positioned so that the PCB further directs the beam pattern of the antenna. For example, the antenna may include one or more electrically conductive traces on the PCB, and the PCB may be positioned to provide a reflector for directing the antenna beam pattern skyward for improved satellite positioning signal reception performance. In one embodiment, the a dielectric extension may extend outwardly from the PCB, and the antenna may be carried by the dielectric extension. The electrically conductive director elements) may also be carried by the dielectric extension.
The portable housing may have an upper portion and a lower portion, and the antenna may be positioned adjacent the upper portion of the portable housing.
Moreover, the at least one wireless transceiver may be a cellular transceiver, and the device may further include a cellular antenna carried by the portable housing and connected to the cellular transceiver. By way of example, the cellular antenna may be carried adjacent the bottom portion of the portable housing.
The at least one electrically conductive director element may include a pair of parallel, spaced apart electrically conductive director elements, for example.
The device may further include a controller carried by the portable housing and connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver, and a display carried by the portable housing and cooperating with the controller for displaying satellite positioning information. By way of example, the antenna maybe an inverted F antenna or a monopole antenna.
A method aspect of the invention is for making a mobile wireless communications device, such as the one described briefly above. The method may include positioning a satellite positioning signal receiver and at least one wireless transceiver in a portable housing, and connecting an antenna carried by the portable housing to the satellite positioning signal receiver. Further, at least one electrically conductive director element may be positioned in spaced apart relation from the antenna to be inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternate embodiments.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mobile wireless communications device in accordance with the present invention illustratively includes a portable housing 21 and one or more wireless transceivers 22 carried by the portable housing. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, a cellular transceiver 22' cooperates with a cellular antenna 23' to communicate over a cellular network 24' via a base stations) 25', which is shown as a cell tower for clarity of illustration. In other embodiments, the wireless transceiver 22 be a wireless local or personal area network (LAN/PAN) transceiver for communicating via a wireless LAN/PAN, for example. In still further embodiments, both cellular and wireless LAN/PAN transceivers may be included, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The device 20 further illustratively includes a satellite positioning signal receiver 26 carried by the portable housing. By way of example, the satellite positioning signal receiver 26 may be a GPS receiver, although receivers compatible with other satellite positioning systems such as Galileo, for example, may also be used. An antenna 27 is also carried by the portable housing 21 and is connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver 26 for receiving positioning signals from GPS satellites 28, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that in some embodiments the antenna 27 may also be connected to the wireless transceivers) 22 and used for communicating over a wireless networks) as well, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Further, the device 20 also illustratively includes one or more electrically conductive director elements 29 carried by the portable housing 21 in spaced apart relation from the satellite positioning system antenna 27 and inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof. That is, the director elements) 29 advantageously directs or shapes the beam pattern of the antenna 27 skyward toward the GPS satellites 28 when the mobile wireless communications device 20 is held in an operating position, as will be discussed further below.
Turning now additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mobile wireless communications device 20 may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) 30 carried by the portable housing 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the satellite positioning signal receiver 26 is illustratively shown as a signal source for clarity of illustration. The antenna 23 and the PCB 30 are relatively positioned so that the PCB further directs the beam pattern of the antenna. More particularly, in the illustrated embodiment the antenna 23 is a monopole antenna comprising a printed circuit element on an upper surface of the PCB
30.
Furthermore, a pair of electrically conductive parallel spaced-apart traces provide directors 29a, 29b for the antenna 23.
The device 20 further illustratively includes a controller 31 carried by the portable housing 21 and connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver 26, and a display 32 carried by the portable housing and cooperating with the controller for displaying satellite positioning information. By way of example, the controller 31 may include a microprocessor and associated circuitry/memory, and the display 32 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), although other suitable components or displays may also be used.
While not shown in FIG. 4, the controller 31 may be carried by the PCB 30, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that those components which are within the portable housing and not externally viewable are shown with dashed lines for clarity of illustration in FIG. 4.
When using the GPS function of the device 20 a user may hold the device in an operating position in which the display 32 is viewable to the user. In the exemplary embodiment, the controller 31 executes a mapping program which translates the positioning data received from the satellite positioning signal receiver 26 into location coordinates which are displayed at a corresponding location on a map, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thus, when the user holds the device 20 so that the display 32 faces him in an operating position, the PCB 30 serves as a reflector for directing the antenna beam pattern skyward for improved satellite positioning signal reception performance. The director elements 29a, 29b not only help direct/shape the beam pattern in the desired direction, they may also provide improved antenna efficiency.
By way of example, the performance of a first monopole antenna 70 (FIG. 7) without a director element was compared with that of a second monopole antenna having an electrically conductive director element 81 inductively coupled thereto, as shown in FIG. 8. Both of the first and second antennas 70, 80 were mounted adjacent the top end of a mobile phone circuit board for testing, similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5. The first antenna 70 was designed to provide peak gain over the frequencies of interest. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, inductively coupling the director element 81 to the first antenna 70 would change the characteristics of the antenna such that it would no longer provide peak gain over the same frequencies. Thus, to provide a meaningful comparison, the second antenna 80 was designed such that when the director element 81 was coupled thereto, its peak gain would also occur over the same frequencies as the first antenna 70 without a director element. With the director element 81 inductively coupled to the second antenna 80, the second antenna provided better than a 1 dB improvement in average gain with respect to the first antenna 70 at three different test frequencies, as summarized in Table 1, below.

1565.42 MHZ 1575.42 MHZ 1585.42 MHZ

Gain of First Antenna-4.06188 dB -4.20504 dB -4.51069 70 dB

With No Director Element Gain of Second Antenna-2.96706 dB -2.94389 dB -3.13042 80 dB

With Director Element Table 1 In accordance with an alternate embodiment now described with reference to FIG. 5, a dielectric extension 33' illustratively extends outwardly from the PCB 30', and the antenna 23' and electrically conductive director element 29' are carried on an upper surface of the dielectric extension. In the exemplary embodiment, the antenna 23' is a printed inverted F antenna, although other antenna configurations than those shown herein may also be used. The director element 29' may also be a printed conductive trace or traces on the dielectric extension 33'.
The dielectric extension 33' and antenna 23' may advantageously be positioned adjacent an upper portion or top of the portable housing 21' using this configuration. This configuration also advantageously directs or shapes the beam pattern skyward when a user holds the device 20 so that he can see the display 32, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Moreover, this allows the cellular (or other wireless) antenna 23 to be carried adjacent the bottom portion of the portable housing 21, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. This not only provides for reduced interference between the two antennas, but it may also help with specific absorption ratio (SAR) compliance by moving the cellular antenna 23 further away from a user's brain when he places the input audio transducer of the device 20 (not shown) adjacent his ear, as will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
A method aspect of the invention is for making the mobile wireless communications device 20 and may include positioning a satellite positioning signal receiver 26 and at least one wireless transceiver 22 in a portable housing 21, and connecting an antenna 27 carried by the portable housing to the satellite positioning signal receiver. Further, at least one electrically conductive director element 29 is positioned in spaced apart relation from the antenna 27 and inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof, as discussed further above.
Additional features and components of a mobile wireless communication device in accordance with the present invention will be further understood with reference to FIG. 6.
The device 1000 includes a housing 1200, a keyboard 1400 and an output device 1600.
The output device shown is a display 1600, which is preferably a full graphic LCD. Other types of output devices may alternatively be utilized. A processing device 1800 is contained within the housing 1200 and is coupled between the keyboard 1400 and the display 1600. The processing device 1800 controls the operation of the display 1600, as well as the overall operation of the mobile device 1000, in response to actuation of keys on the keyboard 1400 by the user.
The housing 1200 may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housing structures). The keyboard may include a mode selection key, or other hardware or software for switching between text entry and telephony entry.
In addition to the processing device 1800, other parts of the mobile device 1000 are shown schematically in FIG. 6. These include a communications subsystem 1001;
a short-range communications subsystem 1020; the keyboard 1400 and the display 1600, along with other input/output devices 1060, 1080, 1100 and 1120; as well as memory devices 1160, 1180 and various other device subsystems 1201. The mobile device 1000 is preferably a two-way RF communications device having voice and data communications capabilities. In addition, the mobile device 1000 preferably has the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet.
Operating system software executed by the processing device 1800 is preferably stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory 1160, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element.
In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as the random access memory (RAM) 1180.
Communications signals received by the mobile device may also be stored in the RAM
1180.
The processing device 1800, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications 1300A-1300N on the device 1000. A
predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, such as data and voice communications 1300A and 1300B, may be installed on the device 1000 during manufacture. In addition; a personal information manager (PIM) application may be installed during manufacture. The PIM is preferably capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application is also preferably capable of sending and receiving data items via a wireless network 1401. Preferably, the PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated via the wireless network 1401 with the device user's corresponding data items stored or associated with a host computer system.
Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the communications subsystem 1001, and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem. The communications subsystem 1001 includes a receiver 1500, a transmitter 1520, and one or more antennas 1540 and 1560. In addition, the communications subsystem 1001 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 1580, and local oscillators (LOs) 1601. The specific design and implementation of the communications subsystem 1001 is dependent upon the communications network in which the mobile device 1000 is intended to operate.
For example, a mobile device 1000 may include a communications subsystem 1001 designed to operate with the MobitexTM, Data TACTM or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communications networks, and also designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, etc.
Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device 1000.
Network access requirements vary depending upon the type of communication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personal identification number or PIN
associated with each device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS
network.
When required network registration or activation procedures have been completed, the mobile device 1000 may send and receive communications signals over the communication network 1401. Signals received from the communications network by the antenna 1540 are routed to the receiver 1500, which provides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP 1580 to perform more complex communications functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network 1401 are processed (e.g. modulated and encoded) by the DSP 1580 and are then provided to the transmitter 1520 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication network 1401 (or networks) via the antenna 1560.
In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP 1580 provides for control of the receiver 1500 and the transmitter 1520. For example, gains applied to communications signals in the receiver 1500 and transmitter 1520 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP
1580.
In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a text message or web page download, is processed by the communications subsystem 1001 and is input to the processing device 1800. The received signal is then further processed by the processing device 1800 for an output to the display 1600, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O
device 1060. A device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using the keyboard 1400 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 1060, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The composed data items may then be transmitted over the communications network 1401 via the communications subsystem 1001.
In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the device is substantially similar to the data communications mode, except that received signals are output to a speaker 1100, and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone 1120.
Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the device 1000. In addition, the display 1600 may also be utilized in voice communications mode, for example to display the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information.
The short-range communications subsystem enables communication between the mobile device 1000 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth communications module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.

. CA 02546488 2006-05-25 Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:
a portable housing;
at least one wireless transceiver carried by said portable housing;
a satellite positioning signal receiver carried by said portable housing;
an antenna carried by said portable housing and connected to said satellite positioning signal receiver; and at least one electrically conductive director element carried by said portable housing in spaced apart relation from said antenna and inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof.
2. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by said portable housing; and wherein said antenna and said PCB are relatively positioned so that said PCB further directs the beam pattern of said antenna.
3. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 2 wherein said antenna comprises at least one electrically conductive trace on said PCB.
4. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by said portable housing and a dielectric extension extending outwardly from said PCB, and wherein said antenna is carried by said dielectric extension.
5. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 4 wherein said at least one electrically conductive director element is also carried by said dielectric extension.
6. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said portable housing has an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein said antenna is positioned adjacent the upper portion of said portable housing.
7. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said at least one wireless transceiver comprises a cellular transceiver, and further comprising a cellular antenna carried by said portable housing and connected to said cellular transceiver.
8. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said at least one electrically conductive director element comprises a pair of parallel, spaced apart electrically conductive director elements.
9. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 further comprising a controller carried by said portable housing and connected to said satellite positioning signal receiver, and a display carried by said portable housing and cooperating with said controller for displaying satellite positioning information.
10. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said antenna comprises an inverted F antenna.
11. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said antenna comprises a monopole antenna.
12. A method for making a mobile wireless communications device comprising:
positioning a satellite positioning signal receiver and at least one wireless transceiver in a portable housing;
connecting an antenna carried by the portable housing to the satellite positioning signal receiver; and positioning at least one electrically conductive director element in spaced apart relation from the antenna to be inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof.
13. The method of Claim 12 further comprising positioning a printed circuit board (PCB) in the portable housing, and positioning the antenna relative to the PCB
so that the PCB further directs the beam pattern of the antenna.
14. The method of Claim 13 wherein positioning the antenna comprises forming at least one electrically conductive trace on the PCB.
15. The method of Claim 12 further comprising positioning a printed circuit board (PCB) with a dielectric extension extending outwardly therefrom in the housing, and further comprising positioning the antenna on the dielectric extension.
16. The method of Claim 15 wherein positioning the at least one electrically conductive director element comprises positioning the at least one electrically conductive director element on the dielectric extension.
17. The method of Claim 12 wherein the portable housing has an upper portion and a lower portion, and further comprising positioning the antenna adjacent the upper portion of the portable housing.
18. The method of Claim 12 wherein the at least one wireless transceiver comprises a cellular transceiver, and further comprising positioning a cellular antenna in the portable housing and connecting the cellular antenna to the cellular transceiver.
19. The method of Claim 12 further comprising positioning a controller in the portable housing and connecting the controller to the satellite positioning signal receiver, and a positioning a display in the portable housing for cooperating with the controller for displaying satellite positioning information.
CA 2546488 2005-05-31 2006-05-25 Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor Expired - Fee Related CA2546488C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05253322.1 2005-05-31
EP05253322A EP1732167A1 (en) 2005-05-31 2005-05-31 Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2546488A1 CA2546488A1 (en) 2006-09-11
CA2546488C true CA2546488C (en) 2008-02-05

Family

ID=34941511

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2546488 Expired - Fee Related CA2546488C (en) 2005-05-31 2006-05-25 Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (3) EP1881559A1 (en)
CN (1) CN100493237C (en)
CA (1) CA2546488C (en)
SG (1) SG127846A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2262201B1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2016-11-02 Wen Li Mobile communication terminal
CN101944656B (en) * 2009-07-07 2013-04-10 宏碁股份有限公司 Multi-frequency antenna
TWI488364B (en) * 2011-04-12 2015-06-11 Htc Corp Handheld device and radiation pattern adjustment method
CN102265457A (en) * 2011-06-03 2011-11-30 华为终端有限公司 Wireless terminal
US8963784B2 (en) * 2012-02-22 2015-02-24 Apple Inc. Antenna with folded monopole and loop modes
GB2510318A (en) * 2012-10-24 2014-08-06 Microsoft Corp Antenna device with reduced specific absorption rate (SAR) characteristics
US9871544B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2018-01-16 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Specific absorption rate mitigation
US10893488B2 (en) 2013-06-14 2021-01-12 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Radio frequency (RF) power back-off optimization for specific absorption rate (SAR) compliance
US9813997B2 (en) 2014-01-10 2017-11-07 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Antenna coupling for sensing and dynamic transmission
US10044095B2 (en) 2014-01-10 2018-08-07 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Radiating structure with integrated proximity sensing
US9769769B2 (en) 2014-06-30 2017-09-19 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Detecting proximity using antenna feedback
US9785174B2 (en) 2014-10-03 2017-10-10 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Predictive transmission power control for back-off
US9871545B2 (en) 2014-12-05 2018-01-16 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Selective specific absorption rate adjustment
US10013038B2 (en) 2016-01-05 2018-07-03 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Dynamic antenna power control for multi-context device
US10461406B2 (en) 2017-01-23 2019-10-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Loop antenna with integrated proximity sensing
US10224974B2 (en) 2017-03-31 2019-03-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Proximity-independent SAR mitigation
CN111106448B (en) * 2019-11-22 2021-10-19 Oppo广东移动通信有限公司 Client terminal device

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6046703A (en) * 1998-11-10 2000-04-04 Nutex Communication Corp. Compact wireless transceiver board with directional printed circuit antenna
WO2001026181A1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2001-04-12 Rangestar Wireless, Inc. Single and multiband quarter wave resonator
SE517564C2 (en) * 1999-11-17 2002-06-18 Allgon Ab Antenna device for a portable radio communication device, portable radio communication device with such antenna device and method for operating said radio communication device
US6720923B1 (en) 2000-09-14 2004-04-13 Stata Labs, Llc Antenna design utilizing a cavity architecture for global positioning system (GPS) applications
US6857016B1 (en) 2000-09-25 2005-02-15 Ricoh Company Limited Method and system of data collection and mapping from a remote position reporting device
KR100580991B1 (en) 2000-10-04 2006-05-17 모토로라 인코포레이티드 Folded inverted f antenna for gps applications
JP4071452B2 (en) * 2001-04-13 2008-04-02 松下電器産業株式会社 Portable radio
JP2003037413A (en) * 2001-07-25 2003-02-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Antenna for portable wireless device
US7139533B2 (en) * 2002-09-24 2006-11-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Mobile communication terminal
CA2414124C (en) * 2002-12-12 2006-03-28 Research In Motion Limited Antenna with near-field radiation control
DE60335674D1 (en) * 2003-06-12 2011-02-17 Research In Motion Ltd Multi-element antenna with floating parasitic antenna element

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2546488A1 (en) 2006-09-11
SG127846A1 (en) 2006-12-29
CN1867201A (en) 2006-11-22
EP2131447A1 (en) 2009-12-09
CN100493237C (en) 2009-05-27
EP1732167A1 (en) 2006-12-13
EP1881559A1 (en) 2008-01-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2546488C (en) Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor
US8988291B2 (en) Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna with active and passive elements and related methods
US8576119B2 (en) Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor
EP1757127B1 (en) Mobile wireless communications device comprising a top-mounted auxiliary input/output device and a bottom-mounted antenna
CA2748697C (en) Mobile wireless device with enlarged width portion multi-band loop antenna and related methods
US8952852B2 (en) Mobile wireless communications device including antenna assembly having shorted feed points and inductor-capacitor circuit and related methods
CA2748679C (en) Mobile wireless device with multi-band loop antenna and related methods
CA2571338C (en) Mobile wireless communications device including an electrically conductive director element and related methods
CA2525859C (en) Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna with active and passive elements and related methods
CA2770798C (en) Mobile wireless communications device including antenna assembly having shorted feed points and inductor-capacitor circuit and related methods
CA2773350C (en) Mobile wireless communications device having antenna assembly with electrically conductive base enclosing an elongate slot and associated methods
EP2525439B1 (en) Mobile wireless communications device including antenna assembly having spaced apart parallel conductor arms and related methods
US8797217B2 (en) Mobile wireless communications device including antenna assembly having spaced apart parallel conductor arms and related methods
EP2528160B1 (en) Mobile wireless communications device having an antenna assembly with corner coupled rectangular base conductor portions and related methods
CA2709358A1 (en) Mobile wireless communications device including wrap-around antenna assembly with feed arm extension and related methods

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKLA Lapsed

Effective date: 20190527