GB2529884A

GB2529884A - Reconfigurable multi-band antenna with independent control

Info

Publication number: GB2529884A
Application number: GB1415780.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sampson Hu
Original assignee: Smart Antenna Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Smart Antenna Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-05
Filing date: 2014-09-05
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-05
Also published as: WO2016034885A1; EP3189558A1; US20170264018A1; US10581166B2; GB201415780D0; GB2529884B

Abstract

A multi-band antenna device has at least one radiating element 5 which is connected to a single port 10 by at least first and second matching circuits 8,9 arranged in parallel. A high pass filter 6 is provided between the first matching circuit 8 and the radiating element to allow passage of a first, higher frequency RF signal. A low pass filter 7 is provided between the second matching circuit and the at least one radiating element to allow passage of a second, lower frequency RF signal. The high pass filter blocks the lower frequency RF signal, and the low pass filter blocks the higher frequency RF signal. The matching circuits are adjustable to allow the first and second RF signals to be tuned independently. The geometry of the matching circuit and the ground plane are such that the first and second simultaneous resonances comprise circuit currents distributed over different regions of the ground plane so as to reduce interaction. The filters may be cascaded such that each of the first high pass filter and the low pass filter is connected to a further high pass filter and a further low pass filter.

Description

RECONFIGURABLE MULTI-BAND ANTENNA WITH INDEPENDENT CONTROL

[0001] This invention relates a multi-band antenna. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a multi-band antenna for use in a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone handset, laptop, tablet, femtocell, wireless router or other radio communications device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Today's mobile devices require integration of an ever increasing number of radio functions and frequencies (Bluetooth, WiFi, GNSS, GSM, 3G, LTE) over a proliferating number of bands (40+ for LTE alone). Most antennas that are designed to cover a very wide frequency range are generally referred to as broadband antennas. Broadband antennas are generally inefficient due to their wide frequency coverage, whilst higher efficiency narrow band antenna do not cover the required frequency range. Size is a further constraint which diminishes efficiency due to the drive to more compact antennas, and this also introduces severe isolation issues especially for MIMO. Mobile device antennas need to be efficient in order to conserve battery life and maintain coverage.

Current implementations use up to six antennas to overcome this trade-off with the penalty of cost, size and lack of flexibility.

[0003] There are many proposals for reconfigurable antenna designs which would help to alleviate this problem. It is known to provide a reconfigurable antenna such as described in WO 20111048357 (the content of which is incorporated into the present disclosure by reference) which has an extremely wide tuning range. However, this antenna is only able to access two services simultaneously. For example, the antenna can only support DVB-H (470MHz) and GSM (900MHz) signals or DVB-H (470MHz) and WiFi (2400MHz) or GSM (900 MHz) and GPS (1500MHz) but it cannot support more than two of these services simultaneously, as required by current mobile devices which can require simultaneous access to GSM, GPS and WiFi. Furthermore, this particular antenna is unlikely to be adequate for future Cognitive Radio systems which will require multi-resolution spectrum sensing.

[0004] If multi-services or multi-spectrum sensing is required in the future then one solution would be to use more reconfigurable antennas. However, as mentioned above, providing multiple antennas in a small device is impracticable and so the system designers still need to address the problem concerning the small amount of space available to provide such services.

[0005] It is known from WO 2013/014458 (the content of which is incorporated into the present disclosure by reference) to provide a multi-output antenna in which each radiating element of an antenna device is connected to at least two matching circuits, and wherein each matching circuit is associated with a separate port arranged to drive a separate frequency such that each radiating element is operable to provide multiple outputs simultaneously. The separate frequencies may be adjusted independently of each other as required by adjusting the respective matching circuits, and this can be done with good isolation between the ports thereby offering very wide operating frequency range with simultaneous multi-independent output operations. Thus, the multiple outputs/ports may have independent frequency control (i.e. when the resonant frequency of port one is changed, the resonant frequency of port two will be unaffected and will remain the same).

[0006] Accordingly, a single antenna of the type disclosed in WO 2013/014458 can mimic the output from multiple separate antennas, while occupying less space than that required for such multiple separate antennas. This also allows use of fewer radiating elements, thus also reducing the problems associated with the coupling of separate radiating elements when they are placed in close proximity. Furthermore, as the matching circuits may be permanently coupled to the radiating elements so that the ports can be operated simultaneously, this can negate the need for switches and other complex circuitry required in order to select or isolate a particular output.

[0007] However, there are circumstances where it is not appropriate to provide a plurality of separate ports for each individual radiating element.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] Viewed from a first aspect, there is provided a multi-band reconfigurable antenna device comprising at least one radiating element, the at least one radiating element being connected to a single port by way of at least first and second matching circuits arranged in parallel, wherein a high pass filter is provided between the first matching circuit and the at least one radiating element so as to allow passage of a first, higher frequency RE signal through the first matching circuit, wherein a low pass filter is provided between the second matching circuit and the at least one radiating element so as to allow passage of a second, lower frequency SF signal through the second matching circuit, wherein the high pass filter blocks passage of the second, lower frequency RE signal through the first matching circuit and wherein the low pass filter blocks passage of the first, higher frequency SF signal through the second matching circuit, the first and second matching circuits being adjustable independently of each other so as to allow the first and second RE signals to be tuned independently of each other.

[0009] The antenna device may further comprise a conductive groundplane, and be configured such that the first and second RF signals of different frequencies excite first and second simultaneous different resonances on the groundplane.

[0010] Importantly, the first and second SF signals, which may be at first and second resonant frequencies, can be tuned independently of each other by adjusting the matching circuits. That is, the resonant frequency of the first RE signal may be changed without affecting the resonant frequency of the second RF signal and vice versa.

[0011] The first and second resonances on the groundplane may take the form of surface current distributions, and the matching circuits and groundplane geometry may be configured so that the first and second surface currents are distributed over different regions of the groundplane so as to reduce interactions with each other. This may be because the impedances for the first and second resonances are improved by way of the first and second matching circuits. This facilitates independent tuning of the first and second resonant frequencies.

[0012] Therefore, in some embodiments, one radiating element can support two bands, and N elements can provide N x 2 band simultaneous operation.

[0013] In some embodiments, additional independently tuneable RF signals can be received and/or transmitted by incorporating additional high pass andlor low pass filters.

Eor example, one or more radiating elements may be configured to receive more than two SF signals of different frequencies, and these signals may be combined on a single carrier as a multiplexed signal. The multiplexed signal may be supplied to a first high pass filter and a first low pass filter arranged in parallel. The first high pass filter may in turn be connected to a second high pass filter and a second low pass filter arranged in parallel, each of the second high pass filter and second low pass filter being connected in series with a matching circuit as previously described. A similar arrangement may be provided for the first low pass filter. This allows the antenna device to handle as many independently tuneable RE signals as there are matching circuits, the matching circuits being arranged in parallel. This may allow a single radiating element to support more than two bands, with N elements providing N x m band simultaneous operation, where m is the number of supported bands.

[0014] Embodiments of the antenna are advantageous where a mixed signal SF module is employed, the RE module requiring one port but supporting multiple bands.

[0015] Alternatively or in addition, the first and second RE signals can be separated from each other by using a diplexer. Where more than two RF signals need to be separated, an appropriate multiplexer may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an antenna suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a system block of a first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a first exemplary circuit schematic for the first embodiment; Figure 4 shows a first return loss plot for the first embodiment; Figure 5 shows a second return loss plot for the first embodiment; Figure 6 shows a second exemplary circuit schematic for the first embodiment; Figure 7 shows a third exemplary circuit schematic for the first embodiment; Figure 8 shows a fourth exemplary circuit schematic for the first embodiment; Figure 9 shows a system block of a second embodiment; Figure 10 shows an exemplary circuit schematic for the second embodiment; Figure 11 shows a return loss plot for the second embodiment; Figure 12 shows a system block of a third embodiment; Figure 13 shows an exemplary circuit schematic for the third embodiment; and Figure 14 shows a return loss plot for the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 shows an example of an antenna that may be used with the present invention. There is provided a substrate 1, for example a POB, having a conductive groundplane 2 over a majority of one surface thereof One end of the substrate 1 is free of the groundplane 2, and is provided with a radiating element 3 formed as a conductive strip.

The radiating element 3 is fed at a feed point 4, which is connected to matching circuitry and a signal port (not shown) mounted on the substrate 1. In this particular example, the radiating element 3 is an unbalanced chassis antenna that is driven against the groundplane 2, but other antennas, including balanced antennas, nionopoles, dipoles, PIFA5, PILA5, loop antennas etc. may be used with certain embodiments.

[0018] Figure 2 is a system block showing a first embodiment. An antenna 5 (for example as shown in Figure 1) is connected to a high pass filter 6 and a low pass filter 7 that are arranged in parallel. The high pass filter 6 is in turn connected to a first matching circuit 8, and the low pass filter 7 to a second matching circuit 9. The first and second matching circuits 8, 9 are arranged in parallel, and are both in turn connected to a single signal port 10. The high pass filter 6 allows passage of a first, higher frequency SF signal through the first matching circuit 8. The low pass filter 7 allows passage of a second, lower frequency SF signal through the second matching circuit 9. The high pass filter 6 blocks passage of the second, lower frequency RE signal through the first matching circuit 8, and the low pass filter 7 blocks passage of the first, higher frequency RE signal through the second matching circuit 9. The first and second matching circuits 8, 9 are adjustable independently of each other so as to allow the first and second SF signals to be tuned independently of each other.

[0019] Figure 3 is a circuit schematic showing details of one possible implementation of the system block of Figure 2. The high pass filter 6 may be configured as a capacitor 11, and the low pass filter 7 may be configured as an inductor 12. The first matching circuit 8 may comprise an inductor 13 in series with a variable capacitor 14, with a connection to ground by way of a further inductor 15 and a connection 16 to the signal port 10. The second matching circuit 9 is similarly configured, comprising an inductor 13' in series with a variable capacitor 14', with a connection to ground by way of a further inductor 15' and a connection 16' to the signal port 10.

[0020] Figure 4 shows an Si 1 return loss plot showing how the first, higher frequency SF signal can be tuned between 1500MHz and 2700MHz while the second, lower frequency SF signal is kept tuned to 700MHz. This is done by adjusting the variable capacitor 14 in the first matching circuit 8.

[0021] Figure 5 shows an 511 return loss plot showing how the second, lower frequency SF signal can be tuned between 700MHz and 960MHz while the first, higher frequency SF signal is kept tuned to 1500MHz. This is done by adjusting the variable capacitor 14' in the second matching circuit 9.

[0022] Figure 6 is a circuit schematic showing an alternative implementation to that of Figure 3, where the high pass filter 6 includes an additional inductive connection 17 to ground, and the low pass filter 7 includes an additional capacitive connection 18 to ground.

[0023] Figure 7 is a circuit schematic showing a further alternative implementation to that of Figure 3, where the variable capacitor 14, 14' in each matching circuit 8, 9 is provided on one side with a connection to ground by way of an inductor 19, 19' and a variable capacitor 20, 20', and on the other side with a connection to ground by way of an inductor 21, 21' and a variable capacitor 22, 22'.

[00241 Figure 8 is a circuit schematic showing a further alternative implementation, in which the first matching circuit 8 is configured as in Figure 7, and the second matching circuit 9 is configured as in Figure 3.

[0025] Figure 9 is a system block showing a further development. Here, the mixed RF signal from the antenna 5 is split by a first high pass filter 23 and a first low pass filter 24.

The first high pass filter 23 is in turn connection to a high pass filter 6 and a low pass filter 7 that are arranged in parallel. The high pass filter 6 is connected to a first matching circuit 8, and the low pass filter 7 to a second matching circuit 9. The first and second matching circuits 8, 9 are arranged in parallel, and are both in turn connected to a single signal port 10. The first low pass filter 24 is in turn connection to a high pass filter 6' and a low pass filter 7' that are arranged in parallel. The high pass filter 6' is connected to a first matching circuit 8', and the low pass filter 7' to a second matching circuit 9'. The first and second matching circuits 8', 9' are arranged in parallel, and are both in turn connected to a single signal port 10. In this way, four separate RF signals can be independently tuned by the four matching circuits 8, 9, 8', 9'.

[00261 Figure 10 shows a circuit schematic illustrating one possible way in which the system block of Figure 9 may be implemented, which will be understood with reference to Figure 3.

[0027] Figure 11 shows a return loss plot for the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10. Four RE signals are shown, respectively at 710MHz, 1560MHz, 2360MHz and 3540MHz. Each of these RF signals is tuneable independently of the others by adjusting the variable capacitor(s) in the respective matching circuits 8, 9, 8', 9'.

[0028] Eigure 12 is a system block showing a further development. Here, the mixed RE signal from the antenna 5 is split by a first high pass filter 25 and a first low pass filter 26.

The first high pass filter 25 is in turn connection to a second high pass filter 23 and a second low pass filter 24. The first low pass filter 26 is in turn connected to a second high pass filter 23' and a second low pass filter 24'. Each of the second high pass filters 23, 23' and low pass filters 24, 24' are in turn connected to a high pass filter 6, 6', 6", 6" and a low pass filter 7, 7', 7", 7" that are arranged in parallel. Each high pass filter 6, 6', 6", 6" is connected to a respective matching circuit 8, 8', 8", 8", and each low pass filter 7, 7', 7", 7" to a respective matching circuit 9, 9', 9", 9".

[0029] It will be understood that additional high pass and low pass filters may be provided following this pattern so as to allow any given number of independent matching circuits to be implemented.

[0030] Figure 13 shows a circuit schematic illustrating one possible way in which the system block of Figure 12 may be implemented, which will be understood with reference to Figures Sand 10.

[0031] Figure 14 shows a return loss plot for the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13.

Eight RE signals are shown, respectively at 700MHz, 1270MHz, 1540MHz, 2080MHz, 2930MHz, 3440MHz, 3810MHz and 4360MHz. Each of these RE signals is tuneable independently of the others by adjusting the variable capacitor(s) in the respective matching circuits 8, 9, 8', 9', 8", 9", 8", 9".

[0032] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0033] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments.

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0034] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A multi-band reconfigurable antenna device comprising at least one radiating element, the at least one radiating element being connected to a single port by way of at least first and second matching circuits arranged in parallel, wherein a high pass filter is provided between the first matching circuit and the at least one radiating element so as to allow passage of a first, higher frequency RF signal through the first matching circuit, wherein a low pass filter is provided between the second matching circuit and the at least one radiating element so as to allow passage of a second, lower frequency RF signal through the second matching circuit, wherein the high pass filter blocks passage of the second, lower frequency RF signal through the first matching circuit and wherein the low pass filter blocks passage of the first, higher frequency RF signal through the second matching circuit, the first and second matching circuits being adjustable independently of each other so as to allow the first and second RF signals to be tuned independently of each other.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a conductive groundplane.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second RF signals of different frequencies excite first and second simultaneous different iesonances on the groundplane.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the matching circuit and groundplane geometry are configured such that the first and second simultaneous resonances comprise surface currents distributed over different regions of the groundplane so as to reduce interactions with each other.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one radiating element is connected to a first high pass filter and first low pass filter arranged in parallel, and wherein each of the first high pass filter and first low pass filter is respectively connected to a second high pass filter and a second low pass filter, each of which is connected to an independent matching circuit.
6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one radiating element is connected to a first high pass filter and first low pass filter arranged in parallel, wherein each of the first high pass filter and first low pass filter is respectively connected to a second high pass filter and a second low pass filter, and wherein each of the second high pass filters and second low pass filters is respectively connected to a third high pass filter and a third low pass filter, each of which is connected to an independent matching circuit.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a mixed signal SF module connected to the port.
8. A multi-band reconfigurable antenna device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A multi-band reconfigurable antenna device comprising at least one radiating element having a single feed, the single feed of the at least one radiating element being connected to a single port by way of at least first and second matching circuits arranged in parallel, wherein a high pass filter is provided between the first matching circuit and the single feed so as to allow passage of a first, higher frequency RF signal through the first matching circuit, wherein a low pass filter is provided between the second matching circuit and the single feed so as to allow passage of a second, lower frequency RE signal through the second matching circuit, wherein the high pass filter blocks passage of the second, lower frequency RF signal through the first matching circuit and wherein the low pass filter blocks passage of the first, higher frequency RF signal through the second matching circuit, the first and second matching circuits being adjustable independently of each other so as to allow the first and second RF signals to be simultaneously tuned independently of each other.2. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a conductive groundplane.3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second RF signals of different frequencies excite first and second simultaneous different iesonances on the CO groundplane.4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the matching circuit and groundplane geometry are configured such that the first and second simultaneous resonances comprise surface currents distributed over different regions of the groundplane so as to reduce interactions with each other.5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one radiating element is connected to a first high pass filter and first low pass filter arranged in parallel, and wherein each of the first high pass filter and first low pass filter is respectively connected to said high pass filter taking the form of a second high pass filter and said low pass filter taking the form of a second low pass filter, each of which is connected to an independent matching circuit.6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one radiating element is connected to a first high pass filter and first low pass filter arranged in parallel, wherein each of the first high pass filter and first low pass filter is respectively connected to a second high pass filter and a second low pass filter, and wherein each of the second high pass filters and second low pass filters is respectively connected to said high pass filter taking the form of a third high pass filter and said low pass filter taking the form of a third low pass filter, each of which is connected to an independent matching circuit.7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a mixed signal RF module connected to the port.8. A multi-band reconfigurable antenna device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to oras shown in the accompanying drawings. IC) Co r