MXPA00008139A - Substrate antenna incorporating an element preventing the coupling of energy between antenna and conductors - Google Patents

Abstract

A parasitic element (800, 900) for use with an internal antenna (300) in a wireless device (100, 700). Generally, the antenna is a substrate antenna (300) with one or more conductive traces (302) supported on a substrate (304) and mounted offset from a ground plane (504, 508) associated with the wireless device. One or more signal or power transfer conductors, cables, or signal feeds (712) are positioned immediately adjacent to the antenna (300), which are capable of coupling signals into the antenna which picks-up energy from fields around or emanating from the conductors. Alternatively, the conductors intercept a portion of the energy being transferred into the antenna (300). The parasitic patch element (800, 900) employs a thin conductive structure which is placed adjacent to, over or under those conductors (712), reduces a substantial portion of energy from coupling between the conductors and antenna by altering the resonant or energy coupling characteristics of the conductors. The parasitic element (800, 900, 902, 904, 906) inhibits transfer of energy between the conductors and the antenna, which increases overall device gain. In addition, the parasitic element and the parasitic coupling of the parasitic element to the ground plane, increases the gain and bandwidth of the wireless devices. The parasitic element can be manufactured from a variety of materials and in a variety of shapes (800, 900, 902, 904, 906) and be installed using a variety of known techniques for positioning and installing thin conductive or metallic layers of material.

Description

SUBSTRATE ANTENNA THAT INCORPORATES AN ELEMENT THAT PREVENTS THE COUPLING OF ENERGY BETWEEN THE ANTENNA AND THE CONDUCTORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to antennas for wireless devices, and more specifically, to internally mounted antennas. The invention also relates to internal substrate antennas for wireless devices, to parasitic elements that have improved energy collection characteristics, and to the gain and bandwidth of wireless devices.

II. Description of the Related Art Antennas are an important component of wireless communication devices and systems. Although antennas are available in numerous different shapes and sizes, each of them operate according to the same basic electromagnetic principles. An antenna is a structure associated with a transition region between a guided wave and a free space wave, or vice versa. As a general principle, the guided wave that travels along a transmission line that opens will be radiated as a free space wave, also known as an electromagnetic wave. In recent years, with an increase in the use of personal wireless communication devices, such as manual and mobile cell phones personal communication services (PCS), the need for small antennas suitable for such communication devices has increased. Recent developments in the technology of integrated circuits and batteries has allowed the size and weight of such communication devices to be drastically reduced in recent years. An area in which size reduction is still desirable is in the antennas of the communication devices. This is due to the fact that the size of the antenna plays an important role in decreasing the size of the device. In addition, the size and shape of the antenna has an impact on the aesthetics and the manufacturing costs of the device. An important factor to consider in the design of antennas for wireless communication devices is the irradiation pattern of the antenna. In a typical application, the communication device must be able to communicate with another such device or a base, center or satellite station that can be located in any number of directions of the device. Accordingly, it is essential that the antennas for such wireless communication devices have an approximately omnidirectional irradiation pattern, or a pattern that extends upwardly from a local horizon. Another important factor to be considered in the design of antennas for wireless communication devices is the bandwidth of the antenna. For example, wireless devices such as telephones used with PCS communication systems operate over a frequency band of 1.85-1.99 GHz, thus requiring a useful bandwidth of 7.29 percent. A telephone for use with a typical cellular communication system operates on a frequency band of 824-894 MHz, which requires a bandwidth of 8.14%. Consequently, the antennas for use in those types of wireless communication devices must be designed to meet the appropriate bandwidth requirements or the communication signals will be severely attenuated. One type of antenna commonly used in wireless communication devices is the whip antenna, which is easily retracted into the device when it is not in use. There are, however, several disadvantages associated with the whip antenna. Frequently, the whip antenna is subject to damage when trapped by objects, persons or surfaces when it is extended for use, or even when retracted. Even though the whip antenna is designed to retract to minimize such damage, this may still require a minimum accommodation dimension in the device when it is retracted since it is longer than desired. Whip antennas are often used in conjunction with short helical antennas which are activated when the whip retracts towards the telephone. The helical antenna provides the same radiator length in a more compact space to maintain the appropriate irradiation coupling characteristics. Although the helical antenna is much shorter, it is projected at a substantial distance from the surface of the wireless device having an impact on aesthetics and capture on other objects. Placing each internal antenna in the wireless device would require a substantial volume, which is undesirable. In addition, helical antennae appear to be very sensitive to manual loading by wireless device users.

Another type of antenna that appears to be suitable for use in wireless communication devices is a microstrip antenna or ribbon line. However, such antennas suffer from several disadvantages. They tend to be larger than desired, suffer from lower bandwidth, and lack desirable omnidirectional radiation patterns. As the term suggests, a microstrip antenna includes a provisional connection or microstrip element, which is also commonly referred to as a provisional radiator connection. The length of the microstrip element is set in relation to the wavelength? 0 associated with a resonant frequency fo, which is selected to equal the frequency of interest, such as 800 MHz or 1900 MHz. The commonly used lengths of the elements of microstrip are half the wavelength (? 0/2) and one quarter of the wavelength (? 0/4). Although a few types of microstrip antennas have recently been used in wireless communication devices, further improvements are desirable in several areas. One such area in which additional improvements are desirable is a reduction in the overall size. Another area in which significant improvements are required is in the bandwidth. Current interim connection or microstrip antenna designs do not appear to have the characteristics of 7.29 to 8.14 percent or more of the desired bandwidth for use in most communication systems, in a practical size. Conventional ribbon and temporary connection antennas have additional problems when placed close to the extensive ground planes found within most wireless devices. The grounding planes can alter the resonant frequency creating a non-repeatable manufactured design. The minimum surface area also prevents mounting in a way that optimizes radiation patterns. In addition, "manual loading", that is, the placement of a user's hand near the antenna, drastically diverts the resonant frequency and operation of the antenna. Radiation patterns are extremely important not only to establish a communication link as discussed above, but also in relation to governmental radiation standards for wireless device users. The radiation patterns must be controlled or adjusted so that a minimum amount of radiation can be absorbed by the users of the devices. There are established government standards for the amount of radiation that can be allowed near the user of the wireless device. One impact of these regulations is that internal antennas can not be placed in many places within a wireless device due to the user's theoretical exposure to radiation. However, as stated above, when current antennas are used elsewhere, grounding planes and other structures often interfere with their effective use. With the above problems in mind a new type of antenna known as a substrate antenna has been developed to provide an internal antenna for wireless devices that have appropriate bandwidth characteristics along with a small size, adequate gain and reduced response to or impact of manual loading or similar problems found within the technique. This type of antenna is described in the co-pending US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 028,510 (Proxy File No. QCPA518) entitled "Substrate Antenna" filed on February 23, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference. reference. Although the substrate antenna represents an advance in the technique of the internal antennas and solves several problems of the technique, there are some situations in which the antenna does not achieve the desired gain or distribution conditions of energy. That is to say, that the antenna directs or couples the radiation in undesirable ways or directions, reducing the gain of the antenna. In addition, substrate antennas and other types of small internal antennas are also adversely affected by being placed adjacent to various noise sources of the wireless device. When placed inside a wireless device the antenna can be placed relatively close to the conductors used to transfer signals or power. Antenna gain and sensitivity of the wireless device may decrease due to signals or signal noise being coupled to the antenna from those leads or various sources within the wireless device. Therefore, a new antenna structure and technique are needed to manufacture and mount antennas within wireless devices to achieve internal antennas that have the desired gain and sensitivity or reduce noise characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In view of the above and other problems encountered in the art relating to the manufacture of internal antennas for wireless devices, one purpose of the present invention is to decrease the interaction of an internal antenna with other elements or conductors in a wireless device, which in other circumstances degrades performance or performance. A second purpose of the invention is to increase or maintain a desirable level of gain for an internal antenna in a wireless device. A third purpose of the invention is to increase the bandwidth for an internal antenna of a wireless device. An advantage of the invention is that it provides a physically small internal antenna which maintains the desired operating characteristics at the same time. These and other purposes, objects, and advantages are realized in a parasitic element for use with an internal antenna in a wireless communication device having one or more conductors or power supplies of signals or energy transfer located adjacent to the antenna. The parasitic elements are generally formed by placing at least one layer of the conductive material adjacent to, above or below, one or more of the conductors in a region adjacent to the antenna. The parasitic elements have a preselected width in relation to the conductors, and a preselected length together with the conductors, which is sufficient to prevent a substantial amount of energy from being coupled between the antenna and the conductors. A preferred internal antenna is a substrate antenna which includes one or more radiator traces supported on a dielectric substrate of predetermined thickness. The appropriate dimensions are selected for the length and width of the trace, based on the wavelengths of interest for the wireless device, and the allocated space. In preferred embodiments, conductive protective material adjacent to and surrounding a predetermined portion of the trace is placed to provide a current level of zero for the near-field radiation pattern. The support substrate is mounted deviated from and generally perpendicular to a grounding plane associated with circuits and components within the device, and with which the antenna is being used. The substrate antenna employs a very thin and compact structure which provides the appropriate bandwidth. The compaction of the antenna and a variety of useful shapes allow the substrate antenna to be used very efficiently as an internal antenna for wireless devices. However, wireless devices typically use several signal or power transfer conductors which extend between the preselected signal processing elements and the power sources and have a portion located immediately adjacent to the antenna, which is placed on or near the drivers. In the preferred embodiments, the placement of the parasitic element adjacent to, on, or under one or more of the conductors in a region located adjacent to the antenna acts to prevent a certain amount of noise from being coupled from the conductors to the antenna. The parasitic element or provisional connection is formed adjacent to the antenna to create a load separation through the gap or separation between the antenna and the grounding plane of the wireless device. The parasitic element increases the affective or virtual area of the antenna, thereby increasing the gain and bandwidth of the wireless device, by approximately 0.8 to 1.5 dB. The sensitivity of the wireless communication device is increased by reducing the noise on the antenna.

The parasitic coupling of the parasitic element to the ground connection plane through the conductors further increases the gain and bandwidth of the wireless device. In this modality, the gain is increased from approximately 0.8 to 1.5 dB. The parasitic element and the parasitic link increases the bandwidth of wireless devices by a factor of at least 1.5. In the preferred embodiments, the parasitic element is formed by one or more layers of conductive material such as copper, brass, aluminum or silver. The electrically conductive material can be placed on conductors located adjacent to the antenna, and coupled to a ground potential for the wireless device. The parasitic element preferably covers the conductors as completely as practical depending on the amount of energy or radiation to be inhibited. The size or area of the conductive material used to form the parasitic element can also be configured or adjusted to increase the effective area and the corresponding bandwidth of the antenna by a pre-selected amount. In preferred embodiments, the conductive material is manufactured as a temporary connection of thin electrically conductive material, which .3 it can be placed on the conductors located adjacent to the antenna. This provisional connection can be formed with a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially circular shape, a substantially triangular shape, or a complex geometric shape, and is preferably formed or manufactured to be at least twice as wide as the conductors. In further embodiments of the invention, multiple layers of conductive material may be used on one another, or interspersed with other layers of material or conductors. In addition, multiple temporary connections can be used to cover a desired region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar and / or structurally similar elements, the drawings in which an element appears for the first time indicated by the digits further to the left in the reference number, and where: FIGURES la and Ib illustrate perspective and side views of a cordless telephone having a whip and an external helical antenna; FIGURES 2a and 2b illustrate views in lateral and rear cross section of the telephone of FIGURE Ib with the exemplary internal circuit; FIGURES 3a-3c illustrate a substrate antenna found useful in the telephone of FIGURE 1; FIGURES 4a-4e illustrate several alternative substrate antenna modalities; FIGURES 5a and 5b illustrate side and back cross-sectional views of the telephone of FIGURE Ib using a substrate antenna; FIGURE 6 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the telephone of FIGURE Ib using an alternative embodiment of a substrate antenna; FIGURE 7 illustrates the telephone of FIGURES 5a and 5b with a series of conductors extending from one portion to another through a rotary joint; FIGURE 8a illustrates a top plan view of a temporary parasitic connection element constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; FIGURE 8b illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the parasitic provisional connection of FIGURE 8a; and FIGURES 9a-9d illustrate plan views of alternative embodiments for the parasitic provisional connection of FIGURES 8a and 8b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Although a conventional microstrip antenna such as an inverted "F" antenna has some characteristics that make it potentially useful in personal communication device, additional improvements are still needed in other areas to make this type of antenna be useful in wireless communication devices, such as cell phones or PCS. One such area in which additional improvements are desirable is in the bandwidth. In general, PCS and cellular phones require a bandwidth greater than currently available with microstrip antennas, or practical size, to operate satisfactorily. Another area in which additional improvements are desirable is in the size of a microstrip antenna. For example, a reduction in the size of a microstrip antenna would make a wireless communication device in which it is used more compactly and aesthetically. In effect, this can still determine whether or not such an antenna can be used in a wireless communication device at all. A reduction in the size of a conventional microstrip antenna is made possible by reducing the thickness of any dielectric substrate employed, or by increasing the value of the dielectric constant, thereby cutting off the necessary length. This, however, has the undesirable effect of reducing the bandwidth of the antenna, thereby rendering it less suitable for wireless communication devices. In addition, the field pattern of conventional microstrip antennas such as provisional connection radiators, it is typically directional. Most conventional connection radiators radiate only in an upper hemisphere relative to a local horizon for the antenna. This pattern moves or rotates with the movement of the device and can create undesirable nulls in the coverage. Therefore, microstrip antennas have not been very desirable for use in many wireless communication devices. A substrate antenna provides a solution to the previous and other problems. The substrate antenna provides appropriate bandwidth and size reduction over other antenna designs and retains other features that are desirable for use in wireless communication devices. The substrate antenna may be constructed near the top surface of a personal or wireless communication device such as a portable telephone or may be mounted adjacent to or behind other elements such as support posts, 1/0 circuits, keypads, and so on. like that on the wireless device. The substrate antenna can also be constructed directly on, such as being enclosed within a plastic forming a housing, or on a surface of the wireless device. Unlike an external whip or helical antenna, a substrate antenna, like other internal antennas, is not susceptible to damage by capture on objects or surfaces. This type of antenna also does not consume the interior space needed for advanced features and circuits, nor does it require large housing dimensions to accommodate when retracted. In addition, the substrate antenna radiates in an almost omnidirectional pattern, which makes it suitable in many wireless communication devices. In a broad sense, the invention can be implemented in any wireless device, such as a personal communication device, cordless telephones, wireless modems, wireless devices facsimile, laptops, pagers, receivers and message transmitters, and so on. One such environment is a portable or manual wireless telephone, such as that which is used for cellular, PCS or other commercial communication services. A variety of such cordless telephones, with corresponding different housing styles and styles, are known in the art. FIGURE 1 illustrates a typical cordless telephone used in wireless communication systems, such as the cellular and PCS systems discussed above. The telephone illustrated in FIGURE 1 (la and Ib) is a telephone in the form of a "clam shell" or a folding body type. This phone is typical of ergonomically designed, advanced wireless phones, which are used in wireless communication systems, such as the cellular and PCS systems discussed above. These telephones are used for lighting purposes only, since there is a variety of wireless devices and telephones, and associated physical configurations, including this and other types or styles, in which the present invention can be employed, as will be clear from of the following discussion.

In FIGURES la and Ib, telephone 10 is shown having a housing or main body 102 supporting a whip antenna 104 and a helical antenna 106. Antenna 104 is generally mounted to share a common central axis with antenna 106, of so that it extends or projects through the center of the helical antenna 106 when extended, although this is not a requirement for proper operation. These antennas are manufactured with appropriate lengths at the frequency of interest or use for the particular wireless device on which they are used. Its specific design is well known and understood in the relevant technique. The front part of the housing 102 also shown supports a speaker 110, a display board or screen 112, a numeric keypad 114, and a microphone or microphone aperture 116, and a connector 118. In FIGURE Ib the antenna 104 is in a extended position typically encountered during the use of the wireless device, while in FIGURE the antenna 104 is shown retracted in the housing 102 (not observed due to the viewing angle). Also visible in this view is a battery or power pack 120 installed in a wireless telephone top portion.

As discussed above, the whip antenna 104 has several disadvantages. One, is that it is subject to damage by capture on other articles or surfaces when it is extended during its use. Antenna 104 also undesirably consumes interior space in such a manner as to interfere with the placement of advanced feature components. In addition, antenna 104 may require minimal housing dimensions when retracted that are unacceptably large. The antenna 106 also suffers from capture on other articles or surface, and can not be retracted into the housing of the telephone 102. In addition, the antenna 106 is highly susceptible to charge or resonance frequency deviation due to contact with a user's hand of the device. . The use of the present invention is described in terms of this exemplary cordless telephone, for purposes of clarity and convenience only. The invention is not intended to be limited to application in this exemplary environment. After reading the following description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention in alternative modalities. Indeed, it will be clear that the present invention can be used in other wireless communication devices, such as, but not limited to, portable facsimile machines and computers with wireless communication capabilities, and so on, and with some different antennas to the substrate antennas. A typical cordless telephone has several internal components generally supported on one or more circuit boards to perform the various necessary or desired functions. FIGURES 2a and 2b are used to illustrate the general internal construction of a typical cordless telephone. FIGURE 2a illustrates a cross section of the telephone shown in FIGURE Ib when viewed from the side, to see how the circuits or components are supported within the housing 102. FIGURE 2b illustrates a cut of the same telephone as seen from the back, the side opposite the numeric keypad, to observe the relationship of the circuits or components typically found In the housing 102. In FIGS. 2a and 2b, a circuit board 202 is shown within the housing 102 which supports various components such as integrated circuits or microcircuits 204, discrete components 206, such as resistors and capacitors, and various connectors 208. The display device of the panel and the keyboard are typically mounted on the back side of the board 202, with wires and connectors (not shown) interconnecting the horn, microphone, or other elements similar to the board circuit 202. The antennas 104 and 106 are placed on one side and are connected to the circuit board 202 using wire connectors Specials, clamps or splints 214 and conductors or wires 216 that are intended to serve this purpose. In a typical telephone, a metal ferrule 214 is used at the bottom of the helical antenna 106 to mount that antenna in place on the housing 102. The whip antenna is mounted to slide inside the helical antenna, using an additional gasket wide at the top and an expanded portion 218 at the bottom to restrict the movement of this inside the helical antenna 106. The portion 218 of the antenna 104 is also conductive and when the antenna is raised, it generally makes electrical contact with the antenna. ferrule 214. The signals are transferred through wires 216 to ferrule 214 and portion 218 to antenna 106. Typically, a predetermined number of support posts or brackets 210 are used in housing 102 for mounting circuit boards or other components inside the housing. One or more supporting edges or rims 211 may also be used to support the circuit boards. These posts may be formed as part of the housing, such as when it is formed by plastic injection molding, or otherwise secured in place, such as by the use of adhesives or other well-known mechanisms. In addition, there are typically one or more additional fastening posts 212 which are used to receive screws, bolts or similar fasteners 213 to secure the housing portions 102 together. That is, the housing 102 is manufactured using multiple parts or a main body portion and a cover over the electronic devices. The holding posts 212 are then used to receive the elements 213 used to secure the housing portions together. The present invention easily accommodates or takes into account a variety of posts 210 or 212, and at the same time provides a very efficient internal antenna design. As seen in the amplified view of FIGURE 2b, the circuit board 202 is generally manufactured as a multilayer circuit board having several alternating layers of conductors and a dielectric substrate attached to form a very complex circuit interconnection structure. . Such boards are well known and understood in the art. As part of the overall structure, a board 202 has at least one, and sometimes, more grounding layers or grounding planes, either on the lowermost surface c included within the board at an intermediate position. It has been recognized that due to the way in which the antennas in a wireless device excite currents in the ground plane, less useful utility antennas can be replaced by a smaller compact antenna element as long as it is properly placed with respect to to the grounding plane of the wireless device. This led to the creation and development of a substrate antenna as described in the copending application discussed above. An exemplary substrate antenna 300 is shown in the top and side view of FIGS. 3a-3c. In FIGURES 3a and 3b, the substrate antenna 300 includes a conductor trace 302, also known as the ribbon or elongated conductor, a dielectric support substrate 304 and a signal feeding region 306. The conductor trace 302 can be manufactured as more than one connected trace electrically, together, in series to form the desired antenna radiator structure. The trace 302 is electrically connected to a conductive adapter 308 in the signal supply region 306 at or adjacent one end of the substrate 304. The substrate 304 is manufactured from a dielectric material or substrate, such as a circuit board or known flexible material for such uses. For example, a small fiberglass-based printed circuit board (PCB) could be used. Those skilled in the art of antenna design and electronics are very familiar with the various products available from which an appropriate antenna substrate can be manufactured, based on the dielectric properties or the bandwidth characteristics of the antenna. antenna desired. The trace is manufactured from a conductive material such as, for example, copper, brass, aluminum, silver or gold, or other conductive materials or compounds that are known to be useful in the manufacture of antenna elements. These could include conductive materials included within plastic or conductive epoxy, which can also act as the substrate. The trace material may be deposited with known techniques such as, but not limited to, standard gravure of a conductive material on a dielectric substrate.; electrorecovery or another type of deposition of a conductive material on a substrate; or placing a thin plate of conductive material on a support substrate using adhesives or the like. In addition, known coating or deposition techniques can be used to deposit metallic or conductive material on a plastic support substrate, which can be formed as desired. The length of the trace 302 primarily determines the resonant frequency of the substrate antenna 300, and is appropriately sized for a particular operating frequency. Generally a conductive element, stroke or strokes, which are approximately one quarter of a wavelength is used (?) effective for the frequency of interest. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize the benefits of making the wavelength slightly greater or less than? / 4, for the purpose of equalizing the impedance of the corresponding transmitter or receiver circuit. In addition, connection elements such as exposed wires, wires or clips contribute to the total length of the antenna, and are taken into account when choosing the dimensions of the strokes, as would be known.

Where a wireless device is capable of communicating at more than one frequency, the length of the trace 302 is based on the ratio of those frequencies. That is, multiple frequencies can be accommodated provided they are related by fractions of a wavelength. For example, the length of. ? / 4 for a frequency corresponds to 3? / 4 or? / 2 for the second frequency. Such relationships for using single radiators for multiple frequencies are well understood in the art. The thickness of the trace, or strokes, 302 is usually of the order of a small fraction of the wavelength, to minimize or prevent currents or transverse modes, and to maintain a minimum antenna size (thickness). The selected value is based on the bandwidth over which the antenna must operate, as is known in the art of antenna design. The width of the trace 302 is also less than a wavelength in the material of the dielectric substrate, so that higher order modes are not excited. The total length of the trace 302 is approximately? / 4, but it should be noted that the trace can be folded, folded, or otherwise redirected, to extend it again along itself so that the overall structure of the antenna is much smaller than? / 4 in length. The dimensions of the conductor, the support substrate and the overall length are combined to provide a significant reduction in the overall size of the antenna compared to conventional tape or provisional antenna antennas, thus making it more desirable for use in devices personal communication. For example, compare this with a conventional microstrip ground antenna connection plane which has a dimension of at least? / 4, to work properly. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3c, the conductive adapter 308 is placed in the signal supply region 306 and is electrically coupled or connected to the trace 302. Generally, the adapter 308 and the trace 302 are formed of the same material. , possibly as a single structure, using the same manufacturing technique, although this is not a requirement. The adapter 308 simply needs to make good electrical contact with the trace 302 for signal transfer purposes without having an adverse impact on the impedance or performance of the antenna. In some configurations, the trace is oriented away from the circuit board or sources or signal receivers, and the substrate is placed between the trace and the board. Here, the conductor adapter 308 is inappropriately positioned to access directly from the circuit board, without requiring a wire or other conductor to extend around the substrate. This is more complex than desired. Therefore, as shown in FIGURE 3c, a second contact adapter 310 may be used on the opposite side of the substrate and the conductive pathways used to transfer signals through the substrate. A signal transfer power is coupled to the substrate antenna 300 using the adapter 300 (and 310), which allows electrical connection and convenient signal transfer through contacts or clips of the "spring" type, or charged by spring, the structure of which is known in the art. This simplifies the construction and manufacture of the wireless device by eliminating the manual installation of connectors or specialized contact structures. This also means that the antenna is conveniently replaceable when necessary or desirable, such as for repairs, upgrades or alterations. As discussed above, the contact structure contributes to the total length of the antenna radiator, which is taken into account when choosing the dimensions of the trace.

The signal supply couples a signal from a signal processing unit or circuit (not specifically shown) on the circuit board 202 to the substrate antenna 300. Note that "circuit" or signal unit is used to refer generally to the functions provided by the known signal processing circuits, including the receivers, transmitters, amplifiers, filters, transceivers and so on. FIGURES 4a-4e illustrate several alternative embodiments for the lines used to form an antenna 300 according to the present invention. In FIGURE 4a, a trace 302 'is shown as a single thin conductive tape extending the entire length of the substrate 304 (shown as a sketch), and connected to or formed with a round contact adapter 308 on one end, and having an elongated or round portion 402 formed on the non-contact end. This stroke has the appearance of a "dog bone". In FIGURE 4b, the trace 302"is formed as a thin, long conductive tape, connected to or formed with a more square contact adapter 308. Here, the strip extends the entire length of the substrate 304. In FIGURE 4c, a line 302 '' 'is formed which also extends the entire length of the substrate 304 and then folds or bends near a non-contacting far end 404, so that it is redirected back to the contact adapter. allows the antenna to have a shorter total length than the line used to form the element of length? / 4. As stated above, it should be understood that a variety of patterns or shapes can be used to redirect or bend the line to For example, square corners, circular corners or other shapes for this function may be used, without varying from the teachings of the invention.The stroke is also wider in the folded portion backwards than in the other portion. The increased width, as in FIGS. 4b and 4c, provides a "higher load" or improved bandwidth to the antenna, which will be useful for some applications. However, this extra width is not required by the invention. In FIGURE 4d, a stroke 302"" assumes a more complex shape after the edge of the substrate that has been manufactured with a tongue or projection along an edge and a corresponding depression or depression on the opposite edge. Such tabs and other angles and depressions along the entire length of the substrate serve to interconnect with the sides or characteristics of the housing of the wireless device and various support elements. That is, the edges of the substrate 304 can be formed in, or take a variety of shapes to fit within a housing. The edges may be formed to mate with one or more corresponding variations placed around the walls of the housing and to circumscribe various deformations, function, irregularities or known projections of the surfaces of the walls of the housing, or even to leave room for wires, conductors and cables that need to be placed in a wireless device. The sides c edges of the substrate may use a variety of rounded, square or other shapes for this purpose. Note that the space 406 between the end of the line where it is folded backwards and the edge of the substrate that serves to fix the line backwards form the edge of the antenna. In addition, the shape of the trace 302 (302 ', 302", 302' '', 302" ") or the antenna of the substrate 300 can also vary in a three-dimensional direction, that is, although the strokes are formed as generally planar surfaces , the substrate, or the surface of the substrate, can be curved or bent to accommodate various mounting configurations, i.e., that the substrate can be manufactured as a curved or bent structure, a variable surface, or simply be deformed during installation due to its generally thin but strong nature. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that several curves or bends may be used in this dimension. For example, the surface of the substrate could form a "meander" pattern of some kind as well. A preferred embodiment of the substrate antenna when used in the telephone of FIGURE 1, which was constructed and tested, is shown in the front plan view of FIGURE 4e. Here, the substrate 304 was made approximately 52 millimeters in total length with a stroke width of about 1 mm. In this configuration, it was not desirable to fold back a portion and the width was substantially uniform without enlargement. The contact adapters 308 and 304 (on the opposite surface) were made both square of approximately 4.5 x 6 cm with a series of appropriate conductive paths extending through the substrate to connect the two. A glass fiber substrate was used which was approximately 1 mm thick, and the strokes and adapters were approximately 0.01 mm thick. In FIGS. 5a and 5b, antennas 104 and 106 have been replaced by substrate antenna 300. Circuit board 202 is shown in FIGURE 5a as comprising multiple layers of conductive and dielectric materials, such as copper and fiber. glass, forming what is known in the art as a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB). This is illustrated as a layer of dielectric material 502 near a metallic conductive layer near the layer of dielectric material 506 near or supporting a metallic conductive layer 508. Conductive paths (not shown) are used to interconnect the various conductors on different layers. or levels with the components on the external surfaces. The patterns recorded on any given layer determine the interconnection patterns for that layer. In this configuration, each layer 504 or 508 may form a grounding layer or plane, as commonly referred to as screen 202, as would be known in the art. The antenna 300 is mounted adjacent to the circuit board 202, but offset from the ground plane and placed with the substrate 304 substantially perpendicular to the ground plane. This arrangement provides a very thin profile for the antenna 300, which allows it to be placed in very closed spaces and close to the surface of the housing 102. For example, the antenna 300 can be placed between the bracket or the mounting posts and the side (upper) of housing 102, something that is not achieved using conventional microstrip antenna designs. As an option, such poles can now be used to automatically place and support an antenna 300 without requiring additional machining or support attachments. This provides a very simple assembly mechanism or means for securing the substrate in place, reducing labor costs for the installation of the antenna and potentially allowing automated assembly. Alternatively, the substrate 304 can be secured in place using small clamps, or using posts, protuberances, edges, slits, channels or the like, formed in the material used to manufacture the walls of the housing 102. That is, such supports they are molded, or otherwise formed, in the wall of the housing of the device when it is manufactured, such as by injection molding. These support elements can then keep the substrate 304 in position when it is inserted against, between, or within them, or use fasteners attached thereto, during the assembly of the telephone. Other mounting means are the use of adhesives or tapes to retain the substrate against the side wall or some other portion or element of the wireless device.

As seen in FIGURE 5b, the substrate 304 may be curved or otherwise folded to closely match the shape of the housing or to accommodate other elements, features, or components within the wireless device. The substrate can be manufactured in this way or deformed during its installation. The use of a thin substrate allows the substrate to be flexed or bent when installed, providing tension or pressure through the substrate against adjacent surfaces. This pressure generally acts to generally secure the substrate in place without the need for fasteners. Some form of capture is then achieved by simply installing the board of adjacent circuits and the covers or portions of the housing that are held in place. However, there is no need to deform or bend the substrate either during manufacture or installation for the present invention to operate properly. The conductive adapter 308 is placed adjacent to and coupled or electrically connected to the board 202 using a contact or spring clip 516. The contact or spring clip 516 is mounted on the circuit board 202 using well known techniques such as welding or conductive adhesives. . The clip 516 is electrically connected to one end of the appropriate conduits or condition tracks for transferring signals to and from one or more desired transmit and receive circuits used within the wireless device, which are to be coupled to the antenna 300. The other end of clip 516 floats freely generally and extends from circuit board 202 to where antenna 300 is to be placed. More specifically, the clip 516 is positioned adjacent the end of the trace 302 where the contact adapter 308 or 310 is located. As shown in the figures, the clip 516 is bent into a circular or arcuate shape, which provides a structure more flexible and simple work. However, other types of tweezers that are useful are known. The contact or spring clip 516 is typically manufactured from a metallic material such as copper or brass, although any known deformable conductive material can be used for this type of application subject to attenuation of signals or other desirable contact characteristics, as is well known in the art. Because antenna 300 is not placed on or parallel to and immediately adjacent to a ground plane, such as layer 504, the antenna has or maintains a sufficiently large radiation resistance. This means that it is possible to provide an appropriate adaptation for antenna 300 without incurring significant losses, i.e., that the antenna has good matching impedance. This efficiency is maintained even if the antenna 300 is moved to several deviated positions on one side of the circuit board 202, that is, if it moves laterally but not nearer the board 202. Locate the antenna adjacent and above, or beyond From the edge of, the plane of connection to ground in relation to the housing, the antenna provides a very omnidirectional pattern, greater than that of a conventional whip antenna. This positioning of the antenna also means that the resulting radiation pattern is polarized substantially vertically as desired for most wireless communication devices. An advantage of the substrate antenna is that it does not require removing part of the grounding plane or circuit board to be mounted or placed in place. Antennas or large traditional connection elements require a much more real state or area since they need to be part of the removed circuit board, or circuits moved, to have a place for mounting. However, it was contemplated that the teachings of the present invention may also provide improvements to the operation of those other types of proposed internal antennas, reducing the pickup of noise and increasing the relative bandwidth. There are three main energy losses that impact the operation of antenna 300 in a wireless device. These are the reflection loss of the impedance caused by the dielectric load of a user's hand, absorption by a user's head, and absorption by the hand of a user. Such loss by absorption or reflection of the energy can degrade the operation. For example, the absorption by the hand and the head can significantly attenuate the signals that are being used by the wireless device, thereby degrading the operation. A portion of the antenna 300 considered most sensitive to that effect is open sections, without power, adjacent thin end of the trace 302. This portion of the antenna can be located or located within the housing of the telephone so that a user's hand will make the less possible contact or maintain a significant separation with the hand. This antenna design allows flexibility in placement within the wireless device to minimize absorption by the hand, and more importantly decrease the deflection loss that can be created by the presence of a hand or other items adjacent to a antenna (except when such deviation is desired). To reduce the effects of hand loading, improve power distribution and provide other advantages, the antenna may have conductive guards placed near the antenna traces. For some applications it is desirable to place an electrically conductive protective material adjacent to or around a portion of the substrate antenna. This creates an "armored" substrate antenna which can have improved radiation characteristics by establishing a zero current near the array of the field with the energy being directed towards the far field pattern of the antenna. The protection is typically formed as layers of conductive material that are deposited in planes parallel to, and above or below the traces of the antenna. This is generally achieved by using substrates or additional dielectric material deposited on the strokes and then depositing or repelling conductive material thereon. The respective protective layers can also be electrically connected to each other to further increase the protection along the sides of the antenna, using conductive tracks, tape, and the like. A variety of conductive materials, shapes, styles and sizes can be used to form the protective layers or structures for the antenna. Such an antenna is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 059,605 entitled Armored Substrate Note, which is incorporated herein by reference. To further assist in reducing the size of the antenna or allowing flexible positioning within the housing 102, the antenna may also be formed by placing or depositing conductive material on the housing or a surface within the wireless device. That is, that where there is a relatively clean or unobstructed path along the side wall of the housing, the trace can be deposited or formed to the right of the wall. This is shown in the cross-sectional side view of FIGURE 6 where the trace 302 was placed directly on the housing which acts as a support substrate. Where the portion of the wall of the housing to be used is coated with metal or is made of an electrically conductive or metallic or other material, an intermediate layer of insulating material can be used between the housing and the traces 302. In this configuration it could be forming a metal layer having the configuration of the desired trace on a thin layer of the material having an adhesive device allowing easy placement in the wireless device by simply pressing against the side of the housing. This step could still be automated using "remove and put" machinery known in the art. Nevertheless, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, that the relative positioning of the antenna or conductive material in relation to the grounding plane should be the same as that discussed above. Unfortunately, when using some wireless devices, such as the telephone of FIGURES la-Ib, there are situations in which the substrate antenna tends to have a smaller gain than desired, which allows the wireless device to be referred to as " desensitized "by noise, and exhibits a pattern of undesirable energy distribution. Antennas of the substrate and other internal ones are by nature placed adjacent to a variety of sources and signal conductors which can induce noise or signal pick-up by the antenna. This requires that the wireless device becomes less sensitive to eliminate internal noise pickup (reduced gain) resulting in less sensitivity to the desired communication signals. An internal antenna also allows the energy or radiation to be directed or coupled to undesirable nodes or directions within the device or circuit, also reducing the gain of the attainable antenna. At the same time, the energy coupling can cause some of the energy to be undesirably radiated from different elements to the antenna, along one direction towards a user of the device. In addition, although a substrate antenna exhibits improved bandwidth, there is a continuing interest in the design of wireless devices having a greater bandwidth. This is especially useful for the devices used or through multiple communication systems, in multiple countries, or in different "modes" of operation where multiple frequencies are used. The result is that although the substrate antenna is an internal antenna that can be placed to minimize the impact of hand load, and is less sensitive than previous antennas, additional work is desirable to reduce reflection and noise losses. , and improve the bandwidth and total gain at the same time. To solve these and other problems in certain configurations of wireless devices, a new parasitic provisional element or connection has been created that operates in combination with the substrate antenna. The construction and operation of this element is illustrated below. As shown in FIGURE 7, the clamshell or folding shell type wireless telephone device 700 as seen in FIGURES la and Ib, has a upper housing section or portion 702 and a lower portion or portion 704, which are secured together in a rotary joint 706. In this arrangement, the upper portion 702 is generally used to support or accommodate the telephone speaker 110, possibly a visual display device 112, a battery or an energy pack 120, and possibly an alert device (not shown) such as a vibrator or a special buzzer module, all of which are well known in the art. A flexible cable, flexible line, conductors or very thin, flat or small flexible cables are used to transfer energy or signals between a set of battery contacts 710, horns 110, or warning elements mounted on the upper portion 702 and the control board. circuits 202 in the lower portion of the housing 704. However, a variety of known wires or cables may be used within the wireless device to transfer such signals to and from a variety of known elements, without departing from the teachings of the invention. The signals involved in these types of transfers are very low in energy and frequency, and generally do not present a problem for the operation of the telephone or for a user of the wireless device. These signals can be analog or digital depending on the application and the specific signal. A set of such conductors in the form of a flat multi-conductor flexible cable 712 is shown in FIGURE 7 running from positions just below the board 202 through the seal or union and up to the battery contacts 710 and a set of speaker contacts 714 Unfortunately, those conductors were very close to at least one end of the trace 302 for the antenna 300. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGURE 7, the conductors are positioned adjacent the feed portion of the antenna 300 and close to the clip 516, the which acts effectively as part of the antenna 300, unlike the conductors or contacts for the whip antenna shown in FIGURE 2, which are protected and further away from such conductors. This results in several problems for the wireless device. This placement of the conductors allows the electromagnetic fields produced by them to interact with the antenna which acquires or "captures" some of the energy from the surrounding fields or emanating from the conductors. In addition, signals from other sources can be imposed or picked up by unprotected drivers and transferred to a region near the antenna. The result is that at least some portion of the signals traveling over, are picked up by the conductors, is transferred to the antenna. The signals coupled from such conductors to the antenna can be transferred to the receiving circuit for the wireless device, where they are amplified. This is undesirable since such signals are not useful communication signals but represent noise. That is, the produced audio signals that are intended to be for the horn (110), are the commands or signals used to activate an alert device, or some signals from the battery cables may be imposed on an antenna (300) . In addition, some other signals may be intercepted by those conductors, which are not protected, including the output of the antenna or the transmission circuit.

In any case, this noise must be ignored or suppressed from the wireless device. This requires or results in a decrease in the sensitivity of the receiving circuits of the device to take noise into account. That is, such circuits must be very insensitive to low level signals (noise) so as not to amplify or feedback such noise to the rest of the processing circuits. Unfortunately, that also results in the decrease or degradation of the ability to detect or use desirable, "real" communication signals of lower energy. Another more distant side effect is that the communication system may be required to use more energy on average to reach some wireless devices which create more interference for other systems used and decrease the total capacity of the system. At the same time, the conductors may be able to resonate with the fields produced by the antenna to some degree or measure, and a small percentage of the antenna's radiation or energy is redirected to the conductors. Although this effect may be very small compared to the power or power that is transferred through the spring clip contact 516, it may still represent a significant loss and impact on the operation of the cordless telephone in various ways. First, the energy redirected from the antenna to some other portion of the phone represents energy or power losses for communication. This means that more energy is consumed from limited resources, such as batteries, to maintain a particular output level or provision, according to what is referred to in the art. This has a potential impact on both the quality of the communication, and the operation or waiting time available for the telephone. Therefore, the present invention alters the manner in which the conductors are configured in regions surrounding, or adjacent to, the antenna, to reduce the energy that is being radiated by or transferred to the antenna by such conductors. Working in concert with a substrate antenna, this technique increases the gain of the antenna, the reception sensitivity of the wireless device, and the bandwidth of the antenna, improves the adaptation of the impedance, and decreases the undesirable radiation. A first embodiment of the invention is shown in the top plan view of FIGURE 8a, and in the cross-sectional view, of FIGURE 8b. In FIGS. 8a and 8b, and the figures that follow, only an outline of the circuit board 202 is shown for purposes of illustration clarity. A nearly thin flat wire harness of flexible cable 712 consisting of a series of conductors extends from one or more connectors on the underside of the circuit board 202, or from a top surface of the board, depending on the specific design. Those skilled in the art are very familiar with this type of conductor assembly and connectors with which it is interconnected. The harness 712 passes near the end of the antenna 300 and along an outer surface of the upper portion 702. Near the upper end of the harness 712, different conductors extend in different directions or along different paths to connect to each or more battery contacts 710, horn contacts 714 or miscellaneous contacts used to transfer other types of signals or well-known voltages. In this configuration, with the harness or cable 712 passing immediately adjacent to the antenna 300, the spurious noise is found or coupled to the antenna. This means that the sensitivity of the reception circuits or processing elements connected to the antenna should decrease to reduce the noise impact. This results in a corresponding decrease or fall in the total sensitivity for the wireless device for the communication signals. It has been determined that 1 magnitude of this decrease is in the range of 3-4 dB, which is very significant. To minimize or prevent the coupling of energy between the cable 712 and the antenna 300, or in the adjacent air surrounding the telephone, a parasitic element or provisional connection 800 is used which acts as a protection element or alters the resonant characteristics or power coupling cable or conductors. At the same time, the parasitic element 800 acts to separate the charge through the gap, gap or gap between the antenna 300 and the grounding plane of the circuit board 202, this increases the effectiveness or virtual area of the antenna to the frequency of interest. This increases the gain and bandwidth of antenna 300 accordingly. The gain of the wireless device is increased in the range of about 0.8 to 1.5 dB. By parasitically coupling the parasitic element to the noise connection plane of the circuit board 202 using the cable 712, the gain and bandwidth of the wireless device that can be obtained is further increased. This can cause the gain to increase by a factor of approximately 0.8 to 1.5 dB. The parasitic element and the parasitic coupling increase the bandwidth of the wireless devices by a factor of at least about 1.5. Alternatively, the parasitic element can be coupled to the grounding plane using a conductor such as a wire 908, discussed below, as desired. The parasitic element or provisional connection 800 is manufactured from a conductive material such as, for example, copper, brass, aluminum, silver, gold, or other conductive materials or compounds known to be useful in the manufacture of antenna elements. These could include conductive materials included in plastic, resins or conductive epoxies. The material for creating the parasitic element can be applied using one of several known techniques such as, but not limited to, metallic deposition or conductive material on a plastic support element or substrate which is then mounted in place. Alternatively, a thin plate or thin sheet of conductive material or metal can be used, which is secured in place such as by taping or using adhesive compounds. The material itself can be formed as a thin metal tape or "tag" material which is appropriately dimensioned and then pressed into place on the harness 712. That is, the thinner and more flexible elements are maintained in Place them using a variety of known means, such as composites or adhesive tapes. The thicker material or the elements of the provisional connection are usually held in place using clamps, screws, or snap connections, especially if the provisional connection is also mounted on a substrate to facilitate transport and removal to service the harness 712 It is also possible to use standard electrorecovery or other deposition techniques to coat a layer of conductive material on the cable and the surface of the housing of the wireless device. This includes using conductive material in liquid form, similar to what was discussed for the manufacture of the substrate antenna. In addition, although the provisional connection element is illustrated as a single layer of conductive material, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, multiple layers of material can be used to cover specific areas or to achieve a desired total thickness for the parasitic element based on the frequency or magnitude of energy to be blocked. Multiple layers can be used to achieve a particular complex shape or to simplify manufacturing. Multiple layers of material may also be deposited on or interspersed with other materials such as a support substrate. Alternatively, multiple layers are used where a provisional connection or conductive layer is to be placed on the opposite sides of, or interspersed with, the conductors, as opposed to the placement on only one side. The parasitic element is assembled to cover at least a significant portion of the cable or harness. There tends to be a non-exact percentage of the cable that must be covered, but instead it is based on the amount of energy or radiation coupling that is to be prevented or minimized in a given application. It is preferred that the entire length of the cable be covered, especially in the region below or adjacent to the internal antenna. The width of the parasitic element is at least three times that of the cable or conductor that is being covered, to inhibit the field coupling with the antenna. Those skilled in the art will understand that the amount of noise they wish to suppress for a given wireless device design, or the amount of noise that is present and must be counteracted to achieve a preselected target sensitivity value for the device. They will also be aware of the factor in which it is desirable to increase the effective area of the antenna and the corresponding gain and bandwidth, for particular device applications. These factors are used to select particular dimensions for the elements of the provisional connection. In FIGS. 8a and 8b, the provisional connection 800 is shown covering the entire region between junction 706 and battery contacts 710. Although this arrangement is preferred as one that is more likely to work or have the desired effect, the connection Provisional does not always need to be large to work properly, or improve the operation of the wireless device. The parasitic element shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b employs a rectangular or square overall shape or outline. However, just as an appropriate amount of the cable is covered, the provisional connection element 800 can assume a variety of other shapes or configurations. Alternative embodiments or configurations for the parasitic provisional connection element of FIGURES 8a and 8b are shown in the plan views of FIGURES 9a-9d. In FIGURE 9a, a parasitic element 900 is shown using a circular or elliptical shape. In FIGURE 9b, a parasitic element 902 uses a triangular shape; in FIGURE 9c, a parasitic element 904 uses a more elongated shape with circular edges; and in FIGURE 9d, a parasitic element 906 has a more complex series of rectilinear and angular edges or sides. In each of the figures, the parasitic element (800, 900, 902, 904 and 906) is shown as being connected or grounded by the wireless device. Here, the ground connection is loaded on and it is the grounding plane of the circuit board 202, but that need is not the only case. In FIGURE 9a this coupling is shown as a parasite, with the signals being coupled to the ground connection through one of the cables running with or forming part of the harness 712. In FIGURES 9b, 9c and 9d this coupling it is shown as the use of a wire, cable or similar conductor 908. In FIGURE 9b a conductor 908 is connected to the grounding plane in the circuit board through a connector 910. In FIGURE 9c the conductor 908 is It connects to a ground wire for the terminals of the battery 710 and in FIGURE 9d the wires 908 are connected to the ground plane on the circuit board through one of the wires in the harness 712. The connection from the parasitic element to the grounding conductors 908, or harness 712 on the board 202, can be achieved by using a variety of well-known connection techniques or devices such as, but not limited to, welding, condom adhesives uctores or encapsulantes compounds, pieces of wire, tongues, bent material, or known electrical connectors. In some applications, the driver may have a contact surface on one end that is simply pressed against the parasitic element used by other fasteners, posts or the like within the wireless device. The area or dimensions of the parasitic element 800 may also be adjusted in view of the anticipated or expected signal frequencies that are to be reduced or eliminated by the parasitic element. In FIGS. 8a, 8b, and 9a-9d the parasitic element 800 is shown being placed on the harness or cable in relation to the front or back of the telephone. That is, the wiring or harness is first mounted in place during the assembly of the telephone, and the provisional connection element is placed on the harness afterwards. However, the provisional connection could be installed first and the harness later. This has the advantage of making the harness in a position of greater service without the need to remove the provisional connection. This also provides a potentially more easily automated placement or deposition of the provisional connection material during telephone manufacturing. Furthermore, although only one element of the provisional connection is illustrated in FIGS. 8a, 8b, and 9a-9d, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, multiple interim connections can be used to cover specific areas where the radiation coupling is more severe, or easier to control. Multiple interim connections can be used to achieve a particular complex shape or to simplify installation. Alternatively, multiple temporary connections could also be used where a provisional connection or conductive layer is to be placed on opposite sides of the conductors, as opposed to a single side. One embodiment for the parasitic provisional connection element described above was manufactured in the form of a thin metallic "label" which measured approximately 51 mm by 41 mm in size, and was placed on a flexible cable structure in a cordless telephone. An internal antenna in the form of a protected substrate antenna having the dimensions discussed above in relation to FIGURE 4d is employed within the telephone. The result of using the parasitic element of the invention was an approximate increase in the gain for the wireless telephone of approximately 2-3 dB, and an increase in the bandwidth of the antenna by a factor of approximately 1.8 or an increase of approximately 80 percent. In addition, the adaptation of the invention with other elements that are being connected to the antenna improved, with reduced adaptation losses. These results clearly indicate that the new parasitic provisional connection element decreases the impact of noise, increases bandwidth, and provides other features and effects that make it very useful for the application of wireless communication devices. The physical benefits and results of using an internal antenna according to one of the embodiments of the invention, and removing both the whip antenna 104 and the helical antenna 106 are readily apparent in the side plan view of FIGURE 5c. In FIGURE 5c, a telephone 100 'is shown, which is the same as the telephone of FIGURE Ib but which uses the present invention in place of the antennas 104 and 106. In this configuration, a housing 102' has been manufactured. without the openings normally associated with external antennas, providing a more aesthetic appearance.

The above description of the preferred embodiments was provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The different modifications to those modalities will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, as well as the type of wireless device in which they are used, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other modalities without the use of the inventive faculty. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but according to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features described herein. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (30)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A parasitic element for use with an internal antenna in a wireless communication device having one or more signal or energy transfer conductors or signal feeds located adjacent to the antenna, characterized in that it comprises: at least one layer of the conductive material placed adjacent to one or more of the conductors in a region adjacent to the antenna, having a preselected width in relation to the conductors, and a preselected length along the conductors sufficient to prevent energy being coupled between the antenna and the conductors in the region of the layer.
2. 2. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of conductive material is placed on or under one or more of the conductors. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that one more conductors extend between the preselected signal processing elements of the wireless device and the energy sources and have a portion located immediately adjacent to the antenna. 4. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two layers of conductive material. 5. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal antenna comprises a substrate antenna. The parasitic element according to claim 5, characterized in that the substrate antenna includes one or more conductive traces supported on a dielectric substrate having a predetermined thickness; and the support substrate is mounted deviated from and generally perpendicular to a ground plane associated with the wireless device. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-selected width is at least twice as wide as the conductors. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one layer of the conductive material comprises a provisional connection or patch of electrically conductive material placed on the conductors adjacent to the antenna. The parasitic element according to claim 8, characterized in that the provisional connection or part is parasitically coupled to the grounding plane of the wireless device. 10. The parasitic element according to claim 8, characterized in that the provisional connection or patch has a substantially rectangular shape. The parasitic element according to claim 8, characterized in that the provisional connection or patch has a substantially circular shape. 12. The parasitic element according to claim 8, characterized in that the provisional connection or patch has a substantially triangular shape. The parasitic element according to claim 8, characterized in that the provisional connection or patch has a complex geometric shape. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive material is sized to reduce a substantial portion of the coupling energy between the conductors and the antenna by altering the resonant or energy coupling characteristics of the conductors. The parasitic element according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive material is configured in size to increase the effective area and the corresponding gain and bandwidth of the antenna in pre-selected quantities. 16. A method for increasing the gain and bandwidth of an internal antenna in a wireless communication device, having one or more signal or power transfer conductors fed from signals located adjacent to the antenna, characterized in that it comprises placing a parasitic element adjacent to one or more of the conductors in a region located adjacent to the antenna. 17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the conductive material is placed either on or under one or more of the conductors. 18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the parasitic element comprises at least one layer of conduit material placed on one or more of the conductors, having a pre-selected width in relation to the conductors, and a pre-selected length as long enough of the conductors to prevent the energy from being coupled between the antenna and the conductors in the region of the layer. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the parasitic element is coupled parasitically to the grounding plane in the wireless device through the conductors. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the coupling of the parasitic element to the grounding plane of the wireless device increases its gain by approximately 2 to 3 dB and its bandwidth by a factor of at least 1.5. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the parasitic element comprises at least two layers of conductive material. 22. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises forming the parasitic element as a provisional connection or patch of electrically thin conductive material. 23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises forming the provisional connection or patch with a substantially rectangular shape. 24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises forming the provisional connection or patch with a substantially circular shape. 25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises forming the provisional connection or patch with a substantially triangular shape. 26. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises forming the provisional connection or patch with a complex geometric shape. 27. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises forming the provisional connection or patch with a width at least twice the width of the conductors. 28. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises electrically connecting the provisional connection or patch to a ground potential for the wireless device. 29. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises forming the conductive material in a size to reduce a substantial portion of the coupling energy between the antenna and the conductors by altering the resonant and energy coupling characteristics of the conductors. 30. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises forming the conductive material in a size to increase the effective area and the corresponding bandwidth of the antenna by a pre-selected amount. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A parasitic element (800, 900) for use with an internal antenna (300) in a wireless device (100, 700). Generally, the antenna is a substrate antenna (300) with one or more conductive traces (302) supported on a substrate (304) and mounted deviated from a ground plane (504, 508) associated with the wireless device . One or more signal or power transfer conductors, cables or signal feeders (712) are placed immediately adjacent to the antenna (300), which are capable of coupling signals to the antenna which captures the energy of the surrounding fields or that emanate from the drivers. Alternatively, the drivers intercept a portion of the energy that is being transferred to the antenna (300). The provisional connection element or parasitic patch (800, 900) employs a thin conductive structure which is placed adjacent to, above or below those conductors (712), reduces a substantial portion of coupling energy between the conductors and the antenna altering the resonant or energy coupling characteristics of the conductors. The parasitic element (800, 900, 902, 904, 906) inhibits the transfer of energy between the conductors and the antenna, which increases the total gain of the device. In addition, the parasitic element and the parasitic coupling of the parasitic element to the ground connection plane increase the gain and bandwidth of the wireless devices. The parasitic element can be manufactured from a variety of materials and in a variety of forms (800, 900, 902, 904, 906) and installed using a variety of known techniques for placing and installing layers of conductive or metallic material.