TWI549363B - A dielectrically loaded antenna and method of manufacturing the same , and radio communication apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dielectric load antenna, manufacturing method thereof and radio communication device

The present invention relates to a dielectric load antenna for an electrically insulating core operating at a frequency exceeding 200 MHz and having a solid material, and to a radio communication device including a dielectric load antenna.

There are conventional dielectric load antennas operating at UHF frequencies, particularly compact antennas for portable radio communication devices such as cell phones, satellite phones, handheld positioning units, and mobile positioning units. The present invention is applicable to these and other fields, such as WiFi, ie, infinite area networks, devices, MIMO, ie, multiple input/multiple output systems, and other receiving and transmitting wireless systems.

Typically, such an antenna comprises a cylindrical ceramic core having a relative dielectric constant of at least 5, the outer surface of the core being supported as one of the antenna elements in the form of a spiral conductive track. In the case of a so-called "backfire" antenna, a shaft feed is enclosed in a hole that extends between the proximal and distal lateral outer surfaces of the core in the core. The conductor of the feed is coupled to the spiral track via a conductive surface connection element on the distal lateral surface portion of the core. Such an antenna is disclosed in the published British Patent Application No. GB 2 292 638, GB 2 295 952, GB 2 399 948, GB 2 441 566, GB 2 445 478, International Application No. WO 2006/ 136 809, and US Application No. US 2008-0174512 A1 One of the antennas, the impedance matching network comprising a printed circuit laminate secured to one of the distal outer surface portions of the core, and a network forming portion of the coupling between the feed elements and the helical elements. In each case, the feed is a coaxial transmission line having an outer shield conductor having a connection tab extending parallel to the axis through the vias in the laminate, the inner conductors extending similarly through a respective via. The antenna is assembled by first inserting the distal end portion of the coaxial feed into the vias in the laminate to form a unified feed structure, from which the feed of the attached laminate is inserted into the core. The inner passages cause the feeder to appear in the near-end laminate of the channel adjacent the far outer surface portion of the core. Next, a solder plated gasket or ferrule is placed in the proximal portion of the feed to form a loop bridge between the outer conductor of the feed and a conductor coating on the outer surface portion of the core. The assembly is then transferred through a coke oven to the near and far faces of the laminate, and the solder on the gasket or ferrule is melted to form a connection between (a) the feed and the matching network, (b) Between the matching network and the surface connection elements on the far outer surface portion of the core, (c) the conductor layer on the far outer surface portion of the feed and core. The assembly and fixing of the core feeder structure is thus a three-step process, namely inserting, placing a gasket or ferrule, and heating. It is an object of the invention to provide an antenna that is easier to assemble.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 200 MHz, wherein the antenna comprises: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative greater than 5 Dielectric constant and having an outer surface comprising a side surface portion extending transversely to an axis of the antenna and facing the surface portion and extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining An internal volume, the major portion of the internal volume being occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure comprising at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core and Extending from the distal core surface portion toward the proximal core surface portion; a feed structure in the form of an axially extending elongated laminate comprising at least one transmission line segment acting as a feed line extending from the distal core surface portion a channel in the core to the portion close to the core surface, and a complete extension of one of the transmission line segments A portion of the form of an antenna connection segment having a width in a plane of the laminate greater than a width of the channel and an impedance matching segment for coupling the antenna elements to the feed line. The use of an axially extending elongated laminate as a feed structure has the advantage of being relatively less rigid than an axial feed having a rigid metallic outer conductor. The increased width of the proximal extension of the transmission line segment provides additional areas for a variety of different connection elements, as will be described below. In particular, special miniature connector assemblies can be assigned if desired. Preferably, the laminate has at least first, second and third electrically conductive layers, the second layer being an intermediate layer between the first and third layers. In this way, it is possible to construct a feeder such that it has an elongated inner conductor formed by the second layer and a shield conductor formed by the first and third layers, respectively, and the outer mask conductors are respectively disposed thereon and The inner conductors underneath overlap. The mask conductors may in turn be interconnected by interconnects positioned along lines parallel to the inner conductors on opposite sides thereof, preferably by the series between the first and third layers Conductive via holes are formed. This has the effect of enclosing the inner conductor, whereby the transmission line has the characteristics of a coaxial line.

In some embodiments of the invention, the axially extending laminate carries an active circuit component on the proximate extension. Thus, an RF front end circuit, such as one of the low noise amplifiers, can be mounted to the laminate, for example, using a surface mount input conductor coupled to the components of the feed conductor. Alternatively, when the antenna is used for transmission, the board can carry an RF power amplifier or, when used in a transceiver, can carry a power amplifier and a switch. It is also possible to include further active circuit components, such as a GPS receiver chip or other RF receiver chip (even to the extent of a circuit having a low frequency (e.g., less than 30 MHz) or digital output), or a transceiver chip. Particularly in this embodiment, the laminate may have additional conductive layers. This allows the antenna to be connected to the host device without the use of a dedicated connector capable of handling radio frequency signals. In this case the size limitation imposed by the RF connection is avoided. The laminate may in this manner act as a single carrier forming part of an antenna assembly, provided as a complete unit, such as an active circuit component or any of the circuit components, matching components, and the like.

However, in an embodiment of the invention, an impedance matching section is carried on a second laminate, the conductor of which is coupled to the feed line. In this embodiment, the second laminate is oriented perpendicular to the axially extending laminate and has a hole therein to receive a distal portion of the axially extending laminate. The impedance matching section preferably includes at least one reaction matching element in the form of a shunt capacitor connected between the inner conductor and the shroud conductor of the feed line at its distal end. The series inductance can be coupled between one of the conductors of the feed line and the at least one elongated antenna element. The capacitor is preferably a discrete surface mount capacitor and the inductor is formed as a conductive track between the capacitor and one of each pair of elongated antenna elements.

A preferred antenna may be used as a dual service antenna. Thus, in the case of a four-arm helical antenna according to the invention, the antenna typically has not only one of the four-arm resonances of an antenna radiation pattern for circularly polarized radiation, but also a quasi-single for linearly polarized signals. Extreme resonance. The four-arm resonance produces a heart-shaped radiation pattern centered on the antenna axis and is thus suitable for transmitting or receiving satellite signals, while the quasi-monopole resonance produces an annular radiation pattern that is axisymmetric about the antenna and is thus suitable for transmitting and receiving land. Linearly polarized signal. A preferred antenna having these characteristics has a four-arm resonance in a first frequency band associated with a GNSS signal (eg, 1575 MHz, GPS-L1 frequency), and a 2.45 GHz ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) used by Bluetooth and WiFi systems. A quasi-monopole resonance in the frequency band.

When considering the dual service operation, the impedance matching section may be a two-pole matching section, including two inductors and first and second shunt capacitors between a first conductor or a feed line and an antenna element of each pair of conductive antenna elements. The series combination. The first shunt capacitor is connected as described above, that is, between the first and second conductors of the feed line. The second shunt capacitor is coupled between a second conductor of the feed line and another elongated conductive antenna element or a plurality of components, and a junction between the first and second inductors.

In the antennas described below, the use of an elongate laminate for a feed has the particular advantage that when a dual service operation of the antenna is required, the outer shroud conductor forms a conductive loop or loops that determine the frequency of the quasi-monopole resonance. In particular, the electrical connection of the feeder shield conductor depends, inter alia, on the width of the mask conductor. This means that the quasi-monopole resonance frequency can be selected substantially independently of the parameters of the image circularly polarized resonance frequency, if desired. The circular polarization can be provided by a four arm or any other multifilar as shown. Indeed, the antenna is suitable for a manufacturing process in which an elongated laminate of mask conductors having different widths is provided, the process comprising selecting one of the mask conductors having a particular width for each antenna depending on the intended use of the antenna. The steps. The same selection step can be used to reduce the change in resonant frequency caused by changes in the relative dielectric constant between different batches of antenna cores made from different batches of ceramic material.

Preferably, the elongate laminate is placed symmetrically within the passage through the antenna core. Thus, in the case of a channel of a circular cross section, it is preferred that the laminate is positioned diametrically. This assists in symmetrical representation of the mask conductor in the quasi-monopole resonance mode. It should be noted that the channels through the preferred antenna core are not plated. It is also preferred that the inner conductor of the transmission line segment is centrally positioned between the mask conductors to avoid asymmetric field concentration in the feeder. Lateral symmetry of the laminate with its upper conductor region is also preferred (i.e., symmetrical in the plane of the laminate conductive layer).

According to a second aspect of the invention, a backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 200 MHz comprises an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface The outer surface includes a side surface portion extending transversely to an axis of the antenna and facing the surface portion and extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume, the interior volume The main portion is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core and facing from the far core surface portion Adjacent to the core surface portion extending; and an axially extending laminate, encapsulated in a channel extending from the distal core surface portion through the core to the proximal core surface portion, the laminate having first and second a third conductive layer sandwiched between the first and third layers and including a transmission line segment serving as a feed line, and The feed line is coupled to a complete distal impedance matching section of the antenna elements; wherein the second layer forms an elongated inner conductor of the feed line and the first and third layers form an elongated mask conductor, the mask conductors It is wider than the inner conductors and interconnected along their elongated edge portions. Preferably, the antenna includes a trap element that links the proximal end of at least some of the elongate conductive elements and is coupled to the region of the proximate surface portion of the core The feeder. In a quasi-monopolar resonance mode, current flows in a second electrically conductive loop, the second electrically conductive loop being comprised of at least one of the elongate antenna elements between the conductors of the feed line, the trap component And an outer surface or a plurality of outer surfaces of the mask conductor of the feed line.

The unipolar resonance mode is a fundamental resonance, in which case a resonance frequency is higher than the frequency of the four-arm resonance mode.

Preferably, the elongated laminate has a substantially constant width transmission line segment, that is, formed as a constant width stripe, and the passage through the core has a circular cross section having a circular cross section diameter at least approximately equal to the stripe width such that the stripe edge is affected by the passage wall Support or in its longitudinal diameter relative to the groove.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a radio communication device comprising an antenna and a radio communication circuit device operatively connected to the antenna in at least two radio frequency bands above 200 MHz, wherein the antenna comprises a solid An electrically insulating dielectric core of material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface comprising a transverse direction extending transversely to an axis of the antenna and proximate to the surface portion and at the far end a side surface portion extending between the surface portions, a feed structure from which the feed structure substantially passes the core to the proximity surface portion and on or adjacent to the outer surface of the core An in-line combination of an elongated conductive antenna element and a conductive trap element having a ground connection to the feed structure in the region of the core proximate surface portion, the antenna element coupled to the core a feed connection of the feed structure in the region of the distal surface portion, wherein the radio communication circuit device Having two portions operable in a first and a second wireless frequency band, respectively, and a signal flowing between each portion and a common signal line for transmission to the antenna feed structure and the respective circuit device portion Individual signal lines associated with the antenna resonating in a first, circularly polarized resonant mode in the first frequency band and in a second, linear polarization resonant mode in the second frequency band, the first The second frequency band is located above the first frequency band, and the first and second resonance modes are fundamental resonance modes. The radio communication circuit mask can operate in a further circularly polarized and linearly polarized antenna resonance mode.

The first and second frequency bands have respective center frequencies, and the center frequency of the second frequency band is preferably higher than the first center frequency but less than twice the first center frequency.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 200 MHz, comprising: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric greater than five Constantly having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a relatively outwardly directed and outwardly facing surface portion extending transversely to an axis of the antenna and a side surface portion extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior a volume, the major portion of the internal volume being occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure comprising at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core and from a distal core surface portion extending toward the proximal core surface portion; an axially extending laminate that is encapsulated in a channel extending from the distal core surface portion to the proximal core surface portion, the laminate having at least a first And including a transmission line segment serving as a feed line, and a feed connection for coupling the feed line to the antenna elements a connecting component, the transmission line segment comprising at least first and second feeder conductors; wherein the laminate further comprises an approximate extension of the transmission line segment, the proximity extension carrying a coupling to the feeder conductors on one side An active circuit component having another side of the proximity extension having a ground plane electrically connected to one of the feeder conductors.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 500 MHz comprises: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having a An outer surface comprising a side surface portion extending transversely to an axis of the antenna and facing away from the surface portion and extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume, the interior The main portion of the volume is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure comprising at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core and from the far core surface portion Extending toward the portion close to the core surface; a feed structure in the form of an axially extending elongated laminate comprising at least one transmission line segment acting as a feed line extending from the distal core surface portion through a passage in the core To the portion close to the core surface; and a plurality of spring contacts located close to the antenna core, when formed as a device layer When a conductive layer or layers of contact regions of the stacked circuit board are positioned adjacent to the antenna at a preselected location, they are electrically connected to the feed line and are constructed and configured to resiliently resist a conductive layer formed as a device laminate circuit board or Multi-layer contact area. The spring contact is preferably a metal leaf spring that is shaped to elastically deform in response to pressure toward the antenna shaft. This elastic deformation can occur when the antenna is juxtaposed with the board plane perpendicular to one of the antenna axes of the device board. The pedestal plating on the near surface portion of the core of the preferred antenna provides a metal mounting base for the spring contacts, for example by soldering.

Alternatively, the metal leaf spring contact can be shaped to deform in response to pressure transverse to the antenna shaft, such as when the antenna is parallel to the board plane parallel to one of the antenna shafts of the device board.

The spring contacts are connected to the feeder conductors when soldered to the base conductor on the elongated laminate. Preferably, there are three side-by-side such spring contacts on a surface of the laminate adjacent the extended portion, the intermediate contacts are connected to the inner conductor of the feed line, and the first and third contacts are connected to the cover of the feed line. Cover conductor.

Each spring contact is preferably in the form of a folded metal spring element shaped to have a fixed leg for attachment to a conductive base on the laminate and a device circuit board for engaging the antenna One of the contact areas on the contact foot. The resilience of the spring element material allows for elastic deformation caused by the relative proximity movement of the two legs of the element by forcing the contact foot toward the fixed foot in response to the applied force.

The invention also provides a radio communication unit comprising a device circuit board, an antenna as described above, and a package of the circuit board and the antenna. The unit is configured such that when the antenna and the circuit board are mounted in the package, the spring contact elastically abuts a contact area formed as a conductive layer or a plurality of conductive layers of the device circuit board to connect the antenna to the device circuit board . The package is preferably two parts and has a volume of an antenna that is shaped to at least axially orient the antenna.

According to another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a method of assembling the above described radio communication unit, wherein the apparatus further comprises a two-part package for the antenna and the device circuit board, the package having a shape designed to receive the antenna and position the circuit a volume of a preselected position of the plate in which the spring contacts are registered with respective contact areas on the device circuit board and against respective contact areas, wherein the method comprises the steps of: securing the circuit board In the package, the antenna is placed in the volume, and the two parts of the package are provided together in an assembly condition, and the two parts are provided together to force the spring contacts against the respective contact areas on the device circuit board, thereby compressing The ground deforms the spring contact. Preferably, the two portions of the package are adsorbed together.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a radio communication device includes: (a) a backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies above 200 MHz, the antenna comprising: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a greater than a relative dielectric constant of 5 and having an outer surface, the outer surface including a lateral direction extending transversely to an axis of the antenna and a side surface portion extending between the distal surface portion and the distal surface portion The core outer surface defines an interior volume, the major portion of which is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on the side surface portion of the core or Adjacent and extending from the distal core surface portion toward the proximal core surface portion; and a feed structure in the form of an axially extending elongated laminate comprising at least one transmission line segment serving as a feed line a core surface portion extending through a channel in the core to the near core surface portion, the antenna having a surface portion adjacent to the core or An exposed contact area adjacent thereto; and (b) a radio communication circuit device having a device laminate circuit board having at least one conductive layer, the conductive layer or conductive layers having a plurality of contact terminal support regions, a respective spring The contact body is electrically connected to one of the plurality of contact terminal support regions, the respective spring contacts being positioned to resiliently resist respective ones of the exposed contact areas of the antenna. In one embodiment, the exposed contact areas of the antenna are parallel to the plane of the device laminate circuit board, and each of the spring contacts is shaped to apply a meshing force perpendicular to the plane of the device board. In another embodiment, the spring contact can be shaped to resiliently deform in response to pressure generally toward the axial direction of the antenna, whether the antenna is tower mounted or edge mounted or relative to the edge of the device board.

An option for connecting the antenna to the device board using the spring contacts is to provide a near end surface portion of the antenna core having a conductive layer that is patterned to provide an isolated conductive land, i.e., A portion of the wave or beryllium circuit is insulated from the remainder of the conductive layer. The remainder of the land and conductive layers can be used separately as a point-to-point base to which the respective folded resilient contacts are attached or as a base for the conductive plates forming the contact areas of the spring contacts on the circuit board of the mating device. When the spring contacts are fixed to the proximity conductive layer of the antenna, such contacts may additionally provide contact areas to the elongate laminate, particularly one of the contact areas on the opposite side of the extension of the transmission line segment. connection. This avoids the need for a soldered connection between the laminate and the device board in the case of a tower installation of the antenna or other connection configuration in which the spring contacts exert one of the antenna axial forces.

In the case where the spring contacts are mounted on the antenna, preferably three spring contacts are mounted side by side on the device circuit board to engage the three phase corresponding spaced apart contact areas on the side of the antenna elongated laminate adjacent the extended portion.

According to another aspect, a backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 200 MHz, comprising: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface The outer surface includes a side surface portion extending transversely to an axis of the antenna and facing away from the surface portion and extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume, the interior volume The main portion is occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure including at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core and from the far core surface portion Extending near a core surface portion; a feed structure including one of the first and second feed conductors extending from the far core surface portion through a passage in the core to the near core surface portion; wherein the near core surface portion has a a conductive coating patterned to form at least two electrically conductive regions that are electrically separated from each other, and wherein the antenna is further packaged An electrical connection comprising at least one pair of planar regions on each of the feed conductors and the electrically conductive regions on the surface portion proximate to the core at a proximal end of the channel The contact surface is mounted to mount an antenna on a host device circuit board, wherein the antenna axis is perpendicular to the device board.

According to a further method aspect, the invention provides a method of assembling the radio communication device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a two-part package for the antenna and the device circuit board, the package having a volume, the volume Shaped to receive the antenna and position it in a preselected position of the circuit board in which the spring contacts are registered with the respective contact areas of the antenna and against the respective contact areas, wherein the method includes The circuit board is fixed in the package, the antenna is placed in the volume, and the two parts of the package are provided together in an assembly condition, and the two parts are provided together to force the spring contact body against the respective contact areas on the antenna, thereby compressing The spring contact is deformed sexually.

Simple illustration

1A and 1B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a first antenna; FIGS. 1C and 1D are circuit diagrams of a monopole and bipolar matching network for the antennas of FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively; Is a perspective view of a portion of the wireless communication unit including the antennas of FIGS. 1A and 1B; FIGS. 3A to 3F are diagrammatic perspective views of the wireless communication unit of FIG. 2, showing a series of assembly steps; FIGS. 4A and 4B They are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a second antenna; FIGS. 5A and 5B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a first antenna assembly; and FIGS. 6A and 6B are respectively a second antenna assembly. Perspective assembly and disassembly view; Figures 7A and 7B are perspective assembly and disassembly views of a third antenna; Figures 8A and 8B are perspective assembly and disassembly views of a fourth antenna, respectively; Figures 9A to 9F Is a different view of a fifth antenna and its parts; 10A and 10B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a sixth antenna; and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a radio communication unit including a sixth antenna Figure 12 is a diagram of a selectable radio communication unit including a sixth antenna Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a seventh antenna; Figs. 14A and 14B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a further antenna; and Fig. 15 is a third laminate. An approximate view of a surface of the top connector; FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views of a plug top connector; and FIGS. 17A-17E illustrate various stages of the manufacturing process in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 18 is a flow chart according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 19 is a perspective view of a laminated board feed structure.

Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, an antenna according to a first aspect of the invention has an antenna element structure having a four-axis coextensive electroplated or metallized on a cylindrical outer surface of a cylindrical ceramic core 12. Spiral tracks 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D. The core dielectric material typically has a relative dielectric constant greater than 20. A material having a relative dielectric constant of 80 based on barium titanate is particularly suitable.

The core 12 has an axial passage in the form of a hole 12B extending from a distal surface portion 12D through the core to a proximal end surface portion 12P. The two surface portions are planes that are transverse and perpendicular to the axis center 13 of the core. They are relatively oriented with one surface portion facing far and the other facing near. Enclosed in the hole 12B is a feed structure in the form of an elongated laminate 14 having a transmission line segment 14A, a matching network connection portion 14B and an antenna connection portion 14C, and the antenna connection portion 14C is a transmission line. The segments are each formed in a form that is far and nearly close to the extension.

The laminate 14 has three conductive layers, and only one of the three conductive layers appears in FIG. 1B. This first conductive layer is exposed on an upper surface of the board 14U. A third conductive layer is similarly exposed on the lower surface of the laminated board 14L, and a second, intermediate conductive layer is implanted in the insulating material of the laminated board 14 between the first and third conductive layers. In the transmission line segment 14A of the laminated board 14, the second, intermediate conductive layer is in the form of a narrow elongated track extending centrally along the transmission line segment 14A to form an inner feed conductor (not shown). Overlying and underlying the inner conductor are wider elongated conductor tracks formed by the first and third conductive layers, respectively. These wider tracks constitute the upper and lower mask conductors 16U, 16L of the shield inner conductor.

The mask conductors 16U, 16L are interconnected by plated vias 17, which are disposed on opposite sides of the line parallel to the front of the inner conductor. The via is spaced from the longitudinal edge of the inner conductor such that the insulating material that passes through the laminate 14 is spaced from the longitudinal edge of the inner conductor. It will be understood that the combination of elongated tracks formed by the three conductive layers in the transmission line segment 14A and the interconnect vias 17 form a coaxial feed line having an inner conductor and an outer mask body, the outer mask body being It is composed of lower conductive tracks 16U and 16L and via holes 17. Typically, this coaxial feed line has a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms.

In the distally extending portion 14B of the laminated board 14, an inner conductor (not shown) is coupled to an exposed upper conductor 18U through an inner conductor distal via 18V. Similarly, on the lower surface of the distal extending portion 14B, there is an exposed connecting conductor 18L (not shown in Fig. 1B) which is an extension of the lower mask conductor 16L.

In the proximal extending portion 14C of the laminated board 14, an inner conductor (not shown) is connected to an exposed central contact region 18W of the upper surface 14U of the laminated board 14, and the contact region 18W is connected to the inner conductor through a proximity via 18X. . On the same upper laminate layer 14U, there are two external exposed contact regions 16V, 16W which are arranged on opposite sides of the central contact region 18W. In summary, the three side-by-side contact areas constitute a set of contacts for connecting the assembled antenna to, for example, a spring contact body on a device motherboard which will be described later.

It will be noted that the antenna connecting section 14C of the laminated board 14 is rectangular in shape, and the width of the rectangular shape is larger than the width of the side-by-side transmission line section 14A such that the laminated board 14 is inserted into the core 12 of the antenna 1 from the proximal end during assembly, the antenna The connecting section 14C is adjacent to the near end surface portion 12P of the antenna core 12 such that the antenna connecting section is closely exposed.

The length of the laminate 14 is such that when the antenna connection section is adjacent to the end surface portion 12P, the matching network connection section 14B has its distal end projecting a short distance from the hole 12B. The width of the transmission line segment generally corresponds to the diameter of the hole 12B (the cross section of the hole is circular) such that the outer mask conductors 16U, 16L are spaced from the ceramic material of the core 12. (Note that hole 12B is not plated.) Thus, through the ceramic material of core 12, mask conductors 16U, 16L have minimal dielectric loading. In this embodiment, the insulating material of the laminate has a relative dielectric constant of about 4.5.

The angular position of the laminate 14 is assisted by the longitudinal grooves in the hole 12B as shown in Figure 1B.

Electroplated onto the proximal end surface portion 12P of the core are surface connection elements formed as radial tracks 10AR, 10BR, 10CR, 10DR. Each surface attachment element extends from a distal end of each of the spiral tracks 10A-10D to a position of the end of the adjacent hole 12B. It will be seen that the radial tracks 10AR-10DR are interconnected by curved conductive links such that the four spiral tracks 10A-10D are interconnected in pairs at their distal ends.

The proximal ends of the antenna elements 10A-10D are connected to a common virtual ground conductor in the form of an electroplated sleeve 20 surrounding one of the proximal end portions of the core 12. The sleeve 20 extends to a conductive coating (not shown) adjacent the end surface portion 12P of the core.

The distal surface portion 12D of the overlying core 12 is a second laminate 30 that is in the form of an approximately square brick disposed relative to the center of the shaft 13. The lateral content of the second laminate 30 is such that it overlies the inner ends of the radial tracks 10AR, 10BR, 10CR, 10DR and their respective arcuate interconnects. The second laminate 30 has a single conductive layer on its lower side, that is, on the face of the distal end surface portion 12D facing the core. This conductive layer provides a feed connection and antenna element connections for coupling the conductive layers 16U, 16L, 18 of the transmission line segment 14A to the antenna elements 10A-10D via the conductive surface connection elements 10AR-10DR on the core surface portion 12D. The laminated conductive layer combined with a surface mount capacitor (not shown) on the underside thereof also constitutes an impedance matching network for matching the impedance exhibited by the antenna element structure to the characteristic impedance (50 ohm) of the transmission line segment 14A.

The circuit diagram of the impedance matching network is shown in Figure 1C. As shown in FIG. 1C, the impedance matching network has a shunt capacitor C connected through the conductors 16, 18 of the feed line, and radiation of one of the feeder conductors 18 and the antenna represented by the load or source 36. A series inductance between the elements 10A-10D is directly connected to the other conductors 16 of the feeders on the other side of the load/source 36. At this level, the interconnection of the feeder to the antenna elements 10A-10B is the same as that disclosed in WO2006/136809, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. The connection between the second laminate 30 and the conductors on the proximal end surface portion 12D of the core is made through a ball grid array 32, as described in our co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 091,444,034 This document is incorporated herein by reference.

The second laminate 30 has a central groove 34 that receives the extended matching network connection portion 14B of the elongated laminate 14. As shown in Figure 1A, a conductive connection is made between the conductive regions, and the conductive regions include cascading A conductor of a conductive layer (not shown) on the upper conductive region 18U of the board 14 and the lower side of the second laminate 30.

In the assembled antenna, the proximal extension of the laminate 14 is adjacent to the plated proximal end surface portion 12P of the core, and during antenna assembly, the first and third exposed contact regions 16V, 16W (see Figure 1B) are electrically connected to the plated surface. Part 12P.

The above components and their interconnections produce a dielectric load quadrifilar helix antenna that is electrically similar to the four arm antenna disclosed in the above prior patent publication. Thus, the conductive sleeve 20 and the plating layer (not shown) on the near end surface portion 12P of the core 12 and the feed line shield formed by the mask conductors 16U, 16L form a quarter-wave Bellows circuit ( Balun), the Bellows circuit provides common mode isolation of the antenna element structures 10A-10D and the devices that are connected to the antenna when installed. The metal conductor elements formed by the antenna elements 10A-10D and other metal layers on the core define a front volume, the majority of which is occupied by the core dielectric material.

The antenna has a circular polarization resonance mode, in this case at 1575 MHz, GPS L1 frequency.

In this circularly polarized resonance mode, the quarter-wave Bellows circuit acts as a trap, preventing current from flowing from the antenna elements 10A-10D to the mask conductors 16U, 16L at the near end surface portion 12P of the core such that The antenna element, the flange 20U of the sleeve 20, and the radial track 10AR-10DR form a conductive loop that defines the resonant frequency. Thus, in the circular polarization resonance mode, one of the current self-feed wire conductors flows back to the other feeder conductors via a first helical antenna element 10A around the flange 20U of the sleeve 20, for example, to the opposite arrangement. The helical antenna element 10C is returned to the latter element 10C.

The antenna also exhibits a linear polarization resonance mode. In this mode, current flows in different conductive loops interconnecting the feeder conductors. More specifically, in this case there are four conductive loops, each of which in turn comprises one of the radial tracks 10AR-10DR, the associated helical antenna elements 10A-10D, the sleeve 20 (in parallel with the axis 13) One direction), the near end surface portion 12P and the plating on the outer surface of the feeder mask formed by the mask conductors 16U, 16L and their interconnect vias 17. (It will be noted that the current flowing in the feeder formed by the transmission line segment 14A flows inside the mask formed by the shield conductors 16U, 16L). The length of the feed lines and, therefore, the length of the mask conductors, their width, and their proximity to the ceramic material of the core 12 determine the frequency of this linear polarization resonance.

Due to the relatively slight dielectric loading of the mask conductors 16U, 16L adjacent the core material of the core 12, the electrical length of the conductive loop in this case is less than the average electrical length of the conductive loop effective in the circular polarization resonance mode. Therefore, the linear polarization resonance mode is centered on a higher frequency than the circular polarization resonance mode. The linearly polarized resonant mode has an associated radiation pattern that is annular, i.e., centered on the axis 13 of the antenna. Thus, the antenna is particularly suitable for receiving vertically polarized signals on land when the antenna is oriented with its axis 13 substantially perpendicular.

By varying the width of the mask conductor tracks 16U, 16L, the adjustment of the resonant frequency of the linear polarization mode can be achieved substantially independently of the resonant frequency of the circular polarization mode. In this example, the linear polarization mode has a resonant frequency of 2.45 GHz (i.e., in the ISM band).

When dual frequency operation is required, it is preferred that the matching network be a bipolar network, as shown in Figure 1D.

Constructing a feed structure as an elongated laminate provides a particularly economical connection of the antenna to the host device. Referring to Fig. 2, in the case where the antenna 1 is connected to a circuit component on a device board 40, the interval between the contact regions 16V, 18W on the antenna connecting portion 14C of the elongated antenna laminated board 14 (Fig. 1B) is used. The electrically conductive side-by-side mounting metal spring contacts 42 are adjacent to and spaced apart from the edge 40E of the circuit board to enable a direct electrical connection between the antenna feed line and the circuit board 40, the circuit board 40 being oriented with its plane parallel to the antenna axis. When the antenna is mounted at a desired position on the circuit board 40, the position of the spring contact 42 is determined in accordance with the position of the antenna connection portion 14C of the antenna.

Each of the spring contacts includes a metal leaf spring having a folded configuration in which a fixed leg 42L is fixed to a respective conductor (not shown) on the circuit board 40 and a contact leg 42U The fixed leg 42L extends over but is spaced apart such that when a force is applied to the contact foot 42U perpendicular to the plane of the plate 40, it approaches the fixed leg 42L. Thus, it will be understood that when the antenna is juxtaposed with the circuit board 40 as shown, wherein the contact regions 16V, 18W, 16W (Fig. 1B) are in registration with the spring contacts 42, the spring contacts are elastically deformed and bear against them. The respective contact areas 16V, 18W, 16W establish an electrical connection between the antenna 1 and the circuit elements of the circuit board 40.

It will be noted that there is no separate connector means between the antenna and the circuitry of circuit board 40. Each spring contact 42 is individually and separately applied to the circuit board 40 in the same manner as other surface mount components.

This configuration results in a simple device assembly process as shown in Figures 3A through 3F. Referring to Figures 3A through 3F, a typical assembly process involves first placing the circuit board 40 in a first device package portion 50A (Figs. 3A and 3B). Next, the antenna 1 is introduced into an antenna-shaped volume 52 in the package portion 50A (3C and 3D views), and the antenna connection portion of the antenna extension plate 14 bears against the spring contact 42 on the circuit board 40, as in particular It is shown in the 3D figure. Next, the second package portion 50B, which is also shaped to engage one of the inner surfaces of the antenna 1, is registered with the first reference package portion 50A, causing the antenna 1 to be driven into the volume 52 in the package portion 50A, where The spring contact body 42 is deformed in the package closing step (Fig. 3E). The two package portions 50A, 50B have an adsorption feature such that the final closed motion is associated with the adsorption of the two package portions.

The support and position of the antenna 1 in the two package portions 50A, 50B are shown in the cross section of the 3F. The volume 52 and, if desired, a relative orientation volume in the package cover portion 50B is shaped such that the antenna is positioned not only transverse to the antenna axis but also in the axial direction. It will also be noted that in addition to providing a simple and inexpensive assembly process, the configuration of the interconnection between the antenna and the board allows for axial movement between the antenna and the board 40 without interrupting the spring contacts 42. connection. This has the advantage that the device is subjected to severe shocks (for example, in the case of a hand-held wireless communication unit falling), the lack of a rigid connection between the antenna 1 and the circuit board 40 avoids tensile forces on the solder joint, such soldering The joint between the seam, such as the elongated laminate of the antenna 14 and the second laminate 30 supporting the antenna of the matching network, and between the laterally mounted laminate 30 and the plated conductor on the distal surface portion 12D of the antenna core Seam.

Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, a second antenna in accordance with the invention has a spring contact 42 mounted to the elongate laminate 14 adjacent the extended antenna connection section 14C. As in the system described above with reference to Figure 2, the spring contacts are metal leaf springs, each metal leaf spring having a fixed leg and a contact leg. In this case, the fixed legs are individually and individually soldered to the respective contact areas 16V, 18W, 16W of the antenna connection section 14C. The device circuit board (not shown) is provided with corresponding spaced contact areas such that the spring contact 42 is compressed when the antenna 1 is pressed into its desired position relative to the circuit board. This configuration yields the same advantages as the configuration outlined above for the unit of Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, the laminated board structure of the feeder also provides the possibility to fully support one of the active circuit components such as an RF front end low noise amplifier 60. In this case, the laminate 14 has a relatively large extension 14C, and the feed conductors (not shown) of the transmission line segment 14A are directly connected to the input of the low noise amplifier 60. The output of the amplifier can be directly coupled to the exposed contact area 62, as depicted in Figures 5A and 5B, to connect to a device board using the spring contacts as described above with reference to Figure 2. The position of the laminated plate 14 in the hole 12B of the antenna core 12 (see Fig. 5B) is assisted by spring biasing elements on the opposite faces of the laminated plate 14. They bear against the walls of the hole 12B to help center the plate 14 about the axis 13. In this case, the direct connection of the feed conductor of the feed line to the radial track on the near end surface portion 12P (not shown) can be accomplished through the planar conductive lug or contact plate 66, the planar conductive lug Or the contact plate 66 is adjacent to the distal contact area on the distal extension 14B of the laminate 14 and is welded to the radial track.

A further amplification of the laminate 14 as shown in Figures 6A and 6B allows for an antenna assembly in which the feed line is fed directly to a low noise amplifier 60 which is correspondingly fed and mounted to the laminate 14 as well. One of the receiver chips 68 is adjacent to the extension portion 14B. The economic assembly has a high frequency current that eliminates the connection between the laminate 14 and the device board, whether the connection is a discrete connector 70, a flexible printed circuit laminate, or the above reference, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. The advantages of the spring contact arrangement described in Figure 2 are. Moreover, having all portions of the circuit reduce the chance of common mode noise coupling from the noise transmitting circuitry on the device board to the circuitry on the laminate 14 on a common adjacent ground plane of the laminate 14.

As an alternative to the conductive ear 66 described above with reference to FIG. 5B as a means for attaching the feeder conductor to the radial track on the distal surface 12P of the core, the spring contact can be used, such as It is shown in Figures 7A and 7B. The spring contacts each have a planar connection base for soldering to the distal end face 12D and a dependent recessed spring section that penetrates the hole on the opposite side of the elongated laminate 14 12B contacts the far contact area on the distal extension portion 14B of the transmission line segment 14A. This provides an impact resistant interconnection of the feed line 14 with the antenna elements 10A-10B.

The distal connection of the feed line to the distal surface portion conductor track using the ears 66 is illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B.

The connection between the plated near end surface portion 12P of the core 12 and the proximal end portions of the feeder shield conductors 16U, 16L can be achieved by a soldering pad as shown in Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D. The connection can be established as the antenna passes through an oven to melt the solder of the annulus 76 such that it flows onto the outer conductor layer proximate to the surface plating and elongation laminate 14.

Intimate contact between the inner edges of the paddle 76 is achieved by providing a slot aperture as shown in FIG. 9E. In this case, the distally extending portion 14B of the laminate 14 has a greater width than the transmission line segment 14A to make it easier to accommodate the mating component directly on the elongate laminate 14, as shown in Figure 9B.

Referring to Figure 9F, the structure of the laminated board 14 of the antenna shown in Figures 9A-9D will now be described in more detail. The board has the following three conductive layers: an upper conductive layer 14-1, an intermediate conductive layer 14-2, and a lower outer conductive layer (shown in phantom in Figure 9F) 14-3. The inner layer forms a narrow elongated feed conductor 18. The outer layer forms mask conductors 16U, 16L as described above. Extending between the mask conductors 16U, 16L as described above are two rows of plated vias 17 which, in combination with the mask conductors 16U, 16L, form a mask surrounding the inner conductor 18. The proximal extension portion 14C of the transmission line segment 14A has contact regions 16V, 18W, 16W connected to the feeder conductors as described above with reference to FIG. 1B.

In this example, the enlarged distal extension portion 14B constitutes a matching segment which replaces the second laminate 30 of the first antenna described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. The matching section has a shunt capacitor provided by a discrete surface mount capacitor 80 mounted on a shim formed in the outer conductor layer 14-1 through a via 18V and an extension of the feed shield conductor 16U Portion 81 is connected to inner conductor 18, respectively. A series inductance is formed in the intermediate layer 14-2 through a lateral element 82 and associated vias.

The distal extension portion 14B of the laminate 14 is realized by a welded joint between the outer conductive layer on the side extension of the distal extension portion 14B and the conductor provided by the patterned conductive layer on the distal surface portion of the core. Match the connection to the network.

It is not necessary to make a connection between the antenna feed line and a device board through a contact area extending in a plane parallel to the antenna axis. Referring to Figures 10A and 10B, a contact area oriented perpendicular to the antenna axis can be provided on the proximal end surface portion 12P of the core 12. In this case, the plating of the near end surface portion 12P can be patterned to provide an isolated "ground" 88A that is insulated from the plating 88B formed as a continuation of the conductive sleeve 20. The patterning of the proximity conductive layers 88A, 88B on the core 12 in this manner provides a conductive pedestal region for attaching the fan-shaped conductive support member 90, the inner end of the fan-shaped conductive support member 90 being shaped The contact regions (e.g., conductive pads 18W) that are connected to the extension portion 14C of the transmission line segment 14A (such regions are on opposite faces of the laminate 14). Support member 90 is coupled to respective conductive layer portions 88A, 88B to form a firmware and wear resistant contact region oriented perpendicular to the antenna axis and to receive adjacent spring contacts, as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 11, in this case, a device circuit board 40 has a vertical metal leaf spring contact body 42, the vertical metal leaf spring contact body 42 has a fixing leg 42F, and the fixing leg 42F is fixed to one of the adjacent circuit boards 40. The apertures are spaced apart and spaced apart to register with the spaced apart support members 90 that are coupled to the proximal end surface portion 12P of the antenna core 12. Each of the spring contacts has a contact leg 42U that elastically bears against the support member 90 in a direction parallel to the antenna axis.

The same vertically oriented support elements can be used to perform a "turret" mounting of the antenna on the face of a device board 40, as depicted in FIG. In this case, the spring contact 42 is surface mounted on the plate 40 as shown in Fig. 12. When the antenna 1 is driven into a position on the circuit board 40 during assembly of the antenna into the apparatus in which the circuit board 40 is part, a predetermined space is formed between the approaching end surface portion 12P and the opposite surface of the circuit board 40, appearing and above. Referring to the manner described in Fig. 2, the elastic contact movement of the contact pins of the spring contact body 42 in the direction of the fixed foot is the same.

An alternative to connecting the antenna to a device board in a tower installation configuration is illustrated in Figures 13A and 13B. In this case, the conductive layer plated on the end surface portion 12P of the antenna core 12 is patterned as described above with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. However, in this case, a pair of spring contact members 42 respectively mounted on the land conductor region 88A and the sleeve connection conductive region 88B in a diametrically opposed manner are used to make a connection to the feed line of the elongated laminate 14. In each case, the fixed legs 42L are soldered to the respective conductive regions such that the contact legs 42U are oriented to withstand contact areas on a device circuit board (not shown) parallel to the proximal end surface portion 12P of the antenna core and Extending perpendicular to the antenna shaft 13, the antenna is at a predetermined interval set in accordance with the desired compression of the spring contact 42. Moreover, the spring contacts are oriented such that the resilient interconnection between the fixed foot and the contact foot is in each case oriented toward and spaced apart from the shaft to bear against the proximal extension portion 14B of the transmission line segment 14A of the laminate 14. As shown in Figures 13A and 13B.

14A and 14B illustrate a further aspect of the invention in which the connection between the conductor of the laminate 14 and the radial track on the face of the core 12 is made by a third laminate 100. The surface connecting members formed as the radial tracks 10AR, 10BR, 10CR, 10DR are plated on the near end surface portion 12P of the core in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1B. Each surface attachment element extends from each of the spiral tracks 10A-10D to a position adjacent one end of the hole 12B. It will be seen that the radiating tracks 10AR-10DR are interconnected by curved conductive links such that the four spiral tracks 10A-10D are interconnected in pairs at their distal ends.

The third laminate 100 covers the distal surface portion 12D of the core 12. The third laminate 30 is in the form of a circular brick disposed at a position with respect to the center of the shaft 13. Its lateral content is such that it covers the inner ends of the radiating tracks 10AR, 10BR, 10CR, 10DR and their respective arcuate interconnections. The third laminate 100 has two copper fan-shaped conductive layers (not shown in Figs. 14A and 14B) on the lower side thereof, that is, faces facing the distal end surface portion 12D of the core. These conductive layers provide an electrical connection between the curved conductive links and the conductive layers 18U and 18L of the transmission line segment 14A.

A matching network is provided in the elongated laminate 14. This is illustrated in Figure 14B. The matching network includes two surface mount capacitors 102A and 102B. Further details of this configuration are provided below for Figure 19. The circuit diagram of the impedance matching network is the same as that shown in Figure 1D. As shown in FIG. 1D, the matched impedance network has two shunt capacitors C1 and C2 connected between the conductors 16, 18 of the feed line, and one of the feeder conductors 18 is represented by a load or source 36. The two series inductance between the radiating elements 10A-10D of the antenna, the other conductors 16 of the feeder are directly connected to the other side of the load/source 36.

The connection between the third laminate 100 and the conductor on the end surface portion 12D of the core is made of a solder paste applied to the lower side of the third laminate. The method of manufacturing this antenna is described in more detail below.

The third laminate 100 has a central groove 104 that receives the extended distal extension 14B of the elongated laminate 14, as shown in Figure 14A. The solder joint is made between the conductive regions, including the upper conductive region 18U on the laminate 14 and the conductor of the conductor layer on the lower side of the third laminate 100 (not shown).

In the assembled antenna, the proximal extension portion 14C of the laminate 14 is adjacent to the plating near end surface portion 12P of the core, and during antenna assembly, the first and third exposed contact regions 16V, 16W are electrically connected to the plated surface portion 12P.

Figure 15 illustrates a more detailed view of the underside, that is, the side of the third laminate 100 that is assembled toward the proximal end of the antenna core 12. The lower side includes two fan-shaped copper layers 114A and 114B. A solder paste mask is also shown in Figure 15. Solder paste is applied to portions 116A through 116L during fabrication. This makes it possible to make an electrical connection between the curved portion connecting the radial tracks and the conductor of the laminated plate 14.

In a further embodiment, the connection between the conductor of the laminate 14 and the radial track on the distal face of the core 12 is made through a plug 106. The blockage is illustrated in Figures 16A and 16B. The blockage 106 includes a flange section 108 and a tube section 110. The flange section 108 and the tube section 110 are made of a single piece of molded plastic, such as a liquid crystal polymer. A central axis through the blockage 106 is a channel 112. The passage 112 has a rectangular cross section and is cut into a section 14B that receives the laminated plate 14. The diameter of the flange section 108 is the same as the diameter of the third laminate 100. The diameter of the tube segment 1110 is such that the tube segment fits within the distal end of the bore 12B and is wide enough to ensure a very suitable hole.

The underside of the flange section 108, i.e., the side facing the distal end of the core 12, overlies the distal surface portion 12D of the core. As indicated above, its lateral content is such that it overlies the inner ends of the radial tracks 10AR, 10BR, 10CR, 10DR and their respective curved interconnections. The plug 106 has two conductive layers plated on its surface. The two layers provide a conductive surface that extends from the interior of the channel 112 through the exterior of the tube segment 110 to the underside of the flange segment 108. These conductive layers provide feed connections and antenna element connections that are coupled to couple the conductive layers 18U and 16 of the transmission line segment 14A to the antenna elements 10A-10D via the conductive surface connection elements 10AR-10DR on the core surface portion 12D. A matching network is provided in the elongated laminate 14 in the same manner as shown in Fig. 14B.

The connection between the plug 106 and the conductor on the proximal end surface portion 12D of the core is made by solder paste applied to the underside of the flange segment 108. The method of manufacturing this antenna is described in more detail below.

As noted above, the obstruction 106 has a passage 112 that receives the distally extending portion 14B of the elongate laminate 14 and provides a welded connection between the electrically conductive regions, including such an upper electrically conductive region 18U and flange on the laminate 14. A conductor on the conductive layer on the lower side of the segment 108 (not shown).

The blockage 106 has two diametrically opposed conductive portions 120A and 120B, each portion overlying a portion of the surface of the plug 106. Each of the conductive portions overlies a wedge of flange portion 108 which is approximately one quarter of the circular content of the flange segment. The electrically conductive portion extends from the distally facing surface of the flange section 108 past the cylindrical outer surface of the flange section and past the proximal surface portion of the flange section. The conductive layer, in turn, extends through the cylindrical outer surface of the tube section 110 and again passes through a portion of the surface that approximately represents one quarter of the cylindrical content of the tube section 110. Finally, the conductive layer extends into the channel 112 and one of the respective major surfaces along the rectangular cross-section of the channel reconnects with the conductive portion on the distal surface of the flange segment 108. Thus, the conductive portions 120A and 120B form two continuous conductive surfaces that extend around the plug 104 and pass through the channel 112.

Thus, the conductive portion 120A provides an electrical connection between the upper conductor 18U of the laminate 18 and the radiating tracks 10AR and 10BR.

The conductive portion 120B provides an electrical connection between the lower conductor (not shown) of the laminate 18 and the radial tracks 10CR and 10DR. During the manufacturing process, solder paste is applied to conductors 18U and 18L and applied to the proximal facing surface of flange portion 106 to enable electrical connection between the conductor portion of plug 104, the radial track, and conductors 18U and 18L. .

A method of manufacturing the antenna using the third laminate 100 as a top connector illustrated in Figs. 14A and 14B will now be described. Figures 17A through 17E illustrate various stages of the manufacturing process. This process will be described for Figure 18.

The manufacturing apparatus includes a base plate 200. The base plate 200 includes a plurality of circular holes 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E. Each of the holes has a tapered edge such that the diameter of the hole in the upper surface of the base plate 200 is larger than the diameter of the hole on the lower surface of the base plate. The diameter of the hole on the lower surface is smaller than the diameter of the hole of the third laminate 100. The diameter of the hole on the upper surface is larger than the diameter of the hole of the third laminate. This is illustrated in Figure 17A. The first step in the manufacturing process is a component placement machine (not shown) that places the third laminate 100 in each of the holes 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D (step 301).

The manufacturing apparatus also includes a ceramic locator plate 204. The ceramic locator plate includes a plurality of holes 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D, 202E. The holes are arranged such that when the locator plate 204 is positioned on the base plate 200, the axis of each hole is aligned with the axis of each hole in the base plate. The positioning plate includes a series of pins to enable them to be guided to each other. The apertures 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D, 202E of the locator plate 204 each have a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the core 12 of an antenna. The holes are wide enough to easily receive the core 12, but narrow enough to ensure that the core has little or no motion at all. The next step in the process is that a locator plate is positioned on the base plate 200 such that the axis of each hole is aligned with the holes of the respective plates (step 302). This is illustrated in Figure 17B.

The next step in the process is a component placement machine (not shown) placing a ceramic core 12 in each of the apertures 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D, 202E with the distal end of the core 12 facing down (step 304). ). This is illustrated in Figure 17C. Thus, the third laminate 100 and core 12 are positioned in their final assembled device. A further component placement machine (not shown) then preferentially inserts the distal end of an elongated laminate 14 into each of the cores 12B (step 306). This is illustrated in Figure 17D. When the elongate laminate 14 is placed in the hole 12B, the distal extension portion 14D extends through the hole 12B and through the aperture 102 in the third laminate 100. The laminates 14 are aligned with the third laminate 100 by the holes in their laminates. The core 12 can be provided with sufficient alignment by placing the components of the core 12 to place the machine. Alternatively, the core may be provided with a "notch" around the core 12B of the core near the end opening. The laminate 14 can be provided with a protrusion at the intersection of the segments 14A and 14C, which corresponds to a "notch". Therefore, when the laminated board 14 is inserted into the core 12, the core is forced to be aligned with the laminated board.

The antenna components are now assembled in their final configuration. Welding preforms 206A, 206B, 206C, 206D, 206E are applied to the proximal ends of the core 12 as shown in Figure 17E. These preforms are used to connect the conductive layer on the proximal end of the laminate 14 to the conductive plating on the core 12. The assembly is subjected to a reflow soldering process to connect the components together (step 308). Then use a pushback machine (not shown) to push the antenna out of the base plate. The advantage of this mechanism is that the antenna can be assembled quickly and accurately. The alignment tolerance is such that an antenna can be assembled in the manner described above and operated within the required parameters.

Prior to the above process, a mask is used to apply solder paste to the third laminate. The mask is shown in Figure 16A. In addition, capacitors 102A and 102B are reflow soldered to laminate 14 prior to insertion into a core species.

The structure of the laminated board of the antenna shown in Figs. 14A and 14D will now be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 19. The board has three conductive layers: an upper conductive layer 14-1, an intermediate conductive layer 14-2, and a lower outer conductive layer (shown in phantom in Figure 9F) 14-3. The inner layer forms a narrow elongated feed conductor 18. The outer layer forms mask conductors 16U, 16L as described above. Extending between the mask conductors 16U, 16L as described above are two columns of plated vias which, in combination with the mask conductors 16U, 16L, form a mask that encloses the inner conductor 18.

In this example, the distal end portion 14B of the laminate 14 constitutes a mating segment that replaces the second laminate 30 of the first antenna described above with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. The matching section has two shunt capacitors 102A and 102B provided by discrete surface mount capacitors. Capacitor 102A is equivalent to capacitor C1 in Figure 1D. Capacitor 1-2B is equivalent to capacitor C2 in FIG. 1D, and inductor L1 and inductor L1 are also plated on the top surface of the laminate. The capacitor 102A is connected between the mask conductor 16U and the inductor L1. Around the point of connection between inductor L1 and capacitor 102A is a plated via 18V that couples inductor L1 to the feedthrough. The upper layer also includes an inductor L2. L2 is connected to L1 and capacitor 102B is connected between the junction of L1 and L2 and the shield conductor 16U. The matching circuit has the electrical layout shown in Figure 1D.

10A, 10B, 10C, 10D. . . Axial coextensive spiral track

10AR, 10BR, 10CR, 10DR. . . Radial track

12. . . core

12B. . . hole

12D. . . Distal surface portion

12P. . . Near the end surface portion

13. . . Axis center

14. . . Elongated laminate

14-1. . . Upper conductive layer

14-2. . . Intermediate conductive layer

14-3. . . Lower outer conductive layer

14A. . . Transmission line segment

14B. . . Matching network connection segment

14C. . . Antenna connection segment

14U. . . Upper laminate

16, 18. . . conductor

16L. . . Lower mask conductor

16U. . . Upper mask conductor

17. . . Plating via

16V, 16W. . . External exposed contact area

18U. . . Exposing the conductor

18V. . . Inner conductor distal via

18W. . . Contact area

18X. . . Close to the via

20. . . Plating sleeve

30. . . Second laminate

32. . . Grid array

34. . . Center slot

40. . . Circuit board

40E. . . Edge of the board

42. . . Metal spring contact

42L. . . Fixed foot

42U. . . Contact foot

50A. . . First device package part

50B. . . Second package part

52. . . Volume

60. . . RF front end low noise amplifier

62. . . Exposure contact area

66. . . Planar conductive ear or contact plate

68. . . Receiver chip

70. . . Discrete connector

76. . . Ring

80. . . Discrete surface mount capacitor

81. . . Extension of the feeder shield conductor

82. . . Transverse component

88A. . . Isolation of "ground", conductive layer, conductive layer

88B. . . Conductive layer, conductive layer portion

90. . . Fan-shaped conductive support element

100. . . Third laminate

104. . . Center slot

106. . . Blockage

108. . . Flange segment

110. . . Pipe section

112. . . aisle

114A, 114B. . . Fan-shaped copper layer

116A~116L. . . section

120A, 120B. . . Conductive part

200. . . Base plate

202A~202E. . . Round hole

204. . . Locator board

206A~206E. . . hole

1A and 1B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a first antenna;

1C and 1D are circuit diagrams of the unipolar and bipolar matching networks of the antennas of Figs. 1A and 1B, respectively;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a wireless communication unit including one of the antennas of Figures 1A and 1B;

3A to 3F are diagrammatic perspective views of the wireless communication unit of Fig. 2, showing a series of assembly steps;

4A and 4B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a second antenna;

5A and 5B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a first antenna assembly;

6A and 6B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a second antenna assembly;

Figures 7A and 7B are perspective assembly and disassembly views of a third antenna, respectively;

Figures 8A and 8B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a fourth antenna;

Figures 9A through 9F are various views of a fifth antenna and portions thereof;

10A and 10B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a sixth antenna;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a radio communication unit including one of the sixth antennas;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a selectable radio communication unit including a sixth antenna;

Figures 13A and 13B are perspective assembly and disassembly views of a seventh antenna, respectively;

Figures 14A and 14B are respectively a perspective assembly and disassembly view of a further antenna;

Figure 15 is an close up view of a surface of a third laminate top connector;

16A and 16B are perspective views of a plugged top connector;

17A to 17E illustrate various stages of a manufacturing process in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 18 is a flow chart according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a laminated board feed structure.

10A, 10B, 10C, 10D. . . Axial coextensive spiral track

10AR, 10BR, 10CR, 10DR. . . Radial track

12. . . core

12B. . . hole

12D. . . Distal surface portion

12P. . . Near the end surface portion

13. . . Axis center

14. . . Elongated laminate

14A. . . Transmission line segment

14B. . . Matching network connection segment

14C. . . Antenna connection segment

14U. . . Upper laminate

16, 18. . . conductor

16L. . . Lower mask conductor

16U. . . Upper mask conductor

17. . . Plating via

16V, 16W. . . External exposed contact area

18U. . . Exposing the conductor

18V. . . Inner conductor distal via

18W. . . Contact area

18X. . . Close to the via

20. . . Plating sleeve

30. . . Second laminate

32. . . Grid array

34. . . Center slot

Claims (34)

A backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 200 MHz, comprising: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a distal surface and a proximal surface portion extending transversely of an axis of the antenna, and a side surface portion extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the outer surface defining an interior volume, the interior volume being predominant Part of the solid material occupied by the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure comprising at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core, and from the distal surface portion a proximal surface portion extending; one of the feed structures in the form of an axially extending elongated laminate comprising at least one transmission line segment acting as a feed line extending from the distal surface portion through a passage in the core to The proximal surface portion and one of the antenna connection segments in the form of a proximal extension of the transmission line segment, the antenna connection segment being in the stack The width of the plane of the board is greater than the width of the channel; and an impedance matching section for coupling the antenna elements to the feed line. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the laminate has first, second and third conductive layers, the second layer being an intermediate layer between the first and third layers, and wherein The feed line includes an elongated inner conductor formed by the second layer, and the first and third layers respectively An outer mask conductor, the outer mask conductors respectively overlapping the inner conductors above and below. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the outer shroud conductors are interconnected by interconnects disposed along lines parallel to the inner conductors on opposite sides thereof, the interconnects preferably being The ground is formed by a plurality of rows of conductive vias between the first and third layers. The antenna of claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising at least one active circuit component on the proximal extension of the transmission line segment, the active circuit component being coupled to the conductors of the feeder. The antenna of claim 4, wherein the active circuit component is a radio frequency receiving front end circuit having a low frequency or digital output provided on the device connection terminal on the proximity extension. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising a coupling member configured to couple the transmission line to one of the antenna elements. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the connecting member has a hole therein to receive a distal end portion of the axially extending laminate. The antenna of claim 7, wherein the connecting member has an approaching surface having a conductive portion for coupling the feed line to the antenna element structure. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the connecting member is a second laminate. The antenna of claim 9, wherein the second laminate Oriented perpendicular to the laminate extending axially. The antenna of claim 6, wherein the connecting member comprises a flange segment and a pipe segment, the pipe segment being configured to position the connecting member in the passage of the core, and the flange segment has Contact the underside of one of the distal ends of the antenna. The antenna of claim 9 or 10, wherein the impedance matching section is on the second laminate, the conductor of the laminate being coupled to the feed line. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the impedance matching section is distributed along a surface of the elongated laminate. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the impedance matching segment is a two-pole matching segment. The antenna of claim 14, wherein the matching segment comprises: the series combination of two inductances between a first conductor of the one of the feed lines and at least one of the elongated conductor antenna elements; a link between the second conductor of one of the wires and the other of the elongated conductive antenna elements; a first shunt capacitance between the first and second conductors of the feed line; and the link And a second shunt capacitance between the junction between the first and second inductors. A backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 200 MHz, comprising: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising The opposite side of the relative direction of the lateral extension of one axis of the antenna and the near a side surface portion and a side surface portion extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the core outer surface defining an interior volume, the major portion of the interior volume being occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure An at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core and extending from the distal surface portion toward the proximal surface portion; and an axially extending laminate, Encapsulating in a channel extending from the distal surface portion through the core to the proximal surface portion, the laminate having first, second and third conductive layers, the second layer being sandwiched by the first And a third transmission layer comprising: a transmission line segment serving as a feed line, and an integrated distal impedance matching section coupling the feed line to the antenna elements; wherein the second layer forms an extension of the feed line The inner conductor and the first and third layers form elongated mask conductors that are wider than the inner conductor and are interconnected along their elongated edge portions. The antenna of claim 16 wherein the impedance matching section comprises at least one reactive matching component in the form of a shunt capacitor. The antenna of claim 17, comprising a series inductance coupled between one of the conductors coupled to the feed line and at least one of the elongated antenna elements, and wherein the capacitance is A discrete capacitor mounted on the laminate and the inductor is formed as a conductive track between the capacitor and at least one of the elongated antenna elements. The antenna of claim 1 or 16, comprising a conductive trap element that links at least some of the proximal ends of the elongated conductive elements and is coupled to the proximal side of the core The feed line in the region of the surface portion, the antenna exhibiting a first, circular polarization, a resonant mode, and a second, linear polarization, resonant mode, the first resonant mode and the conductors of the feed line Intersected by at least one pair of elongated antenna elements and at least one first conductive loop formed by the trap element, the second resonant mode being coupled to the conductors of the feed line by at least one of the elongated antenna elements The trap, the trap element, and one of the outer surfaces or surfaces of the mask conductors of the feed line are associated with one of the second conductive loops. The antenna of claim 19, wherein the linear polarization resonance mode is a fundamental resonance at a resonance frequency higher than a frequency of the circular polarization resonance mode. The antenna of claim 20, wherein the resonant frequency of the circular polarization mode is 1.575 GHz and the resonant frequency of the linear polarization mode is 2.45 GHz. The antenna of claim 19, wherein the impedance matching segment is a two-pole reaction matching network. The antenna of claim 22, wherein the matching segment comprises a series combination of two inductances between one of the first conductor of the feed line and at least one of the elongated conductor antenna elements, one of the feed lines a link between the second conductor and the other of the elongated conductive antenna elements, a first between the first and second conductors of the feed line a shunt capacitor and a second shunt capacitor between the link and the bond between the first and second inductors. The antenna of claim 16 wherein the outer conductor of the feeder is spaced from the wall of the passage formed in the solid material of the core. The antenna of claim 24, wherein the transmission line segment of the elongated laminate is formed into a strip and the passage through the core has a circular cross section, the diameter of the circular cross section being at least almost equal to the strip The width of the strip is such that the edge of the strip is supported by the channel wall. A backfire dielectric load antenna for operation at frequencies exceeding 200 MHz, comprising: an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising An oppositely facing distal and proximal surface portion extending transversely of an axis of the antenna, and a side surface portion extending between the laterally extending surface portions, the outer surface defining an interior volume, a major portion of the interior volume Occupied by the solid material of the core; a three-dimensional antenna element structure comprising at least one pair of elongated conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent to the side surface portion of the core and from the distal surface portion toward the near The side surface portion extends; an axially extending laminate encased in a channel extending from the distal surface portion through the core to the proximal surface portion, the laminate having at least a first layer and comprising a feeder a transmission line segment, and a feed connection element for coupling the feed line to the antenna elements, the transmission line segment comprising at least first and second feed line conductors; wherein the laminate further comprises a vicinity of the transmission line segment a side extension portion carrying an active circuit component coupled to the feeder conductors on one side, the other side of the proximal extension having electrical connection to one of the feeder conductors A ground plane. The antenna of claim 26, wherein the laminate has at least two conductive layers, the first feeder conductor is formed by one of the layers and the second feeder conductor is one of the proximity extensions The form of the ground plane. The antenna of claim 26, wherein the laminate has first, second and third conductive layers, the second layer being sandwiched between the first and third layers, and wherein the transmission line segment The second layer forms an inner conductor of the feed line and the first and third layers form a mask conductor that overlaps the inner conductor, the third layer being complete, continuous and adjacent to the extension portion The ground plane is coplanar. The antenna of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the active circuit component comprises a low noise amplifier. The antenna of claim 26, wherein the laminate comprises a complete distal impedance matching segment. A method for manufacturing a backfire dielectric load antenna according to claim 1 of the patent application scope, the method comprising the following steps: Locating each of the plurality of second laminates in a respective plate locator portion of a base plate; positioning a locator plate on top of the base plate, the locator plate having a plurality of individual cores a locator portion, each core locator portion being aligned with the plate locator portion of the base plate; each of the plurality of antenna cores being placed in a respective core locator portion such that the cores are placed Waiting on a second laminate; placing each of the plurality of elongated laminates in respective holes of the antenna core such that the wider proximal extension of the elongated panels is adjacent to the proximal side of the antenna cores End surface; and performing a reflow soldering process to bond the individual components together. A radio communication device comprising an antenna and a radio communication circuit device operatively connected to the antenna in at least two radio frequency bands above 200 MHz, wherein the antenna comprises an electrically insulating dielectric core of a solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and having an outer surface comprising oppositely facing distal and proximal surface portions extending transversely of an axis of the antenna and extending between the distal and proximal surface portions a side surface portion, a feed structure from which the plurality of elongated conductive antenna elements substantially pass the core to the proximal surface portion and on or adjacent to the outer surface of the core In combination with a series of conductive trap elements having a ground connection to the feed structure in a region of the proximal surface portion, the antenna element being coupled to the distal surface portion The feeder junction in the area a feed connection, wherein the radio communication circuit device has two portions operable in a first and a second wireless frequency band, and each portion and a common signal line for transmitting to the antenna feed structure Associated with respective signal lines of signals flowing between the respective circuit device portions, wherein the antenna is in one of the first, circularly polarized resonant modes in the first frequency band and in one of the second frequency bands In the second, linear polarization resonance mode, the second frequency band is located above the first frequency band, and the first and second resonance modes are fundamental resonance modes. The device of claim 32, wherein the first frequency band is centered on a first center frequency and the second frequency band is centered on a second center frequency, and wherein the second center frequency is higher than the first frequency A center frequency but less than twice the first center frequency. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the first center frequency is a frequency of a signal transmitted by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and the second center frequency is located in the Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) In the frequency band.