WO2019209253A1

WO2019209253A1 - Gasket separated antennas

Info

Publication number: WO2019209253A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/028902
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juhung CHEN; Chin-Hung Ma; Shih-Huang WU
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2018-04-23
Filing date: 2018-04-23
Publication date: 2019-10-31

Abstract

An example device with a gasket separated antenna includes a first cover, a second cover, and an antenna grounded to the first cover. The example device also includes an electrical component grounded to the second cover. In addition, the example device includes a gasket coupled to the first cover and the second cover to separate the antenna with the antenna on a first side of the gasket and the electrical component on a second side of the gasket.

Description

GASKET SEPARATED ANTENNAS

BACKGROUND

[0001] In recent years, consumer electronic devices have trended toward full screen displays with zero-bezel frames. In some consumer electronic devices, antennas are located adjacent the screen, and the devices include an antenna window to facilitate transmission of signals to/from the antenna. Larger screen size decreases the antenna window thereby limiting antenna performance and increasing design challenge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of an example electronic device with example antennas and an example first gasket configuration in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[0003] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken between the two A-A lines of FIG. 1.

[0004] FIG. 3A is a graph showing example antenna efficiency over a range of frequencies for a conventional antenna.

[0005] FIG. 3B is a graph showing example antenna efficiency over a range of frequencies for the example electronic devices with different gasket placements.

[0006] FIG. 3C is a graph showing example antenna efficiency over a range of frequencies for the example electronic device of FIG. 1. [0007] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the example electronic device of FIG. 1 with an example second gasket configuration.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 4 taken between the two B-B lines of FIG. 4.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the example electronic device of FIG. 1 with an example third gasket configuration.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a graph showing example antenna efficiency over a range of frequencies for the example electronic device of FIG. 6.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the example electronic device of FIG. 1 with an example fourth gasket configuration.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the example electronic device of FIG. 1 with an example fifth gasket configuration.

[0013] The figures are not to scale. Instead, the thickness of the layers or regions may be enlarged in the drawings. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In electronic devices such as laptops, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones, conventional windowless antennas suffer from the proximity of nearby metallic objects such as, for example, a batery, a control panel, a motherboard, a speaker module, a camera module, and/or other electrical components, which cause a decrease in antenna efficiency drop and a shrinkage in antenna bandwidth. Relatively large separation or keep-out distances between the antenna and the other metallic objects and/or relatively larger antenna sizes have been used to address the decreased efficiency and bandwidth. However, these conventional approaches have multiple cross function impacts such as a limited battery life and specific module dimensional requirement that lead to higher cost, larger design complexity, and worse user experience.

[0015] The examples disclosed herein increase the efficiency of an antenna without increasing antenna size, the overall size of the electronic device, and/or antenna complexity. The examples disclosed herein separate the antenna from the other electrical and/or metallic components of the electronic device with a gasket. In addition, examples disclosed herein include the ground of antenna on a first cover of the electronic device (e.g., a top cover). In some examples, the other electrical components are grounded to a second cover (e.g., a bottom cover), such the first cover serves as a ground only for the antenna. The example electronic devices with antennas and gaskets disclosed herein achieve increased antenna efficiency without requiring an increased Z-height (i.e., the distance between the first cover and the second cover).

[0016] An example device includes a first cover, a second cover, and an antenna grounded to the first cover. The example device also includes an electrical component grounded to the second cover. In addition, the example device includes a gasket coupled to the first cover and the second cover to separate the antenna with the antenna on a first side of the gasket and the electrical component on a second side of the gasket. [0017] In some examples, the first cover, the second cover, and the first side of the gasket form a windowless antenna cavity.

[0018] In some examples, the antenna has an operating frequency, and the antenna is coupled to the first cover at a first position and the gasket is coupled to the first cover at a second position, the second position separated from the first position by a distance substantially equal to a quarter of the wavelength derived from the operating frequency.

[0019] In some examples, the gasket is coupled to the second cover at a third position across from the second position. In some examples, the third position is offset from the second position.

[0020] In some examples, the antenna is printed to the first cover.

[0021] In some examples, the gasket is discontinuous.

[0022] In some examples, the device first includes a side edge extending between the first cover and the second cover and the gasket is separated from the side edge.

[0023] Also disclosed herein are example devices that include a first cover and a second cover, where the first and second cover define an interior space. The example device also includes an antenna grounded to the first cover at an unshared ground and an electrical component grounded to the second cover at a shared ground. In addition, the example device includes a gasket coupled to the first cover and the second cover, the gasket dividing the interior space into a first chamber and a second chamber. In this example, the antenna is disposed in the first chamber, and the plurality of electrical or metal components disposed in the second chamber. In some examples, the first chamber is windowless.

[0024] In some examples, the antenna and the gasket are separated by a distance equal to or substantially equal to one quarter of a wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna.

[0025] In some examples, the device includes a first side edge extending between the first cover and the second cover and a second side edge extending between the first cover and the second cover, and the gasket is separated from the first side edge and the second side edge.

[0026] Also disclosed herein is an example device that includes a first cover and a second cover, the first and second cover defining an interior space. The example device includes a first ground coupled to the first cover to ground a communication component and a second ground coupled to the second cover to ground an electrical component, the second ground being a shared ground. In addition, the example device includes a gasket coupled to the first cover and the second cover, the gasket dividing the interior space into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first ground disposed in the first chamber, and the second ground disposed in the second chamber.

[0027] In some examples, the communication component is an antenna. Also, in some examples, the antenna and the gasket are separated by a distance substantially equal to one quarter of a wavelength corresponding to an operational frequency of the antenna.

[0028] Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of an example electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 includes a chassis 102 that defines an interior space 104 of the electronic device 100. The interior space 104 includes a plurality of electrical components and/or other metallic components 106 (collectively“electrical components”) that are used to operate the electronic device 100 such as, for example, a battery, a memory board, a speaker module, wires, and/or other hardware.

[0029] The electronic device 100 includes a first antenna 108 and a second antenna 110. In FIG. 1, there are two antennas 108, 110. However, in some examples, there may be one antenna, or another number of antennas such as, for example, three, four, etc. The disclosure related to the antenna 108 throughout this patent applies equally to the antenna 110, or any other antenna that may be included.

[0030] The example electronic device 100 also includes a gasket 112. The gasket 112 divides the interior space 104 into a first chamber l04a, a second chamber l04b, and a third chamber l04c. The electrical components 106 are disposed in the first chamber l04a, the first antenna 108 is disposed in the second chamber l04b, and the second antenna 110 is disposed in the third chamber l04c. In some examples, the second chamber l04b and the third chamber l04c are coupled, coextend, overlap, etc. In other examples, the second chamber l04b and the third chamber l04c are separate chambers.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 1, the gasket 112 is shown to form a wall to separate the first chamber l04a from the second chamber l04b and the third chamber l04c. In FIG. 1, the gasket 112 is schematically shown as a discontinuous structure with four elements. However, in some examples, the gasket 112 is one continuous element such as, for example, an integral gasket structure. In other examples, the gasket 112 is another number of distinct elements including, for example, two, three, five, etc.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the example electrical device 100 of FIG. 1 taken between the two A-A lines. As shown in FIG. 2, the chassis of the electrical device 100 includes a first cover l02a and a second cover l02b. In some examples, the first cover l02a is a top cover and the second cover l02b is a bottom cover. In the illustrated example, the electrical components 106 are grounded to the chassis 102 at the second cover l02b, which in this example, is the bottom cover.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the antenna 108 is coupled to the chassis 102 at the first cover l02a, which in this example, is the top cover. In the illustrated example the antenna 108 is the only component grounded to the top cover l02a. Thus, the antenna 108 is coupled to the top cover l02a via an unshared ground. The other electrical components 106 are grounded to the bottom cover l02b at a shared ground. The top cover l02a includes an antenna aperture 109 into which the antenna 108 is disposed. The antenna 108 is grounded to the top cover l02s in the antenna aperture 109. In some examples, the antenna aperture 109 includes a plastic material that enables antenna radiation, and the top cover l02a surrounding the antenna aperture 109 includes a metal material to prevent noise leakage.

[0034] The top cover l02a, the bottom cover l02b, and the gasket 112 form a windowless antenna cavity for the antenna 108 in the second chamber l04b. In this example, the antenna 108 is isolated or at least partially isolated from the electrical components 106, and there is less interference with the functioning of the antenna 108. The isolation or partial isolation of the antenna 108 increases the efficiency of the antenna 108 in transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 114, which enables the electronic device 100 to send and receive data and other communications with other devices. In the illustrated example, the gasket 112 is coupled to the top cover l02a and the bottom cover l02b. Placement of the gasket 112 also used to enhance antenna performance.

[0035] In the example of FIG. 2, the gasket 112 is coupled to the bottom cover l02b directly across from a position at which the gasket 112 is coupled to the top cover l02a. In addition, in the illustrated example, the example gasket 112 is a straight or planar wall.

[0036] As mentioned above, the strength of the signals 114 or the efficiency of the antenna 108 is affected by the proximity of the electrical components 106. The electrical components 106 are made of metal, which absorbs electromagnetic waves. Thus, the electrical components 106 attenuate the signal from the antenna 108, causing a decrease in antenna efficiency.

[0037] Efficiency of the antenna 108 could be increased if the wavelength of the signal emanating from the antenna 108 could propagate without attenuation. A wavelength of a signal may be calculated in accordance with Equation 1, where the velocity of the signal is equal to the frequency multiplied by the wavelength (l):

v =f Eqn. 1 In one example, the signal velocity is the speed of light or approximately 3.00 x 10⁸ meters per second (m/s), and the frequency is 0.8 gigahertz (GHz). The wavelength in this example is 375 millimeters (mm). This is the wavelength operating in free space. Thus, the efficiency of the antenna 108 could be enhanced if the top cover l02a and the bottom cover l02b were separated a distance (e.g., a Z-distance) equal to one-quarter wavelength (93.75mm) to enable free propagation of the signal. However, this relatively large Z- distance is not practical for many consumer electronic devices.

[0038] The efficiency of the antenna 108 also can be enhanced when the waves emanating from the antenna 108 (incident waves) and reflected waves become in phase excitation. An in-phase excitation occurs when a signal is reflected at one-quarter of the wavelength of the signal. To make the signal from the antenna 108 reflect at one-quarter of the wavelength of the signal, the gasket 112 is coupled to the top cover l02a at an X or a Y distance 120 (FIG. 1) equal to, or substantially equal to, one-quarter of the wavelength of the signal used by the antenna 108. In the above example with a 375mm wavelength, one-quarter is about 93.75mm. Thus, in this example, the gasket 112 may be coupled to the top cover l02a about 80mm to about 1 lOmm from an interior outline of the antenna aperture 109. The optimal distance will depend on the object placed in between and Z-distance between top and bottom covers.

[0039] FIG. 3A is a graph of antenna efficiency (y-axis) over a range of frequencies (x-axis) for a conventional antenna with a window. The data shown in FIG. 3A is gathered from a device that has an antenna with a relatively large antenna window and no gasket.

[0040] FIG. 3B is a graph of antenna efficiency (y-axis) over a range of frequencies (x-axis) with a gasket (e.g., the gasket 112) coupled to the ground (e.g., the top cover l02a) at different distances (four different distances represented by the four lines of the graph of FIG. 3B). In the example of FIG. 3B, the different gasket placements are greater than or less than one-quarter the wavelength of the antenna signal. As disclosed above, the efficiency of the antenna 108 can be enhanced by coupling the gasket 112 to the top cover l02a at the distance 120 equal to or substantially equal to one-quarter the wavelength of the antenna signal. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, difference gasket placement will have different performance characteristics that do not enhance the efficiency of the antenna 108.

[0041] For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, an example conventional antenna with a large window has an efficiency of about -2 decibels (dB) at a frequency of about 1900 megahertz (MHz). FIG. 3B shows that adding the gasket 112 coupled to the ground (e.g., the top cover l02a) at different distances that are greater than or less than one-quarter of the wavelength of the antenna signal results in decreased antenna efficiency. For example, at approximately 1900 MHz, the placement of the gasket 112 relative to the antenna 108 at different distances that are greater than or less than one-quarter of the wavelength of the antenna signal results in decreased efficiencies ranging, in this example, from approximately -8 dB to approximately -10 dB. [0042] In addition, a change in the frequency of the antenna signal will change the efficiency of the antenna 108 for a given gasket distance. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a at a first distance represented by the solid line results in an antenna efficiency of about -9.0 dB at a frequency of about 2100 MHz, and the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a a second distance represented by the dotted line results in an antenna efficiency of about -11.0 dB at a frequency of about 2100 MHz. Thus, at about 2100 MHz, placement of the gasket 112 at the first distance represented by the solid line has a better antenna efficiency than placement of the gasket 112 at the second distance represented by the dotted line. However, the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a at the first distance represented by the solid line results in an antenna efficiency of about -17.0 dB at a frequency of about 2400 MHz, and the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a the second distance represented by the dotted line results in an antenna efficiency of about -12.0 dB at a frequency of about 2400 MHz.

Thus, at about 2400 MHz, placement of the gasket 112 at the second distance represented by the dotted line has a better antenna efficiency than placement of the gasket 112 at the first distance represented by the solid line.

[0043] FIG. 3C is a graph of antenna efficiency (y-axis) over a range of frequencies (x-axis) with a gasket (e.g., the gasket 112) coupled to the ground (e.g., the top cover l02a) at different distances from the antenna approximate to one-quarter the wavelength of the antenna signal. The three lines in the graph of FIG. 3C represent three different distances between the antenna and the gasket. As disclosed above, the efficiency of the antenna 108 can be enhanced by coupling the gasket 112 to the top cover l02a at the distance 120 equal to or substantially equal to one-quarter the wavelength of the antenna signal. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, different gasket placement approximate to one-quarter of the wavelength of the antenna signal will have different performance characteristics that do enhance the efficiency of the antenna 108.

[0044] For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, at approximately 1900 MHz, the placement of the gasket 112 relative to the antenna 108 at different distances that are approximately equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of the antenna signal results in increased efficiencies ranging, in this example, from approximately -4 dB to approximately -5 dB. This is an improvement over the examples of FIG. 3B, where at about 1900 MHz, the antenna efficiencies were much lower ranging from -8 dB to -10 dB. In addition, FIG. 3C illustrates that the gasket placement at approximately one-quarter the wavelength of the antenna signal can achieve enhanced antenna efficiency similar to the conventional approach of using a large antenna window as shown in FIG. 3A, but without requiring the increased space and dimensions of the electronic device required to uses a large antenna window.

[0045] In addition, FIG. 3C also illustrates that a change in the frequency of the antenna signal will change the efficiency of the antenna 108 for a given gasket distance. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a at a first distance represented by the solid line results in an antenna efficiency of about -3.0 dB at a frequency of about 2100 MHz, and the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a a second distance represented by the dotted line results in an antenna efficiency of about -10.0 dB at a frequency of about 2100 MHz. Thus, at about 2100 MHz, placement of the gasket 112 at the first distance represented by the solid line has a better antenna efficiency than placement of the gasket 112 at the second distance represented by the dotted line. However, the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a at the first distance represented by the solid line results in an antenna efficiency of about -16.5 dB at a frequency of about 2400 MHz, and the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a the second distance represented by the dotted line results in an antenna efficiency of about -7.0 dB at a frequency of about 2400 MHz. Thus, at about 2400 MHz, placement of the gasket 112 at the second distance represented by the dotted line has a better antenna efficiency than placement of the gasket 112 at the first distance represented by the solid line. Thus, optimal gasket location could be fine- tuned depending on a desired frequency band.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows is a plan view of the example electronic device 100 with an alternative gasket configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, one or more electrical components 106 (collectively shown as one component) are housed in the interior space 104. In the example of FIG. 4, the electrical components 106 extend in the interior space 104 closer to the antenna 108 than the example of FIG. 1. A gasket 400 extends from a first side 402 of the electronic device 100 to a second side 404 of the electronic device 100. The gasket 400 is coupled to the top cover l02a and bottom cover l02b at the distance 120 as disclosed above with FIG. 4. The gasket 400 further extends in the interior 104 of the electronic device 100 toward the antennas 108, 110 to at least partially wrap around, surround, or otherwise separate the electrical components 106. For example, the gasket 112 may surround the outer surface of a battery, a speaker box or other electrical components 106. In some examples, the gasket 112 is in contact with the outer surfaces of the electrical components 106. In the view of FIG. 4, the gasket 400 is shown in the position of the connection with the top cover l02a. In this example, the gasket 400 wraps around the electrical component 106 in the interior space 104 while maintaining the connection to the top cover l02a and the bottom cover l02b at the distance 120.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the example electrical device 100 of FIG. 4 taken between the two B-B lines. As shown in FIG. 5, the antenna 108 is coupled to the first or top cover l02a and grounded to the top cover l02a. One or more electrical components 106 are housed between the top cover l02a and the second or bottom cover l02b. The gasket 400 is coupled to the top cover l02a at the distance 120 equal to, or substantially equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of the antenna signals. The gasket 400 is also coupled to the bottom cover l02b at the distance 120.

In the example of FIG. 4, the electrical components 106 extend in the interior space 104 closer to the antenna 108 than the example of FIG. 1 such that an end of one of the electrical components 106 is within the distance 120 to the antenna 108. In this example, the gasket 400 wraps around the electrical component 106 in the interior space 104, and a portion of the gasket 400 is within the distance 120 to the antenna 108. At the same time, the gasket 400 maintains the connection to the top cover l02a and the bottom cover l02b at the distance 120. In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, less separation space is needed between the electrical components 106 and the antenna 108. In other words, antenna efficiency can be increased even with relatively small distances between the antenna 108 and the electrical components 106 where the gasket 400 is wrapped around the electrical components 106 while also coupled to the top cover l02a at the distance 120.

[0048] In some examples, the gasket 400 is coupled to the bottom cover l02b at the same position as the top cover l02a. That is, the gasket 400 is coupled to the bottom cover l02b at the distance 120 directly across from the position at which the gasket 400 is coupled to the top cover l02a. In other examples, the gasket 400 is coupled to the bottom cover l02b at a position that is offset from the position at which the gasket 400 is coupled to the top cover l02a. For example, the gasket 400 may be coupled to the top cover l02a 45mm from the antenna 108 and coupled to the bottom cover l02b at a distance of 25mm. Other lengths may be used in other examples.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the example electronic device 100 with an alternative example gasket configuration. In the example of FIG. 6, an example gasket 600 is coupled to the top cover l02a and bottom cover l02b at the distance 120 as shown in FIG. 5. The gasket 600 further extends into the interior space 104 of the electronic device 100 toward the antennas 108, 110, as disclosed above with FIGS. 4 and 5. In the example of FIG. 6, the gasket 600 surrounds the electrical components 106 but does not extend to the first side 402 or the second side wall 404 of the electronic device 100. In this example, the gasket 600 wraps around the electrical components 106 and forms a solid wall to maintain separation of the electrical components 106 and the antennas 108, 200.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a graph showing example antenna efficiency (y-axis) for the example electronic device 100 of FIG. 6 over a range of frequencies (x- axis) with a gasket (e.g., the gasket 600) coupled to the ground (e.g., the top cover l02a) at different distances from the antenna (three different distances represented by the four lines of the graph of FIG. 7). As disclosed above, the efficiency of the antenna 108 can be enhanced by coupling the gasket 112 to the top cover l02a at the distance 120 equal to or substantially equal to one- quarter the wavelength of the antenna signal. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, difference gasket placement will have different performance characteristics.

[0051] Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates that a change in the frequency of the antenna signal will change the efficiency of the antenna 108 for a given gasket distance. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a at a first distance represented by the solid line results in an antenna efficiency of about -4.0 dB at a frequency of about 1900 MHz, and the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a a second distance represented by the dotted line results in an antenna efficiency of about -7.0 dB at a frequency of about 1900 MHz. Thus, at about 1900 MHz, placement of the gasket 112 at the first distance represented by the solid line has a better antenna efficiency than placement of the gasket 112 at the second distance represented by the dotted line. However, the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a at the first distance represented by the solid line results in an antenna efficiency of about -12.0 dB at a frequency of about 2600 MHz, and the gasket 112 coupled to the top cover l02a the second distance represented by the dotted line results in an antenna efficiency of about -9.0 dB at a frequency of about 2600 MHz. Thus, at about 2600 MHz, placement of the gasket 112 at the second distance represented by the dotted line has a better antenna efficiency than placement of the gasket 112 at the first distance represented by the solid line. Thus, optimal gasket location could be fine-tuned depending on a desired frequency band.

[0052] FIG. 7 further shows that the electronic device 100 with the gasket 600 coupled to the top cover l02a at the distance 120 and extending from the distance 120 in the interior space 104 toward the antenna 108 also shows variable antenna efficiency due to placement of the connection of the gasket 600 with the top cover l02a.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the example electronic device 100 with an example alternative gasket configuration. In the example of FIG. 8, a first gasket 800a isolates the first antenna 108 from the electrical components 106, and a second gasket 800b isolates the second antenna 110 from the electrical components 106. The electrical components 106 include, for example, a battery, a speaker module, and a clickpad. In some examples, these components 106 encroach far into the area of the antennas 108, 110 and, in some examples, are disposed above, below, and around an antenna even overlapping into the antenna space. Thus, the interior space 104 can be very crowded. In the example of FIG. 8, the first gasket

800a extends to the first side 402 of the electronic device 100 and extends to a third side 802 of the electronic device 100. The third side 802, in this example, is coupled to the first side 402 and the second side 404. Also, in this example, the third side 802 is substantially orthogonal to the first side 402 and the second side 404. In this example, the first gasket 800a has an L-shaped cross-section from the plan view and includes a first leg 804a and a second leg 804b. In this example, the first leg 804a is separated from the first antenna 108 by the distance 120 in the Y-direction and separated from the first antenna 108 by the distance 808a in the X-direction. In some examples, the separation in the X-direction can be modified to enhance antenna efficiency in the same manner as disclosed herein with respect to the Y-direction. For example, the separation in the X-direction may be equal to or substantially equal to one- quarter of a wavelength of an operating frequency of the antenna. Also, in this example, the first leg 804a is opposite the third side 802. In some examples, the first leg 804a is parallel the third side 802.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 8, the electronic device 100 also includes the second gasket 800b. In the example of FIG. 8, the second gasket 800b extends to the second side 404 of the electronic device 100 and extends to the third side 802 of the electronic device 100. In this example, the second gasket 800b has an L-shaped cross-section from the plan view and includes a first leg 806a and a second leg 806b. In this example, the first leg 806a is separated from the second antenna 110 by the distance 120 in the Y-direction and separated from the antenna by the distance 808b in the X-direction. As disclosed for the first gasket 800a, the separation in the X-direction can be modified to enhance antenna performance as noted above. Also, in this example, the first leg 806a is opposite the third side 802. In some examples, the first leg 806a is parallel the third side 802.Though two gaskets 800a, 800b are shown in FIG. 8, in some examples, the gaskets 800a, 800b are coupled. For example, the first gasket 800a and the second gasket 800b may be integrally formed as one piece. The first gasket 800a and the second gasket 800b further extend in the interior 104 of the electronic device 100 toward the respective antennas 108 and 110 to at least partially wrap around, surround, or otherwise isolate the electrical components 106 as disclosed above in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. In this example, the first gasket 800a and the second gasket 800b create a separate chamber for the antennas 108 and 110.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the example electronic device 100 with an alternative example gasket configuration. In the example of FIG. 9, a first gasket 900a isolates the first antenna 108 from the electrical components 106, and a second gasket 900b isolates the second antenna 110 from the electrical components 106. In the example of FIG. 9, the first gasket 900a does not extend to the first side 402 of the electronic device 100 but does extend to the third side 802 of the electronic device 100. In this example, the first gasket 900a wraps around the electrical components 106 and forms a solid wall to maintain separation of the electrical components 106 and the first antenna 108.

[0056] In this example, the first gasket 900a has an L-shaped cross- section from the plan view and includes a first leg 904a and a second leg 904b. In this example, the first leg 904a is separated from the first antenna 108 by the distance 120. Also, in this example, the first leg 904a is opposite the third side 802. In some examples, the first leg 904a is parallel the third side 802. [0057] In the example of FIG. 9, the electronic device 100 also includes the second gasket 900b. In the example of FIG. 9, the second gasket 800b does not extend to the second side 404 of the electronic device 100 but does extend to the third side 802 of the electronic device 100. In this example, the second gasket 900a wraps around the electrical components 106 and forms a solid wall to maintain separation of the electrical components 106 and the second antenna 110.

[0058] In this example, the second gasket 900b has an L-shaped cross- section from the plan view includes a first leg 906a and a second leg 906b. In this example, the first leg 906a is separated from the second antenna 110 by the distance 120. Also, in this example, the first leg 906a is opposite the third side 802. In some examples, the first leg 906a is parallel the third side 802.

[0059] Though two gaskets 900a, 900b are shown in FIG. 9, in some examples, the gaskets 900a, 900b are coupled. For example, the first gasket 900a and the second gasket 900b may be integrally formed as one piece. The first gasket 900a and the second gasket 900b further extend in the interior 104 of the electronic device 100 toward the respective antennas 108, 200 to at least partially surround, wrap around, or otherwise isolate the electrical components 106. In this example, the first gasket 900a and the second gasket 900b fully separate the electrical components 106 from the antennas 108, 200.

[0060] Any elements disclosed herein for any examples may be used in combination with and/or as alternative elements to other examples disclosed herein. [0061]“Including” and“comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are used herein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any form of“include” or“comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation of any kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc. may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase "at least" is used as the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term "comprising" and“including” are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form such as A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as (1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, and (6) B with C.

[0062] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed that increase the efficiency of an antenna without increasing antenna size, the overall size of the electronic device, and/or antenna complexity. The example gaskets disclosed herein separate the antennas from the other electrical and/or metallic components of the electronic device while being coupled to the antenna ground (e.g., a top cover) at a distance from a respective antenna equal to or substantially equal to a one-quarter of a wavelength of an antenna signal. These examples achieve increased antenna efficiency without requiring an increased Z-height or large antenna window. The examples disclosed herein enable electronic devices to meet carrier specifications for wireless local area network (WLAN), fourth generation Long-Term Evolution

(4G LTE), and fifth generation (5G) wireless communications.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A device comprising:

a first cover;

a second cover;

an antenna grounded to the first cover;

an electrical component grounded to the second cover; and

a gasket coupled to the first cover and the second cover to separate the antenna with the antenna on a first side of the gasket and the electrical component on a second side of the gasket.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first cover, the second cover, and the first side of the gasket form a windowless antenna cavity.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna has an operating frequency, and the antenna is coupled to the first cover at a first position and the gasket is coupled to the first cover at a second position, the second position separated from the first position by a distance substantially equal to a quarter of the wavelength derived from the operating frequency.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the gasket is coupled to the second cover at a third position across from the second position.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the third position is offset from the second position.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is printed to the first cover.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the gasket is discontinuous.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes a side edge extending between the first cover and the second cover and the gasket is separated from the side edge.

9. A device comprising:

a first cover;

a second cover, the first and second cover defining an interior space; an antenna grounded to the first cover at an unshared ground;

an electrical component grounded to the second cover at a shared ground; and

a gasket coupled to the first cover and the second cover, the gasket dividing the interior space into a first chamber and a second chamber, the antenna disposed in the first chamber, the plurality of electrical or metal components disposed in the second chamber.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first chamber is windowless.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein antenna and gasket are separated by a distance substantially equal to one quarter of a wavelength corresponding to an operating frequency of the antenna.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the device first includes a first side edge extending between the first cover and the second cover and a second side edge extending between the first cover and the second cover, and the gasket is separated from the first side edge and the second side edge.

13. A device comprising:

a first cover;

a second cover, the first and second cover defining an interior space; a first ground coupled to the first cover to ground a communication component;

a second ground coupled to the second cover to ground an electrical component, the second ground being a shared ground; and

a gasket coupled to the first cover and the second cover, the gasket dividing the interior space into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first ground disposed in the first chamber, and the second ground disposed in the second chamber.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the communication component is an antenna.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the antenna and the gasket are separated by a distance substantially equal to one quarter of a wavelength corresponding to an operational frequency of the antenna.