Patent ID: 9329255
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: H01P,H01Q

Claim Text:
1. A sub-compact antenna apparatus comprising: a plurality of layers of dielectric material; an antenna inlaid in a top layer of the dielectric material so a surface of the antenna is substantially parallel to an outer surface of the top layer of dielectric material; and a conductive staircase balun, coupled to the antenna, and embedded in one or more layers of the dielectric material, the conductive staircase balun comprising alternating layers of planar segments and annular segments, wherein first and second ones of the annular segments are placed in an alternating position with respect to the planar segment positioned between the first annular segment and the second annular segment; wherein the antenna includes a hole and the balun comprises a cylindrical section adapted to extend through the hole to couple the antenna to the balun, and wherein a geometry of the balun within the layers of the dielectric material electrically extends a length of the antenna.