Patent ID: 9537223
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: H01Q

Claim:
1. A multi-output antenna comprising: a non-resonant radiating element mounted on a chassis including a ground plane, the chassis being configured as a radiating chassis and the non-resonant radiating element being configured to excite multiple resonance modes of the radiating chassis so as to provide multiple outputs; a splitter circuit; and at least first and second matching circuits coupled to the non-resonant radiating element by way of the splitter circuit, the splitter circuit configured to direct higher frequency signals to the first matching circuit and lower frequency signals to the second matching circuit; wherein each matching circuit is associated with a separate port arranged to drive a separate resonant frequency so that the radiating element is operable to provide multiple outputs simultaneously; wherein the at least first and second matching circuits are configured so that the radiating element is operable simultaneously to receive in a first frequency band containing the higher frequency signals via the first matching circuit and in a second frequency band containing the lower frequency signals via the second matching circuit; wherein the at least first and second matching circuits are each independently adjustable by way of at least one variable capacitor provided in each of the first and second matching circuits; and wherein the splitter circuit comprises an inductor and a capacitor each having respective first and second electrical connections, the inductor and capacitor being arranged with the first electrical connections joined at a T-junction, the T-junction connected to the non-resonant radiating element, the second electrical connection of the capacitor connected to the first matching circuit and the second electrical connection of the inductor connected to the second matching circuit, such that the ports are substantially uncorrelated, thereby allowing the first matching circuit to be adjusted so as to tune the signal in the first frequency band without affecting the tuning of the signal in the second frequency band and the second matching circuit to be adjusted so as to tune the signal in the second frequency band without affecting the tuning of the signal in the first frequency band.