Patent ID: 8717240
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: H01Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A flexible ultra-wideband antenna assembly adapted for surface-mount attachment with a circuit board, the antenna assembly comprising: a flexible substrate having a first portion and a second portion formed about a bending line extending longitudinally therebetween, the flexible substrate having a top side and a bottom side opposite of the top side; said first portion comprising an antenna conductor disposed on the bottom side of the substrate, the antenna conductor comprising a pattern designed for wide band operation, wherein the antenna conductor being disposed on the flexible substrate is adapted for bendable adjustment about the bending line for optimizing antenna performance; said second portion comprising a plurality of first solder pads and a second solder pad, the first solder pads being configured to attach the antenna to the circuit board, the second solder pad being electrically connected to a terminal of said antenna conductor and adapted for connection to an antenna feed point of the radio circuit on the circuit board; said first and second solder pads each being disposed on the bottom side of the substrate and within the second portion; and a stiffener being removeably adhered to the top side of the substrate, the stiffener configured to span at least an area of the second portion of the substrate such that the second portion of the substrate is disposed between the stiffener and the first and second solder pads when the stiffener is adhered, the stiffener providing rigidity and weight for achieving optimal surface-mounting attachment and reduced deformation of the substrate, and the stiffener being adapted to be removed from the substrate after surface-mounting; wherein said first and second portions of said substrate are joined at a bending line and said first portion is adapted for bendable configuration about said second portion at said bending line for bendable configuration of the antenna conductor about the circuit board; wherein said flexible substrate and said first and second solder pads thereon are each adapted for attachment with the circuit board upon application of heat in a surface-mounting process; and wherein said flexible substrate is further adapted to maintain structural integrity in the presence of said heat such that the flexible antenna is capable of surface-mount attachment with the circuit board.