Patent ID: 8159401
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. A radio frequency transmitter assembly for disposition in a subsurface utility enclosure, the assembly comprising: a circuit board supporting radio frequency transmitter circuitry, the circuit board having at least two orthogonal edges; an antenna having an F-shaped element with two cross bars extending from a first edge of the circuit board, said cross bars extending in a plane defined by the circuit board, and the F-shaped element having a stem portion bent at approximately ninety degrees from the plane of the circuit board; the antenna also having an L-shaped ground plane element with a portion extending from a second edge of the circuit board orthogonal to the first edge of the circuit board, said portion extending from the second edge in the plane defined by the circuit board, the L-shaped ground plane element also having a portion bent at approximately ninety degrees from the plane of the circuit board, to provide a compact lateral area for the assembly without increasing a height of the assembly, and wherein the L-shaped ground plane element and the stem portion of the F-shaped element extend to a common length to increase an overall gain of the antenna.