Antennas and antenna carrier structures for electronic devices

Antenna support structures and antennas are provided for wireless electronic devices such as portable electronic devices. Antenna resonating elements may be formed from conductive coatings on two-shot molded interconnect device dielectric antenna support structures. The conductive coatings may be formed from wet-plated copper or other conductive materials. The antenna support structure may have tabs that electrically connect antenna resonating elements to the case of a wireless electronic device that serves as an antenna ground plane. The antenna support structure may be curved about its longitudinal axis so that the antenna resonating elements on the support structure protrude upwards to enhance antenna performance. In a portable electronic device such as a portable computer, the antenna support structure may be mounted within a dielectric portion of the computer housing that is located between the display portion of the housing and the base of the housing.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to antennas, and more particularly, to antenna structures and antennas for electronic devices.

Many modern electronic devices use antennas. For example, portable electronic devices are often provided with wireless communications capabilities. Portable electronic devices may use wireless communications to communicate with wireless base stations. As an example, cellular telephones may communicate using cellular telephone bands at 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz (e.g., the main Global System for Mobile Communications or GSM cellular telephone bands). Portable electronic devices may also use other types of communications links. For example, portable electronic devices may communicate using the Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) bands at 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz and the Bluetooth® band at 2.4 GHz. Communications are also possible in data service bands such as the 3G data communications band at 2100 MHz band (commonly referred to as UMTS or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System).

To satisfy consumer demand for portable wireless devices, manufacturers are continually striving to reduce the size of components that are used in these devices. For example, manufacturers have made attempts to miniaturize the antennas used in portable electronic devices.

A typical antenna may be fabricated by patterning a metal layer on a circuit board substrate or may be formed from a sheet of thin metal using a foil stamping process. These techniques can be used to produce antennas that fit within the tight confines of a portable device. With conventional portable electronic devices, however, design compromises are made to accommodate compact antennas. These design compromises may include, for example, compromises related to antenna efficiency and antenna bandwidth.

It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved antenna structures for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices.

SUMMARY

Wireless communications structures for computers or other electronic devices are provided. The wireless communications structures may include antennas and antenna support structures for antennas.

A portable electronic device such as a portable computer may have a base housing formed from a top case and bottom case. The base housing may be conductive and may serve as an antenna ground plane.

A display housing portion may be mounted to the base housing using hinges. A dielectric housing portion that is rigidly connected to the base housing may be located between the base housing and the display housing. A two-shot molded interconnect device dielectric antenna support structure may be mounted within the dielectric housing portion. Three antenna resonating elements may be formed on the antenna support structure.

The antenna resonating elements on the antenna support structure and the antenna ground plane may form three separate antennas for the portable computer. Metal clips may be used to ground transmission lines to tabs associated with the antenna resonating elements. The antenna resonating elements may be connected to the ground plane using screws or other suitable fasteners.

The top case may have a top surface that lies in a plane. The dielectric antenna support structure may have a curved surface on which the antenna resonating elements are formed. The curved surface may protrude above the plane, thereby elevating the antenna resonating element so that the antenna performs well without interference from adjacent metal components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, to antennas for wireless electronic devices.

The wireless electronic devices may be any suitable electronic devices. As an example, the wireless electronic devices may be desktop computers or other computer equipment. The wireless electronic devices may also be portable electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablet computers, or small portable computers of the type that are sometimes referred to as ultraportables. Portable electronic devices may also be somewhat smaller devices. Examples of smaller portable electronic devices include wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, and other wearable and miniature devices. With one suitable arrangement, the portable electronic devices may be handheld electronic devices.

Examples of portable and handheld electronic devices include cellular telephones, media players with wireless communications capabilities, handheld computers (also sometimes called personal digital assistants), remote controls, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and handheld gaming devices. The devices may also be hybrid devices that combine the functionality of multiple conventional devices. Examples of hybrid devices include a cellular telephone that includes media player functionality, a gaming device that includes a wireless communications capability, a cellular telephone that includes game and email functions, and a handheld device that receives email, supports mobile telephone calls, has music player functionality and supports web browsing. These are merely illustrative examples.

An illustrative electronic device such as a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. Device10may be any suitable electronic device. As an example, device10may be a portable computer.

Device10may handle communications over one or more communications bands. For example, wireless communications circuitry in device10may be used to handle cellular telephone communications in one or more frequency bands and data communications in one or more communications bands. Typical data communications bands that may be handled by the wireless communications circuitry in device10include the 2.4 GHz band that is sometimes used for Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) and Bluetooth® communications, the 5.0 GHz band that is sometimes used for Wi-Fi communications, the 1575 MHz Global Positioning System band, and 3G data bands (e.g., the UMTS band at 1920-2170). These bands may be covered by using single-band and multiband antennas. For example, cellular telephone communications can be handled using a multiband cellular telephone antenna and local area network data communications can be handled using a multiband wireless local area network antenna. As another example, device10may have a single multiband antenna for handling communications in two or more data bands (e.g., at 2.4 GHz and at 5.0 GHz). Two or more multiband antennas of this type may be used in an antenna diversity arrangement. Antenna arrangements with three or more antennas may also be used. For example, device10may have two dual-band Wi-Fi antennas and a Bluetooth antenna (as an example).

Device10may have housing12. Housing12, which is sometimes referred to as a case, may be formed of any suitable materials including plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. In some situations, portions of housing12may be formed from a dielectric or other low-conductivity material, so as not to disturb the operation of conductive antenna elements that are located in proximity to housing12.

In general, however, housing12will be partly or entirely formed from conductive materials such as metal. An illustrative metal housing material that may be used is anodized aluminum. Aluminum is relatively light in weight and, when anodized, has an attractive insulating and scratch-resistant surface. If desired, other metals can be used for the housing of device10, such as stainless steel, magnesium, titanium, alloys of these metals and other metals, etc. In scenarios in which housing12is formed from conductive elements, one or more of the conductive elements may be used as part of the antenna in device10. For example, metal portions of housing12and metal components in housing12may be shorted together to form a ground plane in device10or to expand a ground plane structure that is formed from a planar circuit structure such as a printed circuit board structure (e.g., a printed circuit board structure used in forming antenna structures for device10).

As shown inFIG. 1, housing12may have a base portion12E that is formed from two housing portions12A and12B. Portion12A may sometimes be referred to as a top case. Portion12B may sometimes be referred to as a bottom case. If desired, internal frames may be mounted within housing12(e.g., within base portion12E of housing12). These internal frames may be used for mounting electronic components such as a battery, printed circuit boards containing integrated circuits and other electrical devices, etc. If desired, printed circuit boards (e.g., a motherboard and other printed circuit boards) and other components may be mounted directly to housing12. For example, a motherboard may be attached to top case12A using screws or other fasteners. Upper portion12C of housing12may include a frame12D that is used to connect a liquid crystal diode (LCD) display16or other suitable display into the upper lid (housing) of device10. Portion12C may be referred to as the display of device10or may be referred to a display housing, a display housing portion, etc.

Display housing portion12C may be attached to housing base12E (i.e., the portion of housing12that is formed from top case12A and bottom case12B) using hinges such as hinges24.

Housing portion25may be located at the rear edge of base12E between base12E and display housing12C. Hinges24and housing portion25of housing base12E may have longitudinal axes that are aligned along longitudinal axis28.

Device10may have one or more buttons such as buttons14. Buttons14may be formed on any suitable surface of device10. In the example ofFIG. 1, buttons14have been formed on the top surface of device10. Buttons14may form a keyboard on a laptop computer (as an example).

Display16may be a liquid crystal diode (LCD) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma display, or any other suitable display. The outermost surface of display16may be formed from one or more plastic or glass layers. If desired, touch screen functionality may be integrated into display16. Device10may also have a separate touch pad device such as touch pad26. An advantage of integrating a touch screen into display16to make display16touch sensitive is that this type of arrangement can save space and reduce visual clutter. Buttons14may, if desired, be arranged adjacent to display16. With this type of arrangement, the buttons may be aligned with on-screen options that are presented on display16. A user may press a desired button to select a corresponding one of the displayed options.

Device10may have circuitry18. Circuitry18may include storage, processing circuitry, and input-output components. Wireless transceiver circuitry in circuitry18may be used to transmit and receive radio-frequency (RF) signals. Transmission lines such as coaxial transmission lines and microstrip transmission lines may be used to convey radio-frequency signals between transceiver circuitry and antenna structures in device10. As shown inFIG. 1, for example, one or more transmission line such as transmission line22may be used to convey signals between antenna structure20and circuitry18. Transmission line22may be, for example, a coaxial cable that is connected between an RF transceiver (sometimes called a radio) and an antenna. Antenna structures such as antenna structure20may be located within housing portion25at the rear edge of housing base12E (i.e., at the juncture between display housing portion12C and housing base12E) or may be located in other suitable locations.

A schematic diagram of an embodiment of an illustrative electronic device such as a portable electronic device is shown inFIG. 2. Device10may be a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a mobile telephone, a mobile telephone with media player capabilities, a handheld computer, a remote control, a game player, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a combination of such devices, or any other wireless device such as a portable or handheld electronic device.

As shown inFIG. 2, device10may include storage34. Storage34may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., battery-based static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc.

Processing circuitry36may be used to control the operation of device10. Processing circuitry36may be based on a processor such as a microprocessor and other suitable integrated circuits. With one suitable arrangement, processing circuitry36and storage34may be used to run software on device10, such as internet browsing applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. Processing circuitry36and storage34may be used in implementing suitable communications protocols. Communications protocols that may be implemented using processing circuitry36and storage34include internet protocols, wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols—sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communications links such as the Bluetooth® protocol, protocols for handling 3G data services such as UMTS, cellular telephone communications protocols, etc.

Input-output devices38may be used to allow data to be supplied to device10and to allow data to be provided from device10to external devices. Display screen16, keys14, and touchpad26ofFIG. 1are examples of input-output devices38.

Display and audio devices42may include liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens or other screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other components that present visual information and status data. Display and audio devices42may also include audio equipment such as speakers and other devices for creating sound. Display and audio devices42may contain audio-video interface equipment such as jacks and other connectors for external headphones and monitors.

Wireless communications devices44may include communications circuitry such as radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry formed from one or more integrated circuits, power amplifier circuitry, passive RF components, one or more antennas (e.g., antenna structures such as antenna structure20ofFIG. 1), and other circuitry for handling RF wireless signals. Wireless signals can also be sent using light (e.g., using infrared communications).

Device10can communicate with external devices such as accessories46and computing equipment48, as shown by paths50. Paths50may include wired and wireless paths. Accessories46may include headphones (e.g., a wireless cellular headset or audio headphones) and audio-video equipment (e.g., wireless speakers, a game controller, or other equipment that receives and plays audio and video content).

Computing equipment48may be any suitable computer. With one suitable arrangement, computing equipment48is a computer that has an associated wireless access point or an internal or external wireless card that establishes a wireless connection with device10. The computer may be a server (e.g., an internet server), a local area network computer with or without internet access, a user's own personal computer, a peer device (e.g., another portable electronic device10), or any other suitable computing equipment.

The antenna structures and wireless communications devices of device10may support communications over any suitable wireless communications bands. For example, wireless communications devices44may be used to cover communications frequency bands such as the cellular telephone bands at 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz, data service bands such as the 3G data communications band at 2100 MHz band (commonly referred to as UMTS or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) bands (also sometimes referred to as wireless local area network or WLAN bands), the Bluetooth® band at 2.4 GHz, and the global positioning system (GPS) band at 1575 MHz. Wi-Fi bands that may be supported include the 2.4 GHz band and the 5.0 GHz bands. The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band extends from 2.412 to 2.484 GHz. Commonly-used channels in the 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi band extend from 5.15-5.85 GHz. Device10can cover these communications bands and/or other suitable communications bands with proper configuration of the antenna structures in wireless communications circuitry44.

Antenna structures such as antenna structure20ofFIG. 1may be located at any suitable location in device10. In configurations in which device10has conductive portions (e.g., conductive sidewalls), it may be advantageous to located antenna structure20at a position in which antenna structure20is not shielded by conductors. This allows the antennas of device10to operate freely without being blocked by the conductive portions of device10.

With one particularly suitable arrangement, which is described herein as an example, antenna structure20is located in housing portion25of housing base12E. The remainder of housing base12E may be formed from top case12A and bottom case12B. Top case12A and bottom case12B may be formed from aluminum or other conductive materials. If antenna structures20were located within such conductive structures, proper antenna operation would be disrupted due to the electromagnetic shielding effects of the conductive sidewalls of base12E.

With an arrangement of the type shown inFIG. 1in which housing portion25is located between base12E and display housing portion12C, housing portion25may be formed from a dielectric. Typical dielectrics include glass, ceramic, rubber, and plastic. These are merely illustrative housing materials for housing portion25. Any suitable materials may be used for housing portion25if desired.

By locating antenna structure20within a dielectric housing portion such as portion25, the antenna resonating elements of device10are located at a sufficient distance from the metals and other conductive materials of housing base12E and display housing portion12D to ensure that the antennas in device10function properly. An advantage of locating antenna structure20and dielectric housing portion25on a portion of base housing12E is that this helps to minimize the length of the transmission lines that are used to convey signals between radio-frequency transceiver circuitry (e.g., circuitry18ofFIG. 1) and antenna structure20, thereby helping to reduce signal losses. Arrangements of the type shown inFIG. 1also help to avoid the need to pass radio-frequency transmission lines through a hinged portion of device10where they would be subject to twisting movement and possible mechanical failure.

FIG. 3shows a top view of an illustrative antenna structure20and portions of an associated device10. As shown inFIG. 3, wireless communications devices44may include three antennas, each of which is formed from a respective antenna resonating element such as one of antenna resonating elements56and a common ground plane such as ground plane54. Ground plane54may be formed from conductive structures associated with base12E (i.e., top case12A and the conductive structures mounted to and electrically connected to top case12A). Antenna resonating elements56may be mounted on support structure64and may be formed from any suitable structures such as substantially planar conductive patterns of the type that are sometimes referred to as planar inverted-F antenna resonating elements or inverted-F antenna resonating elements.

As shown inFIG. 3, each antenna may be fed using a positive signal conductor (center conductor)65in a respective transmission line62that is connected to a respective positive antenna terminal58and a ground signal conductor in that transmission line62that is connected to a respective ground antenna terminal60. If desired, matching networks may be used at the antenna feeds to help match the impedance of transmission lines paths62to the impedance of each antenna, to match a balanced transmission line to an unbalanced antenna, to match an unbalanced transmission line to a balanced antenna, etc. Tuning components may also be connected to the antennas (e.g., to portions of antenna resonating elements58) to help tune the performance of the antennas. In the configuration ofFIG. 3in which antenna resonating elements are used with ground plane54to form inverted-F antennas that are fed using terminals58and60, the antennas that are formed function as shunt-fed monopole antennas.

Radio-frequency transceiver circuitry52may include switches or passive signal combiners and dividers that allow one or more radio-frequency transmitters and receivers (sometimes referred to as radios) to be coupled to the antennas formed from antenna resonating elements56. In the example ofFIG. 3, there are three transmission lines62connected to radio-frequency transceiver circuitry52and three associated antennas in devices44each of which is formed from a respective antenna resonating element56and common ground plane54. Antenna structure20ofFIG. 3may be formed in housing portion25. Ground plane54may be formed from housing base12E (e.g., housing portion12A and/or12B). In general, there may be any suitable number of antennas (one or more) in housing portion25. The example ofFIG. 3is merely illustrative.

In the illustrative configuration ofFIG. 3, the leftmost antenna and the rightmost antenna may be used to handle Wi-Fi signals (e.g., in the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands). These two antennas may be used to implement an antenna diversity scheme. The center antenna ofFIG. 3may be used to handle Bluetooth® signals at 2.4 GHz or may be used to handle Wi-Fi communications at 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz (e.g., in a diversity scheme working in conjunction with the leftmost and rightmost antennas). In these illustrative arrangements, the antennas are multiband antennas or (in the case of a single-band Bluetooth antenna) a single band antenna. If desired, the antennas of antenna structure20may all be single band antennas, may all be multi-band antennas, or may include both single-band and multi-band antennas.

Antenna resonating elements56may be mounted on any suitable mounting structure. With one suitable arrangement, which is sometimes described herein as an example, antenna resonating elements56are formed from conductive traces on a dielectric support structure. As shown inFIG. 4, for example, antenna resonating elements56may be formed on a dielectric support structure such as dielectric support structure64. The dielectric material of structure64may be a plastic. The dielectric support structure on which the antenna resonating elements are formed is sometimes referred to as an antenna carrier. A dielectric support structure such as structure64may be formed from one or more individual dielectric members. For ease of handing and to reduce complexity, it may be advantageous to use a single support member in forming support structure64.

Support structure64may have a longitudinal axis that is aligned with longitudinal axis28. In device10, support structure64and resonating elements56may be mounted within housing portion25(FIG. 1). When mounted within device10, edge68of support64may be aligned with the outermost edge of device10, whereas edge66of support64and resonating elements56may be connected to ground plane54(e.g., a housing portion such as base12E or, in particular, top case12A). Screws or other suitable fasteners may be used to connect antenna resonating elements56to the ground plane (e.g., to the conductive housing). Antenna support structure64may be configured to form tabs70each of which has an associated screw hole72through which a screw or other fastener may be passed when affixing antenna support structure64and antenna resonating elements56to the ground plane formed by base12E of housing12.

As shown in the illustrative configuration ofFIG. 5, antenna resonating elements56may be formed from conductive traces such as trace74. Antenna resonating element56may be electrically and mechanically attached to ground plane54by using screws or other fasteners in holes72to attach support64to housing portion12A at edge66.

The meandering conductive trace shape shown in the illustrative antenna resonating element56ofFIG. 5is merely illustrative. Antenna resonating elements56may have any suitable shape.

In general, the shape that is chosen for each antenna resonating element56may be determined based on the desired operating frequencies for the antennas of device10. For example, in a dual-band antenna arrangement, it may be desirable to configure the shape of the antenna's resonating element56so that the antenna's fundamental operating frequency corresponds to a first frequency band of interest (e.g., 2.4 GHz) and so that the antenna's second harmonic operating frequency corresponds to a second frequency band of interest (e.g., 5.0 GHz). The antenna resonating element's length may be adjusted to be approximately equal to a quarter of a wavelength at the fundamental frequency. Bends, notches, protruding stubs, and other features may be incorporated into a given antenna resonating element to adjust its resonant frequencies and its bandwidth in each band of interest. As an example, folded shapes may be incorporated into the antenna resonating element. The folded shapes may help an antenna designer optimize antenna performance in situations in which it is desired to modify the frequency of the second harmonic resonance without significantly affecting the location of the fundamental antenna resonance. This is because folds may add reactances that affect the harmonic resonance more than the fundamental resonance. If desired, the length of an antenna fold may be adjusted to correspond to an additional secondary resonance that is configured to resonate in band.

When selecting a layout for a given antenna resonating element, it is also generally desirable to take into account the influence of structures that enclose the antenna resonating element (e.g., nearby conductive structures such as housing walls). The impact of nearby conductive structures can affect the frequency response of an antenna resonating element. An antenna resonating element will typically perform differently when mounted inside of an enclosure as opposed to being mounted in an unenclosed arrangement. This is because a given antenna resonating element will tend to excite resonances in its enclosure that are tuned via the antenna resonating element.

These techniques or other suitable techniques may be used to select a shape for an antenna resonating element that satisfies design goals (e.g., frequency band coverage, efficiency, etc.).

Examples of suitable patterns that may be used for the three antenna resonating elements56ofFIG. 4are shown respectively inFIGS. 6,7, and8. An advantage of using multiple tabs72along the edge of each antenna resonating element (e.g., three tabs72as in the examples ofFIGS. 6,7, and8) is that this helps to promote formation of a low resistance path between the antenna resonating element and housing portion12E.

A perspective view of the underside of an illustrative support structure64and top case12A showing how support structure64and antenna resonating element56may be electrically and mechanically connected to top case12A is shown inFIG. 9. As shown inFIG. 9, top case12A may have tabs78with holes80that are aligned with corresponding tabs70and holes72on support structure64. Screws76or other suitable fasteners may pass through holes72and80. Nuts or threads in holes80may be used to secure screws76.

A cross-sectional side view of an illustrative portion of antenna structure20is shown inFIG. 10. As shown inFIG. 10, antenna resonating elements such as antenna resonating element56may be formed from a conductive layer on dielectric support structure64. Conductive layer portion86may coat dielectric portions of support structure64that are configured to form tabs70. Conductive layer portions84may form substantially planar portions of resonating element56(e.g., using patterns of the types shown inFIGS. 6,7, and8). These substantially planar portions of antenna resonating element56may be curved along the arc defined by the semi-circular cross-sectional shape of antenna support structure64, as shown inFIG. 10. In the vicinity of positive antenna feed terminal56, via82may be formed through support structure64. The conductive layer of antenna resonating element56may have portions88that coat the inner sidewalls of via82, thereby ensuring that molten solder will flow through via82when soldering center conductor65(FIG. 5) to antenna terminal58on the concave underside of antenna support structure64.

Any suitable technique may be used to form conductive structures for antenna resonating element56. For example, conductive structures for antenna resonating element56may be formed from stamped metal foil, flexible printed circuit board structures (e.g., polyimide-based structures of the type that are sometimes referred to as flex circuits), etc. With one suitable arrangement, antenna support structure64may be formed using a molded interconnect device (MID) manufacturing process such as a two-shot molded interconnect device process.

In a two-shot MID process, a plastic may be formulated to repel or attract conductive coatings by selective incorporation of chemical additives. When a first set of additives is incorporated into the plastic, the resulting formulation will attract conductive coatings. When a second set of additives is incorporated into the plastic, the plastic will repel conductive coatings. The different coating behaviors of these two types of plastic allow patterns to be defined for an antenna resonating element (i.e., by patterning the attractive plastic appropriately). An example of a conductive coating that may be used for coating portions of antenna support structure64is wet-plated copper. Other suitable coating materials include gold, chrome, nickel, tin, other suitable metals, alloys of these metals, etc. These materials may be deposited using electrochemical deposition (e.g., wet plating techniques) or other suitable techniques.

With a two-shot process, portions of antenna support structure64that are to be maintained free of conductor may be constructed from a first “shot” using a plastic blend that repels copper (or other conductor). Portions of MID antenna support structure64on which antenna resonating elements56are to be formed are constructed from a second “shot” using a plastic blend that attracts copper (or other conductor). During a subsequent plating process, only those portions of antenna support structure that were formed from the copper-attracting blend of plastic will be plated with copper. Portions of the antenna support structure that were formed from the copper-repelling blend of plastic will remain uncoated.

In the example ofFIG. 10, the portions of antenna support structure64beneath the conductive layers that form antenna resonating element56are formed from a plastic blend that attracts copper (or other conductor), whereas the portions of antenna support structure64that are not covered by antenna resonating element56are formed from a plastic blend that repeals copper (or other conductor).

The two portions of the antenna support structure (i.e., the portion to be coated by conductor and the portion that remains uncoated) may be formed using separate MID tool pieces called cavities. In a two-shot process, two cavities are used. In general, any suitable number of shots may be used in forming antenna support structure64. The use of a two-shot process is merely illustrative.

If desired, other techniques may be used for forming antenna support structures such as support structure64. For example, a plastic having portions that are selectively activated by exposure to laser light may be used in forming the antenna support structure. The plastic may be, for example, a thermoplastic that has a organo-metallic additive that is sensitive to light at the wavelengths produced by a laser. The antenna resonating element pattern may be imposed on the plastic of the support structure by exposing the plastic to laser light only in areas in which conductive antenna structures are desired. After exposing desired portions of the plastic to laser light to activate those portions, the plastic may be plated with a suitable conductor such as copper. During plating operations, the laser-activated portions of the plastic attract the plating conductor (e.g., copper), thereby forming conductive antenna resonating element56. Techniques in which laser light is used to imprint a desired plating pattern on a plastic support are sometimes referred to as laser direct structuring (LDS) techniques. Laser direct structuring services for forming molded interconnect devices in this way are available from LPKF Laser & Electronics AG of Garbsen, Germany.

In general, antenna resonating element structures may be formed on any suitable support structure. The foregoing examples, in which conductive antenna resonating element structures are formed by coating plastic support structures with patterns of metal (e.g., by plating) are merely illustrative.

A cross-sectional view of a portion of device10in the vicinity of housing portion25is shown inFIG. 11. As shown inFIG. 11, a coaxial cable or other suitable transmission line62may be used to feed the antenna formed from antenna resonating element56and the ground plane provided by housing portion12A. Cable62may have an insulating jacket96, a conductive braid that serves as ground conductor94, dielectric core92, and center conductor65. At positive antenna feed terminal58, the tip of center conductor65may be electrically connected to the portions of antenna resonating element56that coat the interior of via82using solder90. Ground conductor94may be electrically connected to tab70at ground antenna terminal60.

Any suitable attachment mechanism may be used when attaching ground conductor94of transmission line62to the portion of electrical conductor on tab70. As an example, ground conductor94may be connected to tab70using solder, fasteners (e.g., screws), welding, etc.

As shown inFIG. 12, a conductive structure such as clip98may be used to help electrically connect ground conductor94of transmission line62to tabs70on antenna support structure64. Clip98may have holes100that are aligned with corresponding holes72on tabs70. Clip98may be formed from any suitable conductor such as sheet metal. An example of a sheet metal that may be used for clip98is tin-plated cold rolled steel. Crimped portion102of clip98may be used to mechanically hold transmission line62in place.

As shown in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 13, antenna support structure64may curve sufficiently to allow at least some of antenna resonating element56to protrude upwards from the top surface of base12E. Top case portion12A of housing12may have an upper surface that is aligned with plane104. Display housing portion12C may rotate about rotational axis106when the lid of device10is opened and closed. Plane104may, if desired, be located above rotational axis106. At least in region108, antenna resonating element56lies above plane104(and rotational axis106). In this position, antenna resonating element56protrudes outwards from device10and away from housing surface12A and the conductive portions of display housing portion12C. Because antenna resonating element56protrudes away from the conductive housing structures of device10, antenna resonating element56may exhibit good performance (e.g., by maintaining line-of-sight communications with wireless equipment such as accessories46and computing equipment48ofFIG. 2).