Abstract:
The system and method of the present application includes a 3-dimensional spherically-shaped antenna having multiple elements of various size based on self-similarity of repeated patterns, i.e., fractal antenna. This antenna provides a wide-band response to efficiently capture ambient electromagnetic energy that may be further processed and used to generate electricity. The antenna may also be tuned to provide a more accurate and efficient antenna capable of capturing a specific band of frequencies. The electricity collected may then be used to power various loads including electrical and electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, audio and video equipment, medical equipment, electrical appliances, lights, and numerous other devices. This may be particularly useful in remote locations, and can also compliment renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, thermal, and others. The antenna also provides increased reception for wireless communication applications, and may utilize fractal and non-fractal antennas.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present application is directed to the field of electromagnetic antennas. More specifically, the present application is directed to the field of three-dimensional electromagnetic antennas. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Antennas used today are generally based on 2-dimensional geometries and tuned for a relatively narrow band of frequencies. These antennas often require the antenna to be physically rotated or moved to improve the ability to receive the intended signal. 
         [0003]    Furthermore, electromagnetic energy is present in the ambient surroundings from numerous sources including radio and television stations, cellular telephones and transmitters, 802.11 WiFi wireless devices and transmitters, microwave transmitters, radar transmitters, electromagnetic emissions emitted from electrical and electronic devices, numerous other devices and transmitters, and outer space. This electromagnetic energy is present in all directions within the environment, and therefore energy harvesting applications require a non-directional antenna capable of receiving electromagnetic energy over a very wide-band of frequencies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present application, a three-dimensional (3-D) antenna assembly arranged from a two-dimensional (2-D) antenna assembly, the 3-D antenna assembly comprises a plurality of 2-D antenna elements joined at a plurality of antenna element junctions, the joined plurality of 2-D antenna elements forming the 2-D antenna assembly, and a plurality of antenna patterns fashioned on at least one of the plurality of 2-D antenna elements, wherein the 2-D antenna assembly is arranged into the 3-D antenna assembly by creating an angle between adjoining 2-D antenna elements at each of the plurality of antenna element junctions and joining the plurality of 2-D antenna elements at a plurality of junction points. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present application, a three-dimensional (3-D) antenna assembly, the 3-D antenna assembly comprises a plurality of 2-D antenna elements, and a plurality of antenna patterns fashioned on at least one of the plurality of 2-D antenna elements, wherein the 3-D antenna assembly is arranged by joining the plurality of 2-D antenna elements at a plurality of junction points. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present application, method of producing a 3-D antenna assembly, comprises selecting a 2-D antenna element geometry, producing a 2-D antenna assembly including a plurality of 2-D antenna elements, wherein the 2-D antenna elements are commonly fashioned in the selected geometry, arranging an antenna pattern on at least one of the 2-D antenna elements, and forming the 3-D antenna assembly from the 2-D antenna assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a graphical representation illustrating an embodiment of a 2D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a graphical representation illustrating an embodiment of a 2D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a graphical representation illustrating an embodiment of a 2D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a graphical representation illustrating an embodiment of a 2D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a graphical embodiment of a 2D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a graphical representation illustrating an embodiment of a 3D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a graphical representation illustrating an embodiment of a 3D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a graphical embodiment of a 2D antenna assembly of the present application. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of the present application. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be applied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different systems and methods described herein may be used alone or in combination with other systems and methods. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Each limitation in the appended claims is intended to invoke interpretation under 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, only if the terms “means for” or “step for” are explicitly recited in the respective limitation. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1-5  and  8  illustrate exemplary embodiments of 2-D antenna assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ for capturing Electromagnetic Energy. In general terms, the assemblies may also be effective at transmitting as well. These embodiments are based on six 2D-antenna elements  15 ,  15 ′,  15 ″ using various geometries, where the antenna elements  15 ,  15 ′,  15 ″ are then folded to create a 3-dimensional (3-D) assembly  50  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). These antenna elements  15 ,  15 ′,  15 ″ may be manufactured using standard printed circuit board processes, or printing with conductive inks for low power applications. Other processes known in the art to print or fabricate an antenna pattern or an antenna element may be utilized, and further any material for the element that may be fashioned into a 3-D antenna assembly  50  may be used. It is also contemplated that further embodiments are based in 2D-antenna assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ have more or less than six 2-D antenna elements  15 ,  15 ′,  15 ″. 
         [0018]    For wide-band energy, the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  and  8  include a diamond, six-element  15  2-D assembly  10  with an antenna  30  printed in each element  15 . Note that the particular fractal antenna  30  shape shown in  FIG. 2  is exemplary only, and that the element  15  can include any fractal or non-fractal antenna pattern known in the art or derived specifically for the element  15 . In fact,  FIG. 3  illustrates a non-fractal antenna  35 , which may also be considered a 1st-order fractal antenna. 
         [0019]    For energy at a known frequency band, for example IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi at 2.5 GHz, the diamond, six-element  15  coupled with an antenna design that is tuned specifically to 2.5 GHz may be preferred.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary 2-D antenna assembly  10  having six diamond 2-D antenna elements  15  coupled together in a pattern, each element  15  being coupled to the next at an antenna element junction  20 . The 2-D antenna assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  is exemplary in that numerous different geometries of the 2-D antenna elements  15  may be utilized. Furthermore, it should be noted that  FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a 2-D antenna assembly  10  in that there are no antenna patterns illustrated on each element  15 . However, it should be understood that each element, or any number of the elements will have an antenna pattern and/or shape fashioned on the element  15 . 
         [0020]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the antenna element junctions  20  are fashioned such that each element  15  may be made to create an angle with its adjacent element  15 . In other words, the junction  20  must be made to be flexible or hinged or may even be detachable such that the elements  15  may be moved to a preferred angle with respect to an adjoining element  15  and then reattached. In one embodiment, the 2-D antenna assembly  10  would be fashioned from a flexible material that would be able to accept a printed antenna on each element, and that would allow bending of the antenna element junctions  20  such that the 2-D antenna assembly  10  may be fashioned into a 3-D antenna assembly  50  as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The 3-D antenna assembly  50  of  FIGS. 6 and 7  would be fashioned by folding the 2-D antenna assembly  10  of  FIG. 2  at the antenna element junctions  20  and joining the labeled junction points A, B, C, D. The commonly labeled junction points A, B, C, D are engaged and joined together, such that the elements  15  are joined by points A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the 2-D antenna assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  is further depicted in accordance with an embodiment with each of the 2-D antenna elements  15  including a fractal antenna  30 . Once again, it should be understood that the fractal antenna  30 , illustrated on each of the 2-D antenna elements  15  may be printed onto the elements  15 , or may be fashioned onto the elements  15  using any known elements in the art of fashioning antenna elements of a material. It should be further noted that the system of the present application is not confined to including fractal antennas  30 , but may also include non-fractal antennas according to the needs of the system. Of course, this is then also true for the 3-D antenna assembly  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In other words, the design is not limited to the fractal antennas  30  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , but may include any fractal antenna  30  known in the art or specifically designed for a particular system, or any non-fractal antenna known in the art or specifically designed for a particular system. 
         [0022]    If required by the antenna being utilized on the element  15 , an antenna cable  25  configured to relay the collected signal and/or energy from the antenna to a receiver in the system (not shown). Each of the antenna cables  25  will be consolidated in a single cable (not shown) when the 2-D antenna assembly  10  is configured into the 3-D antenna assembly  50 . This consolidated cable may be configured to join each of the antenna cables  25  in the center of the 3-D antenna assembly  50 , or be effectuated by routing each antenna cable  25  along the edges of the 2-D antenna elements  15  to a single point on the inside or outside surface of the 3-D antenna assembly  50 . When each antenna cable  25  for each antenna element  15  is consolidated into a single cable, the overall received power is equal to the sum of each individual antenna element  15 . Formula 1 below illustrates this concept where P is the overall received power and P 1 -P 6  represents received power for each of the six antenna elements. This power formula (1) is true for the case of power harvesting and scavenging with the 3D antenna assembly  50  of the present application. 
         [0000]        P=P   1   +P   2   +P   3   +P   4   +P   5   +P   6   (1)
 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a 2-D antenna assembly  10 ′,  10 ″ are shown in accordance with an embodiment with varying geometries for the 2-D antenna elements  15 ′,  15 ″. As in the same manner described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , the 2-D antenna assemblies  10 ′,  10 ″ of  FIGS. 4 and 5  may be folded along the antenna element junctions  20 ′,  20 ″ and joined at the junction points A, B, C, D, in order to arrive at a 3-D antenna assembly  50 . Of course, the varying geometries of the antenna elements  15 ′,  15 ″ of  FIGS. 4 and 5  will result in a 3-D antenna assembly  50  that does not exactly resemble the 3-D antenna assembly  50  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , but will take on a slightly different 3-dimensional shape and also include varying 3-D antenna openings  55 . 
         [0024]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , a 3-D antenna assembly  50  is depicted in accordance with an embodiment, this 3-D antenna assembly  50  being constructed from the 2-D antenna assembly  10  in  FIG. 2 . Again, the 2-D antenna elements  15  are folded or hinged at the antenna element junctions  20  in such a way to create a 3-D spherical shape and joined at each junction point A, B, C, D. As discussed previously, the junction points A, B, C, D are joined to one another in a secure fashion. Depending upon the material used for the 2-D antenna elements  15 , the junction points A, B, C, D may be joined using an adhesive, by soldering, fusing, bolting, riveting, fastening, screwing, taping or any other method known in the art. Once the 3-D antenna assembly  50  is formed, it will be apparent that a number of 3-D antenna openings  55  are also formed, and take on a shape that is determined by the shape of the 2-D antenna elements  15 . These openings  55  allow signals to pass through the 3-D antenna assembly  50  and to be collected by any of the other antennas present on any of the 2-D antenna elements  15 . Once again, it should be noted that in this particular illustration, a fractal antenna  30  is shown on each of the 2-D antenna elements  15 , but that any fractal or non-fractal antenna may be utilized according to the requirements of the system. 
         [0025]    It should further be noted that the pattern created by the 2-D antenna elements  15  in  FIG. 2  are only one way that the 2-D antenna assembly  10  may be fashioned. In other words, the left and right 2-D antenna elements in the top row of the 2-D antenna assembly  10  may be moved and positioned on any of the 2-D antenna elements  15  in the column of four elements. The only requirement being that the 2-D antenna assembly  10  is able to be fashioned into the 3-D antenna assembly  50 . Also referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it should be clear that the 3-D antenna assembly  50  of the present application may also be constructed by joining six individual 2-D antenna elements  15  together at what would be antenna element junctions  20  and the junction points A, B, C, D. In other words, the six-element 2-D antenna assemblies  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ of  FIGS. 1-5  may instead be replaced by using six individual 2-D antenna elements  15 ,  15 ′,  15 ″, and individually joined together to create the 3-D antenna assembly  50  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0026]    Still referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a plurality of 3-D antenna openings  55  are naturally formed when the 2-D antenna assembly  10  is formed into the 3-D antenna assembly  50 . The shape of the 3-D antenna openings  55  will be consistent, and dependent upon the geometry of the 2-D antenna element  15 . As discussed previously, the 3-D antenna openings  55  may be left open such that signals pass through the openings  55  and are received by one of the 2-D antenna elements  15  opposite of that opening  55 . In another embodiment, the openings  55  may be covered by a secondary antenna element (not shown) fashioned out of similar material used to the fashion the 2-D antenna element  15 , and further including an antenna (either fractal or non-fractal) such that the entire 3-D antenna assembly  50  is fashioned from a material capable of receiving an antenna, and enclosed in a generally spherically shaped 3-D antenna assembly  50 . Of course, particular embodiments may include the 3-D antenna assembly  50  that has some of the 3-D antenna openings  55  covered by a secondary antenna element, while others being left as openings  55 . It should be further noted that the secondary antenna elements (not shown) would be joined with the 2-D antenna elements  15  by similar methods as discussed previously in the discussion of joining the 2-D antenna elements to one another at the junction points A, B, C, D. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the 2D antenna assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  is once again utilized to illustrate the 3D antenna openings  55  as discussed previously in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Here, a dashed line is used to show the shape of the openings  55  if the 2D antenna assembly  10  were folded into the 3D antenna assembly  50  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As further discussed above, the dotted lines may illustrate the boundaries of a secondary antenna element that may be utilized instead of an opening  55 , that may further have some sort of antenna printed on it according to the previous specification. As further discussed above, the shape of the 3D antenna opening  55  is dependent upon the geometry of the antenna elements  15 , and in this case, takes on a triangle shape. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a method  100  of the present application is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment. In step  102 , a 2-D antenna element shape is selected. As discussed above, a number of geometries may be utilized, including but not limited to a diamond shape of  FIG. 3 , a hexagon shape, an octagon shape, or even a circular shape as shown in  FIG. 5 . The 2-D antenna element shape may also include a square-shaped antenna element. However, such an element selection would create a 3-D antenna element in the shape of a cube. Such an antenna would be more useful than a 2-D antenna element on its own, but would only include three planes for capturing signals, in contrast to the multiple planes produced by the 3-D antenna assembly of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . This cubic 3-D antenna assembly would be viable and quite useful, as an alternative embodiment. In step  104 , a 2-D antenna assembly is produced including a plurality of 2-D antennas. As discussed in the previous paragraph, the shape shown in  FIGS. 1-5  may be utilized, or another shape that includes moving the left and right elements to any of the other elements in the four element column may be utilized, so long as the 2-D antenna element may be fashioned into a 3-D element. As discussed above, the material of the 2-D antenna element may be fashioned from standard printed circuit board material or flexible material used to receive printed conducted inks, or any other material known in the art utilized to receive a conductive circuit and further configured to be fashioned into the 3-D antenna assembly. As also discussed previously, the antenna elements may also be fashioned separately and not in the 2-D antenna assembly, and assembled into the 3-D antenna assembly  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In step  106 , an antenna pattern is arranged on each of the 2-D elements. Again, as discussed above, the antenna pattern may be any fractal or non-fractal antenna as required, and may be arranged on the 2-D element by any means known in the art, including but not limited to printing or etching. In Step  108 , a 3-D antenna assembly is formed from the 2-D antenna assembly by folding or bending or hinging the 2-D antenna assembly and joining the junction points appropriately as discussed above. As further discussed previously, using individual 2-D antenna elements would remove the need to fold, bend or hinge the 2-D antenna assembly, and would require that the 2-D antenna elements be joined together at the junction points in order to arrive at the 3-D antenna assembly of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0029]    An antenna that has a geometry that is 3-Dimensional and spherically-shaped has the capability of receiving more energy than a 2-Dimensional antenna while also minimizing or eliminating the need to rotate the antenna. An antenna assembly  50  that has multiple elements  15  that are based on self-similarity of repeated patterns of increasing size results in an antenna that has long length relative to its size and is capable of receiving signals that are not specific to any particular frequency or frequency range, but instead is a wide-band antenna that is capable of receiving signals over a significantly large dynamic range of frequencies, which makes it attractive in energy scavenging applications and potentially enables higher power type applications that were previously thought of as not possible. Applications today that use non-rechargeable batteries to power the system could potentially be replaced with supercapacitors that store energy that was captured from such an antenna and would eliminate the need to replace batteries. Alternatively, the stored energy could be used to charge secondary (rechargeable) batteries. 
         [0030]    The technical advantages of this 3-Dimensional spherically-shaped antenna are 1) it has the capability to receive significantly more electromagnetic energy, 2) it is non-directional and therefore minimizes or eliminates the need to rotate. The primary commercial advantages is that this antenna has the capability to make various applications practical that were previously thought of as not possible. 
         [0031]    Energy scavenging is a relatively new field that is primarily targeted at low-power remote-sensing applications that consume 1 mW or less. This type of antenna may have the capability of improving this by orders of magnitude. 
         [0032]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.