Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to building controllers, and more particularly, to antennas for providing wireless communication capabilities in such building controllers. Methods and systems for automated surface mounting of such antennas are also contemplated and disclosed.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to building controllers, and more particularly, to antennas for providing wireless communication capabilities in building controllers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Building control systems often include heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems to control the comfort level within a building. Many building control systems include a controller that activates and deactivates one or more HVAC components of the HVAC system to affect and control one or more environmental conditions within the building. These environmental conditions can include, but are not limited to, temperature, humidity, and/or ventilation. In many cases, the controller of the building control system may include, or have access to, one or more sensors, and may use parameters provided by the one or more sensors to control the one or more HVAC components to achieve one or more programmed or set environmental conditions. 
         [0003]    In some cases, the building controller may be a thermostat that is mounted to a wall or the like of the building. A typical thermostat includes a local temperature sensor and/or other sensors, which may be used to sense one or more environmental conditions of the inside space proximate to the thermostat. In some cases, the thermostat may have access to one or more remotely located sensors that, in some installations, are mounted to a wall or the like in the building at a location remote from the thermostat. In these installations, the sensors are typically mounted at or near the walls of the building, and at particular fixed locations within the building. 
         [0004]    In some installations, the thermostat may be configured to wirelessly interact and/or communicate with the remotely located sensors or other devices (e.g. dampers, furnaces, boilers, or other HVAC components). In some situations, the thermostat may transmit and/or receive HVAC system control information to/from the remote sensor or other device. In some configurations, the thermostat, remotely located sensor, or other device may include an antenna to facilitate such wireless communication. When provided, an antenna is often manually mounted to the thermostat, remote sensor, or other device during device assembly. This, however, can have orientation issues, inconsistent interconnects, and can increase the cost of assembly. Alternatively, an antenna is sometimes printed on a printed circuit board of the thermostat or other device. This, however, does not have a three-dimensional configuration of the antenna, which may be advantageous in certain application. In both cases, the robustness and/or performance of the antenna can be limited. Therefore, there is a need for an improved antenna and method of mounting the antenna to a building controller, remote sensor, or other device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention relates generally to building controllers, and more particularly, to antennas for providing wireless communication capabilities in such building controllers. Methods and systems for automated surface mounting of such antennas are also contemplated and disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0006]    The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various illustrative embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an illustrative heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controller for a building control system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative antenna in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is side view of the illustrative antenna of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the illustrative antenna of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another illustrative antenna having a downward extending portion; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another illustrative antenna having multiple downward extending portions; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the illustrative antenna of  FIG. 2  mounted to a printed circuit board; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an illustrative tape and reel assembly for packaging the illustrative antenna of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative pick-and-place system for surface mounting the antenna from the tape and reel assembly of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0016]      FIGS. 10-15  are perspective views of illustrative HVAC controllers including one or more illustrative antennas. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The detailed description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to be illustrative of the claimed invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an illustrative heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controller  10  for a building control system for use in a building or structure, such as, for example, a commercial and/or residential building or structure. While many of the illustrative embodiments are presented in terms of an HVAC controller, it is contemplated that the present invention may be equally suitable for use with other types of building controllers including, for example, those that include alarm systems, fire detection systems, and/or other systems as desired. 
         [0019]    In the illustrative embodiment, HVAC controller  10  may be operatively connected to one or more HVAC components (not shown) that can be activated to regulate one or more environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, ventilation, and/or air quality levels within a building or other structure. Example HVAC components may include, but are not limited to, remote sensors, cooling units (i.e. air conditioners), heating units (i.e. boilers, furnaces, etc.), filtration units, dampers, valves, humidifier/dehumidifier units, and/or ventilation units (i.e. fans, blowers, etc.). In some cases, HVAC controller  10  may be a thermostat, such as, for example, a wall mountable thermostat, if desired. In other cases, HVAC controller  10  may be a control unit that does not include a local temperature sensor, but rather relies on temperature measurements taken by one or more remotely located sensors. 
         [0020]    In some cases, the HVAC controller may be a remote controller that provides remote control and/or sensing for the building control system. In some cases, the remote controller may be a portable remote control unit that may be operatively connected to a thermostat or other building controller. When so provided, the remote controller may be movable between multiple locations within a building or structure by a user. For example, in a residential building, a user may carry the remote controller between a living room, a kitchen, a den, a bedroom, and/or any other location in the residential building. The remote controller may sense an ambient temperature adjacent to the remote controller and, in some cases, relay the temperature to a thermostat or other building controller. In any event, it is contemplated that HVAC controller  10  may be any suitable HVAC controller, as desired. 
         [0021]    In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the HVAC controller  10  includes a control module  14 , a temperature sensor  18 , a wireless interface  16 , and an antenna  12 . Temperature sensor  18  may sense the temperature proximate to the HVAC controller  10 . As illustrated, temperature sensor  18  may be included with the HVAC controller  10 , such as within the housing of HVAC controller  10 . However, it is contemplated that temperature sensor  18  may be located remote from the HVAC controller  10 , but in communication therewith. 
         [0022]    Control module  14  of HVAC controller  10  may be configured to control the comfort level of at least a portion of the building or structure by activating and/or deactivating one or more HVAC components. In some cases, control module  14  may be configured to control one or more HVAC functions, such as, for example, HVAC schedules, temperature setpoints, humidity setpoints, trend logs, timers, environment sensing, and/or other HVAC functions, as desired. In the illustrative embodiment, control module  14  may selectively control the comfort level of at least a portion of the building or structure using the temperature sensed by temperature sensor  18  and/or, if provided, a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor located remote from the HVAC controller  10 . 
         [0023]    Wireless interface  16  of HVAC controller  10  may be configured to wirelessly communicate (i.e. transmit and/or receive signals) with one or more HVAC components or devices in the building control system. The wireless interface  16  may include, for example, a radio frequency (RF) wireless interface, an infrared wireless interface, a microwave wireless interface, an optical interface, and/or any other suitable wireless interface, as desired. Wireless interface  16  may be coupled to the control module  14  to provide communication between the control module  14  and one or more HVAC components or devices in the building control system. 
         [0024]    Antenna  12  of the HVAC controller  10  may be coupled to wireless interface  16  to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. For example, antenna  12  may convert electrical currents received from the wireless interface  16  into electromagnetic waves, generating an electromagnetic field, which can be transmitted to other HVAC components and/or devices. Antenna  12  may also convert electromagnetic waves received from other HVAC components and/or devices into electrical currents, and relay these currents to wireless interface  16 . 
         [0025]    Antenna  12  may be configured to operate in the radio frequency (RF) range, the microwave range, and/or any other suitable frequency range, as desired. In one example, when antenna  20  is configured to operate in the radio frequency range, antenna  20  may include an operating frequency range that may have a peak operating wavelength, and antenna  20  may have an effective length of about one-half of the peak operating wavelength. More generally, and in some embodiments, antenna  20  may have an effective length of about 1/N of the wavelength of the peak operating wavelength, where N is an integer greater than zero, such as, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, etc. 
         [0026]    It should be recognized that HVAC controller  10  of  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative and is not meant to be limiting in any manner. It is to be understood that the HVAC controller  10  may be any suitable controller, as desired. In some cases, it is contemplated that the HVAC controller  10  may include a user interface that may allow a user or technician to program and/or modify one or more control parameters of HVAC controller  10 , such as programming and/or schedule parameters, if desired. In this case, the user interface may include a touch screen, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and keypad, a dot matrix display, a computer, one or more buttons, a communications port, and/or any other suitable interface, as desired. Furthermore, it is contemplated that antenna  20  may be incorporated in any suitable device having wireless communication capabilities, such as, for example, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, airflow sensors, VOC sensors, zone controllers, or any other suitable device, as desired. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2-4  show various views of an illustrative antenna  20  in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrative embodiment, the antenna  20  includes a first foot  36 , a second foot  38 , and an intermediate portion  34  therebetween. As illustrated, foot  36  may be adjacent to a first end  30  of antenna  20  and foot  38  may be adjacent to a second end  32  of antenna  20 . In the illustrative embodiment, foot  36  and foot  38  may be generally rectangular in shape, but this is not required. For example, foot  36  and foot  38  may be square, round or any other suitable shape, as desired. Foot  36  and foot  38  may be configured and shaped to be mounted to a printed circuit board (see, for example,  FIG. 7 ) to provide an electrical connection between the antenna and wireless interface  16  of the HVAC controller  10 . In some cases, as will be discussed in further detail, foot  36  and foot  38  may be surface mounted to the printed circuit board and secured with solder. 
         [0028]    Intermediate portion  34  of antenna  20  may be configured to be spaced from the printed circuit board when mounted to the printed circuit board. To accomplish this, intermediate portion  34  may include generally vertical portions  31  and  33 . Vertical portion  31  may be provided adjacent to foot  36  and may extend at an angle therefrom. In some cases, vertical portion  31  may extend at an angle in the range of 70 degrees to 90 degrees from foot  36 , but other angles are also contemplated. Similarly, vertical portion  33  may be provided adjacent to foot  38  and may extend at an angle therefrom. In some cases, vertical portion  33  may extend at an angle in the range of 70 degrees to 90 degrees from foot  38 , but other angles are also contemplated. The remainder of intermediate portion  34 , between the two vertical portions  31  and  33 , may be generally parallel to feet  36  and  38 . In other words, intermediate portion, including vertical portion  31  and  33 , is generally U-shaped in the illustrative embodiment. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , antenna  20  may configured to have a height  35  and a length  37 . In some cases, the height  35  of antenna  20  may be in the range of 0.1 inches to 1 inch. However, it is contemplated that any suitable height may be used, as desired. In some cases, the length  37  of antenna  20  may be in the range of 0.5 inches to 2 inches. However, it is contemplated that any suitable length may be used, depending on the desired antenna frequency and application. In one example, antenna  20  may be configured to have a height  35  of 0.4 inches and a length  37  of 1.4 inches. In another example, antenna  20  may be configured to have a height  35  of 0.25 inches and a length  37  of 0.875 inches. In yet another example, antenna  20  may be configured to have a height  35  of 0.3 inches and a length  37  of 0.75 inches. These examples are merely illustrative and are not meant to be limiting in any way. It is to be understood that any suitable height  35  and length  37  of antenna  20  may be used, as desired. 
         [0030]    Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , feet  36  and  38  of antenna  20  may have a length. The length of the feet  36  and  38  may be any suitable length to provide a secure electrical connection to the printed circuit board, as desired. In one example, the length of feet  36  and  38  may be 0.1 inches. However, any suitable length and width may be used, as desired. 
         [0031]    In the illustrative embodiment, antenna  20  may be configured to have a width  41 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The width  41  of antenna  20  may be in the range of 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches. In one example, the width  41  of the antenna  20  may be about 0.1 inches. However, it is contemplated that any suitable width may be used, as desired. Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the width of feet  36  and  38  may be about the same width as the intermediate portion  34  of antenna  20 , but this is not required. 
         [0032]    In the illustrative embodiment, antenna  20  may include a suitable material to generate electromagnetic waves based upon an input current, such as, for example, brass, copper, or any other suitable material, as desired. In some cases, antenna  20  may also be plated with a second material, such as, for example, tin, silver, gold, copper, or any other suitable plating material, as desired. In an example embodiment of a brass, tin-plated antenna, the brass may be configured to have a thickness and the tin-plating may have a thickness. In one example, the brass may be about 0.015 inches thick and the tin-plating may have a thickness of about 100 micro-inches or more. However, it is to be understood that any suitable materials and/or material thicknesses may be used, as desired. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another illustrative antenna  40 . Antenna  40  is similar to antenna  20  previously described, except that intermediate portion  34  includes a downward extending portion  42 , or intermediate foot-like portion. In some cases, portion  42  may be configured to be adjacent to the printed circuit board, and may be mounted to the printed circuit board, similar to feet  36  and  38 , but this is not required. 
         [0034]    In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 5 , portion  42  is depicted in the longitudinal center of intermediate portion  34 . However, it is contemplated that portion  42  may be offset towards either end  30  or end  32 , as desired. In some cases, portion  42  may add more structural rigidity to the antenna  40 , such as, for example, in antennas having a relatively longer length. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another illustrative antenna  48  having multiple downward extending portions  44  and  46 . The illustrative antenna  48  is similar to the antenna  40  of  FIG. 5 , except that antenna  48  includes two downward extending portions  44  and  46 , instead of only one. It is contemplated that the antenna may include any number of downward extending portions, as desired. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the illustrative antenna  20  of  FIG. 2  and a printed circuit board  22  of an HVAC controller. As described above, antenna  20  may include feet  36  and  38  adapted to be mounted to printed circuit board  22 . In the illustrative embodiment, printed circuit board  22  may include at least one solder pad  24  and one or more traces  26 . The at least one solder pad  24  may be adapted to have a foot  36  and/or  38  of antenna  20  mounted thereon. As illustrated, printed circuit board  22  includes two solder pads  24 , one for mounting foot  36  and one for mounting foot  38 . In some cases, a solder layer  28  may be applied to the feet  36  and  38  and/or solder pad  24  to facilitate mounting of the antenna  20  to the printed circuit board  22 . It is contemplated that feet  36  and  38  may be soldered to their respective solder pads  24  using solder paste  28 . 
         [0037]    The one or more traces  26  of printed circuit board  22  may electrically connect one or more components (not shown) mounted on the printed circuit board to the antenna  20 . In the illustrative embodiment, traces  26  may electrically connect antenna  20  to, for example, a wireless interface (not shown) of the HVAC controller. In some cases, antenna  20  may be connected in series to one or more other antennas (not shown) via traces  26 . As illustrated, trace  26  extends from a first solder pad  24  of antenna  20  to another solder pad  24  for receiving another antenna or other device or component. As illustrated, trace  26  connects antenna  20  to another antenna at a 90 degree angle. In other cases, trace  26  may connect antenna  20  to one or more antennas at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, or any angle therebetween. However, it is contemplated that any number of traces  26  may be used to electrically connect antenna  20  to a wireless interface, a second antenna, or any other suitable component on the printed circuit board, as desired. Also, although not depicted in  FIG. 7 , one or more additional solder pads may be provided to facilitate mounting of an antenna with one or more downward extending intermediate portions, such as antenna  40  and  48  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively, but this is not required. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an illustrative tape  52  and reel  50  assembly for packaging antenna  20  of  FIG. 2  prior to assembly. In the illustrative embodiment, a plurality of antennas  20  are packaged in a tape  52  that is wound onto a reel  50 . Tape  52  can include a plurality of cavities or pockets  59  configured to hold a single antenna  20  therein. As illustrated, cavity or pocket  59  may include a bottom surface and four side surfaces with an open top for removing the antenna  20 . To help hold the antenna  20  within cavity or pocket  50 , tape may include a removable cover  54 . In some cases, removable cover  54  may be a thin tape adhesively secured to the tape  52 . In one embodiment, the removable cover  54  may be a Mylar sheet. It is contemplated, however, that cover  54  may be made from any suitable material, as desired. As illustrated, the removable cover  54  may be peeled back during the removal of antenna  20  from the tape  52 . In the illustrative embodiment, tape  52  may also include a plurality of sprocket holes  58  to facilitate the feeding of the tape  52  into an antenna removal apparatus, such as, for example, a pick-and-place machine, which will be discussed further with reference to  FIG. 9  below. 
         [0039]    Tape  52 , including the plurality of antennas  20 , can be wound onto reel  50 . In the illustrative embodiment, reel  50  may include an arbor hole  60  located in the center of the reel  50  for mounting reel  50  to the antenna removal apparatus, such as, for example, the pick-and-place machine, used in surface mount technology (SMT). Although not shown, reel  50  may also include one or more labels that specify certain specifications for antenna  20 . This may help an operator match and select a correct reel in a production line process. 
         [0040]    The illustrative tape  52  and reel  50  have been described with reference to antenna  20 , however, it is to be understood that antennas  40  and  48 , or any other suitable antenna, may be used, as desired. Additionally, it is to be understood that the foregoing tape  52  and reel  50  are merely illustrative and not meant to be limiting in any manner. It is contemplated that any suitable tape and reel may be used, as desired. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the illustrative antenna may be packaged in any other suitable manner, including, but not limited to, trays or other bulk packaging suitable for mounting. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative pick-and-place system  70  for mounting antenna  20  using SMT. In the illustrative embodiment, the pick-and-place system  70  may include a picking portion  86  and a placing portion. In some cases, the pick-and-place system  70  may include a table or workstation  88  for holding the picking portion  86  and the placing portion. As illustrated, the table or workstation  88  may include a cassette or feeder  94  configured to hold a plurality of reels  72  and  76  thereon. In some cases, cassette or feeder  94  may be adapted to pass through the arbor hole in reels  72  and  76  to secure the reels  72  and  76  thereto, but yet allow rotation for unwinding of the tape  74  and  78  from reels  72  and  76 . In some cases, reel  72  may include tape  74  having antennas of a first length, and reel  76  may include tape  78  having antennas of a second length. 
         [0042]    The illustrative picking portion  86  may select a desired antenna  20  from the plurality of reels  72  and  76 , if provided. In some cases, the picking portion  86  may index back and forth among the different reels  72  and  76 . The picking portion  86  can unwind the tape  74  and  78  from the reels  72  and  76 , respectively, as the individual antennas are used. In some cases, picking portion  86  can include a sprocket (not shown) to interact with the sprocket holes of reels  72  and  76  to facilitate the unwinding of reels  72  and  76 . Once unwound, picking portion  86  may remove the tape cover (i.e. peel the cover back) and remove the antenna  20  from the tape  74  and  78  cavity. In some cases, the picking portion  86  may include a vacuum pickup to lift the antenna  20  from the cavity. The picking portion  86  may also be configured to cut off the used portion of the tape, if desired. 
         [0043]    Placing portion, which may include an arm  82  adapted to translate along a rail  84 , may move the selected antenna  20  over a printed circuit board  22  for mounting. The arm  82  of the placing portion holding the antenna  20  may be moved to align the selected antenna  20  with a desired location on the printed circuit board  22 . In one case, the arm  82  of the placing portion may translate a first direction along rail  84 , and the printed circuit board  22  may translate along a second rail  90  in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction to align the antenna  20  to the desired location on the printed circuit board  22 . However, it is contemplated that any suitable movement of the arm  82  may be used relative to the printed circuit board  22 , as desired. 
         [0044]    In some cases, a vision system  80  may be provided to help orient and/or align the antenna  20  to the printed circuit board  22 . In some cases, vision system  80  may automatically align the antenna  20  to the solder pads (not shown) of the printed circuit board  22  or, in other cases, vision system  80  may provide a magnified display for manual alignment of the antenna  20  and the solder pads of the printed circuit board  22 . Once aligned, placing portion may apply solder paste (not shown) between antenna  20  and printed circuit board  22 . However, in other embodiments, the solder paste may be applied to the solder pads of the printed circuit board  22  prior to entering the pick-and place-system  70 . In some embodiments, a paste printing operation may be included in the pick-and-place system  70  to apply solder paste to the printed circuit board  22 , if desired. Then, antenna  20  may be pressed into the solder paste. 
         [0045]    In some cases, the antenna  20 , after surface mounted to the printed circuit board  22 , may be placed in a reflow oven  92  to melt and then solidify the solder paste to rigidly attach the antenna  20  to the solder pads of the printed circuit board  22 . In one example, the temperature of the reflow oven  92  may be about 430 degrees Fahrenheit. However, any suitable temperature may be used depending on the solder paste and other components on the printed circuit board. For example, a non-lead based solder paste may require a higher temperature than a lead based solder paste. Also, some of the components on the circuit board may be temperature sensitive, thereby requiring that the solder reflow be performed at a lower temperature. 
         [0046]    It is to be understood that the foregoing pick-and-place system  70  is merely illustrative and is not meant to be limiting in any manner. It is also to be understood that any pick-and-place system or any suitable surface or other mounting technology may be used to mount the illustrative antennas to a printed circuit board or other substrate, as desired. In one example, it is contemplated that the antennas  20  may be provided in a tray for use in the pick-and-place system  70  instead of the tape and reel, if desired. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 10-15  are perspective views of illustrative HVAC controllers including one or more illustrative antennas.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an illustrative HVAC controller  100 . The illustrative HVAC controller  100  includes a plurality of components, shown schematically as block  108 , mounted to a printed circuit board  102 . In this embodiment, two sets of antennas  104  and  106  are mounted to the printed circuit board  102 . Antennas  104  are positioned along a first edge of printed circuit board  102 . In this case, three antennas  104  are illustrated. Antennas  106 , which are relatively shorter than antennas  104 , are positioned along a second edge of printed circuit board  102 . Although not expressly shown in  FIG. 10 , one or more traces may be provided for electrically connecting antennas  104  and antennas  106  with one or more components  108  on the printed circuit board. 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another illustrative HVAC controller  110 . The illustrative HVAC controller  110  includes a plurality of components  118  mounted to a printed circuit board  112 . In this embodiment, antennas  114  and  116  are mounted adjacent to a first edge of printed circuit board  112 . As illustrated, antenna  114  is relatively shorter in length than antennas  116 . Although not expressly shown in  FIG. 11 , one or more traces may be provided for electrically connecting antenna  114  and antennas  116  with one or more components  118  on the printed circuit board. In some cases, antenna  114  may be provided as a separate antenna from antennas  116 , or may be provided in series or parallel with one or both of antennas  116 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another illustrative HVAC controller  120 . The illustrative HVAC controller  120  includes a plurality of components  128  mounted to a printed circuit board  122 . In this embodiment, a set of two antennas  124  are mounted adjacent to an edge of printed circuit board  122 . Although not expressly shown in  FIG. 12 , one or more traces may be provided for electrically connecting antennas  124  to one or more components  128  on the printed circuit board. In some cases, antennas  124  may be provided as separate antennas, or may be connected in series or parallel, as desired. 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another illustrative HVAC controller  130 . The illustrative HVAC controller  130  includes a plurality of components  138  mounted to a printed circuit board  132 . In this embodiment, two antennas  134  are mounted adjacent to an edge of printed circuit board  132 . Although not expressly shown in  FIG. 13 , one or more traces may be provided electrically connecting antennas  134  with one or more components  138  on the printed circuit board. In the illustrative embodiment, antennas  134  may be provided as separate antennas, or in series or parallel with each other, as desired. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 13 , the antennas  134  each include a portion adjacent to the printed circuit board  132  connecting the feet. In some cases, this connecting portion may be a non-conductive material. However, it is also contemplated, that in some cases, the connecting portion may be conductive, if desired. 
         [0052]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another illustrative HVAC controller  140 . The illustrative HVAC controller  140  includes a plurality of components  148  mounted to a printed circuit board  142 . In this embodiment, five antennas  144  are mounted adjacent to an edge of printed circuit board  142 . Although not expressly shown in  FIG. 14 , one or more traces may be provided for electrically connecting the antennas  144  with one or more components  148  on the printed circuit board. It is contemplated that antennas  144  may be provided as separate antennas, or may be connected in series and/or parallel with one another, as desired. 
         [0053]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another illustrative HVAC controller  150 . The illustrative HVAC controller  150  includes a plurality of components  158  mounted to a printed circuit board  152 . In this embodiment, a set of two antennas  154  are mounted adjacent to a first edge of printed circuit board  152 , and a set of two more antennas  154  is mounted adjacent to a second edge of printed circuit board  152 . As illustrated, trace  156  electrically connects antennas  154 . Although not expressly shown, one or more additional traces may be provided connecting antennas  154  and one or more other components  158  on the printed circuit board. It is contemplated that antennas  154  may be provided as separate antennas, or may be connected in series and/or parallel with one another, as desired. 
         [0054]    Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that yet other embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claims hereto attached. Numerous advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respect, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. The invention&#39;s scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.