Patent Publication Number: US-11664584-B2

Title: Monopole antenna assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to monopole antenna assemblies. 
     Monopole antennas are widely used in many applications. A typical application of a monopole antenna is to use a vertical metal stub or vertical printed circuit board as a radiator for the monopole antenna, which is soldered on a horizontal printed circuit board. The horizontal printed circuit board is the ground plane of the monopole antenna. A coaxial cable is soldered to the horizontal printed circuit board for signal connection. The inner conductor of the coaxial cable is soldered to the printed circuit board signal trace connecting to the vertical radiator and the outer conductor of the cable is soldered to the printed circuit board ground plane. The soldering processes are typically manual because of the complexity of the structure. The manual soldering process is time-consuming and expensive when production volume is high. The quality of solder joints is inconsistent when manual soldering is performed. Additionally, electromagnetic wave energy loss in the dielectric material of the printed circuit boards is significant in high frequency applications, such as applications above 5 GHz, such as V2X, WiFi 6, 5G Ultra Wide Band (UWB), remote keyless entry, and the like. Antenna efficiency and antenna gain are reduced and the transmit and receive signal strength are negatively impacted when using printed circuit boards. 
     A need remains for cost effective and reliable monopole antennas. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a monopole antenna assembly is provided. The monopole antenna assembly includes a cable having a cable inner conductor and a cable outer conductor. The monopole antenna assembly includes an antenna base including a ground plane. The ground plane is electrically connected to the cable outer conductor using a compression connection. The monopole antenna assembly includes a monopole radiator having a radiating element and a cable connection element extending from the radiating element. The crimp element is coupled to the cable inner conductor at a compression connection. 
     In another embodiment, a monopole antenna assembly is provided. The monopole antenna assembly includes a cable having a cable inner conductor and a cable outer conductor. The monopole antenna assembly includes an antenna base including a ground plane. The ground plane is electrically connected to the cable outer conductor. The ground plane includes an opening between an upper surface and a lower surface of the ground plane. The monopole antenna assembly includes a monopole radiator having a radiating element and a crimp element extending from the radiating element. The radiating element passes through the opening above the upper surface. The crimp element is located below the lower surface and is crimped to the cable inner conductor. The monopole antenna assembly includes a monopole insulator coupled to the radiating element. The monopole insulator is received in the opening to isolate the monopole radiator from the ground plane. 
     In another embodiment, a monopole antenna assembly is provided. The monopole antenna assembly includes a cable having a cable inner conductor and a cable outer conductor. The monopole antenna assembly includes an antenna base including a ground plane. The ground plane is electrically connected to the cable outer conductor using a solderless connection. The monopole antenna assembly includes a monopole radiator having a radiating element and a cable connection element extending from the radiating element. The cable connection element is coupled to the cable inner conductor at a compression connection. The radiating element includes a pole and a multi-band radiator panel. The pole extends from the crimp element. The pole is electrically coupled to the multi-band radiator panel using a compression connection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a monopole antenna assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the monopole antenna assembly showing a reflector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly showing a monopole radiator. 
         FIG.  4    is an assembled view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly showing the monopole radiator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a top perspective view of a monopole insulator of the monopole antenna assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the monopole assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the reflector shown in  FIG.  2    in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly showing mounting tabs of the reflector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly showing the reflector coupled to the ground plane in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a side view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly showing the reflector coupled to the ground plane in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the monopole antenna assembly showing the monopole radiator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is a side view of the monopole antenna assembly showing the monopole radiator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    is a front view of the monopole antenna assembly showing the monopole radiator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  15    is a rear view of the monopole antenna assembly showing the monopole radiator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a monopole antenna assembly  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The monopole antenna assembly  100  may be a single band monopole antenna in various embodiments. The monopole antenna assembly  100  may be a directional rooftop V2X antenna in various embodiments. The monopole antenna assembly  100  includes a cable  102  extending to an antenna base  104 . The antenna base  104  includes a ground plane  106  electrically connected to the cable  102 . In various embodiments, the antenna base  104  may include a ground plane holder  108  holding the ground plane  106 . The monopole antenna assembly  100  includes a monopole radiator  110  coupled to the antenna base  104 . The monopole radiator  110  is electrically connected to the cable  102  and forms the transmitting antenna element or receiving antenna element of the monopole antenna assembly  100 . In various embodiments, the monopole antenna assembly  100  includes an antenna cover  112  (shown in phantom) to cover the components of the monopole antenna assembly  100 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the monopole radiator  110  and the ground plane  106  are electrically connected to the cable  102  using solderless connections. The solderless connections reduce manufacturing cost and increase manufacturing speed compared to soldered connections. The monopole antenna assembly  100  may be manufactured using automated processes to avoid human impact on quality of the electrical connections between the cable  102  and both the monopole radiator  110  and the ground plane  106 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plane  106  is a metal sheet, which may be held by the ground plane holder  108 . The ground plane holder  108  may be a plastic component, such as a molded plastic component having a pocket that receives the ground plane  106 . The cable  102  may extend into the ground plane holder  108 , such as into a cavity at a bottom of the ground plane holder  108 . In alternative embodiments, the antenna base  104  may be provided without the ground plane holder  108 . Rather, the ground plane  106  may be mounted to another structure, such as within a vehicle or an electrical device. In alternative embodiments, the antenna base  104  may include a printed circuit board forming the ground plane  106 . However, the use of the metal sheet may reduce electromagnetic wave loss typical in printed circuit boards, which is more significant in higher frequency applications. In various embodiments, the metal sheet may have increased radiation efficiency compared to the printed circuit board. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the monopole antenna assembly  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the monopole antenna assembly  100  includes a reflector  114  coupled to the ground plane  106 . The reflector  114  controls the directionality of the antenna. In an exemplary embodiment, the reflector  114  is coupled to the ground plane  106  at a solderless connection. For example, the reflector  114  may be press-fit into the ground plane  106  to create a mechanical and electrical connection between the reflector  114  and the ground plane  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the reflector  114  is oriented perpendicular to the ground plane  106  and is spaced apart from the monopole radiator  110 . For example, the ground plane  106  may be oriented horizontally and the monopole radiator  110  and the reflector  114  may be oriented vertically. 
       FIG.  3    is an exploded view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the monopole radiator  110  in an uninformed state relative to the cable  102 .  FIG.  4    is an assembled view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the monopole radiator  110  in a formed state coupled to the cable  102 .  FIGS.  3  and  4    illustrate a ground lug  116  used to electrically connect the cable  102  to the ground plane  106  (shown in  FIG.  1   ). 
     The cable  102  includes a cable inner conductor  120 , a cable insulator  122 , a cable outer conductor  124 , and a cable jacket  126 . The cable insulator  122  is located between the cable inner conductor  120  and the cable outer conductor  124 . The cable jacket  126  surrounds the cable outer conductor  124 . During manufacture, portions of the cable inner conductor  120  and the cable outer conductor  124  are exposed for electrical connection to the monopole radiator  110  and the ground lug  116 , respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the monopole radiator  110  is crimped to the cable inner conductor  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the ground lug  116  is crimped to the cable outer conductor  124 . 
     The ground lug  116  includes a main body  130  and ground tabs  132  extending from the main body  130 . The main body  130  is configured to be electrically connected to the cable outer conductor  124  at a solderless connection. For example, the main body  130  may be coupled to the cable outer conductor  124  at a compression connection in various embodiments. The compression connection uses compression of one or both conductive elements to form a mechanical and electrical connection between the elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  130  is crimped to the cable outer conductor  124 . In the illustrated embodiment, the main body  130  is formed to wrap around the cable outer conductor  124 . For example, the main body  130  may be partially barrel shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the top of the barrel is open to receive the cable  102  therein. In alternative embodiments, the main body  130  may form a closed barrel wrap entirely around the cable  102 . For example, the cable  102  may be loaded through an end of the barrel shaped main body  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ground tabs  132  extend from a top of the main body  130  the ground tabs  132  are configured to be electrically connected to the ground plane  106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the ground tabs  132  are configured to be electrically connected to the ground plane  106  at a solderless connection. For example, the ground tabs  132  may be crimped to the ground plane  106 . In various embodiments, the ground tabs  132  may be coupled to the ground plane  106  by a clipping or stapling type of connection. For example, the ground tabs  132  may be folded over at bends  134  to mechanically and electrically connect to the ground plane  106 . For example, distal ends of the ground tabs  132  may pass through the ground plane  106 , after which the ground tabs  132  are bent over and pressed against the ground plane  106 . When the ground tabs  132  are bent over, the ground plane  106  and the cable outer conductor  124  of the cable  102  may be compressed between the main body  130  and the ground tabs  132 . Other types of solderless mechanical and electrical connections may be made between the ground lug  116  and the ground plane  106 . 
     The monopole radiator  110  includes a radiating element  140  and a cable connection element  142  extending from the radiating element  140 . The monopole radiator  110  is a stamped and formed component. For example, the monopole radiator  110  may be stamped from a metal sheet to define a flat piece ( FIG.  3   ) for the radiating element  140  and the cable connection element  142 . The radiating element  140  and the cable connection element  142  may then be formed by bending, folding, rolling and the like to form the finished part ( FIG.  4   ). The radiating element  140  forms the transmitting antenna or the receiving antenna of the monopole antenna assembly  100 . The cable connection element  142  forms the electrical connection with the cable inner conductor  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cable connection element  142  is a crimp element and may be referred to hereinafter as a crimp element  142 . However, the cable connection element  142  may be other types of connecting elements in alternative embodiments, such as a compressible spring beam. The cable connection element  142  is coupled to the cable  102  at a solderless connection in an exemplary embodiment. For example, the cable connection element  142  is coupled to the cable  102  at a compression connection using compression of one or both elements to form a mechanical and electrical connection between the elements. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the crimp element  142  includes a crimp barrel  144  that receives the cable inner conductor  120  and crimp tabs  146  letter wrapped around the cable inner conductor  120 . During a crimping process, the crimp barrel  144  and the crimp tabs  146  are wrapped around the cable inner conductor  120  to mechanically and electrically connect the monopole radiator  110  to the cable inner conductor  120 . The crimp connection between the crimp element  142  and the cable inner conductor  120  is a solderless connection. 
     The radiating element  140  includes a neck  150  between the crimp element  142  and a main body  152  of the radiating element  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  152  is formed by rolling first and second edges  154 ,  156  of the main body  152  into a tubular shape. The main body  152  forms a cylindrical pole  158  when formed. The pole  158  extends between a top  160  and a bottom  162 . The neck  150  extends from the bottom  162  to the crimp element  142 . In an exemplary embodiment, the neck  150  is bent at a right angle such that the pole  158  is oriented perpendicular to the crimp element  142  and the cable axis of the cable  102 . However, the pole  158  may be parallel to the crimp element  142  and the cable axis of the cable  102  in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the pole  158  is deformed during the forming process to include a deformity  164 . In the illustrated embodiment, the deformity  164  is a circumferential channel formed around the pole  158  proximate to the bottom  162 . Other types of deformities may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as dimples. The deformity  164  is configured to receive an insulator used to electrically isolate the radiating element  140  from the ground plane  106 , as described in further detail below. The radiating element  140  may have other sizes or shapes in alternative embodiments. For example, the radiating element  140  may be flat rather than cylindrical in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG.  5    is a top perspective view of a monopole insulator  170  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The monopole insulator  170  is used to electrically isolate the monopole radiator  110  from the ground plane  106  (both shown in  FIG.  1   ). The monopole insulator  170  may be manufactured from a rubber material or other insulating material. The monopole insulator  170  includes a flange  172  and a bulb  174  extending from the flange  172 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flange  172  is disc shaped. The flange  172  may have other shapes in alternative embodiments. The bulb  174  has a central opening  176  that receives the monopole radiator  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, a carrier portion  178  extends into the central opening  176 . The carrier portion  178  is configured to receive the monopole radiator  110 . For example, the carrier portion  178  may be received in the deformity  164  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) to position the monopole radiator  110  relative to the monopole insulator  170 . 
     The bulb  174  includes a neck  180  and a head  182  above the neck  180 . The head  182  is wider than the neck  180 . The head  182  may have a generally outer profile. In an exemplary embodiment, the bulb  174  includes slots  184  formed in the head  182 . The slots  184  may extend radially through the head  182 . The slots  184  separate the head  182  into head sections  186 . The head sections  186  may be movable relative to each other, such as to contract the head  182  as the head  182  is loaded through an opening in the ground plane  106 . After the head  182  passes through the opening in the ground plane  106 , the head sections  186  expand outward to retain the monopole insulator  170  on the ground plane  106 . 
       FIG.  6    is a side view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the monopole assembly  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.  FIGS.  6  and  7    illustrate the monopole radiator  110  and the cable  102  coupled to the ground plane  106 . The monopole insulator  170  passes through an opening  190  in the ground plane  106  between an upper surface  192  and a lower surface  194  of the ground plane  106 . The cable  102  is located below the lower surface  194 . The radiating element  140  of the monopole radiator  110  passes through the opening  190  and is located above the upper surface  192  of the ground plane  106 . The monopole insulator  170  electrically isolates the monopole radiator  110  from the ground plane  106 . 
     During assembly, the radiating element  140  of the monopole radiator  110  is loaded through the central opening  176  of the monopole insulator  170 . The carrier portion  178  is received in the deformity  164  to position the radiating element  140  relative to the monopole insulator  170 . The monopole insulator  170  is coupled to the ground plane  106  by loading the head  182  through an opening  190  in the ground plane  106 . The head  182  has a diameter larger than a diameter of the opening  190  to retain the monopole insulator  170  on the ground plane  106 . For example, the ground plane  106  is captured between the head  182  and the flange  172 . The neck  180  is located in the opening  190 . During assembly, the head  182  is compressed to fit through the opening  190 . For example, the head sections  186  are squeezed inward. The slots  184  allow the head sections  186  to compress inward during loading of the head  182  through the opening  190 . After the head  182  passes through the opening  190  the head sections  186  are expanded outward to retain the monopole insulator  170  on the ground plane  106 . The flange  172  is located between the ground plane  106  and the crimp element  142  and the cable inner conductor  120 . The flange  172  electrically isolates the crimp element  142  from the ground plane  106 . The monopole insulator  170  is used to hold and position the radiating element  140  relative to the ground plane  106 . For example, the monopole insulator  170  may hold the radiating element perpendicular to the ground plane  106 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the ground lug  116  is used to electrically connect the cable outer conductor  124  and the ground plane  106 . For example, the ground tabs  132  may be directly electrically connected to the ground plane  106 . The ground tabs  132  pass through the ground plane  106  to engage the upper surface  192  of the ground plane  106 . The ends of the ground tabs  132  are bent over along the upper surface  192  of the ground plane  106  to create a mechanical and electrical connection between the ground lug  116  and the ground plane  106 . Optionally, the cable  102  may be pulled tightly against the ground plane  106  when the ground tabs  132  are bent over. For example, the cable outer conductor  124  may be pulled tightly against the lower surface  194  of the ground plane  106  during tightening of the ground lug  116  to the ground plane  106 . 
       FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the reflector  114  shown in  FIG.  2   . The reflector  114  is a stamped and formed component. For example, the reflector  114  may be stamped from a metal sheet. The reflector  114  includes one or more reflector walls  200  extending between a top  202  and a bottom  204  of the reflector  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, the reflector  114  includes three reflector walls  200  including a central reflector wall, and first and second wing reflector walls extending from the central reflector wall. The wing reflector walls are angled relative to the central reflector wall to form a cavity or pocket which may partially surround the monopole radiator  110  (shown in  FIG.  2   ). The reflector  114  may have greater or fewer walls in alternative embodiments. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the reflector  114  includes mounting tabs  210  extending from the bottom  204  of the reflector walls  200 . The mounting tabs  210  are used to mechanically and electrically connect the reflector  114  to the ground plane  106  (shown in  FIG.  2   ). In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting tabs  210  include clipping legs  212  configured to be clipped into an opening in the ground plane  106 . The clipping legs  212  are deflectable. The clipping legs  212  may be formed by wedges configured to be snap coupled to the ground plane  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the clipping legs  212  are arranged in pairs. The clipping legs  212  include catch surfaces  214  configured to engage the ground plane  106  to mechanically retain the reflector  114  on the ground plane  106 . Other types of mounting tabs may be used in alternative embodiments to mechanically and electrically connect the reflector  114  to the ground plane  106 . For example, the mounting tabs  210  may include compliant pins, such as eye-of-the-needle pins, configured to be press-fit into openings in the ground plane  106 . 
       FIG.  9    is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the mounting tabs  210  of the reflector  114  coupled to the ground plane  106 . The ground plane  106  includes an opening  220  that receives the mounting tabs  210 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting tab  210  includes the clipping legs  212 . A pair of the clipping legs  212  may be received in the opening  220 . The clipping legs  212  may be squeezed together as the clipping legs  212  are loaded through the ground plane  106 . After the catch surfaces  214  pass through the opening  220  the clipping legs  212  snap outward such that the catch surfaces  214  engage the lower surface  194  of the ground plane  106  to retain the reflector  114  on the ground plane  106 . 
       FIG.  10    is a side view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the reflector  114  coupled to the ground plane  106 . The mounting tabs  210  pass through the ground plane  106  to mechanically and electrically connect the reflector  114  to the ground plane  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting tabs  210  include the clipping legs  212  configured to engage the ground plane  106  to mechanically and electrically connect the reflector  114  to the ground plane  106 . 
       FIG.  11    is a side view of a portion of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the reflector  114  coupled to the ground plane  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting tabs  210  include compliant pins press-fit into the ground plane  106 . The compliant pins may be eye-of-the-needle pins. 
       FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the monopole radiator  110  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  13    is a side view of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the monopole radiator  110  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  14    is a front view of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the monopole radiator  110  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  15    is a rear view of the monopole antenna assembly  100  showing the monopole radiator  110  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The monopole antenna assembly  100  may be an omni-directional monopole rooftop antenna for multi-band applications in various embodiments. For example, the monopole antenna assembly  100  may be used for Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G or other frequency bands. 
     In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIGS.  12 - 15   , the radiating element  140  of the monopole radiator  110  includes the pole  158  and a multi-band radiator panel  300 . In the illustrated embodiment, the monopole radiator  110  is a multi-band antenna element. The pole  158  is electrically connected to the multi-band radiator element  300  at a solderless connection. The radiating element  140  may be assembled in a cost effective and reliable manner. The radiating element  140  may be assembled without hand soldering. The radiating element  140  may be assembled using an automated assembly process. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the monopole antenna assembly  100  includes a radiator panel carrier  302  used to support the multi-band radiator element  300 . The radiator panel carrier  302  is manufactured from a dielectric material, such as a plastic material. The radiator panel carrier  302  electrically isolates the multi-band radiator element  300  from the ground plane  106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the radiator panel carrier  302  includes a front  310  and a rear  312  extending between a top  314  and a bottom  316 . The multi-band radiator element  300  is coupled to the front  310 . The pole  158  is located forward of the front  310 . The bottom  316  faces the ground plane  106 . Optionally, the radiator panel carrier  302  may include legs  318  extending from the bottom  316 . The legs  318  are mounted to the ground plane  106  (or the ground plane holder  108 . In various embodiments, the radiator panel carrier  302  may be oriented perpendicular to the ground plane  106 . For example, the ground plane  106  may be oriented horizontally and the multi-band radiator element  300  may be oriented vertically. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the multi-band radiator element  300  is a metal sheet or film coupled to the radiator panel carrier  302 . For example, the multi-band radiator element  300  may be a stamped metal sheet. The multi-band radiator element  300  may be planar. For example, the front  310  of the radiator panel carrier  302  may be planar and the multi-band radiator element  300  may be flush with the front  310  of the radiator panel carrier  302 . In alternative embodiments, the multi-band radiator element  300  may be a printed circuit, such as a rigid circuit board or a flex circuit. In various embodiments, the radiator panel carrier  302  may be formed from a rigid circuit board substrate and the multi-band radiator element  300  is defined by an antenna circuit on the substrate. In an exemplary embodiment, the multi-band radiator element  300  includes a main line  330  and one or more radiating branches  332  extending from the main line  330  in an antenna circuit pattern. The pattern of the antenna circuits affects the antenna characteristics, such as antenna frequencies of the multi-band monopole antenna assembly  100 . 
     The pole  158  is coupled to the multi-band radiator element  300 . In an exemplary embodiment, the pole  158  extends along a portion of the multi-band radiator element  300 . In an exemplary embodiment, a clamp  340  is used to mechanically and electrically connect the pole  158  to the multi-band radiator element  300 . The clamp  340  is secured to the multi-band radiator element  300  and/or the pole  158  at a solderless connection. The ends of the clamp  340  pass through openings  342  in the multi-band radiator element  300  and may be pulled or tightened to directly engage the pole  158  with the multi-band radiator element  300 . The ends of the clamp  340  may be bent outward to secure the clamp  340  to the multi-band radiator element  300 . The radiator panel carrier  302  includes an opening  344  that provides a space to access the clamp  340  to secure the clamp  340  to the multi-band radiator element  300 . For example, the opening  344  provides a space for a tool to secure the clamp  340  to the multi-band radiator element  300 . Other securing features may be used in alternative embodiments. For example, the multi-band radiator element  300  may include a crimp barrel configured to be crimped to the pole  158 . Alternatively, the end of the pole  158  may be crimped to a tail or other feature of the multi-band radiator element  300 . In other various embodiments, the pole  158  or the multi-band radiator element  300  may include a press-fit pin, such as a compliant pin configured to be press-fit into an opening in the other component. 
     Embodiments of monopole antenna assemblies are provided that may be assembled without the use of manual soldering. For example, connections between the cable and the monopole radiator, between the cable and the ground plane, between the directional reflector and the ground plane and the like are solderless connections. The solderless connections reduce manufacturing cost and increase manufacturing speed compared to soldered connections. The monopole antenna assembly is configured to be manufactured using automated processes to avoid human impact on quality of the electrical connections between the components. The monopole antenna assembly uses metal sheets rather than printed circuit boards to reduce electromagnetic wave loss typical of printed circuit boards (for example, due to the dielectric material of the substrates), which increase radiation efficiency, particularly in high frequency applications, such as applications above 5 GHz, such as V2X, Wi-Fi 6, 5G Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), remote keyless entry, and the like. 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.