Patent Publication Number: US-9407012-B2

Title: Antenna with dual polarization and mountable antenna elements

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to wireless communications. More specifically, the present invention relates to dual polarization antenna antennas with mountable antenna elements. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In wireless communications systems, there is an ever-increasing demand for higher data throughput and reduced interference that can disrupt data communications. A wireless link in an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 network may be susceptible to interference from other access points and stations, other radio transmitting devices, and changes or disturbances in the wireless link environment between an access point and remote receiving node. The interference may degrade the wireless link thereby forcing communication at a lower data rate. The interference may, in some instances, be sufficiently strong as to disrupt the wireless link altogether. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a wireless device  100  in communication with one or more remote devices and as is generally known in the art. While not shown, the wireless device  100  of  FIG. 1  includes antenna elements and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or a receiver, which may operate using the 802.11 protocol. The wireless device  100  of  FIG. 1  may be encompassed in a set-top box, a laptop computer, a television, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card, a remote control, a mobile telephone or smart phone, a handheld gaming device, a remote terminal, or other mobile device. 
     In one particular example, the wireless device  100  may be a handheld device that receives input through an input mechanism configured to be used by a user. The wireless device  100  may process the input and generate a corresponding RF signal, as may be appropriate. The generated RF signal may then be transmitted to one or more receiving nodes  110 - 140  via wireless links. Nodes  120 - 140  may receive data, transmit data, or transmit and receive data (i.e., a transceiver). 
     Wireless device  100  may also be an access point for communicating with one or more remote receiving nodes over a wireless link as might occur in an 802.11 wireless network. The wireless device  100  may receive data as a part of a data signal from a router connected to the Internet (not shown) or a wired network. The wireless device  100  may then convert and wirelessly transmit the data to one or more remote receiving nodes (e.g., receiving nodes  110 - 140 ). The wireless device  100  may also receive a wireless transmission of data from one or more of nodes  110 - 140 , convert the received data, and allow for transmission of that converted data over the Internet via the aforementioned router or some other wired device. The wireless device  100  may also form a part of a wireless local area network (LAN) that allows for communications among two or more of nodes  110 - 140 . 
     For example, node  110  may be a mobile device with WiFi capability. Node  110  (mobile device) may communicate with node  120 , which may be a laptop computer including a WiFi card or wireless chipset. Communications by and between node  110  and node  120  may be routed through the wireless device  100 , which creates the wireless LAN environment through the emission of RF and 802.11 compliant signals. 
     Efficient manufacturing of wireless device  100  is important to provide a competitive product in the market place. Manufacture of a wireless device  100  typically includes construction of one or more circuit boards and one or more antenna elements. The antenna elements can be built into the circuit board or manually mounted to the wireless device. When mounted manually, the antenna elements are attached to the surface of the circuit board and typically soldered although those elements may be attached by other means. 
     When surface-mounted antenna elements are used in a wireless device, a ground layer of a circuit board within the device is coupled to the antenna elements. Coupling the surface-mounted antenna elements to a ground layer with a large area is required for proper operation of the antenna elements. Dipole antenna elements that are built into a circuit board do not operate very well when positioned close proximity to a ground layer. Hence, when a large ground layer is used to accommodate surface-mounted antenna elements in a wireless device, the presence of the ground layer affects the performance of any dipole antenna elements embedded within the circuit board and usually precludes their use within such a device. A smaller ground layer may result in better performance of embedded dipole antennas but would reduce the efficiency of a surface mounted antenna element. Because of this tradeoff, wireless devices with both surface-mount antenna elements and embedded dipole antenna elements do not provide efficient dual polarization operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY CLAIMED INVENTION 
     In a claimed embodiment, a wireless device for transmitting a radiation signal may include a circuit board, an antenna array and a radio modulator/demodulator. The circuit board may receive a mountable antenna element for radiating at a first frequency. The antenna array may be coupled to the circuit board. The radio modulator/demodulator may provide a radio frequency (RF) signal to the first mountable antenna and the antenna array. 
     In another claimed embodiment, a circuit board for transmitting a radiation signal may include a coupling element, a coupling element, a stub, and a radio modulator/demodulator. The coupling element may couple to a mountable antenna element. The stub may be positioned proximate to the antenna array and generate an impedance in the antenna array. The radio modulator/demodulator may provide a RF signal to the first mountable antenna and the antenna array. 
     In another claimed embodiment, wireless device for transmitting a radiation signal may include communication circuitry, a plurality of antenna elements, a mountable antenna coupling element, and a switching network. The communication circuitry is located within the circuit board and generates a RF signal. The plurality of antenna elements are arranged proximate the edges of the circuit board. Each antenna element may form a radiation pattern when coupled to the communication circuitry and receives a generated impedance. The mountable antenna coupling element is configured on the circuit board and couples a mountable antenna element to the circuit board. The switching network selectively couples one or more of the plurality of antenna elements and the mountable antenna coupling element to the communication circuitry. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a wireless device in communication with one or more remote devices. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a wireless device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a circuit board footprint that includes a horizontally polarized antenna array and is configured to receive a surface-mounted antenna element. 
         FIG. 4  is a portion of the circular configuration of a dual polarized antenna array. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a mountable antenna element. 
         FIG. 6  is perspective view of a mountable reflector. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mountable antenna element. 
         FIG. 8  is perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mountable reflector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention allow for the use of a wireless device having a mountable antenna element and an antenna array that operate simultaneously and efficiently on a circuit board within a wireless device. The mountable antenna element may be coupled to a ground layer of the circuit board. The antenna array may include dipole antennas incorporated within the circuit board and positioned within a close proximity to the ground layer. One or more stubs may be implemented on the circuit board near the dipole antenna array. Each antenna stub may create an impedance in the dipole elements which enable the elements to operate efficiently while positioned in close proximity to the circuit board ground layer. 
     A stub may be coupled to or constructed as an extension of a circuit board ground layer. The stub may extend alongside a dipole antenna element or ground portion and generate a high impedance at a point along the dipole antenna element. The high impedance point enables the antenna dipole to operate without any adverse radiation effects caused from the ground plane. Without the stub, the ground plane would terminate the radiation field of the antenna element in close proximity to the ground plane. The stub enables the antenna element to radiate as if the ground plane were not present or “invisible” to the energy radiated from the antenna element. 
     The mountable antenna element may be constructed as a single element or object from a single piece of material, can be configured to transmit and receive RF signals, achieve optimized impedance values, and operate in a concurrent dual-band system. The mountable antenna element may have one or more legs, an RF signal feed, and one or more impedance matching elements. The legs and RF signal feed can be coupled to a circuit board. The mountable antenna can also include one or more antenna stubs that enable it for use in concurrent dual band operation with the wireless device. 
     A reflector may also be mounted to a circuit board having a mountable antenna element. The reflector can reflect radiation emitted by the antenna element. The reflector can be constructed as an element or object from a single piece of material and mounted to the circuit board in a position appropriate for reflecting radiation emitted from the antenna element. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a wireless device  200 . The wireless device  200  of  FIG. 2  can be used in a fashion similar to that of wireless device  100  as shown in and described with respect to  FIG. 1 . The components of wireless device  200  can be implemented on one or more circuit boards. The wireless device  200  of  FIG. 2  includes a data input/output (I/O) module  205 , a data processor  210 , radio modulator/demodulator  220 , an antenna selector  215 , diode switches  225 ,  230 ,  235 , and antenna array  240 . 
     Wireless device may include communication circuitry to generate and direct an RF signal to antenna array  240 . The data I/O module  205  of  FIG. 2  receives a data signal from an external source such as a router. The data I/O module  205  provides the signal to wireless device circuitry for wireless transmission to a remote device (e.g., nodes  110 - 140  of  FIG. 1 ). The wired data signal can be processed by data processor  210  and radio modulator/demodulator  220 . The processed and modulated signal may then be transmitted via one or more antenna elements within antenna array  240  as described in further detail below. The data I/O module  205  may be any combination of hardware or software operating in conjunction with hardware. Communication circuitry may include any of the data processor, radio modulator/demodulator, and other components. 
     The antenna selector  215  of  FIG. 2  can act as a switching network to select one or more antenna elements within antenna array  240  to radiate the processed and modulated signal. Antenna selector  215  is connected to control one or more of diode switches  225 ,  230 , or  235  to direct the processed data signal to one or more antenna elements within antenna array  240 . The antenna elements may include elements comprising part of a dipole antenna and mountable antenna elements. The number of diode switches controlled by antenna selector  215  can be smaller or greater than the three diode switches illustrated in  FIG. 2 . For example, the number of diode switches controlled can correspond to the number of antenna elements and/or reflectors/directors in the antenna array  240 . Antenna selector  215  may also select one or more reflectors/directors for reflecting the signal in a desired direction. Processing of a data signal and feeding the processed signal to one or more selected antenna elements is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,193,562, entitled “Circuit Board Having a Peripheral Antenna Apparatus with Selectable Antenna Elements,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     Antenna array  240  can include an antenna element array, a mountable antenna element and reflectors. The antenna element array can include a horizontal antenna array with two or more antenna elements. The antenna elements can be configured to operate at frequencies of 2.4 GHZ and 5.0 GHz. Antenna array  240  can also include a reflector/controller array. Each mountable antenna may be configured to radiate at a particular frequency, such as 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz. The mountable antenna element and reflectors can be located at various locales on the circuit board of a wireless device, including at about the center of the board. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a circuit board footprint that includes a horizontally polarized antenna array and is configured to receive a surface-mounted antenna element. The circuit board has a circular configuration which includes a substrate having a first side and a second side that can be substantially parallel to the first side. The substrate may comprise, for example, a PCB such as FR4, Rogers 4003 or some other dielectric material. 
     The antenna array incorporated into the circuit board includes radio frequency feed port  310  selectively coupled to antenna elements  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 ,  360 , and  370 . Although six antenna elements are depicted in  FIG. 3 , more or fewer antenna elements can be implemented. Further, while antenna elements  320 - 370  of  FIG. 3  are oriented substantially to the edges of a circular shaped substrate, other shapes and layouts, both symmetrical and non-symmetrical, can be implemented. 
     Also within the circuit board, depicted as dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , the antenna array  300  includes a ground component including ground portions  325 ,  335 ,  345 ,  355 ,  365 , and  375 . Each ground portion may form a dipole with a corresponding antenna element. For example, a ground portion  325  of the ground component can be configured to form a modified dipole in conjunction with the antenna element  320 . Each of the ground components can be selectively coupled to a ground plane in the substrate (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 3 , a dipole is completed for each of the antenna elements  320 - 370  by respective conductive traces  325 - 375  extending in mutually opposite directions. The resultant modified dipole provides a horizontally polarized directional radiation pattern (i.e., substantially in the plane of the circuit board). 
     Each antenna element  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 ,  360 , and  370  and corresponding ground portion may be about the same length. As shown in  FIG. 3 , when a radio frequency feed port  310  is located at a position other than the center of the circuit board, one or more antenna elements may extend away from the feed port  310  in a non-linear direction (e.g., antenna elements  330  and  360  have slightly curved paths within circuit board  300 , antenna elements  340  and  350  have a path with more curves than that of elements  330  and  360 ). The different paths of the antenna elements  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 ,  360 , and  370  are implemented to configure the antenna elements at about the same length. 
     To minimize or reduce the size of the antenna array, each of the modified dipoles (e.g., the antenna element  320  and the portion  325  of the ground component) may incorporate one or more loading structures  390 . For clarity of illustration, only the loading structures  390  for the modified dipole formed from antenna element  320  and portion  325  are numbered in  FIG. 3 . By configuring loading structure  390  to slow down electrons and change the resonance of each modified dipole, the modified dipole becomes electrically shorter. In other words, at a given operating frequency, providing the loading structures  390  reduces the dimension of the modified dipole. Providing the loading structures  390  for one or more of the modified dipoles of the antenna array  300  minimizes the size of the loading structure  390 . 
     Antenna selector  215  of  FIG. 2  can be used to couple the radio frequency feed port  310  to one or more of the antenna elements within the antenna element array on circuit board  300 . The antenna selector  215  may include an RF switching devices, such as diode switches  225 ,  230 ,  235  of  FIG. 2 , a GaAs FET, or other RF switching devices to select one or more antenna elements of antenna element array. For the exemplary horizontal antenna array illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the antenna element selector can include six PIN diodes, each PIN diode connecting one of the antenna elements  320 - 370  ( FIG. 3 ) to the radio frequency feed port  310 . In this embodiment, the PIN diode comprises a single-pole single-throw switch to switch each antenna element either on or off (i.e., couple or decouple each of the antenna elements  320 - 370  to the radio frequency feed port  310 ). 
     A series of control signals can be used to bias each PIN diode. With the PIN diode forward biased and conducting a DC current, the PIN diode switch is on, and the corresponding antenna element is selected. With the diode reverse biased, the PIN diode switch is off. In this embodiment, the radio frequency feed port  310  and the PIN diodes of the antenna element selector are on the side of the substrate with the antenna elements  320 - 370 , however, other embodiments separate the radio frequency feed port  310 , the antenna element selector, and the antenna elements  320 - 370 . 
     One or more light emitting diodes (LED) (not shown) can be coupled to the antenna element selector. The LEDs function as a visual indicator of which of the antenna elements  320 - 370  is on or off. In one embodiment, an LED is placed in circuit with the PIN diode so that the LED is lit when the corresponding antenna element is selected. 
     A mountable antenna element can be coupled to the circuit board  300  using coupling elements such as for example coupling pads  380  and  382 . Reflectors for reflecting or directing the radiation of a mounted antenna element can be coupled to the circuit board at coupling pads  384 . A coupling pad is a pad connected to circuit board circuitry (for example a switch or ground) and to which the antenna element can be connected, for example via solder. The antenna element can include a coupling plate having a surface that, when mounted to the circuit board, is roughly parallel and in contact with the circuit board coupling pads  380  and  382 . Reflectors may include a coupling plate for coupling the reflector to coupling pads  384 . A coupling plate is an antenna element surface (e.g., a surface at the end of an antenna element leg) that may be used to connect the antenna element to a coupling pad. Antenna elements having a coupling plate (e.g., coupling plate  670 ) are illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . The antenna element coupling plate can be coupled (e.g., by solder) to the couple pads  380  and  382  such that the antenna element is mechanically and electronically coupled to coupling pads  380  and  382 . 
     Coupling pads  380  and  384  can be connected to ground and coupling pad  382  can be connected to a radio modulator/demodulator  220  through a diode switch (e.g., diode switch  230 ). Coupling pads  380 ,  382  and  384  can include one or more coupling pad holes for receiving an antenna element pin to help the secure antenna element to the circuit board. Mountable antenna elements, reflectors, and circuit boards circuit boards configured to receive the elements and reflectors are described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/545,758, filed on Aug. 21, 2009, and titled “Mountable Antenna Elements for Dual Band Antenna,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The antenna components (e.g., the antenna elements  320 - 370 , the ground components  325 - 375 , a mountable antenna element, and any reflector/directors for the antenna elements and mountable antenna element) are formed from RF conductive material. For example, the antenna elements  320 - 370  and the ground components  325 - 375  can be formed from metal or other RF conducting material. Rather than being provided on opposing sides of the substrate as shown in  FIG. 3 , each antenna element  320 - 370  is coplanar with the ground components  325 - 375 . 
     The antenna components can be conformally mounted to a housing. The antenna element selector comprises a separate structure (not shown) from the antenna elements  320 - 370  in such an embodiment. The antenna element selector can be mounted on a relatively small PCB, and the PCB can be electrically coupled to the antenna elements  320 - 370 . In some embodiments, a switch PCB is soldered directly to the antenna elements  320 - 370 . 
     Antenna elements  320 - 370  can be selected to produce a radiation pattern that is less directional than the radiation pattern of a single antenna element. For example, selecting all of the antenna elements  320 - 370  results in a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern that has less directionality than the directional radiation pattern of a single antenna element. Similarly, selecting two or more antenna elements may result in a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In this fashion, selecting a subset of the antenna elements  320 - 370 , or substantially all of the antenna elements  320 - 370 , may result in a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern for the antenna array. 
     Reflector/directors may further be implemented in circuit board  300  to constrain the directional radiation pattern of one or more of the antenna elements  320 - 370  in azimuth. Other benefits with respect to selectable configurations are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/041,145 filed Jan. 21, 2005 and entitled “System and Method for a Minimized Antenna Apparatus with Selectable Elements,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of a circuit board  300  that includes a horizontally polarized antenna array. The portion illustrated in  FIG. 4  corresponds to circuit board portion  400  indicated by the dashed line in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  includes circuit board portion  415 , ground layer  420 , antenna element  320 , ground component  325 , loading structures  390  and  395 , and stubs  430  and  435 . Stubs  430  and  435  may be coupled to ground component  325  and extend along loading structures  390  and  395 . 
     The stubs create a high impedance point at a position within an antenna element or ground element. The high impedance point results in no current in the corresponding antenna element or ground element. For example, for ground portion  325 , the high impedance point may be generated at a point about half way within the ground portion  325 , extruding away from antenna element  320 , or at a point on the ground portion  325  between the two middle loading structures. The high impedance point allows the ground plane  420  to be in close proximity to the dipole without affecting the radiation of the dipole. 
     By creating the high impedance point, the stub allows an antenna element to be positioned in close proximity to ground plane  420  without affecting operation (i.e., radiation) of the antenna element. This overcomes problems associated with ground planes that terminate the radiation field of a dipole when the ground plane is too close to a dipole antenna element and corresponding ground portion. The stub enables a larger ground plane for use in a circuit board with dipoles and mountable antenna elements, which is desirable as the larger ground plane is needed for proper operation of a mountable antenna element. 
     The length of a stub may be selected based on the design of the circuit in which the stub is implemented. The stub may be positioned a distance of one quarter wavelength from the ground plane, wherein the wavelength may be derived from the dipole antenna element radiating frequency. The length of the stub may be selected based on where in an antenna element or ground element the impedance point should be generated. For a circuit having an antenna array that radiates at 2.4 GHz, the stub may have a length of about 595 mils (thousandths of an inch) and a slot width (the width of the slot between the ground plane  420  and the stub) of about 20 mils. With this configuration, the dipole can be within about 300 mils of the ground plane. The stubs, dipoles and loading structures may include extension units for extending their length. For example, an extension unit may include a zero ohm resistor coupled to the end of a stub, dipole or loading structure during manufacturing or testing of the circuit. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a mountable antenna element  500 . The mountable antenna element  500  of  FIG. 5  can be configured to radiate at a frequency such as 2.4 GHz. Extending horizontally outward from the center of a top surface of the antenna element  500  are top surface portions  505 ,  510 ,  515  and  520 . Extending downward from each top surface portion is a leg (e.g.,  555 ), and a side member on each side of each leg (e.g., side members  550  and  560 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each set of a leg and two side members extends downward at about a ninety degree angle from the plane formed by the top portions  505 - 520 . 
     The antenna element legs can be used to couple the antenna element to circuit board  300  ( FIG. 3 ). An antenna element leg can include a coupling plate  570  or a leg pin  565 . A coupling plate  570  can be attached through solder to a coupling pad  380  on circuit board  300 . An antenna element leg can also be attached to circuit board  300  by a leg pin  565 . Leg pin  565  may be inserted into a coupling pad hole in circuit board  300 . An antenna element can be positioned on a circuit board by inserting the leg pins in a matching set of coupling pad holes and then soldering each leg (both coupling plate and pins) to their respective coupling pads  380 . 
     When the antenna element coupling plate  570  is connected to circuit board coupling pad  380  and a switch connecting the coupling pad  380  to radio modulator/demodulator  220  is open, no radiation pattern is transmitted or received by the mounted antenna element. When the switch is closed, the mounted antenna element is connected to radio modulator/demodulator  220  and may transmit and receive RF signals. The length of the side members  550  and  560  can be chosen at time of manufacture based on the frequency of the antenna element from which radiation is being received. 
     Extending downward from near the center of the top surface  505 ,  510 ,  515 ,  520  are impedance matching elements  525 ,  530  and  535 . Impedance matching elements  525 ,  530 ,  535  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  extend downward from the top surface, such as impedance matching element  530  extending downward between top surface portions  515  and  520  and impedance matching element  535  extending downward between top surface portions  520  and  505 . 
     Impedance matching elements  525  and  535  extend downward towards a ground layer within circuit board  300  and form a capacitance between the impedance matching element and the ground layer. By forming a capacitance with the ground layer of the circuit board  300 , the impedance matching elements achieve impedance matching at a desired frequency of the antenna element. To achieve impedance matching, the length of the impedance matching element and the distance between the circuit board ground layer and the closest edge of the downward positioned impedance matching element can be selected based on the operating frequency of the antenna element. For example, when an antenna element  500  is configured to radiate at about 2.4 GHz, each impedance matching element may be about 8 millimeters long and positioned such that the edge closest to the circuit board is about 2-6 millimeters (e.g., about 3.6 millimeters) from a ground layer within the circuit board. 
     The mountable antenna element may also include a radio frequency (RF) feed element that extends down from the center of the top surface between impedance matching members  425  and  430  and can be coupled to coupling pad  382  on circuit board  300 . The RF feed element includes a plate that can be coupled via solder or some other process for creating a connection between the coupling pad  382  and antenna element  400  through which an RF signal can travel. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a mountable reflector  600 . Reflector  600  includes a first side  605  and a second side  610  disposed at an angle of about ninety degrees from one another. The two sides  605  and  610  meet at a base end and extend separately to a respective outer end. The base end of side  605  includes two mounting pins  615 . The mounting pins may be used to position reflector  600  in holes  330  of a mounting pad  384  of circuit board  300 . The base end of side  610  includes a coupling plate  620  for coupling the reflector to a mounting pad  384  (e.g., by solder). The pins  615  can also be coupled to mounting pad  384  via solder. Once the pins  615  are inserted into holes  330  and coupling plate  620  is in contact with a mounting pad  384  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the reflector  600  can stand upright over mounting area  320  without additional support. 
     Reflector  600  can be constructed as an object formed from a single piece of material, such as tin, similar to the construction of antenna element  500 . The reflector  600  can be symmetrical except for the pins  615  and the plate  620 . Hence, the material for reflector  600  can be built as a flat and approximately “T” shaped unit with a center portion with arms extending out to either side of the center portion. The flat element can then be bent, for example, down the center of the base such that each arm is of approximately equal size and extends from the other arm at a ninety-degree angle. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mountable antenna element. The alternative embodiment of mountable antenna element  700  can be configured to radiate with vertical polarization at a frequency of about 5.0 GHz. Extending horizontally outward from the center of a top surface of the antenna element  700  are top surface portions  705 ,  710 ,  715 , and  720 . Extending downward from each top surface portion are legs  735 ,  740 , and  745 , such as leg  740  extending from top portion  715 . A fourth leg positioned opposite to leg  740  and extending from top portion  705  is not visible in  FIG. 7 . Each leg can extend downward at about a ninety degree angle from the plane formed by the top surface portions  705 - 720 . 
     The antenna element legs can be used to couple the antenna element to circuit board  300  ( FIG. 3 ) by attaching the coupling plate, for example through solder, to a coupling pad  380  on circuit board  300 . An antenna element leg can also be attached to circuit board  300  by inserting a leg pin on an antenna element leg in corresponding coupling pad holes and soldering each leg (both coupling plate and pins) to their respective coupling pads  380 . 
     Extending downward from near the center of the top surface are impedance matching elements  725  and  730 . A third impedance matching element is positioned opposite to impedance matching element  730  but not visible in the view of  FIG. 7 . The impedance matching elements  725  and  730  can extend between an inner portion of each top portion, such as impedance matching element  730  extending downward between top portions  715  and  720  and impedance matching element  725  extending downward between top portions  710  and  715 . 
     Mountable antenna element  700  may include an RF feed element that extends down towards ground and is positioned opposite to impedance matching element  725  near the center of the top surface of antenna element  700 . The RF feed element can be coupled to coupling pad  382  on circuit board  300 . The RF feed element can include a coupling plate to be coupled to coupling pad  382  via solder or some other process for creating a connection between the RF source and antenna element  700 . 
     Impedance matching elements  725  and  730  extend downward from the top surface toward a ground layer within circuit board  300  and form a capacitance between the impedance matching element and the ground layer. The impedance matching elements achieve impedance matching at a desired frequency based on the length of the impedance matching element and the distance between the circuit board ground layer and the closest edge of the downward positioned impedance matching element based. For example, when an antenna element  700  is configured to radiate at about 5.0 GHz, each impedance matching element may be about 5 millimeters long and positioned such that the edge closest to the circuit board is between 2-6 millimeters (e.g., about 2.8 millimeters) from a ground layer within the circuit board. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mountable reflector  800 . The mountable reflector  800  can be used to reflect a signal having a frequency of 5.0 GHz when connected to ground, for example a signal radiated by antenna element  700 . Reflector  800  includes two sides  815  and  820  which form a base portion and side extensions  805  and  810 , respectively. The side extensions are configured to extend about ninety degrees from each other. Base  815  includes two mounting pins  830 . The mounting pins may be used to position reflector  800 , for example via solder, in holes of a mounting pad  384  of a circuit board  300 . 
     Base  820  includes a mounting plate  825 . Mounting plate  825  can be used to couple reflector  800  to circuit board  300  via solder. In addition to mounting plate  825 , pins  815  can also be soldered to mounting pad  384 . Once the pins  830  are inserted into holes within a coupling pad and coupling plate  825  is in contact with the surface of the mounting pad, the reflector  800  can stand upright without additional support, making installation of the reflectors easier than typical reflectors which do not have mounting pins  830  and a mounting plate  825 . 
     Reflector  800  can be constructed as an object from a single piece of material, such as a piece of tin. The reflector  800  can be symmetrical except for the pins  830  and the plate  825 . Hence, the material for reflector  800  can be built as a flat and approximately “T” shaped unit. The flat element can then be bent down the center such that each arm is of approximately equal size and extends from the other arm at a ninety-degree angle. 
     The present technology may be used with a variety of circuits, circuit boards, and antenna technology, such as the technology described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/212,855 filed Sep. 18, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/938,240 filed Nov. 9, 2007 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,646,343, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/865,148 filed Nov. 9, 2006; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/938,240 which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/413,461 filed Apr. 28, 200, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/694,101 filed Jun. 24, 2005, and the disclosure of each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Though a finite number of mountable antenna elements are described herein, other variations of single piece construction mountable antenna elements are considered within the scope of the present technology. For example, an antenna element  400  generally has an outline of a generally square shape with extruding legs and side members as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Other shapes can be used to form a single piece antenna element, including a triangle and a circle, with one or more legs and impedance matching elements, and optionally one or more side members to enable efficient operation with other antenna elements. Additionally, other shapes and configuration may be used to implement one or more reflectors with each antenna element. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative. Various modifications or adaptations of the structures and methods described herein may become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications, adaptations, and/or variations that rely upon the teachings of the present disclosure and through which these teachings have advanced the art are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, the descriptions and drawings herein should be limited by reference to the specific limitations set forth in the claims appended hereto.