Patent Description:
Such a stacked patch antenna has an increased height compared to many antenna designs, as well as a higher cost due to the complicated assembly and amount of high-quality conductive and dielectric materials used. Furthermore, due to the limited available vertical space being divided between the antennas, the resulting bandwidth of the conventional stacked patch antenna is lower than what is desired in many applications, such as the reception of satellite signals for providing three dimensional (3D) positioning. As such, new antenna designs and methods for their operation are needed to enable compact and low-cost device design. <CIT> discloses A microstrip antenna that has an annular radiation conductor with a central opening and a microwave circuit for connecting the annular radiation conductor to a feeder to thereby facilitate impedance matching. <CIT> discloses a patch radiator that has a radiator surface designed as an annular and/or frame-shaped radiator surface, extending around a recess area. The radiator surface is extended so as to transition into the lateral surfaces or lateral walls. On the lateral surfaces or lateral walls, a lateral surface radiator structure electrically connected to the radiator surface is formed. In the peripheral direction of the lateral surfaces or lateral walls, there are lateral radiator surface sections, between which electrically non-conductive recess areas are provided.

Embodiments described herein relate broadly to antennas that can operate in multiple separate frequency bands with high efficiency. Specifically, embodiments provide parasitically-coupled dual-band patch antennas with high-frequency and low-frequency patches that are (quasi) co-planar, allowing the patches to utilize all the available vertical space instead of only a smaller portion thereof, thereby improving performance. In an embodiment, for example, an inner conductor may form a high-frequency patch and an outer conductor that is separated from the inner conductor may form a low-frequency patch.

A summary of the various embodiments of the invention is provided below as a list of examples. As used below, any reference to a series of examples is to be understood as a reference to each of those examples disjunctively (e.g., "Examples <NUM>-<NUM>" is to be understood as "Examples <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>"). Examples <NUM>-<NUM> are not examples according to the invention. Examples <NUM>-<NUM> are not examples according to the invention insofar as they do not depend on example <NUM>.

Example <NUM> is an antenna structure comprising: an inner conductor being substantially planar and having at least one feed hole, the inner conductor forming a high-frequency patch; an outer conductor being substantially planar and surrounding the inner conductor in a radial direction, the outer conductor forming a low-frequency patch; and one or more feeds each having a vertical portion that passes through one of the at least one feed hole and a horizontal portion that extends in an outward direction from the at least one feed hole toward the outer conductor and is conductively connected to the outer conductor, wherein the horizontal portion of each of the one or more feeds is separated from and is conductively disconnected from a top surface of the inner conductor.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>, further comprising: a ground plane disposed below the inner conductor and the outer conductor, wherein the ground plane is electrically conducting.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>, further comprising: a dielectric layer disposed between the ground plane and the inner conductor, wherein the dielectric layer is electrically insulating.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the one or more feeds extend through the dielectric layer.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the outer conductor is vertically offset from the inner conductor.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>, further comprising: a spacing layer disposed between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, wherein the spacing layer is electrically insulating.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, further comprising: a filter disposed along an outer edge of the outer conductor, the filter being configured to at least partially block electrical signals at an intermediate frequency band and to let pass electrical signals at a lower frequency band.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>, wherein a magnitude of an impedance of the filter is greater at the intermediate frequency band than the magnitude of the impedance of the filter at each of the lower frequency band and the upper frequency band.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein one or both of the inner conductor and the outer conductor is circular.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the one or more feeds are configured to carry radio waves at an upper frequency band received by the high-frequency patch and radio waves at a lower GNSS frequency band received by the low-frequency patch.

Example <NUM> is the antenna structure of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the horizontal portion of each of the one or more feeds is horizontally or vertically tapered in the outward direction.

Example <NUM> is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver comprising: an antenna configured to receive radio waves at global navigation satellite system (GNSS) frequencies, the antenna comprising: an inner conductor being substantially planar and having at least one feed hole, the inner conductor forming a high-frequency patch; an outer conductor being substantially planar and surrounding the inner conductor in a radial direction, the outer conductor forming a low-frequency patch; and one or more feeds each having a vertical portion that passes through one of the at least one feed hole and a horizontal portion that extends in an outward direction from the at least one feed hole toward the outer conductor and is conductively connected to the outer conductor, wherein the horizontal portion of each of the one or more feeds is separated from and is conductively disconnected from a top surface of the inner conductor.

Example <NUM> is the GNSS receiver of example(s) <NUM>, wherein the antenna further comprises: a ground plane disposed below the inner conductor and the outer conductor, wherein the ground plane is electrically conducting.

Example <NUM> is the GNSS receiver of example(s) <NUM>, wherein the antenna further comprises: a dielectric layer disposed between the ground plane and the inner conductor, wherein the dielectric layer is electrically insulating.

Example <NUM> is the GNSS receiver of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the antenna further comprises: a filter disposed along an outer edge of the outer conductor, the filter being configured to at least partially block electrical signals at an intermediate frequency band and to let pass electrical signals at a lower frequency band.

Example <NUM> is the GNSS receiver of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the horizontal portion of each of the one or more feeds is horizontally or vertically tapered in the outward direction.

Example <NUM> is a method of receiving radio waves by an antenna structure, the method comprising: receiving, by a high-frequency patch of the antenna, radio waves at an upper frequency band, wherein the high-frequency patch is formed by an inner conductor having at least one feed hole; receiving, by a low-frequency patch of the antenna, radio waves at a lower frequency band, wherein the low-frequency patch is formed by an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor in a radial direction; and carrying, using one or more feeds conductively connected to the outer conductor, the radio waves at the upper frequency band received by the high-frequency patch and the radio waves at the lower frequency band received by the low-frequency patch, wherein each of the one or more feeds has a vertical portion that passes through one of the at least one feed hole and a horizontal portion that extends in an outward direction from the at least one feed hole toward the outer conductor, wherein the horizontal portion of each of the one or more feeds is separated from and is conductively disconnected from a top surface of the inner conductor.

Example <NUM> is the method of example(s) <NUM>, wherein the antenna further comprises a ground plane disposed below the inner conductor and the outer conductor, wherein the ground plane is electrically conducting.

Example <NUM> is the method of example(s) <NUM>, wherein the antenna further comprises a dielectric layer disposed between the ground plane and the inner conductor, wherein the dielectric layer is electrically insulating.

Example <NUM> is the method of example(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the antenna further comprises a filter disposed along an outer edge of the outer conductor, the filter being configured to at least partially block electrical signals at an intermediate frequency band and to let pass electrical signals at a lower frequency band.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and various ways in which it may be practiced.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for a parasitically-coupled dual-band patch antenna. The antenna may include an outer conductor that forms a low-frequency patch. The outer conductor may be conductively connected to one or more feeds along its inner edge. The antenna may also include an inner conductor that is surrounded by the outer conductor and which forms a high-frequency patch. The feeds may be arranged to extend upwards along the center of the antenna, pass through one or more holes in the inner conductor, and then spread out in the outward radial direction toward the inner edge of the outer conductor. The inner conductor may be completely conductively disconnected from the feeds, such that radio frequency (RF) signals may pass between the feeds and the inner conductor through parasitic coupling.

As used herein, a component may be considered to be "electrically conductive" if the component is composed of a conductive material and/or direct current (DC) (or DC electric current) is capable of flowing through the component. Furthermore, as used herein, a component may be considered to be "electrically insulating" if the component is not composed of a conductive material (e.g., is composed of an insulator) and/or DC electric current is incapable of flowing through the component.

Furthermore, as used herein, two components that are electrically conductive may be considered to be "conductively connected" to each other if DC electric current is capable of flowing between the two components, either directly between the first component and the second component or via a third component that is physically connected to each of the two components that is also electrically conductive.

Furthermore, as used herein, two components that are electrically conductive may be considered to be "conductively disconnected" from each other if DC electric current is incapable of flowing between the two components directly between the first component and the second component and if no third component exists that is physically connected to each of the two components that is also electrically conductive.

<FIG> illustrate a simplified top view and cross section, respectively, of a portion of a dual-band patch antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Antenna <NUM> may include an inner conductor <NUM> and an outer conductor <NUM>, both of which are electrically conductive. Inner conductor <NUM> may be a circular- or rectangular-shaped material that is substantially flat. Inner conductor <NUM> may comprise a conductive material, such as copper, and may overlay and be disposed above a dielectric layer and a ground plane (not shown). Inner conductor <NUM> may form a high-frequency patch <NUM> (or high-frequency patch antenna) that is configured to operate within a band of frequencies referred to herein as an upper frequency band. In one example, the upper frequency band may include frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>. In another example, the upper frequency band may include frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Outer conductor <NUM> may surround inner conductor <NUM> in the radial direction and may be separated from and conductively disconnected from inner conductor <NUM>. Outer conductor <NUM> may be a circular- or rectangular ring-shaped material that is substantially flat and substantially parallel to inner conductor <NUM>, optionally separated by a spacing <NUM> in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM> may be substantially coplanar. Outer conductor <NUM> may comprise a conductive material, such as copper, and may overlay and be disposed above the dielectric layer and the ground plane. Outer conductor <NUM> (and, in some embodiments, in combination with inner conductor <NUM>) may form a low-frequency patch <NUM> (or low-frequency patch antenna) that is configured to operate within a band of frequencies referred to herein as a lower frequency band. The lower frequency band may be non-overlapping and lower than the upper frequency band. In one example, the lower frequency band may include frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>. In another example, the lower frequency band may include frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>.

In some embodiments, lower and upper frequency bands may correspond to two frequency bands where most global navigation satellite system (GNSS) frequencies can be transmitted and received. A GNSS uses medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites to provide geospatial positioning of receiving devices. Typically, wireless signals transmitted from such satellites can be used by GNSS receivers to determine their position, velocity, and time. Examples of currently operational GNSSs include the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), China's BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, the European Union's (EU) Galileo, Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), and the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). Many of the frequencies of the above-listed GNSSs may lie within one or both of the lower and upper frequency bands. For example, GPS satellites may broadcast L1 signals at <NUM> (in the upper frequency band) and L2 signals at <NUM> (in the lower frequency band).

<FIG>illustrate a simplified top view, first cross section, and second cross section, respectively, of dual-band patch antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates a simplified cross section along line 2B-2B of antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> illustrates a simplified cross section along line 2C-2C of antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As described in reference to <FIG>, antenna <NUM> includes inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the dimensions of inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM>, such as their diameters, widths, heights, etc., may be determined based on their desired radiation patterns, operating frequencies, and/or bandwidths.

In some embodiments, antenna <NUM> may include one or more materials that are electrically insulating. For example, in some embodiments, inner conductor <NUM> may overlay a dielectric layer <NUM>, which may be electrically insulating. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a spacing layer <NUM> may be disposed between inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM>. Each of dielectric layer <NUM> and spacing layer <NUM> may comprise a non-conductive material and/or dielectric material such as a plastic, ceramic, or air, while inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM> may comprise a conductive material such as a metal or alloy. In some embodiments, dielectric layer <NUM> may be substantially the same shape as outer conductor <NUM> and may have a diameter that is greater than an outside diameter of outer conductor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, antenna <NUM> may include one or more feed(s) <NUM> that carry RF signals that are to be transmitted via high-frequency patch <NUM> and/or low-frequency patch <NUM> as well as RF signals that are received via high-frequency patch <NUM> and/or low-frequency patch <NUM>. As such, feed(s) <NUM> may be electrically conductive. Each of feed(s) <NUM> may include a vertical portion of feed(s) <NUM>-<NUM> (or simply "vertical portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM>") and a horizontal portion of feed(s) <NUM>-<NUM> (or simply "horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM>"). Each of vertical portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may extend upward through dielectric layer <NUM> and pass through one or more feed hole(s) <NUM> of inner conductor <NUM>. Each of feed hole(s) <NUM> may be circular or otherwise shaped to match an outer shape of vertical portions <NUM>-<NUM>.

Vertical portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may be conductively disconnected from inner conductor <NUM>. For example, vertical portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may be covered in a dielectric material that prevents the conductive material of vertical portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> from coming into physical contact with inner conductor <NUM>. In some implementations, vertical portions(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may consist of coaxial cables having an inner wire surrounded by a dielectric material and further surrounded by a concentric outer conducting shield. Vertical portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may pass through feed hole(s) <NUM> and further pass through spacing layer <NUM>, connecting with horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> above spacing layer <NUM>. In the coaxial cable case, the inner wire may pass through feed hole(s) <NUM> and further pass through spacing layer <NUM>, connecting with horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> above spacing layer <NUM>. Similarly, in some implementations, the outer conducting shield may connect to the inner conductor <NUM> as well as to ground plane <NUM>.

Horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may extend in an outward direction (e.g., in an outward radial direction) from feed hole(s) <NUM> toward outer conductor <NUM>. Horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may connect to an inner edge of outer conductor <NUM> and may therefore be conductively connected to outer conductor <NUM>. Similar to vertical portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM>, horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may be conductively disconnected from inner conductor <NUM>. For example, horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may be separated from the top surface of inner conductor <NUM> by spacing layer <NUM>.

Horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may be considered to be parasitically connected to inner conductor <NUM>. For example, RF signals being transmitted by antenna <NUM> that are being carried by horizontal portions(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may cross spacing layer <NUM> and enter into inner conductor <NUM>. As another example, RF signals being received by antenna <NUM> that are being carried by inner conductor <NUM> may cross spacing layer <NUM> and enter into horizontal portions(s) <NUM>-<NUM>. The point at which the RF signals enter or exit inner conductor <NUM> may be referred to as the high-frequency feed point. If multiple feeds <NUM> are utilized, inner conductor <NUM> may include multiple high-frequency feed points.

In some embodiments, the high-frequency feed points may be adjusted in the radial direction by providing horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> with a tapered shape. For example, horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> may be horizontally and/or vertically tapered so that an effective radius or width of each of horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> decreases in the outward radial direction and, conversely, increases in the inward radial direction. In the illustrated example, each of horizontal portion(s) <NUM>-<NUM> is both horizontally and vertically tapered.

While the illustrated example shows four feeds <NUM>, other embodiments may include a different number of feeds (more or less). Feed(s) <NUM> provide an electrical connection between antenna <NUM> and the remaining circuitry of the transmitter and/or receiver, such as an RF front end and/or receiver processor. Hence, feed(s) <NUM> provide electrical connectivity for both high-frequency patch <NUM> and low-frequency patch <NUM>.

In some embodiments, vertical portions <NUM>-<NUM> may be evenly spaced around a center location of antenna <NUM> so that each of feeds <NUM> is spaced from adjacent feeds <NUM> by approximately equal angular intervals. The example shown in <FIG> includes four feeds <NUM>, and each of feeds <NUM> are spaced from adjacent feeds by approximately <NUM>°. For a patch antenna with six feeds, the angular spacing would be approximately <NUM>°. For a patch antenna with eight feeds, the angular spacing would be approximately <NUM>°, and so on.

The placement of feeds <NUM> around the center of antenna <NUM> allows feeds <NUM> to be phased to provide circular polarization. For example, signals associated with the four feeds <NUM> shown in <FIG> may each have a phase that differs from the phase of an adjacent feed by +<NUM>° and that differs from the phase of another adjacent feed by -<NUM>°. In some embodiments, the feeds are phased in accordance with known techniques to provide right-handed circular polarization (RHCP) and suppress left-handed circular polarization (LHCP). The number of feeds may be determined based on a desired bandwidth of the patch antenna as well as the desired interference/multipath immunity, i.e., the LHCP suppression.

In some embodiments, antenna <NUM> may further include a ground plane <NUM> that may be electrically grounded and conductively disconnected from inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM>. Ground plane <NUM> may be coupled to a bottom surface of dielectric layer <NUM> and may have a similar shape. In some embodiments, feed(s) <NUM> may be coaxial cables whose concentric outer conducting shields are electrically connected to ground plane <NUM>.

In some embodiments, antenna <NUM> may further include a filter <NUM> disposed along the outer edge of outer conductor <NUM>. Filter <NUM> may be physically connected to and conductively connected to outer conductor <NUM>. Filter <NUM> may partially or completely block electrical signals in an intermediate frequency band and/or the upper frequency band from moving through filter <NUM>. For example, when antenna <NUM> is transmitting radio waves, filter <NUM> may partially or completely block electrical signals in the intermediate frequency band and/or the upper frequency band from moving through filter <NUM>. As another example, when antenna <NUM> is receiving radio waves, filter <NUM> may partially or completely block electrical signals in the intermediate frequency band and/or the upper frequency band from moving through filter <NUM>. In contrast, during transmission or reception of radio waves, electrical signals in the lower frequency band may move freely through filter <NUM>. In some embodiments, during either transmission or reception of radio waves, electrical signals in the upper frequency band do not exist on outer conductor <NUM> so the filter's response to the upper frequency band signals may be impertinent.

In some cases, filter <NUM> may provide a frequency-dependent impedance. The impedance of filter <NUM> may be significantly more inductive than capacitive in the lower frequency band and significantly more capacitive than inductive in the upper frequency band. In some cases, the magnitude of the impedance of filter <NUM> may be less than a threshold in each of the lower and upper frequency bands so as to prevent standing wave behavior in those bands. In some embodiments, filter <NUM> may include one or more capacitive elements and/or one or more inductive elements that provide the frequency-dependent impedance of filter <NUM>. For example, filter <NUM> may include multiple filter elements that each include a capacitor and an inductor arranged in a parallel circuit. The resonant frequency of each parallel circuit may be tuned (e.g., by adjusting capacitance and/or inductance values) to provide the desired impedance at the lower and upper frequency bands.

In some implementations, one or both of dielectric layer <NUM> and spacing layer <NUM> may be made up of an FR4 or other printed circuit board (PCB) material. For example, portions of antenna <NUM> may be fabricated using a double-sided PCB structure consisting of a FR4 core sandwiched between top and bottom copper layers. Horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM>, outer conductor <NUM>, and filter <NUM> may be formed by etching the top copper layer of the double-sided PCB structure, inner conductor <NUM> may be formed by etching the bottom copper layer, and the FR4 core may serve as spacing layer <NUM>. In some implementations, a second FR4 board may be used, with the copper layer serving as ground plane <NUM> and the FR4 serving as dielectric layer <NUM>. The two FR4 boards or PCB structures may be stacked during fabrication. In some embodiments, dielectric layer <NUM> may include one or more layers and optionally including one or more air gaps. In some embodiments, dielectric layer <NUM> may include specific cut-out patterns. For example, dielectric layer <NUM> may include a plastic material with a particular cut-out pattern with air gaps to increase the antenna gain and efficiency.

<FIG> illustrate simplified top views of portions of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, <FIG> shows outer conductor <NUM> and horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM>, and <FIG> shows inner conductor <NUM> and four feed holes <NUM>. As described above, in some implementations, outer conductor <NUM> and horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> may be etched from the top copper layer of a double-sided PCB structure and inner conductor <NUM> having feed holes <NUM> may be etched from the bottom copper layer.

<FIG> illustrate a simplified top view, first cross section, and second cross section, respectively, of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates a simplified cross section along line 3B-3B of antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> illustrates a simplified cross section along line 3C-3C of antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Antenna <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> differs from antenna <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in that feed(s) <NUM> include two vertical portions <NUM>-<NUM> and four horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM>, and that antenna further includes phase shifters <NUM> for providing RF signals with the proper phases. In some embodiments, the two vertical portions <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided with RF signals with a <NUM>° phase difference, and phase shifters <NUM> may be used to produce four different RF signals with <NUM>°, -<NUM>°, -<NUM>°, and -<NUM>° relative phases to travel along feed(s) <NUM>. In various embodiments, the two vertical portions <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided with RF signals with a <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>° phase difference, among other possibilities, which can be used to produce the four different RF signals with <NUM>°, -<NUM>°, -<NUM>°, and -<NUM>° relative phases.

<FIG> illustrate simplified top views of portions of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, <FIG> shows outer conductor <NUM>, horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM>, and phase shifters <NUM>, and <FIG> shows inner conductor <NUM> and two feed holes <NUM>. As described above, in some implementations, outer conductor <NUM> and horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> may be etched from the top copper layer of a double-sided PCB structure and inner conductor <NUM> having feed holes <NUM> may be etched from the bottom copper layer.

<FIG> illustrate a simplified top view, first cross section, and second cross section, respectively, of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates a simplified cross section along line 4B-4B of antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> illustrates a simplified cross section along line 4C-4C of antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Antenna <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> differs from antennas <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> in that feed(s) <NUM> include one vertical portion <NUM>-<NUM> and four horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM>, and that antenna further includes phase shifters <NUM> for providing RF signals with the proper phases. In some embodiments, vertical portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided with an RF signal and phase shifters <NUM> may be used to produce four different RF signals with <NUM>°, -<NUM>°, -<NUM>°, and -<NUM>° relative phases to travel along feed(s) <NUM>. In some embodiments, vertical portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided with an RF signal with a relative phase of <NUM>°, which can be used to produce the four different RF signals with <NUM>°, -<NUM>°, -<NUM>°, and -<NUM>° relative phases.

<FIG> illustrate simplified top views of portions of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, <FIG> shows outer conductor <NUM>, horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM>, and phase shifters <NUM>, and <FIG> shows inner conductor <NUM> and one feed hole <NUM>. As described above, in some implementations, outer conductor <NUM> and horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> may be etched from the top copper layer of a double-sided PCB structure and inner conductor <NUM> having feed hole <NUM> may be etched from the bottom copper layer.

<FIG> illustrates a simplified top view of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated example, filter <NUM> includes a single filter element <NUM> that extends between two conductive elements <NUM> and <NUM>. Filter element <NUM> may include a parallel circuit comprising a capacitive element <NUM> (e.g., a capacitor C) with a capacitance value C and an inductive element <NUM> (e.g., an inductor L) with an inductance value L. The parallel circuit may alternatively be referred to as a resonant circuit or a tuned circuit. In some embodiments, the resonant frequency fR of the parallel circuit may be expressed as <MAT>. As such, the resonant frequency fR may be adjusted by modifying the capacitance and inductance values C and L.

In various embodiments, capacitive element <NUM> and inductive element <NUM> may be lumped elements or distributed elements. For example, capacitive element <NUM> may be a discrete capacitor, such as a ceramic capacitor, film capacitor, or electrolytic capacitor. As another example, capacitive element <NUM> may be formed by spacing portions of conductive elements <NUM> and <NUM> at a particular distance apart from each other and over a particular length of filter <NUM>. As such, filter element <NUM> may be confined to a single location along filter <NUM> (such as at the <NUM>° position) or may be distributed across a length of filter <NUM> (such as between the <NUM>° and <NUM>° positions, the <NUM>° and <NUM>° positions, the <NUM>° and <NUM>° positions, or along the entirety of filter <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates a simplified top view of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated example, filter <NUM> includes multiple filter elements <NUM> that extend between conductive elements <NUM> and <NUM> along the entire length of filter <NUM>. Each filter element <NUM> may include two capacitive elements <NUM> (e.g., capacitors C<NUM> and C<NUM>) in parallel with an inductive element <NUM> (e.g., inductor L). Alternatively, each filter element <NUM> may be considered to include a single capacitive element <NUM> (e.g., capacitor C<NUM>) in parallel with an inductive element <NUM> (e.g., inductor L), such that filter <NUM> is considered to include four capacitive elements <NUM> and four inductive elements <NUM>.

Capacitive elements <NUM> may be formed by spacing conductive element <NUM> (which may be connected to and/or integrated with outer conductor <NUM>) and conductive element <NUM> at a distance d apart from each other and over widths wC1 and wC2, corresponding to capacitors C<NUM> and C<NUM>, respectively. Inductive element <NUM> may be formed by a connection between conductive elements <NUM> and <NUM> having a distance d and a width wL, corresponding to inductor L.

In the example shown in <FIG>, capacitive elements <NUM> have an increased width due to a meandering distance dM defined as the distance that the spacing between conductive elements <NUM> and <NUM> moves back and forth between inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM>. The meandering pattern shown in <FIG> is one example, and other meandering patterns, such as a zig-zag pattern, may similarly be employed to increase the width and accordingly the capacitance values of capacitive elements <NUM>.

Capacitors C<NUM> and C<NUM> may have capacitance values C<NUM> and C<NUM> that are dependent on distance d, meandering distance dM, and widths wC1 and wC2, respectively, and inductor L may have an inductance value L that is dependent on distance d and width wL. As such, the dimensions d, dM, wC1, wC2, and wL can be tuned to obtain a desired resonant frequency fR <MAT> where, in some cases, C = C<NUM> + C<NUM> (or C = C<NUM>) or, in some cases, C is a function of C<NUM> and C<NUM>. For example, in some cases, increasing distance d may increase inductance value L and decrease capacitance values C<NUM> and C<NUM>, increasing wC1 and wC2 may increase capacitance values C<NUM> and C<NUM>, increasing wL may decrease inductance value L, and increasing dM may increase capacitance values C<NUM> and C<NUM>.

While <FIG> shows inductive element <NUM> as being positioned in the lower radius portion of the meander, in some embodiments inductive element <NUM> may be positioned in the higher radius portion of the meander and/or between the lower and higher radii portions of the meander along the meandering distance dM.

<FIG> illustrates a simplified top view of antenna <NUM> having a set of notches <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, outer conductor <NUM> may include notches <NUM> or cutouts along the inner edge of outer conductor <NUM>. Notches <NUM> may serve to increase the length of the path that low-frequency currents travel on outer conductor <NUM>. The size (e.g., length and/or depth) of notches <NUM> may be adjusted to tune the lower and upper frequency bands. For example, increasing the size of the rectangular shape of notches <NUM> may cause the frequencies associated with the lower and upper frequency bands to decrease, which may be desirable in many implementations.

<FIG> illustrate simplified top views of antenna <NUM> with different high-frequency feed points <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated examples, horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> are horizontally tapered differently to adjust the locations of high-frequency feed points <NUM> along inner conductor <NUM>. Horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> are horizontally tapered more gradually than horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>, causing high-frequency feed points <NUM> to be located further outwards in the radial direction.

<FIG> illustrate simplified cross sections of antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> illustrate the behavior of antenna <NUM> at three different frequencies. In all three cases, electromagnetic waves (e.g., RF signals) propagating down horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> of the feeds see a capacitance <NUM> between horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> and inner conductor <NUM> as well as an inductance <NUM> as the feeds are gradually tapered. The capacitance is proportional to the width of horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> and the inductance increases as the width of horizontal portions <NUM>-<NUM> becomes smaller.

<FIG> illustrates the behavior of antenna <NUM> at the upper frequency band. As a high-frequency RF signal travels along horizontal portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the outward radial direction, the RF signal encounters an increasing inductive impedance, and at high-frequency feed point <NUM>, the capacitive impedance to inner conductor <NUM> becomes smaller than the impedance of horizontal portion <NUM>-<NUM>. Since the high-frequency RF signal chooses the easiest path, the RF signal couples to inner conductor <NUM> and the low-frequency patch by crossing spacing layer <NUM>. The RF signal then travels along inner conductor <NUM> and radiates at the outer edge of inner conductor <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the behavior of antenna <NUM> at the lower frequency band. As a low-frequency RF signal travels along horizontal portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the outward radial direction, the RF signal encounters an increasing inductive impedance. However, at the low-frequency band, the capacitive impedance to inner conductor <NUM> remains greater than the inductive impedance. Since the low-frequency RF signal chooses the easiest path, the RF signal couples to outer conductor <NUM> and the low-frequency patch. The RF signal then travels along outer conductor <NUM> and radiates at the outer edge of outer conductor <NUM>. The impedance of filter <NUM> is low at the lower frequency band and therefore does not disrupt the above-described steps. At the lower frequency band, inner conductor <NUM> behaves as a ground plane for the microstrip-like feed trace of horizontal portion <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the behavior of antenna <NUM> at intermediate frequencies between the lower and upper frequency bands. As an intermediate-frequency RF signal travels along horizontal portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the outward radial direction, the RF signal encounters an inductive impedance that is roughly equal to the capacitive impedance to inner conductor <NUM>. As such, the intermediate-frequency RF signal couples to both inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM>. The RF signal then travels along inner conductor <NUM> and outer conductor <NUM> and radiates at the outer edge of each in the absence of filter <NUM>. While both patches are inefficient radiators at the intermediate frequencies, the contribution of each patch can add up to significant radiation. With the addition of the filter <NUM>, the intermediate-frequency RF signal couples to only the inner conductor <NUM>, resulting in a low antenna gain at the intermediate frequencies.

Therefore, it may be desirable to tune filter <NUM> to have a large impedance at the intermediate frequencies to disrupt the radiation at the edge of outer conductor <NUM>. For example, at the resonant frequency, the impedance of filter <NUM>, which includes the parallel circuit including a capacitive element <NUM> and inductive element <NUM>, is real and is approximately infinity. For electromagnetic waves, filter <NUM> behaves like a wall and the electromagnetic waves propagating toward filter <NUM> from feed <NUM> are fully reflected back toward feed <NUM>. Since the impedance is real, the result is an in phase total reflection with a standing wave and no radiation at the resonant frequency.

<FIG> illustrate simplified top views of antenna <NUM> showing simulation results in the absence of filter <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates simulation results at the upper frequency band, <FIG> illustrates simulation results at the lower frequency band, and <FIG> illustrates simulation results at the intermediate frequency band.

In <FIG>, which corresponds to the upper frequency band, it can be observed that there are only small surface currents on outer conductor <NUM> and the low-frequency patch, with most of the current on inner conductor <NUM> and the high-frequency patch. Most of the radiation occurs at the edge of the high-frequency patch. It should be noted that there are only negligible currents at the center point of inner conductor <NUM>. As such, this area may serve as a virtual ground.

In <FIG>, which corresponds to the lower frequency band, it can be observed that there are strong surface currents on outer conductor <NUM> and the low-frequency patch, and small currents on inner conductor <NUM> and the high-frequency patch. Most of the radiation occurs at the edge of the low-frequency patch. Due to the small currents on inner conductor <NUM>, it behaves as a virtual ground for the feeds.

In <FIG>, which corresponds to the intermediate frequencies, it can be observed that there are surface currents on both outer conductor <NUM> and the low-frequency patch as well as inner conductor <NUM> and the high-frequency patch.

<FIG> illustrates results for the measured antenna gain versus frequency for antenna <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, <FIG> shows normalized uncalibrated antenna gain as a function of frequency for antenna <NUM>, with the dashed line corresponding to antenna <NUM> with filter <NUM> and the solid line corresponding to antenna <NUM> without filter <NUM>. As can be observed, the gain of the antenna decreases significantly in the intermediate frequencies when antenna <NUM> includes filter <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a plot showing an example antenna gain of antenna <NUM> as a function of frequency, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the antenna gain is high in each of the lower and upper frequency bands and is low outside these bands. As such, antenna <NUM> can be receptive to radio waves having frequencies in the lower and upper frequency bands while rejecting radio waves having frequencies outside these bands.

<FIG> illustrate plots showing an example impedance of filter <NUM> as a function of frequency, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. A magnitude of the impedance is shown in <FIG> and the impedances of the capacitive and inductive elements of filter <NUM> are shown in <FIG>. In the illustrated example, filter <NUM> is tuned to obtain a desired impedance response that includes an impedance that (<NUM>) is more inductive than capacitive in the lower frequency band (e.g., the impedance of the inductive element is less than the impedance of the capacitive element), (<NUM>) is more capacitive than inductive in the upper frequency band (e.g., the impedance of the capacitive element is less than the impedance of the inductive element), and (<NUM>) has a magnitude that is less than a maximum impedance threshold in both the lower and upper frequency bands.

As described above, filter <NUM> may include one or more filter elements each comprising a parallel circuit including at least one capacitive element and at least one inductive element, and the filter element may be tuned such that the resonant frequency is between the lower and upper frequency bands. In the illustrated example, the resonant frequency is set to the midpoint between the lower and upper frequency bands (e.g., <NUM>) so that the magnitude of the impedance drops below the maximum impedance threshold at the lower and upper bands. At or near the resonant frequency, when the impedance of filter <NUM> is significantly resistive and higher than the maximum impedance threshold, a significant portion of the electrical signals reflect from the filter boundary, resulting in a standing wave behavior on outer conductor <NUM>, and hence very little radiation/reception and antenna gain.

<FIG> shows the variation of the impedances of the capacitive and inductive elements by frequency. The resonance occurs when these impedances are equal, resulting in a substantial resistance. At or near the resonant frequency, this substantial resistance causes significant reflections at filter <NUM>, preventing antenna radiation and causing gain fluctuations. For proper antenna operation in the desired bands, the filter resonant frequency is to be placed in the middle of the two bands such that the impedance of filter <NUM> remains below the maximum impedance threshold and such that large reflections are avoided. In the lower frequency band, the impedance of the inductive element is much lower than the impedance of the capacitive element, causing the electrical signals, which choose the path of least resistance, to travel from the inner conductor to the outer conductor through the inductive element (e.g., the metal bridge connecting the inner conductor to the outer conductor). In the upper frequency band, the impedance of the capacitive element is much lower than the impedance of the inductive element, thus, the electrical signals travel towards the capacitive element (e.g., the gap in between the inner and outer conductors) rather than the inductive element. If the gap is located at a radial distance to support efficient electromagnetic radiation in the upper frequency band, the high-frequency signals can radiate through this gap before reaching the outer conductor. Otherwise, they are reflected back towards the feeds.

Since the current chooses the easiest path in the parallel circuit, the smaller impedance dominates the impedance of the parallel circuit. As such, the impedance of filter <NUM> is considered to be more inductive than capacitive at the lower frequency band (since the smaller inductive impedance dominates) and more capacitive than inductive at the upper frequency band (since the smaller capacitive impedance dominates).

<FIG> illustrates an example block diagram of a GNSS receiver <NUM>, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. GNSS receiver <NUM> includes antenna <NUM> for receiving wireless signals and sending/routing the wireless signals to an RF front end <NUM>. RF front ends are well known in the art, and in some instances include a band-pass filter for initially filtering out undesirable frequency components outside the frequencies of interest, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying the received signal, a local oscillator and a mixer for down converting the received signal from RF to intermediate frequencies (IF), a band-pass filter for removing frequency components outside IF, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for sampling the received signal to generate digital samples. In some embodiments, portions of the RF front end, such as the LNA and the RF filters, can be implemented as a PCB that includes ground plane <NUM>.

Digital samples generated by RF front end <NUM> may be sent to a receiver processor <NUM>, which may process the digital samples to generate pseudoranges and/or position estimates corresponding to GNSS receiver <NUM>. In some instances, a correlator may be employed between RF front end <NUM> and receiver processor <NUM> that performs correlations on the digital samples using local codes. The correlator may generate correlation results based on the digital samples and send those results to receiver processor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the correlator is a specific piece of hardware, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). In some embodiments, the operations performed by the correlator are performed in software using digital signal processing (DSP) techniques.

Based on multiple pseudoranges calculated using different received wireless signals from different GNSS satellites, receiver processor <NUM> may generate and output position data comprising a plurality of GNSS points. Each of the plurality of GNSS points may be a 3D coordinate represented by three numbers. In some embodiments, the three numbers may correspond to latitude, longitude, and elevation/altitude. In other embodiments, the three numbers may correspond to X, Y, and Z positions. The position data may be outputted to be displayed to a user, transmitted to a separate device (e.g., computer, smartphone, server, etc.) via a wired or wireless connection, or further processed, among other possibilities.

<FIG> illustrates a method <NUM> of receiving radio waves by an antenna (e.g., antenna <NUM>), in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. One or more steps of method <NUM> may be omitted during performance of method <NUM>, and steps of method <NUM> need not be performed in the order shown. In some instances, one or more steps of method <NUM> may be facilitated by one or more processors. In some instances, method <NUM> may be implemented as a computer-readable medium or computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to carry out the steps of method <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, radio waves at an upper frequency band are received by a high-frequency patch (e.g., high-frequency patch <NUM>) of the antenna. The high-frequency patch may be formed by an inner conductor (e.g., inner conductor <NUM>) overlaying a dielectric layer (e.g., dielectric layer <NUM>) and disposed above a ground plane (e.g., ground plane <NUM>) of the antenna. The inner conductor may have at least one feed hole (e.g., feed hole(s) <NUM>).

At step <NUM>, radio waves at a lower frequency band are received by a low-frequency patch (e.g., low-frequency patch <NUM>) of the antenna. The low-frequency patch may be formed by an outer conductor (e.g., outer conductor <NUM>) overlaying a spacing layer (e.g., spacing layer <NUM>) and surrounding the inner conductor. A filter (e.g., filter <NUM>) may be disposed along an outer edge of the outer conductor. The filter may at least partially block electrical signals at the intermediate frequency band and let pass electrical signals at the lower GNSS frequency band. The filter may include at least one capacitive element and at least one inductive element.

At step <NUM>, the radio waves at the upper frequency band received by the high-frequency patch and the radio waves at the lower frequency band received by the low-frequency patch are carried using one or more feeds (e.g., feeds <NUM>) that are conductively connected to the outer conductor and are parasitically coupled to the inner conductor. Each of the one or more feeds may include a vertical portion that passes through one of the at least one feed hole. These received radio waves may be carried to an RF front end (e.g., RF front end <NUM>), which may generate digital samples that are sent to a processor (e.g., receiver processor <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an example computer system <NUM> comprising various hardware elements, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Computer system <NUM> may be incorporated into or integrated with devices described herein and/or may be configured to perform some or all of the steps of the methods provided by various embodiments. For example, in various embodiments, computer system <NUM> may be incorporated into receiver processor <NUM> and/or may be configured to perform method <NUM>. It should be noted that <FIG> is meant only to provide a generalized illustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate. <FIG>, therefore, broadly illustrates how individual system elements may be implemented in a relatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.

In the illustrated example, computer system <NUM> includes a communication medium <NUM>, one or more processor(s) <NUM>, one or more input device(s) <NUM>, one or more output device(s) <NUM>, a communications subsystem <NUM>, and one or more memory device(s) <NUM>. Computer system <NUM> may be implemented using various hardware implementations and embedded system technologies. For example, one or more elements of computer system <NUM> may be implemented as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), such as those commercially available by XILINX®, INTEL®, or LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR®, a system-on-a-chip (SoC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific standard product (ASSP), a microcontroller, and/or a hybrid device, such as an SoC FPGA, among other possibilities.

The various hardware elements of computer system <NUM> may be coupled via communication medium <NUM>. While communication medium <NUM> is illustrated as a single connection for purposes of clarity, it should be understood that communication medium <NUM> may include various numbers and types of communication media for transferring data between hardware elements. For example, communication medium <NUM> may include one or more wires (e.g., conductive traces, paths, or leads on a printed circuit board (PCB) or integrated circuit (IC), microstrips, striplines, coaxial cables), one or more optical waveguides (e.g., optical fibers, strip waveguides), and/or one or more wireless connections or links (e.g., infrared wireless communication, radio communication, microwave wireless communication), among other possibilities.

In some embodiments, communication medium <NUM> may include one or more buses connecting pins of the hardware elements of computer system <NUM>. For example, communication medium <NUM> may include a bus connecting processor(s) <NUM> with main memory <NUM>, referred to as a system bus, and a bus connecting main memory <NUM> with input device(s) <NUM> or output device(s) <NUM>, referred to as an expansion bus. The system bus may consist of several elements, including an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. The address bus may carry a memory address from processor(s) <NUM> to the address bus circuitry associated with main memory <NUM> in order for the data bus to access and carry the data contained at the memory address back to processor(s) <NUM>. The control bus may carry commands from processor(s) <NUM> and return status signals from main memory <NUM>. Each bus may include multiple wires for carrying multiple bits of information and each bus may support serial or parallel transmission of data.

Processor(s) <NUM> may include one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural network processors or accelerators, digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or the like. A CPU may take the form of a microprocessor, which is fabricated on a single IC chip of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) construction. Processor(s) <NUM> may include one or more multi-core processors, in which each core may read and execute program instructions simultaneously with the other cores.

Input device(s) <NUM> may include one or more of various user input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, as well as various sensor input devices, such as an image capture device, a pressure sensor (e.g., barometer, tactile sensor), a temperature sensor (e.g., thermometer, thermocouple, thermistor), a movement sensor (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, tilt sensor), a light sensor (e.g., photodiode, photodetector, charge-coupled device), and/or the like. Input device(s) <NUM> may also include devices for reading and/or receiving removable storage devices or other removable media. Such removable media may include optical discs (e.g., Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CDs), memory cards (e.g., CompactFlash card, Secure Digital (SD) card, Memory Stick), floppy disks, Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives, external hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs), and/or the like.

Output device(s) <NUM> may include one or more of various devices that convert information into human-readable form, such as without limitation a display device, a speaker, a printer, and/or the like. Output device(s) <NUM> may also include devices for writing to removable storage devices or other removable media, such as those described in reference to input device(s) <NUM>. Output device(s) <NUM> may also include various actuators for causing physical movement of one or more components. Such actuators may be hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and may be provided with control signals by computer system <NUM>.

Communications subsystem <NUM> may include hardware components for connecting computer system <NUM> to systems or devices that are located external computer system <NUM>, such as over a computer network. In various embodiments, communications subsystem <NUM> may include a wired communication device coupled to one or more input/output ports (e.g., a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART)), an optical communication device (e.g., an optical modem), an infrared communication device, a radio communication device (e.g., a wireless network interface controller, a BLUETOOTH® device, an IEEE <NUM> device, a Wi-Fi device, a Wi-Max device, a cellular device), among other possibilities.

Memory device(s) <NUM> may include the various data storage devices of computer system <NUM>. For example, memory device(s) <NUM> may include various types of computer memory with various response times and capacities, from faster response times and lower capacity memory, such as processor registers and caches (e.g., L0, L1, L2), to medium response time and medium capacity memory, such as random access memory, to lower response times and lower capacity memory, such as solid state drives and hard drive disks. While processor(s) <NUM> and memory device(s) <NUM> are illustrated as being separate elements, it should be understood that processor(s) <NUM> may include varying levels of on-processor memory, such as processor registers and caches that may be utilized by a single processor or shared between multiple processors.

Memory device(s) <NUM> may include main memory <NUM>, which may be directly accessible by processor(s) <NUM> via the memory bus of communication medium <NUM>. For example, processor(s) <NUM> may continuously read and execute instructions stored in main memory <NUM>. As such, various software elements may be loaded into main memory <NUM> to be read and executed by processor(s) <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Typically, main memory <NUM> is volatile memory, which loses all data when power is turned off and accordingly needs power to preserve stored data. Main memory <NUM> may further include a small portion of non-volatile memory containing software (e.g., firmware, such as BIOS) that is used for reading other software stored in memory device(s) <NUM> into main memory <NUM>. In some embodiments, the volatile memory of main memory <NUM> is implemented as random-access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), and the non-volatile memory of main memory <NUM> is implemented as read-only memory (ROM), such as flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

Computer system <NUM> may include software elements, shown as being currently located within main memory <NUM>, which may include an operating system, device driver(s), firmware, compilers, and/or other code, such as one or more application programs, which may include computer programs provided by various embodiments of the present disclosure. Merely by way of example, one or more steps described with respect to any methods discussed above, might be implemented as instructions <NUM>, executable by computer system <NUM>. In one example, such instructions <NUM> may be received by computer system <NUM> using communications subsystem <NUM> (e.g., via a wireless or wired signal carrying instructions <NUM>), carried by communication medium <NUM> to memory device(s) <NUM>, stored within memory device(s) <NUM>, read into main memory <NUM>, and executed by processor(s) <NUM> to perform one or more steps of the described methods. In another example, instructions <NUM> may be received by computer system <NUM> using input device(s) <NUM> (e.g., via a reader for removable media), carried by communication medium <NUM> to memory device(s) <NUM>, stored within memory device(s) <NUM>, read into main memory <NUM>, and executed by processor(s) <NUM> to perform one or more steps of the described methods.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, instructions <NUM> are stored on a computer-readable storage medium, or simply computer-readable medium. Such a computer-readable medium may be non-transitory, and may therefore be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In some cases, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be incorporated within computer system <NUM>. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be one of memory device(s) <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, with instructions <NUM> being stored within memory device(s) <NUM>. In some cases, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be separate from computer system <NUM>. In one example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be a removable media provided to input device(s) <NUM>, such as those described in reference to input device(s) <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, with instructions <NUM> being provided to input device(s) <NUM>. In another example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be a component of a remote electronic device, such as a mobile phone, that may wirelessly transmit a data signal carrying instructions <NUM> to computer system <NUM> using communications subsystem <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, with instructions <NUM> being provided to communications subsystem <NUM>.

Instructions <NUM> may take any suitable form to be read and/or executed by computer system <NUM>. For example, instructions <NUM> may be source code (written in a human-readable programming language such as Java, C, C++, C#, Python), object code, assembly language, machine code, microcode, executable code, and/or the like. In one example, instructions <NUM> are provided to computer system <NUM> in the form of source code, and a compiler is used to translate instructions <NUM> from source code to machine code, which may then be read into main memory <NUM> for execution by processor(s) <NUM>. As another example, instructions <NUM> are provided to computer system <NUM> in the form of an executable file with machine code that may immediately be read into main memory <NUM> for execution by processor(s) <NUM>. In various examples, instructions <NUM> may be provided to computer system <NUM> in encrypted or unencrypted form, compressed or uncompressed form, as an installation package or an initialization for a broader software deployment, among other possibilities.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system (e.g., computer system <NUM>) is provided to perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, some embodiments may include a system comprising one or more processors (e.g., processor(s) <NUM>) that are communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory device(s) <NUM> or main memory <NUM>). The non-transitory computer-readable medium may have instructions (e.g., instructions <NUM>) stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the methods described in the various embodiments.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-program product that includes instructions (e.g., instructions <NUM>) is provided to perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The computer-program product may be tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory device(s) <NUM> or main memory <NUM>). The instructions may be configured to cause one or more processors (e.g., processor(s) <NUM>) to perform the methods described in the various embodiments.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory device(s) <NUM> or main memory <NUM>) is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may have instructions (e.g., instructions <NUM>) stored therein that, when executed by one or more processors (e.g., processor(s) <NUM>), cause the one or more processors to perform the methods described in the various embodiments.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary configurations including implementations. However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the configurations. This description provides example configurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing described techniques. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Having described several example configurations, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the technology. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description does not bind the scope of the claims.

Thus, for example, reference to "a user" includes reference to one or more of such users, and reference to "a processor" includes reference to one or more processors and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

Claim 1:
An antenna structure comprising:
an inner conductor (<NUM>) having at least one feed hole, the inner conductor forming a high-frequency patch (<NUM>);
an outer conductor (<NUM>) surrounding the inner conductor (<NUM>) in a radial direction, the outer conductor (<NUM>) forming a low-frequency patch (<NUM>); and
one or more feeds (<NUM>) each having a vertical portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) that passes through one of the at least one feed hole (<NUM>) and a horizontal portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) that extends in an outward direction from the at least one feed hole (<NUM>) toward the outer conductor (<NUM>) and is conductively connected to the outer conductor (<NUM>), wherein the horizontal portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) of each of the one or more feeds (<NUM>) is separated from and is conductively disconnected from a top surface of the inner conductor (<NUM>),
characterizedin that the one or more feeds (<NUM>) are configured to carry radio waves at an upper frequency band received by the high-frequency patch (<NUM>) and radio waves at a lower GNSS frequency band received by the low-frequency patch (<NUM>).