Patent Description:
Example aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of antenna systems, such as, for example, passive antenna systems.

Antenna systems can propagate and/or receive electromagnetic waves that are transmitted through the air and/or other materials from a source to a destination. Various material types can impact the manner in which electromagnetic waves are propagated. <CIT> proposes a mobile communication device that includes a ground plane and an antenna. The antenna is disposed on a dielectric substrate and includes a radiating metal portion, a coupling metal portion, and an inductive shorting metal portion. The radiating metal portion provides a resonant path for the antenna to generate first and second operating bands. The coupling metal portion is coupled to the radiating metal portion to form a first coupling portion and is connected to a source through a connecting metal strip. One end of the inductive shorting metal portion is electrically connected to the radiating metal portion, and the other end is electrically connected to the ground plane. The inductive shorting metal portion includes a first fractional section coupled to the radiating metal portion to form a second coupling portion, and a second fractional section coupled to the coupling metal portion to form a third coupling portion. <CIT> proposes a multiband antenna, including a ground plane, an open-ended radiating element offset from the ground plane and fed at a feed point, the open-ended radiating element radiating in a first frequency band and a conductive ground leg extending between the feed point and the ground plane, the conductive ground leg galvanically connecting the open ended-radiating element to the ground plane, the conductive ground leg radiating in a second frequency band and having an electrical length at least equal to about a quarter of a wavelength corresponding to the second frequency band. <CIT> proposes an antenna module and an electronic device using the same. The antenna module includes a signal feeding part, a ground part, and a first asymmetric meander line. One terminal of the first asymmetric meander line is connected with the signal feeding part, the other terminal is connected with the ground part, and the first asymmetric meander line does not meander toward its inner side. A signal is fed in via the signal feeding part to allow the first asymmetric meander line to excite a first resonance frequency. An area of the antenna module is smaller than that of a conventional planar antenna, and the antenna module can generate an inductive effect to improve antenna radiation efficiency. <CIT> proposes a capacitively coupled dipole antenna that is provided with one or more active control elements. The active control elements may be used to effectuate changes in the operating characteristics of the antenna. <CIT> proposes a wideband antenna that includes: a substrate, having a first surface and a second surface; a ground plane, disposed on the second surface; an exciting element, disposed on the first surface, and having a feed point coupled to a signal source; a connection element, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the ground plane; a first branch, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the connection element; a second branch, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the connection element; and a coupling element, disposed on the first surface, and coupled to the connection element. <CIT> proposes an antenna and a terminal, where the antenna includes a first antenna branch, printed on a first surface of a circuit board, where the first antenna branch includes a first sub-branch; a grounding branch, printed on the first surface, where the grounding branch includes a grounding sub-branch, the first sub-branch and the grounding sub-branch are staggered to form a gap, and the first antenna branch and the grounding branch are mutually coupled through the gap; a second antenna branch, printed on a second surface of the circuit board, where the second surface and the first surface are two opposite surfaces of the circuit board; and a first feed, electrically connected to the first antenna branch; where the second antenna branch is electrically connected to a metal via hole on the circuit board, and the metal via hole is electrically connected to the first feed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna system as set out in claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile device as set out in claim <NUM>.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations.

Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an antenna system for radiofrequency (RF) communications. The antenna system includes an antenna radiating element. The antenna radiating element is configured for RF signal transmission and/or RF signal reception. For instance, the antenna radiating element can be configured to perform RF communications. As one example, the antenna radiating element can be implemented in a mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, pager, personal digital assistant, or any other suitable mobile device. The antenna radiating element can be configured to receive and/or transmit some or all wireless signals for operation of the mobile device, such as, for instance, cellular signals, Bluetooth signals, Wi-Fi signals, RFID signals, and/or any other suitable signals, and/or combination thereof. For instance, in some embodiments, the antenna radiating element can be coupled to RF circuitry. The RF circuitry can include various circuitry (e.g., modulators, control circuitry, signal processing, upsamplers and/or downsamplers, etc.) configured to provide a suitable RF signal to the antenna radiating element for transmission and/or prepare a received signal from the antenna radiating element from various downstream circuitry (e.g., a processor of a mobile device).

For many devices, especially mobile devices, spatial constraints can limit effectiveness of an antenna system used for RF communications. For instance, constraints can be imposed on volumes and/or shapes of spaces that may be occupied by antenna systems and/or related circuitry (e.g. RF circuitry, control circuitry, etc.) For instance, it may be preferable in some cases to employ a space-saving antenna system that achieves reduced performance as a consequence of improved spatial characteristics. As one example, an antenna system can be provided with a fixed electrical length between an antenna radiating element and ground to reduce spatial requirements associated with, for instance, circuitry for tuning the electrical length.

In some cases, such as for monopole and/or dipole antennas, etc., performance of the antenna system can be sensitive to the electrical length of the ground connection. As one example, for monopole antenna systems, it can be desirable for the electrical length of the ground connection to be equivalent to about one quarter of a radiating wavelength at which the antenna radiating element radiates RF signals. One approach to providing this electrical length can be to include physical conductor length (e.g., tracing, wiring, etc.) equivalent to the electrical length. Another approach can include providing electrical components, such as capacitors, inductors, etc. that can provide the electrical length. While both these approaches can be useful, in some cases, they can undesirably contribute to spatial requirements of the antenna system. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some cases, the use of high dielectric material at the ground connection (e.g. to increase an electrical length of the ground connection) can undesirably reduce an overall frequency bandwidth of an antenna system. Thus, in some cases, it can be desirable for increased electrical length and/or reduced spatial requirements associated with a ground connection in addition to and/or alternatively to maintaining a frequency bandwidth of an antenna while providing increased electrical length.

Thus, example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an antenna system that can have a ground connection with increased electrical length compared to some existing configurations while occupying a similar and/or smaller footprint. As one example, the antenna system can be a planar antenna system. For example, the antenna system (e.g., an antenna radiating element, ground connection, etc.) can be disposed on a planar substrate. As another example, the antenna system can be a three-dimensional antenna system (e.g., including components spaced apart from a ground plane).

The antenna system includes e an antenna radiating element. The antenna radiating element can be or can include any suitable antenna radiating element configured to form and/or operate within any suitable antenna system. For instance, the antenna radiating element can be or can include a planar antenna, such as a planar inverted F antenna, patch antenna, etc. As another example, the antenna radiating element can be or can include a monopole antenna. As another example, the antenna radiating element can be or can include a dipole antenna, such as an isolated magnetic dipole antenna. As one example, the antenna radiating element can be formed of one or more planar regions disposed in a bent orientation to form the antenna radiating element. As another example, the antenna radiating element can be disposed in an integrated circuit. As another example, the antenna radiating element can be formed of traces and/or wiring on a substrate, such as a planar substrate.

The antenna radiating element is configured for RF signal transmission and/or RF signal reception. For instance, the antenna radiating element can be configured to perform RF communications. As one example, the antenna radiating element can be implemented in a mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, pager, personal digital assistant, or any other suitable mobile device. For instance, the mobile device can include a screen configured to display information to a user and/or receive input from the user. As another example, the mobile device can include one or more processors (e.g., baseband processors) configured to perform computations associated with operation of the mobile device. As another example, the mobile device can include telecommunication circuitry (e.g., RF circuitry) configured to provide telecommunications, such as voice communications (e.g., telephone services) and/or other communications (e.g., textual communications, such as SMS).

As one example, an antenna system (e.g., including the antenna radiating element) can be disposed at least partially on a substrate, such as a planar substrate. The substrate can be configured for integration into a mobile device. For example, the substrate can include a connector that is coupled to the antenna radiating element and/or various other components of the antenna system. The connector can be configured to couple with a transmission line (e.g., a coaxial cable) to provide signals (e.g., RF signals) to and/or from the mobile device, such as from the one or more processors, telecommunication circuitry, etc..

The antenna radiating element can be configured to receive and/or transmit some or all wireless (e.g., radiofrequency) signals for operation of the mobile device, such as, for instance, cellular signals, Bluetooth signals, Wi-Fi signals, RFID signals, and/or any other suitable signals, and/or combination thereof. For instance, in some embodiments, the antenna radiating element can be coupled to RF circuitry. The RF circuitry can include various components (e.g., a front-end module, modulators, etc.) configured to provide RF signals to and/or from the antenna radiating element, such as to enable telecommunication and/or other functions of a mobile device.

The antenna radiating element includes a feed leg configured to couple the antenna radiating element to the RF circuitry. As one example, the feed leg can couple (e.g., by a feed connection on a substrate) the antenna radiating element to a transmission line, such as a portion of a transmission line configured to transmit RF signals. For example, in some embodiments, the feed leg can couple the antenna radiating element to an inner conductor (e.g., a signal line) of a coaxial cable (e.g., via the connector). The RF circuitry can include various circuitry (e.g., modulators, control circuitry, signal processing, upsamplers and/or downsamplers, etc.) configured to provide a suitable RF signal to the antenna radiating element for transmission and/or prepare a received signal from the antenna radiating element from various downstream circuitry (e.g., a processor of a mobile device).

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, an antenna radiating element includes a ground leg. A ground connection can be configured to couple the ground leg and/or antenna radiating element to ground. For instance, the ground leg can be coupled to the ground connection and/or include the ground connection. For instance, the ground connection can couple the ground leg and/or antenna radiating element to a transmission line, such as a grounded portion of the transmission line. As one example, the ground connection can couple the antenna radiating element to an outer conductor (e.g., a ground layer) of a coaxial cable (e.g., via the connector). For instance, the feed leg and/or ground leg can connect the antenna radiating element to signals (e.g., RF signals) at the transmission line.

The ground connection includes one or more electromagnetically coupled region(s). For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can form at least a portion of the ground connection. As one example, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be or can include reactively coupled regions, such as one or more inductively-electromagnetically coupled regions and/or one or more capacitively electromagnetically coupled region(s). The electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be configured to provide an increased electrical length at the ground leg and/or of the ground connection. As one example, the electrical length can be increased to provide desirable radiation characteristics of the antenna radiating element without requiring additional components (e.g., capacitors, inductors, etc.) and/or increased physical length (e.g., traces, wires, etc.) at the ground connection.

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, conductive material forming the electromagnetically coupled region(s) (e.g., the capacitively electromagnetically coupled region(s), and/or the inductively electromagnetically coupled region(s)) can contribute to the increased electrical length achieved by the electromagnetically coupled region(s). For instance, the capacitively electromagnetically coupled regions and/or inductively electromagnetically coupled regions can contribute to the electrical length due to capacitance and/or inductance, respectively. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some cases, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can provide efficiently spaced physical length compared to some existing systems. For instance, in some implementations, the electromagnetically coupled regions can be configured to increase an electrical length of the ground connection relative to a conductor length of the ground connection. For example, the conductor length of the ground connection can be a length of conductive material used to form the ground connection (e.g., from a first end to a second end). The electrical length of the ground connection can be greater than the conductor length due to the contributions from the electromagnetically coupled regions.

Additionally and/or alternatively, in some embodiments, the electromagnetically coupled regions can be configured to filter one or more frequencies at the antenna element. For instance, the electromagnetically coupled regions can be configured to filter signals and/or signal components at unwanted frequencies (e.g., outside of a communication band, noise, etc.) from RF signals at the antenna.

The ground connection and/or electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of any suitable material and/or in any suitable configuration in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure. As one example, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of a sheet of conductive material, such as a two-dimensional sheet of conductive material. Additionally and/or alternatively, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of wiring, traces, and/or other conductive material printed onto a substrate. For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of conductive material that is integrated into and/or formed on a substrate, such as a planar substrate. (e.g., as opposed to components such as, for example, capacitors, inductors, etc.). For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be planar. As one example, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) may not extend past a surface of a substrate. For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed entirely of traces on a substrate.

In some embodiments, the ground connection including electromagnetically coupled region(s) can form a structure resembling an antenna shape, such as including a first end portion and/or a second end portion (e.g., a feed portion and/or a ground portion). The ground leg of an antenna radiating element can be coupled to the first end portion. Additionally and/or alternatively, the second end portion can be coupled to ground. For instance, in this manner, the ground connection and/or electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be coupled to an antenna radiating element to provide an increased electrical length. In some embodiments, the ground connection can be balanced and/or unbalanced. For instance, the ground connection can form a structure resembling a balanced antenna and/or an unbalanced antenna.

According to the invention, the ground connection including electromagnetically coupled region(s) includes an isolated magnetic dipole shape. For instance, the isolated magnetic dipole shape can include at least one capacitively coupled region and/or inductively coupled region. The isolated magnetic dipole shape can be reflective of an isolated magnetic dipole antenna, such as an antenna that produces an isolated magnetic dipole when energized. According to the invention, isolated magnetic dipole shape includes a spiral planar portion to form the isolated magnetic dipole.

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, the antenna radiating element can be configured to radiate at a radiating wavelength. For example, the radiating wavelength can be or can include one or more wavelengths at radiofrequency and/or any other suitable wavelengths. The ground connection including electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be configured to provide a desirable electrical length based on the radiating wavelength. For instance, in some embodiments, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can provide an electrical length of one quarter of the radiating wavelength at the ground leg. For instance, an electrical length of one quarter of the radiating wavelength can be beneficial for some antenna systems, such as monopole antenna systems. For instance, in some embodiments, the electrical length can be configured to mitigate a detuning condition of the antenna system. For example, the detuning condition can be any suitable detuning condition, such as detuning caused by a user's head, hand, or other body part, clothing, accessories, proximity to building, or any other suitable detuning condition. As another example, the electrical length of the ground leg can be extended in reduced space, which can, in some cases, prevent additional spatial requirements associated with, for instance, matching circuitry, such as impedance matching circuitry.

Additionally and/or alternatively, in some embodiments, the antenna system can be or can include a three-dimensional antenna structure including a ground plane and an antenna radiating element that is spaced apart from the ground plane. For instance, in some embodiments, the antenna radiating element can be disposed substantially parallel (e.g., within about <NUM> degrees of parallel) to the ground plane. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be disposed substantially parallel to the ground plane. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be disposed substantially perpendicular (e.g., within about <NUM> degrees of perpendicular) to the ground plane. As one example, the antenna radiating element can be spaced apart in substantially parallel configuration to the ground plane and the ground leg and/or coupled region can perpendicularly extend between the antenna radiating element and the ground plane.

Antenna systems according to example aspects of the present disclosure can achieve a number of technical effects and benefits. As one example, antenna systems having a ground connection with one or more electromagnetically coupled regions can provide an increased electrical length at the ground connection for a consistent footprint. For instance, this increased electrical length can allow antenna systems to achieve a desirably long electrical length (e.g., a quarter of a radiating wavelength) at the ground connection, which can provide for improved radiation characteristics and/or communication performance (e.g., connection strength, signal loss, etc.). This can provide for incorporation of well performing antenna systems into devices that may have otherwise been unable to achieve a proper electrical length, resulting in reduced communication performance.

As another example, a footprint required for the antenna system (e.g., a ground connection) can be reduced while achieving identical or near identical performance. As one example, the reduced footprint requirements for electrical length achieved by the electromagnetically coupled regions at the ground connection can provide for smaller antenna systems (e.g., smaller ground connections) that can allow more components to be incorporated into a same-sized mobile device. Additionally and/or alternatively, the reduced footprint achieved by the electromagnetically coupled regions can contribute to a reduced weight and/or reduced manufacturing cost (e.g., material cost) of the antenna system. For instance, the reduced footprint achieved by the electromagnetically coupled regions can provide for the ground connection to be positioned on a smaller substrate that may be cheaper to produce and/or lighter. As another example, the ground connection can provide an increased electrical length without requiring bulky and/or relatively expensive components such as, for example, resistors, inductors, capacitors, etc..

Additionally and/or alternatively, providing electromagnetically coupled regions at the ground connection can increase an electrical length of the ground connection without reducing a frequency bandwidth of the antenna element. Additionally and/or alternatively, the electromagnetically coupled regions at the ground connection can provide for an increased electrical length over a larger frequency band and/or a plurality of distinct (e.g., different) frequency bands.

Referring now to the FIGS. , example aspects of the present disclosure will be discussed in detail. One of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the example embodiments depicted in the FIGS. are for the purposes of illustration only, and that components depicted therein can be changed, modified, omitted, duplicated, or otherwise be changed in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna system <NUM> having a coupled region at a ground connection according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Antenna system <NUM> includes antenna radiating element <NUM>. The antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include any suitable antenna radiating element <NUM> configured to form and/or operate within antenna system <NUM>. For instance, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include a planar antenna, such as a planar inverted F antenna, patch antenna, etc. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include a monopole antenna. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include a dipole antenna, such as an isolated magnetic dipole antenna. As one example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be formed of one or more planar regions disposed in a bent orientation to form the antenna radiating element <NUM>. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be disposed in an integrated circuit. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be formed of traces and/or wiring on a substrate, such as a planar substrate.

The antenna radiating element <NUM> is configured for RF signal transmission and/or RF signal reception. For instance, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be configured to perform RF communications. The antenna radiating element <NUM> can be configured to receive and/or transmit some or all wireless (e.g., radiofrequency) signals, such as, for instance, cellular signals, Bluetooth signals, Wi-Fi signals, RFID signals, and/or any other suitable signals, and/or combination thereof. For instance, in some embodiments, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be coupled to RF circuitry <NUM>. The RF circuitry <NUM> can include various components (e.g., a front-end module, modulators, etc.) configured to provide RF signals to and/or from the antenna radiating element <NUM>, such as to enable telecommunication and/or other functions of a mobile device.

As one example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> includes a feed leg <NUM> configured to couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to the RF circuitry <NUM>. As one example, the feed leg <NUM> can couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to a transmission line, such as a portion of a transmission line configured to transmit RF signals to and/or from RF circuitry <NUM> to antenna radiating element <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the feed leg can couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to an inner conductor (e.g., a signal line) of a coaxial cable (e.g., via the connector). The RF circuitry <NUM> can include various circuitry (e.g., modulators, control circuitry, signal processing, upsamplers and/or downsamplers, etc.) configured to provide a suitable RF signal to the antenna radiating element <NUM> for transmission and/or prepare a received signal from the antenna radiating element <NUM> from various downstream circuitry (e.g., a processor of a mobile device).

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, antenna radiating element <NUM> includes a ground leg <NUM>. A ground connection can be configured to couple the ground leg <NUM> and/or antenna radiating element <NUM> to ground. For instance, the ground leg <NUM> can be coupled to the ground connection and/or include the ground connection. For instance, the ground connection can couple the ground leg <NUM> and/or antenna radiating element <NUM> to a transmission line, such as a grounded portion of the transmission line. As one example, the ground connection can couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to an outer conductor (e.g., a ground layer) of a coaxial cable (e.g., via the connector). For instance, the feed leg and/or ground leg <NUM> can connect the antenna radiating element <NUM> to signals (e.g., RF signals) at the transmission line.

The ground connection includes one or more electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM>. For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can form at least a portion of the ground connection. As one example, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can include one or more inductively-electromagnetically coupled regions and/or one or more capacitively electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM>. The electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can be configured to provide an increased electrical length of the ground leg <NUM> and/or ground connection. The electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> provide increased electrical length at the ground leg <NUM> relative to a ground connection with an identical spatial footprint and not including the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM>. As one example, the electrical length can be increased to provide desirable radiation characteristics of the antenna radiating element <NUM> without requiring additional components (e.g., capacitors, inductors, etc.) and/or increased physical length (e.g., traces, wires, etc.) at the ground leg <NUM>.

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, conductive material forming the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> (e.g., the capacitively electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM>, and/or the inductively electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM>) can contribute to the increased electrical length achieved by the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM>. For instance, the capacitively electromagnetically coupled regions and/or inductively electromagnetically coupled regions can contribute to the electrical length due to capacitance and/or inductance, respectively. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some cases, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can provide efficiently spaced physical length compared to some existing systems.

The ground connection and/or electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material and/or in any suitable configuration in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure. As one example, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can be formed of a sheet of conductive material, such as a two-dimensional sheet of conductive material. Additionally and/or alternatively, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can be formed of wiring, traces, and/or other conductive material printed onto a substrate. For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can be formed of conductive material that is integrated into and/or formed on a substrate, such as a planar substrate (e.g., as opposed to components such as, for example, capacitors, inductors, etc.).

In some embodiments, the ground connection including electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can form a structure resembling an antenna shape, such as including a first end portion and/or a second end portion. The ground leg <NUM> of an antenna radiating element <NUM> can be coupled to the first end portion. Additionally and/or alternatively, the second end portion can be coupled to ground. For instance, in this manner, the ground connection and/or electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can be coupled to an antenna radiating element <NUM> to provide an increased electrical length.

According to the invention, the ground connection including electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> includes an isolated magnetic dipole shape. For instance, the isolated magnetic dipole shape can include at least one capacitively coupled region and/or inductively coupled region. The isolated magnetic dipole shape can be reflective of an isolated magnetic dipole antenna, such as an antenna that produces an isolated magnetic dipole when energized. According to the invention, the isolated magnetic dipole shape includes a spiral planar portion to form the isolated magnetic dipole.

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be configured to radiate at a radiating wavelength. For example, the radiating wavelength can be or can include one or more wavelengths at radiofrequency and/or any other suitable wavelengths. The ground connection including electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can be configured to provide a desirable electrical length based on the radiating wavelength. For instance, in some embodiments, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) <NUM> can provide an electrical length of one quarter of the radiating wavelength at the ground leg <NUM>. For instance, an electrical length of one quarter of the radiating wavelength can be beneficial for some antenna systems, such as monopole antenna systems. For instance, in some embodiments, the electrical length can be configured to mitigate a detuning condition of the antenna system. For example, the detuning condition can be any suitable detuning condition, such as detuning caused by a user's head, hand, or other body part, clothing, accessories, proximity to building, or any other suitable detuning condition. As another example, the electrical length of the ground leg <NUM> can be extended in reduced space, which can, in some cases, prevent additional spatial requirements associated with, for instance, matching circuitry, such as impedance matching circuitry.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna system <NUM> having a coupled region at a ground connection according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Antenna system <NUM> can be at least partially disposed on substrate <NUM>. For instance, substrate <NUM> can be a planar substrate. Substrate <NUM> can be configured to house, for example, antenna radiating element <NUM>, feed connection <NUM>, ground connection <NUM>, and/or connector <NUM>, in addition to and/or alternatively to any other suitable components. Substrate <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material, such as non-conductive material. As one example, substrate <NUM> and/or portions thereof can be formed of plastic, fiberglass, flexible material (e.g., to form a flexible substrate, such as an FPCB), or any other suitable material, or combination thereof.

Antenna system <NUM> includes antenna radiating element <NUM>. The antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include any suitable antenna radiating element <NUM> configured to form and/or operate within antenna system <NUM>. For instance, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include a planar antenna, such as a planar inverted F antenna, patch antenna, etc. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include a monopole antenna. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be or can include a dipole antenna, such as an isolated magnetic dipole antenna. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be disposed in an integrated circuit. As another example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be formed of traces and/or wiring on substrate <NUM>.

The antenna radiating element <NUM> is configured for RF signal transmission and/or RF signal reception. For instance, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be configured to perform RF communications. The antenna radiating element <NUM> can be configured to receive and/or transmit some or all wireless (e.g., radiofrequency) signals, such as, for instance, cellular signals, Bluetooth signals, Wi-Fi signals, RFID signals, and/or any other suitable signals, and/or combination thereof. For instance, in some embodiments, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be coupled to RF circuitry by connector <NUM>. The RF circuitry can include various components (e.g., a front-end module, modulators, etc.) configured to provide RF signals to and/or from the antenna radiating element <NUM>, such as to enable telecommunication and/or other functions of a mobile device.

As one example, the antenna radiating element <NUM> includes a feed leg <NUM> configured to couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to the RF circuitry. As one example, the feed leg <NUM> can couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to transmission line <NUM>, such as a portion of a transmission line <NUM> configured to transmit RF signals to and/or from RF circuitry to antenna radiating element <NUM>. The RF circuitry can include various circuitry (e.g., modulators, control circuitry, signal processing, upsamplers and/or downsamplers, etc.) configured to provide a suitable RF signal to the antenna radiating element <NUM> for transmission and/or prepare a received signal from the antenna radiating element <NUM> from various downstream circuitry (e.g., a processor of a mobile device).

For example, in some embodiments, the feed leg can couple to a feed connection <NUM> printed on substrate <NUM>. For instance, the feed connection <NUM> can couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> can couple the feed connection to transmission line <NUM>, such as an inner conductor (e.g., a signal line) of a coaxial cable.

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, antenna radiating element <NUM> includes a ground leg <NUM>. A ground connection <NUM> is configured to couple the ground leg <NUM> and/or antenna radiating element <NUM> to ground. For instance, the ground leg <NUM> can be coupled to the ground connection <NUM> and/or include the ground connection <NUM>. For instance, the ground connection <NUM> can couple the ground leg <NUM> and/or antenna radiating element <NUM> to transmission line <NUM>, such as a grounded portion of the transmission line <NUM>. As one example, the ground connection <NUM> can couple the antenna radiating element <NUM> to an outer conductor (e.g., a ground layer) of a coaxial cable (e.g., via the connector <NUM>). For instance, the feed leg and/or ground leg <NUM> can connect the antenna radiating element <NUM> to signals (e.g., RF signals) at the transmission line <NUM>.

The ground connection <NUM> includes one or more electromagnetically coupled region(s). For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can form at least a portion of the ground connection <NUM>. As one example, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can include one or more inductively-electromagnetically coupled regions and/or one or more capacitively electromagnetically coupled region(s). The electromagnetically coupled region(s) are configured to provide an increased electrical length of the ground leg <NUM> and/or ground connection <NUM>. For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can provide increased electrical length at the ground leg <NUM> relative to a ground connection <NUM> with an identical spatial footprint and not including the electromagnetically coupled region(s). As one example, the electrical length can be increased to provide desirable radiation characteristics of the antenna radiating element <NUM> without requiring additional components (e.g., capacitors, inductors, etc.) and/or increased physical length (e.g., traces, wires, etc.) at the ground leg <NUM>.

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, conductive material forming the electromagnetically coupled region(s) (e.g., the capacitively electromagnetically coupled region(s), and/or the inductively electromagnetically coupled region(s)) can contribute to the increased electrical length achieved by the electromagnetically coupled region(s). For instance, the capacitively electromagnetically coupled regions and/or inductively electromagnetically coupled regions can contribute to the electrical length due to capacitance and/or inductance, respectively. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some cases, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can provide efficiently spaced physical length compared to some existing systems.

The ground connection <NUM> and/or electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of any suitable material and/or in any suitable configuration in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure. As one example, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of a sheet of conductive material, such as a two-dimensional sheet of conductive material. Additionally and/or alternatively, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of wiring, traces, and/or other conductive material printed onto substrate <NUM>. For instance, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be formed of conductive material that is integrated into and/or formed on substrate <NUM>. (e.g., as opposed to components such as, for example, capacitors, inductors, etc.).

In some embodiments, the ground connection <NUM> including electromagnetically coupled region(s) can form a structure resembling an antenna shape, such as including a first end portion and/or a second end portion. The ground leg <NUM> of an antenna radiating element <NUM> can be coupled to the first end portion. Additionally and/or alternatively, the second end portion can be coupled to ground. For instance, in this manner, the ground connection <NUM> and/or electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be coupled to an antenna radiating element <NUM> to provide an increased electrical length.

According to the invention, the ground connection <NUM> including electromagnetically coupled region(s) includes an isolated magnetic dipole shape. For instance, the isolated magnetic dipole shape can include at least one capacitively coupled region and/or inductively coupled region. The isolated magnetic dipole shape can be reflective of an isolated magnetic dipole antenna, such as an antenna that produces an isolated magnetic dipole when energized. According to the invention, the isolated magnetic dipole shape includes a spiral planar portion to form the isolated magnetic dipole.

According to example aspects of the present disclosure, the antenna radiating element <NUM> can be configured to radiate at a radiating wavelength. For example, the radiating wavelength can be or can include one or more wavelengths at radiofrequency and/or any other suitable wavelengths. The ground connection <NUM> including electromagnetically coupled region(s) can be configured to provide a desirable electrical length based on the radiating wavelength. For instance, in some embodiments, the electromagnetically coupled region(s) can provide an electrical length of one quarter of the radiating wavelength at the ground leg <NUM>. For instance, an electrical length of one quarter of the radiating wavelength can be beneficial for some antenna systems, such as monopole antenna systems. For instance, in some embodiments, the electrical length can be configured to mitigate a detuning condition of the antenna system. For example, the detuning condition can be any suitable detuning condition, such as detuning caused by a user's head, hand, or other body part, clothing, accessories, proximity to building, or any other suitable detuning condition. As another example, the electrical length of the ground leg <NUM> can be extended in reduced space, which can, in some cases, prevent additional spatial requirements associated with, for instance, matching circuitry, such as impedance matching circuitry.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna system <NUM> having a coupled region at a ground connection according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Antenna system <NUM> can include components discussed with reference to <FIG>, such as, for example, antenna radiating element <NUM>, connector <NUM>, etc. Additionally, antenna system <NUM> includes isolated magnetic dipole shape <NUM> incorporated into ground connection <NUM>. For instance, isolated magnetic dipole shape <NUM> includes one or more electromagnetically coupled regions. As one example, isolated magnetic dipole shape <NUM> can include a capacitively coupled region and an inductively coupled region. The isolated magnetic dipole shape 320can be reflective of an isolated magnetic dipole antenna, such as an antenna that produces an isolated magnetic dipole when energized. According to the invention, the isolated magnetic dipole shape <NUM> includes a spiral planar portion to form the isolated magnetic dipole.

<FIG> illustrates a surface view of a mobile device <NUM> having an antenna system with a coupled region at a ground connection according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. For instance, mobile device <NUM> can include housing <NUM>. An antenna system according to example embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., any one or more of antenna systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> and/or any other suitable antenna system) can be included in housing <NUM>.

Mobile device <NUM> can include display screen <NUM>. Display screen <NUM> can be configured to display information from the mobile device <NUM> to a user of the mobile device <NUM>. For instance, the display screen <NUM> can be or can include a LED screen, LCD screen, and/or any other suitable screen configured to display visual data to a user. Additionally and/or alternatively, display screen <NUM> can be configured to receive information from a user. For example, display screen <NUM> can include one or more touch-sensitive components (e.g., a touch screen, piezoelectric components, inductive components, etc.) configured to output control signals that control operation of the mobile device <NUM> in response to a touch from a user.

Mobile device <NUM> can include one or more user interactive components <NUM>. For instance, user interactive components <NUM> can be or can include any suitable component configured to receive input from a user and/or provide output to a user (e.g., separately from and/or supplementary to display screen <NUM>). As examples, user interactive components <NUM> can be or include buttons (e.g., power button, home button, volume control button, lock button, camera button, or any other suitable button, or combination thereof), lights (e.g., LEDs), speakers, microphones, switches, light sensors, cameras, and/or any other suitable user interactive components, and/or combination thereof. For instance, a user can interact with display screen <NUM> and/or user interactive components <NUM> to control operation of mobile device <NUM>, such as to perform telecommunications via mobile device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an interior view of mobile device <NUM> having an antenna system with a coupled region at a ground connection according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. For instance, <FIG> illustrates at least a subset of electronic components that can be configured to operate mobile device <NUM>. Other components not illustrated in <FIG>, such as one or more sensors, processors, memory devices, etc. can be included in mobile device <NUM> in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure.

Mobile device <NUM> can include antenna system <NUM>. For instance, antenna system <NUM> can be disposed on a substrate that is included in (e.g., mounted to) housing <NUM>. As examples, antenna system <NUM> can be or include any of antenna systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> discussed with reference to <FIG>, and/or any other suitable antenna system. For instance, antenna system <NUM> can include radiating element <NUM>. Radiating element <NUM> can be configured to receive and/or transmit RF signals associated with operation of mobile device <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of radiating element <NUM> can be mounted to or otherwise disposed on housing <NUM>, such as additionally and/or alternatively to a substrate of antenna system <NUM>. Although only one antenna system <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that any suitable number of antenna systems including any suitable number of radiating elements can be included in mobile device <NUM> in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure.

Antenna system <NUM> (e.g., radiating element <NUM>) can be coupled to processor <NUM>. For instance, processor <NUM> can process some or all computations associated with operation of mobile device <NUM>. As one example, processor <NUM> can be a central processing unit (CPU) of mobile device <NUM>. For instance, processor <NUM> can include telecommunications circuitry <NUM> that is configured to receive and/or transmit signals to and/or from processor <NUM> associated with telecommunications functions of mobile device <NUM>. For example, the signals associated with telecommunications functions can be or can include operations to transmit and/or receive data via antenna system <NUM>.

For instance, antenna system <NUM> and processor <NUM> can be coupled by one or more transmission lines <NUM>. As one example, transmission line(s) <NUM> can be or can include a coaxial cable having an inner conductor (e.g., a signal line) and an outer conductor (e.g., a ground layer and/or ground casing). The transmission line(s) <NUM> can be configured to transmit signals (e.g., RF signals) to operate antenna system <NUM> for telecommunications functions (e.g., RF communications). According to example aspects of the present disclosure, a second end portion of transmission line <NUM> (e.g., a ground layer) can be coupled to radiating element <NUM> by a ground connection having one or more electromagnetically coupled regions. Thus, antenna system <NUM> can achieve improved radiation characteristics associated with an increased ground connection electrical length. As another example, antenna system <NUM> can achieve a suitable ground connection electrical length (e.g., a quarter wavelength electrical length) while occupying a comparatively smaller footprint in housing <NUM>. Thus, spatial considerations of housing <NUM> can be better accommodated by antenna system <NUM> according to example aspects of the present disclosure.

As used herein, "about" in conjunction with a stated numerical value is intended to refer to within <NUM>% of the stated numerical value.

Claim 1:
An antenna system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an antenna radiating element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured for at least one of RF signal transmission or RF signal reception, the antenna radiating element comprising a ground leg (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a ground connection (<NUM>) coupled to the ground leg (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to couple the ground leg to ground, the ground connection including one or more electromagnetically coupled regions (<NUM>);
wherein the one or more electromagnetically coupled regions (<NUM>) are configured to increase an electrical length of the ground connection relative to a conductor length of the ground connection;
wherein the antenna radiating element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes a feed leg (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to couple the antenna radiating element to RF circuitry;
the antenna system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being characterized in that
the ground connection (<NUM>), including the one or more electromagnetically coupled regions (<NUM>), comprises a spiral planar portion forming an isolated magnetic dipole (<NUM>).