PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8059040-B2
Application Number: US-23838808-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Wireless electronic devices with clutch barrel transceivers

Abstract:
Wireless portable electronic devices such as laptop computers are provided with antennas and radio-frequency transceiver circuitry. Antenna structures and transceiver circuitry may be provided within a clutch barrel in a laptop computer. The clutch barrel may have a dielectric cover. Antenna elements may be mounted within the clutch barrel cover on an antenna support structure. The antenna support structure may be mounted to a metal housing frame. The metal housing frame may have a tab-shaped extension that serves as a heat sink. The heat sink may draw heat away from the transceiver circuitry. The transceiver circuitry may be coupled to the antenna using a radio-frequency transmission line path that contains microstrip transmission lines or coaxial cable transmission lines. The transceiver circuitry may be coupled to logic circuitry on a laptop computer motherboard using a digital data communications path.

Claims:
1. A portable wireless electronic device, comprising:
 an upper housing having an exterior housing surface and having at least one metal frame that supports a portion of the exterior housing surface; 
 a lower housing that is attached to the upper housing by a hinge; 
 a clutch barrel associated with the hinge that has a clutch barrel cover; 
 radio-frequency transceiver circuitry within the clutch barrel cover; 
 at least one antenna element within the clutch barrel cover; and 
 a transmission line path within the clutch barrel cover that connects the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry with the antenna element, wherein a portion of the metal frame forms a heat sink that draws heat away from the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable wireless electronic device defined in  claim 1  further comprising heat conducting material interposed between the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and the heat sink. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 2  wherein the heat sink comprises a tab-shaped extension of the metal frame that rests against the heat conducting material. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one printed circuit board mounted in the lower housing; 
 digital communications circuitry on the printed circuit board; and 
 a communications path that connects the digital communications circuitry on the printed circuit board to the radio-transceiver circuitry in the clutch barrel. 
 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 4  further comprising a peripheral component interface express connector that connects the communications path to the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 1  wherein the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry comprises a printed circuit board and at least one transceiver integrated circuit that is mounted to the printed circuit board to form a radio-frequency module in the clutch barrel. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 6  wherein the radio-frequency module comprises a coaxial cable connector that receives a coaxial cable in the transmission line path. 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 7  wherein the radio-frequency module comprises:
 an input radio-frequency amplifier that receives radio-frequency signals from the antenna element; and 
 an output radio-frequency amplifier that supplies radio-frequency signals from the transceiver circuitry to the antenna element. 
 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device defined in  claim 1  further comprising at least a second antenna element in the clutch barrel that is coupled to the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry by the transmission line path. 
     
     
       10. The portable wireless electronic device defined in  claim 1  wherein the heat sink formed by the portion of the metal frame is located in the clutch barrel. 
     
     
       11. Clutch barrel structures located in a clutch barrel between an upper and lower housing portion of a portable electronic device, comprising:
 antenna structures in the clutch barrel; 
 radio-frequency transceiver circuitry in the clutch barrel; and 
 a frame member heat sink in the clutch barrel configured to draw heat away from the transceiver circuitry. 
 
     
     
       12. The clutch barrel structures defined in  claim 11  further comprising:
 a dielectric clutch barrel cover that covers the antenna structures and the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry. 
 
     
     
       13. The clutch barrel structures defined in  claim 12  wherein the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry comprises a radio-frequency module having a printed circuit board, at least one radio-frequency integrated circuit mounted on the printed circuit board, and at least one shielding can mounted to the printed circuit board over the radio-frequency integrated circuit. 
     
     
       14. The clutch barrel structures defined in  claim 13  wherein the frame member heat sink is next to the shielding can. 
     
     
       15. The clutch barrel structures defined in  claim 14  wherein the frame member heat sink is formed from part of a metal frame that is mounted to a portable computer housing cover. 
     
     
       16. The clutch barrel structures defined in  claim 11  wherein the antenna structures comprise at least two flex circuit antenna elements mounted to a dielectric antenna support structure. 
     
     
       17. The clutch barrel structures defined in  claim 16  wherein the frame member heat sink comprises a metal heat sink extension to a metal housing frame, wherein the metal heat sink extension is adjacent to the transceiver circuitry, and wherein the antenna structures comprise a dielectric antenna support structure that is mounted to the metal housing frame. 
     
     
       18. Structures in a portable computer that has an upper housing portion, a lower housing portion, and a portable computer clutch barrel associated with a hinge that connects the upper housing portion to the lower housing portion, comprising:
 at least one antenna element in the portable computer clutch barrel; 
 radio-frequency transceiver circuitry in the portable computer clutch barrel; and 
 a metal frame in the upper housing, wherein the metal frame has a tab-shaped heat sink extension that serves as a heat sink for the transceiver circuitry. 
 
     
     
       19. The structures defined in  claim 18  further comprising:
 logic circuitry in the lower housing portion that generates digital data signals; 
 a digital data communications path between the logic circuitry and the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry; and 
 digital communications circuitry in the portable computer clutch barrel that is associated with the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and that receives digital data signals from the logic circuitry over the digital data communications path. 
 
     
     
       20. The structures defined in  claim 19  further comprising a radio-frequency transmission line path in the portable computer clutch barrel between the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and the antenna element, wherein the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry produces radio-frequency signals based on the received digital data that are conveyed to the antenna element over the radio-frequency transmission line path and that are transmitted through the antenna element. 
     
     
       21. The structures defined in  claim 20  further comprising:
 a dielectric antenna support structure, wherein the antenna element comprises a flex circuit mounted to the dielectric antenna support structure and wherein the dielectric antenna support structure is mounted to portions of the metal frame within the portable computer clutch barrel. 
 
     
     
       22. The structures defined in  claim 19  wherein the digital communications circuitry associated with the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry is configured to receive multiple lanes of digital data signals from the logic circuitry over the digital data communications path. 
     
     
       23. The structures defined in  claim 19  further comprising a radio-frequency transmission line path in the portable computer clutch barrel between the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and the antenna element, wherein the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry receives radio-frequency signals from the antenna element and, based on the received radio-frequency signals, generates digital data signals that are transmitted to the logic circuitry by the digital communications circuitry.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to wireless electronic devices, and more particularly, to wireless electronic devices with transceiver circuitry for handling antenna signals. 
     Antennas are used in conjunction with a variety of electronic devices. For example, computers use antennas to support wireless local area network communications. Antennas are also used for long-range wireless communications in cellular telephone networks. 
     It can be difficult to design antennas for modern electronic devices, particularly in electronic devices in which compact size and pleasing aesthetics are important. If an antenna is too small or is not designed properly, antenna performance may suffer. At the same time, an overly-bulky antenna or an antenna with an awkward shape may detract from the appearance of an electronic device or may make the device larger than desired. 
     Radio-frequency antenna signals are generally handled with transceiver circuitry. For example, a radio-frequency transmitter may be used in transmitting radio-frequency signals through an antenna. Radio-frequency receiver circuitry may receive antenna signals. 
     Transceiver circuitry and antennas generally have different mounting requirements. In laptop computers, for example, transceiver circuitry is typically mounted on a motherboard in the laptop base, whereas antennas are mounted in more exposed locations where signal reception is not blocked by conductive materials. In situations such as these, coaxial cables may be used to convey radio-frequency signals between the transceiver and the antenna. 
     Arrangements in which coaxial cables are used to convey radio-frequency signals between a remote antenna and a transceiver circuit may be subject to nonnegligible cable losses. This can adversely affect radio-frequency performance. For example, in a typical laptop computer arrangement about 1.5 dB of signal losses may be introduced by a coaxial cable as the signals are passed to a radio-frequency input amplifier from the antenna. Because these signal losses are imposed on the antenna signal before the signal reaches the amplifier, the signal-to-noise ratio of the system is adversely affected. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved ways in which to provide electronic devices with antennas and transceivers. 
     SUMMARY 
     Wireless portable electronic devices such as laptop computers may be provided with antennas and radio-frequency transceiver circuitry. A wireless portable electronic device may have upper and lower housing portions that are joined using a hinge. The hinge may be associated with a clutch barrel having a dielectric clutch barrel cover. In a given device, one or more antenna elements may be mounted in the clutch barrel under the clutch barrel cover. These elements may form an antenna system. Radio-frequency transceiver circuitry may also be mounted in the clutch barrel under the clutch barrel cover. The radio-frequency transceiver circuitry may be coupled to the antenna system using a radio-frequency transmission line path. The length of the radio-frequency transmission line path may be minimized by mounting the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry adjacent to the antenna system. 
     Logic circuitry may be mounted on a printed circuit board in the lower housing portion. The logic circuitry may produce digital data signals. A digital data path may be coupled between the logic circuitry in the lower housing and the transceiver circuitry. The transceiver circuitry may have digital data communications circuitry that receives digital data signals from the logic circuitry in the lower housing. The transceiver circuitry may generate corresponding radio-frequency signals that are passed to the antenna system over the radio-frequency transmission line path and that are transmitted through the antenna system. Received antenna signals may also be processed by the transceiver and conveyed to the logic circuitry over the digital data path. 
     The antenna system may be formed from one or more antenna elements. System performance may be enhanced by using different types of elements in the same antenna system. For example, a clutch barrel antenna may be formed using a first antenna element and a second antenna element of different types. These antenna elements may be flex circuit elements that are mounted to a dielectric antenna support structure. The dielectric antenna support structure may be mounted to a metal frame within the clutch barrel. 
     The metal frame may have a tab-shaped heat sink extension. The tab-shaped extension may serve to draw heat away from the transceiver circuitry during operation of the transceiver circuitry. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative wireless electronic device such as a laptop computer that may be provided with transceiver structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative laptop computer having a housing portion such as a clutch barrel in which antenna and transceiver structures may be located in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view an illustrative antenna and transceiver mounted within the clutch barrel of a portable electronic device such as a laptop computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram of an illustrative antenna and transceiver coupled to circuitry on a main logic board in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing how a flexible communications path such as a flex circuit path can be used to interconnect a transceiver and control circuitry in a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing how a flexible communications path such as a flex circuit path can be used in mounting a transceiver and can be used to interconnect a transceiver with circuitry in another portion of a wireless electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an illustrative antenna and transceiver mounted within a compact portion of an electronic device housing such as the clutch barrel of a portable computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing how an antenna may be located between two transceivers in a clutch barrel of a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing how a transceiver may be located between two antennas in a clutch barrel of a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of illustrative mounting structures that may be used in mounting clutch barrel transceiver circuitry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a portable electronic device housing and associated clutch barrel antenna structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional end view of a portion of a clutch barrel in a portable computer that contains an antenna and transceiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a portable electronic device housing and clutch barrel antenna showing how the device housing may have a frame with an associated heat sink portion for a clutch barrel transceiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a clutch barrel antenna and clutch barrel transceiver when mounted to housing structures in a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to antennas and transceivers for wireless electronic devices. The wireless electronic devices may, in general, be any suitable electronic devices. As an example, the wireless electronic devices may be desktop computers or other computer equipment. The wireless electronic devices may also be portable electronic devices such as laptop computers or small portable computers of the type that are sometimes referred to as ultraportables. Portable wireless electronic devices may also be somewhat smaller devices. Examples of smaller portable electronic devices include wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, other wearable and miniature devices, and handheld electronic devices. The portable electronic devices may be cellular telephones, media players with wireless communications capabilities, handheld computers (also sometimes called personal digital assistants), remote controls, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and handheld gaming devices. Devices such as these may be multifunctional. For example, a cellular telephone may be provided with media player functionality or a tablet personal computer may be provided with the functions of a remote control or GPS device. 
     Portable electronic devices such as these may have housings. Arrangements in which antennas and transceivers are incorporated into the clutch barrel housing portion of portable computers such as laptops are sometimes described herein as an example. This is, however, merely illustrative. Antennas and transceivers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be located in any suitable housing portion in any suitable wireless electronic device. 
     An illustrative electronic device such as a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Device  10  may be any suitable electronic device. As an example, device  10  may be a laptop computer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  10  may have a housing  12 . Housing  12 , which is sometimes referred to as a case, may have an upper portion such as portion  16  and lower portion such as portion  14 . Upper housing portion  16  may sometimes be referred to as a cover or lid. Lower housing portion  14  may sometimes be referred to as a base. 
     Device  10  may be provided with any suitable number of antennas. There may be, for example, one antenna, two antennas, three antennas, or more than three antennas, in device  10 . Each antenna may handle communications over a single communications band or multiple communications bands. In the example of  FIG. 1 , device  10  is shown as including an antenna such as antenna  22 . 
     Device  10  may have integrated circuits such as a microprocessor. Integrated circuits may also be included in device  10  for memory, input-output functions, etc. Circuitry such as this is sometimes referred to collectively as control circuitry or logic circuitry. 
     Circuitry in device  10  such as integrated circuits and other circuit components may be located in lower housing portion  14 . For example, a main logic board (sometimes referred to as a motherboard) may be used to mount some or all of this circuitry. The main logic board circuitry may be implemented using a single printed circuit board or multiple printed circuit boards. Printed circuit boards in device  10  may be formed from rigid printed circuit board materials or flexible printed circuit board materials. An example of a rigid printed circuit board material is fiberglass-filled epoxy. An example of a flexible printed circuit board material is polyimide. Flexible printed circuit board structures may be used for mounting integrated circuits and other circuit components and may be used to form communications pathways in device  10 . Flexible printed circuit board structures such as these are sometimes referred to as “flex circuits.” 
     If desired, wireless communications circuitry such as transceiver circuitry for supporting operations with antenna  22  may be mounted on a radio-frequency module associated with antenna  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a communications path such as path  24  may be used to interconnect antenna  22  and transceiver circuitry on the radio-frequency module to circuitry  28  in lower housing portion  14 . Path  24  may be implemented, for example, using a cable or a flex circuit that is connected to the radio-frequency module associated with antenna  22 . 
     Circuitry  28  may include wireless communications circuitry and other processing circuitry. This circuitry may be associated with a main logic board (motherboard) in lower housing  14  (as an example). Analog radio-frequency antenna signals and/or digital data associated with antenna  22  may be conveyed over path  24 . An advantage to locating radio-frequency transceiver circuitry in the immediate vicinity of antenna  22  is that this allows data to be conveyed between the motherboard in housing portion  14  and antenna  22  digitally without incurring radio-frequency transmission line losses along path  24 . 
     Device  10  may use antennas such as antenna  22  to handle communications over any communications bands of interest. For example, antennas and wireless communications circuitry in device  10  may be used to handle cellular telephone communications in one or more frequency bands and data communications in one or more communications bands. Typical data communications bands that may be handled by the wireless communications circuitry in device  10  include the 2.4 GHz band that is sometimes used for Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) and Bluetooth® communications, the 5 GHz band that is sometimes used for Wi-Fi communications, the 1575 MHz Global Positioning System band, and 2G and 3G cellular telephone bands. These bands may be covered using single-band and multiband antennas. For example, cellular telephone communications can be handled using a multiband cellular telephone antenna. A single band antenna may be provided to handle Bluetooth® communications. Antenna  22  may, as an example, be a multiband antenna that handles local area network data communications at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (e.g., for IEEE 802.11 communications). These are merely examples. Any suitable antenna structures may be used to cover any communications bands of interest. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a hinge mechanism such as hinge  38  may be used to attach cover  16  to base  14 . Hinge  38  may allow cover  16  to rotate relative to base  14  about longitudinal hinge axis  40 . If desired, other attachment mechanisms may be used such as a rotating and pivoting hinge for a tablet computer. Device  10  may also be implemented using a one-piece housing. In devices with two-piece housings, the hinge portion of the device may contain springs that form a clutch mechanism and may therefore sometimes be referred to as a clutch barrel. Antenna  22  and associated transceiver circuitry on a radio-frequency module may, if desired, be located within clutch barrel  38 . 
     Device  10  may have a display such as display  20 . Display  20  may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or a plasma display (as examples). If desired, touch screen functionality may be incorporated into display  20 . The touch screen may be responsive to user input. Display  20  may be mounted in upper housing  16  using a metal frame or other suitable support structures. 
     Device  10  may also have other input-output devices such as keypad  36 , touch pad  34 , and buttons such as button  32 . Input-output jacks and ports  30  may be used to provide an interface for accessories such as a microphone and headphones. A microphone and speakers may also be incorporated into housing  12 . 
     The edges of display  20  may be surrounded by a bezel  18 . Bezel  18  may be formed from a separate bezel structure such as a plastic ring or may be formed as an integral portion of a cover glass layer that protects display  20 . For example, bezel  18  may be implemented by forming an opaque black glass portion for display  20  or an associated cover glass piece. This type of arrangement may be used, for example, to provide upper housing  16  with an attractive uncluttered appearance. 
     When cover  16  is in a closed position, display  20  will generally lie flush with the upper surface of lower housing  14 . In this position, magnets on cover  16  may help hold cover  16  in place. Magnets may be located, for example, behind bezel portion  18 . 
     Housing  12  may be formed from any suitable materials such as plastics, metals, glass, ceramic, carbon fiber, composites, combinations of plastic and metal, etc. To provide good durability and aesthetics, it is often desirable to use metal to form at least the exterior surface layer of housing  12 . Interior portions such as frames and other support members may be formed from plastic in areas where light weight and radio-frequency transparency are desired and may be formed from metal in areas where good structural strength is desirable. In configurations in which an antenna such as antenna  22  is located in clutch barrel  38 , it may be desirable to form the cover portion of clutch barrel  38  from a dielectric such as plastic, as this allows radio-frequency signals to freely pass between the interior and exterior of the clutch barrel. 
     Particularly in devices in which cover  16  and lower housing portion  14  are formed from metal, it can be challenging to properly locate antenna structures. Antenna structures that are blocked by conductive materials such as metal will not generally function properly. An advantage of locating at least some of the antenna structures for device  10  in clutch barrel  38  is that this portion of device  10  can be provided with a dielectric cover without adversely affecting the aesthetics of device  10 . There is generally also sufficient space available within a laptop clutch barrel for an antenna and associated transceiver circuitry, because it can be difficult to mount other device components into this portion of device  10 . 
     If desired, device  10  may be provided with multiple antennas. For example, an antenna for wireless local area network applications (e.g., IEEE 802.11) may be provided within clutch barrel  38  while a Bluetooth® antenna may be formed from a conductive cavity that is located behind bezel region  18  (as an example). Additional antennas may be used to support cellular telephone network communications (e.g., for 2G and 3G voice and data services) and other communications bands. 
     An antenna such as a clutch barrel antenna may be formed from a single antenna element. In some situations, it may be advantageous to form antennas for devices such as device  10  using multiple antenna elements. For example, a clutch barrel antenna may be formed from two antenna elements, three antenna elements, more than three antenna elements, etc. Antennas such as these are sometimes referred to as antenna arrays, antenna systems, antenna structures, or multielement antennas. 
     As an example, a clutch barrel antenna may be formed from first and second antenna elements. The first and second antenna elements may be arranged at different positions along longitudinal axis  40  of clutch barrel  38 . This type of configuration is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , antenna  22  may be formed from a first antenna element such as antenna element  22 A and a second antenna element  22 B. Each of these antenna elements may, if desired, serve as a stand-alone antenna. Because these elements are typically used in applications in which they work together as part of a larger antenna array, antennas such as antennas  22 A and  22 B are sometimes referred to herein as antenna elements or antenna structures. The antenna structures of antenna  22  include resonating element portions and ground portions. 
     Antennas that are formed from multiple antenna elements such as elements  22 A and  22 B may be used, for example, to implement multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) applications. Particularly in arrangements such as these, it may be desirable to form antennas that are not identical. Differences in polarization, gain, spatial location, and other characteristics may help these antennas operate well in an array. Differences such as these may also help to balance the operation of the overall antenna that is formed from the elements. For example, if antenna elements  22 A and  22 B have electric field polarizations that are distributed differently, the overall directivity of antenna  22  may be minimized. If antennas are too directive in nature, they may not function properly for certain applications. Antennas formed from elements  22 A and  22 B that exhibit different antenna characteristics may exhibit reduced directivity, allowing these antennas to be used in desired applications while complying with regulatory limits. 
     Antenna elements that exhibit desired differences in their operating characteristics such as their electric-field polarization distribution and gain distribution may be formed by ensuring that the sizes and shapes of the conductive elements that make up each of antenna elements are sufficiently different from each other. Antenna element differences may also be implemented by using different dielectric loading schemes for each of the elements. Antenna elements may also be made to perform differently by orienting elements differently (e.g., at right angles to each other). 
     Antenna elements that exhibit different operating characteristics can also be implemented using different antenna designs. For example, one antenna element may be implemented using a planar inverted-F antenna design and another antenna may be implemented using a slot antenna architecture. Examples of antenna types that may be used for the antenna elements in antenna  22  include inverted-F antenna elements such as a single-arm or multiple arm elements, planar inverted-F antenna elements (e.g., planar inverted-F antenna elements with one or more planar arms), slot antennas (e.g., slot antennas having closed and/or open slots of similar or dissimilar lengths), or a hybrid antenna (e.g., a hybrid antenna that includes a slot and a planar-inverted-F antenna resonating element arm or that includes a slot and an inverted-F resonating element). Element  22 A may be formed from one of these structures and element  22 B may be formed from a different one of these structures (as an example). 
     As described in connection with  FIG. 1 , antenna  22  and associated transceiver circuitry may be located in the clutch barrel portion of a portable computer. As shown in the exploded diagram of  FIG. 2 , clutch barrel  38  of device  10  may be provided with outer surface  42 . Outer surface  42  may be formed entirely or partly from a dielectric such as plastic. This type of arrangement may be used to ensure that outer surface  42  does not block radio-frequency antenna signals. If desired, nearby portions of device  10  such as portion  44  of upper housing  16  and portion  46  of lower housing  14  can be formed from conductive materials. 
     Clutch barrel cover  42  may be formed from a unitary (one-piece) structure or may be formed from multiple parts. Clutch barrel cover  42  may have any suitable shape. For example, surface  42  may be substantially cylindrical in shape. Surface  42  may also have other shapes such as shapes with planar surfaces, shapes with curved surfaces, shapes with both curved and flat surfaces, etc. In general, the shape for the outer surface of clutch barrel  38  may be selected based on aesthetics, so long as the resulting shape for clutch barrel  38  does not impede rotational movement of upper housing portion  16  relative to lower housing portion  14  about clutch barrel longitudinal axis  40  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Clutch barrel arrangements in which radio-frequency transceiver circuitry is mounted adjacent to antenna  22  can improve radio-frequency performance for device  10  by reducing transmission line signal losses. This is because the length of the transmission line paths between the transceiver circuitry and antenna  22  can be minimized. 
     An illustrative clutch barrel configuration in which transceiver circuitry is mounted in the vicinity of antenna  22  in clutch barrel  38  is shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , clutch barrel  38  may have associated springs such as springs  250  that form part of the hinge mechanism for device  10 . Transceiver circuitry  252  may be located within clutch barrel  38  between springs  250 . Transceiver circuitry  252  may include one or more wireless communications circuits such as radio-frequency input amplifiers (sometimes referred to as low-noise amplifiers) and radio-frequency output amplifiers (sometimes referred to as power amplifiers), integrated circuits that handle modulation and demodulation operations, communications chips, discrete components such as inductors, capacitors, and resistors, etc. Transceiver circuitry  252  may be implemented by mounting components to a printed circuit board or other suitable carrier. In arrangements such as these, the components in transceiver circuitry  252  and the substrate to which they are mounted form a radio-frequency module or assembly. Transceiver circuitry  252  may therefore sometimes be referred to as a radio-frequency module or radio-frequency assembly. 
     Radio-frequency transmission line path  254  may be used to convey radio-frequency signals from antenna elements in antenna  22  to transceiver circuitry  252 . Radio-frequency transmission line path  254  may also be used to convey radio-frequency signals to the antenna elements in antenna  22  from transceiver circuitry  252 . Any suitable transmission line structures may be used to form path  254 . For example, path  254  may include one or more coaxial cables, one or more microstrip transmission lines, combinations of coaxial cables and microstrip transmission lines, or other suitable paths that can carry radio-frequency signals between transceiver circuitry  252  and antenna  22 . 
     Transceiver circuitry  252  may communicate with circuitry  28  on one or more printed circuit boards such as motherboard  256  in main housing portion  14  using communications paths such as path  24 . Circuitry  28  may include logic circuitry for transmitting and receiving digital data (as an example). For example, circuitry  28  may include one or more communications integrated circuits that provide data to transceiver circuitry  252  over path  24  in digital form that is to be transmitted by transceiver circuitry  252  and antenna  22 . When operating as a receiver, transceiver circuitry  252  may receive incoming radio-frequency signals from antenna  22  and may convert these signals into received data in digital form. This data may be passed to circuitry  28  over path  24  as digital data. The digital data that is conveyed over path  24  may be, for example, data in a 2.4 GHz digital data stream or a data stream at any other suitable data rate. 
     An advantage to the arrangement of  FIG. 3  is that it helps to minimize transmission line losses. Transmission line losses in conventional systems can be associated with nonnegligible reductions in performance. For example, coaxial cable transmission lines can introduce losses on the order of 3 dB per meter. It is not uncommon for coaxial cable transmission line losses in a laptop computer to reach 1.5 dB. Transmission line losses of this magnitude can adversely affect performance during signal transmission and signal reception activities. 
     When signals are transmitted, radio-frequency transmission line losses reduce transmitted power levels. If the power of a transmitted radio-frequency signal is too low, the signal will not be received properly by the equipment with which it is communicating. Although power levels can generally be raised by increasing the output power of the power amplifier that is feeding the antenna, this can waste power and lead to increased noise levels. 
     Transmission line losses also affect signal quality for incoming signals. After radio-frequency signals are received by the antenna, these signals must traverse a length of transmission line before reaching the input of the low noise amplifier in the transceiver. If transmission line losses are large, the power of the incoming signal can be significantly reduced. Although the gain of the low noise amplifier can be increased to compensate for low power signals, the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal will be adversely affected by the transmission line losses. 
     With arrangements of the type shown in  FIG. 3  in which transceiver circuitry  252  and antenna  22  are located within clutch barrel  38 , the length of the transmission lines in transmission line path  254  can be minimized. Reductions in the length of path  254  help to reduce transmission line losses and therefore improve signal quality (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio). 
     Because path  24  carries digital data and not analog radio-frequency signals, signal losses on path  24  are less important than the radio-frequency signal losses incurred on path  254 . So long as path  24  is able to carry the digital data without excessive levels of noise, performance will not be adversely affected, even if the length of path  24  is significant. 
     Digital data communications schemes for path  24  may also implement features that help accommodate signal degradation. For example, error correction features may be implemented for path  24 . These error correction features may involve the use of error correction codes (e.g., cyclic redundancy check codes), the use of data retransmission schemes when errors are detected, the use of signal preemphasis and other signal conditioning techniques, or other arrangements for ensuring high-quality data transmission. Digital data communications functions for transmitting and receiving data over path  24  may be implemented using hardware and/or software. For example, if it is desired to use error correction coding on the data being conveyed over path  24 , the digital data transmitter and receiver circuits associated with transmitter circuitry  252  and circuitry  28  may be provided with error correction circuitry (as an example). 
     Although digital data schemes are typically preferred, path  24  may, if desired, be used to carry analog data signals. The use of arrangements in which path  24  is used to carry digital data is generally described herein as an example. 
     Data may be conveyed over path  24  at any suitable data rate. Path  24  may include one or more serial data paths or one or more parallel paths. An example of a data communications arrangement that uses parallel bus paths is the Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) standard. An example of a data communications arrangement that uses serial paths is the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) standard. Communications links such as PCIE links contain multiple serial paths called lanes. For example, a 1 GB/s PCIE link can be formed from four 250 MB/s lanes operating in parallel. Path  24  may be formed from one or more PCIE lanes, may be formed from a parallel bus (e.g., a PCI bus), or may be formed using any other suitable communications link arrangement. Digital data communications circuits in the circuitry at both ends of path  24  may be used to handle multiple lanes of digital data signals. 
     For example, circuitry  28  may include communications chips (e.g., a communications integrated circuit for conveying data over path  24 ), a microprocessor, memory, input-output circuits, and other discrete circuits and integrated circuits that can handle multiple lanes of digital data. Circuitry  28  may be mounted on a support structure such as motherboard  256 . Motherboard  256  may be implemented using a single printed circuit structure or using multiple structures. For example, one or more rigid printed circuit boards may be used to mount and interconnect components in circuitry  28 . If desired, flex circuits may be used to interconnect some or all of circuitry  28 . 
       FIG. 4  shows circuitry that may be used in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , circuitry  28  may be made up of one or more circuits such as circuits  28 A,  28 B, etc. Circuits such as circuits  28 A and  28 B may be integrated circuits. One or more of the circuits in circuitry  28  may include digital data communications circuitry  276 . Data communications circuitry  276  may be used to send and receive digital data over path  24 . Signals may be conveyed between circuit  276  and path  24  over path  258  on board  256  (as an example). A connector such as connector  260  may be used in connecting cables in path  24  to board  256 . Connector  260  may be, for example, a PCI Express connector that mates with a ribbon cable or other cable in path  24 . 
     In clutch barrel  38 , transceiver circuitry  252  may have an associated connector such as connector  262 . Cables in path  24  may be connected to a circuit board in circuitry  252  using connector  262 . Connector  262  may be, for example, a PCI Express connector. A path such as path  272  may be used to interconnect connector  262  with digital data communications circuitry  274 . Digital data communications circuitry  274  may be implemented using a stand-alone integrated circuit or may be implemented as part of transceiver integrated circuit  264 . Transceiver integrated circuit  264  may convert received digital data signals from path  24  into radio-frequency signals for transmission over antenna  22 . Received radio-frequency signals from antenna  22  may be converted by transceiver integrated circuit  264  into digital data. This digital data may be conveyed to circuitry  28  using digital data communications circuitry  274 . 
     Transceiver circuitry  264  may be implemented using a single integrated circuit, using multiple integrated circuits, using discrete components, using combinations of these arrangements, or using any other suitable circuits. This circuitry may use one or more input and output radio-frequency amplifiers for amplifying radio-frequency signals. Low-noise amplifier  268  may serve as an input amplifier that receives radio-frequency signals from antenna  22  over transmission line path  254 . Transmitted radio-frequency signals that are produced by transceiver  264  may be amplified by a power amplifier such as output radio-frequency amplifier  266 . Amplified output signals from amplifier  266  may be provided to antenna  22  using transmission line path  254 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , amplifiers  268  and  266  have been implemented using components that are separate from transceiver integrated circuit  264 . This is merely illustrative. Amplifiers such as amplifier  268  and  266  may, if desired, be implemented as part of transceiver circuit  264 . 
     Antenna  22  may be formed from one or more antenna elements such as elements  22 A and  22 B. As indicated by dashed lines  269  and  271 , amplifiers such as amplifiers  268  and  266  may be individually connected to respective antenna elements in antenna  22 . For example, one antenna element in antenna  22  may be used to receive radio-frequency signals. This antenna element may be connected to input amplifier  268  using radio-frequency transmission line input path  269 . Another antenna element in antenna  22  may be used in transmitting radio-frequency signals. This antenna element may be connected to the output of output amplifier  266  using path  271 . This type of arrangement allows outgoing traffic to be transmitted by output amplifier  266  at the same time that incoming traffic is being received by input amplifier  268 , provided that the antenna elements are sufficiently isolated from each other. 
     It may be advantageous for amplifiers  266  and  268  to share antenna circuitry. Sharing arrangements avoid duplicative antenna structures and thereby help to minimize the amount of space required for antenna  22 . When antenna sharing arrangements are used, care should be taken to avoid coupling output signals from the output of output amplifier  266  into the input of amplifier  268  when amplifier  268  is active. Conflicts between incoming and outgoing traffic can be avoided using directional couplers, frequency multiplexing techniques, time multiplexing techniques, or other suitable arrangements. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, circuitry such as circuit element  267  may be interposed between amplifiers  266  and  268  and antenna structures  22 . Circuitry  267  may be implemented using an individual circuit component, a network of circuit components, or any other suitable arrangement. 
     With one suitable arrangement, circuitry  267  may include a switch such as a high-speed solid state switch. The state of the switch can be controlled by control signals from circuitry  252 . When it is desired to transmit radio-frequency signals from the output of amplifier  266 , the switch in circuitry  267  may be placed in a configuration in which the output of amplifier  266  is connected to path  254 . In this configuration, output signals can be transmitted through antenna  22 , but input signals cannot be received. When it is desired to receive input signals, the state of the switch in circuitry  267  can be configured to connect the input of input amplifier  268  to transmission line path  254 . Input signals can be received while the switch is configured in this way, but output signals will be blocked. To accommodate both input and output signals, the switch may be switched back and forth between its input and output configurations as needed. Input and output functions can be associated with alternating time slots of equal length or switch  267  can be configured to form input and output paths on demand according to control signals. These time-division multiplexing schemes may be used to allow amplifier  268  and  266  to share a common antenna  22 . 
     Another suitable antenna sharing arrangement involves the use of a circulator in circuitry  267 . A circulator may have first, second, and third ports. Signals received at the first port will be routed to the second port. Signals received at the second port will be routed to the third port. Similarly, signals that are provided to the third port will be directed towards the first port. The first, second, and third ports of the circulator may be connected, respectively, to the output of amplifier  266 , transmission line path  254 , and the input of amplifier  268 . With this type of circuitry  267 , incoming radio-frequency signals from antenna  22  will be directed to the input of amplifier  268  without coupling power to the output of amplifier  266  and outgoing signals from the output of amplifier  266  will be directed to transmission line  254  without coupling power to the input of amplifier  268 . 
     As an alternative to using a circulator, circuitry  267  may be provided with a duplexer. A duplexer can be designed to implement a directional coupler scheme. Amplifier  266  may be associated with a first coupler port and amplifier  268  may be associated with a second coupler port. The first and second ports can be isolated from each other. A duplexer can also be designed to implement a frequency sharing scheme. As an example, certain sub-bands in a communications band may be exclusively associated with data transmission operations and other sub-bands in the communications band may be exclusively associated with data reception operations. The duplexer in this type of arrangement will route signals based on their frequencies, so outgoing signals will be routed to antenna  22  without coupling power into the input of amplifier  268 , whereas incoming signals will be routed to the input of amplifier  268  without coupling power into the output of amplifier  266 . 
     Antenna elements in antenna  22  such as antenna elements  22 A and  22 B may be mounted on an antenna support structure such as support structure  48 . Antenna support structure  48  may be formed from a dielectric such as plastic to avoid blocking radio-frequency signals from antenna  22 . Antenna elements in antenna  22  may, if desired, be formed from flex circuits. With this type of arrangement, each antenna element may be formed from a flex circuit with a different pattern of conductive traces. These flex circuit elements may be mounted to antenna support structure  48 . Conductive transmission line pathways may be used to interconnect the antenna elements with transceiver circuitry  252 . By mounting antenna  22  adjacent to transceiver circuitry  252 , the length of the transmission line paths between transceiver circuitry  252  and antenna  22  may be minimized (e.g., to be less than 20 cm, to be less than 10 cm, to be less than 5 cm, etc.). 
     If desired, some or all of path  24  may be implemented using flex circuits. An example of this type of arrangement is shown in  FIG. 5 . In the  FIG. 5  configuration, path  24  is formed from traces on a flex circuit. The flex circuit may flex about axis  278 . For example, flex circuit path  24  may bend about axis  278  as a user opens and closes lid  16  of device  10  and thereby causes lid  16  to rotate about axis  40  relative to base  14 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , circuitry  28  may be mounted to board  256  and connected to flex circuit path  24  by path  258  and connector  260 . Connector  262  on board  276  may be connected to the opposing end of flex circuit path  24 . Path  272  may be used to interconnect connector  262  to transceiver circuitry such as circuitry  264 . Board  276  may be mounted in clutch barrel  38  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Another illustrative configuration is shown in  FIG. 6 . In the  FIG. 6  arrangement, transceiver circuitry  264  (e.g., one or more transceiver integrated circuits) has been mounted directly to flex circuit substrate  284 . Portion  280  of flex circuit  284  therefore serves as a mounting structure for circuitry  264  and may contain traces to form communications path  272 . Portion  282  of flex circuit  284  contains traces that form communications path  24 . As with the arrangement of  FIG. 5 , flex circuit path  24  may flex about axis  278  when cover  16  is rotated relative to base  14  in device  10 . Flex circuit  24  may be connected to circuitry  28  on motherboard  256  using connector  260  and path  258 . 
       FIG. 7  shows how transceiver circuitry  252  may be mounted within clutch barrel  38  adjacent to antenna  22 . Clutch barrel cover  42  may surround transceiver circuitry  252  and antenna  22 . Transmission line path  254  may be used to convey signals between transceiver circuitry  252  and antenna  22 . Antenna structure  22  may include one, two, or more than two antenna elements such as elements  22 A and  22 B. 
     In the example of  FIG. 7 , transceiver  252  is located at one end of clutch barrel  38  and antenna  22  is located at the other end of clutch barrel  38 . If desired, antenna  22  may be located between two or more transceiver circuits, as shown in  FIG. 8 . In the example of  FIG. 8 , antenna  22  is located between transceiver  252 A and transceiver  252 B. Transmission line path  254 A may be used to interconnect transceiver circuitry  252 A with antenna  22 . Transmission line path  254 B may be used to interconnect transceiver circuitry  252 B with antenna  22 . Transceivers  252 A and  252 B may, for example, be associated with respective antenna elements in antenna  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , arrangements in which transceiver circuitry  252  is located between antenna elements in clutch barrel  38  may also be used. In the  FIG. 9  example, transceiver circuitry  252  is connected to antenna element  22 A by transmission line path  254 A. Transceiver circuitry  252  may be connected to antenna element  22 B by transmission line path  254 B. Paths such as transmission line path  254  of  FIG. 7  and paths  254 A and  254 B of  FIGS. 8 and 9  may each be formed from one or more coaxial cables, one or more microstrip transmission lines, or other transmission lines. 
     Transceiver circuitry  252  may be provided using one or more integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may each provide a different transceiver function (e.g., conversion between radio-frequency signals and digital data signals, amplification, etc.). Transceiver integrated circuits such as these may be mounted on in a radio-frequency module. An illustrative arrangement in which transceiver circuitry  252  has been implemented as a radio-frequency module is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the radio-frequency module for transceiver  252  may have a main support structure such as printed circuit board  286 . Connector  262  may be used to attach communications path  24  to board  286 . One or more integrated circuits for supporting transceiver functions may be mounted to board  286 . In the  FIG. 10  example, there are two such integrated circuits mounted to board  286 . The first integrated circuit is mounted in electromagnetic interference shielding can  290 . The second integrated circuit is mounted in electromagnetic interference shielding can  292 . Additional shielding cans may be used to house additional integrated circuits if desired. Discrete components such as components  288  may also be mounted to board  286  in radio-frequency transceiver module  252 . Coaxial cable connectors  294  such as UFL connectors may be connected to transmission line cables  254 A and  254 B in transmission line path  254  (as an example). 
     Clutch barrel antenna  22  may be formed from any suitable antenna structures such as stamped or etched metal foil, wires, printed circuit board traces, other pieces of conductor, etc. Conductive structures may be freestanding or may be supported on substrates. Examples of suitable substrates that may be used in forming antenna  22  include rigid printed circuit boards such as fiberglass-filled epoxy boards and flex circuits. In printed circuit boards and flex circuits, conductive traces may be used in forming antenna structures such as antenna resonating elements, ground structures, impedance matching networks, and feeds. These conductive traces may be formed from conductive materials such as metal (e.g., copper, gold, etc.). 
     An advantage of using flex circuits in forming antenna structures is that flex circuits can be inexpensive to manufacture and can be fabricated with accurate trace dimensions. Flex circuits also have the ability to conform to non-planar shapes. This allows flex circuit antenna elements to be formed that curve to follow the curved surface of clutch barrel surface  42 . 
     Illustrative structures for implementing antenna  22  and for mounting transceiver circuitry  252  in clutch barrel  38  are shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  13 , and  14 . 
     An exploded perspective view of antenna  22  in the vicinity of housing portion  16  is shown in  FIG. 11 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , housing  16  may include a cover such as cover portion  188 . Cover  188  may be a sheet of metal that serves as the outer cover layer for upper housing portion  16  (e.g., the lid of device  10 ). Metal support structures such as frame  190  may be mounted within metal layer  188 . An elastomeric member such as gasket  192  may be mounted to frame  190 . A display such as a liquid crystal display may be mounted in upper housing portion  16 . When mounted, gasket  192  may help to prevent the display from bearing against edge  194  of housing layer  188  and the inner portion of frame  190 . Because frame  190  may be used in mounting a display, frame  190  is sometimes referred to as a display frame. 
     Frame  190  may have holes  186  that mate with corresponding holes in antenna support  48 . Coaxial cable connectors that are associated with transmission line path  254  may be connected to antenna  22  at attachment locations  180  and  182 . The coaxial cable connectors may be, for example, UFL connectors. One connector (connector  180 ) may be connected to a first cable in transmission line path  254  such as cable  254 A of  FIG. 10 . Another connector (connector  182 ) may be connected to a second cable in transmission line path  254  such as cable  254 B of  FIG. 10 . Conductive foam or other suitable conductive structures may be used to ground antenna  22  to housing  16 . For example, conductive foam at ground locations  164  and  152  may be used to ground antenna  22  to frame  190 . Frame  190  may be shorted to case  188 . Heat stakes  184  may be used to align flex circuits  22 A and  22 B to antenna support structure  48 . 
     If desired, antenna support structure  48  may have ribbed internal support member or ribs may be formed as an integral portion of antenna support structure  48 . Antenna support structure  48  may also be formed from multiple parts that are joined together (e.g., multiple plastic parts such as ribbed supports, support surfaces, etc.). Screw holes may be provided in antenna support structure  48 . Screws may pass through the screw holes in support structure  48  and may be screwed into threads in screw holes  186  to secure support structure  48  to frame  190 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the lower portion of clutch barrel cover  42  may have an opening such as opening  204  that runs along substantially the entire length of clutch barrel cover  42 . Opening  204  allows conductive housing portions such as portions  202  of display frame  190  to protrude into the interior of clutch barrel  38 . These conductive members may serve as antenna ground for antenna  22  and may be electrically connected to the conductive traces of the flex circuit antenna elements mounted to support  48  using conductive members such as conductive foam  164 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , a heat sink structure such as heat sink  296  may be formed in housing  16 . Transceiver circuitry  252  ( FIG. 10 ) may be mounted in region  298  so that radio-frequency shielding cans such as cans  290  and  292  rest against heat sink  296 . This helps draw heat away from the transceiver circuitry during operation. In the  FIG. 13  example, heat sink  296  has been formed as an integral portion of frame  190  by forming a tab-shaped extension upward from housing  16  (in the orientation of  FIG. 13 ). In this type of configuration, both frame  190  and extension  296  may be formed of metal. 
     If desired, heat sink  296  may be formed from a separate structure (e.g., a piece of metal that has been attached to frame  190  by welds or fasteners). Other arrangements may also be used. For example, a heat sink may be formed from portions of metal layer  188  or from a structure that is connected directly to metal layer  188 . An advantage of forming a heat sink such as heat sink  296  as an integral portion of frame  190  is that this helps to avoid air gaps which might otherwise develop between separate metal pieces. Because air gaps are avoided, good thermal conduction may be ensured between heat sink  296  and housing  16  (frame  190 ) without the need for thermal compound (thermal paste). 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 11 , but showing antenna  22  and transceiver circuitry  252  mounted to housing portion  16 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , circuitry  252  may be mounted to the end of antenna support structure  48  in region  200  next to heat sink  296 . 
     Circuitry  252  and antenna  22  have an elongated shape that allows these components to be mounted within clutch barrel  38  of device  10  ( FIG. 1 ). In the view depicted in  FIG. 14 , clutch barrel cover  42  is not shown, so that the interior components of clutch barrel  38  are not obstructed from view. Clutch barrel cover  42  is shown in the cross-sectional view of clutch barrel  38  in  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , clutch barrel cover  42  may encase and surround antenna support structure  48  and may likewise surround and encase transceiver circuitry  252 . Antenna elements  22 A and  22 B, which are supported on the outer surface of antenna support structure  48 , are also covered by clutch barrel cover  42 . To ensure that the operation of antenna  22  is not blocked by the presence of cover  42 , clutch barrel cover  42  may be formed from a dielectric such as plastic. 
     During operation, heat may be generated by transceiver circuitry  252 . This heat may be drawn away by heat sink  296  in frame  190 . Heat transfer material  300  may be used to provide good thermal contact between circuitry  252  (e.g., can  292 ) and heat sink  296 . Heat transfer material  300  may be formed from heat conducting foam, thermal compound (also sometimes referred to as thermal grease or thermal paste), heat conducting adhesive, or any other suitable heat conducting structures. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080925
Publication Date: 20111115
Grant Date: 20111115
Priority Date: 20080925
Inventors: AYALA VAZQUEZ ENRIQUE
XU HAO
SPRINGER GREGORY A.
CHIANG BING
CAMACHO EDUARDO LOPEZ
KOUGH DOUGLAS B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01Q1/38", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/38", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/2266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/2266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 42037103