Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Microstrip
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-15
2004-07-06
Ho, Tan (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Microstrip
C343S702000, C343S872000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06759986
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to the field of antennas, particularly patch antennas of the type used for wireless telecommunications devices. A simple patch antenna has a very small VSWR bandwidth, 0.7%-1.5% (where VSWR indicates “Voltage Standing Wave Ratio”). In order to increase the VSWR bandwidth of a patch antenna, a parasitic patch element can be deployed above a driven patch element. This is called a “stacked patch” antenna. The parasitic element increases the capacitance of the driven antenna element, thereby increasing the bandwidth of the antenna system. The separation between the driven element and the parasitic element contributes to the VSWR bandwidth and the antenna gain.
In a common stacked antenna arrangement, a parasitic element is etched onto a rigid circuit board using standard techniques for manufacturing printed circuit boards. The parasitic element is then typically mounted above a driven antenna element, which is also typically etched onto a rigid circuit board using standard techniques for manufacturing printed circuit boards. This type of construction can be expensive since several manufacturing steps are required to produce the parasitic element in the proper relation to the driven element. Also, the placement and separation between the elements is critical in realizing the desired bandwidth results. This can be hard to control using previous-type techniques, thereby adding to the cost of manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The difficulties and drawbacks of previous-type deployments are overcome by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The present stacked patch antenna includes a first antenna element and a second antenna element for cooperating with the first antenna element. These antenna elements are preferably a passive parasitic element in combination with a driven element. A flexible substrate is provided having first and second opposing surfaces, each respectively in contact with the second (parasitic) antenna element. The flexible substrate preferably has a desired dielectric property to provide the desired coupling between the antenna elements. One or both of the antenna elements are formed on the respective opposing surface. The antenna element is preferably formed by printing.
As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5382959 (1995-01-01), Pett et al.
patent: 5539414 (1996-07-01), Keen
patent: 5541616 (1996-07-01), Kawahata et al.
patent: 5661494 (1997-08-01), Bondyopadhyay
patent: 5798734 (1998-08-01), Ohtsuka et al.
patent: 5821902 (1998-10-01), Keen
patent: 5874919 (1999-02-01), Rawnick et al.
patent: 6278413 (2001-08-01), Hugh et al.
Anderson Fred J.
Johnson Daniel N.
Saliga Stephen V.
Cisco Technologies, Inc.
Ho Tan
Tucker Ellis & West LLP
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