CN1906805A - System and method for transmission parameter control for an antenna apparatus with selectable elements - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for a wireless link to a remote receiver includes a communication device for generating RF and an antenna apparatus for transmitting the RF. The antenna apparatus comprises a plurality of selective antenna elements, each element provides gain and a horizontally polarized directional radiation pattern. The different antenna elements may be switched to result in configurable radiation patterns or with multiple of the antenna elements to form an omnidirectional horizontally polarized radiation pattern. One or more directors and/or reflector may be included to concentrate the radiation pattern. The antenna apparatus may be conformally mounted to a housing containing the communication device and the antenna apparatus.

Description

Systems and methods for omnidirectional planar antenna devices with selectable elements

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/602,711, filed August 18, 2004, entitled "Planar Antenna ApparatusFOR Isotropic Coverage and Qos Optimization in Wireless Network," which is hereby incorporated by reference, and filed August 2004 Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/603,157, filed on the 18th, entitled "Software for Controlling a Planar Antenna Apparatus FOR Isotropic Coverage and Qos Optimization in Wireless Network," which is hereby incorporated by reference.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication networks, and more particularly to a system and method for an omnidirectional planar antenna device with selectable elements.

Background technique

In communication systems, there is an ever-increasing demand for higher data throughput rates and a corresponding drive to reduce interference that can interrupt data communication. For example, in an IEEE 802.11 network, an access point (ie, base station) communicates data over a wireless link with one or more remote receiving nodes (eg, a network adapter card). Wireless links are susceptible to interference from other access points, other wireless transmitting devices, changes or disturbances in the wireless link environment between the access point and remote receiving nodes, and the like. The interference may, for example, degrade the wireless link by forcing communication at a lower data rate, or interference so strong as to completely break the wireless link.

One solution for reducing interference in the wireless link between an access point and a remote node is to provide the access point with several omnidirectional antennas in a "diversity" scheme. For example, a common configuration of APs includes a data source coupled to two or more physically separate omni-directional antennas via a switched network. The access point may select one of the omni-directional antennas by which to maintain a wireless link. Because of the separation between the omnidirectional antennas, each antenna experiences a different signal environment and each antenna contributes a different interference level to the wireless link. The switching network couples the data source to whichever of the omnidirectional antennas experiences the least interference in the wireless link.

However, one problem with using two or more omnidirectional antennas for an access point is that typical omnidirectional antennas are vertically polarized. Vertically polarized radio frequency (RF) energy does not travel as efficiently as horizontally polarized RF energy in a typical office or residential space, and moreover, most laptop wireless cards have horizontally polarized antennas. To date, common solutions to fabricate RF antennas for establishing horizontal polarization are expensive, or do not provide suitable RF performance to be successfully commercially available.

A further problem is that omnidirectional antennas typically consist of an upright rod attached to the housing of the access point. The rod typically consists of a hollow metal rod that is exposed outside the housing and which can break or become damaged. Another problem is that each omnidirectional antenna comprises a separate unit manufactured relative to the access point, thus requiring additional manufacturing steps to include the omnidirectional antenna in the access point.

A further problem with using two or more omnidirectional antennas is that because the physically separate antennas are still relatively close to each other, each of the several antennas will experience a similar Switching an omnidirectional antenna to another omnidirectional antenna reduces interference only relatively small.

Another solution to reduce interference involves beam pointing with an electronically steered phased array antenna. However, the cost of manufacturing phased array antennas is very expensive. Furthermore, phased array antennas may require many phase adjustment elements that may drift or otherwise become misaligned.

Contents of the invention

An antenna device includes a substrate having a first side and a second side substantially parallel to the first side. Each of the plurality of antenna elements on the first side is configured to selectively couple to a communication device and form a first portion of a modified dipole having a directional radiation pattern. The ground component on the second side is configured to form a second portion of the modified dipole. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of antenna elements is located on the same side of the substrate.

In some embodiments, an antenna element selection device may selectively couple one or more of said antenna elements to a communication device. When two or more of said antenna elements are coupled to a communication device, the antenna arrangement may form an omnidirectional radiation pattern. The antenna element may include one or more reflectors and/or directors configured to focus the directional radiation pattern of one or more of the modified dipoles. A combined radiation pattern produced by two or more antenna elements coupled to a communication device may be more or less directional than the radiation pattern of a single antenna element. The combined radiation pattern can also be shifted in direction. The plurality of antenna elements may be conformally mounted to a housing containing the communication device and the antenna arrangement.

A system comprising: a communication device for generating a radio frequency signal, a first means for generating a first directional radiation pattern, a second means for generating a second directional radiation pattern, and a wireless communication device for receiving a radio frequency signal from the communication device. RF signal and selectively couple the first device and/or the second device to the selection device of the communication device. The second directional radiation pattern may be offset in direction from the first directional radiation pattern. In some embodiments, the second directional radiation pattern may be more directional than the first directional radiation pattern, less directional than the first directional radiation pattern, or offset in direction from the first directional radiation pattern and more directional than the first directional radiation pattern. A directional radiation pattern is the same. When the first device and the second device are coupled to the communication device, the first device and the second device can form an omnidirectional radiation pattern. The system may include means for focusing the directional radiation pattern of the first means.

A method includes generating a radio frequency signal in a communication device and coupling at least one of a plurality of coplanar antenna elements to the communication device to generate a directional radiation pattern substantially in the plane of the antenna element. The method may include coupling two or more of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to a communication device to generate an omnidirectional radiation pattern. The method may include focusing the directional radiation pattern using one or more directors and/or reflectors. Coupling at least one of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to the communication device may include biasing a PIN diode or virtually any other means of converting RF energy. The method may include coupling at least two of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to a communication device to produce a more directional radiation pattern. The method may further include coupling at least two of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to a communication device to produce a less directional radiation pattern.

Description of drawings

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the invention. In the figures, the same elements have the same reference numerals. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, not to limit, the invention. Said drawings include:

Figure 1 illustrates a system comprising an omnidirectional planar antenna arrangement with selectable elements in an embodiment according to the invention;

2A and 2B illustrate the planar antenna device of FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the invention;

2C and 2D illustrate dimensions of several components of the planar antenna device of FIG. 1 in one embodiment according to the invention;

3A illustrates various radiation patterns resulting from selection of different antenna elements of the planar antenna arrangement of FIG. 2 in one embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

3B illustrates an elevation radiation pattern of the planar antenna arrangement of FIG. 2 in one embodiment in accordance with the invention; and

4A and 4B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the planar antenna device 110 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed ways

A system for a wireless (ie, radio frequency or RF) link to a remote receiving device includes a communication device generating RF signals and a planar antenna arrangement for transmitting and/or receiving the RF signals. The planar antenna arrangement includes selectable antenna elements. Each of the antenna elements provides gain (regarding isotropy) and a directional radiation pattern substantially in the plane of the antenna element. Each antenna element can be electrically selected (eg, switched on or off) so that the planar antenna device can form a configurable radiation pattern. If all elements are switched on, the planar antenna arrangement forms an omnidirectional radiation pattern. In some embodiments, a planar antenna arrangement can form a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern if two or more of the elements are switched on.

The system may advantageously select a particular configuration of selected antenna elements that minimizes interference on the wireless link to the remote receiving device. If the wireless link is subject to interference, for example, due to other wireless transmitting devices, or changes or perturbations in the wireless link between the system and the remote receiving device, the system may select the A different configuration to alter the resulting radiation pattern and minimize interference. The system may select a configuration of selected antenna elements that corresponds to maximum gain between the system and the remote receiving device. Alternatively, the system may select a configuration of selected antenna elements corresponding to a gain less than the maximum gain but corresponding to reduced interference in the wireless link.

As further described herein, a planar antenna arrangement radiates a directional radiation pattern substantially in the plane of said antenna element. When the unit is mounted horizontally, the RF signal transmission is horizontally polarized so that the indoor RF signal transmission is stronger than a vertically polarized antenna. Planar antenna devices are easily fabricated from a common planar substrate such as an FR4 printed circuit board (PCB). Furthermore, the planar antenna device can be integrated in or conformally mounted to the system's housing to minimize cost and provide support for the planar antenna device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 comprising an omnidirectional planar antenna device with selectable elements in one embodiment according to the invention. System 100 may include, for example, without limitation, a transmitter and/or a receiver, such as an 802.11 access point, 802.11 receiver, a set-top box, laptop computer, television, PCMCIA card, remote control, and a Remote terminals such as handheld gaming devices. In some exemplary embodiments, system 100 includes an access point for communicating with one or more remote receiving nodes (not shown) over a wireless link, eg, in an 802.11 wireless network. Typically, system 100 can receive data from a router connected to the Internet (not shown), and system 100 can send data to one or more remote receiving nodes. System 100 may also form part of a wireless local area network by enabling communication among a number of remote receiving nodes. Although this disclosure will focus on one particular embodiment of the system 100, aspects of the invention are applicable to a variety of appliances and are not limited to the disclosed embodiment. For example, although system 100 may be described as transmitting data to a remote receiving node via a planar antenna device, system 100 may also receive data from a remote receiving node via a planar antenna device.

The system 100 includes a communication device 120 (eg, a transceiver) and a planar antenna arrangement 110 . Communication device 120 includes virtually any device that generates and/or receives RF signals. Communications device 120 may include, for example, a wireless modulator/demodulator that converts data received in system 100 (eg, from a router) into RF signals for transmission to one or more remote receiving nodes. For example, in some embodiments, communications device 120 includes known circuitry to receive video data packets from a router and known circuitry to convert the data packets into 802.11 compliant RF signals.

As further described herein, the planar antenna arrangement 110 includes a plurality of individually selectable planar antenna elements. Each of the antenna elements has a directional radiation pattern with gain (compared to an omnidirectional antenna). Each of the antenna elements also has a polarization substantially in the plane of the planar antenna arrangement 110 . Planar antenna assembly 110 may include an antenna element selection device configured to selectively couple one or more antenna elements to communication device 120 .

2A and 2B illustrate the planar antenna device 110 of FIG. 1 in an embodiment according to the invention. The planar antenna device 110 of this embodiment includes a substrate (considered to be the plane of FIGS. 2A and 2B ) having a first side (eg, FIG. 2A ) and a second side substantially parallel to the first side (eg, FIG. 2A ). Such as 2B). In some embodiments, the substrate comprises a PCB such as FR4, Rogers 4003 or other dielectric material.

On the first side of the substrate, the planar antenna device 110 of FIG. 2A includes an RF feed port 220 and four antenna elements 205a-205d. As described with respect to FIG. 4, although 4 antenna elements are described, more or fewer antenna elements may be contemplated. Although the antenna elements 205a-205d of FIG. 2A are substantially oriented on the diagonal of a square planar antenna in order to minimize the size of the planar antenna device 110, other shapes are also contemplated. Furthermore, although the antenna elements 205a-205d form a radially symmetric layout with respect to the RF feed-in port 220, various asymmetric layouts, rectangular layouts and layouts with symmetry only about one axis are also covered. Furthermore, although depicted as such in FIG. 2A, the antenna elements 205a-205d need not be of the same size.

As shown in FIG. 2B , the planar antenna device 110 includes a ground component 225 on the second side of the substrate. It should be appreciated that a portion of ground assembly 225 (eg, portion 230a ) is configured to form an arrow-shaped bent dipole in conjunction with antenna element 205a. The resulting bent dipole provides a directional radiation pattern substantially in the plane of the planar antenna arrangement 110 , which is further described with respect to FIG. 3 .

2C and 2D illustrate the dimensions of several components of the planar antenna device 110 in an embodiment according to the invention. It should be appreciated that the dimensions of the individual components of the planar antenna device 110 (eg, the antenna element 205 a , a portion 230 a of the ground component 205 ) depend on a desired operating frequency of the planar antenna device 110 . The dimensions of individual components can be determined by using RF simulation software such as IE3D from Zeland Software of Fremont, CA. For example, a planar antenna device 110 incorporating components of dimensions according to FIGS. 2C and 2D is based on a substrate PCB of Rogers 4003 material and is designed for operating frequencies close to 2.4 GHz, but antenna designs commonly known in the art It should be appreciated that different substrates with different dielectric properties, such as FR4, may require different dimensions than those shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D .

As shown in FIG. 2, planar antenna assembly 110 optionally includes one or more directors 210, one or more gain directors 215, and/or one or more Y-shaped reflectors 235 (e.g., in FIGS. 2B and 235). Y-shaped reflector 235b) as described in FIG. 2D. Director 210, gain director 215, and Y-reflector 235 comprise passive elements that focus the directional radiation pattern of the dipole formed by antenna elements 205a-205d along with portions 230a-230d. In one embodiment, providing a director 210 for each antenna element 205a-205d results in an additional gain of 1 dB to 2 dB per dipole. It should be appreciated that director 210 and/or gain director 215 may be placed on either side of the substrate. In some embodiments, the portion of the substrate for the guide 210 and/or the gain guide 215 is scribed such that the guide 210 and/or the gain guide 215 can be removed. It should also be appreciated that additional directors (depicted in the position shown by dashed line 211 for antenna element 205b) and/or additional gain directors (depicted in the position shown by dashed line 216) may be included to further focus the directional radiation pattern of one or more dipoles. Y-shaped reflector 235 will be described further herein.

The radio frequency feed port 220 is configured to receive RF signals from the communication device 120 of FIG. 1 and/or transmit RF signals to the communication device 120 of FIG. 1 . An antenna element selector (not shown) may be used to couple the RF feed port 220 to one or more of the antenna elements 205a-205d. The antenna element selector may include an RF converter (not shown), such as a PIN diode, GaAsFET, or virtually any device that converts RF as is well known in the art.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2A , the antenna element selector includes four PIN diodes, each of which connects one of the antenna elements 205 a - 205 d to the RF feed port 220 . In this embodiment, the PIN diodes comprise a single-pole single-throw switch to turn each antenna element on or off (i.e., couple each of the antenna elements 205a-205d to or from the RF feed port 220). decoupling). In one embodiment, a series of control signals (not shown) are used to bias each PIN diode. With the PIN diode forward biased and conducting a DC current, the PIN diode switch is turned on and the corresponding antenna element is selected. With the diode reverse biased, the PIN diode switch is turned off. In this embodiment, the RF feed port 220 and the PIN diode of the antenna element selector are on the side of the substrate with the antenna elements 205a-205d, however, other embodiments have the RF feed port 220, the antenna element selector and the antenna Elements 205a-205d are separated. In some embodiments, the antenna element selector comprises one or more single pole multi-throw switches. In some embodiments, one or more light emitting diodes (not shown) are coupled to the antenna element selector as a visual indicator of which of the antenna elements 205a-205d is switched on or off. In one embodiment, an LED is placed in the circuit along with the PIN diode such that when the corresponding antenna element 205 is selected, the LED emits light.

In some embodiments, the antenna elements (eg, antenna elements 205a-205d, ground component 225, director 210, and gain director 215) are formed of RF conductive material. For example, antenna elements 205a-205d and ground component 225 may be formed from metal or other RF conductive foils. Each antenna element 205a-205d is coplanar with ground component 225, except being provided on opposite sides of the substrate as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In some embodiments, the antenna elements may be conformally mounted to the housing of system 100 . In such an embodiment, the antenna element selector comprises a separate structure (not shown) from the antenna elements 205a-205d. The antenna element selector can be mounted on a relatively small PCB, and the PCB can be electrically coupled to the antenna elements 205a-205d. In some embodiments, the switch PCB is soldered directly to the antenna elements 205a-205b.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, a Y-shaped reflector 235 (e.g., reflector 235a) may be included as part of ground assembly 225 to broaden the frequency response (i.e., bandwidth) of the curved dipole, e.g., antenna element 205a. Combined with portion 230a of ground assembly 225 . For example, in some embodiments, the planar antenna device 110 is designed to operate in a frequency range of about 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz, which is used for wireless LANs according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. Reflectors 235a-235d broaden the frequency response of each dipole to about 300 MHz (12.5% of center frequency) to 500 MHz (about 20% of center frequency). The combined operating bandwidth of the planar antenna device 110 resulting from coupling more than one of the antenna elements 205a-205d to the radio frequency feed port 220 is smaller than that obtained by coupling only one of the antenna elements 205a-205d to the radio frequency feed port 220 resulting bandwidth. For example, the combined frequency response of the planar antenna arrangement 110 is approximately 90 MHz for all four antenna elements 205a-205d selected to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. In some embodiments, coupling more than one of the antenna elements 205a-205d to the RF feed port 220 can maintain a return loss match of less than 10 dB across the 802.11 wireless LAN frequencies, regardless of the antenna element switched on The number of 205a-205d.

FIG. 3A illustrates various radiation patterns resulting from selection of different antenna elements in the planar antenna arrangement 110 of FIG. 2 in an embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 3A depicts a radiation pattern in azimuth (eg, substantially in the plane of the substrate of FIG. 2 ). Line 300 shows the generally cardioid-shaped directional radiation pattern produced by selecting a single antenna element (eg, antenna element 205a). As shown, antenna element 205a alone produces a gain of about 5 dBi. Dashed line 305 shows a similar directional radiation pattern offset by approximately 90 degrees resulting from selection of an adjacent antenna element (eg, antenna element 205b). Line 310 shows the combined radiation pattern resulting from selecting two adjacent antenna elements 205a and 205b. In this embodiment, enabling two adjacent antenna elements 205a and 205b results in higher directivity in azimuth than selecting either antenna element 205a or 205b alone, with a gain of approximately 5.6 dBi.

The radiation pattern in azimuth of FIG. 3A illustrates how selectable antenna elements 205 a - 205 d may be combined to produce various radiation patterns of planar antenna device 110 . As shown, the combined radiation pattern produced by two or more adjacent antenna elements (e.g., antenna element 205a and antenna element 205b) coupled to the radio frequency feed port is more intense than the radiation pattern of a single antenna element. Directionality.

Not shown in FIG. 3A for ease of understanding, select antenna elements 205a-205d may be combined to produce a combined radiation pattern that is less directional than that of a single antenna element. For example, selecting all antenna elements 205a-205d may produce a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern that is less directional than that produced by a single antenna element. Similarly, selecting two or more antenna elements (eg, antenna element 205a and antenna element 205c on a diagonal line of the substrate) can produce a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In this manner, selecting a subset of antenna elements 205a-205d or substantially all of antenna elements 205a-205d may produce a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern for planar antenna arrangement 110.

Although not shown in FIG. 3A, it should be appreciated that additional directors (e.g., director 211) and/or gain directors (e.g., gain director 216) may further concentrate antenna elements 205a-205d in azimuth. One or more directional radiation patterns. Conversely, removing or eliminating one or more of directors 211, gain directors 216, or Y-reflector 235 expands the directional radiation pattern of one or more of antenna elements 205a-205d in azimuth.

FIG. 3A also shows how planar antenna arrangement 110 may be advantageously configured, for example, to reduce interference in a wireless link between system 100 of FIG. 1 and a remote receiving node. For example, if the azimuth angle of the remote receiving node relative to system 100 (at the center of FIG. 3A ) is 0 degrees, then antenna element 205 a corresponding to line 300 produces the same antenna element 205 a corresponding to line 305 in the direction of the remote receiving node. Element 205b has about the same gain. However, as can be seen by comparing line 300 with line 305, if the interferer is located at an azimuth angle of 20 degrees relative to system 100, selecting antenna element 205a reduces the signal strength of the interferer by approximately 4dB compared to selecting antenna element 205b. Advantageously, depending on the signal environment surrounding the system 100, the planar antenna assembly 110 can be configured (e.g., by switching one or more of the antenna elements 205a-205d on or off) to reduce the interaction between the system 100 and one or Interference in a wireless link between multiple remote receiving nodes.

FIG. 3B illustrates the elevation radiation pattern of the planar antenna arrangement 110 of FIG. 2 . In this figure, the plane of the planar antenna arrangement 110 corresponds in the figure to the line from 0° to 180°. Although not shown, it should be appreciated that additional directors (e.g., director 211) and/or gain directors (e.g., gain director 216) may advantageously further focus one or more of antenna elements 205a-205d. elevation radiation pattern. For example, in some embodiments, system 100 may be positioned on the grounds of a building to establish a WLAN with one or more remote receiving nodes on the same grounds. The inclusion of additional directors 211 and/or gain directors 216 in the planar antenna arrangement 110 further focuses the wireless links on substantially the same site and minimizes interference from RF sources on other sites in the building.

4A and 4B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the planar antenna device 110 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention. On the first side of the substrate shown in FIG. 4A , the planar antenna device 110 includes an RF feed port 420 and six antenna elements (eg, antenna element 405 ). As shown in FIG. 4B , on the second side of the substrate, the planar antenna device 110 includes a ground element 425 incorporating a plurality of Y-shaped reflectors 435 . It should be appreciated that a portion of ground assembly 425 (eg, portion 430 ) is configured to form an arrow-shaped bent dipole with antenna element 405 . Similar to the embodiment of Figure 2, the resulting bent dipole has a directional radiation pattern. However, unlike the embodiment of Figure 2, the 6 antenna element embodiment provides a large number of possible combined radiation patterns.

Similar to FIG. 2 , the planar antenna device 110 of FIG. 4 optionally includes one or more directors (not shown) and/or one or more gain directors 415 . Director and gain director 415 comprises passive elements that focus the directional radiation pattern of antenna element 405 . In one embodiment, providing a director for each antenna element results in 1 dB to 2 dB of additional gain per element. It should be appreciated that the directors and gain directors 415 may be placed on either side of the substrate. It should also be appreciated that additional directors and/or gain directors may be included to further focus the directional radiation pattern of one or more antenna elements 405 .

An advantage of the planar antenna arrangement 110 of FIGS. radiation pattern. For example, system 100 communicating over a wireless link to a remote receiving node may select a particular configuration of selected antenna elements that may minimize interference on the wireless link. If the wireless link is subject to interference, for example, due to other wireless transmitting devices, or changes or perturbations in the wireless link between the system 100 and the remote receiving node, the system 100 may select the Different configurations are used to vary the radiation pattern of the planar antenna arrangement 110 and minimize interference in the wireless link. System 100 may select a configuration of selected antenna elements that corresponds to maximum gain between the system and a remote receiving node. Alternatively, the system may select a configuration of selected antenna elements corresponding to a gain less than the maximum gain but corresponding to reduced interference. Alternatively, all or substantially all of the antenna elements may be selected to form a combined omnidirectional radiation pattern.

A further advantage of the planar antenna arrangement 110 is that RF signals can travel better indoors with horizontally polarized signals. Typically, network interface cards (NICs) are horizontally polarized. Utilizing the horizontally polarized signal provided by the planar antenna arrangement 110 improves interference rejection (possibly up to 20 dB) from RF sources using common vertically polarized antennas.

Another advantage of the system 100 is that the planar antenna arrangement 110 includes switching at RF as opposed to switching at the fundamental frequency. Conversion at RF means that the communication device 120 requires only one RF up/down converter. The RF conversion also requires a considerably simplified interface between the communication device 120 and the planar antenna arrangement 110 . For example, regardless of which antenna element is selected, the planar antenna arrangement provides an impedance match in all configurations of the selected antenna element. In one embodiment, regardless of which antenna element is selected, all configurations of selected antenna elements in the frequency range of the 802.11 standard maintain a match with a return loss of less than 10 dB.

A further advantage of the system 100 is that the switching of the planar antenna arrangement 110 is performed to form a combined radiation pattern by simply switching the antenna elements on and off, compared to, for example, a phased array antenna with relatively complex phase switching elements. Phase transformations with the attendant complexity of phase matching are not required in the planar antenna arrangement 110 .

A further advantage of the planar antenna arrangement 110 on a PCB is that the planar antenna arrangement 110 does not require the 3-dimensional fabrication structure required to form the multiple "patch" antennas required to form an omnidirectional antenna. Yet another advantage is that the planar antenna device 110 can be constructed on a PCB so that the entire planar antenna device 110 can be easily manufactured at a low cost. One embodiment or layout of the planar antenna device 110 includes a square or rectangular shape, so that the planar antenna device 110 can be easily panelized.

The invention has been described herein in terms of several preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other embodiments of the present invention based on the understanding of the description, study of the drawings and practice of the present invention, including substitutions, modifications, changes and equivalents of the embodiments described herein. The above-mentioned embodiments and preferred features should be understood as exemplary, and the present invention is defined by the appended patent scope, therefore, the present invention includes all such alternatives, modifications, changes and equals.

Claims (43)

1. An antenna device comprising: a substrate having a first side and a second side substantially parallel to the first side; A plurality of antenna elements on the first side, each antenna element selectively coupleable to a communication device and configured to form a first portion of a modified dipole having substantially the a directional radiation pattern with polarization in the plane of the substrate; and A ground component on the second side configured to form a second portion of the modified dipole. 2. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an antenna element selector coupled to each antenna element, the antenna element selector configured to selectively couple the antenna element to the communication device. 3. The antenna device of claim 2, wherein the antenna element selector comprises a PIN diode. 4. The antenna arrangement of claim 2, further comprising a visual indicator coupled to the antenna element selector, the visual indicator configured to indicate which of the antenna elements is selected. 5. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the ground component is further configured to focus the directional radiation pattern of the modified dipole. 6. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the ground component is further configured to broaden the frequency response of the modified dipole. 7. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein when more than one antenna element is coupled to the communication device, a match with a return loss of less than 10 dB is maintained. 8. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the modified dipole comprises an arrow-shaped bent dipole. 9. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, wherein when two or more of said plurality of antenna elements are coupled to the communication device, said antenna elements have an omnidirectional radiation pattern. 10. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a substantially rectangular surface and each of said antenna elements is oriented substantially on a diagonal of the substrate. 11. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a printed circuit board. 12. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a dielectric, and the antenna element and the ground element are formed on the dielectric. 13. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, further comprising one or more reflectors for at least one of said antenna elements, the reflectors being configured to concentrate a radiation pattern of that antenna element. 14. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, further comprising one or more Y-shaped reflectors for at least one of said antenna elements, the Y-shaped reflectors configured to concentrate the radiation pattern of that antenna element. 15. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, further comprising one or more directors, each director configured to focus the radiation pattern of the antenna element. 16. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, wherein a combined radiation pattern produced by two or more antenna elements coupled to the communication device is more directional than a radiation pattern of a single antenna element. 17. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, wherein a combined radiation pattern produced by two or more antenna elements coupled to the communication device is less directional than a radiation pattern of a single antenna element. 18. An antenna device comprising: a plurality of individually selectable planar antenna elements, each antenna element having a directional radiation pattern with polarization substantially in the plane of said antenna element; An antenna element selection device configured to communicate radio frequency signals with a communication device and to selectively couple one or more of the antenna elements to the communication device. 19. The antenna arrangement of claim 18, wherein said plurality of antenna elements are formed of radio frequency conductive material coupled to the antenna element selection device. 20. The antenna device of claim 19, wherein the radio frequency conductive material comprises metal foil. 21. The antenna arrangement of claim 18, wherein the antenna element selection means comprises a PIN diode for each antenna element. 22. The antenna arrangement of claim 18, wherein the antenna element selection means comprises a single pole single throw RF switch for each antenna element. 23. The antenna arrangement of claim 18, further comprising a visual indicator coupled to the antenna element selection device, the visual indicator configured to indicate whether each antenna element is selectively coupled to the communication device. 24. The antenna arrangement of claim 18, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are configured to conformally mount to a housing containing the communication device and the antenna arrangement. 25. The antenna arrangement of claim 18, wherein one or more of said plurality of antenna elements comprises means for focusing the radiation pattern of that antenna element. 26. The antenna arrangement of claim 18, wherein said plurality of antenna elements form an omnidirectional radiation pattern when two or more of said antenna elements are coupled to the communication device. 27. A system comprising: a communication device for generating a radio frequency signal; first means for generating a first directional radiation pattern; second means for generating a second directional radiation pattern offset in direction from the first directional radiation pattern; selecting means for receiving the radio frequency signal from the communication device and selectively coupling the first device and the second device to the communication device. 28. The antenna device of claim 27, wherein when both the first device and the second device are coupled to the communication device, a match with a return loss of less than 10 dB can be maintained. 29. The antenna device of claim 27, further comprising means for extending the directional radiation pattern of the first means. 30. The antenna device of claim 27, wherein the first device and the second device form an omnidirectional radiation pattern when coupled to the communication device. 31. The antenna device of claim 27, further comprising means for focusing the directional radiation pattern of the first device. 32. The antenna device of claim 27, further comprising means for extending the directional radiation pattern of the first means. 33. A method comprising: generating a radio frequency signal in a communication device; and At least one of a plurality of coplanar antenna elements is coupled to the communication device to produce a directional radiation pattern substantially in the plane of the antenna elements. 34. The method of claim 33 , wherein at least one of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements comprises a portion of a dipole, and coupling the at least one of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements comprises enabling the The portion of the dipole receives the radio frequency signal from the communication device, and activates a ground component to complete the dipole. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the dipole comprises a bent dipole. 36. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling two or more of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to the communication device to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern. 37. The method of claim 33, further comprising focusing the directional radiation pattern using one or more reflectors. 38. The method of claim 33, further comprising focusing the directional radiation pattern using one or more Y-shaped reflectors. 39. The method of claim 33, further comprising focusing the directional radiation pattern using one or more directors. 40. The method of claim 33, wherein coupling at least one of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to the communication device comprises biasing a PIN diode. 41. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling at least two of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to the communication device to produce a more directional radiation pattern. 42. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling at least two of said plurality of coplanar antenna elements to the communication device to produce a less directional radiation pattern. 43. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling at least two of the plurality of coplanar antenna elements to the communication device to generate a radiation pattern in an offset direction from an original direction.

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