Method and system for improving isolation in radio-frequency antennas

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an antenna structure and, more particularly, to an antenna structure for use in a mobile terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In PCS band full duplex systems, the duplex separation of receiving and transmitting bands is so small that it sets very stringent requirements for the duplex filters. To meet these requirements, the overall volume of the duplexer is typically very large. Consequently, the losses in the signal path are very high. Moreover, the thickness of a mobile phone equipped with such a duplexer is not easily reduced.

[0003] It is advantageous and desirable to provide an antenna structure that does not require a large volume, while the isolation in the antenna can be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an antenna structure having a transmit antenna and a receive antenna, wherein the isolation between the transmit and receive antennas is improved. The object can be achieved by providing a cut in the ground plane for causing the conducted power in the ground plane to undergo a 180-degree phase shift with respect to the radiated power in air. Alternatively, one of the antennas is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) whereas the other is a slot antenna, wherein the signal fed to the slot antenna undergoes a substantially 180-degree phase shift before it is coupled to the ground plane.

[0005] According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna structure (<b>1</b>) comprising:

[0006] a ground plane (<b>10</b>) having a first section (<b>12</b>) and a second section (<b>14</b>) galvanically connected to the first section (<b>12</b>); and

[0007] an antenna system (<b>22</b>, <b>24</b>) operable in a frequency band disposed over the ground plane (<b>10</b>), the antenna system comprising a receive antenna (<b>22</b>) and a transmit antenna (<b>24</b>), wherein

[0008] the receive antenna (<b>22</b>) comprises a first radiating element (<b>30</b>) disposed over the first section (<b>12</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>), and a first grounding strip (<b>34</b>) for grounding the first radiating element (<b>30</b>) to the first section (<b>12</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>); and

[0009] the transmit antenna (<b>24</b>) comprises a second radiating element (<b>40</b>) disposed over the second section (<b>14</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>), and a second grounding strip (<b>44</b>) for grounding the second radiating element (<b>40</b>) to the second section (<b>14</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>). The antenna structure is characterized by

[0010] a slot (<b>20</b>) provided between the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>) for improving isolation between the receive antenna and the transmit antenna, wherein the slot has an effect length (L) substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the frequency band.

[0011] According to the present invention, the first section (<b>12</b>) is connected to the second section (<b>14</b>) by a connecting section (<b>16</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>) for realizing the effective length (L). Alternatively, the antenna structure further comprises a switching means (<b>64</b>) over the slot (<b>20</b>) operated in a closed position for realizing the effective length (L).

[0012] According to the present invention, the antenna structure further comprises a transceiver antenna (<b>26</b>) operable in a further frequency band different from the frequency band, wherein the transceiver antenna (<b>26</b>) comprises a third radiating element (<b>50</b>) disposed over the ground plane, straddling both the first and second sections of the ground plane, and a third grounding strip (<b>54</b>) for grounding the third radiating element to the ground plane. The antenna structure is characterized by

[0013] a switching means (<b>60</b>) disposed over the slot, wherein the switching means is operable

[0014] in a closed position, for electrically connecting the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) when the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) is operating in the further frequency band, and

[0015] in an open position, for keeping the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) electrically separated over the slot, when the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) is operating in the frequency band.

[0016] According to the present invention, the antenna structure further comprises a further antenna system (<b>122</b>, <b>124</b>) operable in a third frequency band different from the frequency band, the further antenna system comprising a further receive antenna (<b>122</b>) and a further transmit antenna (<b>124</b>), wherein

[0017] the further receive antenna (<b>122</b>) comprises a fourth radiating element (<b>130</b>) disposed over the first section of the ground plane, and a fourth grounding strip (<b>134</b>) for grounding the fourth radiating element to first section of the ground plane; and

[0018] the further transmit antenna (<b>124</b>) comprises a fifth radiating element (<b>140</b>) disposed over the second section of the ground plane, and a fifth grounding strip (<b>144</b>) for grounding the fifth radiating element to the second section of the ground plane. The antenna structure is characterized in that

[0019] the switching means (<b>60</b>) is also operating in the open position when the antenna structure is operating in the third frequency band. The antenna structure is further characterized by

[0020] a further switching means (<b>62</b>, <b>64</b>) disposed over the slot, wherein the further switching means is operable

[0021] in a closed position for retaining the effective length (L) of the slot when the antenna structure is operating in the frequency band, and p<b>3</b> in an open position for realizing an effective length (L′) of the slot substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the third frequency band when the antenna structure is operating in the third frequency band.

[0022] Alternatively, the further switching means (<b>64</b>) is operable

[0023] in an open position for retaining the effective length (L) of the slot when the antenna structure is operating in the frequency band, and

[0024] in a closed position for realizing an effective length (L′) of the slot substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the third frequency band when the antenna structure is operating in the third frequency band.

[0025] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of improving isolation in an antenna structure (<b>1</b>), wherein the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) comprises:

[0026] a ground plane (<b>10</b>) having a first section (<b>12</b>) and a second section (<b>14</b>) galvanically connected (<b>16</b>) to the first section (<b>12</b>), and

[0027] an antenna system (<b>22</b>, <b>24</b>) operable in a frequency band disposed over the ground plane (<b>10</b>), the antenna system comprising a receive antenna (<b>22</b>) and a transmit antenna (<b>24</b>), wherein

[0028] the receive antenna (<b>22</b>) comprises a first radiating element (<b>30</b>) disposed over the first section (<b>12</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>), and a first grounding strip (<b>34</b>) for grounding the first radiating element (<b>30</b>) to the first section of the ground plane (<b>10</b>); and

[0029] the transmit antenna (<b>24</b>) comprises a second radiating element (<b>40</b>) disposed over the second section (<b>14</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>), and a second grounding strip (<b>44</b>) for grounding the second radiating element (<b>40</b>) to the second section of the ground plane (<b>10</b>). The method is characterized by

[0030] providing a slot (<b>20</b>) between the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) of the ground plane for improving isolation between the transmit antenna and the receive antenna, wherein the slot has an effective length (L) substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the frequency band.

[0031] According to the present invention, wherein the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) further comprises a transceiver antenna (<b>26</b>) operable in a further frequency band different from the frequency band, the transceiver antenna (<b>26</b>) comprising a third radiating element (<b>50</b>) disposed over the ground plane, straddling both the first and second sections of the ground plane, and a third grounding strip (<b>54</b>) for grounding the third radiating element to the ground plane. The method is further characterized by

[0032] providing a switching means (<b>60</b>) over the slot, wherein the switching means is operable

[0033] in a closed position, for electrically connecting the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) when the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) is operating in the further frequency band, and

[0034] in an open position, for keeping the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) electrically separated over the slot (<b>20</b>), when the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) is operating in the frequency band.

[0035] According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided by a mobile terminal (<b>200</b>) having an improved antenna structure (<b>1</b>) for receiving and transmitting information in a frequency band, the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) comprising:

[0036] a ground plane (<b>10</b>) having a first section (<b>12</b>) and a second section (<b>14</b>) galvanically connected (<b>16</b>) to the first section (<b>12</b>), and an antenna system (<b>22</b>, <b>24</b>) disposed over the ground plane (<b>10</b>), the antenna system (<b>22</b>, <b>24</b>) comprising a receive antenna (<b>22</b>) and a transmit antenna (<b>24</b>), wherein

[0037] the receive antenna (<b>22</b>) comprises a first radiating element (<b>30</b>) disposed over the first section (<b>12</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>), and a first grounding strip (<b>34</b>) for grounding the first radiating element (<b>30</b>) to the first ground plane (<b>10</b>); and

[0038] the transmit antenna (<b>24</b>) comprises a second radiating element (<b>40</b>) disposed over the second section (<b>14</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>), and a second grounding strip (<b>44</b>) for grounding the second radiating element (<b>40</b>) to the second section of the ground plane (<b>10</b>). The mobile terminal is characterized by

[0039] a slot (<b>20</b>) provided between the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) of the ground plane (<b>10</b>) for improving isolation between the receive antenna and the transmit antenna, wherein the slot has an effective length (L) substantially equal to one quarter wavelength of the frequency band.

[0040] According to the present invention, wherein the antenna structure (<b>1</b>) further comprises a transceiver antenna (<b>26</b>) operable in a further frequency band different from the frequency band, the transceiver antenna (<b>26</b>) comprising a third radiating (<b>50</b>) element disposed over the ground plane, straddling both the first and second sections of the ground plane, and a third grounding strip (<b>54</b>) for grounding the third radiating element to the ground plane. The mobile terminal is characterized by

[0041] a switching means (<b>60</b>) disposed over the slot, wherein the switching means is operable

[0042] in a closed position, for electrically connecting the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) when the antenna structure is operating in the further frequency band, and

[0043] in an open position, for keeping the first section (<b>12</b>) and the second section (<b>14</b>) electrically separated over the slot (<b>20</b>), when the antenna structure is operating in the frequency band.

[0044] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna structure (<b>2</b>) comprising a first antenna (<b>70</b>, <b>80</b>) and a second antenna (<b>40</b>), each antenna having a radiating element, a feed line and a grounding strip coupling to the radiating element to a ground plane, wherein one of the first and second antennas is used for transmission and the other is used for reception. The antenna structure (<b>2</b>) is characterized in that

[0045] the radiating element (<b>78</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>90</b>) has a slot (<b>76</b>, <b>86</b>) provided thereon for effectively separating the feed line (<b>72</b>, <b>82</b>) and the grounding strip (<b>74</b>, <b>84</b>) of the first antenna (<b>70</b>, <b>80</b>) by a distance substantially equal to one half wavelength of a resonant frequency of the radiating element (<b>78</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>90</b>) of the first antenna.

[0046] Preferably, the slot has a length substantially equal to a quarter-wavelength of the resonant frequency.

[0047] Preferably, the first antenna is a slot antenna and the second antenna is a planar inverted-F antenna.

[0048] Advantageously, the first antenna (<b>80</b>) is a multiple-band antenna operating in at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, the first antenna further having a further radiating element coupled to the radiating element, and wherein the resonant frequency of the radiating element of the first antenna falls within the first frequency band, and the further radiating element has a resonant frequency within the second frequency band.

[0049] Advantageously, the radiating element of the second antenna has a resonant frequency within the first frequency band.

[0050] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of improving isolation in antenna structure (<b>2</b>), wherein the antenna structure comprises a first antenna (<b>70</b>, <b>80</b>) and a second antenna (<b>40</b>), each antenna having a radiating element, a feed line and a grounding strip coupling to the radiating element to a ground plane, wherein one of the first and second antennas is used for transmission and the other is used for reception. The method is characterized by

[0051] providing a slot (<b>76</b>, <b>86</b>) on the radiating element (<b>78</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>90</b>) for effectively separating the feed line (<b>72</b>, <b>82</b>) and the grounding strip (<b>74</b>, <b>84</b>) of the first antenna (<b>70</b>, <b>80</b>) by a distance substantially equal to one half wavelength of a resonant frequency of the radiating element (<b>78</b>, <b>88</b>, <b>90</b>) of the first antenna.

[0052] Preferably, the slot has a length substantially equal to one quarter-wavelength of the resonant frequency.

[0053] The present invention will become apparent by reading the description taken in conjunction with FIGS. <b>1</b> to <b>5</b><i>b.</i>

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

P-0054[0054]FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the relationship between the Tx/Rx antenna pair, the ground plane and the slot in the ground plane, according to the present invention.

P-0055[0055]FIG. 2 is a schematic representation showing the top view of the antenna structure of FIG. 1.

P-0056[0056]FIG. 3<i>a </i>is a schematic representation showing a third antenna disposed over the ground plane.

P-0057[0057]FIG. 3<i>b </i>is a schematic representation showing a switch operating in the open position when the Tx/Rx antenna pair is used.

P-0058[0058]FIG. 3<i>c </i>is a schematic representation showing more antennas disposed over the ground plane.

P-0059[0059]FIG. 3<i>d </i>is a schematic representation showing another embodiment of the antenna system.

P-0060[0060]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a mobile phone having an improved antenna structure, according to the present invention.

P-0061[0061]FIG. 5<i>a </i>is a schematic representation showing yet another embodiment of the antenna system having thereon two antennas.

P-0062[0062]FIG. 5<i>b </i>is a schematic representation showing still another embodiment of the antenna system having thereon one single-band antenna and one dual-band antenna.

BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

P-0063[0063] The radiating characteristics of a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) depend on the ground plane as well as on the antenna element itself. Using a transmit antenna as an example, the signal power fed to the radiating element of the transmit antenna also appears as current in the ground plane that is used to short-circuit the radiating element. Thus, in an antenna system where separate antennas operating in substantially the same frequency are used for transmission and reception, and wherein the transmit antenna and the receive antenna use a common ground plane for grounding, the power fed to one antenna also appears in another antenna via the ground plane. In that case, the isolation between the transmit antenna and the receive antenna is effectively diminished.

P-0064[0064] It is a primary object of the present invention to improve the isolation between antennas operating in substantially the same frequency band and disposed over a common ground plane for grounding. To achieve this object, the present invention uses a cut in the common ground plane to change the phase of the conducted power in the ground plane.

P-0065[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna structure <b>1</b> comprises a ground plane <b>10</b>, a first antenna <b>22</b> and a second antenna <b>24</b>. The first antenna <b>22</b> and the second antenna <b>24</b> operate in substantially the same frequency band, so one can be used as a transmit antenna and the other can be used as a receive antenna in a code-division multiple access system. For example, in PCS band, the transmit frequency band is in the range of 1850-1910 MHz, and the receive frequency band is in the range of 1930-1990 MHz. Systems such as CDMA IS-95, GSM-1900 and WCDMA-1900 are operated in this particular frequency band. The first antenna <b>22</b> comprises a radiating element <b>30</b>, a feed line <b>32</b>, and a grounding strip <b>34</b> connecting the radiating element <b>30</b> to the ground plane <b>10</b> for grounding. The second antenna <b>24</b> comprises a radiating element <b>40</b>, a feed line <b>42</b> and a grounding strip <b>44</b> connecting the radiating element <b>40</b> to the ground plane <b>10</b> for grounding. In order to improve the isolation between the first antenna <b>22</b> and the second antenna <b>24</b>, a slot <b>20</b> is provided in the ground plane <b>10</b> such that the ground plane <b>10</b> is separated into a first section <b>12</b> and a second section <b>14</b>, galvanically connected via a connecting section <b>16</b>. The slot <b>20</b> has an effective length L, which is substantially equal to one quarter-wavelength of the center frequency of the radiating elements <b>30</b>, <b>40</b> as shown in FIG. 2. As such, the conducted power in the receive antenna via the ground plane <b>10</b> is phase-shifted by 180 degrees as compared to the power radiated in air from the transmit antenna. Consequently, the radiated power and the conducted power compensate each other, and the isolation between the first antenna <b>22</b> and the second antenna <b>24</b> is improved. It should be noted that the effective length L can be realized by the connecting section <b>16</b>, as shown in FIG. 2, or by a switch <b>62</b>, as shown in FIG. 3C.

P-0066[0066] In a multi-band mobile terminal, a GSM antenna operating in the frequency range of 824-894 MHz may be included—systems such as AMPS and GSM 850 are operated in this particular frequency band. Likewise, a GSM antenna operating in the frequency range of 880-960 MHz (in Europe) may also be included. Furthermore, an antenna for use in the DCS 1710-1880 MHz band or in the WCDMA 2000 1920-2170 MHz band can be included. It is possible to use the same ground plane <b>10</b> for grounding the GSM antenna. As shown in FIG. 3<i>a, </i>a third antenna <b>26</b> comprises a radiating element <b>50</b>, a feed line <b>52</b> and a grounding strip <b>54</b> connecting the radiating element <b>50</b> to the ground plane <b>10</b> for grounding. As shown, the radiating element <b>50</b>, which has a resonant frequency substantially lower than the operating frequency band of the first antenna <b>22</b> and the second antenna <b>24</b>, is disposed over the first section <b>12</b> and the second section <b>14</b> of the ground plane <b>10</b>. It is desirable to minimize or eliminate the potential differences between the conducted power in the first section <b>12</b> and the second section <b>14</b> in the lower frequency band. Preferably, a switching means <b>60</b>, such as a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switch, is disposed across the slot <b>20</b>, such that when the antenna structure <b>1</b> is operating in the lower frequency band, the switch <b>60</b> is closed to provide electrical connection between the first section <b>12</b> and the second section <b>14</b> at a location directly under the radiating element <b>50</b>. When the antenna structure is operating in the higher frequency band, the switch <b>60</b> is open, as shown in FIG. 3<i>b. </i>

P-0067[0067] It is possible to dispose more than one transmit/receive antenna pair sharing the same ground plane <b>10</b>, as shown in FIGS. <b>2</b>-<b>3</b><i>c. </i>As shown in FIG. 3<i>c, </i>in addition to the first transmit/receive antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>, a second transmit/receive antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b> is disposed over the ground plane <b>10</b> for grounding. The second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b> comprises a receive antenna <b>122</b> having a radiating element <b>130</b> and a grounding strip <b>134</b>, and a transmit antenna <b>124</b> having a radiating element <b>140</b> and a grounding strip <b>144</b>. For illustration purposes, the second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b> is operating in a frequency band higher than the operating frequencies of the first antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>. Thus, the wavelengths associated with the two antenna pairs are different. In order to improve the isolation in the second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b>, as well as the first antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>, the length of the slot <b>20</b> has to be adjusted to accommodate the different wavelengths. It is possible to dispose one or more switches over the slot <b>20</b> to adjust the effective slot length. As shown in FIG. 3<i>c, </i>a second switching means <b>62</b> is disposed over the slot <b>20</b> such that when the first antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> is used, the switching means <b>62</b> is closed (with the switching means <b>60</b> being open) so that the slot length L is substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the operating frequencies of the first antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>. When the second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b> is used, the switching means <b>62</b> and the switching means <b>60</b> are open so that the slot length L′ is substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the operating frequencies of the second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b>. When the antenna <b>26</b> is used, only the switching means <b>60</b> is required to be in the closed position.

P-0068[0068]FIG. 3<i>d </i>illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3d, the second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b> is also disposed near the top of the ground plane <b>10</b>, along with the first antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>. A switching means <b>64</b> is used to adjust the effective slot length. When the first antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> is used, the switching means <b>64</b> is open so that the slot length L is substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the operating frequencies of the first antenna pair <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>. When the second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b> is used, the switching means <b>64</b> is closed so that the slot length L′ is substantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the operating frequencies of the second antenna pair <b>122</b>, <b>124</b>.

P-0069[0069]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a multi-band mobile phone <b>200</b>, according to the present invention. As shown, the mobile phone has an upper body <b>202</b> and a lower body <b>204</b> to accommodate a PWB (printed wire board) <b>230</b>. As in most mobile phones, the upper body has a keypad <b>220</b> and a display <b>210</b>. According to the present invention, the PWB <b>230</b> has an antenna system <b>1</b> disposed thereon. As shown in FIG. 4, the ground plane <b>10</b> of the antenna system is on the upper side of the PWB <b>230</b>. Typically, there would be more than one ground plane in a mobile phone PWB. In that case, all the ground planes in the PWB must be cut to provide the slot <b>20</b>, as shown in FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b><i>d. </i>However, the ground plane <b>10</b>, according to the present invention, is the ground plane that is used to short-circuit the relevant antennas.

P-0070[0070] It should be noted that the switching means <b>60</b>, <b>62</b>, <b>64</b>, as shown in FIGS. 3<i>a</i>-<b>3</b><i>d, </i>can be a MEMS switch, FET switch or the like, so long as there is substantially no significant potential difference between the two ends of the switch.

P-0071[0071] The 180-degree phase shift in the conducted and the radiated signals can be realized in a yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5<i>a </i>and <b>5</b><i>b. </i>Instead of providing a slot <b>20</b> in the ground plane, a slot antenna is used to realize the 180-degree phase shift. As shown in FIG. 5<i>a, </i>there is no slot in the ground plane <b>11</b> for phase shifting purposes. Instead of having two PIFA antennas, as shown in FIG. 2, the antenna system <b>2</b> has one PIFA antenna <b>40</b> and one slot antenna <b>70</b>. The slot antenna <b>70</b> has a slot <b>76</b> in the radiating element <b>78</b>. The slot <b>76</b>, which separates the feed line <b>72</b> and the grounding strip <b>74</b>,has a length L_Ssubstantially equal to a quarter wavelength of the resonant frequency of the radiating element <b>78</b>. In effect, the feed line <b>72</b> and the grounding strip <b>74</b> is separated by a distance substantially equal to one half-wavelength of the resonant frequency. With the slot antenna <b>70</b>, the signal fed to the antenna via the feed line <b>72</b> undergoes about a 180-degree phase shift before it is coupled to the ground plane <b>11</b> via the grounding strip <b>74</b>. Either one of the antennas <b>40</b>, <b>70</b> can be used for transmission, and the other antenna can be used for reception.

P-0072[0072] In a multi-band mobile terminal, it is possible to use one PIFA and one dual-band slot antenna. As shown in FIG. 5<i>b, </i>a dual-band slot antenna <b>80</b> is used to carry out the dual-band function. For example, if the PIFA antenna <b>40</b> is used to cover the PCS-RX Band, then the dual-band slot antenna <b>80</b> can be used to cover the PCS-TX band and another lower frequency band, such as GSM 850. As shown in the FIG. 5<i>b, </i>the radiating element for the PCS-TX band includes portions <b>88</b> and <b>90</b>, which are separated by a slot <b>86</b>. As such, the signal fed to the antenna via the feed line <b>82</b> undergoes about a 180-degree phase shift before it is coupled to the ground plane <b>11</b> via the grounding strip <b>84</b>.

P-0073[0073] Thus, although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.