WO2017119890A1

WO2017119890A1 - Computing device antennae

Info

Publication number: WO2017119890A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/012476
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Chi; Po Chao Chen; Shih Huang Wu
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2016-01-07
Filing date: 2016-01-07
Publication date: 2017-07-13
Also published as: TW201725873A

Abstract

A computing device antenna in one example implementation can include a system, comprising a first antenna arm coupled to a diplexer, the first antenna arm to receive and transmit signals in a first frequency band, and a second antenna arm coupled to the diplexer, the second antenna arm to receive and transmit signals in a second frequency band. The first antenna arm, the second antenna arm, and the diplexer can be disposed in a computing device.

Description

COMPUTING DEVICE ANTENNAE

Background

[0001] Computing devices can include an antenna to facilitate wireless

communication. Antennae included in computing devices can be sized to in an effort to reduce an amount of space allocated to such antennae.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Figure 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of an antenna according to the disclosure.

[0003] Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of an example of a computing device including an antenna according to the disclosure.

[0004] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram of an example of a computing device including at least two antenna arms according to the disclosure.

[0005] Figure 4 illustrates a diagram of an example of a computing device including at least two antennae where at least one antenna is disposed in or near a hinge cap of the computing device.

[0006] Figure S illustrates a diagram of an example of a mobile computing device including at least two antenna arms according to the disclosure. [0007] Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method for computing device antennae according to the disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0008] As computing device specifications change, space allocation within computing devices may change. For example, as mobile and/or portable computing devices (referred to generally herein as "computing devices") become smaller, thinner, and/or lighter, component miniaturization may become desirable. Antennae are among

components that can be miniaturized. As used herein, "miniaturization" refers to designing and manufacturing mechanical and/or electronic products or devices to be smaller than some predecessors. Computing devices can include smartphones, handheld computers, personal digital assistants, carputers, wearable computers, laptops, tablet computers, laptop/tablet hybrids, etc.

[0009] Computing devices can include an antenna to send and/or receive signals. For example, an antenna can be used in conjunction with a computing device to facilitate web access, voice over IP, gaming, high-definition mobile television, video conferencing, etc. However, space constraints associated with computing devices may impact antenna placement and/or antenna performance. For example, space constraints may be related to a desire in computing devices to reduce a bezel width and/or thickness of computing devices. In addition, some approaches to antenna design for computing devices can lead to antennae of particular sizes, which can impact potential placement of the antennae of particular sizes.

[0010] Examples of the disclosure include methods, systems, and devices employing computing device antennae. For example, computing device antennae can include a first antenna arm coupled to a diplexer, the first antenna arm to receive and transmit signals in a first frequency band, and a second antenna arm coupled to the diplexer, the second antenna arm to receive and transmit signals in a second frequency band, where the first antenna arm, the second antenna arm, and the diplexer are disposed in a computing device. [0011] Notably, computing device antennae can be miniaturized (e.g., having a y- dimension, as described herein, from seven to ten millimeters) to mitigate and/or alleviate challenges associated with antenna placement such as those due to computing device space constraints. For example, computing device antennae can be miniaturized due at least in part to including more than one antenna with each antenna receiving and/or transmitting signals in a particular frequency band. Further, computing device antennae, as described herein, can ease resonant modes tuning and/or have improve antenna performance in contrast to other approaches because antenna traces, as described herein, can be in a substantially straight line, which can comparatively reduce antenna meander and therefore reduce degradation to the antenna over time.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of an antenna 100 according to the disclosure. As shown in the example of Figure 1, the antenna 100 can include a first antenna arm 110, a second antenna arm 112, and a diplexer 114.

[0013] As used herein, a "diplexer" refers to a passive device that implements frequency-domain multiplexing and/or frequency-division multiplexing. Although reference is made herein to a diplexer with two input ports and one output port the disclosure is not so limited. Rather a diplexer refers to a suitable device that implements frequency-domain and/or frequency-division multiplexing having a suitable number of inputs and/or outputs to promote computing device antennae, as described herein.

[0014] In various examples, the first antenna arm 110 can be coupled to the diplexer 114 via a first wire 116. The second antenna arm 112 can be coupled to the diplexer 114 via second wire 118. In some examples, the diplexer 114 can be coupled via a third wire 119 to long term evolution (LTE) module 115. The LTE module 115 can facilitate wireless communication between various computing devices. For example, the LTE module 115 can facilitate wireless communication between computing devices according to a WW-LTE or US-LTE standard.

[0015] In some examples, the antenna 100 of Figure 1 can be part of a system including a first antenna arm 110 coupled to a diplexer 114 and a second antenna arm 112 coupled to the diplexer 114. The first antenna arm 1 10 can receive and transmit signals in a first frequency band and the second antenna arm 112 can receive and transmit signals in a second frequency band. The first frequency band, as described herein, can be different than the second frequency band. In various examples, the first antenna arm 110, the second antenna arm 112, and the diplexer 1 14 can be disposed in a computing device (e.g., computing devices 201, 301, 401, and 503, illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, herein).

[0016] A first dimension of the first antenna arm 110 and a first dimension of the second antenna arm 112 can be from seven to ten millimeters (7-10 mm). For example, a first dimension extending in the ^-direction illustrated in Figure 1 of the first antenna arm 110 and the second antenna arm 1 12 can be from 7 to 10 mm. In some examples, the first frequency band can be a high frequency band, and the second frequency band can be a low frequency band. For example, the first frequency band can be from 2500 MHz to 2690 MHz or from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz. In some examples, the second frequency band can be from 704 MHz to 960 MHz or from 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz.

[0017] In some examples, the first antenna arm 110 and/or the second antenna arm 112 can receive and transmit signals associated with a wireless local area network

(WLAN). For example, the first antenna arm 110 can receive and transmit signals in a first frequency band that can be from 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz, and/or the second antenna arm 112 can receive and transmits signals in a second frequency band that can be from 5150 MHz to 5850 MHz.

[0018] The first antenna arm 110 and/or the second antenna arm 112 can positioned in the computing device to provide wireless connectivity to the computing device when the computing device is operating in different operating modes. As illustrated in Figure 1, the first antenna arm 110 and the second antenna arm 112 can be positioned such that they are not in physical contact with each other. In some examples, by not being in physical contact with each other, the first antenna arm 110 and the second antenna arm 112 can be tuned independently from one another.

[0019] In some examples, the first antenna arm 110 can be operable in a first specific operating mode of a computing device (e.g., computing devices 201, 301, 401, and 503, illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, herein) to which the antennae are coupled, and the second antenna arm 112 can be operable in a second specific operating mode of a computing device to which the antennae are coupled. In various examples, the first specific operating mode of the computing device can be a tablet operating mode, and the second specific operating mode of the computing device can be a laptop operating mode.

[0020] For example, when operating in laptop mode, the computing device can provide functionality associated with a laptop computer and can include a keyboard to receive input commands. When operating in tablet mode, the computing device can provide functionality associated with a tablet computer and can receive input commands via a touch screen, for example. In some examples, the first antenna arm 110 and/or the second antenna arm 112 can be positioned in the computing device to provide a substantially straight antenna trace in each of the computing device operating modes. For example, the first antenna arm 110 can be positioned in the computing device such that a substantially straight antenna trace can be achieved when the computing device is operating in a laptop mode, and the second antenna arm 112 can be positioned in the computing device such that a substantially straight antenna trace can be achieved when the computing device is operating in a tablet mode.

[0021] The first antenna arm 110 and/or the second antenna arm 112 can have at least one dimension (i.e., a first dimension) that is reduced in comparison with some antennae. For example, a first dimension that can be in the ^direction, as illustrated in Figure 1, can be reduced in comparison with some approaches that include an antenna with an antenna with a dimension in thejs-direction of ten to thirteen millimeters (10-13 mm). In contrast, the antenna 100 illustrated in Figure 1 can have a first dimension in the ^direction that is less than ten millimeters (10 mm). For example, at least one of the first antenna arm 110 and the second antenna arm 112 can have a first dimension in the ^-direction that is seven millimeters (7 mm), among other possibilities.

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of an example of a computing device according to the disclosure. As shown in the example of Figure 2, a laptop computing device 201 can include antenna 200, camera 220, and bezel 22S. The antenna 200 can be the same as antenna 100 illustrated in Figure 1. In the example of Figure 2, antenna 200 can be disposed in the laptop computing device 201 at an upper corner of the laptop computing device 201 such as at or near an upper corner of a screen of the laptop computing device. For example, the antenna 200 can be located at a corner of the laptop computing device 201 screen such that the antenna 200 doesn't interfere with operation of the camera 220.

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram of an example of a computing device 301 including at least two antenna arms according to the disclosure. As shown in the example of Figure 3, a laptop computing device 301 can include first antenna arm 310, second antenna arm 312, hinge cap 322, camera 320, and bezel 32S. As illustrated in Figure 3, the first antenna arm 310 can be disposed in the laptop computing device 301 at an upper corner of the laptop device 320 screen, and the second antenna arm 312 can be disposed in the portion of the laptop computing device 301 that includes the keyboard so potential interference between the first antenna arm 310 and the second antenna arm 312 can be eliminated and/or mitigated.

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates a diagram of an example of a computing device including at least two antennae where at least one antenna is disposed in or near a hinge cap of the computing device. In the example of Figure 4, the first antenna arm 410 can be disposed in the laptop computing device 401 at an upper corner of the laptop device 420 screen, and the second antenna arm 412 can be disposed near or inside the hinge cap 422 so interference between the first antenna arm 410 and the second antenna arm 412 can be eliminated and/or mitigated. In some examples, the hinge cap 422 can include space inside of it where the second antenna arm 412 can be disposed.

[0025] In some examples, the computing device 201, 301, 401 of Figures 2, 3, and 4 can be a laptop and/or tablet hybrid computing device. In the examples of Figures 2, 3 and 4, the laptop and/or tablet hybrid computing device 201, 301, 401 can be configured such that one of the antennae is used when the laptop/tablet hybrid computing device 201, 301, 401 is operating in a first mode and the other antenna is used when the laptop and/or tablet hybrid computing device 201, 301, 401 is operating in a second mode. For example, first antenna arm 210, 310, 410 can be used when the laptop/tablet hybrid computing device 201, 301, 401 is operating in a laptop mode, and second antenna 212, 312, 412 can be used when laptop/tablet hybrid computing device 201, 301, 401 is operating in a tablet mode. In some examples, using the different antenna arms when the laptop/tablet hybrid computing device 201, 301, 401 is operating in different modes can reduce interference between the antennae, and/or can allow for an antenna trace associated with each antenna arm to be in a straight line or in a substantially straight line.

[0026] Figure S illustrates a diagram of an example of a mobile computing device 503 including at least two antenna arms 510, S12 according to the disclosure. Although a smartphone is illustrated in Figure S, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, suitable computing devices include personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, wearable computers, carputers, etc. As illustrated in Figure S, a first antenna arm S 10 can be disposed in the computing device S03 in a first location and the second antenna arm SI 2 can be disposed in a second location. As mentioned, the first location can be different than the second location. The first antenna arm S10 and the second antenna arm S12 can be housed inside a bezel S2S that contains the electronic components corresponding to the computing device S03. In some examples, the first antenna arm 510 and the second antenna arm 512 can be located in the mobile computing device S03 such that the first antenna arm S10 and the second antenna arm 512 are not in physical contact with each other.

[0027] Although not specifically illustrated in Figure 5, the mobile computing device 503 can include a diplexer, as illustrated in the example of Figure 1. The diplexer can be coupled to the first antenna arm 510 and the second antenna arm 512, and can be disposed inside the bezel 525 that contains the electronic components corresponding to the mobile computing device 503, among other possible locations of the diplexer.

[0028] The example computing device antennae configurations illustrated in Figures 2-5 includes a device body (e.g., computing devices 201, 301, 401, and 503, illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, herein), a first antenna arm disposed inside the device body, a second antenna arm disposed inside the device body, and a diplexer disposed inside the device body and coupled to the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm. In some examples, the first antenna arm can receive and transmit signals in a first frequency band, and the second antenna arm can receive and transmit signals in a second frequency band. The first antenna arm can receive and transmit signals in the first frequency band in response to a determination that the device is operating in a first mode, and the second antenna arm can receive and transmit signals in the second frequency band in response to a determination that the device is operating a second mode. In some examples, the first frequency band can include signals from 704 megahertz (MHz) to 960 MHz, and where the second frequency band can include signals from 2500 MHz to 2690 MHz.

[0029] In some examples, the device body can be made, at least in part, of a plastic bezel. For example, the device body can be made, at least in part, of a B type plastic bezel. In addition to a plastic bezel, the device body can include a plastic cover, a metal cover (e.g., a metal cover with a window), and/or a carbon fiber cover (e.g., a carbon fiber cover with a window). A first antenna arm and a second antenna arm each have a dimension in a same direction that is 8 millimeters or less. For example, first antenna arm and the second antenna arm each have a dimension that is 8 millimeters or less in the ^-direction, as illustrated in Figure 1. In some examples, at least one of the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm can be disposed in a hinge cap coupled to the device body.

[0030] Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method 630 for computing device antennae according to the disclosure. At 631, the method can include providing a first antenna arm coupled to a diplexer and disposed in a computing device. As mentioned, the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm may not be in physical contact with each other. For example, the first antenna arm can be located in a first portion of the computing device and the second antenna arm can be located in a second portion of the computing device.

[0031] At 632, the method can include providing a second antenna arm coupled to the diplexer and disposed in the computing device. For example, as discussed in connection with Figures 1-5, herein, the second antenna arm can be coupled to the diplexer and both the second antenna arm and the diplexer can be disposed inside the computing device. As mentioned, the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm may not be in physical contact with each other.

[0032] At 633, the method can include receiving and transmitting signals in a first frequency band by the first antenna arm. The first frequency band can be a low frequency band. For example, the first frequency band can include signals in the 704 - 960 MHz register. [0033] At 634, the method can include receiving and transmitting signals in a second frequency band by the second antenna arm. The second frequency band can be a high frequency band. For example, the second frequency band can include signals in the 2500 MHz to 2690 MHz register.

[0034] In some examples, the method can include receiving and transmitting signals in the first frequency band in response to a determination that the computing device is operating in a laptop mode and/or receiving and transmitting signals in the second frequency band in response to a determination that the computing device is operating in a tablet mode.

[0035] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0036] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral 110 may refer to element "10" in Figure 1 and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral 210 in Figure 2. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

Further, as used herein, "a number of an element and/or feature can refer to one or more of such elements and/or features.

[0037] As used herein, "substantially" refers to a characteristic that is close enough to the absolute characteristic to achieve the same functionality. For example, a

substantially straight line can be a line that, even if not perfectly straight, is close enough to straight to achieve the characteristic of being straight.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A system, comprising:

a first antenna arm coupled to a diplexer, the first antenna arm to receive and transmit signals in a first frequency band; and

a second antenna arm coupled to the diplexer, the second antenna arm to receive and transmit signals in a second frequency band;

wherein the first antenna arm, the second antenna arm, and the diplexer are disposed in a computing device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a first dimension of the first antenna arm and a first dimension of the second antenna arm are from seven to ten millimeters.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first frequency band is a low frequency band; and

wherein the second frequency band is a high frequency band.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm are not in physical contact with each other.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first antenna arm is operable in a first specific operating mode of the computing device; and

wherein the second antenna arm is operable in a second specific operating mode of the computing device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first specific operating mode of the computing device is a tablet operating mode; and

wherein the second specific operating mode of the computing device is a laptop operating mode.

7. A computing device, comprising:

a device body;

a first antenna arm disposed inside the device body;

a second antenna arm disposed inside the device body; and

a diplexer disposed inside the device body and coupled to the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm; wherein

the first antenna arm receives and transmits signals in a first frequency band, and the second antenna arm receives and transmits signals in a second frequency band.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first antenna arm receives and transmits signals in the first frequency band in response to a determination that the device is operating in a first mode; and

wherein the second antenna arm receives and transmits signals in the second frequency band in response to a determination that the device is operating a second mode.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the device body is comprised, at least in part, of a plastic bezel.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm each have a dimension in a same direction that is 8 millimeters or less.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm is disposed in a hinge cap coupled to the device body.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the first frequency band includes signals from 704 megahertz (MHz) to 960 MHz, and wherein the second frequency band includes signals from 2500 MHz to 2690 MHz.

13. A method, comprising: providing a first antenna arm coupled to a diplexer and disposed in a computing device;

providing a second antenna arm coupled to the diplexer and disposed in the computing device, wherein the first antenna arm and the second antenna arm are not in physical contact with each other;

receiving and transmitting signals in a first frequency band by the first antenna arm; and

receiving and transmitting signals in a second frequency band by the second antenna arm.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising receiving transmitting signals in the first frequency band in response to a determination that the computing device is operating in a laptop mode.

15. The method of claim 13, comprising receiving transmitting signals in the second frequency band in response to a determination that the computing device is operating in a tablet mode.