Patent EP0537548A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0537548A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Microstrip antenna structure suitable for use in mobile radio communications and method for making same
Assignee: Ball Corp
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Filing: 1992-09-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a microstrip antenna (10) that includes a microstrip element (16) with an integral member (20) which is used to establish an electrical connection between the microstrip element (16) and a transmission line (30). The use of the integral member (20) to establish this electrical connection yields advantages in performance, reliability, and manufacturing, among others, that make the microstrip antenna particularly suitable for mobile applications. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing such a microstrip antenna.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Marshall
- 👤 Theresa Cronin Boone
- 👤 Mark Rogers
- 👤 Farzin Lalezari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/32; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/0407; H01Q9/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A microstrip antenna suitable for use in mobile radio communication applications, comprising: a first element that has a first substantially planar surface that is electrically conductive; a second element that has a second substantially planar surface that is electrically conductive and a member that is integral with said second substantially planar surface and that is also electrically conductive, said second substantially planar surface being located substantially parallel to said first substantially planar surface wherein a space is defined intermediate to said first substantially planar surface and said second substantially planar surface, said member being located within said space and at an angle to said second substantially planar surface; transmission line means for coupling radio frequency signals to said first substantially planar surface and said member, said transmission line means includes a first conductor that is electrically connected to said first substantially planar surface and a second conductor that is electrically connected to said member at a point within said space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
A microstrip antenna, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: said first element includes means for use in magnetically attaching said first substantially planar surface to a ferrous object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A microstrip antenna, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: said second element includes a substantially non-electrically conductive material, wherein at least one of said second substantially planar surface and said member is coated on said substantially non-electrically conductive material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A microstrip antenna, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: said second element includes a low-adhesion material located on at least one of the following: said first substantially planar surface, said second substantially planar surface, and said member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A microstrip antenna, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: said second substantially planar surface has a length that is substantially equal to one-quarter of the wavelength (λ) of the center frequency to which the microstrip antenna is tuned.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for manufacturing a microstrip antenna, comprising: providing a first electrically conductive structure having a first substantially planar surface; forming a second electrically conductive structure having a second substantially planar surface and a member that is integral with said second substantially planar surface and at an angle to said second substantially planar surface; positioning said first electrically conductive structure with respect to said second electrically conductive structure so that said first substantially planar surface is substantially parallel to said second planar surface and said member is positioned in a space located intermediate to said first substantially planar surface and said second substantially planar surface; providing a transmission line means for coupling a radio frequency signal to said first electrically conductive structure and said second electrically conductive structure, said transmission line means including a first conductor and a second conductor; first electrically connecting said first conductor of said transmission line means to said first substantially planar surface; and second electrically connecting said second conductor of said transmission line means to said member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, as claimed in Claim 6, wherein: said step of forming includes bending a piece of electrically conductive material to form said member of said first electrically conductive structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as claimed in Claim 6 , wherein: said step of forming includes depositing electrically conductive material on a substantially non-electrically conductive material having surfaces appropriate for said first substantially planar surface and said member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method, as claimed in Claim 6, wherein: said step of positioning includes establishing a third electrically conductive structure between said first electrically conductive structure and said second electrically conductive structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method, as claimed in Claim 9 , wherein: said second substantially planar surface has a length that is substantially equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of a center frequency to which the microstrip antenna is tuned.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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