Microstrip antenna structure suitable for use in mobile radio communications and method for making same

Claim 1

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 and extends from a first right terminal end to a first left terminal end; a second element that includes a second substantially planar surface that extends from a second right terminal end to a second left terminal end and is electrically conductive and further includes a member that is made from the same piece of material as said second substantially planar surface, is located between said second right terminal end and said second left terminal end, has a free end, and 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 free end of said member being located within said space and at an angle that is other than parallel to said second substantially planar surface; a third element that is electrically conductive and extends between said second left terminal end of said second substantially planar surface and said first substantially planar surface; wherein one of said first substantially planar surface and 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; and 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 free end of said member at a point within said space.

Claim 19

A method for manufacturing a microstrip antenna, comprising: providing a first electrically conductive structure having a first substantially planar surface that extends from a first right terminal end to a first left terminal end; forming a second electrically conductive structure having a second substantially planar surface that extends from a second right terminal end to a second left terminal end, and further includes a member that is made from the same piece of material as said second substantially planar surface, is located between said second right terminal end and said second left terminal end, and has a free end that is at an angle other than parallel to said second substantially planar surface; providing a third electrically conductive structure; wherein one of said first substantially planar surface and 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; positioning said first electrically conductive structure, said second electrically conductive structure and said third electrically conductive structure so that said first substantially planar surface is substantially parallel to said second substantially planar surface and said free end of said member is positioned in a space located intermediate to said first substantially planar surface and said second substantially planar surface and so that said third element extends between said second left terminal end and said first element; 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 free end of said member.

Claim 20

A method for manufacturing a microstrip antenna, comprising: providing a first electrically conductive structure having a first substantially planar surface that extends from a first right terminal end to a first left terminal end; forming a second electrically conductive structure having a second substantially planar surface that extends from a second right terminal end to a second left terminal end, and further includes a member that is made from the same piece of material as said second substantially planar surface, is located between said second right terminal end and said second left terminal end, and has a free end that is at an angle other than parallel to said second substantially planar surface; providing a third electrically conductive structure; wherein one of said first substantially planar surface and 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; positioning said first electrically conductive structure, said second electrically conductive structure and said third electrically conductive structure so that said first substantially planar surface is substantially parallel to said second substantially planar surface and said free end of said member is positioned in a space located intermediate to said first substantially planar surface and said second substantially planar surface and so that said third element extends between said second left terminal end and said first element; 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 free end of said member.