Extendable helical antenna for personal communication device
US7586463B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q25/00
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention discloses a portable personal communication device with an extendable helical antenna. This helical antenna is made of an elastic conductive spring, configured to change its height over a ground plane and along the antenna axis, mainly having two positions: a stowed position where the antenna is pressed down between the ground plane and a rigid cover, achieving a low profile; and an operational position where the rigid cover is removed and the antenna is extended by its own spring force, to a higher height, improving antenna gain. Normally, a second planar antenna may be placed over the same ground plane, not exceeding the footprint of the helical antenna, thus utilizing a compactly small volume and yet achieving a considerable electromagnetic decoupling between the antennas, due to their different radiation patterns. According to one embodiment, these antennas are installed in a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for Search and Rescue (SAR) of people in distress, where the planar antenna is coupled to a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS, such as GPS) receiver, and the helical antenna is coupled to a VHF/UHF radio.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.