Antenna structures and methods

Abstract

A communication device that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a communication device including a communication device including a conductive cover, a display fixably mounted to the conductive cover, a first antenna element, and a circuit. The display can include a conductive backing. The first antenna element can include a first slot in the conductive cover and a first gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing to form a first slot antenna for converting between first electromagnetic signals and first electrical signals. The circuit can be communicatively coupled to first edges of the first slot to define a first port. The circuit can perform operations including transmitting the first electronic signals into the first antenna element. Other embodiments are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A antenna structure, comprising:
 a conductive cover of an electronic device;   a display fixably mounted to the conductive cover of the electronic device, wherein the display comprises a conductive backing;   a first antenna element for converting between first electromagnetic signals and first electrical signals, wherein the first antenna element comprises a first slot antenna comprising a first slot in the conductive cover and a first gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing, wherein the first antenna element is communicatively coupled to the electronic device near first edges of the first slot to define a first port; and   a second antenna element for converting between second electromagnetic signals and second electrical signals, wherein the second antenna element comprises a second slot antenna comprising a second slot in the conductive cover and a second gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing, wherein the second antenna element is communicatively coupled to the electronic device near second edges of the second slot to define a second port.   
     
     
         2 . The antenna structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling element comprising a third slot in the conductive cover, wherein the third slot connects the first gap to the second gap, wherein the coupling element causes differential currents and common mode currents flowing through the first antenna element and the second antenna element to combine in a manner that increases signal isolation between the first port of the first antenna element and the second port of the second antenna element. 
     
     
         3 . The antenna structure of  claim 2 , further comprising a switch for selectively connecting the first gap to the second gap via the third slot. 
     
     
         4 . The antenna structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the conductive cover and the conductive backing at a first location to change a first length of the first gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing. 
     
     
         5 . The antenna structure of  claim 4 , wherein activation of the first switch alters a frequency-sensitive response of the first antenna element. 
     
     
         6 . The antenna structure of  claim 4 , further comprising second switch for selectively connecting the conductive cover and the conductive backing at a second location to change a second length of the second gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing. 
     
     
         7 . The antenna structure of  claim 6 , wherein activation of the first switch and the second switch alters a frequency-sensitive response of the antenna structure. 
     
     
         8 . The antenna structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-conductive material filling one of the first gap, the second gap, the first slot, the second slot, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The antenna structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling element comprising a conductive trace that connects the first gap to the second gap, wherein the coupling element causes differential currents and common mode currents flowing through the first antenna element and the second antenna element to combine in a manner that increases signal isolation between the first port of the first antenna element and the second port of the second antenna element. 
     
     
         10 . The antenna structure of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device transmits the first electromagnetic signals via the first antenna element and receives the second electromagnetic signals via the second antenna element. 
     
     
         11 . A communication device, comprising:
 a conductive cover of an electronic device;   a display fixably mounted to the conductive cover, wherein the display comprises a conductive backing;   a first antenna element comprising a first slot in the conductive cover and a first gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing to form a first slot antenna for converting between first electromagnetic signals and first electrical signals; and   a circuit communicatively coupled to first edges of the first slot to define a first port, wherein the circuit performs operations comprising transmitting the first electronic signals into the first antenna element.   
     
     
         12 . The communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the communication device further comprises a second antenna element comprising a second slot in the conductive cover and a second gap separating the conductive cover from the conductive baking to form a second slot antenna for converting between second electromagnetic signals and second electrical signals. 
     
     
         13 . The communication device of  claim 12 , wherein the communication device further comprises a coupling element comprising a third slot in the conductive cover, wherein the coupling element connects the first gap to the second gap, and wherein the coupling element causes differential currents and common mode currents flowing through the first antenna element and the second antenna element to combine in a manner that increases signal isolation between the first antenna element and the second antenna element. 
     
     
         14 . The communication device of  claim 13 , further comprising a switch for selectively connecting the first gap to the second gap via the third slot. 
     
     
         15 . The communication device of  claim 13 , further comprising a non-conductive material filling one of the first gap, the second gap, the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The communication device of  claim 11 , further comprising a first switch for selectively connecting the conductive cover and the conductive backing at a first location to change a first length of the first gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 transmitting, by a device comprising a processor, first electronic signals to a first antenna element, wherein the first electronic signals generate first electromagnetic signals via the first antenna element, and wherein the first antenna element comprises a first slot in a conductive cover of the device and a first gap between the cover and a conductive backing of a display of the device; and   receiving, by the device, second electrical signals from a second antenna element, wherein the second electrical signals are generated via second electromagnetic signals received by the second antenna element, and wherein the first antenna element comprises a second slot in the conductive cover and a second gap between the conductive cover an the conductive backing of the display of the device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the device further comprising a third slot in the conductive cover to form a coupling element, wherein the coupling element connects the first gap to the second gap, and wherein the coupling element causes differential currents and common mode currents flowing through the first antenna element and the second antenna element to combine in a manner that increases signal isolation between a first port of the first antenna element and a second port of the second antenna element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising selectively connecting, by the device, the conductive cover and the conductive backing at a first location to change a first length of the first gap separating the conductive cover and the conductive backing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the selectively connecting tunes a frequency-sensitive response of one of the first antenna element.