In search of the perfect handset antenna

Abstract

The 'perfect antenna' for a handset will be a very low profile module, perhaps measuring 35 x 10 x 3 or 4 mm and it may well have to share this volume with other components. It will work over a wide range of frequencies from perhaps as low as FM radio bands up to 6 GHz and will exhibit minimal detuning when held in the hand or used next to the head. It will be quickly and easily configured for different devices. There are physical limitations that prevent a simple internal antenna from meeting these requirements but there are various technologies and techniques that may be employed to get as close as possible to this perfect antenna. Here we look at some of these techniques and the tradeoffs to each.