Antennas for Multi-band Rf Front-end Modules

This is a Ph.D. dissertation. This thesis is about the design of multi-band antennas and RF front-end circuits for wireless portable devices. Mobile phones are selected for detailed study since, due to their small size and operation in close proximity to the user they are particularly difficult to design for. A key element of the thesis is that the antenna and RF circuitry are co-designed. All aspects of design are considered, at first independently, and then simultaneously. The size constraints of mobile phones are such that the fundamental limits of antenna size, bandwidth and efficiency must be well understood, as should the limits of any enhancements that are possible using circuitry. It is shown that simple circuitry can be used to approximately double the antenna bandwidth, but that very good quality circuit components are required in order that bandwidth is not simply traded for a loss of efficiency. Since the antenna is strongly influenced by conductive parts of the mobile phone, the effect of the supporting PCB is also considered. Indeed, it is shown that the supporting PCB is often the dominant radiator in a typical mobile phone construction.Boyle, Kevin is the author of 'Antennas for Multi-band Rf Front-end Modules ', published 2004 under ISBN 9789040725494 and ISBN 9040725497.