HK1223743B - Ultra-thin, flexible, broadband low profile planar wire antenna - Google Patents

Description

Ultra-thin flexible broadband low-profile planar wire antenna

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/867,877, filed on August 20, 2013, and entitled “Wideband Low Profile Planar Wire Antenna,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and the benefit of which is claimed.

Background of the Invention

Technical Field

The present invention relates to broadband antennas for receiving digital broadcast television signals, and more particularly to broadband low profile planar antennas for television signal reception.

Background Art

Many antennas suitable for receiving digital television signal transmissions directly from the radio (i.e., broadcast over the air) are often relatively large and bulky and take up considerable space when mounted on a wall in the owner's home. Another problem with such television antennas is that they do not provide good performance over the entire VHF and UHF television bands.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a broadband low profile planar wire antenna.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadband antenna suitable for reception of digital television signals directly from over-the-air broadcasts.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a low profile planar wire antenna that provides good performance for the VHF and UHF television bands and is relatively compact, fitting on a 12 inch by 12 inch film substrate.

According to one form of the present invention, a broadband, low-profile, omnidirectional (at least in the horizontal plane) planar wire antenna includes an antenna element fabricated using conductive silver ink and plated onto a thin-film flexible substrate. The antenna comprises an inverted triangular portion and a horizontal strip portion centered at the vertex of the triangular portion. Tab elements are provided at opposite ends of the strip portion to enhance the antenna's end effect. Furthermore, 45-degree tab elements are bonded to the top corners of the triangular portion and extend in a direction opposite thereto. The tab elements added to the triangular and strip portions increase the antenna's overall electrical length to simulate a physically larger antenna.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present invention, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1A is a front view of a broadband, low-profile planar wire antenna formed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating the dimensions and angles of the antenna elements.

1B is a front view of the broadband, low-profile planar wire antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A and illustrating the size and angles of the antenna elements.

2A , 2B and 2C are different simulation graphs and a chart showing the antenna gain of the planar antenna of the present invention at a frequency of 180 MHz.

3A , 3B and 3C are different simulation graphs and charts of the antenna gain of the planar antenna of the present invention at a frequency of 550 MHz.

4A , 4B and 4C are different simulation graphs and charts of the antenna gain of the planar antenna of the present invention at a frequency of 625 MHz.

5A , 5B and 5C are different simulation graphs and charts of the antenna gain of the planar antenna of the present invention at a frequency of 700 MHz.

6 is a front elevational view of an antenna product formed in accordance with the present invention and incorporating the antenna shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the antenna product of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the antenna product of the present invention shown in FIGs. 6 and 7 .

9 is a perspective view of the antenna product of the present invention shown installed on a residential window.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the antenna product of the present invention shown mounted on a residential wall.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the antenna product of the present invention and illustrates the flexibility and thinness of the antenna product.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a preamplifier device for use with the antenna product of the present invention.

13A is a front view of another embodiment of a broadband low-profile planar wire antenna formed in accordance with the present invention and illustrates the dimensions and angles of the antenna elements of this alternative embodiment.

13B is a front view of the broadband low-profile planar wire antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13A and illustrates the dimensions and angles of the antenna elements of this alternative embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing a vertical radiation pattern of the antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 measured at a frequency of 473 MHz.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a vertical radiation pattern of the antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 measured at a frequency of 509 MHz.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing a vertical radiation pattern of the antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 measured at a frequency of 545 MHz.

FIG. 17 is a graph of a radiation pattern in a vertical direction measured at a frequency of 581 MHz for the antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 18 is a graph of a vertical radiation pattern of the antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 measured at a frequency of 617 MHz.

FIG. 19 is a graph of a vertical radiation pattern of the antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 measured at a frequency of 653 MHz.

FIG. 20 is a graph of the radiation pattern of the antenna of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 measured at a frequency of 693 MHz in a vertical direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A broadband low profile planar wire antenna 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, and simulated graphs and charts of the antenna's frequency response at selected frequencies are shown in Figures 2A-5C.

The antenna element is preferably fabricated using conductive silver ink and plated onto a film already used as a dielectric substrate. The film material is preferably Kapton® HPP-ST film or polycarbonate (PC) film or materials. Kapton® HPP-ST is a double-sided treated polyimide film manufactured by DuPont. Specifications for Kapton® HPP-ST film can be found under H-38479 in DuPont's Bulletin GS-96-7. Datasheets with general properties for PC sheets or films can be found on the Jin-Taiwan Enterprise Co., Ltd. website (www.jin-taiwan.com.tw).

The dielectric substrate onto which the antenna elements are plated can also be any FR4 or G10 fiberglass, single-sided, printed circuit board material with a preferred minimum of 1 oz copper cladding.

As can be seen from Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, a broadband low-profile planar wire antenna 1 exhibits some of the structural characteristics of a planar disc-conical antenna. Antenna 1 comprises a generally inverted triangular portion 2 and a strip portion 4, the center of which is located near the vertex 6 of the triangular portion 2.

Even more specifically, the triangular portion 2 is formed with a plurality of segments (antenna elements) extending angularly from the vertex 6 of the triangular portion 2 .

More specifically, the first and second outer segments 8, 10 define the hypotenuse of the triangular portion 2. The proximal ends of the first and second outer segments 8, 10 are joined to the vertex 6 of the triangular portion 2, and the axially opposite distal ends of each of the first and second outer segments 8, 10 are joined to parallel-arranged first and second side segments 12, 14, respectively. The first and second side segments 12, 14 are perpendicularly joined to opposite ends of a base segment 16 of the triangular portion 2. The first and second side segments 12, 14, the first and second outer segments 8, 10, and the base segment 16 together define an inverted triangular portion 2 having an interior area 17.

The central segment 18 of the triangular portion 2 extends from the apex 6 to the center of the base segment 16. At least first and second internally angled segments 20, 22 extend from the apex 6 to top corners 24A, 24B of the triangular portion 2 defined by the intersection of the base segment 16 and the first and second side segments 12, 14, with at least the first internally angled segment 20 located between the first outer segment 8 and the central segment 18, and at least the second internally angled segment 20 located between the second outer segment 10 and the central segment 18.

The vertex 6 of the triangular portion 2 is defined by a relatively short intersecting segment 26 from which extend the first and second outer segments 8, 10 and the other inner segments 20, 22 and the central segment 18 of the triangular portion 2. It will be understood that the segments described herein refer to and function as antenna elements.

At each top corner 24A, 24B of the triangular portion 2 (i.e., excluding vertex 6, the corners 24A, 24B are defined by the junction of the first and second side segments 12, 14 and the base segment 16), first and second fin elements 28, 29 extend angularly outwardly and downwardly from the first and second side segments 12, 14, respectively, and third and fourth fin elements 30, 31 extend angularly outwardly and upwardly in a generally opposite direction from the first and second fin elements 28, 29, respectively. The first and second fin elements 28, 29 and the third and fourth fin elements 30, 31 located at the top corners 24A, 24B of the triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1 help increase the effective electrical length of the antenna 1.

More specifically, and preferably, the first and second wing elements 28, 29 are integrally formed extensions of the respective first and second side segments 12, 14. The wing elements 28, 29, which are preferred extensions of the first and second side segments 12, 14, are angularly folded over their respective side segments 12, 14, the wing elements 28, 29 extending from and defining an acute interior angle A5 therewith, the preferred angle A5 being specified in Table 1. The first and second wing elements 28, 29 extend angularly from a top corner 24 of the antenna 1 defined by the base segment 16 and the juncture of the first and second side segments 12, 14.

Similarly, and also preferably, the third and fourth wing elements 30, 31 are integrally formed extensions of the respective first and second internally angled segments 20, 22 and extend angularly from the distal ends of the first and second internally angled segments 20, 22, respectively, past the top edge of the base segment 16. The third and fourth wing elements 30, 31 together with the base element 16 define an acute internal angle A1, the preferred angles A1 being specified in Table 1.

The lower strip portion 4 also includes first and second end fin elements 32, 33 that are joined at the center of the strip portion 4 perpendicular to the opposite axial ends thereof. The first and second end fin elements 32, 33 are added to the ends of the strip portion 4 to increase the end effect (that is, the end fin elements 32, 33 allow the strip portion 4 to be physically shortened and still provide efficient resonance).

The feed points (signal and ground) for antenna 1 are at the vertex 6 of triangular portion 2 and at the center of the underlying strip portion 4, respectively. More specifically, the center conductor of antenna signal cable 42 is electrically connected to the center of intersection segment 26 defining vertex 6 of inverted triangular portion 2, and the ground shield of signal cable 42 is electrically connected to the center of strip portion 4, which serves as the ground plane for the antenna.

The first through fourth wing elements 28-31 located at the top corners 24A, 24B of the triangular portion 2, and the first and second end wing elements 32, 33 located at opposite axial ends of the strip portion 4, as well as the unique shape of the triangular portion 2, allow the antenna 1 of the present invention to perform well in the VHF and UHF television bands for receiving ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) digital television transmission signals directly from radio broadcasts (i.e., broadcast over the air), and further provide the antenna 1 with electrical characteristics and electrical length similar to those of a physically larger antenna.

Even more specifically, the unique antenna design pattern of conductive silver ink plated on a specific dielectric substrate (such as Kapton® or PC film material) provides a compact antenna that can be constructed to fit on a 12-inch by 12-inch sheet of film and still provide good performance for both VHF and UHF television reception bands. The frequency response of this antenna at selected frequencies can be seen from the gain plots and graphs shown in Figures 2A-2C for 180 MHz, Figures 3A-3C for 550 MHz, Figures 4A-4C for 625 MHz, and Figures 5A-5C for 700 MHz.

Referring again to FIG. 1B of the drawings, the dimensions and angles of the antenna element segments of the triangular and strip portions, and the fin and end elements are labeled L1-L16 and A1-A7, respectively, and the specific lengths and angles of each of the antenna elements are set forth below in Table 1:

Form I

Preferred lengths and angles of the antenna segments of the antenna shown in Figures 1A and 1B

L1 = 10.11 inches

L2 = 0.43 inches

L3 = 0.19 inches

L4 = 0.41 inches

L5 = 0.25 inches

L6 = 2.18 inches

L7 = 2.43 inches

L8 = 8.24 inches

L9 = 10.6 inches

L10 = 0.5 inches

L11 = 0.21 inches

L12 = 0.17 inches

L13 = 0.5 inches

L14 = 1.5 inches

L15 = 0.78 inches

L16 = 10.11 inches

A1=42.52 degrees

A2=61.51 degrees

A3=29.91 degrees

A4=141.29 degrees

A5=29.11 degrees

A6=9.36 degrees

A7=118.58 degrees.

When the low-profile planar wire antenna 1 of the present invention is mounted on a thin film material, the antenna is ultra-thin and flexible and can be easily mounted behind a TV panel or simply hung on a wall. Its flexible design and small size (12 inches x 12 inches) provide for unobtrusive and easy installation of the antenna. The size of the antenna has been reduced to optimize both bandwidth response and gain for efficient direct-from-air digital television signal reception.

The broadband low profile planar wire antenna of the present invention uses a unique pattern of metal or conductive elements to increase the electrical length/size of the triangle and strip sections. This allows the antenna to have the bandwidth performance of a larger size antenna, but with a substantially smaller physical size.

Figures 6, 7, and 8 are front, rear, and side elevation views, respectively, of a completed antenna product or assembly 34 incorporating the previously described antenna 1. More specifically, the antenna 1 shown in Figure 1 is sandwiched between front and rear protective cover layers 36 and 38 formed from polyimide or polycarbonate films, at least one of which also serves as a substrate that supports the antenna 1 disposed therein and onto which the antenna elements are preferably inked or etched. The front and rear cover layers 36 and 38 are preferably formed using contrasting colors, for example, white for the front cover layer 36 and black for the rear cover layer 38, or vice versa. The different color shades (i.e., light and dark) of the front and rear cover layers 36 and 38 help the antenna product 34 blend into the various décor of a residence in which the antenna product 34 is used. For example, if the antenna product 34 is mounted on the glass of a window 35, whose frame and sash are often white, the antenna product 34 might be oriented so that the light or white front or rear cover layers 36, 38 face inward toward the interior area of the residence (such as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings) so that the light or white cover layers 36, 38 blend in with the windows and trim of the residence. Alternatively, and for example, if the antenna product 34 is mounted to a wall 37 near a flat-screen television 39 (which typically has a black or dark housing), the antenna product 34 can be oriented so that the dark or black front or rear cover layers 36, 38 face inward toward the interior area of the residence (such as shown in Figure 10 of the drawings) so that the dark or black cover layers 36, 38 blend in with the television, or perhaps the furniture of the residence.

In an alternative embodiment of the antenna product or assembly 34 of the present invention, either the front cover layer 36 or the back cover layer 38 is a polyimide or polycarbonate film and serves as a substrate supporting the elements of antenna 1, which are inked, etched, or adhered to the inner surface of the supporting cover layers 36, 38. In this alternative embodiment, the other layer of the first and second cover layers 36, 38 need not be a film material, but rather may be a layer of paint (preferably a color that contrasts with the opposing support layer 36, 38) applied to the inner surface of antenna 1 and antenna support layer 36, 38, covering the exposed side of antenna 1 supported on its opposite side by the other cover layer 36, 38. Preferably, the dark or black-faced cover layer 36, 38 is the polyimide or polycarbonate film supporting antenna 1 and its elements, and the light or white-faced cover layer 36, 38 is the paint layer.

FIG11 is a perspective view of a finished antenna product 34 of the present invention, illustrating the ultra-thin, flexible nature of the antenna product (the antenna product 34 shown in FIG11 has a portion thereof bent outward from the plane in which the remainder of the antenna product 34 resides). The side view of the antenna product 34 shown in FIG8 further illustrates the ultra-thinness of the antenna product 34 incorporating the antenna 1 of the present invention. The thickness of the antenna assembly 34, measured from the outer surface of the front cover layer 36 to the opposing outer surface of the rear cover layer 38, is preferably less than approximately 1 mm, and even more preferably only approximately 0.47 mm. In an alternative embodiment of the antenna assembly 34 having a support film cover layer and an opposing cover layer of paint, the support film has a thickness of approximately 0.44 mm.

Housing 40 covers the feed point and the connection of one end of antenna cable 42 to antenna 1 at apex 6 of antenna 1. Housing 40 includes two matching front and rear sections 44, 46. Front section 44 is positioned and mounted to a portion of front cover 36 or antenna support film, and rear section 46, facing in the opposite direction from front section 44, is positioned and mounted to a portion of rear cover 38, or alternatively, to the antenna support film on its painted surface. Preferably, front section 44 of antenna cable connection housing 40 is the same color as front cover 36, and rear section 46 of housing 40 is the same color as rear cover 38, so that antenna cable connection housing 40 will blend into the décor of the residence in which antenna product 34 is installed. As will be apparent from the above description, antenna product 34 of the present invention can be oriented with either cover 36, 38 facing outward from the housing, and can also be oriented at any angle up to 360 degrees while still providing good reception of over-the-air digital television signals for viewing on a television receiver.

The antenna product 34 of the present invention can have openings 48 formed through its thickness (i.e., through the front and rear cover layers 36, 38), preferably located in opposing top corners 50 of the antenna product 34, for a user to mount the antenna product 34 to a support structure (such as a vertical wall in a user's residence) using fasteners (e.g., nails, screws, hooks, etc.) placed through the openings 48. Alternatively, because the antenna product 34 is so light (it weighs less than about two ounces without the antenna cable 42) and paper-thin, it can be mounted to a supporting surface (e.g., a wall or window) using adhesive tape.

As also shown in FIG. 12 of the accompanying drawings, the antenna product 34 may include preamplifier circuitry located within the housing 52, the preamplifier circuitry being connected to antenna cables 54 preferably extending from opposite sides of the amplifier housing 52 and connectable to antenna cables 42 of the antenna product 34 for amplifying broadcast television signals received by the antenna 1 before providing the signals to a signal input port of a television receiver to which the antenna product 34 is connected (i.e., by connecting the opposite free axial ends of the antenna cables 42 to the signal input port of the television receiver).

An alternative version of the broadband, low-profile planar wire antenna of the present invention is shown in Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings, and a series of radiation patterns of this antenna version measured at certain frequencies (in MHz) in the vertical direction are shown in Figures 14-20. The alternative version of the antenna has many of the same elements of antenna 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, including an inverted triangular portion 2 and a strip portion 4 centered near the vertex of the triangular portion 2.

More specifically, the inverted triangular portion 2 includes an outer hypotenuse and an apex 6 at least partially defined by the outer hypotenuse. An elongated strip portion 4 is present with its center proximate the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. This elongated strip portion 4 is formed as an elongated member having a first axial end 56 and a second axial end 58 located opposite the first axial end 56.

The inverted triangular portion 2 includes a first outer inclined section 8 and a second outer inclined section 10 as antenna elements. The first and second outer inclined sections 8, 10 define the outer hypotenuse of the inverted triangular portion 2. Each of the first and second outer inclined sections 8, 10 is an elongated member and has a proximal end 60 and a distal end 62 located axially opposite the proximal end 60 of the respective first and second outer inclined sections 8, 10. The first and second outer inclined sections 8, 10 converge toward each other in a direction toward their proximal ends 60 so that the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer inclined sections 8, 10 are electrically coupled together at the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2.

There are also first and second side segments 12, 14 that form part of the inverted triangle portion 2. The first side segment 12 is arranged parallel to the second side segment 14. Each of the first and second side segments 12, 14 has a first axial end 64 and a second axial end 66 located opposite the first axial end 64 of the respective first and second side segments 12, 14. The first axial end 64 of the first side segment 12 is electrically coupled to the distal end 62 of the first outer inclined segment 8, and the first axial end 64 of the second side segment 14 is electrically coupled to the distal end 62 of the second outer inclined segment 10.

The inverted triangular portion 2 of this alternative embodiment of the antenna 1, shown in Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings, further includes a base segment 16. This base segment 16 is located on the inverted triangular portion 2 opposite the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The base segment 16 is an elongated member having a central portion 68, a first axial end 70, and a second axial end 72 located opposite the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16. The first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12, and the opposite second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14. Thus, the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12 and the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 together define a first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2 of this alternative embodiment of the antenna 1, and the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14 and the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 together define a second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1.

The inverted triangular portion 2 of the alternative embodiment of the antenna 1 further includes a central segment 18. The central segment 18 is an elongated member having a proximal end 74 and a distal end 76 axially located opposite the proximal end 74 of the central segment 18. The central segment 18 is configured to extend between the apex 6 of the inverted triangular segment 2 and the base segment 16, and slightly beyond the base segment 16, as will be described in greater detail. The proximal end 74 of the central segment 18 is electrically coupled to the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer angled segments 8, 10 at the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, and near the distal end 76 of the central segment 18, a portion thereof is electrically coupled to the central portion 68 of the base segment 16.

The inverted triangular portion 2 of this alternative embodiment of the antenna 1 further includes a first internally angled segment 20 and a second internally angled segment 22. The first internally angled segment 20 is disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 between the first externally angled segment 8 and the central segment 18. Similarly, the second internally angled segment 22 is disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 between the second externally angled segment 10 and the central segment 18. Each of the first internally angled segment 20 and the second internally angled segment 22 is formed as an elongated member and has a proximal end 78 of the respective first and second internally angled segments 20, 22 and a distal end 80 axially located opposite the proximal end 78. Each of the first internally angled segment 20 and the second internally angled segment 22 extends between the apex 6 and the base segment 16 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The proximal end 78 of the first internally angled segment 20 is electrically coupled to the proximal ends 60, 74 of the first externally angled segment 8, the second externally angled segment 10, and the central segment 18 at the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The distal end 80 of the first internal angled segment 20 is electrically coupled to the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 at or near the first corner 24A of the inverted triangle portion 2, and the distal end 80 of the second internal angled segment 22 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 at or near the second corner 24B of the inverted triangle portion 2.

As previously explained, a portion 82 of the center segment 18 at its distal end 76 extends beyond the base segment 16 and is electrically coupled to a central portion 84 of a center feed reflector 86. More specifically, the center feed reflector 86 is an elongated member extending parallel to the base segment 16 and spaced a predetermined distance from the base segment 16. The center feed reflector 86 also includes a first axial end 88 and a second axial end 90 located opposite the first axial end 86.

In this alternative version of the antenna 1 of the present invention shown in Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings, the first and second wing segments 28, 29 and the third and fourth wing segments 30, 31 are not electrically coupled to the inverted triangular portion 2 as is the case in the embodiment of the antenna 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B, but rather are electrically coupled to a center feed reflector 86 disposed above the base segment 16 of the inverted triangular portion 2. More specifically, the first wing segment 28 is electrically coupled to the center feed reflector 86 at or near a first axial end 88 of the center feed reflector 86 and is proximate to a first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends angularly outwardly from the first axial end 88 of the center feed reflector 86 generally toward the first axial end 64 of the first side segment 12 and defines a first obtuse angle A8 with the center feed reflector 86 that faces generally toward the first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2.

Similarly, the second wing segment 29 is electrically coupled to the feed reflector 86 at or near the second axial end 90 of the feed reflector 86 and is proximate to the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends angularly outward from the second axial end 90 of the feed reflector 86 generally toward the first axial end 64 of the second side segment 14 and defines a second obtuse angle A9 with the feed reflector 86 that generally faces the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2.

The third wing segment 30 is electrically coupled to the feed reflector 86 at or near a first axial end 88 of the feed reflector 86 and extends angularly outward from at or near the first axial end 88 of the feed reflector 86, away from the triangular portion 2 and preferably in a direction opposite to that in which the first wing segment 28 extends. The third wing segment 30 defines a third obtuse angle A1 with the feed reflector 86. Similarly, the fourth wing segment 31 is electrically coupled to the feed reflector 86 at or near a second axial end 90 of the feed reflector 86 and extends angularly outward from at or near the second axial end portion 90 of the feed reflector 86, away from the triangular portion 2 and preferably in a direction opposite to that in which the second wing segment 29 extends. The fourth wing segment 31 defines a fourth acute angle A10 with the feed reflector 86.

Moreover, similar to the antenna embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the vertex 6 of the triangular portion 2 of the antenna embodiment shown in Figures 13A and 13B is defined by a relatively short intersecting segment 26, and the first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 and the other inner segments 12, 14 and the center segment 18 of the triangular portion 2 extend from the relatively short intersecting segment 26.

Similar to the first embodiment of antenna 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, the alternative version of the antenna shown in Figures 13A and 13B is also fed at the vertex 6 of the triangular portion 2 and the center portion of the lower strip portion 4. More specifically, the center conductor of the antenna signal cable 42 is electrically connected to the center of the intersection segment 26 that defines the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, and the ground shield of the signal cable 42 is electrically connected to the center of the strip portion 4, which serves as the ground plane for the antenna 1.

It should be noted that in this embodiment shown in Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings, the first end segment 32 and the second end segment 33, as included in the preferred form of the first embodiment of the antenna 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B, have been omitted. However, it should be understood that such first and second end segments 32, 33 (preferably elongated members having a central portion) may be included and electrically coupled at their respective central portions to the opposing first and second axial ends 56, 58 of the strip portion 4 to help increase the effective electrical length of the antenna, and may have dimensions that are the same or similar to the dimensions of the first and second end segments 32, 33 of the antenna embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

Referring again to FIG. 13B of the drawings, the preferred dimensions and angles of the antenna element segments and fin elements of the triangle portion 2, strip portion 4, and center feed reflector 86 are labeled L1-L20 and A1-A10, respectively, and the specific lengths and angles of each of the antenna elements of this alternative embodiment of the antenna are set forth below in Table 2:

Table 2

Preferred lengths and angles of the antenna segments of the antenna shown in Figures 13A and 13B

L1 = 13.0 inches

L2 = 0.21 inches

L3 = 0.45 inches

L4 = 0.50 inches

L5 = 0.60 inches

L6 = 4.12 inches

L7 = 6.57 inches

L8 = 0.38 inches

L9 = 0.35 inches

L10 = 0.71 inches

L11 = 0.29 inches

L12 = 1.44 inches

L13 = 7.05 inches

L14 = 0.20 inches

L15 = 0.60 inches

L16 = 0.10 inches

L17 = 2.00 inches

L18 = 10.0 inches

L19 = 12.22 inches

L20 = 0.19 inches

A1, A10=74.44 degrees

A2=65.45 degrees

A3=24.55 degrees

A4=152.57 degrees

A5=65.45 degrees

A6=60.43 degrees

A7=114.55 degrees

A8, A9=105.56 degrees.

The antenna 1 of the present invention, shown in Figures 13A and 13B and in Figures 1A and 1B (but without reflector 86), generally and conceptually operates in the following manner. Base segment 16 acts as a dipole antenna fed by center segment 18. Reflector 86 is located behind (that is, above, when viewing Figures 13A and 13B ) the dipole-like base segment 16 to direct (reflect) the radiated signal (in this case, the received signal) from the dipole-like base segment 16 downward (toward apex 6) toward triangular portion 2 of antenna 1. Outer angled segments 8, 10 and inner angled segments 20, 22 act as parasitic elements or indicators, extracting power from the driven dipole-like base segment 16 and reradiating the signal outward from the antenna. The underlying strip segment 4 acts as the ground plane for antenna 1. Wing elements 32, 33 (see Figures 1A and 1B ) located above opposite axial ends of the ground plane-like strip segment 4 enhance the end effect of antenna 1. The angled fin elements 28-31 added to the triangular portion 2 increase the overall electrical length of the antenna 1 to simulate a physically larger antenna. The straight (non-slanted) side segments 12, 14 also act as parasitic elements and help direct the radiated signal in the omnidirectional horizontal plane (when the antenna is oriented vertically, as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 13A, and 13B).

Of course, what has been described above is for a signal radiating antenna, but conceptually the antenna 1 of the present invention operates in the same way as a signal receiving antenna.

The finished antenna product or assembly 34 of the present invention may be incorporated into the antenna 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, or an alternative version of the antenna shown in Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings. Thus, the antenna assembly 34 will include a front cover layer 36 (which may be a polyimide or polycarbonate film), a rear cover layer 38 (which may be a similar film or paint layer), and the antenna positioned between the two cover layers 36, 38. The antenna product 34 incorporating the antenna shown in Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings will also have a housing 40 that covers the feed point and the connection of one end of the antenna cable 42 to the antenna 1 at the vertex 6 of the antenna 1, wherein the housing includes two matching front and rear portions 44, 46 having the structure and contrasting colors previously described herein.

The structural features of the various forms of the antenna of the present invention shown in Figures 1A and 1B, and Figures 13A and 13B will now be described again.

More specifically, the broadband low-profile planar wire antenna formed according to the present invention includes: an inverted triangular portion 2 having an outer hypotenuse and a vertex 6 at least partially defined by the outer hypotenuse, the inverted triangular portion 2 having an inner area 17; and an elongated strip portion 4 centered near the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, the elongated strip portion being formed as an elongated member having a first axial end 56 and a second axial end 58 located opposite the first axial end 56.

Preferably, the inverted triangular portion 2 includes a first outer segment 8 and a second outer segment 10 as antenna elements. The first and second outer segments 8, 10 define the outer hypotenuse of the inverted triangular portion 2. Each of the first and second outer segments 8, 10 is in the form of an elongated member and has a proximal end 60 of the respective first and second outer segments 8, 10 and a distal end 62 axially located opposite the proximal end 60. The first and second outer segments 8, 10 converge toward their proximal ends 60 so that the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer segments 8, 10 are electrically coupled together at the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2.

The inverted triangular portion 2 preferably also includes a base segment 16. The base segment 16 is located on the inverted triangular portion 2 opposite the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The base segment 16 is in the form of an elongated member and has a central portion 68 of the base segment 16, a first axial end 70, and a second axial end 72 located opposite the first axial end 70. The first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 is in electrical communication with the distal end 62 of the first outer segment 8, and the opposite second distal end 72 of the base segment 16 is in electrical communication with the distal end 62 of the second outer segment 10. The first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 at least partially defines a first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1, and the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 at least partially defines a second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1.

The antenna 1 of the present invention preferably further includes at least a first wing segment 28 and a second wing segment 29 located proximate the first corner 24A and the second corner 24B, respectively, of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1. Providing at least the first wing element 28 and the second wing element 29 helps increase the effective electrical length of the antenna 1.

In a more preferred form of the antenna 1 of the present invention, the inverted triangular portion 2 further includes a central segment 18. The central segment 18 is formed as an elongated member and has a proximal end 74 of the central segment 18 and a distal end 76 located axially opposite the proximal end 74. The central segment 18 is at least partially disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends between the apex 6 and the base segment 16 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The proximal end 74 of the central segment 18 is electrically coupled to the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer segments 8, 10 at the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, and a portion of the central segment 18 at or near the distal end 76 of the central segment 18 is electrically coupled to the central portion 68 of the base segment 16.

Preferably, antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a first end segment 32 and a second end segment 33. Each of first end segment 32 and second end segment 33 is in the form of an elongated member and has a central portion. First axial end 56 of strip portion 4 is electrically coupled to the central portion of first end segment 32, and second axial end 58 of strip portion 4 is electrically coupled to the central portion of second end segment 33. Providing first end segment 32 and second end segment 33 helps increase the effective electrical length of strip portion 4.

In an even more preferred form of the invention (such as illustrated by Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings), the broadband low-profile planar wire antenna 1 includes: an inverted triangular portion 2 having an outer hypotenuse and an apex 6 at least partially defined by the outer hypotenuse, the inverted triangular portion 2 having an inner region 17; and an elongated strip portion 4 centered near the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, the elongated strip portion 4 being formed as an elongated member having a first axial end 56 and a second axial end 58 located opposite the first axial end 56.

In this preferred form of the antenna 1 of the present invention, the inverted triangular portion 2 and the elongated strip portion 4 include a first outer inclined segment 8 and a second outer inclined segment 10 as antenna elements. The first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 define the outer hypotenuse of the inverted triangular portion 2. Each of the first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 is in the form of an elongated member and has a proximal end 60 of the respective first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 and a distal end 62 axially located opposite the proximal end 60. The first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 converge toward each other in a direction toward their proximal ends 60 so that the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 are electrically coupled together at the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2.

In this preferred form of the antenna of the present invention, the inverted triangular portion 2 further includes a first side segment 12 and a second side segment 14. The first side segment 12 is arranged parallel to the second side segment 14. Each of the first and second side segments 12, 14 is in the form of an elongated member and has a first axial end 64 of the respective first and second side segments 12, 14 and a second axial end 66 located opposite the first axial end 64. The first axial end 64 of the first side segment 12 is electrically coupled to the distal end 62 of the first outer inclined segment 8, and the first axial end 64 of the second side segment 14 is electrically coupled to the distal end 62 of the second outer inclined segment 10.

In this preferred form, the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a base segment 16. This base segment 16 is located on the inverted triangular portion 2 opposite the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The base segment 16 is in the form of an elongated member and has a central portion 68, a first axial end 70, and a second axial end 72 located opposite the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16. The first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12, and the opposite second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14. Thus, the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12 and the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 together define the first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1, and similarly, the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14 and the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 together define the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1.

The inverted triangular portion 2 of this preferred embodiment of the antenna 1 further includes a central segment 18. The central segment 18 is in the form of an elongated member and has a proximal end 74 and a distal end 76 located axially opposite the proximal end 74 of the central segment 18. The central segment 18 is disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends between the apex 6 and the base segment 16 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The proximal end 74 of the central segment 18 is electrically coupled to the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer angled segments 8, 10 at the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, and the distal end 76 of the central segment 18 is electrically coupled to the central portion 68 of the base segment 16.

As shown in Figures 1A and 1B of the accompanying drawings, in such a preferred form, the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a first internal angled segment 20 and a second internal angled segment 22. The first internal angled segment 20 is disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 between the first external angled segment 8 and the central segment 18, and the second internal angled segment 22 is disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 between the second external angled segment 10 and the central segment 18. Each of the first internal angled segment 20 and the second internal angled segment 22 is in the form of an elongated member and has a proximal end 78 of the respective first and second internal angled segments 20, 22 and a distal end 80 axially located opposite the proximal end 78. Each of the first internal angled segment 20 and the second internal angled segment 22 extends between the apex 6 and the base segment 16 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The proximal ends 78 of the first and second internal angled segments 20, 22 are electrically coupled to the proximal ends 60, 74 of the first and second external angled segments 8, 10, and center segment 18 at the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The distal end 80 of the first internal angled segment 20 is electrically coupled to the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 at or near the first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2, and the distal end 80 of the second internal angled segment 22 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 at or near the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2.

The preferred form of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a first wing segment 28 and a second wing segment 29. The first wing segment 28 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12 at or near the first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends angularly outward from the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12 generally toward the first axial end 64 of the first side segment 12 to define a first acute angle with the first side segment 12. Similarly, the second wing segment 29 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14 at or near the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends angularly outward from the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14 generally toward the first axial end 64 of the second side segment 14 to define a second acute angle with the second side segment 14.

The inverted triangular portion 2 of this preferred form of the antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a third wing segment 30 and a fourth wing segment 31. The third wing segment 30 is electrically coupled to the distal end 80 of the first internally angled segment 20 at or near the first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends angularly outward from the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 to define a third acute angle with the base segment 16. Similarly, the fourth wing segment 31 is electrically coupled to the distal end 80 of the second internally angled segment 22 at or near the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends angularly outward from the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 to define a fourth acute angle with the base segment 16.

In this preferred embodiment, antenna 1 further includes a first end segment 32 and a second end segment 33. Each of first end segment 32 and second end segment 33 is in the form of an elongated member having a central portion. A first axial end 56 of strip portion 4 is electrically coupled to the central portion of first end segment 32, and a second axial end 58 of strip portion 4 is electrically coupled to the central portion of second end segment 33.

In another preferred form of the invention (such as illustrated by Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings), the broadband low-profile planar wire antenna 1 includes: an inverted triangular portion 2 having an outer hypotenuse and a vertex 6 at least partially defined by the outer hypotenuse, the inverted triangular portion 2 having an inner area 17; and an elongated strip portion 4 centered near the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, the elongated strip portion 4 being formed as an elongated member having a first axial end 56 and a second axial end 58 located opposite the first axial end 56; and a feed reflector 86 formed as an elongated member and having a first axial end 88 and a second axial end 90 located opposite the first axial end 88, the feed reflector 86 being positioned near the inverted triangular portion 2, opposite its vertex 6 and outside the inner area 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2.

In this preferred form, the inverted triangular portion 2, the elongated strip portion 4 and the feed reflector 86 include a first outer inclined segment 8 and a second outer inclined segment 10 as antenna elements. The first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 define the outer hypotenuse of the inverted triangular portion 2. Each of the first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 is in the form of an elongated member and has a proximal end 60 of the respective first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 and a distal end 62 axially located opposite the proximal end 60. The first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 converge toward each other in a direction toward their proximal ends 60 so that the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer inclined segments 8, 10 are electrically coupled together at the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2.

The inverted triangular portion 2 of this preferred form of the antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a first side segment 12 and a second side segment 14. The first side segment 12 is arranged parallel to the second side segment 14. Each of the first and second side segments 12, 14 is in the form of an elongated member and has a first axial end 64 of the respective first and second side segments 12, 14 and a second axial end 66 located opposite the first axial end 64. The first axial end 64 of the first side segment 12 is electrically coupled to the distal end 62 of the first outer inclined segment 8, and the first axial end 64 of the second side segment 14 is electrically coupled to the distal end 62 of the second outer inclined segment 10.

The inverted triangular portion 2 of the aforementioned preferred antenna 1 further includes a base segment 16. This base segment 16 is located on the inverted triangular portion 2 opposite the vertex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The base segment 16 is in the form of an elongated member and has a central portion 68, a first axial end 70, and a second axial end 72 located opposite the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16. The first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12, and the opposite second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14. Therefore, the second axial end 66 of the first side segment 12 and the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 together define the first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1. Similarly, the second axial end 66 of the second side segment 14 and the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 together define the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1.

In this preferred form, and as shown in Figures 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings, the inverted triangular portion 2 of the antenna 1 further includes a central segment 18. The central segment 18 is in the form of an elongated member and has a proximal end 74 and an extended distal portion 82 located axially opposite the proximal end 74 of the central segment 18. The central segment 18 is disposed at least partially within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 and extends from the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2 to the base segment 16. The extended distal portion 82 extends outwardly from the base segment 16 in a direction away from the apex 6. The proximal end 74 of the central segment 18 is electrically coupled to the proximal ends 60 of the first and second outer angled segments 8, 10 at the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2, and the central segment 18 is electrically coupled to the central portion 68 of the base segment 16 near its extended distal portion 82.

The antenna 1 of the present invention preferably includes a first internal angled segment 20 and a second internal angled segment 22 as part of the inverted triangular portion 2. More specifically, the first internal angled segment 20 is disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 between the first external angled segment 8 and the central segment 18, and the second internal angled segment 22 is disposed within the interior region 17 of the inverted triangular portion 2 between the second external angled segment 10 and the central segment 18. Each of the first internal angled segment 20 and the second internal angled segment 22 is in the form of an elongated member and has a proximal end 78 of the respective first and second internal angled segments 20, 22 and a distal end 80 axially located opposite the proximal end 78. Each of the first internal angled segment 20 and the second internal angled segment 22 extends between the apex 6 and the base segment 16 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The proximal ends 78 of the first and second internal angled segments 20, 22 are electrically coupled to the proximal ends 60, 74 of the first and second external angled segments 8, 10, and center segment 18 at the apex 6 of the inverted triangular portion 2. The distal end 80 of the first internal angled segment 20 is electrically coupled to the first axial end 70 of the base segment 16 at or near the first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2, and the distal end 80 of the second internal angled segment 22 is electrically coupled to the second axial end 72 of the base segment 16 at or near the second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2.

In this preferred form, the antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a first wing segment 28 and a second wing segment 29. The first wing segment 28 is electrically coupled to the feed reflector 86 at or near a first axial end 88 of the feed reflector 86, is located proximate to a first corner 24A of the inverted triangular portion 2, and extends angularly outward from the feed reflector 86 to define a first angle with the feed reflector 86. Similarly, the second wing segment 29 is electrically coupled to the feed reflector 86 at or near a second axial end 90 of the feed reflector 86, is located proximate to a second corner 24B of the inverted triangular portion 2, and extends angularly outward from the feed reflector 86 to define a second angle with the feed reflector 86.

In addition, in this preferred form, the antenna 1 of the present invention further includes a third wing segment 30 and a fourth wing segment 31. The third wing segment 30 is electrically coupled to the feed reflector 86 at or near the first axial end 88 of the feed reflector 86, and extends angularly outward from or near the first axial end 88 of the feed reflector 86, away from the inverted triangular portion 2 and in a direction opposite to that from which the first wing segment 28 extends, and defines a third acute angle with the feed reflector 86. Similarly, the fourth wing segment 31 is electrically coupled to the feed reflector 86 at or near the second axial end 90 of the feed reflector 86, and extends angularly outward from or near the second axial end 90 of the feed reflector 86, away from the inverted triangular portion 2 and in a direction opposite to that from which the second wing segment 29 extends, and defines a fourth acute angle with the feed reflector 86.

Antenna assembly 34 formed according to the present invention may include antenna 1, previously described and shown in Figures 1A and 1B, or antenna 1, previously described and shown in Figures 13A and 13B, as well as thin front cover layer 36 and thin back cover layer 38. Antenna 1 is positioned between front cover layer 36 and back cover layer 38. Front cover layer 36 has an outer surface 92, and back cover layer 38 has an outer surface 94. Outer surface 92 of front cover layer 36 faces away from outer surface 94 of back cover layer 38.

Preferably, the total thickness of the antenna assembly 34 measured between the outer surface 92 of the front cover layer 36 and the outer surface 94 of the rear cover layer 38 is less than about 1 mm. In a more preferred form, the front cover layer 36 of the antenna assembly 34 comprises a film that supports the antenna 1, and the rear cover layer 38 is a paint layer.

In an even more preferred form of the antenna assembly 34, the outer surface 92 of the front cover layer 36 is formed using a first color, and the outer surface 94 of the rear cover layer 38 is formed using a second color, and the first color of the outer surface 92 of the front cover layer 36 is different from the second color of the outer surface 94 of the rear cover layer 38.

Moreover, in another preferred form, the antenna assembly 34 further includes an antenna cable connection housing 40 having a front portion 44 and a rear portion 46 that matches the front portion 44 of the antenna cable connection housing 40. The front portion 44 of the antenna cable connection housing 40 is disposed on a portion of the front cover 36, and the rear portion 46 of the antenna cable connection housing 40 is disposed on a portion of the rear cover 38. The front portion 44 of the antenna cable connection housing 40 preferably has the same color as the first color of the outer surface 92 of the front cover 36, and the rear portion 46 of the antenna cable connection housing 40 preferably has the same color as the second color of the rear cover 38.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various other changes and modifications may be implemented therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A broadband low-profile planar wire antenna, comprising: An inverted triangular portion having an outer hypotenuse and a vertex at least partially defined by the outer hypotenuse, the inverted triangular portion having an inner region; and The elongated strip-shaped portion, which is located near the apex of the inverted triangle portion, is formed as an elongated member having a first axial end and a second axial end located opposite to the first axial end. The inverted triangular section includes the following components that function as antenna elements: First and second outer segments, which define the outer hypotenuse of the inverted triangle portion, each of the first and second outer segments is an elongated member and has a proximal end of the respective first and second outer segments and a distal end axially located opposite the proximal end, the first and second outer segments converging toward each other in a direction toward their proximal ends such that the proximal ends of the first and second outer segments are electrically coupled together at the apex of the inverted triangle portion. A base segment, located on an inverted triangular portion opposite to the apex of the inverted triangular portion, the base segment being an elongated member having a central portion, a first axial end, and a second axial end opposite to the first axial end of the base segment, the first axial end of the base segment being in electrical communication with the distal end of a first outer segment, and the opposing second axial end of the base segment being in electrical communication with the distal end of a second outer segment, the first axial end of the base segment at least partially defining a first corner of the inverted triangular portion of the antenna, and the second axial end of the base segment at least partially defining a second corner of the inverted triangular portion of the antenna; and At least a first wing segment and a second wing segment, respectively located at the first corner and the second corner of the inverted triangular portion near the antenna, are provided to help increase the effective electrical length of the antenna. 2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the inverted triangular portion further comprises: The central segment is an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end axially located opposite the proximal end of the central segment. The central segment is at least partially disposed within the inner region of the inverted triangle portion and extends between the apex of the inverted triangle portion and the base segment. The proximal end of the central segment is electrically coupled to the proximal ends of the first and second outer segments at the apex of the inverted triangle portion, and a portion of the central segment at or near the distal end of the central segment is electrically coupled to the central portion of the base segment. 3. The antenna according to claim 1, further comprising: A first end segment and a second end segment, each of which is an elongated member and has a central portion, wherein a first axial end of the strip portion is electrically coupled to the central portion of the first end segment, and a second axial end of the strip portion is electrically coupled to the central portion of the second end segment, the first end segment and the second end segment being provided to help increase the effective electrical length of the strip portion. 4. An antenna assembly comprising: Such as the antenna as defined in claim 1; and A thin front cover layer and a thin rear cover layer, wherein the antenna is located between the front cover layer and the rear cover layer, the front cover layer having an outer surface, and the outer surface of the front cover layer facing away from the outer surface of the rear cover layer. 5. The antenna assembly of claim 4, wherein the total thickness of the antenna assembly, measured between the outer surface of the front cover layer and the outer surface of the rear cover layer, is less than about 1 mm. 6. The antenna assembly of claim 4, wherein the front cover layer includes a membrane supporting the antenna, and wherein the rear cover layer is a layer of paint. 7. The antenna assembly of claim 4, wherein the outer surface of the front cover layer is formed using a first color, and the outer surface of the rear cover layer is formed using a second color, wherein the first color of the outer surface of the front cover layer is different from the second color of the outer surface of the rear cover layer. 8. The antenna assembly according to claim 7, further comprising: The antenna cable connection housing has a front portion and a rear portion that matches the front portion of the antenna cable connection housing, the front portion of the antenna cable connection housing being disposed on a portion of the front cover layer, and the rear portion of the antenna cable connection housing being disposed on a portion of the rear cover layer. The front portion of the antenna cable connection housing has the same color as the first color of the outer surface of the front cover layer, and the rear portion of the antenna cable connection housing has the same color as the second color of the rear cover layer. 9. A broadband low-profile planar wire antenna, comprising: An inverted triangular portion having an outer hypotenuse and a vertex at least partially defined by the outer hypotenuse, the inverted triangular portion having an inner region; and The elongated strip-shaped portion, which is located near the apex of the inverted triangle portion, is formed as an elongated member having a first axial end and a second axial end located opposite to the first axial end. The inverted triangular portion and the elongated strip portion include the following as antenna elements: First and second external inclined segments define the outer bevel of the inverted triangle portion. Each of the first and second external inclined segments is an elongated member and has a proximal end of the respective first and second external inclined segments and a distal end axially located opposite the proximal end. The first and second external inclined segments converge toward each other in a direction toward their proximal ends such that the proximal ends of the first and second external inclined segments are electrically coupled together at the apex of the inverted triangle portion. A first side segment and a second side segment, the first side segment being configured to be parallel to the second side segment, each of the first and second side segments being an elongated member and having a first axial end of the respective first and second side segments and a second axial end located opposite the first axial end, the first axial end of the first side segment being electrically coupled to the distal end of a first outer inclined segment, and the first axial end of the second side segment being electrically coupled to the distal end of a second outer inclined segment; A base segment, located on an inverted triangular portion opposite to the apex of the inverted triangular portion, is an elongated member having a central portion, a first axial end, and a second axial end opposite to the first axial end of the base segment. The first axial end of the base segment is electrically coupled to the second axial end of a first side segment, and the opposite second axial end of the base segment is electrically coupled to the second axial end of a second side segment. Thus, the second axial end of the first side segment and the first axial end of the base segment together define a first corner of the inverted triangular portion of the antenna, and thus, the second axial end of the second side segment and the second axial end of the base segment together define a second corner of the inverted triangular portion of the antenna. The central segment is an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end axially located opposite the proximal end of the central segment. The central segment is configured to be within the inner region of the inverted triangle portion and extend between the apex of the inverted triangle portion and the base segment. The proximal end of the central segment is electrically coupled to the proximal ends of the first and second outer inclined segments at the apex of the inverted triangle portion, and the distal end of the central segment is electrically coupled to the central portion of the base segment. A first internally angled segment and a second internally angled segment, the first internally angled segment being disposed within the inner region of an inverted triangle portion between a first externally inclined segment and a center segment, and the second internally angled segment being disposed within the inner region of an inverted triangle portion between a second externally inclined segment and a center segment, each of the first internally angled segment and the second internally angled segment being an elongated member and having a proximal end of each of the first and second internally angled segments and a distal end axially located opposite the proximal end, each of the first internally angled segment and the second internally angled segment extending between the apex of the inverted triangle portion and a base segment, the proximal ends of the first internally angled segment and the second internally angled segment being electrically coupled to the proximal ends of the first externally inclined segment, the second externally inclined segment and the center segment at the apex of the inverted triangle portion, the distal end of the first internally angled segment being electrically coupled to the first axial end of the base segment at or near the first corner of the inverted triangle portion, and the distal end of the second internally angled segment being electrically coupled to the second axial end of the base segment at or near the second corner of the inverted triangle portion; A first wing segment and a second wing segment, the first wing segment being electrically coupled to the second axial end of the first side segment at or near the first corner of the inverted triangle portion, and extending outward at an angle from the second axial end of the first side segment toward the first axial end of the first side segment to define a first acute angle with the first side segment; the second wing segment being electrically coupled to the second axial end of the second side segment at or near the second corner of the inverted triangle portion, and extending outward at an angle from the second axial end of the second side segment toward the first axial end of the second side segment to define a second acute angle with the second side segment; A third wing segment and a fourth wing segment, the third wing segment being electrically coupled to the distal end of the first internally angled segment at or near the first corner of the inverted triangle portion, and extending outward at an angle from the first axial end of the base segment to define a third acute angle with the base segment; the fourth wing segment being electrically coupled to the distal end of the second internally angled segment at or near the second corner of the inverted triangle portion, and extending outward at an angle from the second axial end of the base segment to define a fourth acute angle with the base segment; and The first end segment and the second end segment, each of which is an elongated member and has a central portion, wherein a first axial end of the strip portion is electrically coupled to the central portion of the first end segment, and a second axial end of the strip portion is electrically coupled to the central portion of the second end segment. 10. An antenna assembly comprising: Such as the antenna as defined in claim 9; and A thin front cover layer and a thin rear cover layer, wherein the antenna is located between the front cover layer and the rear cover layer, the front cover layer having an outer surface, and the outer surface of the front cover layer facing away from the outer surface of the rear cover layer. 11. The antenna assembly of claim 10, wherein the total thickness of the antenna assembly, measured between the outer surface of the front cover layer and the outer surface of the rear cover layer, is less than about 1 mm. 12. The antenna assembly of claim 10, wherein the front cover layer includes a membrane supporting the antenna, and wherein the rear cover layer is a layer of paint. 13. The antenna assembly of claim 10, wherein the outer surface of the front cover layer is formed using a first color, and the outer surface of the rear cover layer is formed using a second color, wherein the first color of the outer surface of the front cover layer is different from the second color of the outer surface of the rear cover layer. 14. The antenna assembly of claim 13, further comprising: The antenna cable connection housing has a front portion and a rear portion that matches the front portion of the antenna cable connection housing, the front portion of the antenna cable connection housing being disposed on a portion of the front cover layer, and the rear portion of the antenna cable connection housing being disposed on a portion of the rear cover layer. The front portion of the antenna cable connection housing has the same color as the first color of the outer surface of the front cover layer, and the rear portion of the antenna cable connection housing has the same color as the second color of the rear cover layer. 15. A broadband low-profile planar wire antenna, comprising: An inverted triangle portion having an outer hypotenuse and a vertex at least partially defined by the outer hypotenuse, the inverted triangle portion having an inner region; An elongated strip-shaped portion near the apex of the inverted triangle portion, the elongated strip-shaped portion being formed as an elongated member having a first axial end and a second axial end located opposite the first axial end; and A center-feed reflector is formed as an elongated member and has a first axial end and a second axial end located opposite the first axial end. The center-feed reflector is located near the inverted triangle portion, opposite the vertex of the inverted triangle portion, and outside the inner region of the inverted triangle portion. The inverted triangular section, the elongated strip section, and the center-fed reflector include the following as antenna elements: First and second external inclined segments define the outer bevel of the inverted triangle portion. Each of the first and second external inclined segments is an elongated member and has a proximal end of the respective first and second external inclined segments and a distal end axially located opposite the proximal end. The first and second external inclined segments converge toward each other in a direction toward their proximal ends such that the proximal ends of the first and second external inclined segments are electrically coupled together at the apex of the inverted triangle portion. A first side segment and a second side segment, the first side segment being configured to be parallel to the second side segment, each of the first and second side segments being an elongated member and having a first axial end of the respective first and second side segments and a second axial end located opposite the first axial end, the first axial end of the first side segment being electrically coupled to the distal end of a first outer inclined segment, and the first axial end of the second side segment being electrically coupled to the distal end of a second outer inclined segment; A base segment, located on an inverted triangular portion opposite to the apex of the inverted triangular portion, is an elongated member having a central portion, a first axial end, and a second axial end opposite to the first axial end of the base segment. The first axial end of the base segment is electrically coupled to the second axial end of a first side segment, and the opposite second axial end of the base segment is electrically coupled to the second axial end of a second side segment. Thus, the second axial end of the first side segment and the first axial end of the base segment together define a first corner of the inverted triangular portion of the antenna, and thus, the second axial end of the second side segment and the second axial end of the base segment together define a second corner of the inverted triangular portion of the antenna. A central segment, which is an elongated member having a proximal end and an axially extending distal portion opposite to the proximal end of the central segment, the central segment being at least partially disposed within the inner region of the inverted triangle portion and extending from the apex of the inverted triangle portion to a base segment, the extending distal portion extending outward from the base segment in a direction away from the apex, the proximal end of the central segment being electrically coupled to the proximal ends of the first and second outer inclined segments at the apex of the inverted triangle portion, and the central segment being electrically coupled to the central portion of the base segment near its extending distal portion; A first internally angled segment and a second internally angled segment, the first internally angled segment being disposed within the inner region of an inverted triangle portion between a first externally inclined segment and a center segment, and the second internally angled segment being disposed within the inner region of an inverted triangle portion between a second externally inclined segment and a center segment, each of the first internally angled segment and the second internally angled segment being an elongated member and having a proximal end of each of the first and second internally angled segments and a distal end axially located opposite the proximal end, each of the first internally angled segment and the second internally angled segment extending between the apex of the inverted triangle portion and a base segment, the proximal ends of the first internally angled segment and the second internally angled segment being electrically coupled to the proximal ends of the first externally inclined segment, the second externally inclined segment and the center segment at the apex of the inverted triangle portion, the distal end of the first internally angled segment being electrically coupled to the first axial end of the base segment at or near the first corner of the inverted triangle portion, and the distal end of the second internally angled segment being electrically coupled to the second axial end of the base segment at or near the second corner of the inverted triangle portion; A first wing segment and a second wing segment, the first wing segment being electrically coupled to the center-fed reflector at or near a first axial end of the center-fed reflector and located near a first corner of the inverted triangular portion, extending outward at an angle from the center-fed reflector to define a first angle with the center-fed reflector; the second wing segment being electrically coupled to the center-fed reflector at or near a second axial end of the center-fed reflector and located near a second corner of the inverted triangular portion, extending outward at an angle from the center-fed reflector to define a second angle with the center-fed reflector; and The third wing segment is electrically coupled to the center-fed reflector at or near the first axial end of the center-fed reflector, and extends outward at an angle from the first axial end of the center-fed reflector in the opposite direction to the extension of the first wing segment, and defines a third acute angle with the center-fed reflector. The fourth wing segment is electrically coupled to the center-fed reflector at or near the second axial end of the center-fed reflector, and extends outward at an angle from the second axial end of the center-fed reflector in the opposite direction to the extension of the second wing segment, and defines a fourth acute angle with the center-fed reflector. 16. An antenna assembly comprising: Such as the antenna as defined in claim 15; and A thin front cover layer and a thin rear cover layer, wherein the antenna is located between the front cover layer and the rear cover layer, the front cover layer having an outer surface, and the outer surface of the front cover layer facing away from the outer surface of the rear cover layer. 17. The antenna assembly of claim 16, wherein the total thickness of the antenna assembly, measured between the outer surface of the front cover layer and the outer surface of the rear cover layer, is less than about 1 mm. 18. The antenna assembly of claim 16, wherein the front cover layer includes a membrane supporting the antenna, and wherein the rear cover layer is a layer of paint. 19. The antenna assembly of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the front cover layer is formed using a first color, and the outer surface of the rear cover layer is formed using a second color, wherein the first color of the outer surface of the front cover layer is different from the second color of the outer surface of the rear cover layer. 20. The antenna assembly of claim 19, further comprising: The antenna cable connection housing has a front portion and a rear portion that matches the front portion of the antenna cable connection housing, the front portion of the antenna cable connection housing being disposed on a portion of the front cover layer, and the rear portion of the antenna cable connection housing being disposed on a portion of the rear cover layer. The front portion of the antenna cable connection housing has the same color as the first color of the outer surface of the front cover layer, and the rear portion of the antenna cable connection housing has the same color as the second color of the rear cover layer.