Apple Inc.
Electronic devices having shared antenna structures and split return paths

Abstract:

Antenna structures at a given end of an electronic device may include antenna structures that are shared between multiple antennas. The device may include an antenna with an inverted-F antenna resonating element formed from portions of a peripheral conductive electronic device housing structure and may have an antenna ground that is separated from the antenna resonating element by a gap. A short circuit path may bridge the gap. The short circuit path may be a split return path coupled between a first point on the inverted-F antenna resonating element arm and second and third points on the antenna ground. The electronic device may include an additional antenna that includes the antenna ground and metal traces that form an antenna resonating element arm. The antenna resonating element arm of the additional antenna may be parasitically coupled to the inverted-F antenna resonating element and a portion of the split return path.