Embedded antenna and filter apparatus and methodology

Abstract

Apparatus and methodology are disclosed for providing effective transmission of data to and/or from an electricity meter by providing embedded radio frequency components. An antenna and stripline or microline filter arrangement are provided as embedded components in association with a transmitter or transceiver portion of the electricity meter's metrology circuitry so as to provide control of out of band harmonic radiation and to provide enhanced signal transmission to and/or from the electricity meter, to accomplish automated meter reading communications or similar. The antenna element is configured and mounted such that, once the electricity meter is fully assembled, the meter case itself can be used as part of a radiating element. An overall resulting integrated design can achieve greater economy utilizing printed circuit board approaches with no additional parts, and with less uncontrolled surface radiation because of the otherwise buried or embedded structure.

1 . A stripline filter for reducing harmonic radiation from a transmitter designed for operation at a predetermined frequency, comprising:
 a stripline transmission line extending from a first terminal to a second terminal;   a first pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators tuned to a first predetermined harmonic of a predetermined frequency and coupled to said stripline transmission line; and   a second pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators tuned to a second predetermined harmonic of said predetermined frequency and coupled to said stripline transmission line.   
     
     
         2 . A stripline filter as in  claim 1 , further comprising a fifth quarter-wave tuned resonator tuned to a third predetermined harmonic of said predetermined frequency and coupled to said stripline transmission line. 
     
     
         3 . A stripline filter as in  claim 2 , wherein said first and second pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators and said fifth quarter-wave tuned resonator are coupled to said stripline transmission line in a symmetrical configuration so that said first terminal and said second terminal are electrically interchangeable. 
     
     
         4 . A stripline filter as in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a printed circuit board; and   wherein said stripline transmission line, said first pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators, said second pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators, and said fifth quarter-wave tuned resonator are embedded in said printed circuit board.   
     
     
         5 . A stripline filter as in  claim 4 , wherein said printed circuit board is a multi-layer printed circuit board. 
     
     
         6 . A stripline filter as in  claim 4 , wherein said first predetermined harmonic is the third harmonic of said predetermined frequency, said second predetermined harmonic is the fourth harmonic of said predetermined frequency, and the third predetermined harmonic is the fifth harmonic of said predetermined frequency. 
     
     
         7 . A stripline filter as in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a printed circuit board; and   wherein said stripline transmission line, said first pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators, said second pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators, and said fifth quarter-wave tuned resonator are formed on said printed circuit board.   
     
     
         8 . A stripline filter as in  claim 7 , wherein said printed circuit board is a multi-layer printed circuit board.