Device with decoupling element configured between respective ground planes for antenna and coil

Abstract

A device is provided. The device includes an antenna for communicating with one or more hearing aids. The device further comprises a coil for receiving a wireless signal. The device comprises a first ground plane connected to the antenna. The device comprises a second ground plane connected to the coil. The first ground plane and the second ground plane are decoupled via a decoupling element so that noise from one ground plane does not propagate to the other ground plane at certain frequencies.

Claims

1. A gateway device comprising a device housing, the device housing comprising: a first antenna configured to emit and/or receive electromagnetic energy, the first antenna having a first operational frequency being in a range of 2 to 6 GHz, a wireless interface configured to communication with one or more external hearing aid devices via the first antenna, a first element configured as a ground plane for the first antenna, a telecoil configured to receive a baseband modulated signal at a frequency range that is lower than the first operational frequency, a second element configured as a ground plane for the telecoil, wherein a decoupling element is configured between the first element and the second element, the decoupling element comprising an electrical component configured as, or part of, a filter configured to attenuate frequencies below a third frequency to a greater extent than frequencies above the third frequency, the third frequency being between the first frequency and the frequency range of the telecoil.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first element has a first outer geometry delimiting a first area, and the second element has a second outer geometry having a second area.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the second element is positioned inside or is part of the first area, wherein the decoupling element decouples signal below the third frequency, where the third frequency is higher than an upper boundary of the frequency range of the telecoil.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third frequency is a frequency range at least partly overlapping the frequency range of the telecoil.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second element is further configured as ground for a second wireless interface connected to the telecoil.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna includes a first planar element arranged at a distance from the first element.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first planar element is parallel shifted relative to the first element.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna is positioned centered relative to the first element.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device defines a rectangular or square area, and the second element is positioned at or in a corner of the rectangular or square area.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein a third element is configured as a ground plane for a second wireless interface, which is connected to the telecoil, and wherein a second decoupling element is arranged between the third element and the first element, the second decoupling element comprising a second electrical component configured as, or part of, a filter to attenuate signals of a particular frequency or frequency range between the first element and the third element.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is configured to attenuate frequencies around or below 5 kHz.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna is configured to operate in the frequency range of 2 to 6 GHz.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first element and the second element are formed as separate elements on a same substrate or as separate elements on different substrates.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein a zone is formed substantially around the wireless interface wherein the zone decouples signals outside the first frequency originating from the wireless interface.

15. A device comprising a device housing, the device housing comprising: a first antenna configured to emit and/or receive electromagnetic energy, the first antenna having a first operational frequency, a wireless interface configured to communication with one or more external hearing aid devices via the first antenna, a first element configured as a ground plane for the first antenna, a coil configured to receive a signal in a second operational frequency range, the second operational frequency range being lower than the first operational frequency, a second element configured as a ground plane for the coil, wherein a decoupling element is arranged between the first element and the second element, the decoupling element comprising an electrical component configured as, or part of, a filter configured to attenuate frequencies at a third frequency range to a greater extent than frequencies outside the third frequency range, wherein at least one of the first operational frequency and the second operation frequency range is excluded from the third frequency range.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the coil is a telecoil.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is configured as one or more of: a band-pass filter, a band-stop filter, a notch filter, a high-pass filter, and a low-pass filter.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the electrical component is a capacitor or an electro static discharge (ESD) diode.

19. The device according to claim 15, wherein the decoupling element is configured as one or more of: a band-pass filter, a band-stop filter, a notch filter, a high-pass filter, and a low-pass filter.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the electrical component is a capacitor or an electro static discharge (ESD) diode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The aspects of the disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details to improve the understanding of the claims, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may each be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and/or technical effect will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrations described hereinafter in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically illustrate an antenna and a coil connected to separate ground planes,

(3) FIG. 2 schematically illustrate a coil connected to a wireless interface and corresponding ground planes,

(4) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a ground plane with a cut-out area,

(5) FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a ground plane with a cut-out area and an additional ground plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and methods are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). Depending upon particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof.

(7) The electronic hardware may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. Computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

(8) A hearing aid may be adapted to improve or augment the hearing capability of a user by receiving an acoustic signal from a user's surroundings, generating a corresponding audio signal, possibly modifying the audio signal and providing the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears. The “hearing aid” may further refer to a device such as an earphone or a headset adapted to receive an audio signal electronically, possibly modifying the audio signal and providing the possibly modified audio signals as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears. Such audible signals may be provided in the form of an acoustic signal radiated into the user's outer ear, or an acoustic signal transferred as mechanical vibrations to the user's inner ears through bone structure of the user's head and/or through parts of middle ear of the user or electric signals transferred directly or indirectly to cochlear nerve and/or to auditory cortex of the user.

(9) The hearing aid is adapted to be worn in any known way. This may include i) arranging a unit of the hearing aid behind the ear with a tube leading air-borne acoustic signals into the ear canal or with a receiver/loudspeaker arranged close to or in the ear canal such as in a Behind-the-Ear type hearing aid, and/or ii) arranging the hearing aid entirely or partly in the pinna and/or in the ear canal of the user such as in a In-the-Ear type hearing aid or In-the-Canal/Completely-in-Canal type hearing aid, or iii) arranging a unit of the hearing aid attached to a fixture implanted into the skull bone such as in Bone Anchored Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant, or iv) arranging a unit of the hearing aid as an entirely or partly implanted unit such as in Bone Anchored Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant.

(10) A “hearing system” refers to a system comprising one or two hearing aids, and a “binaural hearing system” refers to a system comprising two hearing aids where the devices are adapted to cooperatively provide audible signals to both of the user's ears. The hearing system or binaural hearing system may further include auxiliary device(s) that communicates with at least one hearing aid, the auxiliary device affecting the operation of the hearing aids and/or benefitting from the functioning of the hearing aids. A wired or wireless communication link between the at least one hearing aid and the auxiliary device is established that allows for exchanging information (e.g. control and status signals, possibly audio signals) between the at least one hearing aid and the auxiliary device. Such auxiliary devices may include at least one of remote controls, remote microphones, audio gateway devices, mobile phones, public-address systems, car audio systems or music players or a combination thereof. The audio gateway is adapted to receive a multitude of audio signals such as from an entertainment device like a TV or a music player, a telephone apparatus like a mobile telephone or a computer, a PC. The audio gateway is further adapted to select and/or combine an appropriate one of the received audio signals (or combination of signals) for transmission to the at least one hearing aid. The remote control is adapted to control functionality and operation of the at least one hearing aids. The function of the remote control may be implemented in a SmartPhone or other electronic device, the SmartPhone/electronic device possibly running an application that controls functionality of the at least one hearing aid.

(11) In general, a hearing aid includes i) an input unit such as a microphone for receiving an acoustic signal from a user's surroundings and providing a corresponding input audio signal, and/or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving an input audio signal. The hearing aid further includes a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user in dependence on the processed audio signal.

(12) The input unit may include multiple input microphones, e.g. for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing. Such directional microphone system is adapted to enhance a target acoustic source among a multitude of acoustic sources in the user's environment. In one aspect, the directional system is adapted to detect (such as adaptively detect) from which direction a particular part of the microphone signal originates. This may be achieved by using conventionally known methods. The signal processing unit may include amplifier that is adapted to apply a frequency dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may further be adapted to provide other relevant functionality such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may include an output transducer such as a loudspeaker/receiver for providing an air-borne acoustic signal transcutaneously or percutaneously to the skull bone or a vibrator for providing a structure-borne or liquid-borne acoustic signal. In some hearing aids, the output unit may include one or more output electrodes for providing the electric signals such as in a Cochlear Implant.

(13) FIG. 1 schematically illustrate parts of a device 10 according to the present disclosure, where two separate ground planes 12, 14 are provided.

(14) A first ground plane 12 is connected to an RF antenna 16, i.e. a first antenna, and corresponding wireless interface. The wireless interface is here configured to transmit and receive (Tx/Rx). The wireless interface is configured to communicate to/from external device using the RF antenna 16. The wireless interface is configured to communicate using a data protocol, here Bluetooth is chosen, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy. Other suitable data protocols may be selected. The wireless interface may establish wireless communication between the device and one or more hearing aids. The wireless interface may be configured to broadcast audio to a number of hearing aids located within e.g. a class room or other such area were a number of people wearing hearing aids would benefit from receiving audio wirelessly. Presently antennas for supporting Bluetooth-based protocols are configured to transmit and/or receive at an operational frequency around 2.4 GHz, but other suitable frequencies may be use, e.g. carrier frequency around 5 GHz is also envisioned. The antenna 16 may e.g. be configured to operate at a frequency in the so-called ISM band.

(15) When the wireless interface draw power from the battery a current is obviously running from the battery to the wireless interface, but, additionally, as the wireless interface is connected to a ground plane, a further current flow to the ground. This create a current loop which create an H-field which may disturb the coil. This is illustrated in FIG. 4 by the arrow from the battery to the wireless interface and the punctured line from the wireless interface towards the battery. Additionally, current flow in the ground plane itself at frequencies that may disturb the coil. By decoupling the part of the ground connected to the coil, this noise may be eliminated or at least reduced.

(16) A second ground plane 14 is arranged in connection with a coil 18. The coil is primarily for receiving wireless signals. The coil 18 is here a so-called Telecoil and arranged for receiving baseband modulated signal from a telecoil signal transmitter.

(17) When the RF antenna/wireless interface 16 operates, it requires a substantial amount of power draw from the internal power source, i.e. here a battery located in the housing of the device. This is especially seen when the wireless interface transmits, such as in broadcast mode.

(18) The wireless interface will operate to transmit different kind of data based on the data protocol, e.g. including beacon/advertising data and other kinds of regularly transmitted, or received, data. Each operation creates a current draw from the battery. As the operations may be periodic this may introduce noise at a frequency corresponding to this periodic operation.

(19) The coil has a given sensitivity and it has been seen that EM noise originating from the wireless interface of the RF system may interfere with the coil. As a countermeasure for this noise, a decoupling element is arranged between the ground plane so as to decouple them from each other. In particular, the decoupling between the two ground planes may be configured so as to decouple frequencies around, or below, 1 KHz.

(20) The decoupling element creates at least two area that are decoupled at low frequency <1 MHz. At high frequency, e.g. at 2.4 GHz and above, excellent connection is provided with equidistant placed decoupling elements.

(21) The two grounds may be seen as a main ground plane and a floating ground plane, where the floating ground plane is smaller in area than the larger, main, ground plane. The floating ground plane may be connected to e.g. the coil.

(22) A number of decoupling elements may be positioned between the two ground planes, e.g. a number of equidistantly placed decoupling elements. Preferably, all decoupling elements are of identical type and electrical properties. It has been advantageous to use capacitors with a capacitance around 10 pF. Generally, the decoupling element may be or include a capacitor, or a number of capacitors and/or ESD diodes.

(23) FIG. 2 is a schematic view where a coil 14 is (electrically) connected to a, smaller, ground plane 20 and the corresponding wireless interface is connected to a different ground plane 22. A decoupling element is provided between the smaller ground plane 20 of the coil and a larger, main, ground plane 24 located nearby.

(24) As such, a device according to the present disclosure may comprise a number of ground planes, where a main ground plane is connected via one or a number of decoupling elements to one or more smaller/additional ground plane or planes. The decoupling element ensures that noise at least at a frequency, is not propagated through the ground plane to sensitive elements in the device.

(25) As described herein the device is a device configured to communication with one or more hearing aids. This device may form part of a hearing aid system, sometimes known as an auxiliary device. A hearing aid system may comprise two hearing aids to be worn by a user and the device, i.e. the auxiliary device. The device may include a number of plugs for connecting the device to one or a number of wired sound sources, and may be in the form for a mini-jack plug, a USB plug, a HDMI input or the like. Further, a second antenna or at least a second wireless interface may be included to receive sound from a second wireless source. Such an additional source may be received as a separate channel by the same wireless interface as mentioned herein.

(26) The device may comprise one or more microphones for sensing and converting ambient audio to a signal that may be transmitted via the RF antenna to connected or receiving hearing aids. The ambient sound may be mixed with wirelessly received sound, and the mix may be transmitted to the hearing aid or hearing aids. In a broadcasting mode the hearing aid do not need to perform bonding and pairing etc, and thus need not be connected per se. This could depend on the protocol used for communicating between the device and the one or more hearing aids.

(27) The coil may be positioned at one end of the device, and the RF antenna may advantageously be formed as remote from the coil as possible, e.g. at the other end, or at least the RF antenna may be designed so that the electrical field generated by the antenna has a maximum as far away from the coil as possible, or at least being from so as to minimize the magnetic field induced as the coil as much as possible.

(28) As the device may have an overall rectangular shape, the coil may be arranged to have a main pickup direction orientated parallel to the short side of the rectangular shape.

(29) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a first ground, being the larger ground, with a cut-out, i.e. the square/rectangular shaped area to the top-right hand corner. The smaller, second ground plane is connected to the coil. Here is illustrated two decoupling elements between the second ground and the first ground, but more may be added. The first antenna, i.e. the RF antenna, is located symmetrical with respect to the outer geometry defined by the first ground plane. As the decoupling elements decouple lower frequencies and allow higher frequencies to pass, the ground plane for the first antenna may be seen as the combined first and second ground planes. For the coil, the ground plane will be the second ground. As mentioned, noise travelling in the first ground will not be able to reach the coil due to the decoupling at the noise/operation frequency of the coil. Noise may travel in the first ground plane along the cut-out area but will not, or at least to only a small degree, affect the coil located at the second ground plane. Eventually, noise will be dissipated in the ground plane(s)

(30) FIG. 4 schematically illustrate, similar to FIG. 3, that a first ground plane has a cut-out area where a second, floating, ground is formed and connected to the coil. In addition, a further ground is connected and located further to the right of the second ground. Decoupling elements are provided between the second ground and the further ground. The further ground plane may be directly connected to the first ground.

(31) Generally, the signal from the coil could be transferred to a signal processor located at the first ground. This signal path could also include decoupling elements to isolate the coil. The signal from the coil may be converted to a digital signal before leaving the second ground or be transferred to a processor located at the first ground plane.

(32) It is intended that the structural features of the devices described above, either in the detailed description and/or in the claims, may be combined with steps of the method, when appropriately substituted by a corresponding process.

(33) As used, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning “at least one”), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element but an intervening elements may also be present, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The steps of any disclosed method is not limited to the exact order stated herein, unless expressly stated otherwise.

(34) It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an aspect” or features included as “may” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

(35) The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more.

(36) The present disclosure also relates to the following items:

(37) 1. A device comprising a device housing,

(38) a first antenna configured to emit and/or receive electromagnetic energy, the first antenna having a first operational frequency, a wireless interface arranged to communication with one or more external devices via the first antenna, a first element configured as a ground plane for the first antenna, a coil configured to receive a signal at a second operational frequency, the second operational frequency being lower than the first operational frequency, a second element configured as a ground plane for the coil, wherein a decoupling element is arranged between the first element and the second element, the decoupling element configured to attenuate frequencies at a third frequency.
2. The device according to item 1, wherein the first element has a first outer geometry delimiting a first area, and the second element has a second outer geometry having a second area.
3. The device according to item 2, wherein the second element is positioned inside or is part of the first area, wherein the decoupling element decouples signal below the third frequency being higher than the second operational frequency.
4. The device according to any one of items 1-3, wherein the third frequency is a frequency range at least partly overlapping the second frequency range.
5. The device according to any one of items 1-4, wherein the second element is further configured to as ground for a wireless interface connected to the coil.
6. The device according to any one of items 1-5, wherein the first antenna includes a first planar element arranged at a distance from the first element.
7. The device according to any one of items 1-6, wherein the first planer element is parallel shifted relative to the first element.
8. The device according to any one of items 1-7, wherein the first antenna is positioned centered relative to the first element.
9. The device according to any one of items 1-8, wherein the device defines a rectangular or square area, and the second element is positioned at a corner of the rectangular or square are.
10. The device according to any one of items 1-9, wherein a third element is configured to as ground for a wireless interface connected to the coil, and wherein a second decoupling element is arranged between the third element and the first element.
11. The device according to any one of item 1-10, wherein the decoupling element is configured to attenuate frequencies around or below 5 KHz.
12. The device according to any one of item 1-11, wherein the first antenna is configured to operate in the frequency range of 2 to 6 GHz, such as around 2.4 GHz, such as around 5 GHz.
13. The device according to any one of item 1-12, wherein the coil is a telecoil.
14. The device according to any one of item 1-13, wherein the first element and the second element are formed as separate elements on the same substrate or as separate elements on different substrates.
15. The device according to any one of item 1-14, wherein a zone is formed substantially around the wireless interface wherein the zone decouples signals outside the first frequency originating from the wireless interface.

(39) Accordingly, the scope should be judged in terms of the claims that follow.