Reconfigurable antenna systems with ground tuning pads

A mobile device comprising:

• a transceiver configured to generate a radio frequency signal;
• and
• a radio frequency module configured to receive the radio frequency signal from the transceiver, the radio frequency module including a module substrate including a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer separated by dielectric, an antenna element formed in the first conductive layer, and a plurality of tuning conductors formed in the first conductive layer, the plurality of tuning conductors including a first tuning conductor spaced apart from the antenna element on a first side of the antenna element, and a second tuning conductor spaced apart from the antenna element on a second side of the antenna element, the radio frequency module further including a first ground tuning pad formed in the second conductive layer and configured to receive a ground voltage, and a first switch electrically connected between the first tuning conductor and the first ground tuning pad, the first switch operable to selectively connect the first tuning conductor to the first ground tuning pad to thereby tune the antenna element.

A method comprising:

• receiving a ground voltage at a first ground tuning pad of a radio frequency module that includes a module substrate including a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer separated by dielectric, an antenna element and a plurality of tuning conductors formed in the first conductive layer and the first ground tuning pad formed in the second conductive layer, the plurality of tuning conductors including a first tuning conductor spaced apart from the antenna element on a first side of the antenna element, and a second tuning conductor spaced apart from the antenna element on a second side of the antenna element;
• and
• selectively connecting the first tuning conductor to the first ground tuning pad to thereby tune the antenna element using a first switch of the radio frequency module, the first switch electrically connected between the first tuning conductor and the first ground tuning pad.