Ear-worn electronic device incorporating antenna matching network comprising a non-foster circuit

An ear-worn electronic hearing device configured to be worn by a wearer, comprising:

• a housing configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of the wearer;
• electronic circuitry disposed in the housing and comprising a radio frequency transceiver;
• a power source coupled to the electronic circuitry;
• an antenna disposed in, on, or extending from the housing and operably coupled to the transceiver;
• and
• a matching network operably coupled to the transceiver and the antenna, the matching network comprising a non-Foster active circuit coupled to the power source and configured to provide a negative inductance or a negative capacitance and to cause the antenna to achieve a bandwidth of at least about 80 MHz centered at about 2.44 GHz, wherein the non-Foster active circuit comprises one of:
• at least one negative inductor and at least one capacitor;
• at least one negative capacitor and at least one inductor;
• and
• at least one negative inductor and at least one negative capacitor.

A body-worn electronic device, comprising:

• a housing configured to be held by, attached to or worn by a wearer;
• electronic circuitry disposed in the housing and comprising a radio frequency transceiver;
• a power source coupled to the electronic circuitry;
• an antenna disposed in, on, or extending from the housing and operably coupled to the transceiver;
• and
• a matching network operably coupled to the transceiver and the antenna, the matching network comprising a non-Foster active circuit coupled to the power source, wherein the non-Foster active circuit comprises one of:
• at least one negative inductor and at least one capacitor;
• at least one negative capacitor and at least one inductor;
• and
• at least one negative inductor and at least one negative capacitor.