Dual band antenna having mirror image meandering segments and wireless communicators incorporating same

An antenna, comprising:

• a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart, substantially parallel conductive strips electrically connected to ground;
• a planar radiating element overlying the pair of conductive strips and spaced-apart therefrom in substantially parallel relationship, wherein the conductive strips are configured to parasitically couple with the radiating element, and wherein the planar radiating element comprises:
• a first meandering segment comprising a plurality of periodically spaced-apart U-shaped portions;
• and
• a second meandering segment comprising a plurality of periodically spaced-apart U-shaped portions, wherein the second meandering segment has a configuration that is a mirror image of a configuration of the first meandering segment, and wherein the first and second meandering segments are connected together in opposing relationship therewith to form a continuous conductive loop;
• and
• a signal feed electrically connected to the planar radiating element.

A wireless communicator, comprising:

• a housing configured to enclose a transceiver that transmits and receives wireless communications signals;
• a ground plane disposed within the housing;
• and
• an antenna disposed within the housing and electrically connected with the transceiver, wherein the antenna comprises:
• a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart, substantially parallel conductive strips electrically connected to the ground plane;
• a planar radiating element overlying the pair of conductive strips and spaced-apart therefrom in substantially parallel relationship, wherein the conductive strips are configured to parasitically couple with the radiating element, and wherein the planar radiating element comprises:
• a first meandering segment;
• and
• a second meandering segment that is a mirror image of the first meandering segment, and wherein the first and second meandering segments are connected together in opposing relationship therewith to form a continuous conductive loop;
• and
• an RF signal feed that electrically connects the planar radiating element with the transceiver.

A wireless communicator, comprising:

• a housing configured to enclose a transceiver that transmits and receives wireless communications signals;
• a ground plane disposed within the housing;
• and
• an antenna disposed within the housing and electrically connected with the transceiver, wherein the antenna comprises:
• a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart, substantially parallel conductive strips electrically connected to ground;
• a planar radiating element overlying the pair of conductive strips and spaced-apart therefrom in substantially parallel relationship, wherein the conductive strips are configured to parasitically couple with the radiating element, and wherein the planar radiating element comprises:
• a first meandering segment comprising a plurality of periodically spaced-apart U-shaped portions;
• and
• a second meandering segment comprising a plurality of periodically spaced-apart U-shaped portions, wherein the second meandering segment has a configuration that is a mirror image of a configuration of the first meandering segment, and wherein the first and second meandering segments are connected together in opposing relationship therewith to form a continuous conductive loop;
• and
• a signal feed electrically connected to the planar radiating element.