Patent•
Multiple-element driven array antenna and phasing method
21 Oct 1994-
TL;DR: In this paper, an antenna array for direction-agile applications, such as r.f. packet mesh networks, employs a plurality of quarter-wave radiators disposed normally to a ground plane on a dielectric backing and switching elements for selecting a desired receiving direction and transmission direction and minimizing interference from signals in opposing directions.
Abstract: An antenna array for direction-agile applications, such as r.f. packet mesh networks, employs a plurality of quarter-wave radiators disposed normally to a ground plane on a dielectric backing and switching elements for selecting a desired receiving direction and transmission direction and minimizing interference from signals in opposing directions. A control system selects and switches direction rapidly enough to receive and transmit digipeating signals in selected different directions using the phasing and switching elements. A specific embodiment employs eight radiators of 0.2625 electrical wavelengths (quarter wave plus 5%) disposed equidistant along a circle within a circular ground plane in a pattern which is 1/4 wavelength from the outer boundary of the ground plane, each radiator being disposed at least 0.15 wavelengths to about 0.25 wavelengths from adjacent radiators in a circular pattern. The antenna is characterized by eight electronically switchable radiating directions (at 45° intervals) with at least 20 dB front to back ratio and a 3 dB beamwidth of 64°. Pairs of radiators form parasitic elements, driven elements and reflectors with spacing selected as a modest compromise from the ideal spacing to allow electronically selectable directionality using identically-spaced elements acting as driven elements, parasitic elements and reflector elements. The driven elements are slightly reactively fed.
Citations
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Patent•
01 May 2001TL;DR: In this paper, the phase control of re-radiated RF signals is addressed by determining the phase of each antenna element to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio.
Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.
384 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a system that receives, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, and radiates a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture.
Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.
330 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this paper, a distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure, rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable.
Abstract: A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.
298 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this article, a distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas.
Abstract: A distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas. The cellular band outputs of these microcell base station devices are used to modulate a 60 GHz (or higher) carrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier wave. This group will then be transmitted in the air via analog microwave RF unit, after which it can be repeated or radiated to the surrounding area. The repeaters amplify the signal and resend it on the air again toward the next repeater. In places where a microcell is required, the 60 GHz signal is shifted in frequency back to its original frequency (e.g., the 1.9 GHz cellular band) and radiated locally to nearby mobile devices.
296 citations
Patent•
AT&T1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a device that facilitates transmitting electromagnetic waves along a surface of a wire that facilitates delivery of electric energy to devices, and sensing a condition that is adverse to the electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the wire.
Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that facilitates transmitting electromagnetic waves along a surface of a wire that facilitates delivery of electric energy to devices, and sensing a condition that is adverse to the electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the wire. Other embodiments are disclosed.
288 citations
References
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Patent•
29 Nov 1976TL;DR: In this paper, a plurality of radiating elements are affixed to a coplanar in planes which are equiangular from each other, and the control circuitry varies the electrical length of the remaining elements such that some act to direct, and other reflect the radiated signal.
Abstract: An antenna system of the type wherein the radiating pattern may be controlled to direct the radiation of a signal in a selected direction. The system includes a plurality of radiating elements which are affixed to a coplanar in planes which are equiangular from each other. In response to a selected direction of radiation, control circuitry applies the signal to the coplanar antenna elements which are in a plane perpendicular to the selected radiating direction. Further, the control circuitry varies the electrical length of the remaining elements such that some act to direct, and other reflect the radiated signal.
152 citations
Patent•
05 Oct 1970TL;DR: In this paper, a high frequency radio direction finder receiver system of the over-lapping lobe switching type utilizes an array of lineal antenna elements formed of crossed multiple-element receiver antenna systems sharing one directly coupled receiver antenna element in common.
Abstract: A high frequency radio direction finder receiver system of the over-lapping lobe switching type utilizes an array of lineal antenna elements formed of crossed multiple-element receiver antenna systems sharing one directly coupled receiver antenna element in common. Lobe switching is afforded through bias voltage control of a characteristic of the elements by semiconductor switching circuits.
55 citations
Patent•
27 Sep 1972TL;DR: An automatic sector indicating direction finder system is described in this article, where a receiving antenna arrangement incorporating four separate antenna patterns, each having a field pattern which is a function of the azimuth angle, the apparatus forming antenna signals which are then transferred through a plurality of antenna sequencing relays to a dual channel receiver.
Abstract: An automatic sector indicating direction finder system which incorporates a receiving antenna arrangement incorporating four separate antenna patterns, each having a field pattern which is a function of the azimuth angle, the apparatus forming antenna signals which are then transferred through a plurality of antenna sequencing relays to a dual channel receiver. The dual channel receiver is connected to the four antennae in a timed sequence. The two outputs of the dual channel receiver are applied to phase detectors and amplitude detectors which determine the relative amplitude ratios. These ratios and the phase measurements are stored in memory momentarily and are then strobed from memory through a hard wired decoding logic circuit to an external display. The display breaks the 360* of azimuth into sixteen sectors, all equal in size, and indicates the sector location of a target.
31 citations