Showing papers on "Antenna (radio) published in 2007"

Effective wavelength scaling for optical antennas.

Abstract: In antenna theory, antenna parameters are directly related to the wavelength lambda of incident radiation, but this scaling fails at optical frequencies where metals behave as strongly coupled plasmas. In this Letter we show that antenna designs can be transferred to the optical frequency regime by replacing lambda by a linearly scaled effective wavelength lambda(eff)=n(1)+n(2)lambda/lambda(p), with lambda(p) being the plasma wavelength and n(1), n(2) being coefficients that depend on geometry and material properties. It is assumed that the antenna is made of linear segments with radii R << lambda. Optical antennas hold great promise for increasing the efficiency of photovoltaics, light-emitting devices, and optical sensors.

Advances in Particle Swarm Optimization for Antenna Designs: Real-Number, Binary, Single-Objective and Multiobjective Implementations

Abstract: The particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a recently developed evolutionary algorithm (EA) based on the swarm behavior in the nature. This paper presents recent advances in applying a versatile PSO engine to real-number, binary, single-objective and multiobjective optimizations for antenna designs, with a randomized Newtonian mechanics model developed to describe the swarm behavior. The design of aperiodic (nonuniform and thinned) antenna arrays is presented as an example for the application of the PSO engine. In particular, in order to achieve an improved peak sidelobe level (SLL), element positions in a nonuniform array are optimized by real-number PSO (RPSO). On the other hand, in a thinned array, the on/off state of each element is determined by binary PSO (BPSO). Optimizations for both nonuniform arrays and thinned arrays are also expanded to multiobjective cases. As a result, nondominated designs on the Pareto front enable one to achieve other design factors than the peak SLL. Optimized antenna arrays are compared with periodic arrays and previously presented aperiodic arrays. Selected designs fabricated and measured to validate the effectiveness of PSO in practical electromagnetic problems

Downlink performance and capacity of distributed antenna systems in a multicell environment

Abstract: Distributed antenna systems (DAS) have been widely implemented in state-of-the art cellular communication systems to cover dead spots. Recent academic studies have shown that in addition to coverage improvements, DAS can also have potential advantages such as reduced power and increased system capacity in a single cell environment. This paper analytically quantifies downlink capacity of multicell DAS for two different transmission strategies: selection diversity (where just one or two of the distributed antennas are used) and blanket transmission (where all antennas in the cell broadcast data). Simple repeaters are a special case of our analysis. A generalized information theoretic analysis is provided to illuminate the fundamental limits of such systems in the cellular context. The results show that DAS reduces other-cell interference in a multicell environment and hence significantly improves capacity (by about 2x), with particularly large improvements for users near cell boundaries. Less obviously, from a communication theory standpoint, it is shown that selection diversity is preferable to blanket transmission in terms of achievable ergodic capacity. For blanket transmission, we show that the optimal transmission strategy is just phase steering due to the per antenna module power constraints in DAS

Reduction of Mutual Coupling Between Closely-Packed Antenna Elements

Abstract: A simple ground plane structure that can reduce mutual coupling between closely-packed antenna elements is proposed and studied. The structure consists of a slitted pattern, without via's, etched onto a single ground plane and it is therefore low cost and straightforward to fabricate. It is found that isolations of more than -20 dB can be achieved between two parallel individual planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs) sharing a common ground plane, with inter-antenna spacing (center to center) of 0.116 lambdao and ground plane size 0.331lambdao 2. At 2.31 GHz it is demonstrated that this translates into an edge to edge separation between antennas of just 10 mm. Similarly the structure can be applied to reduce mutual coupling between three or four radiating elements. In addition the mutual coupling between half wavelength patches and monopoles can also be reduced with the aid of the proposed ground plane structure. Results of parametric studies are also given in this paper. Both simulation and measurement results are used to confirm the suppression of mutual coupling between closely-packed antenna elements with our slitted ground plane.

Methods and Apparatuses for Adaptively Controlling Antenna Parameters to Enhance Efficiency and Maintain Antenna Size Compactness

Abstract: An antenna for a communications device having configurable elements controlled to modify an antenna impedance and/or an antenna resonant frequency to improve performance of the communications device The antenna impedance is controlled to substantially match to an output impedance of a power amplifier that supplies the antenna with a signal for transmission The antenna resonant frequency is controlled to overcome the effects of various operating conditions that can detune the antenna or in response to an operable frequency band

The Theory of Characteristic Modes Revisited: A Contribution to the Design of Antennas for Modern Applications

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to summarize the work that has been developed by the authors for the last several years, in order to demonstrate that the Theory of Characteristic Modes can be used to perform a systematic design of different types of antennas. Characteristic modes are real current modes that can be computed numerically for conducting bodies of arbitrary shape. Since characteristic modes form a set of orthogonal functions, they can be used to expand the total current on the surface of the body. However, this paper shows that what makes characteristic modes really attractive for antenna design is the physical insight they bring into the radiating phenomena taking place in the antenna. The resonance frequency of modes, as well as their radiating behavior, can be determined from the information provided by the eigenvalues associated with the characteristic modes. Moreover, by studying the current distribution of modes, an optimum feeding arrangement can be found in order to obtain the desired radiating behavior.

Survey of channel and radio propagation models for wireless MIMO systems

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the state-of-the-art radio propagation and channel models for wireless multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. We distinguish between physical models and analytical models and discuss popular examples from both model types. Physical models focus on the double-directional propagation mechanisms between the location of transmitter and receiver without taking the antenna configuration into account. Analytical models capture physical wave propagation and antenna configuration simultaneously by describing the impulse response (equivalently, the transfer function) between the antenna arrays at both link ends. We also review some MIMO models that are included in current standardization activities for the purpose of reproducible and comparable MIMO system evaluations. Finally, we describe a couple of key features of channels and radio propagation which are not sufficiently included in current MIMO models.

Communication system and communication apparatus

Abstract: A communication system includes the following elements: a transmitter including a transmission circuit unit configured to generate an RF signal for transmitting data and an electric-field-coupling antenna configured to transmit the RF signal as an electrostatic field; a receiver including an electric-field-coupling antenna and a reception circuit unit configured to receive and process the RF signal received by the electric-field-coupling antenna; and a surface-wave propagation medium configured to provide a surface-wave transmission line to transmit a surface wave emanating from the electric-field-coupling antenna of the transmitter with low propagation loss.

Short-Range Ultra-Broadband Terahertz Communications: Concepts and Perspectives

Abstract: We propose the concept of ultra-broadband terahertz communication, based on directed non-line-of-sight (NLOS) transmissions. Potential applications of such a system supporting multi-gigabit data rates are given, and put into the context of currently emerging WLANs/WPANs. The technology and propagation constraints serve as boundary conditions for the determination of the required antenna gain to support ultra-broadband communication. Resulting high-gain antenna requirements will necessitate highly directed transmissions. We propose the use of omni-directional dielectric mirrors to support directed NLOS paths. Their performance is investigated with ray-tracing simulations of a terahertz propagation channel in a dynamic office environment, which is calibrated with measured building-material and mirror parameters. We demonstrate that a directed NLOS path scheme will make a terahertz communication system robust to shadowing. Furthermore, we show that dielectric mirrors covering only parts of the walls will significantly enhance the signal coverage in a typical indoor scenario.

Antennas and propagation for on-body communication systems

Abstract: On-body communication channels are of increasing interest for a number of applications, such as medical-sensor networks, emergency-service workers, and personal communications. This paper describes investigations into channel characterization and antenna performance at 2.45 GHz. It is shown that significant channel fading occurs during normal activity, due primarily to the dynamic nature of the human body, but also due to multipath around the body and from scattering by the environment. This fading can be mitigated by the use of antenna diversity, and gains of up to 10 dB are obtained. Separation of the antenna's performance from the channel characteristics is difficult, but results show that for many channels, an antenna polarized normal to the body's surface gives the best path gain. Simulation and modeling present many challenges, particularly in terms of the problem's scale, and the need for accurate modeling of the body and its movement.

Generation of a consistent absolute phase-center correction model for GPS receiver and satellite antennas

Abstract: The development and numerical values of the new absolute phase-center correction model for GPS receiver and satellite antennas, as adopted by the International GNSS (global navigation satellite systems) Service, are presented. Fixing absolute receiver antenna phase-center corrections to robot-based calibrations, the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ) and the Technische Universitat Munchen reprocessed more than 10 years of GPS data in order to generate a consistent set of nadir-dependent phase-center variations (PCVs) and offsets in the z-direction pointing toward the Earth for all GPS satellites in orbit during that period. The agreement between the two solutions estimated by independent software packages is better than 1 mm for the PCVs and about 4 cm for the z-offsets. In addition, the long time-series facilitates the study of correlations of the satellite antenna corrections with several other parameters such as the global terrestrial scale or the orientation of the orbital planes with respect to the Sun. Finally, completely reprocessed GPS solutions using different phase-center correction models demonstrate the benefits from switching from relative to absolute antenna phase-center corrections. For example, tropospheric zenith delay biases between GPS and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), as well as the drift of the terrestrial scale, are reduced and the GPS orbit consistency is improved.

Infinite Wavelength Resonant Antennas With Monopolar Radiation Pattern Based on Periodic Structures

Abstract: The analysis of resonant-type antennas based on the fundamental infinite wavelength supported by certain periodic structures is presented. Since the phase shift is zero for a unit-cell that supports an infinite wavelength, the physical size of the antenna can be arbitrary; the antenna's size is independent of the resonance phenomenon. The antenna's operational frequency depends only on its unit-cell and the antenna's physical size depends on the number of unit-cells. In particular, the unit-cell is based on the composite right/left-handed (CRLH) metamaterial transmission line (TL). It is shown that the CRLH TL is a general model for the required unit-cell, which includes a nonessential series capacitance for the generation of an infinite wavelength. The analysis and design of the required unit-cell is discussed based upon field distributions and dispersion diagrams. It is also shown that the supported infinite wavelength can be used to generate a monopolar radiation pattern. Infinite wavelength resonant antennas are realized with different number of unit-cells to demonstrate the infinite wavelength resonance

Method and system for powering an electronic device via a wireless link

Abstract: A method and system for providing power to a chargeable device via radio frequency link are provided. In one aspect, a method of providing power to a chargeable device via radio frequency link comprises generating a substantially unmodulated signal. The method further comprises radiating a substantially unmodulated radio frequency (RP) signal to the chargeable device via a transmit antenna based on the substantially unmodulated signal. The method further comprises powering or charging the chargeable device with power delivered by the substantially unmodulated RF signal.

The Human Body Characteristics as a Signal Transmission Medium for Intrabody Communication

Abstract: The human body characteristics as a signal transmission medium are studied for the application to intrabody communication. The measurements of the body channel cover the frequency range from 100 kHz to 150 MHz and the distance on the body up to 1.2 m. A distributed RC model is developed to analyze the large variation of the channel properties according to the frequency and channel length. The simulation results using the channel model match well with the measurements in both the frequency and time domains. The effect of the ground plane to the body channel transceivers is also investigated and an empirical formula for the minimum ground size is obtained. Finally, the amount of the electromagnetic radiation due to the body antenna effect is measured. With regards to the Federal Communications Commission regulations, the proper frequency range for the intrabody communication is determined to satisfy given bit error rate requirements

Non-Coherent Code Acquisition in the Multiple Transmit/Multiple Receive Antenna Aided Single- and Multi-Carrier DS-CDMA Downlink

Abstract: We analyse the characteristics of the Non-Coherent (NC) Multiple Transmit/Multiple Receive (MTMR) antenna aided Multi-Carrier (MC) DS-CDMA downlink employing a serial search based acquisition scheme, when communicating over spatially uncorrelated Rayleigh channels. The associated Mean Acquisition Time (MAT) performance trends are characterised as a function of both the number of antennas and that of the number of subcarriers. It is shown that the employment of both multiple transmit antennas and multiple subcarriers is typically detrimental in terms of the achievable NC acquisition performance, while that obtained by exploiting multiple receive antennas is always beneficial, regardless whether single-path or multi-path scenarios are considered. Based on our results justified by information theoretic considerations, our acquisition design guidelines are applicable to diverse NC MTMR antenna aided scenarios.

λ/4 Resonance of an Optical Monopole Antenna Probed by Single Molecule Fluorescence

Abstract: We present a resonant optical nanoantenna positioned at the end of a metal-coated glass fiber near-field probe. Antenna resonances, excitation conditions, and field localization are directly probed in the near field by single fluorescent molecules and compared to finite integration technique simulations. It is shown that the antenna is equivalent to its radio frequency analogue, the monopole antenna. For the right antenna length and local excitation conditions, antenna resonances occur that lead to an enhanced localized field near the antenna apex. Direct mapping of this field with single fluorescent molecules reveals a spatial localization of 25 nm, demonstrating the importance of such antennas for nanometer resolution optical microscopy.

Passive RF Energy Harvesting Scheme For Wireless Sensor

Abstract: A radio frequency energy harvester harvests RF energy from the environment. The energy harvester may include a local power source. The energy harvester may have an associated crystal radio antenna that harvests AM radio waves ubiquitously. The radio frequency energy harvested may be stored via a super capacitor. The stored energy may power a self-contained processing unit directly when the level of the energy harvested remains above a threshold level. However, if the energy harvested drops below the threshold level, the processing unit, which may include a radio, may switch to the local power source and/or a low power mode of operation. The low power mode of operation may reduce the amount of processing and/or transmitting by the radio. The processing unit may be part of a network of radios. The energy harvester may supply energy for a variety of applications, including building automation, industrial automation, power generation, and healthcare.

Antennas based on metamaterial structures

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use one or more composite left and right handed (CRLH) metamaterial structures in processing and handling electromagnetic wave signals. Antennas and antenna arrays based on enhanced CRLH metamaterial structures are configured to provide broadband resonances for various multi-band wireless communications.

Dynamically configured antenna for multiple frequencies and bandwidths

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a reconfigurable antenna and one or more wireless transceivers coupled to the antenna. The reconfigurable antenna can be dynamically configured to transmit and receive wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and bandwidths. A processor core is coupled to the reconfigurable antenna and the wireless transceivers. The processor core dynamically controls the configurations of the reconfigurable antenna and processes the wireless signals transmitted and received at the plurality of frequencies.

Frequency Diverse Array Antenna with Periodic Time Modulated Pattern in Range and Angle

Abstract: A general analysis of a frequency diverse transmit array antenna with a periodic modulated pattern in range, angle and time is presented. This antenna array system makes a continuous scanning in range and angle without using any phase shifters. The scanning is achieved using the frequency diversity by inserting a small amount of progressive frequency shift to each antenna element. The theory shows that there is the same modulation pattern in time, range and angle by taking the remaining two parameters fixed. The simulation results for radiation patterns of a binomial distribution array are presented. The expressions for determining the position and the angular bearing of a target for this type of antenna array system are given.

Aperture matched polyrod antenna

Abstract: A dielectric polyrod having at least one tapered section, where a section exposed outside of the waveguide is tapered a long a curve that depends on the dielectric constant of the material used. The invention also relates to an aperture matched polyrod antenna which includes the same and an inductive tuning element used to achieve wideband impedance match and to create a Gaussian beam in the radiating near field of the antenna, suitable to mimic a small region plane wave.

System and apparatus for high data rate wireless communications

Abstract: A system and apparatus including a wireless network architecture that provides broadband data network coverage over an expandable geographic area. A media access control layer is also provided that facilitates access to the broadband wireless network. A high-frequency wireless modem enables high data rate access to the wireless network in a spectrally-efficient manner using SSB modulation. A wideband millimeter-wave antenna includes a cosecant-squared reflector enabling signal propagation between network elements thereby enabling seamless wireless communications. A millimeter-wave polarizer, and a septum polarizer each convert between linear and circular polarization. A cross-shaped horn antenna adapted for circularly polarized signals can also be used in combination with the septum polarizer. A combined horn antenna is fed using a microstrip patch antenna.

A Novel Dual-Band Printed Diversity Antenna for Mobile Terminals

Abstract: A novel dual-band printed diversity antenna is proposed and studied. The antenna, which consists of two back-to- back monopoles with symmetric configuration, is printed on a printed circuit board. The effects of some important parameters of the proposed antenna are deeply studied and the design methodology is given. A prototype of the proposed antenna operating at UMTS (1920-2170 MHz) and 2.4-GHz WLAN (2400-2484 MHz) bands is provided to demonstrate the usability of the methodology in dual-band diversity antenna for mobile terminals. In the above two bands, the isolations of the prototype are larger than 13 dB and 16 dB, respectively. The measured radiation patterns of the two monopoles in general cover complementary space regions. The diversity performance is also evaluated by calculating the envelope correlation coefficient, the mean effective gains of the antenna elements and the diversity gain. It is proved that the proposed antenna can provide spatial and pattern diversity to combat multipath fading.

Measurements and Modeling of Distributed Antenna Systems in Railway Tunnels

Abstract: This paper covers some of the work carried out in the planning of the global system for mobile communication for railway (GSM-R) of the tunnels on the new high-speed trains in Spain. Solutions based on distributed antenna systems have been tested by installing several 900-MHz transmitters inside and outside of a 4000-m tunnel and measuring the propagation in different conditions. The measurements have been used to model the effects of tunnel propagation, including curves, trains passing from the outside to the inside, and the effect of two trains passing inside the tunnel. All cases have been tested by comparing solutions using isofrequency and multifrequency distributed transmitters inside the tunnel. The improvements of signal-to-noise ratio and the reduction of the blocking effects of two trains passing have demonstrated the advantages of using isofrequency distributed antenna systems in tunnels. Finally, a complete propagation model combining both modal analysis and ray tracing has been applied to predict the propagation loss inside and outside these tunnels, and results have been compared with the measurements. The model has proven to be very useful for radio planning in new railway networks.

Antennas, Devices and Systems Based on Metamaterial Structures

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use one or more composite left and right handed (CRLH) metamaterial structures in processing and handling electromagnetic wave signals. Antenna, antenna arrays and other RF devices can be formed based on CRLH metamaterial structures. The described CRLH metamaterial structures can be used in wireless communication RF front-end and antenna sub-systems.

Semiconductor device and power receiving device

Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device that is capable of wireless communication, such as an RFID tag, which can transmit and receive individual information without checking remaining capacity of a battery or changing batteries due to deterioration with time in the battery for a drive power supply voltage, and maintain a favorable a transmission/reception state even when electric power of an electromagnetic wave from a reader/writer is not sufficient. The semiconductor device includes a signal processing circuit, a first antenna circuit connected to the signal processing circuit, an antenna circuit group, a rectifier circuit group and a battery connected to the signal processing circuit. The first antenna circuit transmits and receives a signal for transmitting data stored in the signal processing circuit and drives a power supply circuit, and each antenna circuit of the antenna circuit group receives a signal for charging the battery and includes an antenna which has a different corresponding frequency.

Shaping light beams in the nanometer scale: A Yagi-Uda nanoantenna in the optical domain

Abstract: A Yagi-Uda-like optical nanoantenna concept using resonant core-shell plasmonic particles as its ``reflectors'' and ``directors'' is studied numerically Such particles when placed near an optical dipole source in a certain arrangement may exhibit large induced dipole moments, resulting in shaping the far-field radiation pattern, analogous to the far field of classical Yagi-Uda antennas in the microwave regime The variation of the ratio of radii in concentric core-shell nanostructure is used to tailor the phase of the polarizabilities of the particles and, consequently, the antenna's far-field pattern The idea of a nanospectrum analyzer is also briefly proposed for molecular spectroscopy

Randomized Space-Time Coding for Distributed Cooperative Communication

Abstract: We study the design of distributed space-time codes for cooperative communication. We assume that each node is equipped with a single antenna; however, to obtain diversity and coding gains, the cooperating nodes act as elements of a multiantenna system. With few exceptions, most of the literature on the subject proposes coding rules in which each node emulates a predetermined antenna of a multiantenna system. Since the nodes need to know their specific antenna index, either internode communication or a central control unit is required. Our design objective is to obtain diversity and coding gains while eliminating the need for code or antenna allocation. We achieve our objective by introducing novel randomized strategies that decentralize the transmission of a space time code from a set of distributed relays. Our simple idea is to let each node transmit an independent random linear combination of the codewords that would have been transmitted by all the elements of a multiantenna system. In addition to introducing this new class of designs, we fully characterize the diversity order of the corresponding symbol error probability and also analyze how the performance is linked to different choices of the statistics of the random coefficients. We show that the proposed scheme achieves full diversity (N) if N L . Interestingly, in certain cases (e.g.,N = L = 2 ), we show that the achieved diversity order is fractional (d* = 1.5)!

Analysis of Mutual Coupling, Correlations, and TARC in WiBro MIMO Array Antenna

Abstract: This paper presents the evaluation of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) arrays by analyzing the mutual coupling, correlation coefficient, and total active reflection coefficient. The meaning and analysis of the three parameters are demonstrated in this paper. We show the effect of spatial and pattern diversity on MIMO arrays. We also attempt to achieve optimization of the array antenna's allocation for wireless broadband MIMO applications by performance evaluation

Reconfigurable Multiband Antenna Designs for Wireless Communication Devices

Abstract: New designs for compact reconfigurable antennas are introduced for mobile communication devices. The uniqueness of the antenna designs are that they allow various groups of their operating frequency bands to be selected electronically. In particular, each group of frequency bands, or mode, can be made to serve several different communication systems simultaneously. These systems may include various combinations of GSM, DCS, PCS, UMTS, Bluetooth, and wireless local-area network (LAN). Therefore, by electronically selecting different antenna modes, a variety of communication systems can be conveniently served by only one antenna. One advantage is that through the different operational modes, the total antenna volume can be reused, and therefore the overall antenna can be made compact. In these designs, the selection of the different modes is achieved by either i) switching different feeding locations of the antenna (switched feed) or ii) switching or breaking of the antenna's connection to the ground (switched ground). This paper demonstrates these two designs. For the first design of switched feed, it can support GSM, DCS, PCS, and UMTS. In the second design, the antenna makes use of a switched-ground technique, which can cover GSM, DCS, PCS, UMTS, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz wireless LAN. The designs are investigated when ideal switches and also various realistic active switches based on PIN diodes, GaAs field effect transistor, and MEMs configurations. The designs are verified through both numerical simulations and measurement of an experimental prototype. The results confirm good performance of the two multiband reconfigurable antenna designs.