Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-30
2003-03-25
Phan, Tho (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With vehicle
C343S704000, C343S895000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06538609
ABSTRACT:
The application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/438,814, filed Nov. 10, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,926.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of a U.S. provisional application of Anh Nguyen et al entitled“Multiple-Coupling Vehicle SDARS Glass Mount Antenna System”, Ser. No. 60/200,463, filed Apr. 28, 2000, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to transmission of radio frequency signals (e.g., SDARS signals) from an antenna across a dielectric such as glass to a receiver disposed in a vehicle, as well as the transmission across glass of power from the receiver to antenna electronics. The invention also relates to an integral antenna assembly for mounting externally on the dielectric surface that comprises one or more antennas, antenna electronics, as well as components for radio frequency and direct current coupling through the dielectric with internally mounted receiver components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With reference to
FIG. 1
, a number of antenna systems have been proposed which provide for the transfer of radio frequency (RF) energy through glass or other dielectric surface to avoid having to drill holes, for example, through the windshield or window of an automobile for installation. Glass-mount antenna systems are advantageous because they obviate the necessity of having to provide a proper seal around an installation hole or other window opening in order to protect the interior of the vehicle and its occupants from exposure to external weather conditions.
In the conventional antenna system
20
depicted in
FIG. 1
, RF signals from an antenna
22
are conducted across a glass surface
24
via a coupling device
26
that typically employs capacitive coupling, slot coupling or aperture coupling. The portion of the coupling device
26
on the interior of the vehicle is connected to a matching circuit
28
which provides the RF signals to a low noise amplifier (LNA)
32
at the input of a receiver
34
via an RF or coaxial cable
30
. The antenna system
20
is disadvantageous because the matching circuit
28
, losses associated with the cable
30
and RF coupling (e.g., on the order of 2 to 4 dB or more) cause an increase in system noise.
Another proposed antenna system
40
, which is described with reference to
FIG. 2
, has an RF coupling device similar to that used in the antenna system
20
depicted in
FIG. 1
, as well as DC coupling components to provide power to the antenna electronic circuitry. The antenna system
40
is configured to transmit video signals from satellite antenna electronics through a glass window
46
into a structure such as a residence or office building without requiring a hole through the glass. An exterior module
42
is mounted, for example, on the exterior of the structure, while an interior module
44
and receiver
48
are provided within the structure. RF coupling units
50
a
and
50
b
are provided on opposite sides of the glass
46
which is typically a window in the building. RF coupling unit
50
b
is connected to the exterior module
42
via a coaxial cable
54
to allow the exterior module
42
to be located remotely (e.g., on the building rooftop) therefrom. The exterior module
42
encloses an antenna
52
and associated electronics (e.g., an LNA
56
) to receive RF signals, which are then provided from the LNA
56
to the coupling device
50
b
via the cable
54
for transfer through the glass
46
.
With continued reference to
FIG. 2
, RF energy transferred through the glass
46
is processed via a matching circuit
58
. The matching circuit
58
is connected to a receiver
48
by another coaxial cable
60
. In addition, DC power is provided from the interior module
44
to the exterior module
42
(e.g., to provide power for the LNA
48
) by low frequency DC coupling coils
62
a
and
62
b
mounted opposite each other on either side of the glass
46
. In a conventional satellite TV system, electrical power for the satellite antenna electronics is provided from the receiver
48
on the same coaxial cable that provides video signals from the antenna
52
to the receiver
48
.
While the provision of DC power to antenna electronics is useful, the matching circuit and cable losses associated with the antenna system
40
are not desirable for such applications as an in Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (SDARS) system antenna for a vehicle. At 800 MHz, the coupling loss experienced with conventional glass mount antenna arrangements can be as much as 3 dB. At higher frequencies, the coupling loss increases substantially. For such high frequency applications as satellite radio operating at 2.4 GHz, the coupling loss is expected to be unacceptably high (e.g., 2 to 4 dB), making reception difficult. A need therefore exists for a glass-mounted antenna arrangement for high frequency wireless communication applications, and particularly, satellite radio applications, that reduces coupling loss.
Further, installation of a cable (e.g., such as the coaxial cable
54
in
FIG. 3
) on the exterior of a vehicle window or windshield is undesirable in terms of installation, as is drilling through glass. The installation of an antenna assembly
42
located remotely with respect to the external coupling devices indicated at
45
is generally considered unattractive to consumers of mobile satellite services. A need therefore exists for a vehicle antenna mounting system whereby the antenna, associated antenna electronics (e.g., LNA) and RF and DC coupling are provided in an integral assembly for installation on the exterior of a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above described disadvantages are overcome and a number of advantages are realized by a vehicle antenna mounting system whereby the antenna, associated antenna electronics (e.g., LNA) and RF and DC coupling are provided in an integral antenna assembly for installation on the exterior of a vehicle.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the integral antenna assembly comprises a base section enclosing the associated antenna electronics and RF and DC coupling devices, and an antenna section pivotably mounted on the base section comprising the antenna.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the vehicle antenna mounting system comprises two or more antennas in the integral antenna assembly for SDARS reception on at least one satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. In addition another satellite channel can be provided for diversity purposes, or a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver for performing location services, among others, for the vehicle.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, the antenna section comprises a quadrifilar antenna for reception of one or more satellite channels, and a linear antenna disposed within the quadrifilar antenna for reception of terrestrial signals.
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patent:
Nguyen Anh
Petros Argy A.
Phan Tho
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
XM Satellite Radio Inc.
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