Compact dual mode integrated antenna system for terrestrial cellular and satellite telecommunications

• US 20020030629A1
• Filed: 08/27/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ernest T. Ozaki, James L. Nybeck
• Original Assignee: Ernest T. Ozaki, James L. Nybeck
• Inventors: Nybeck, James L., Ozaki, Ernest T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,720,929 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/40 Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/18 Vertical disposition of the antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/32 Vertical arrangement of element H01Q9/40 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention represents an integrated antenna assembly comprising a cellular communications antenna and a satellite communications antenna. Such an antenna assembly can, therefore, be used for communications over either frequency range. A wireless telephone using this assembly can, therefore, operate with either a terrestrial cellular communications system or a satellite communications system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the satellite communications antenna is a quadrifilar helix antenna and the cellular communications antenna is a sleeve dipole. The whip portion of the sleeve dipole is positioned axially in the center of the quadrifilar helix antenna. This orientation permits operation in both the satellite and cellular frequency ranges without significant electromagnetic coupling.

Claims

1. An integrated antenna assembly comprising:

a cellular communications antenna capable of operating in a cellular frequency range; and

a satellite communications antenna capable of operating in a satellite frequency range.

2. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein said satellite communications antenna comprises a quadrifilar helix antenna for reception of radio frequency (RF) signals from a satellite.

3. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein said cellular communications antenna comprises a sleeve dipole antenna.

4. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein said cellular communications antenna comprises a sleeve dipole antenna

5. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein

said satellite communications antenna comprises a quadrifilar helix antenna for reception of RF signals from a satellite;

and

said cellular communications antenna comprises a sleeve dipole antenna, having a whip portion positioned along a central longitudinal axis of said quadrifilar helix antenna.

6. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein said cellular communications antenna comprises a monopole antenna.

7. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein

said satellite communications antenna comprises a quadrifilar helix antenna for reception of RF signals from a satellite;

and

said cellular communications antenna comprises a monopole antenna positioned along a central longitudinal axis of said quadrifilar helix antenna.

8. The antenna assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second satellite communications antenna capable of operating in a satellite frequency range different from the frequency range in which the first satellite communications antenna is capable of operating.

9. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein said cellular communications antenna comprises a sleeve dipole antenna.

10. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein said first satellite communications antenna comprises a quadrifilar helix antenna for reception of RF signals from a satellite.

11. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein

said first satellite communications antenna comprises a quadrifilar helix antenna for reception of RF signals from a satellite;

and

said cellular communications antenna comprises a sleeve dipole antenna having a whip portion positioned along a central longitudinal axis of said quadrifilar helix antenna.

12. The antenna assembly of claim 8, wherein said second satellite communications antenna comprises a quadrifilar helix antenna for transmission of RF signals to a satellite.