Switched multi-beam antenna
First Claim
1. An antenna system comprising:
- a reflective layer having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a plurality of antenna elements proximate the upper surface of the reflective layer;
one or more reflectors electrically coupled to the reflective layer and positioned to operate as a reflector for each of the plurality of antenna elements; and
a switch coupled to each of the plurality of antenna elements and configured to select an active state or inactive state for each of the plurality of antenna elements.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An antenna assembly includes a common reflector and multiple monopole type antenna elements positioned on a ground plane and fed with a switch assembly. The switch assembly is capable of feeding individual antennas as well as combining multiple antennas for improved radiation pattern coverage. Multiple antenna elements are placed around the common reflector to cover sectors of space around the antenna assembly to provide transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) signals for mobile communication devices in a wireless network. The ground plane can be grounded or capacitively coupled to an existing circuit board or metal surface, allowing for reduced ground plane dimensions.
269 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An antenna system comprising:
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a reflective layer having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a plurality of antenna elements proximate the upper surface of the reflective layer;
one or more reflectors electrically coupled to the reflective layer and positioned to operate as a reflector for each of the plurality of antenna elements; and
a switch coupled to each of the plurality of antenna elements and configured to select an active state or inactive state for each of the plurality of antenna elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An antenna system comprising:
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a base layer;
a ground plane formed on the base layer and having an upper surface and a lower surface proximate the base layer;
a plurality of antenna elements coupled to the base proximate the upper surface of the ground plane and extending outwardly from the ground plane;
a reflector electrically coupled to the ground plane and positioned to operate as a reflector for each of the plurality of antenna elements; and
a switch on the base on a side opposite to the plurality of antenna elements, coupled to each of the plurality of antenna elements and configured to select an active state or inactive state for each of the plurality of antenna elements;
wherein each of the monopole antenna elements in cooperation with the reflector has a direction of transmission. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A communication device comprising:
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a base layer;
a reflective layer formed on the base layer and having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a plurality of antenna elements proximate the upper surface of the reflective layer;
one or more reflectors electrically coupled to the reflective layer and positioned to operate as a reflector for each of the plurality of antenna elements;
a radio configured to transmit a radio frequency signal;
a switch coupled the radio and to each of the plurality of antenna elements and configured to select an active state or inactive state for each of the plurality of antenna elements in response to a control signal; and
a controller coupled to the switch and configured generate a control signal to control the switch.
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22. A method of manufacturing an antenna assembly comprising:
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providing a base layer having an upper surface and a lower surface;
forming a primary reflective surface on the base layer;
providing a plurality of antenna elements proximate the upper surface of the base layer;
providing one or more reflectors proximate the upper surface of the base layer positioned to operate as a reflector for each of the plurality of antenna elements and electrically coupling the one or more reflectors to the primary reflective surface; and
coupling a switch, configured to select an active state or inactive state for each of the plurality of antenna elements in response to a control signal, to each of the plurality of antenna elements. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An antenna system comprising:
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a base having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a plurality of antenna elements coupled to the base;
one or more reflectors electrically coupled to the reflective layer and positioned to operate as a reflector for each of the plurality of antenna elements; and
a switch coupled to each of the plurality of antenna elements and configured to select an active state or inactive state for each of the plurality of antenna elements. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification