Methods and apparatus for reconfiguring antenna array patterns

• US 20050259004A1
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michigan Technological University
• Original Assignee: Michigan Technological University
• Inventors: Subotic, Nikola, Cannella, Vincent, Burns, Joseph, Roussi, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,187,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/368
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/01 varying the shape of the antenna or antenna system
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/22 varying the orientation in accordance with variation of frequency of radiated wave

Abstract

A substrate is provided with a multiplicity of electrically conductive elements, and the elements are interconnected to form an antenna structure for desired application. Either the antenna pattern itself may be altered according to the invention, or one or more feed points may be changed, or all of the above. As such, the electrically conductive elements may be interconnected to change the directionality of the antenna pattern, the gain, the frequency response, or other operational characteristics. The electrically conductive elements may be arranged in the form of an inchoate antenna pattern or regular array. Switches at key points of the structure enable the pattern to be changed dynamically. Such switching may be carried out in real time in accordance with transmissions/reception characteristics, or in advance using simulations associated with the switched elements.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A method of reconfiguring an antenna pattern, comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate with a multiplicity of electrically conductive elements;

developing an antenna structure for desired application;

interconnecting the electrically conductive elements to form the structure; and

wherein the interconnected elements form a self-affine structure.

10. A method of reconfiguring an antenna pattern, comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate with a multiplicity of electrically conductive elements;

developing an antenna structure for desired application;

interconnecting the electrically conductive elements to form the structure; and

wherein the interconnected elements form a Hausdorff structure.

11. A method of reconfiguring an antenna pattern, comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate with a multiplicity of electrically conductive elements;

developing an antenna structure for desired application;

interconnecting the electrically conductive elements to form the structure; and

wherein the antenna pattern is computer-synthesized in advance of the interconnection.

12. A method of reconfiguring an antenna pattern, comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate with a multiplicity of electrically conductive elements;

developing an antenna structure for desired application;

interconnecting the electrically conductive elements to form the structure; and

wherein;

the electrically conductive elements are interconnected to a transmitter or receiver; and

the electrically conductive elements are interconnected as a function of the performance of the transmitter or receiver.

13. (canceled)