Apparatus and method for transferring DC power and RF signals through a transparent or substantially transparent medium for antenna reception
First Claim
1. An interface circuit for use in an active antenna assembly used in vehicular satellite based communication, navigation or entertainment systems, said interface circuit used for connection between a first transmission line that is connected to a first electronic circuit on a first side of a substantially transparent media and a second transmission line that is connected to a second electronic circuit on a second side of the substantially transparent media, comprising:
- an electrical to optical conversion module at said first side for converting an electrical input received from said first electronic circuit through said first transmission line, to an optical output, said electrical to optical conversion module having an optical source therein for transmitting said optical output across said substantially transparent media from said first side of said substantially transparent media;
an optical to electrical conversion module at said second side for receiving said optical output, from said optical source of said electrical to optical conversion unit, and for converting said optical output received from said optical source to an electrical output, said optical to electrical conversion module having a receiving surface area for receiving said optical output from across said substantially transparent media.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates generally to an specific embodiment of an interface for transmitting electrical power through a transparent or substantially transparent medium for use in an active antenna assembly used in vehicular satellite based communication, navigation or entertainment systems chosen from the group of applications consisting of SDARS, GPS, or other vehicular satellite services. A DC power and Radio Frequency wave coupling system is provided which employs RF and DC coupling across a transparent or substantially transparent medium. RF coupling is achieved using low cost and low loss RF coupler pairs such as quarterwave patches that are mounted opposite each other on either side of a transparent or substantially transparent medium. The feeds of the patches are aligned so as to be directly opposite each other, and the patches are mounted against the transparent or substantially transparent medium. A DC power transfer system allows DC power to be transferred across the insolated medium and be available for use by other electronic devices such as Low Noise Amplifiers. An alignment mechanism to facilitate the alignment of the power transfer module and RF coupler pairs.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An interface circuit for use in an active antenna assembly used in vehicular satellite based communication, navigation or entertainment systems, said interface circuit used for connection between a first transmission line that is connected to a first electronic circuit on a first side of a substantially transparent media and a second transmission line that is connected to a second electronic circuit on a second side of the substantially transparent media, comprising:
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an electrical to optical conversion module at said first side for converting an electrical input received from said first electronic circuit through said first transmission line, to an optical output, said electrical to optical conversion module having an optical source therein for transmitting said optical output across said substantially transparent media from said first side of said substantially transparent media;
an optical to electrical conversion module at said second side for receiving said optical output, from said optical source of said electrical to optical conversion unit, and for converting said optical output received from said optical source to an electrical output, said optical to electrical conversion module having a receiving surface area for receiving said optical output from across said substantially transparent media. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for forming an interface circuit for in an active antenna assembly used in vehicular satellite based communication, navigation or entertainment systems for connection between a first transmission line that is connected to a first electronic circuit on a first side of a substantially transparent media and a second transmission line that is connected to a second electronic circuit on a second side of the substantially transparent media, consisting of the steps of:
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connecting an electrical to optical conversion module to said first transmission line at said first side of said substantially transparent media, for converting an electrical input received from said first electronic circuit through said first transmission line, to an optical output, said electrical to optical conversion module being formed so as to have an optical source therein for transmitting said optical output across said substantially transparent media from said first side of said substantially transparent media;
connecting an optical to electrical conversion module to said second transmission line at said second side of said substantially transparent media, for receiving said optical output, from said optical source of said electrical to optical conversion unit, and for converting said optical output received from said optical source to an electrical output, said optical to electrical conversion module being formed so as to have a receiving surface area for receiving said optical output from across said substantially transparent media. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification