GPS radome-mounted antenna assembly

• US 20070057862A1
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Weber, Daniel, Bailey, Nancy
• Granted Patent: US 7,336,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/872
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/32 Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation

Abstract

In an antenna communications unit which, when installed on trucks, allows two-way communications between a driver and fleet logistic centers, historically, a global positioning system (GPS) antenna within a radome has been housed in a cavity beneath a transceiver'"'"'s messaging antenna. A method and device is provided which moves the GPS antenna from beneath the messaging antenna and places it in an enclosure mounted to the radome.

Claims

1. A transceiver, including a radome, comprising

an antenna connected to said radome.

2. A receiver, including a radome, comprising an antenna connected to said radome.

3. A transmitter, including a radome, comprising an antenna connected to said radome.

4. A transceiver including a radome comprising:

a base,

a first antenna connected to said base and

a second antenna connected to said radome.

5. A transceiver as recited in claim 4 wherein said first antenna represents a messaging antenna and wherein said second antenna is a GPS antenna.

6. A transceiver as recited in claim 4 wherein said first antenna is interposed between said base and said second antenna.

7. A transceiver as recited in claim 4 wherein said radome is in substantially the shape of a sphere.

8. A transceiver as recited in claim 5 wherein said messaging antenna includes a base upon which said antenna is capable of rotation.

9. A transceiver as recited in claim 5 wherein said first antenna is a horn antenna.

10. A transceiver as recited in claim 4 wherein said second antenna is a patch antenna.

11. A transceiver as recited in claim 10 further including a cup in which said second antenna is disposed.

12. A transceiver as recited in claim 11 further comprising an adhesive ring whereby said second antenna is connected to said radome though adhesion of said cup to said ring on a first side of said ring and adhesion of said radome to said ring on a second side of said ring.

13. A transceiver as recited in claim 12 wherein said adhesive ring is formed from a double-side adhesive tape.

14. A transceiver as recited in claim 13 wherein said double-sided adhesive tape is 3M™

VHB™

5952 tape.

15. A transceiver as recited in claim 13 wherein said double-side adhesive tape is an acrylic foam tape.

16. A transceiver as recited in claim 12 which further includes an antenna cable connected to said patch antenna, said antenna cable being secured to said radome at selected regions of said radome using adhesive tape.

17. A transceiver as recited in claim 16 wherein said adhesive tape is acrylic foam tape.

18. A transceiver as recited in claim 16 wherein said adhesive tape is 3M™

VHB™

5952 tape.

19. A transceiver as recited in claim 12 wherein said radome and said cup are thermoformed.

20. A transceiver as recited in claim 18 wherein said radome is thermoformed from a polycarbonate material.

22. A method of securing an element of an antenna assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said adhesive tape comprises an acrylic foam tape.

23. A method of securing an element of an antenna assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said adhesive tape is 3M™

VHB™

5952 tape.

24. A method of securing an element of an antenna assembly as recited in claim 20 further including using an adhesion promoter between said element and said radome.

25. A method of securing an element as recited in claim 20 wherein said element comprises an antenna ground plane.

26. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein said adhesive tape is 3M™

VHB™

5952 tape.

21. A method of securing an element of an antenna assembly to a cup comprising adhering said element to said cup using an adhesive tape.