Antenna System Positioned Within a Support Structure

• US 20070139291A1
• Filed: 02/27/2007
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: EMAG Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EMAG Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Munn, Jiyoun, Katehi, Linda, Sarabandi, Kamal, Sabet, Kazem
• Application Number:
  US11/679,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20070139291A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/085 Slot-line radiating ends
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/30 the primary active element being centre-fed and substantially straight, e.g. Yagi antenna
• 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 5/49 with parasitic elements used for purposes other than for dual-band or multi-band, e.g. imbricated Yagi antennas

Abstract

An antenna system that is positioned within a support structure. The antenna system includes at least one antenna that may have one or more antenna elements formed on a substrate. The support structure encloses the antenna and includes an outer support portion defining a cavity and an inner support portion positioned within the cavity. The antenna is positioned within the cavity between the outer support portion and the inner support portion so that the antenna is substantially surrounded by air.

Claims

1. An antenna system comprising:

at least one antenna; and

a support structure enclosing the at least one antenna, said support structure including an outer support portion defining a cavity and an inner support portion positioned within the cavity, wherein the at least one antenna is positioned in the cavity between the outer support portion and the inner support portion so that the at least one antenna is substantially surrounded by air.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the outer support portion includes at least one angled side portion.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the inner support portion includes a structural configuration that includes walls and open spaces therebetween.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the support structure includes an encapsulating material selected from the group consisting of nonconductive composites, concrete, polyurethane, fiberglass and epoxy.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna includes an antenna substrate and at least one antenna element.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the inner support portion includes a plurality of ridges and a plurality of support posts, wherein the plurality of ridges extend through slots in the antenna substrate and the plurality of posts support the antenna.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the ridges and the posts define an air gap around the at least one antenna of at least one-half of an inch on both sides of the substrate.

8. The system according to claim 5 wherein the at least one antenna element includes a plurality of antenna elements.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of antenna elements include a plurality of director elements and reflector elements.

10. The system according to claim 5 wherein the substrate is a flexible substrate and the at least one antenna element is conductive ink deposited on the substrate.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna is horizontally polarized.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna is operable to both transmit and receive RF signals.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna is selected from the group consisting of a tapered slot antenna, a dual band printed dipole antenna with reflectors and a Yagi-Uda array antenna.

14. The system according to claim 1 wherein the inner support portion is a single piece molded plastic member and the outer support portion is a single piece molded plastic member.

15. The system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one metal member for improving a front-to-back ratio of the at least one antenna.

16. An antenna system comprising:

at least one antenna including a substrate and at least one antenna element formed thereon; and

a support structure enclosing the antenna, said support structure including an outer support portion having an angled side wall and a cavity and an inner support portion positioned with the cavity, said inner support portion including a plurality of posts that extend into the cavity, said at least one antenna being positioned on the posts within the cavity, wherein the inner support portion has a structural configuration that includes walls and open spaces therebetween.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein the posts and the cavity provide an air gap around the at least one antenna of at least one-half of an inch on both sides of the substrate.

18. The system according to claim 16 wherein the at least one antenna element includes a plurality of antenna elements having director elements and reflector elements.

19. An antenna system comprising:

an antenna including a substrate and a plurality of antenna elements, said substrate including a plurality of slots; and

a support structure enclosing the antenna, said support structure including an outer support portion defining a cavity and an inner support portion positioned within the cavity, said inner support portion including a plurality of posts and a plurality of ridges where the antenna is positioned on the posts so that the ridges extend through the slots so as to position and support the antenna, wherein the posts allow the antenna to be positioned within the cavity and be substantially surrounded by air.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein the posts and the cavity provide an air gap around the at least one antenna of at least one-half of an inch on both sides of the substrate.