Antenna device for use in vehicle

• US 20090224971A1
• Filed: 02/24/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Koide, Shirou
• Granted Patent: US 7,859,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.460
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• 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 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them

Abstract

A GPS signal from a GPS antenna is provided not only for a navigation apparatus through an amplifier but also for a data communication module (DCM) through a TEL antenna for establishing communication with a station for data exchange, by devising high frequency switches that is controlled by an ON/OFF of an antenna power supply on both of an input side and an output side of the amplifier. When the amplifier is in operation, one of the switches is turned on for distributing the GPS signal to a TEL antenna side. When the amplifier is not in operation, the other switch is turned on for transmitting the GPS signal from the GPS antenna to the TEL antenna side. In this manner, the GPS signal is provided for both of the navigation apparatus and the data communication module without deteriorating signal quality from the GPS antenna.

Claims

1. An antenna device for use in a vehicle having a GPS antenna element for receiving a GPS signal, an amplifier for amplifying the GPS signal received by the GPS antenna element, and a first terminal for outputting an amplified GPS signal amplified by the amplifier to a navigation apparatus, the device comprising:

a communication antenna element for sending and receiving a communication radio wave;

a second terminal for connecting a communication device to the communication antenna element;

a signal separation unit for separating a part of the GPS signal transmitted from the amplifier to the first terminal on a communication antenna element side, for mixing the separated GPS signal with a reception signal from the communication antenna element, and for outputting the mixed signal from the second terminal to the communication device, when the amplifier is in operation; and

a route switch unit for switching an output route of the GPS signal from the GPS antenna element from a route on an amplifier side to a route on the communication antenna element side, for mixing the GPS signal with the reception signal from the communication antenna element, and for outputting the mixed signal from the second terminal to the communication device, when the amplifier is not in operation, wherein

the amplifier is configured to be operated in synchronization with the navigation apparatus.

2. The antenna device of claim 1 further comprising:

a signal process unit for adjusting a phase of the GPS signal for preventing one of (a) passing of the GPS signal and (b) a positive feedback of the GPS signal from the communication antenna element to the amplifier, wherein

the signal process unit is disposed on a communication antenna element side relative to a mixing position in a transmission route of the reception signal from the communication antenna element to the second terminal, the mixing position mixing the reception signal and the GPS signal by one of the signal separation unit and the route switch unit.