In-vehicle antenna system and method
First Claim
1. An antenna system connectable to a vehicle having an interior cabin, the antenna system comprising:
- a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture, and wherein the wall defines an exterior environment and the interior cabin;
a exterior antenna located within the exterior environment and connectable to the vehicle, wherein the exterior antenna transmits and receives RF signals to and from an external RF device that is located in the exterior environment; and
a interior antenna located within the interior cabin defined by the inner surface of the wall, wherein the interior antenna receives and transmits RF signals to and from an interior RF device located within the interior cabin, anda data transmission line that transmits RF signals, wherein the data transmission line is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna, and wherein the transmission line passes through the aperture located in the plate between the exterior antenna and the interior antenna, andwherein the interior antenna communicates RF signals obtained from the interior RF device located within the interior cabin through the transmission line to the exterior antenna, and the exterior antenna communicates RF signals obtained from the external RF device through the transmission line to the interior antenna.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna, an interior antenna, and a data transmission line. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, where the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin. The exterior antenna is located within the exterior environment and is connectable to the vehicle. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined. The data transmission line transmits RF signals and is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna. The transmission line passes through the aperture located in the plate between the exterior antenna and the interior antenna.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An antenna system connectable to a vehicle having an interior cabin, the antenna system comprising:
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a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture, and wherein the wall defines an exterior environment and the interior cabin; a exterior antenna located within the exterior environment and connectable to the vehicle, wherein the exterior antenna transmits and receives RF signals to and from an external RF device that is located in the exterior environment; and a interior antenna located within the interior cabin defined by the inner surface of the wall, wherein the interior antenna receives and transmits RF signals to and from an interior RF device located within the interior cabin, and a data transmission line that transmits RF signals, wherein the data transmission line is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna, and wherein the transmission line passes through the aperture located in the plate between the exterior antenna and the interior antenna, and wherein the interior antenna communicates RF signals obtained from the interior RF device located within the interior cabin through the transmission line to the exterior antenna, and the exterior antenna communicates RF signals obtained from the external RF device through the transmission line to the interior antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of sending and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals from a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture, the method comprising:
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transmitting a first RF signal from an external RF device to an exterior antenna, wherein the exterior antenna is disposed on the outer surface of the wall; communicating the first RF signal from the exterior antenna to an interior antenna located within an interior cabin through a data transmission line, where the wall defines an exterior environment and the interior cabin, and wherein the data transmission line is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna and passes through the aperture in the wall; radiating the first RF signal from the interior antenna to the interior cabin such that an interior RF device receives the first RF signal; transmitting a second RF signal from the interior RF device to the interior antenna; and communicating the second RF signal from the interior antenna to the exterior antenna through the transmission line. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle having an interior cabin, the interior cabin having side windows that are coated with a solar management glass coating that substantially interferes with the transmission of RF signals, the vehicle comprising:
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a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture, and wherein the wall and the windows define an exterior environment and the interior cabin; an exterior antenna located in the exterior environment and connectable to the vehicle, wherein the exterior antenna transmits and receives RF signals to and from an external RF device that is located in the exterior environment; a interior antenna located within the interior cabin defined by the inner surface of the wall, wherein the interior antenna receives and transmits RF signals to and from an interior RF device located within the interior cabin; and a data transmission line that transmits RF signals, wherein the data transmission line is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna, and wherein the transmission line passes through the aperture located in the plate between the exterior antenna and the interior antenna, and wherein the interior antenna communicates RF signals obtained from the interior RF device located within the interior cabin through the transmission line to the exterior antenna, and the exterior antenna communicates RF signals obtained from the external RF device through the transmission line to the interior antenna.
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Specification