Direct connect radio and antenna assembly
First Claim
1. An apparatus for implementation with a computer having a data interface slot, the apparatus for determining a user'"'"'s position coordinates according to GPS satellite tracking data, comprising:
- an antenna comprising a substantially flat conductive element for receiving the GPS satellite tracking data;
a GPS receiver for converting the GPS satellite tracking data into digital data, wherein the substantially flat conductive element is mechanically coupled to the GPS receiver, such that the substantially flat conductive element lies directly over the GPS receiver during operation while receiving the GPS satellite tracking data; and
a data interface card (PC card) having a first end and a second end, whereinthe first end is adapted for insertion into the computer data interface slot,the GPS receiver and the antenna having the substantially flat conductive element mechanically coupled thereto are affixed to the second end, andthe PC card includes a serial data interface bus for conducting the digital data from the GPS receiver to the first end of the card.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A direct connect antenna includes a passive patch-type antenna mounted to a radio, wherein the need for and use of a coaxial cable extension arrangement is eliminated. Thus, the characteristic impedances of the load and source can be better matched, resulting in lower reflection and distributed losses. The antenna is formed with guide slots for alignment and simple snap-on connection of the antenna to the radio to prevent coaxial connector mismatch and damage. The radio may be directly affixed and electrically coupled to a PCMCIA compliant interface card which is insertable into a host computer. Accordingly, radio signals received by the direct connect antenna and radio arrangement are processed through the PC card and the computer.
115 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for implementation with a computer having a data interface slot, the apparatus for determining a user'"'"'s position coordinates according to GPS satellite tracking data, comprising:
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an antenna comprising a substantially flat conductive element for receiving the GPS satellite tracking data; a GPS receiver for converting the GPS satellite tracking data into digital data, wherein the substantially flat conductive element is mechanically coupled to the GPS receiver, such that the substantially flat conductive element lies directly over the GPS receiver during operation while receiving the GPS satellite tracking data; and a data interface card (PC card) having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted for insertion into the computer data interface slot, the GPS receiver and the antenna having the substantially flat conductive element mechanically coupled thereto are affixed to the second end, and the PC card includes a serial data interface bus for conducting the digital data from the GPS receiver to the first end of the card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for receiving radio communication signals, comprising;
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a radio having a top surface defining a surface area for insertion into a computer; a removable substantially flat antenna having top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces having substantially equivalent surface areas, wherein the antenna includes a metal conductive element coupled to a high-dielectric material; and a connector having a first part and a second part, the first part being affixed directly to the metal conductive element within the substantially flat antenna, through the bottom surface of the substantially flat antenna and the second pan being affixed to the top surface of the radio, such that when the first and second parts are coupled together during operation, the antenna lies directly facing the radio wherein a substantial mount of the surface area of the bottom surface of the substantially flat antenna is directly adjacent a substantial amount of the surface area of the top surface of the radio to enable elimination of cabling between the antenna and the radio. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A radio frequency signal tracking system for improving RF signal reception and reducing coaxial cable losses, the system comprising;
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a global positioning system (GPS) radio receiver; a patch antenna coupled to the GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals, the patch antenna including a high dielectric material coupled to a substantially flat electrically conductive material; a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface card (PC card) mounted to and extending from the GPS receiver; a host computer for driving the functions of the GPS receiver and the PC card, the host card having a PCMCIA compliant interface slot for slidably receiving the PC card; and a coaxial connector coupled to the GPS receiver and the electrically conductive material within the patch antenna for directly connecting the GPS receiver to the electrically conductive material without additional cabling, thereby minimizing cable losses and RF signal attenuation, wherein the coaxial connector includes a female part and a male part, either of the female and male parts being affixed to the GPS receiver and the electrically conductive material within the patch antenna, further wherein the GPS receiver and the patch antenna having the electrically conductive material therein have substantially flat connector surfaces to which are attached the male and female parts of the coaxial connector, such that when the female and male parts are connected together, the substantially flat connector surface of the patch antenna is directly adjacent to and faces the substantially flat connector surface of the GPS receiver. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for improving radio frequency signal reception and quality by a GPS receiver and antenna arrangement, the GPS receiver and the antenna having substantially flat connector surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
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attaching a first half of a coaxial connector to the connector surface of the antenna, the coaxial connector being directly connected such that no cabling is used; attaching a second half of the coaxial connector to the connector surface of the GPS receiver; mating the two halves of the coaxial connector together such that during operation the antenna is directly connected to the GPS receiver, and the substantially flat connector surfaces of the GPS receiver and the antenna lie immediately adjacent and directly face each other; inserting the GPS receiver and antenna arrangement into a computer; and receiving RF signals with substantially improved signal reception and reduced cable losses. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification