Vehicle communications system

• US 5,959,584 A
• Filed: 04/18/1997
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Williams, Roger Brunner, Guthrie, Warren E., Gorham, Kenneth Duane
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUCHMAN, LAYLA G
• Application Number:
  US08/844,426
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 343/711, 343/712, 343/713, 343/767, 343/768, 343/771, 343/717, 343/841, 343/853, 342/357, 342/353, 342/385, 455/7
• US Class Current: 343/711
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle having a plurality of antennas each in association with a communications transmitter device disposed within the vehicle to thereby provide multiple signal transmission sites. At least one antenna is disposed substantially at a top site of the vehicle and at least one antenna is disposed substantially at a bottom site of the vehicle, thus providing antenna coverage irrespective of the spatial orientation of the vehicle. The invention includes a communications system employing a multiplicity of antenna sites as well as methodology for providing a communication link from a vehicle to a receiving site by incorporating the communications system. In this manner, vehicle occupants are provided with a communications link from the vehicle, irrespective of the position of the vehicle. Thus, if one antenna is shielded from transmission because it is situated at a top site of a vehicle and the vehicle is upside down because of a mishap, another antenna which is situated to be operable from a non-shielded site (e.g. a bottom site of the vehicle) will provide effective signal transmission. The invention thereby provides enhanced safety and security for vehicle occupants in most travel environments.

Claims

1. A vehicle communication system comprising:

a) a land vehicle;

b) a sole single-frequency radio signal transmitter device situated within the vehicle;

c) a plurality of antennas each in association with the communications transmitter device, wherein at least one antenna is disposed substantially at a top site of the vehicle and at least one antenna is disposed substantially at a bottom site of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle communication system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle has a top surface and the antenna disposed substantially at the top site of the vehicle is mounted to the top surface thereof.

3. A vehicle communication system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said vehicle has a frame member accessible from beneath the vehicle and the antenna disposed substantially at the bottom site of the vehicle is mounted to the frame member.

4. A vehicle communication system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle has a frame member accessible from beneath the vehicle and the antenna disposed substantially at the bottom site of the vehicle is mounted to the frame member.

5. A land vehicle having a plurality of antennas each in association with a sole single-frequency radio signal transmitter device disposed within the vehicle, wherein at least one antenna is disposed substantially at a top site of the vehicle and at least one antenna is disposed substantially at a bottom site of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5 wherein said vehicle has a top surface and the antenna disposed substantially at the top site of the vehicle is mounted to the top surface thereof.

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein said vehicle has a frame member accessible from beneath the vehicle and the antenna disposed substantially at the bottom site of the vehicle is mounted to the frame member.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5 wherein said vehicle has a frame member accessible from beneath the vehicle and the antenna disposed substantially at the bottom site of the vehicle is mounted to the frame member.

9. A land vehicle having a plurality of antennas each connectable to a sole single-frequency radio signal transmitter device, wherein at least one antenna is disposed substantially at a top site of the vehicle and at least one antenna is disposed substantially at a bottom site of the vehicle.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein said vehicle has a top surface and the antenna disposed substantially at the top site of the vehicle is mounted on the top surface thereof.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 10 wherein said vehicle has a frame member accessible from beneath the vehicle and the antenna disposed substantially at the bottom site of the vehicle is mounted to the frame member.

12. A method for providing a communication link from a vehicle to a receiving site, the method comprising:

a) providing a land vehicle;

b) providing a sole single-frequency radio signal transmitter device within the vehicle;

c) providing to the vehicle a plurality of antennas each in association with the communications transmitter device; and

d) mounting at least one said antenna substantially at a top site of the vehicle and at least one said antenna substantially at a bottom site of the vehicle.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said vehicle has a top surface and the antenna disposed substantially at the top site of the vehicle is mounted to the top surface thereof.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said vehicle has a frame member accessible from beneath the vehicle and the antenna disposed substantially at the bottom site of the vehicle is mounted to the frame member.

15. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said vehicle has a frame member accessible from beneath the vehicle and the antenna disposed substantially at the bottom site of the vehicle is mounted to the frame member.