Multiband antenna system using RF micro-electro-mechanical switches, method for transmitting multiband signals, and signal produced therefrom
First Claim
1. An antenna system, comprising:
- a slot antenna; and
a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch, coupled to the slot antenna, for changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna, wherein the slot antenna has a first resonant frequency when the MEM switch is open and a second resonant frequency and a third resonant frequency when the MEM switch is closed, wherein when the MEM switch is closed, the slot is fed by more than one input signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for transmitting, and a signal comprising multiple frequency bands from a single slot antenna are disclosed. The system comprises a slot antenna and a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch, coupled to the slot antenna. The MEM switch is opened and closed, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna. The slot antenna transmits a first frequency when the MEM switch is open and a second frequency when the MEM switch is closed. The method for transmitting a first frequency and a second frequency from a slot antenna comprises the steps of transmitting the first frequency from the slot antenna, closing a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch coupled across the slot antenna, therein changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna, and transmitting the second frequency from the slot antenna after the MEM switch is closed. A signal comprising a first and second frequency in accordance with the present invention is transmitted by an array of antennas, wherein the array of antennas comprises at least one slot, the slot being reconfigurable through a RF MEM switch coupled to the slot, by performing the steps of transmitting the first frequency from the slot antenna, closing a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch coupled across the slot antenna, therein changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna, and transmitting the second frequency from the slot antenna after the MEM switch is closed.
80 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An antenna system, comprising:
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a slot antenna; and
a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch, coupled to the slot antenna, for changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna, wherein the slot antenna has a first resonant frequency when the MEM switch is open and a second resonant frequency and a third resonant frequency when the MEM switch is closed, wherein when the MEM switch is closed, the slot is fed by more than one input signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for transmitting a plurality of frequencies from a slot antenna, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting the first frequency from the slot antenna;
closing a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch coupled across the slot antenna, therein changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna to a second resonant frequency and third resonant frequency; and
transmitting the second and third resonant frequencies from the slot antenna after the MEM switch is closed;
wherein when the MEM switch is closed, the slot is fed by more than one input signals. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
opening the MEM switch; and
transmitting the first frequency from the slot antenna after the MEM switch is open.
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8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:
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opening the MEM switch; and
transmitting the first frequency from the slot antenna after the MEM switch is open.
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9. The method of claim 7, wherein the steps of opening and closing the MEM switch are performed by a controller.
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10. The method of claim 6, wherein the multiple input signals are out of phase with respect to each other.
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11. A satellite communications system, comprising:
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a satellite including a slot antenna; and
a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch, coupled to the slot antenna, for changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna, wherein the slot antenna has a first resonant frequency when the MEM switch is open and a second resonant frequency and a third resonant frequency when the MEM switch is closed;
wherein when the MEM switch is closed, the slot is fed by more than one input signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A signal to be transmitted by an array of antennas, wherein the array of antennas comprises at least one slot, the slot being reconfigurable through a RF MEM switch coupled to the slot, the signal comprising a plurality of frequencies, wherein the signal is transmitted by performing the steps of:
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transmitting the first frequency from the slot antenna;
closing a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switch coupled across the slot antenna, therein changing the resonant frequency of the slot antenna to a second resonant frequency and a third resonant frequency; and
transmitting the second and third resonant frequencies from the slot after the MEM switch is closed;
wherein when the MEM switch is closed, the slot is fed by more than one input signals.
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Specification