Omnidirectional and directional antenna assembly

• US 6,337,628 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTP Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NTP Incorporated
• Inventors: Campana, Thomas J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/750,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.7, 340/573.4, 340/573.1, 343/741, 343/789, 343/833, 343/866, 343/912, 342/147, 342/417
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0222 Message structure or message content, e.g. message protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0263 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the direction in which child or item is located
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/18 Monitoring during normal operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/23 Indication means, e.g. displays, alarms, audible means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/086 using weights depending on external parameters, e.g. direction of arrival [DOA], predetermined weights or beamforming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0057 Block codes H04L1/0061, H04L1/0064 take precedence

Abstract

An antenna assembly providing selectable omnidirectional or directional reception of radio transmissions in a frequency band. The assembly includes an electrically conductive reflector (432) defining a cavity (702) having a bottom (708), an opening (714) and a surface (704 and 706) extending from the bottom to the opening and an electrical output (763) and an electrically conductive loop (431) coupled to ground and having an electrical outlet (766) for coupling to an RF amplifier (407), the loop being positioned between the bottom opening of the cavity.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly providing selectable omnidirectional or directional reception of radio transmissions in a frequency band comprising:

an electrically conductive reflector defining a cavity having a bottom, an opening, a surface extending from the bottom to the opening and an electrical output; and

an electrically conductive loop electrically coupled to ground and having an electrical output for coupling to an RF amplifier, the loop being positioned between the bottom and the opening of the cavity.