Glass-mountable antenna system with DC and RF coupling

• US 6,538,609 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc. (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: XM Satellite Radio Incorporated (Liberty Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Petros, Argy A., Nguyen, Anh
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US09/844,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.132, 343/711, 343/712, 343/713, 343/704, 343/715, 343/795, 343/872, 343/895, 333/25, 333/32, 455/86, 455/90
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1285 with capacitive feeding through the windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/40 Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements

Abstract

A vehicle antenna mounting system whereby the antenna, associated antenna electronics (e.g., LNA) and RF and DC coupling are provided in an integral antenna assembly for installation on the exterior of a vehicle. The integral antenna assembly comprises a base section enclosing the associated antenna electronics and RF and DC coupling devices, and an antenna section pivotably mounted on the base section comprising the antenna. Two or more antennas are provided in the integral antenna assembly for SDARS reception on at least one satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Another satellite channel can be provided for diversity purposes, or a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver for performing location services, among others, for the vehicle.

Claims

1. An antenna system comprising:

an interior antenna assembly having a first radio frequency coupling device connected to a dielectric surface and a first direct current coupling device connected to said dielectric surface; and

an exterior antenna assembly comprising a first antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal from a satellite, an amplifier for amplifying said radio frequency signal, a second radio frequency coupling device mounted opposite said first radio frequency coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for transferring said radio frequency signal thereto through said dielectric surface, and a second direct current coupling device mounted opposite said first direct current coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for receiving a power signal therefrom through said dielectric surface;

said exterior antenna assembly further comprising a second antenna for receiving a terrestrially transmitted signal, a terrestrial signal amplifier for amplifying said terrestrially transmitted signal, a third radio frequency coupling device and a third direct current coupling device, said interior antenna assembly having a fourth radio frequency coupling device and a fourth direct current coupling device mounted opposite said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device, respectively, for radio frequency coupling of said terrestrially transmitted signal and direct current coupling of said power signal for supplying power to said terrestrial signal amplifier;

wherein said first antenna, said second antenna, said amplifier, said terrestrial signal amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device, said second direct current coupling device, said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device are arranged in an integral housing.

2. An antenna system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said integral housing comprises a base section and an antenna section pivotably mounted on said base section, said base section enclosing said amplifier, said terrestrial signal amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device, said second direct current coupling device, said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device, said antenna section enclosing said first antenna and said second antenna.

3. An antenna system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said antenna section is a unitary, tubular member that encloses both of said first antenna and said second antenna and is electrically connected to said base section.

4. An exterior antenna assembly for mounting on a dielectric surface opposite an interior antenna assembly, the internal antenna assembly having a first radio frequency coupling device and a first direct current coupling device connected to the dielectric surface, the exterior antenna system comprising:

a first antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal;

a second antenna for receiving a terrestrially transmitted signal;

an amplifier for amplifying said radio frequency signal;

a terrestrial signal amplifier for amplifying said terrestrially transmitted signal;

a second radio frequency coupling device mounted opposite said first radio frequency coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for transferring said radio frequency signal thereto through said dielectric surface;

a second direct current coupling device mounted opposite said first direct current coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for receiving a power signal therefrom through said dielectric surface;

a third radio frequency coupling device and a third direct current coupling device, said interior antenna assembly having a fourth radio frequency coupling device and a fourth direct current coupling device mounted opposite said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device, respectively, for radio frequency coupling of said terrestrially transmitted signal and direct current coupling of said power signal for supplying power to said terrestrial signal amplifier; and

a housing enclosing said first antenna, said second antenna, said amplifier, said terrestrial signal amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device, said second direct current coupling device, said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device.

5. An exterior antenna assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing comprises a base section and an antenna section pivotably mounted on said base section, said base section enclosing said amplifier, said terrestrial signal amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device, said second direct current coupling device, said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device, said antenna section enclosing said first antenna and said second antenna.

6. An exterior antenna assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said antenna section is a unitary, tubular member that encloses both of said first antenna and said second antenna and is electrically connected to said base section.

7. An antenna system comprising:

an interior antenna assembly having a first radio frequency coupling device connected to a dielectric surface and a first direct current coupling device connected to said dielectric surface; and

an exterior antenna assembly comprising at least one antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal, an amplifier for amplifying said radio frequency signal, a second radio frequency coupling device mounted opposite said first radio frequency coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for transferring said radio frequency signal thereto through said dielectric surface, and a second direct current coupling device mounted opposite said first direct current coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for receiving a power signal therefrom through said dielectric surface, said antenna, said amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device and said second direct current coupling device being arranged in an integral housing;

wherein said integral housing comprises a base section and an antenna section pivotably mounted on said base section, said base section enclosing said amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device and said second direct current coupling device, said antenna section enclosing said antenna; and

wherein said antenna is a satellite signal antenna operable to receive a satellite signal, further comprising a terrestrial signal antenna operable to receive a terrestrially transmitted signal, said antenna section comprising said satellite signal antenna and said terrestrial signal antenna.

8. An antenna system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said base section further comprises a terrestrial signal amplifier for amplifying said terrestrially transmitted signal, a third radio frequency coupling device and a third direct current coupling device, said interior antenna assembly having a fourth radio frequency coupling device and a fourth direct current coupling device mounted opposite said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device, respectively, for radio frequency coupling of said terrestrially transmitted signal and direct current coupling of said power signal for supplying power to said terrestrial signal amplifier.

9. An antenna system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said antenna is a quadrifilar antenna and said terrestrial signal antenna is a dipole antenna.

10. An antenna system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said quadrifilar antenna is disposed in said antenna section of said integral housing, and said dipole antenna is disposed along said quadrifilar antenna.

11. An antenna system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a second satellite antenna in said antenna section for receiving a second satellite signal, said base section further comprising a second satellite signal amplifier for amplifying said second satellite signal, a fifth radio frequency coupling device and a fifth direct current coupling device, said interior antenna assembly having a sixth radio frequency coupling device and a sixth direct current coupling device mounted opposite said fifth radio frequency coupling device and said fifth direct current coupling device, respectively, for radio frequency coupling of said second satellite signal and direct current coupling of said power signal for supplying power to said second satellite signal amplifier.

12. An antenna system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said quadrifilar antenna is used to receive both of said satellite signal and said second satellite signal.

13. An antenna system comprising:

an interior antenna assembly having a first radio frequency coupling device connected to a dielectric surface and a first direct current coupling device connected to said dielectric surface; and

an exterior antenna assembly comprising at least one antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal, an amplifier for amplifying said radio frequency signal, a second radio frequency coupling device mounted opposite said first radio frequency coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for transferring said radio frequency signal thereto through said dielectric surface, and a second direct current coupling device mounted opposite said first direct current coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for receiving a power signal therefrom through said dielectric surface, said antenna, said amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device and said second direct current coupling device being arranged in an integral housing; and

wherein said interior antenna assembly is configured to connect to a receiver that supplies power thereto, said interior antenna assembly comprising an alternating current signal generation circuit for generating an alternating current signal from a direct current source for transfer to said exterior antenna assembly via said first direct current coupling device and said second direct current coupling device, said alternating current signal generation circuit not operating to generate said alternating current signal until said interior antenna assembly is connected to said receiver and receiving power therefrom.

14. An exterior antenna assembly for mounting on a dielectric surface opposite an interior antenna assembly, the internal antenna assembly having a first radio frequency coupling device and a first direct current coupling device connected to the dielectric surface, the exterior antenna assembly comprising:

at least one antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal;

an amplifier for amplifying said radio frequency signal;

a second radio frequency coupling device mounted opposite said first radio frequency coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for transferring said radio frequency signal thereto through said dielectric surface;

a second direct current coupling device mounted opposite said first direct current coupling device on the other side of said dielectric surface for receiving a power signal therefrom through said dielectric surface; and

an housing enclosing said antenna, said amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device and said second direct current coupling device;

wherein said housing comprises a base section and an antenna section pivotably mounted on said base section, said base section enclosing said amplifier, said second radio frequency coupling device and said second direct current coupling device, said antenna section enclosing said antenna;

wherein said antenna is a satellite signal antenna operable to receive a satellite signal, further comprising a terrestrial signal antenna operable to receive a terrestrially transmitted signal, said antenna section comprising said satellite signal antenna and said terrestrial signal antenna.

15. An exterior antenna assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said base section further comprises a terrestrial signal amplifier for amplifying said terrestrially transmitted signal, a third radio frequency coupling device and a third direct current coupling device, said interior antenna assembly having a fourth radio frequency coupling device and a fourth direct current coupling device mounted opposite said third radio frequency coupling device and said third direct current coupling device, respectively, for radio frequency coupling of said terrestrially transmitted signal and direct current coupling of said power signal for supplying power to said terrestrial signal amplifier.

16. An exterior antenna assembly as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a second satellite antenna in said antenna section for receiving a second satellite signal, said base section further comprising a second satellite signal amplifier for amplifying said second satellite signal, a fifth radio frequency coupling device and a fifth direct current coupling device, said interior antenna assembly having a sixth radio frequency coupling device and a sixth direct current coupling device mounted opposite said fifth radio frequency coupling device and said fifth direct current coupling device, respectively, for radio frequency coupling of said second satellite signal and direct current coupling of said power signal for supplying power to said second satellite signal amplifier.

17. An exterior antenna assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said antenna is a quadrifilar antenna that is used to receive both of said satellite signal and said second satellite signal.

18. An exterior antenna assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said antenna is a quadrifilar antenna and said terrestrial signal antenna is a dipole antenna.

19. An exterior antenna assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein said quadrifilar antenna is disposed in said antenna section of said housing, and said dipole antenna is disposed along said quadrifilar antenna.