Glass-mounted coupler and passive glass-mounted antenna for satellite radio applications

• US 6,690,330 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PCTEL, Inc. (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Allen Telecom Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Truthan, Robert, Hadzoglou, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Tan
• Application Number:
  US10/175,770
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 343/713, 343/715, 343/712, 343/711, 343/841, 343/906, 333/24.C
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1271 for mounting on windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1285 with capacitive feeding through the windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/48 Earthing means; Earth screens; Counterpoises

Abstract

An antenna system operable to receive radio frequency signals and operable to couple radio frequency energy through a dielectric panel. The system includes an exterior radio frequency coupling module having a plate and a shield electrically coupled to the plate. The exterior coupling module also has a conductive member electrically isolated from the plate and the shield. The system also includes an interior radio frequency coupling module having a plate and a shield electrically coupled to the plate. The interior coupling module includes a conductive member electrically isolated from the outer conductor and a shield. The exterior coupling module is affixed to one side of the dielectric panel and the interior coupling module is affixed to another side of the dielectric panel in juxtaposition to the exterior module. Both conductive members of the exterior and interior module contact the dielectric panel.

Claims

1. A radio frequency coupler operable to couple radio frequency signals through a dielectric material having a first surface and a second surface, the coupler comprising:

a first radio frequency coupling module mountable on the first surface of the dielectric material, the first coupling module including;

a plate having a first side, a second side, and an opening;

a shield coupled to the first side of the plate; and

a conductive member electrically isolated from the plate and the shield, wherein a portion of the conductive member is operable to contact the dielectric material;

a second radio frequency coupling module mountable on the second surface of the dielectric material, the second coupling module including;

a plate having a first side, a second side, and an opening;

a shield coupled to the first side of the plate; and

a conductive member electrically isolated from the plate and the shield, wherein a portion of the conductive member is operable to contact the dielectric material;

wherein, the first radio frequency coupling module and the second radio frequency coupling module are configured such that when the modules are mounted to the dielectric material, the conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module is capable of being substantially in juxtaposition with the conductive member of the second radio frequency coupling module.

2. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency coupling module further comprises a filler of dielectric material positioned in the opening of the plate, the filler of dielectric material having an aperture, and wherein the aperture is partially surrounded by the shield.

3. The coupler set forth in claim 2, wherein the second radio frequency coupling module further comprises a filler of dielectric material positioned in the opening of the plate, the filler of dielectric material having an aperture, and wherein the aperture is partially surrounded by the shield.

4. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency coupling module is coupled to a radiator.

5. The coupler as set forth in claim 4, wherein the radiator is operable to receive satellite-transmitted radio frequency signals.

6. The coupler as set forth in claim 5, wherein an operational frequency band of the coupler is from about 2.3 GHz to about 2.4 GHz.

7. The coupler as set forth in claim 4, wherein the radiator is operable to receive terrestrial-transmitted radio frequency signals.

8. The coupler of claim 4, wherein a two-conductor transmission line having a predetermined impedance couples the radiator to the first coupling module;

and wherein the dimensions and configuration of the conductive member and opening of the first coupling module are chosen to improve impedance matching between the transmission line and first coupling module.

9. The coupler of claim 8, wherein a two-conductor transmission line having a predetermined impedance electrically links a low noise amplifier to the second coupling module;

and wherein the dimensions and configuration of the conductive member and opening of the second coupling module are chosen to improve impedance matching between the transmission line and second coupling module.

10. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second radio frequency coupling module is electrically connected to a low noise amplifier.

11. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein the coupler is operable to achieve insertion losses of approximately ½

dB.

12. The coupler as set forth in claim 1, wherein the coupler is operable to achieve a voltage standing wave ratio of approximately 1.5:

1.

13. The coupler of claim 1, wherein each of the shields of each of the first and second radio frequency coupling modules are operable to form a radio frequency cavity.

14. An antenna system operable to receive a radio frequency signal and operable to couple radio frequency energy through a dielectric panel having a first a second surface, the system comprising:

a radiator operable to receive radio frequency signals;

a radio frequency coupler operable to couple radio frequency energy through the dielectric panel, the coupler comprising;

a first radio frequency coupling module having a plate defining an opening and a conductive member extending into a plane slightly above the opening, the first coupling module electrically connected to the radiator, and the first coupling module configurable to be mounted on the first surface of the dielectric panel;

a second radio frequency coupling module having a plate defining an opening and a conductive member extending into a plane slightly above the opening, the second coupling module configurable to be mounted on the second surface of the dielectric panel in juxtaposition with the first coupling module;

a low noise amplifier coupled to the second radio frequency coupling module; and

wherein the conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module is operable to be in direct contact with the first surface of the dielectric panel when the first module is mounted on the panel, and the conductive member of the second radio frequency coupling module is operable to be in direct contact with the second surface of the dielectric panel when the second module is mounted on the panel.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14, further comprising:

a first shield positioned over the opening defined by the plate of the first coupling module, wherein the shield is electrically coupled to the plate; and

a second shield positioned over the opening defined by the plate of the second coupling module, wherein the shield is electrically coupled to the plate.

16. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first coupling module further comprises a filler of dielectric material positioned in the opening, and an aperture defined by the filler;

and the second radio frequency coupling module further comprises a filler of dielectric material positioned in the opening, and an aperture defined by the filler.

17. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the opening defined by the outer conductor in the first coupling module includes a filler of dielectric material;

and

the opening defined by the outer conductor in the second coupling module includes a filler of dielectric material.

18. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the coupler is operable to achieve insertion losses of approximately ½

dB.

19. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the coupler is operable to achieve a voltage standing wave ratio of approximately 1.5:

1.

20. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the radiator is operable to receive terrestrial-transmitted radio frequency signals and wherein the antenna is linearly polarized.

21. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the radiator is operable to receive satellite-transmitted radio frequency signals and wherein the antenna is circularly polarized.

22. An antenna system operable to receive a satellite radio frequency signal and a terrestrial radio frequency signal, the system also operable to couple radio frequency energy through a dielectric panel having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the system comprising:

a first external radiator operable to receive a satellite radio frequency signal;

a second external radiator operable to receive a terrestrial radio frequency signal;

a first radio frequency coupler operable to couple a signal through the dielectric panel, the first coupler comprising;

a first exterior radio frequency coupling module having a plate defining an opening and a conductive member extending into a plane slightly above the opening, the first exterior module electrically connected to the first external radiator, and the first exterior coupling module configurable to be mounted on the exterior surface of the dielectric panel;

a first interior radio frequency coupling module having a plate defining an opening and a conductive member extending into a plane slightly above the opening, the first interior module configurable to be mounted on the interior surface of the dielectric panel in approximate juxtaposition with the first exterior coupling module;

a first shield positioned over the opening defined by the plate of the first exterior coupling module; and

a second shield positioned over the opening defined by the plate of the first interior coupling module;

a second radio frequency coupler operable to couple a signal through the dielectric panel, the second coupler comprising;

a second exterior radio frequency coupling module having plate defining an opening and a conductive member extending into a plane slightly above the opening, the second coupling module electrically connected to the second external radiator, and operable to be mounted on the exterior surface of the dielectric panel; and

a second interior radio frequency coupling module having a plate defining an opening and a conductive member extending into a plane slightly above the opening, the second interior coupling module operable to be mounted on the interior surface of the dielectric panel in approximate juxtaposition with the second exterior coupling module;

a first interior low noise amplifier coupled to the first radio frequency coupler; and

a second interior low noise amplifier coupled to the second radio frequency coupler.

23. The system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first coupler is operable to achieve insertion losses of approximately ½

dB.

24. The system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first coupler and second coupler are operable to achieve a voltage standing wave ratio of approximately 1.5:

1.

25. The system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the conductive member of the first exterior module is configurable to be in direct contact with the dielectric panel when the first exterior module is mounted on the panel;

the conductive member of the second exterior module is configurable to be in direct contact with the dielectric panel when the second exterior module is mounted on the panel;

the conductive member of the first interior module is configurable to be in direct contact with the dielectric panel when the first interior module is mounted on the panel; and

the conductive member of the second interior module is configurable to be in direct contact with the dielectric panel when the second interior module is mounted on the panel.

26. A method of coupling radio frequency energy through a dielectric panel having a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising:

positioning a first radio frequency coupling module on the first surface of the dielectric panel such that a conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module contacts the dielectric panel;

creating a radio frequency cavity at least partially around the conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module;

positioning a second radio frequency coupling module on the second surface of the dielectric panel such that a conductive member of the second radio frequency coupling module contacts the dielectric panel and is juxtaposed with the conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module; and

creating a radio frequency cavity at least partially around the conductive member of the second radio frequency coupling module.

27. The method as set forth in claim 26, further comprising:

coupling a radiator to the first coupling module by a transmission line; and

configuring the conductive member and the first coupling module to improve impedance matching between the transmission line and the first coupling module.

28. The method as set forth in claim 26, further comprising:

coupling a low noise amplifier to the second coupling module by a transmission line; and

configuring the conductive member and the second coupling module to improve impedance matching between the transmission line and the second coupling module.

29. The method as set forth in claim 26, wherein the act of positioning a first radio frequency coupling module on the first surface of the dielectric panel such that the conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module contacts the dielectric panel, the act of creating the radio frequency cavity at least partially around the conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module, the act of positioning a second radio frequency coupling module on the second surface of the dielectric panel such that the conductive member of the second radio frequency coupling module contacts the dielectric panel and is juxtaposed with the conductive member of the first radio frequency coupling module, and the act of creating the radio frequency cavity at least partially around the conductive member of the second radio frequency coupling module produce insertion losses of approximately ½

dB.

30. The method as set forth in claim 26, further comprising:

choosing dimensions for the conductive members and for the first and second coupling module to improve efficiency of the coupler.

31. The method as set forth in claim 30, wherein the act of choosing dimensions for the conductive members and for the first and second coupling module to improve efficiency achieves a voltage standing wave ratio of approximately 1.5:

1.

32. A radio frequency coupler for efficiently coupling radio frequency signals from one side of a dielectric panel to another side, the coupler comprising:

two substantially identical conductive plates with finite overall dimensions and configurations;

a first opening and a second opening each of finite dimension and configuration, wherein each plate includes one opening;

two feed points, wherein each feed point is associated with one plate, wherein a first conductor of a first two-conductor transmission line is connected to the first conductive plate and the second conductor of the first two-conductor transmission line is connected to a first isolated conductive member that extends into the first opening at a finite distance; and

wherein a first conductor of a second two-conductor transmission line is connected to the second conductive plate and the second conductor of the second two-conductor transmission line is connected to a second isolated conductive member that extends into the second opening at a finite distance.

33. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein the first and second openings are substantially rectangular.

34. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein the first and second openings are substantially circular.

35. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein the transmission lines are coaxial cables having an impedance and wherein a shield of the coaxial cable is the first conductor.

36. The coupler as set forth in claim 35, wherein the dimensions and configurations of the openings and conductive members are chosen to provide impedance matching to the coaxial cables.

37. The coupler as set forth in claim 35, wherein the impedance of the coaxial cable is about 50 ohms.

38. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein the dimensions and configuration of the conductive plates contribute to the efficiency of the coupler.

39. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, further comprising:

two conductive shields;

wherein one conductive shield is placed in close proximity to one conductive plate in order to improve the efficiency of the couple and to provide impedance matching of the coupler.

40. The coupler as set forth in claim 39, wherein the conductive shield is grounded to the conductive plate.

41. The coupler as set forth in claim 40, wherein the conductive shields form an radio frequency cavity.

42. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein the conductive members extend slightly above the conductive plates allowing the conductive members to be operable to achieve direct contact with the dielectric panel.

43. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein the coupler is operable to achieve an input and output voltage standing wave ratio of approximately 1.5:

1, and an insertion loss of approximately ½

dB over a nine percent bandwidth.

44. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein an operational frequency band of the coupler is approximately 2.3 GHz to approximately 2.4 GHz.

45. The coupler as set forth in claim 32, wherein each plate is a dielectric printed circuit board with conductive traces.

46. An antenna system for efficiently coupling an external radio frequency signal through a dielectric panel to an internal device, the system comprising:

an external antenna;

a first conductive plate with finite overall dimensions and configuration having an opening of finite dimensions and configuration;

a first conductive member extending into the opening of the first conductive plate at a finite distance;

a first transmission line having a shield and a center conductor, wherein the shield is coupled to the conductive plate at a first connection near the opening, and the center conductor couples the antenna to the first conductive member at a second connection;

a radio frequency amplifying device;

a second conductive plate with finite overall dimensions and configuration having an opening of finite dimensions and configuration;

a second conductive member extending into the opening of the second conductive plate at a finite distance;

a second transmission line having a shield and a center conductor, wherein the shield is coupled to the conductive plate at a first connection near the opening, and the center conductor couples the radio frequency amplifying device to the second conductive member at a second connection; and

wherein the first and second plates are operable to be mounted on the dielectric panel such that the first plate is juxtaposed with the second plate, when mounted.

47. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the dimensions and configurations of the openings and conductive members are chosen to provide impedance matching with the transmission lines.

48. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the overall dimensions and configurations of the conductive plates contribute to the efficiency of the device.

49. The system as set forth in claim 46, further comprising:

a first conductive shield substantially covering the opening of the first conductive plate;

a second conductive shield substantially covering the opening of the second conductive plate; and

wherein each conductive shield forms a radio frequency cavity.

50. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein a portion of each conductive members is operable to be in direct contact with the dielectric panel.

51. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the conductive members are made from a tempered metallic material.

52. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein an operational frequency band of the system is approximately from 2.3 GHz to approximately 2.4 GHz.

53. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the antenna is a circularly polarized antenna operable to receive satellite-transmitted signals.

54. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the antenna is linearly polarized.

55. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the radio frequency amplifying device is a low noise amplifier.

56. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the antenna and first conductive plate are included in an external housing member, and the second conductive plate is included in an internal housing member.

57. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein each conductive plate is a dielectric printed circuit board with conductive traces.