Electromagnetic antenna apparatus

• US 6,845,253 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Humatics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Time Domain Corporation (Humatics Corporation)
• Inventors: Schantz, Hans Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOW, CHARLES CHIANG
• Application Number:
  US09/670,792
• Time in Patent Office: 1,574 Days
• Field of Search: 455/80, 455/13.3, 455/25, 455/82, 455/575.1, 455/550.1, 455/97, 455/121, 455/279.1, 455/328, 455/15, 455/16, 455/23, 455/19, 455/562.1, 455/129, 455/269, 455/575.7, 370/324, 370/503, 370/280, 370294-296, 370/301, 370/302, 370/307, 370/320, 370/317, 370/321, 370/441, 370/512, 343/846, 343/700.R, 343/872, 343/878, 343/882.795, 343/807, 343/830, 343/893, 343/896, 343/897, 343/898, 343/769, 343/770, 343/771, 343/767, 343/795, 343/810, 343/816, 343/820, 333/123, 333/24.R
• US Class Current: 455/575.7
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/005 for radiating non-sinusoidal waves
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7163 using impulse radio

Abstract

An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium or free space adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system includes: (a) an energy guiding means for guiding the electromagnetic energy; the energy guiding means is connected with the host device; (b) an electromagnetic energy channeling structure effecting the transferring and including a plurality of gap interfaces; and (c) a transition means for coupling the energy guiding means with at least one gap interface of the plurality of gap interfaces. The transition means conveys the electromagnetic energy intermediate the energy guiding means and the at least one gap interface. The at least one gap interface intersects the transition means in a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting the gap interface and the transition means.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system;

the apparatus comprising;

(a) an energy guiding means for guiding said electromagnetic energy, said energy guiding means being connected with said host device;

(b) an electromagnetic energy channeling structure, said electromagnetic energy channeling structure effecting said transferring and including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said electromagnetic energy intermediate said energy guiding means and in said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means.

2. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one gap interface is one gap interface.

3. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one gap interface is two gap interfaces;

said two gap interfaces being substantially symmetrical about an axis in respective planes of said selected planes.

4. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 2 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises a monopole ellipsoid structure.

5. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 3 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises a dipole ellipsoid structure separated by a gap.

6. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises at least one planar elliptical structure.

7. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 3 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises a planar dipole elliptical structure.

8. An apparatus for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic energy intermediate a host radio and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system;

the apparatus comprising;

(a) an energy guiding means for guiding said electromagnetic energy, said energy guiding means being connected with said host radio;

(b) an electromagnetic energy channeling structure, said electromagnetic energy channeling structure effecting said transferring and including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said electromagnetic energy intermediate said energy guiding means and in said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of and plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means;

said curve extending a distance beyond said intersection in said selected planes.

9. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 8 wherein said at least one gap interface is one gap interface.

10. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 8 wherein said at least one gap interface is two gap interfaces;

said two gap interfaces being substantially symmetrical about an axis in respective planes of said selected planes.

11. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 9 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises a monopole ellipsoid structure.

12. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 10 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises a dipole ellipsoid structure separated by gap.

13. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 9 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises a planar monopole elliptical structure.

14. An apparatus for transferring electromagnetic energy intermediate a host device and a medium adjacent to the apparatus in an impulse radio system as recited in claim 10 wherein said electromagnetic channeling structure comprises a planar dipole elliptical structure.

15. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) a radio energy guiding means for guiding said radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said radio guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) a radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said radio energy intermediate said radio energy guiding means and in said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means.

16. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 15 wherein said radio energy guiding means comprises a first ellipsoid structure and a second ellipsoid structure;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first origin and said second ellipsoid structure having a second origin;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first major axis and a first minor axis in a plane intersecting said first origin and said second origin;

said second ellipsoid structure having a second major axis and a second minor axis in said plane;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first axial distance along one axis of said first major axis and said first minor axis in said plane from said first origin;

said second ellipsoid structure extending a second axial distance along one axis of said second major axis and said second minor axis in said plane from said second origin;

said first origin and said second origin being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first axial distance plus said second axial distance plus a gap distance.

19. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 15 wherein said radio energy guiding means comprises a first ellipse structure and a second ellipse structure;

said first ellipse structure and said second ellipse structure being substantially in a common plane;

said first ellipse structure having a first origin and said second ellipse structure having a second origin;

said first ellipse structure having a first major axis and a fist minor axis in said plane;

said second ellipse structure having a second major axis and a second minor axis in said plane;

said first ellipse structure extending a fist axial distance along one axis of said first major axis and said first minor axis in said plane from said first origin;

said second ellipse structure extending a second axial distance along one axis of said second major axis and said second minor axis in said plane from said second origin;

said first origin and said second origin being separated said plane by a distance equal to said first axial distance plus said second axial distance plus a gap distance.

21. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 15 wherein said radio energy guiding means comprises a first polyhedral structure and a second polyhedral structure;

said first polyhedral structure having a first center of gravity and a first volume;

said second polyhedral structure having a second center of gravity and a second volume;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first lateral distance from said first center of gravity toward said second center of gravity in a plane containing said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity;

said second polyhedral structure extending a second lateral distance from said second center of gravity toward said first center of gravity in said plane;

said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first lateral distance plus said second lateral distance plus a gap distance.

23. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 16 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is configured of an electrically conductive mesh shell.

24. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 16 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure being a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structure circumscribing a respective perimeter of a respective planar section of an ellipsoid;

said respective perimeters established by said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

25. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 16 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structure circumscribing a respective solid planar section of an ellipsoid;

said respective solid planar sections of said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

26. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 19 wherein at least one of said first ellipse structure and said second ellipse structure is a pseudo-ellipse structure;

said pseudo-ellipse structure being configured as a line of electrically conductive material substantially circumscribing an ellipse in said common plane.

17. A monopole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) an impulse radio energy guiding means for guiding said impulse radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said impulse radio energy guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) an impulse radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said impulse radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said impulse radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said impulse radio energy intermediate said radio energy guiding means and in said at least one gap interface;

respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means.

18. A monopole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 17 wherein said impulse radio energy guiding means comprises an ellipsoid structure and a low potential structure generally neighboring said ellipsoid structure;

said low potential structure being substantially symmetric about a first plane;

said ellipsoid structure having an origin;

said ellipsoid structure having a major axis and a minor axis in a second plane;

said second plane containing said origin and intersecting said first plane in a line;

said ellipsoid structure extending an axial distance along one axis of said major axis and said minor axis in said second plane from said origin;

said origin and said line being separated in said second plane by a distance equal to said axial distance plus a gap distance.

20. A monopole antenna or use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 17 wherein said impulse radio energy guiding means comprise an ellipse structure and a low potential structure generally neighboring said ellipse structure;

said low potential structure being substantially symmetric about a first plane;

said ellipse structure having an origin;

said ellipse structure having a major axis an a minor axis in a second plane;

said second plane containing said or origin and intersecting said first plane in a line;

said ellipse structure extending an axial distance along one axis of said major axis and said minor axis in said second plane from said origin;

said origin and said line being separated in said second plane by a distance equal to said axial distance plus a gap distance.

22. A monopole antenna or use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 17 wherein said impulse radio energy guiding means comprise a polygonal structure and a low potential structure generally neighboring said polygonal structure;

said low potential structure being substantially symmetric about a first plane;

said polygonal structure having a center of gravity contained in a said second plane;

said second plane intersecting said first plane in a line;

said polygonal structure extending a lateral distance from said center of gravity toward said first plane in said second plane;

said center of gravity and said line being separated in said second plane by a distance equal to said lateral distance plus a gap distance.

27. A monopole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 20 wherein said ellipse structure is a pseudo-ellipse structure;

said pseudo-ellipse structure being configured as a line of electrically conductive material substantially circumscribing an ellipse in said second plane.

28. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna the antenna comprising:

(a) an impulse radio energy guiding means for guiding said impulse radio energy of and from said transceiver;

said impulse radio guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) an impulse radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said impulse radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said impulse radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said impulse radio energy intermediate said impulse radio energy guiding means and in said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersecting;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means.

29. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 28 wherein said impulse radio energy guiding means comprises a first ellipsoid structure and a second ellipsoid structure;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first origin and said second ellipsoid structure having a second origin;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first major axis and a first minor axis in a plane intersecting said first origin and said second origin;

said second ellipsoid structure having a second major axis and a second minor axis in said plane;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first axial distance along one axis of said first major axis and said first minor axis in said plane from said first origin;

said second ellipsoid structure extending a second axial distance along one axis of said second major axis and said second minor axis in said plane from said second origin;

said first origin and said second origin being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first axial distance plus said second axial distance plus gap distance.

30. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 28 wherein said impulse radio energy guiding means comprises a first polyhedral structure and a second polyhedral structure;

said first polyhedral structure having a first center of gravity and a first volume;

said second polyhedral structure having a second center of gravity and a second volume;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first lateral distance from said first center of gravity toward said second center of gravity in a plane containing said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity;

said second polyhedral structure extending a second lateral distance from said second center of gravity toward said first center of gravity in said plane;

said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first lateral distance plus said second lateral distance pulse a gap distance.

31. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 29 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is configured of an electrically conductive mesh shell.

32. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 29 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure being a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structures circumscribing a respective perimeter of a respective planar section of an ellipsoid;

said respective perimeters established by said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

33. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 29 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structures circumscribing a respective solid planar section of an ellipsoid;

said respective solid planar sections of said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

34. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) a radio energy guiding means for guiding said radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said radio guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) a radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said radio energy intermediate said radio energy guiding means and said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means;

said radio energy guiding means comprising a first ellipsoid structure and a second ellipsoid structure;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first origin and said second ellipsoid structure having a second origin;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first major axis and a first minor axis in a plane intersecting said first origin and said second origin;

said second ellipsoid structure having a second major axis and a second minor axis in said plane;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first axial distance along one axis of said first major axis and said first minor axis in said plane from said first origin;

said second ellipsoid structure extending a second axial distance along one axis of said second major axis and said second minor axis in said plane from said second origin;

said first origin and said second origin being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first axial distance plus said second axial distance plus gap distance.

35. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 34 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is configured of an electrically conductive mesh shell.

36. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 34 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure being a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structures circumscribing a respective perimeter of a respective planar section of an ellipsoid;

said respective perimeters established by said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

37. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 34 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structures circumscribing a respective solid planar section of an ellipsoid;

said respective solid planar sections of said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

38. A monopole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) an impulse radio energy guiding means for guiding said impulse radio energy to and from said transceiver, said impulse radio energy guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) an impulse radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said impulse radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said impulse radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said impulse radio energy intermediate said impulse radio energy guiding means and said at least one gap interface;

at least one respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said at least one respective gap interface and said transition means;

said impulse radio energy guiding means comprising an ellipsoid structure and a low potential structure generally neighboring said ellipsoid structure;

said low potential structure being substantially symmetric about a first plane;

said ellipsoid structure having an origin;

said ellipsoid structure having a major axis and a minor axis in a second plane;

said second plane containing said origin and intersecting said first plane in a line;

said ellipsoid structure extending an axial distance along one axis of said major axis and said minor axis in said second plane from said origin;

said origin and said line being separated in said second plane by a distance equal to said axial distance plus a gap distance.

39. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) a radio energy guiding means for guiding said radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said radio guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) a radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said radio energy intermediate said radio energy guiding means and said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means;

said radio energy guiding means comprising a first ellipse structure and a second ellipse structure;

said first ellipse structure and said second ellipse structure being substantially in a common plane;

said first ellipse structure having a first origin and said second ellipse structure having a second origin;

said first ellipse structure having a first major axis and a fist minor axis in said plane;

said second ellipse structure having a second major axis and a second minor axis in said plane;

said first ellipse structure extending a first axial distance along one axis of said first major axis and said first major axis in said plane from said first origin;

said second ellipse structure extending a second major axial distance along one axis of said second major axis and said second minor axis in said plane from said second origin;

said first origin and said second origin being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first axial distance plus said second axial distance plus a gap distance.

40. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 39 wherein at least one of said first ellipse structure and said second ellipse structure is a pseudo-ellipse structure;

said pseudo-ellipse structure being configured as a line of electrically conductive material substantially circumscribing an ellipse in said common plane.

41. A monopole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) an impulse radio energy guiding means for guiding said impulse radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said impulse radio energy guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) an impulse radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said impulse radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said impulse radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said impulse radio energy intermediate said impulse radio energy guiding means and said at least one gap interface;

at least one respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said at least one respective gap interface and said transition means;

said impulse radio energy guiding means comprising an ellipse structure and a low potential structure generally neighboring said ellipse structure;

said low potential structure being substantially symmetric about a first plane;

said ellipse structure having an origin;

said ellipse structure having a major axis and a minor axis in a second plane;

said second plane containing said origin and intersecting said first plane in a line;

said ellipse structure extending an axial distance along one axis of said major axis and said minor axis in said second plane from said origin;

said origin and said line being separated in said second plane by a distance equal to said axial distance pulse a gap distance.

42. A monopole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 41 wherein said ellipse structure is a pseudo-ellipse structure;

said pseudo-ellipse structure being configured as a line of electrically conductive material substantially circumscribing an ellipse in said second plane.

43. A dipole antenna for transmitting and receiving radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) a radio energy guiding means for guiding said radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said radio guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) a radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said radio energy intermediate said radio energy guiding means and said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means;

said radio energy guiding means comprising a first polyhedral structure and a second polyhedral structure;

said first polyhedral structure having a first center of gravity and a first volume;

said second polyhedral structure having a second center of gravity and a second volume;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first lateral distance from said first center of gravity toward said second center of gravity in a plane containing said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity;

said second polyhedral structure extending a second lateral distance from said second center of gravity toward said first center of gravity in said plane;

said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first lateral distance plus said second lateral distance plus a gap distance.

44. A monopole antenna or use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) an impulse radio energy guiding means for guiding said impulse radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said impulse radio energy guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) an impulse radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said impulse radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said impulse radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said impulse radio energy intermediate said impulse radio energy guiding means and said at least one gap interface;

at least one respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said at least one respective gap interface and said transition means;

said impulse radio energy guiding means comprising a polygonal structure and a low potential structure generally neighboring said polygonal structure;

said low potential structure being substantially symmetric about a first plane;

said polygonal structure having a center of gravity contained in a said second plane;

said second plane intersecting said first plane in a line;

said polygonal structure extending a lateral distance from said center of gravity toward said first plane in said second plane;

said center of gravity and said line being separated in said second plane by a distance equal to said lateral distance plus a gap distance.

45. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) an impulse radio energy guiding means for guiding said impulse radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said impulse radio guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) an impulse radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said impulse radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said impulse radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said impulse radio energy intermediate said impulse radio energy guiding means and said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means;

said impulse radio energy guiding means comprising a first ellipsoid structure and a second ellipsoid structure;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first origin and said second ellipsoid structure having a second origin;

said first ellipsoid structure having a first major axis said a first minor axis in a plane intersecting said first origin and said second origin;

said second ellipsoid structure having a second major axis and a second minor axis in said plane;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first axial distance along one axis of said first major axis and said first minor axis in said plane from said first origin;

said second ellipsoid structure extending a second axial distance along one axis of said second major axis and said second minor axis in said plane from said second origin;

said first origin and said second origin being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first axial distance plus said second axial distance plus a gap distance.

46. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 45 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is configured of an electrically conductive mesh shell.

47. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna recited in claim 45 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second chips ellipsoid structure being a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structures circumscribing a respective perimeter of a respective planar section of an ellipsoid;

sad respective perimeters established by said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

48. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 45 wherein at least one of said first ellipsoid structure and said second ellipsoid structure is a pseudo-ellipsoid structure;

said pseudo-ellipsoid structure being configured of a plurality of substantially parallel planar structures;

each respective planar structure of said plurality of planar structures circumscribing a respective solid planar section of an ellipsoid;

said respective solid planar sections of said respective planar structures cooperating to approximately circumscribe an ellipsoid in space.

49. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna;

the antenna comprising;

(a) an impulse radio energy guiding means for guiding said impulse radio energy to and from said transceiver;

said impulse radio guiding means being connected with said transceiver;

(b) an impulse radio signal energy channeling structure for effecting said transmitting and said receiving;

said impulse radio signal energy channeling structure including a plurality of gap interfaces; and

(c) a transition means for coupling said impulse radio energy guiding means with said plurality of gap interfaces;

said transition means conveying said impulse radio energy intermediate said impulse radio energy guiding means and said plurality of gap interfaces;

each respective gap interface of said plurality of gap interfaces intersecting said transition means in an intersection;

said intersection being a substantially continuous curve in selected planes intersecting said respective gap interface and said transition means;

said impulse radio energy guiding means comprising a first polyhedral structure and a second polyhedral structure;

said first polyhedral structure having a first center of gravity and a first volume;

said second polyhedral structure having a second center of gravity and a second volume;

said first ellipsoid structure extending a first lateral distance from said first center of gravity toward said second center of gravity in a plane containing said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity;

said second polyhedral structure extending a second lateral distance from said second center of gravity toward said first center of gravity in said plane;

said first center of gravity and said second center of gravity being separated in said plane by a distance equal to said first lateral distance plus said second lateral distance plus a gap distance.

50. A dipole antenna for use with an impulse radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving impulse radio energy between said transceiver and a medium adjacent to the antenna as recited in claim 49 wherein at least one of said first ellipse structure and said second ellipse structure is a pseudo-ellipse structure;

said pseudo-ellipse structure being configured as a line of electrically conductive material substantially circumscribing an ellipse in said common plane.