Multi-directional receiving antenna array

• US 9,391,355 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2014
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tischer, Steven N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso, Huedung
• Application Number:
  US14/203,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20140191917A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 343/807, 343/720, 343/795, 343/792.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1235 Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0087 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing antenna arrays manufacturing waveguides H01P11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

Techniques for providing multi-directional receiving antenna arrays are described herein. According to an embodiment, an apparatus includes an antenna array including multiple antennas and an orientation system. The orientation system includes multiple orientation marks and multiple alignment marks. At least one of the multiple antennas is configured to be positioned toward a respective station transmitter location based at least partially on an alignment of one of the multiple orientation marks relative to one of the multiple alignment marks.

Claims

1. An antenna array comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a customized planar substrate having a first plurality of conductive elements, and from which planar substrate a second plurality of conductive elements has been removed, the customized planar substrate being attached to the mounting bracket;

wherein the customized planar substrate is folded to thereby reduce a height of the customized planar substrate; and

at least one bow tie antenna coupled to the mounting bracket.

2. A method for forming an antenna array comprising:

removing a first plurality of conductive elements from a planar substrate having multiple conductive elements disposed thereon, to form a configured planar substrate with a plurality of remaining conductive elements; and

folding the configured planar substrate with the remaining conductive elements to reduce a height of the configured planar substrate.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising removing non-conductive elements from the planar substrate.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein removing the first plurality of conductive elements yields the antenna array operable to receive very high frequency (VHF) signals, ultra high frequency (UHF) signals, or a combination thereof.

5. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein forming the antenna array further comprises attaching the configured planar substrate to a mounting bracket.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein forming the antenna array further comprises attaching one or more one bow tie antennas to the mounting bracket.