Combined receiver and transponder module

• US 20040051661A1
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Wixforth, Thomas, Detlefsen, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 6,825,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0025 Modular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them

Abstract

A vehicle navigational receiver module includes a first planar antenna for receiving navigational radio signals, a signal processing circuit that is connected to the antenna, as well as a ground plane. In addition, a second planar antenna for receiving a telematic radio signal is arranged so as to at least partially overlap the first planar antenna and is connected to a second signal processing circuit.

Claims

1. A vehicle navigational receiver module having a first planar antenna (12) for receiving navigational radio signals and a signal processing circuit (2) that is connected to the antenna (12), and having a second planar antenna (9) for a telematic radio signal, which is disposed so as to at least partially overlap the first planar antenna (12) and is connected to a second signal processing circuit (3), wherein it has a common connector (5), as output for navigational signals and input/output for telematic signals, via which navigationl signals and telematic signals are transmitted in different frequency ranges;

and further a DC component of one of the signals applied at the connector (5) functions as a power source for the signal processing circuits.

2. The module as recited in claim 1, wherein the antennas (12, 9) each have a patch (14, 13) and a common ground plane (6), the patch (13) of one antenna being situated between that (14) of the other antenna and the ground plane (6).

3. The module as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein the two patches (13, 14) are separated from each other by a first dielectric (11) and from the ground plane (6) by a second dielectric (8), the dielectric constants of the plate-shaped dielectrics (11, 8) being selected so as to be different, and the patch (13) of the antenna (9) for the higher-frequency radio signal bordering on the dielectric (8) having the lower constant and the patch (14) of the antenna (12) for the lower-frequency radio signal bordering on the dielectric (11) having the higher constant.

4. The module as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the two patches (13, 14) are disposed in parallel planes.

5. The module as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein each patch (13, 14) is connected to the assigned processing circuit (2, 3) by its own supply line (10).

6. The module as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the two planar antennas (9, 12) have different main transmitting directions.

7. The module as recited in claim 6, wherein it is provided for an installation position at an angle to the vehicle, the main transmitting direction of the first planar antenna (12) assigned for the navigational signal being oriented in a zenithal manner, and the second planar antenna (9) assigned for the telematic radio signal being basically oriented in the direction of travel.

8. The module as recited in claim 6 or 7, wherein the centroids (27, 28) of the two patches (13, 14) projected onto the ground plane (6) are offset with respect to each other.

9. The module as recited in claim 8, wherein the link between the projected centroids (27, 28) runs essentially in the direction of the strongest gradient of the ground plane (6).

10. The module as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the two processing circuits (2, 3) are mounted on a common printed circuit board (1).

11. The module as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply line (10) of the external (14) of the two patches is routed through an opening in the other patch (13).

12. The module as recited in claim 1, wherein a control signal for switching the signal processing circuit (3) of the telematic signal between the transmitting and receiving modes is transmitted in a further frequency range via the connector (5).

13. The module as recited in one of claims 1, 12, wherein the connector (5) is designed for connecting a coaxial cable.