7716results about "Antenna adaptation in movable bodies" patented technology

A vehicle communication and control system is provided that may be more readily installed in a vehicle and that utilizes minimal additional wiring. According to some of the disclosed embodiments, the electrical components of the “brick” of a communication and control system are integrated into a rearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the microwave antenna for the GPS and the cellular telephone antenna are also integrated into the rearview mirror assembly. Various functions and features of the system are also disclosed.

A method of detecting a change (that is, an increase or a decrease) in the level of fluid in tissue in a first area of a body includes the steps of: applying electromagnetic energy, preferably in the frequency range of approximately 300 MHz to approximately 30 GHz, to a first volume of the body; measuring a resultant or returned signal; comparing the signal to a reference signal to determine if the fluid level in the tissue has changed. In one embodiment, the method detects changes in the level of fluid in tissue of a body by applying electromagnetic energy to a first volume of the body over a period of time (for example, using an antenna or antennae); measuring a resultant signal or a signal returned from the tissue; and comparing the signal to a reference signal to determine if a level of fluid in the tissue has changed during the period of time.

A multi-function, field-deployable resource harnessing apparatus 600 having, in its embodiments, an inflatable reflector apparatus 610 comprising a least one manufactured parabolic mirror made from a pressure-deformable reflective covering of an inflatable ring for focusing electromagnetic energy from radio frequency radiation (RF) through the ultraviolet (UV) radiation including solar energy for (1) heating and cooking, (2) electrical power generation, (3) enhancing the transmission and reception of radio signals, (4) enhancing vision in low-light environments, and / or (5) projection of optical signals or images. The device also has non-electromagnetic uses, such as the collection and storage of water, harnessing of energy from a fluid stream, and / or harnessing wave energy. A first main embodiment of the inflatable reflector apparatus 610 generally utilizes two pressure-deformable membranes, at least one of which is reflective. A second main embodiment utilizes a reflective membrane and a transparent membrane. In addition to the reflector apparatus 610, the modular apparatus 600 typically further includes modular assemblies to increase versatility, facilitate use, and / or enhance safety such as, for example, a modular support and orienting assembly 612, a separate support ring 614, a safety shield or cage 616, a focal point support assembly 618, a safety cover 620, a safety net or mesh 622, and a stabilizing assembly 624. Portability is enhanced by complete collapsing of the inflatable device.

The present invention provides an improved antenna system that, in one embodiment, includes an antenna array comprised of a plurality of elements, each of which is capable of providing a signal. Also included in the improved antenna system is a multi-beam beamformer for producing two spatially independent overlapping beams from the signals provided by two different subsets of the antenna array. The phase of the two beams is compared to realize an interferometer that can provide high or fine resolution data on the position of an object relative to the antenna system. The amplitude of the two beams can also be compared to obtain coarse data on the position of the object. The beamformer includes a switching network for selecting which elements of the antenna array form the two subsets. This permits, for example, the position of the beams to moved, the baseline of the two beams to be varied, and / or the beam width of the beams to be altered. To reduce adverse aerodynamic effects in certain applications, the antenna array is located conformal to the exterior surface of the body on which the array is mounted. Further, to reduce temperature related problems associated with high speed movement of the body on which the array is located, the array is located on the side of the body, as opposed to the front of the body. The side location also provides space for other types of sensors that are preferably located adjacent to the front surface of the body.

Tissue sensors house one or more sensor elements. Each element has a housing mounted substrate and a superstrate with a planar antenna between. A transitional periphery (TP) of a superstrate outer surface interconnects a base to a plateau. At least some of the TP has a generally smooth transition. Plural elements are spaced by the housing. Alternately, the superstrate TP is flat, the housing extends to the outer superstrate surface and a shield surrounds the element. The housing is flush with or recessed below the superstrate and defines a TP between the housing and superstrate. A method converts a reference signal to complex form; plots it in a complex plane as a reference point (RP); converts a measurement signal to complex form; plots it in the complex plane as a measurement point (MP); determine a complex distance between the MP and the RP; and compares complex distance to a threshold.

An identification appliance, such as a wristband, bracelet, patch, headband, necklace, card, sticker, or other wearable appliance, has an improved patch or microstrip antenna. The microstrip antenna comprises a conductive patch layer, a conductive ground layer and a dielectric layer in between the conductive layers. The microstrip antenna is mounted to or disposed in the identification appliance, where preferably the ground layer is closest to the user and the patch layer is furthest from the user. Electronic circuits may be located in the dielectric layer, on a surface of a conductive layer, or on another part of the identification appliance. Connecting holes through the dielectric layer may allow circuits to be connected to a conductive layer or layers. This improved antenna resolves detuning and communication degradation problems.

Apparatus, systems and methods to transmit power and data are provided. A particular apparatus to transmit power and data includes a transmission medium. The transmission medium includes at least one first frequency selective surface (FSS) layer, at least one second FSS layer, and a dielectric layer separating the at least one first FSS layer and the at least one second FSS layer. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus also includes a first coupler coupled to the transmission medium to send a signal along the transmission medium and a second coupler coupled to the transmission medium. The second coupler may receive signals via the transmission medium, receive power via the transmission medium to power devices coupled to the second coupler, process and send data via the transmission medium, or any combination thereof.

A method is disclosed for directing an antenna mounted in a restricted radome on an aircraft. The method can include the operation of determining whether the antenna is directed in a keyhole. A further operation can involve controlling the antenna using an elevation gimbal and an azimuth gimbal when it is determined the antenna is directed outside the keyhole. Another operation can include directing the antenna using an elevation, azimuth, and cross elevation gimbal when it is determined the antenna is pointing in the keyhole.

A dielectric resonator element array (DRA) antenna system and method for using same is disclosed. The dielectric resonator antenna system includes a ground plain, a feed structure, an array of dielectric resonator elements electrically coupled to the feed structure, each dielectric element having a relatively high permittivity, a radome close to or in contact with the array of dielectric resonator elements, an object mounting apparatus for mounting the antenna system on an object, and a beam shaping and steering controller, the beam shaping and steering controller controlling the feed structure to thereby control excitation phases of the dielectric resonator elements.

A receiver receives an electromagnetic signal via an antenna mounted on an antenna mast. A signal evaluator determines or measures a signal quality level associated with the received electromagnetic signal. The signal quality compares the determined signal quality level to a threshold minimum signal quality level. A current elevational position of the antenna mast is detected or tracked. The antenna mast is raised to a greater height than the current elevational position if the compared signal quality level is less than the threshold minimum signal quality level and if the current elevational position is less than a maximum height of the antenna mast.

In a portable radio communication apparatus including a housing, at least one part of at least one of the housing is formed as a housing electrical conductor portion by an electrically conductive material. The housing electrical conductor portion is connected with a radio communication circuit of the portable radio communication apparatus so as to operate as at least one part of an unbalanced type antenna of the radio communication circuit. Further, the portable radio communication apparatus further includes a boom portion coupled with the housing at least at two positions so as to provide at least one penetrating hole between the housing and the boom portion.

A radar system (100) is described including a transmitting assembly (10), a receiving assembly (20), a control unit (30) and a signal processing unit (40). The transmitting assembly (10) receives an input signal (31) and transmits an incident radar signal (2). The transmitting assembly (10) includes a Rotman lens (12) having a lens cavity (74), a plurality of beam ports (60), a plurality of array ports (62) and a patch antenna assembly (14). The lens cavity (74) has a lens gap (h) between 10 microns to 120 microns, and preferably 40 microns to 60 microns. The patch antenna assembly (14) includes a plurality of antenna arrays (130) operable to receive a plurality of time-delayed, in-phase signals from the Rotman lens (12) and to transmit the incident radar signal (2) towards a target (4). The receiving assembly (20) receives a reflected radar signal (6) and produces an output signal. The signal processing unit (40) compares the input signal (31) to the output signal and implements an algorithm determining the range, velocity and position of the target (4).

A radar system is described for use in vehicular applications. The radar system is particularly suited to backup warning systems and lane-change warning systems. The radar minimizes many of the problems found in the prior art by providing programmable delays and programmable gain. The radar uses a range search algorithm to detect and sort targets at various ranges within the field of view of the radar. Each target range corresponds to a particular delay and gain setting. The radar searches for targets at the various ranges by running a target search algorithm. For each target range, the search algorithm causes the proper time delay and gain setting. Targets within the selected range are detected and catalogued. Speed of the targets is obtained through Doppler processing. A display is used to warn the driver of the vehicle of the presence of targets at the various ranges. The warning may be visual and / or audible. When used in a lane-change system, issuance of an audible warning is based on the speed of the vehicle.

An antenna includes a radiator and a reflector and has a radiation pattern that is based at least in part on a separation distance between the radiator and the reflector. The antenna includes a linkage configured to adjust the separation distance based at least in part on the altitude of the antenna. The resulting radiation pattern can be dynamically adjusted based on altitude of the antenna such that, while the antenna is aloft and the antenna is ground-facing, variations in geographic boundaries and intensity of the radiation received at ground level are at least partially compensated for by the dynamic adjustments to the radiation pattern.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID device, and a conductive material that cooperates with the RFID device to enhance performance of the RFID device. The RFID device and the conductive material may be within a distance of about one-quarter of a wavelength of energy most preferentially received by the RFID device. The RFID device may be mounted at an angle to the conductive material. Alternatively, or in addition, the RFID device may be partially overlapped by the conductive material. The RFID device may include a conductive antenna structure having an aperture therein.

A first object of the present invention resides in providing a novel installation structure for an RFID tag, which effectively protects the RFID tag from external stress or impact during the storage, transportation and usage, and allows communication with the external.A second object of the present invention resides in that providing a novel installation structure for an RFID tag, which enables communication with the external even if the RFID tag is installed on a conductive member such as a metal member, and the surface thereof is covered with a protective member typically made of a metal which has an excellent strength and durability.A third object of the present invention is to provide a communication method using an RFID tag as being surrounded by a conductive member typically made of a metal.Even if an RFID tag 1a is housed in a container A typically made of a conductive material such as a metal having a large mechanical strength, the RFID tag 1a can communicate with an external read / write terminal 9 as mediated by leakage magnetic flux if only a flux leakage path 12 composed for example of a gap is formed in such container A.

In a portable radio communication apparatus including a housing, at least one part of the housing is formed as a housing electrical conductor portion by an electrically conductive material. The housing electrical conductor portion is connected with a radio communication circuit of the portable radio communication apparatus so as to operate as at least one part of an unbalanced type antenna of the radio communication circuit.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a conductive antenna structure having an elongated slot therein. Parts of the antenna structure on both sides of one end of the elongated slot are coupled to a wireless communication device, such as an RFID chip or interposer. On the opposite end of the elongated slot, parts of the antenna structure at both sides of the elongated slot are electrically coupled together, for instance by being coupled together by other conductive parts of the antenna structure. All of the parts of the antenna structure may be parts of a continuous unitary layer of conductive material. The antenna structure with the elongated slot therein may facilitate increased readability of the RFID device, particularly in directions out from the edges of the RFID device.

A phased array antenna having a low profile (approximately ⅛ wavelength) wide bandwidth (approximately 50%). The invention teaches making such an antenna using open channel resonators and monopole wave launchers. The wave launchers may conveniently be made on circuit card assemblies with strip lines that mimic coaxial cable monopole wave launchers. The channel resonators may be made in sections that are soldered to the circuit card assemblies. The circuit card assemblies have plated through holes that trace the edges of the resonator sections to provide electrical continuity.

An RFID tagged implement assembly includes a metallic implement, and a wireless RFID transponder. The RFID transponder includes a housing; an inductive coupler within the housing, and an RFID chip coupled with the inductive coupler. The inductive coupler is inductively coupled with the metallic implement.

An apparatus of antenna with heat slug and its fabricating process are provided, in which the antenna with heat slug can be realized with a single sheet or double sheets of metal. A dual-band antenna module with a mask cover is taken as an example to realize the apparatus. Each single sheet of metal can be achieved by simply cutting and bending a metal plate. Thereby, it is a simple and low-cost fabricating process. In the known fabricating process of integrated circuit, the heat slug and the antenna can be combined in a module at the same step. Therefore, integrating the antenna with heat slug in a fabricating process needs not to develop a new process.

An ultra-wideband magnetic antenna includes a planar conductor having a first and a second slot about an axis. The slots are substantially leaf-shaped having a varying width along the axis. The slots are interconnected along the axis. A cross polarized antenna system is comprised of an ultra-wideband magnetic antenna and an ultra-wideband dipole antenna. The magnetic antenna and the dipole antenna are positioned substantially close to each other and they create a cross polarized field pattern. The present invention provides isolation between a transmitter and a receiver in an ultra-wideband system. Additionally, the present invention allows isolation among radiating elements in an array antenna system.

An compact and rugged antenna system particularly suited to direction finding includes a plurality of antenna arrays for receiving respective frequency bands and colocated on a mast with separation between antenna arrays along the mast. The mast includes a coil wound of an insulator and functioning as a loaded inductor to shift the mast resonance out of the frequency band of the antenna system. A VHF dipole array having elements shaped to reduce scattering to UHF and SHF arrays is supported on movable arms which allow retraction that reduces height and provides mechanical protection to one or more other arrays as well as damping against vibration by contacting the mast with shaped portions of the dipole elements. The bowtie elements of the UHF array are angled at a central region to optimize array diameter at low UHF frequencies. A finned RF electronics housing is preferably provided which reduces solar loading and dissipates heat from antenna electronics. Asymmetrically keyed fittings are provided to permit accurate antenna system, array and element positioning and replaceable components and wiring, both internally and externally of the housing, is held in position to allow field repairs without recalibration.