Abstract: A vehicle antenna mounting system whereby the antenna, associated antenna electronics (e.g., LNA) and RF and DC coupling are provided in an integral antenna assembly for installation on the exterior of a vehicle. The integral antenna assembly comprises a base section enclosing the associated antenna electronics and RF and DC coupling devices, and an antenna section pivotably mounted on the base section comprising the antenna. Two or more antennas are provided in the integral antenna assembly for SDARS reception on at least one satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Another satellite channel can be provided for diversity purposes, or a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver for performing location services, among others, for the vehicle.

Abstract: A drooping quadrifilar helix antenna includes first, second, third, and fourth radiating elements (42, 44, 46, and 48 respectively) of conductive material, each element extending in a first direction in a first plane and at least one of the radiating elements having a portion (47) thereof drooping in a second direction in a second plane, the antenna further including a dielectric tube (45) for maintaining a substantial portion of the radiating elements in a substantially helical or spiral shape, a coupler (24) for coupling electrical energy to and/or from each of said radiating elements, and a feed network (22) for individually feeding at least two of the radiating elements.

Abstract: A satellite digital audio radio receiver system and method. The inventive receiver includes a circuit for down-converting a first ensemble in a received combined signal in a first mode of operation and for down-converting a second ensemble from the received combined signal in a second mode of operation. The first ensemble includes a first signal received from a first transmitter, a second signal received from a second transmitter, and a third signal received from a third transmitter. The second ensemble includes a second signal from the first transmitter, a second signal from the second transmitter, and a second signal from the third transmitter. A controller is included to selectively switch the circuit from the first mode to the second mode. The first ensemble comprises first, second and third frequency slots and the second ensemble comprises fourth, fifth, and sixth frequency slots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting audio signals from an auxiliary source such as a satellite broadcast receiver or a CD or cassette player to a radio receiver located, for example, in a vehicle, using a wireless link. The apparatus comprises a scanning device for locating open radio frequencies in the RF spectrum of the radio receiver. The apparatus displays plural RF channel options on a display device and provides a selection device with which a user selects an RF channel. The apparatus modulates the audio signals using the selected radio frequency, and the user tunes the vehicle radio receiver to the selected RF channel. The scanning device continuously scans for open RF channels and monitors the quality of the RF channel already selected for use as the wireless link. The apparatus provides the user with an indication to select another open channel when the RF channel in use degrades.

Abstract: A combination linearly polarized antenna and quadrifilar helix antenna (40) includes a quadrifilar antenna (49) having a first coaxial cable (46) and an antenna with linear polarization (44) external to the quadrifilar antenna and having a second coaxial cable (42). A center conductor of the second coaxial cable is isolated from a center conductor of the first coaxial cable and the first coaxial cable runs substantially concentrically through the antenna with linear polarization.

Abstract: A time diversity satellite system provides geosynchronous satellites in tundra orbits in three orbital planes. The satellites traverse a common figure-eight ground track comprising northern and southern loops. Power modes and early and late operating modes of the satellites are selectively switched to select the satellite currently traversing the northern loop be the late satellite delivering a late signal, that is, a delayed early signal, to satellite receivers. A receiver can therefore employ a relatively small buffer for storing the early satellite signal for only the selected channel in a multi-channel TDM content signal without experiencing latency problems when selecting a new channel.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing audio broadcast signals received from a satellite to a satellite radio receiver. A window clip having an integral transmission line is mounted on the edge of a vehicle window. The interior end of the transmission line is connected to the satellite radio receiver. The exterior portion of the clip, and the exterior portion of the integrated transmission line, is coupled to an antenna. The antenna may be an omnidirectional quadrifilar antenna having circular polarization, a gain greater than about 3 dBi, a G/T greater than about −20 dB/K, and a frequency range of about 2.3 GHz to about 2.7 GHz, also known as the S-band. The antenna system can be used to receive satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) and transfer the signal to a satellite radio receiver inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving dispatch messages in a broadcast radio receiver. In one embodiment, audio dispatch messages can be received, in another embodiment, data dispatch messages can be received. In either embodiment, a previously selected broadcast channel is received until a dispatch alert message is simultaneously received. The dispatch alert message includes a dispatch ID codes which is compared by the receiver with a previously stored dispatch ID code. If equality is found, the receiver switches from the previously selected broadcast channel to a dispatch broadcast channel to receive the dispatch message. Upon completion of the dispatch message, the receiver automatically switches back to the previously selected broadcast channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating geographic specific services to a receiver in a satellite communications network by utilizing location identification information included in a composite signal transmitted by a terrestrial repeater. A terrestrial repeater receives from a satellite a composite signal comprising a plurality of time-division multiplexed (TDM) data channels and retransmits the composite signal with a unique transmitter identification number which indicates the identity of the repeater. Upon reception of the composite signal from the terrestrial repeater, the receiver determines the current geographical location of the receiver based on the transmitter identification number. The receiver then compares the current location of the receiver to header information carried in the data channels to select information in the data channels is targeted to the geographical location of the receiver.

Abstract: A vehicle antenna mounting system whereby the antenna, associated antenna electronics (e.g., LNA) and RF and DC coupling are provided in an integral antenna assembly for installation on the exterior of a vehicle. The integral antenna assembly comprises a base section enclosing the associated antenna electronics and RF and DC coupling devices, and an antenna section pivotably mounted on the base section comprising the antenna. Two or more antennas are provided in the integral antenna assembly for SDARS reception on at least one satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Another satellite channel can be provided for diversity purposes, or a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver for performing location services, among others, for the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus encode a source data stream via convolutional encoding. One or more encoded data streams are interleaved and transmitted on one or more transmission channels. Data groups generated via convolutional encoding are interleaved via time-interleaving functions to disperse selected bits within puncture groups of the data groups, bits in between data groups, and bits in selected sets of data groups to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from at least a portion of the interleaved data stream received on at least one transmission channel. The time-interleaving functions are selected to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from one transmission channel following continuous blockage. Subsets of bits of puncture groups are selected to allow reconstruction of the source data stream from the transmission channels using a minimum number of subsets.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing audio broadcast signals received from a satellite to a satellite radio receiver. A window clip having an integral transmission line is mounted on the edge of a vehicle window. The interior end of the transmission line is connected to the satellite radio receiver. The exterior portion of the clip, and the exterior portion of the integrated transmission line, is coupled to an antenna. The antenna may be an omnidirectional quadrifilar antenna having circular polarization, a gain greater than about 3 dBi, a G/T greater than about −20 dB/K, and a frequency range of about 2.3 GHz to about 2.7 GHz, also known as the S-band. The antenna system can be used to receive satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) and transfer the signal to a satellite radio receiver inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting the presence of an FM-modulated audio signal from an auxiliary source, and operating a switch to provide that audio signal to a tuner in lieu of the radio frequency signal received at the tuner antenna. The tuner can be a vehicle tuner. The system also comprises a modulator unit for modulating the audio signal and an output plug for insertion into a cigarette lighter receptacle or power receptacle of a vehicle. A radio frequency transmission line, such as a coaxial cable, connects the cigarette lighter receptacle or power receptacle to the vehicle battery and to an antenna switch unit and transports both DC power and the FM-modulated audio signal. The antenna switch unit comprises switched inputs for the vehicle antenna and the output from the modulator unit, and a radio frequency signal detection device for detecting when the FM-modulated audio signal is present. The antenna switch unit provides the output from the modulator unit to the tuner whenever it is detected.

Abstract: A dual coupled vehicle glass mount antenna system and method. The inventive system is adapted for operation through any suitable partition, such as an automobile windshield, and comprises an antenna mounted on a first side of the partition for receiving a signal and a first circuit connected to the antenna. The antenna and the first circuit are mounted on a first side of the partition. In accordance with the present teachings, an arrangement is provided for supplying power to the first circuit. The output of the first circuit is coupled through the partition to a second circuit mounted on a second side thereof by a first coupling arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment, the antenna is a radio frequency antenna, the partition is a vehicle windshield, the first circuit is an amplifier, and the arrangement for supplying power is a second coupling arrangement.

Abstract: A folded helical antenna. Generally, the inventive antenna includes plural radiating elements of conductive material. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna is a quadrifilar helix antenna having four radiating elements. Each radiating element is constrained into a helical shape. In accordance with the present teachings, each radiating element extends in a first direction and has a portion thereof folded in a second direction, the second direction being substantially parallel to the first direction. The novel method of making a quadrifilar helix antenna of the invention includes the steps of: ascertaining desired antenna characteristics for a given application; ascertaining limitations on antenna height for the application; fabricating a helical antenna in accordance with the desired antenna characteristics; and adjusting the height of the antenna in accordance with the limitations by folding the radiating elements thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus encode a source data stream via convolutional encoding. Plural encoded data streams are interleaved and transmitted on plural transmission channels. Data groups generated via convolutional encoding are interleaved via time-interleaving functions to disperse selected bits within puncture groups of the data groups, bits in between data groups, and bits in selected sets of data groups to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from at least a portion of the interleaved data stream received on at least one transmission channel. The time-interleaving functions are selected to facilitate reconstruction of the source data stream from one transmission channel following continuous blockage. Subsets of bits of puncture groups are selected to allow reconstruction of the source data stream from more than one of the transmission channels using a minimum number of subsets.

Abstract: A method of interleaving data for transmission is provided wherein first and second interleaving patterns for arranging data symbols in a source data stream into first and second transmitted data streams are selected. Each of said data symbols has at least one bit. The first and second transmitted data streams are transmitted substantially simultaneously on separate transmission channels to at least one receiver. The first and second patterns are used to transmit the data symbols in the source data stream in a different order on the respective transmission channels to maximize recovery of the source data stream when the transmission channels are blocked. The selected interleaving patterns can involve reordering the data symbols throughout the first and second transmitted data streams using different reordering criteria. The reordering criteria can vary on a frame-by-frame basis if the source data stream is time division multiplexed. Complementary data can be sent on respective transmission channels.