Abstract: A folded monopole antenna that supports lower and upper frequency bands may be used in CDMA, WLAN, or other wireless communications systems. The folded monopole antenna may be located in a handset next to a vertical ground plane. The folded monopole antenna may be folded at least twice and connected to the ground plane through a reactance. The dimensions of different sections of the folded monopole antenna define lower and upper frequency band characteristics, and an offset location of an input feed affects the bandwidth of the frequency bands. The reactance between the antenna and ground plane can be selected to fine tune the frequency bands. Various input feeds, including a co-planar waveguide, may be employed. Dynamically adjustable reactances may be used in the input feed and ground line for adapting the antenna to various environments.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beamwidth. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain.

Abstract: An access point antenna for a wireless local area network (WLAN) includes a combiner network with a feed point, a ground plane adjacent the combiner network, and a dielectric substrate adjacent the ground plane. Conductive paths are on the dielectric substrate and are coupled to the feed point. Active antenna elements extend from the dielectric substrate. Each active antenna element is coupled to a respective conductive path and is equally spaced from a common area on the dielectric substrate. A passive director antenna element extends from the dielectric substrate and is coupled to the ground plane adjacent the common area.

Abstract: A smart antenna includes a ground plane, an active antenna element adjacent the ground plane, and passive antenna elements adjacent the ground plane. The passive antenna elements have different sizes for defining different resonant frequencies for increasing a bandwidth of the smart antenna. Dielectric layers having different dielectric constants may also be used for coating the passive antenna elements for defining different resonant frequencies. Impedance elements are connected to the ground plane and are selectively connectable to the passive antenna elements for antenna beam steering.

Abstract: A directive antenna operable in multiple frequency bands includes an active antenna element and at least one passive antenna element parasitically coupled to the active antenna element. The passive antenna element(s) have length and spacing substantially optimized to operate at (i) a fundamental frequency associated with the active antenna element and (ii) a higher resonant frequency related to the fundamental frequency. Spatial-harmonic current-distributions of the passive antenna elements are used to create the multiple frequency bands of operation. The directive antenna also includes devices operatively coupled to the passive antenna element(s) to steer an antenna beam formed by applying a signal at the fundamental resonant frequency, higher resonant frequency, or both to the active antenna element to operate in the multiple frequency bands.

Abstract: A smart antenna includes an active antenna element, a passive antenna element laterally adjacent the active antenna element, and an impedance element selectively connectable to the passive antenna element for antenna beam steering. A ground plane includes a center portion adjacent the active antenna element, and first and second arms extending outwardly from the center portion. The first arm is connected to the impedance element, and the second arm is laterally adjacent the first arm.

Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile subscriber unit includes a smart antenna having antenna elements for generating a plurality of antenna beams, and adjustable weight control components connected to the antenna elements for selecting any one of the antenna beam. A transceiver is connected to the smart antenna. A beam selector controller is connected to the transceiver and operates in a coarse adjustment mode by jointly adjusting the weight control components when scanning through the antenna beams, and operates in a fine adjustment mode by independently adjusting the weight control components when one of the scanned antenna beams is selected.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus that can increase capacity in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The antenna operates in conjunction with a station and comprises a plurality of antenna elements, each coupled to a respective weight control component to provide a weight to the signal transmitted from (or received by) each element. The weight for each antenna element is adjusted to achieve optimum reception during, for example, an idle mode when a pilot signal is received. The antenna array creates a beam former for signals to be transmitted from the mobile station, and a directional receiving array to more optimally detect and receive signals transmitted from the base station. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading and intercell interference are greatly reduced. The weights are adjusted in a coarse and a fine mode.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beamwidth. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain by using Radio Frequency (RF), Intermediate Frequency (IF), or baseband processing.

Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.

Abstract: A repeater for a wireless network in which a signal radiation path provided by building wiring is used to provide spatial separation between at least two radiating points. The repeater is preferably packaged into a housing that is suitable for use as an Alternating Current-to-Direct Current (AC/DC) transformer (or wall wart). If the radiating point includes at least one antenna, the antenna may also be incorporated within the transformer housing. The radiating points can be are provided by at least two antennas, in which case the building wiring includes a coaxial cable, such for carrying video or cable signals. The building wiring may also be standard Alternating Current (AC) three wire conductor cable which may or may not be placed within building walls. In this implementation, the radiating point is determined by a matching circuit.

Abstract: A repeater that extends the range of a wireless communication system especially one using Time Division Duplex (TDD) protocols. The device preferably translates signals received on a first radio frequency channel to a second radio frequency channel. The repeater preferably monitors one or more channels for transmissions. When a transmission on one channel is detected, the repeater is configured to translate the received signal to another channel where it is then transmitted. The device thus solves a problem of isolating input and output signal from one another.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beamwidth. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain by using Radio Frequency (RF), Intermediate Frequency (IF), or baseband processing.

Abstract: A directive antenna operable in multiple frequency bands includes an active antenna element and at least one passive antenna element parasitically coupled to the active antenna element. The passive antenna element(s) have length and spacing substantially optimized to operate at (i) a fundamental frequency associated with the active antenna element and (ii) a higher resonant frequency related to the fundamental frequency. Spatial-harmonic current-distributions of the passive antenna elements are used to create the multiple frequency bands of operation. The directive antenna also includes devices operatively coupled to the passive antenna element(s) to steer an antenna beam formed by applying a signal at the fundamental resonant frequency, higher resonant frequency, or both to the active antenna element to operate in the multiple frequency bands.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus that can increase capacity in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The antenna operates in conjunction with a station and comprises a plurality of antenna elements, each coupled to a respective weight control component to provide a weight to the signal transmitted from (or received by) each element. The weight for each antenna element is adjusted to achieve optimum reception during, for example, an idle mode when a pilot signal is received. The antenna array creates a beam former for signals to be transmitted from the mobile station, and a directional receiving array to more optimally detect and receive signals transmitted from the base station. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading and intercell interference are greatly reduced. The weights are adjusted in a coarse and a fine mode.

Abstract: A directive antenna operable in multiple frequency bands includes an active antenna element and at least one passive antenna element parasitically coupled to the active antenna element. The passive antenna element(s) have length and spacing substantially optimized to operate at (i) a fundamental frequency associated with the active antenna element and (ii) a higher resonant frequency related to the fundamental frequency. Spatial-harmonic current-distributions of the passive antenna elements are used to create the multiple frequency bands of operation. The directive antenna also includes devices operatively coupled to the passive antenna element(s) to steer an antenna beam formed by applying a signal at the fundamental resonant frequency, higher resonant frequency, or both to the active antenna element to operate in the multiple frequency bands.

Abstract: A phase array antenna of the present invention includes a dielectric layer formed of a material that is optically transparent. An electrically conductive and optically transparent ground plane layer is secured on one side of the dielectric layer. An array of optically transparent antenna elements are positioned over the opposing side of the dielectric layer from the ground plane layer. An optically transparent beam forming network is formed on the dielectric layer on the same side as the optically transparent antenna elements and is operatively connected to the array of optically transparent antenna elements.