Abstract: An apparatus powered by batteries may include a first processor and a second processor. The first processor may consume more electrical power than the second processor. The second processor acquires data from one or more sensors. At a predetermined time or other trigger, the second processor activates the first processor that is then used to send the acquired data to an external device. For example, items are stowed on the apparatus that includes weight sensors. The second processor awakens hourly, acquires weight data indicative of the weight of items stowed on the apparatus, and returns to a sleep mode. After 24 hours of acquiring weight data, the second processor activates the first processor to send the accumulated weight data to an external device, such as a server, using a network interface. Power consumption is substantially reduced, allowing the apparatus to operate without external power for extended periods of times.

Abstract: An antenna producing a quasi-omni radiation pattern. The antenna includes at least three main panels, each having a plurality of radiating elements thereon, disposed in one or more columns of elements. The main panels are disposed in a substantially circular arrangement to generate the quasi-omni radiation pattern. At least one null filling panel is disposed between every two consecutive main panels of the at least three main panels, directed towards a null in the quasi-omni radiation pattern between the two consecutive main panels. The null filling panel has at least a single column of elements that radiate a null filling signal that is substantially the same signal as a signal from elements from the two adjacent main panels.

Abstract: An antenna array capable of full duplex communication is described. The antenna array includes a first dual polarity antenna element and a second dual polarity antenna element. A first conductive structure, extends between the first and second antenna elements along a diagonal axis in common between the first antenna element and the second element, and forms a coupling path between the first and the second antenna elements such that at least a portion of a signal generated by the first antenna element is coupled, via the coupling path, to the second antenna element to at least reduce cross polarity mutual coupling between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

Abstract: An antenna array for full duplex communications is described. The antenna array includes an array antenna elements supported by a substrate. The substrate includes a feed network and a parallel plate waveguide layered with the feed network. The parallel plate waveguide has a core of varying dielectric constant, wherein the varying dielectric constant varies from a first probe connected to a first antenna element to a second probe connected to a second antenna element.

Abstract: An antenna array for full duplex communications is described. The antenna array includes an array antenna elements supported by a substrate. The substrate includes a feed network and a parallel plate waveguide layered with the feed network. The parallel plate waveguide has a core of varying dielectric constant, wherein the varying dielectric constant varies from a first probe connected to a first antenna element to a second probe connected to a second antenna element.

Abstract: An antenna array capable of full duplex communication is described. The antenna array includes a first dual polarity antenna element and a second dual polarity antenna element. A first conductive structure, extends between the first and second antenna elements along a diagonal axis in common between the first antenna element and the second element, and forms a coupling path between the first and the second antenna elements such that at least a portion of a signal generated by the first antenna element is coupled, via the coupling path, to the second antenna element to at least reduce cross polarity mutual coupling between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

Abstract: An antenna system is described. A main antenna may be configured to receive a first signal, and a first auxiliary antenna may be configured to receive a second signal from a first expected interference direction. An adjustment unit receives the second signal and is configured to adjust the second signal. A combiner unit receives the first signal and the adjusted second signal and is configured to combine the adjusted second signal with the first signal to reduce any contribution of the second signal to the first signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna unit that includes a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is positioned on a reflector element, and includes at least three inverted-F antenna (IFAs) elements that are electrically connected to a first RF signal port and that each have an associated tunable element that controls excitation of the IFA element, the tunable elements being operative to control a polarization direction of the first antenna. The second antenna is co-located on the reflector element with the first antenna, and includes a plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: An antenna system is described. A main antenna may be configured to receive a first signal, and a first auxiliary antenna may be configured to receive a second signal from a first expected interference direction. An adjustment unit receives the second signal and is configured to adjust the second signal. A combiner unit receives the first signal and the adjusted second signal and is configured to combine the adjusted second signal with the first signal to reduce any contribution of the second signal to the first signal.

Abstract: A multi-filar helical antenna comprising a helical radiating element extending along a longitudinal axis, comprising an elongate body having a free first end and a second end opposite the first end and coupled to a feeding port, and a tail member, extending away from the body at the second end. The tail member has a geometry that is selected for modifying at least one of an impedance of the radiating element, and broadening the antenna's resonance bandwidth. The radiating element may comprise a positioning member extending away from the second end along a direction substantially parallel to the axis. An end portion of the positioning member is secured to an electrically conductive surface in connection with the feeding port. The second end is positioned at a given distance above the conductive surface and the radiating element is fed through the feeding port at the given distance above the conductive surface.

Abstract: An antenna array structure is described that includes at least two antenna arrays co-located on a common planar array reflector. One of the antenna arrays has a first, central scan range. The other antenna array includes antenna elements that can be controlled to scan regions outside of the first, central scan range.

Abstract: An electronically steerable antenna with dual polarization is provided, as well as a method for steering such an antenna. An example antenna may include a driven patch element having dual polarity for radiating or receiving a first beam with a first polarization and radiating or receiving a second beam with a second polarization. The antenna includes a parasitic patch element separated from the driven patch element and in a parasitic coupling arrangement to the driven patch element, as well as first and second tuning elements linked to the parasitic patch element to control first and second terminating impedances of the parasitic patch element, respectively. The first terminating impedance at least partly determines a direction of the first beam, and the second terminating impedance at least partly determines a direction of the second beam.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna unit is described. The RF antenna unit includes a feed portion, at least first and second selective grounding portions each configured to selectively enable or disable an electrical coupling to a substrate, and at least first and second conductive arms. The first conductive arm provides electrical conduction between the feed portion and the first grounding portion, extending from the first grounding portion towards and beyond the feed portion. The second conductive arm provides electrical conduction between the feed portion and the second grounding portion, extending from the second grounding portion towards and beyond the feed portion. First and second inverted F antenna (IFA) elements are defined by the feed portion, the respective first or second grounding portion and the respective first or second conductive arm. The feed portion is common to both the first and second IFA elements.

Abstract: An antenna array structure is described that includes at least two antenna arrays co-located on a common planar array reflector. One of the antenna arrays has a first, central scan range. The other antenna array includes antenna elements that can be controlled to scan regions outside of the first, central scan range.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna unit is described. The RF antenna unit includes a feed portion, at least first and second selective grounding portions each configured to selectively enable or disable an electrical coupling to a substrate, and at least first and second conductive arms. The first conductive arm provides electrical conduction between the feed portion and the first grounding portion, extending from the first grounding portion towards and beyond the feed portion. The second conductive arm provides electrical conduction between the feed portion and the second grounding portion, extending from the second grounding portion towards and beyond the feed portion. First and second inverted F antenna (IFA) elements are defined by the feed portion, the respective first or second grounding portion and the respective first or second conductive arm. The feed portion is common to both the first and second IFA elements.

Abstract: A mutual coupling reduction circuit is provided for an antenna array. The antenna array includes first and second antenna elements having first and second radiating bodies, respectively. The mutual coupling reduction circuit is disposed between the first and second radiating bodies to reduce mutual coupling between the antenna elements. Multiple mutual coupling reduction circuits may be provided between multiple radiating bodies. The impedance of the mutual coupling reduction circuit is configured to reduce the mutual coupling. The mutual coupling reduction circuit may be disposed in parallel with a polarization of the antenna elements.

Abstract: A 2×2 MIMO array antenna is provided which includes two separate radiating elements mounted to an antenna reflector. Each element is linear polarized with two orthogonal polarizations, one polarization excited by a transmit port and the other polarization receiving radiated signals destined for a receive port. The two elements are aligned that the polarizations excited by the transmit ports of the two elements are along a common axis, or the polarizations received by the receive ports of the two elements are along a common axis.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna array that includes a first antenna unit that operates at a first frequency band and includes three antenna elements that are collocated on a reflector element, each of the three antenna elements having a different polarization direction than the other two antenna elements of the first antenna unit. A first switch is associated with the first antenna unit and a first conductive line for selectively connecting each one of the antenna elements of the first antenna unit to the first conductive line. A second antenna unit that operates at a second frequency band also includes three antenna elements that are collocated on the reflector element, each of the three antenna elements having a different polarization direction than the other two antenna elements of the second antenna unit.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna unit that includes a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is positioned on a reflector element, and includes at least three inverted-F antenna (IFAs) elements that are electrically connected to a first RF signal port and that each have an associated tunable element that controls excitation of the IFA element, the tunable elements being operative to control a polarization direction of the first antenna. The second antenna is co-located on the reflector element with the first antenna, and includes a plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: A full-duplex 2×2 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array is provided. An antenna reflector defining an x-y plane provides a plurality of antenna elements on the reflector. The linear polarization elements of the antenna elements are arrange in orthogonal polarizations for each transmit and receive pair. The elements are aligned in the same direction for half the orthogonal pair. A pair of elements are aligned along an axis to provide two coupled phase offset signals at a third element. The third element is collinear to the element of the first element defining a line of symmetry and parallel the direction of the element of the second element. The antenna array provides improved isolation between orthogonal ports and between transmit and receive ports by providing coupled signal cancelling between ports. This technique also increases boresight radiated pattern gain, as an additional benefit.