Abstract: An antenna beam scan unit includes: a Rotman lens that performs power division and synthesis between plural antenna ports and three or more beam ports; plural antenna elements which are connected to the respective antenna ports and to or from which radio waves are inputted or outputted; plural amplifiers that are connected to the respective beam ports of the Rotman lens and perform amplitude modulation on a signal; input paths for a transmission signal disposed in association with the amplifiers; switches for switching the input paths; and a beam control unit. The input paths include first paths and second paths on which a signal that is out of phase with a signal on the first paths is produced. The beam control unit selects two adjoining beam ports, and can switch the first paths and second paths as the input paths for the two beam ports.

Abstract: A displaced feed antenna which has a spaced conducting plate construction that incorporates electronically selectable feed points with associated antenna beam positions, and which comprises (i) a set of one or more beamforming configurations composed of layered, interlinking spaced conducting plates and conducting boundaries that are separated by cavities containing dielectric material or free space; (ii) a set of one or more internal focusing devices for each beamforming configuration to route radio frequency energy to or from the displaced feed points in receive and transmit modes respectively; (iii) a linear or curved array of displaced feeds for each beamforming configuration for coupling radio frequency energy into, or from, the cavity between the plates; (iv) a selection device to allow definable overlapping regions of the focussing devices to be illuminated for each beamforming configuration; and (v) array elements for each beamforming configuration between spaced conducting plates to free space, allow

Abstract: A method for ground to air communication includes receiving a first pilot signal on a first wide beam from a first ground base station by a first antenna element covering a first range of azimuth angles from an aircraft. Data is received on a directed data beam from the first ground base station by the first antenna element. A second pilot signal is received on a second wide beam from a second ground base station by a second antenna element covering a second range of azimuth angles different than the first range of azimuth angles. A signal strength of the second pilot signal is compared with a signal strength of the first pilot signal. Data reception is switched from the first antenna element to the second antenna element if the signal strength of the second pilot signal is greater than the signal strength of the first pilot signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of an adaptive electronically steerable array (AESA) system suitable for use on a vehicle and method for communicating are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the AESA system includes a plurality of arrays of radiating elements and control circuitry to configure the arrays for multi-band and multi-aperture operations to maintain data links with communication stations.

Abstract: A switched beam antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a plurality of feed elements arranged radially about a center point. A feed switch provides equidistant signal paths between each antenna element and a transceiver. The production of an antenna beam in a desired direction is achieved by controlling a switch to selectively operate a feed element associated with a beam coverage area that encompasses the desired steering angle.

Abstract: A device includes, in one embodiment, first and second patch antennas. The first patch antenna is disposed at a dielectric substrate, and defines a first principle plane. The second patch antenna is disposed at the dielectric substrate, and defines a second principle plane, an orientation of the second principle plane being different from an orientation of the first principle plane. A switch is coupled to the first patch antenna and to the second patch antenna, the switch to select between operation of the first patch antenna and operation of the second patch antenna.

Abstract: The antenna unit 100 includes a first antenna 10 positioned so as to face in the direction of gravity when the unit is oriented transversely, and a second antenna 20 positioned so as to face in the direction of gravity when the unit is oriented longitudinally. Based on the output of a sensor 50 that detects whether the antenna unit 100 is oriented transversely or oriented longitudinally, a switch controller 42 performs switching of an RF switch 30 so that the first antenna is used for reception or transmission of vertically polarized waves when the antenna unit 100 is oriented transversely, and the second antenna is used for reception or transmission of vertically polarized waves when the antenna unit 100 is oriented longitudinally.

Abstract: An antenna array for a radar sensor, wherein the antenna array has a number of antenna elements linearly arranged next to one another. The antenna elements are designed for transmitting or receiving a radar signal, and the antenna array has a switching unit, which is designed to connect the antenna elements according to a predetermined switching sequence individually, one after the other in time, with a transmitting or receiving unit of the radar sensor. The switching sequence, according to which the antenna elements are connected one after the other with the transmitting or receiving unit, deviates from the spatial sequence of the antenna elements in the antenna array.

Abstract: Multi-pattern transmission of wireless frames. A digital device contains a transmitter feeding an electronically steerable antenna system where the radiation pattern produced by the antenna system may be selected. Different antenna radiation patterns are used in transmitting a first portion of a wireless frame and a second portion of a wireless frame in a wireless digital network. In one embodiment, a first portion of a wireless frame is transmitted using a wide radiation pattern while the second portion of the frame is transmitted using a second radiation pattern. Switching among radiation patterns in the electronically steerable antenna system may be accomplished by switching between antenna types, such as an omnidirectional antenna for the wide pattern, and beam-steered or sectorized antennas for the second radiation pattern. Beam-forming and/or phasing approaches may also be used. The first and second portions of the frame may be transmitted at different power levels.

Abstract: The reflectarray includes a plurality of cells integrated in a PCB and externally illuminated by an input signal from a feeding source at a frequency fi, and an output signal is reflected, where each cell of the reflectarray is an AIA formed by a passive radiating element connected to an active circuit, which can be either an oscillator, or a push-push oscillator or a SOM, where the passive radiating circuit is placed on a reflective surface forming a side of the reflectarray and the active circuit is placed on the reverse side, the active circuit producing an output signal with a frequency related to the input frequency fi and the oscillation frequency fosc of said active circuit. This phase relationship is determined by an output phase variation, which is controlled by electronic means integrated in the reflectarray system, which allows an output phase variation interval even higher than 180°.

Abstract: An antenna system (10) for receiving satellite signals in a vehicle exhibits a radiation pattern (11). The antenna system (10) includes a plurality of parasitic elements (18) which are electrically connectable together using linking switches (20). The geometry of the radiation pattern (11) changes as the linking switches (20) are activated and deactivated. Control of the linking switches (20), and thus the geometry of the radiation pattern (11), is based on the geographic location of the antenna system (10). Thus, the radiation pattern (10) can be steered based on geographic location to enhance signal reception. The geographic location may be obtained automatically via a GPS receiver (30) or manually via a user.

Abstract: In a multibeam radar sensor apparatus having at least two transmission/reception channels, whose signal paths each include an antenna and a mixer, at least one first mixer is configured bidirectionally as a transfer mixer, and at least one second mixer is switchable from a first into a second operating state; in the first operating state, the mixer is bidirectionally configured as a transfer mixer, and in the second operating state, the mixer being configured in an at least approximately isolating manner as a receiving mixer.

Abstract: A horizontal beam adjusting method and apparatus for an omni-directional antenna are provided. The horizontal beam adjusting apparatus may generate a switch control signal according to an inclination of the omni-directional antenna, and adjust a radiation direction of the omni-directional antenna according to the switch control signal. Accordingly, the adjusted radiation direction may have horizontal omni-directionality with respect to a ground surface.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system includes a first radiation element that is made of a material and has a length selected to resonate at a desired frequency. A phase-shift element is coupled to one end of the first radiation element. A second radiation element is coupled to the end of the phase-shift element opposite the first radiation element, so that a radio signal passes through the first radiation element through the phase-shift element and through the second radiation element, the second radiation element is made of a material and has a length selected to resonate such that the first and second radiation elements cooperate to form a desired beam pattern from the antenna system.

Abstract: A portable device with smart antenna is disclosed, which includes an antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas, each antenna capable of receiving and/or transmitting signals, a phase and amplitude control unit coupled to the antenna array for controlling amplitude and phase of the plurality of the signals so as to dynamically control radiation pattern of the array antenna system, and a wireless network unit coupled to the phase and amplitude control unit for processing the signals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a smart antenna system for a portable device. The smart antenna system includes a plurality of directional antennas, disposed at a plurality of positions of the portable device, having a plurality of directional radiation patterns corresponding to a plurality of areas; wherein all of the plurality of directional radiation patterns substantially form an omni directional radiation pattern.

Abstract: An electronic device including a first antenna, a second antenna, a first sensor, a signal processing module and an antenna control module is provided. The first antenna has a function of transmitting a wireless signal and is disposed on a first side of the electronic device. The second antenna is disposed on a second side of the electronic device. The first sensor detects whether a first object is around the first antenna and generates a first sensing signal according to a detecting result. The signal processing module generates a first control signal according to the first sensing signal. The antenna control module switches the function of transmitting the wireless signal from the first antenna to the second antenna.

Abstract: An antenna control system in which various antenna elements in a vertical row are coupled by fixed transmission lines to a central feeding point for a common signal. Adjustment of the phase of the common signal is achieved by means of a linearly movable slide having dielectric body portions influencing the signal velocity along said fixed transmission lines. Further, an electrical motor is used for linearly displacing said movable slide with said dielectric body portions.

Abstract: A radar apparatus forming a series-feed array-antenna includes an array antenna having transmission/reception antennas, and each antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements arrayed with feed-lines to be series-connected each other. A calibration line is disposed between the transmission antenna and the reception antenna via a switch which connects or disconnects the calibration line. The signal having a phase shift is transmitted via the calibration line when the switch connects the calibration line and an amount of phase shift from the signal transmitted via the calibration line is calculated based on a reference phase at the transmission antenna thereby calibrating the phase shift.

Abstract: Antennas with steerable antenna patterns and techniques for using such antennas are described. In accordance with the invention, antenna patterns with one or more NULLs are used. Through the use of digital control signals the antenna pattern is steered so that a source of signal interference, e.g., a multipath signal, will be located in a NULL. In this manner the received signal's S/N ratio can be maximized thereby facilitating demodulation. The techniques of the invention can be applied to television, computer devices, mobile devices and a wide range of other systems. Digital commands to control an antenna may include multiple information fields, e.g., a direction field, a channel field, a gain field and a polarity field. Antennas incapable of supporting the specified fields disregard information in fields which are not supported. Information in each supported field is decoded and used to adjust the corresponding antenna characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a radiation source involving phase fronts emanating from an accelerated, oscillating polarization current whose distribution pattern moves superluminally (that is, faster than light in vacuo). Theoretical predictions and experimental measurements using an existing prototype superluminal source show that the phase fronts from such a source can be made to be very complex. Consequently, it will be very difficult for an aircraft imaged by such a radiation to detect where this radiation has come from. Moreover, the complexity of the phase fronts makes it almost impossible for electronics on an aircraft to synthesize a rogue reflection. A simple directional antenna and timing system should, on the other hand, be sufficient for the radar operators to locate the aircraft, given knowledge of their own source's speed and modulation pattern.

Abstract: An antenna interface system, device, method and program allow access to a centralized antenna interface by establishing connection to a server via a first network connection, wherein the server includes a user interface configured to establish a communication connection between the antenna interface system and the user of the access device. The server also includes one or more antenna control programs which when executed provide the command signals, and a second network connection establishes a communication connection between the server and converters that transmit the command signals from the server to the antennas. Each converter is located in the vicinity of one or more antennas and the antennas are connected to the converters so as to receive the command signals. The command signals are used for making adjustments to and gathering information for antenna parameters of the antennas.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an antenna apparatus includes first and second antenna arrays configured in a support structure. Each antenna array has multiple antenna elements that transmit and/or receive electro-magnetic radiation. The elements of the first antenna array are oriented in a boresight direction that is different from the boresight direction in which the elements of the second antenna array are oriented. A plurality of switches alternatively couples the first antenna elements or the second antenna elements to a signal distribution circuit.

Abstract: A steerable antenna includes an radiating antenna element and parasitic antenna elements. Each of the parasitic antenna elements is provided with a pair of PIN diodes. On each of control lines connecting the PIN diodes to a controller, inductors are provided at predetermined intervals on portions of the control line electromagnetically coupled to another steerable antenna. The intervals for providing the inductors is set to such a length that substantially no resonance occurs in a section of the control line between the inductors at an operating frequency of the steerable antenna.

Abstract: A system for response to a signal transmitted by a radar includes: a passive antenna capable of receiving and then backscattering a signal transmitted by said radar; a microwave switch connected to said antenna; at least two microwave lines each having a distinct impedance and being connected to the microwave switch; and a generator capable of generating a parametrizable control signal and sending it to the microwave switch so that it switches onto one or other of the microwave lines, so as to modulate the signal backscattered by said antenna.

Abstract: The present invention includes an autonomous antennal device with fast pointing switching. The antennal device has an electron beam switching antenna, and the device is linkable by a cable to a radioelectric facility. The device includes a calculation unit to determine a direction of pointing of the beam of the antenna on the basis of measurement parameters for the radiofrequency signal processed by the facility, and the parameters are received on a communication interface of the device. The invention applies, for example, to intelligent antennas, sometimes designated by the acronym FESA, which stands for Fast Electronically Steerable Antenna.

Abstract: A radar data acquisition system including a polarimetric phased array antenna and a radar control and processing system. The polarimetric phased array antenna includes a support system, an array of panels and a switching network. One or more of the panels include a dual pole antenna for at least one of transmitting and receiving a dual polarization electromagnetic beam. The switching network communicates with the panels such that at least one of power, radar and control signals are sent to and received from one or more selected panels. The radar control and processing system communicates with the switching network for forming electromagnetic signals directed to one or more selected panels such that the selected panels form a dual polarization electromagnetic beam, and for reading signals sensed by one or more selected panels and for decoding the signals into an electronic radar output.

Abstract: A beam switching antenna method and apparatus for controlling a beam switching antenna system including an antenna element for forming a beam, at least one conductive reflector for reflecting the beam, and a ground switch for applying a reference voltage to the least one conductive reflector, the method including selectively configuring the beam switching antenna system for a current-directional beam pattern to receive a first signal and for a non-directional beam pattern to receive a second signal; comprising the first and second signals; and controlling, using the ground switch; the beam based on the comparison of the first and second switching.

Abstract: A monostatic multibeam radar sensor device for a motor vehicle, including a directional characteristic of an antenna unit having at least one transceiving channel and at least one receiving channel, and including a mixer system, which has an at least approximately isolating mixer for at least one of the receiving channels. The at least approximately isolating mixer includes a Gilbert cell mixer, which, due to a non-ideal isolation between an input of the local oscillator signal and the corresponding receiving channel, emits a transmission power via this receiving channel, using an overcoupling signal, the transmission power influencing the directional characteristic of the antenna unit and the directional characteristic being switchable by controlling the phase position of the overcoupling signal.

Abstract: A device includes, in one embodiment, first and second patch antennas. The first patch antenna is disposed at a dielectric substrate, and defines a first principle plane. The second patch antenna is disposed at the dielectric substrate, and defines a second principle plane, an orientation of the second principle plane being different from an orientation of the first principle plane. A switch is coupled to the first patch antenna and to the second patch antenna, the switch to select between operation of the first patch antenna and operation of the second patch antenna.

Abstract: A microwave antenna system having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array having two spaced ends. A phase shifter is electrically connected to a first group of at least two adjacent antenna elements at one end of the array and is also electrically connected to a second group of at least two adjacent antenna elements adjacent the other end of the array. Individual phase shifters are connected to individual middle antenna elements for at least several of the antenna elements between the first and second groups of antenna elements. A switch selectively electrically connects a phase delay line in series between the phase shifter and the second group of antenna array elements to effectively double the number of good beam positions of the antenna array.

Abstract: A control device includes a first communication interface for communicating first control data with a first plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with a first protocol, wherein the first communication interface utilizes the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with the first protocol. A second communication interface communicates second control data with a second plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with a second protocol, wherein the second communication interface utilizes the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with the second protocol. A resource controller allocates resources of the millimeter wave frequency band to the first plurality of communication devices and the second plurality of communication devices based on the first control data and the second control data.

Abstract: Provided are a two-dimensional array antenna and a device for detecting an internal object using the same. The device includes a plurality of unit antennas in a two-dimensional array of m columns and n rows on a board (where m and n are integers greater than 1), a first switch selecting one or more transmitting antenna to radiate a pulse signal onto an internal object in a structure from among the unit antennas; a second switch selecting one or more receiving antenna to collect a signal reflected from the internal object from among the unit antennas, and a transceiving analysis module analyzing information about the position and shape of the internal object.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus is disclosed. The antenna apparatus has a first antenna, a second antenna, and a third antenna which have different directivity directions each other and are switched for a desired directivity direction. The first antenna is disposed on a substrate which is in parallel therewith. The second antenna is disposed on one principal surface of the substrate which is nearly perpendicular thereto. The third antenna is disposed on the other principal surface of the substrate which is nearly perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A system for indicating the relative direction of a target object or location as determined from the current position of a wireless communication device. The system employs Direction of Arrival determination using an antenna array for indicating the direction of a target device and includes facilities to activate a location-indicating transmission in a target device, the ability to request that a location-indicating transmission be activated in a remote target device, relevant information reception from a target device and the display of all potential target devices within effective transmission range of the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for monopulse beamforming for electronically switched antennas is presented. Inputs of selected antenna elements from a phased array antenna are summed into subsets of elements which are then combined into sum and delta beams. 2:1 switches in a shoelace arrangement allow the combination of signals from half of the selected aperture first at common phase and then at pi phase difference to from the sum and delta beams. The method allows for reduced weight, controls, and processing when compared to prior art.

Abstract: A focused ultrasound system includes a transducer array, a controller for providing drive signals to the transducer array, and a switch. The transducer array includes a plurality of “n” transducer elements, and the controller includes a plurality of “m” output channels providing sets of drive signals having respective phase shift values, “m” being less than “n.” The switch is coupled to the output channels of the controller and to the transducer elements, and is configured for connecting the output channels to respective transducer elements. The controller may assign the transducer elements to respective output channels based upon a size and/or shape of a desired focal zone within the target region, to steer or otherwise move a location of the focal zone, and/or to compensate for tissue aberrations caused by tissue between the transducer array and the focal zone, geometric tolerances and/or impedance variations of the transducer elements.

Abstract: An antenna system and electronic scanning method that employs feed subarray electronic offset beam scanning. The system includes a feed element containing an array of electronic transmitting/receiving elements. The system further includes a reflector for reflecting signals received from the feed element to a target region, and for reflecting signals received from a target region to the feed element. Electronic beam scanning is achieved by activating and deactivating in turn subarrays within the array of transmitting/receiving elements of the feed element.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for receiving the GPS signals in a global positioning system (GPS) receiver module automatically orients the antenna to better receive the GPS signals. The antenna is oriented by a positioner (e.g., a counterweight) that automatically rotates a frame on which the antenna is mounted. The GPS receiver module may also include multiple antennas oriented in different directions to maintain good reception of the GPS signals in any position. The multiple antennas are oriented in a manner so that the poor reception range an antenna is covered by other antennas. Signals from multiple antennas may be combined or chosen for processing by a GPS processor. Also, multiple GPS receiver modules may be deployed in close proximity so that wireless communication between the GPS receiver modules may be established.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a radar apparatus and an antenna apparatus, and more particularly, an integrated radar apparatus and an integrated antenna apparatus which make it possible to attain angle resolution with high definition, to decrease size and the number of devices, to integrate long and mid-range radar function and short range radar function.

Abstract: A beam switching antenna method and apparatus for controlling a beam switching antenna system including an antenna element for forming a beam, at least one conductive reflector for reflecting the beam, and a ground switch for applying a reference voltage to the at least one conductive reflector, the method includes forming the beam of the antenna element, and imparting the formed beam with a predetermined beam pattern by controlling the ground switch to apply the reference voltage to at least one conductive reflector.

Abstract: A low cost multi-channel thinned transmit/receive (TR) module architecture is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an active antenna assembly including at least one multi-channel TR module for reducing power consumption, the antenna assembly including the at least one TR module including a first phase shifter, a first switch coupled to the first phase shifter, the first switch configured to switch between a transmit circuit and a receive circuit, the transmit circuit including a first power amplifier coupled to the first switch and to a plurality of second phase shifters, and a plurality of second power amplifiers, each second power amplifier coupled to one of the second phase shifters, the receive circuit including a low noise amplifier coupled to the first switch and to a plurality of third phase shifters, and a plurality of second switches, each second switch configured to switch between one of the second power amplifiers and one of the third phase shifters.

Abstract: A beam-forming antenna for transmission and/or reception of an electromagnetic signal having a given wavelength in a surrounding medium includes a transmission line electromagnetically coupled to an array of individually controllable antenna elements, each of which is oscillated by the signal with a controllable amplitude. The oscillation amplitude of each of the individual antenna elements is controlled by a switch. The antenna elements are arranged in various shapes such as a parabolic arc, a circular arc, a cylindrical surface or a conic surface. The antenna elements have various spacing such as uniform, parabolic, circular, or raised cosine.

Abstract: A radar apparatus comprising a transmit/receive antenna having a plurality of channels, comparator means coupled to the antenna channels for providing receive signal sum and difference channels, a radar receiver, means coupling the sum and difference channels to the radar receiver, a radar transmitter for providing a signal to be transmitted, means coupling the transmitter to a cross-channel port of the comparator means, and means for adjusting a phase length of at least one antenna channel so that when the apparatus is transmitting, the transmitted signals from the antenna channels have a required relative phase relationship.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an array antenna arrangement comprising at least two antenna sub-arrays and at least one antenna element in each antenna sub-array. The array antenna arrangement is adapted for calculation of a total covariance matrix (R) of a received signal vector (x). The array antenna arrangement further comprises at least one switch, where the number of switches corresponds to the number of antenna elements in each antenna sub-array. Each switch is connected to a respective radio chain, and is arranged to connect the antenna elements of a respective corresponding antenna sub-array to the respective radio chain cyclically. At least one full switch cycle, comprising a set of received signals for each switch configuration, is carried out for a calculation of the total covariance matrix (R). The present invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A beam-forming network having: a plurality (NI) of input signal ports (IP); a plurality (NO) of output signal ports (OP); a weighting and interconnecting network (WIN) comprising a plurality of signal dividers (SD), phase and amplitude weighting elements (WE), switches (SW1, SW2) and signal combiners (SC), for associating each input port to output ports through respective weighting units; wherein either input (IP) or output (OP) ports, or both, are partitioned into disjoint equivalence classes (IEC, OEC), at least a majority of said equivalence classes having more than one port; and in that the network is either configured in order to associate each input port to at most one output port for each output equivalence class, or to associate each output port to at most one input port for each input equivalence class, or both. Also provide is a multibeam antenna comprising having such a beam-forming network, and an electronic circuit for implementing such a beam-forming network.

Abstract: An antenna diversity system for radio reception for motor vehicles, which comprises a multi-antenna system having several antennas with antenna feed lines. There can be a diversity switching device for selection of a different reception signal, and an evaluation circuit which evaluates the reception quality of the reception signal just arriving at the receiver. This evaluation circuit is designed to bring a different reception signal in terms of diversity to the receiver if interference occurs, by switching over. This design also includes at least one phase rotation device which is disposed along at least one of the signal paths.

Abstract: Systems and methods of training antennas for two devices equipped with phased array antennas in a wireless network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the methods include transmitting a plurality of estimation training sequences from a transmit phased array antenna to a receive phased array antenna, wherein a length of at least one of the plurality of training sequences is adapted to a number of antenna elements at one of the transmit and receive phased array antennas. The methods further include transmitting data to the receive phased array antenna via the transmit phased array antenna tuned with a transmit beamforming vector (BV) selected based at least in part on the plurality of estimation training sequences.

Abstract: An antenna is described. The antenna includes a planar circular structure. The antenna also includes a radiating element located at the center of the planar circular structure. The antenna further includes one or more parasitic elements located on a contour around the radiating element. The parasitic elements are aligned in parallel direction with the radiating element. The parasitic elements protrude from the planar circular structure. The antenna includes switches separating each of the one or more parasitic elements from ground. A switch in a first position creates a short between a parasitic element and ground. A switch in a second position creates an open circuit between the parasitic element and ground.

Abstract: A method and system for analog beamforming in a wireless system is provided. Analog beamforming involves performing an iterative beam acquisition process based on beam search training, determining transmit and receive beamforming vectors including phase weighting coefficients, based on the iterative beam acquisition process. Each iteration includes estimating the receive and transmit beamforming coefficients alternatively, until the receive and transmit beamforming coefficients converge.