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: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.

Abstract: A varactor based phase shifter that increases phase shift range using an impedance transformer to impart a low characteristic impedance between an input port and a reference node port. The characteristic impedance across the port is therefore less than the characteristic impedance would be otherwise, and the phase shift range is increased. In one embodiment, a simple reflection phase modifier can be used in a phased array using space feed parasitic antenna elements. This type of analog varactor reflection phase modifier can provide fine phase resolution, and the array can thus be used for low-loss adaptive beam forming.

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 for controlling a beam direction both in azimuth and elevation is disclosed. An antenna comprises a ground plane, at least one active element, and a plurality of passive elements. Both an upper half and a lower half of the passive elements are connected to the ground plane with variable reactive loads, whereby elevation angle of the radio beam is controlled by adjusting the variable reactive loads. Alternatively, an antenna may comprise a radio frequency (RF) choke coupled to the ground plane, whereby an elevation angle of the radio beam is controlled by controlling the RF choke. Alternatively, an antenna comprises a variable lens for changing a wave front of a radio wave which is passing through the variable lens, whereby the beam width and direction are controlled by the variable lens.

Abstract: A mobile communication handset includes at least one passive antenna element and an active antenna element adjacent to the passive antenna elements protruding from a housing. The active element is coupled to electronic radio communication circuits and the passive antenna elements are coupled to circuit elements that affect the directivity of communication signals coupled to the antenna elements.

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: A smart antenna includes a ground plane, an active antenna element adjacent the ground plane and having a radio frequency (RF) input associated therewith, and passive antenna elements adjacent the ground plane. Impedance elements are connected to the ground plane and are selectively connectable to the passive antenna elements for antenna beam steering. Tuning elements are adjacent the passive antenna elements for tuning thereof so that an input impedance of the RF input of the active antenna element remains relatively constant during the antenna beam steering.

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: An adaptive antenna used in a receive only mode with a separate omnidirectional transmit antenna. The arrangement is especially effective for small, handheld wireless devices. The transmit antenna maybe integrated with the receive array by utilizing a horizontally polarized transmit and vertically polarized receiver ray. In other embodiments, the transmit antenna may be physically separate and not integrated with the receive array. In either case there is separate receive and transmit signal port as an interface to radio transceiver equipment. The use of an adaptive antenna in the receive only direction has the potential to increase forward links capacity to levels equal to or greater than reverse link capacity. This allows for a significant increase in the overall number of users that may be active at the same time in a wireless system.

Abstract: An antenna includes a ground plane and an active antenna element adjacent the ground plane. Passive antenna elements are adjacent the ground plane, and are spaced apart from the active antenna element. First parasitic gratings are adjacent the ground plane and are spaced apart from the active antenna element. Each first parasitic grating is between two adjacent passive antenna elements. A controller selectably controls the passive antenna elements for operating in a reflective mode or a directive mode. The controller includes for each respective passive antenna element at least one impedance element connected to the ground plane, and a switch adjacent the ground plane for connecting the at least one impedance element to the passive antenna element so that the passive antenna element operates in the reflective or directive mode.

Abstract: An active antenna element to transmit and/or receive RF (Radio Frequency) signals is positioned in relation to a backplane that reflects RF signals. One or more passive antenna elements can be disposed on a similar side of the backplane as the active antenna element. Settings of the one or more passive antenna elements are adjusted to produce an input/output beam pattern that varies depending on whether the at least one passive antenna element is reflective or transmissive. Based on this technique, an RF input output beam pattern of an antenna assembly including the backplane, active antenna element and passive antenna elements can be controlled for better reception and transmission of RF signals.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.

Abstract: A wireless communication method and antenna system for determining the direction of arrival (DOA) of received signals in azimuth and elevation, (i.e., in three dimensions), to form a beam for transmitting and receiving signals. The system includes two antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements, two first stage multi-mode-port matrices, at least one second stage multi-mode-port matrix, an azimuth phase detector, an elevation amplitude detector, a plurality of phase shifters and a transceiver. The antenna arrays and the first stage multi-mode-port matrices form a plurality of orthogonal omni-directional modes. Each of the modes has a characteristic phase set. Two of the modes' phases are used to determine DOA in azimuth. The second stage multi-mode-port matrix forms a sum-mode and a difference-mode used to determine the DOA of the received signals in elevation. A beam is formed in the direction of the received signals by adjusting the phase shifters.

Abstract: An antenna array includes a dielectric substrate comprising an integral center hub including a pivotal center section therein, and a pivotal wings extending radially from the integral center hub. An active antenna element is on the pivotal center section of the integral center hub, and passive antenna elements are on the pivotal wings. The active antenna element and the passive antenna elements are pivotal between a stored position and an operational position. The active antenna element and the passive antenna elements are substantially planar when in the stored position, and are substantially perpendicular to the integral center hub when in the operational position.

Abstract: An active antenna element to transmit and/or receive RF (Radio Frequency) signals is positioned in relation to a backplane that reflects RF signals. One or more passive antenna elements can be disposed on a similar side of the backplane as the active antenna element. Settings of the one or more passive antenna elements are adjusted to produce an input/output beam pattern that varies depending on whether the at least one passive antenna element is reflective or transmissive. Based on this technique, an RF input output beam pattern of an antenna assembly including the backplane, active antenna element and passive antenna elements can be controlled for better reception and transmission of RF signals.

Abstract: An antenna includes a dielectric substrate, an ative antenna element carried by the dielectric substrate, and passive antenna elements carried by the dielectric substrate. The passive antenna elements are laterally adjacent the active antenna element. A respective impedance element is selectively connectable to each passive antenna element for antenna beam steering. Image elements are carried by the dielectric substrate, and a respective image element is connected to each impedance element and ground.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna used in a receive only mode with a separate omnidirectional transmit antenna. The arrangement is especially effective for small, handheld wireless devices. The transmit antenna maybe integrated with the receive array by utilizing a horizontally polarized transmit and vertically polarized receiver ray. In other embodiments, the transmit antenna may be physically separate and not integrated with the receive array. In either case there is separate receive and transmit signal port as an interface to radio transceiver equipment. The use of an adaptive antenna in the receive only direction has the potential to increase forward links capacity to levels equal to or greater than reverse link capacity. This allows for a significant increase in the overall number of users that may be active at the same time in a wireless system.

Abstract: An antenna for controlling a beam direction both in azimuth and elevation is disclosed. An antenna comprises a ground plane, at least one active element, and a plurality of passive elements. Both an upper half and a lower half of the passive elements are connected to the ground plane with variable reactive loads, whereby elevation angle of the radio beam is controlled by adjusting the variable reactive loads. Alternatively, an antenna may comprise a radio frequency (RF) choke coupled to the ground plane, whereby an elevation angle of the radio beam is controlled by controlling the RF choke. Alternatively, an antenna comprises a variable lens for changing a wave front of a radio wave which is passing through the variable lens, whereby the beam width and direction are controlled by the variable lens.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a cell sectorized by both an angle in azimuth and a distance from a base station are disclosed. A wireless communication system comprises a base station and a cell. The base station comprises an antenna array for generating a plurality of directional beams which are steerable both in azimuth and elevation. The cell is sectorized into a plurality of sectors defined in accordance with an angle in azimuth and a distance from the base station. At least one directional beam serves each sector. Beams serving adjacent sectors overlap each other, and a softer handover in a cell is performed in the overlapping region.