Abstract: A receiver system and method are provided, wherein the system includes a plurality of antenna elements, and a receiver device configured to emit an output based upon the received signal. The receiver device communicates a control signal that corresponds to a determined signal quality of the received signal. The receiver system also includes a switch system adapted to switch among the plurality of antenna elements in a plurality of modes, wherein the switch system includes a first switch device and a second switch device. Further, the system includes a controller that receives the control signal, wherein the controller commands the switch system to operate in a first mode utilizing the first switch device when the determined signal quality is above a threshold value, and the controller commands the switch system to operate in a second mode utilizing the second switch device when the determined signal quality is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A communications system and method thereof are provided, wherein the system includes a first receiver. The first receiver includes at least one antenna element configured to receive the first signal having a first polarization, and a combiner in communication with the at least one antenna element, wherein the combiner enhances the first signal and minimizes a second signal having a second polarization that is different than the first polarization of the first signal, such that an output is emitted by the first receiver based upon the received first signal. The first receiver further includes a beam steerer in communication with the combiner, wherein the beam steerer is configured to steer an antenna beam of the at least one antenna element in order to minimize reflection of the second signal, such that the second polarization of the second signal remains different than the first polarization of the first signal.

Abstract: A receiver system and method for receiving signals are provided, wherein the system includes a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive a transmitted signal. A receiver device is in communication with the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the receiver device is configured to emit an output based upon the received signal, and communicate a control signal that corresponds to a determined signal quality of the received signal. A switch device is adapted to switch among the plurality of antenna elements to electrically connect a selected antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements to the receiver device. A controller is in communication with the receiver device, such that the controller receives the control signal, wherein the controller commands the switch device to directly switch to any of the antenna elements to electrically connect one of the plurality of antenna elements to the receiver device based upon the control signal.

Abstract: A receiver system and method are provided, wherein the system includes a plurality of antenna elements, and a receiver device configured to emit an output based upon the received signal. The receiver device communicates a control signal that corresponds to a determined signal quality of the received signal. The receiver system also includes a switch system adapted to switch among the plurality of antenna elements in a plurality of modes, wherein the switch system includes a first switch device and a second switch device. Further, the system includes a controller that receives the control signal, wherein the controller commands the switch system to operate in a first mode utilizing the first switch device when the determined signal quality is above a threshold value, and the controller commands the switch system to operate in a second mode utilizing the second switch device when the determined signal quality is below a threshold value.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a dual band vertical loop wire antenna extending from a printed circuit board positioned over a ground plane, wherein the wire antenna includes: at least one coiled section, at least one straight wire section, and at least one feeding post section.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving and processing digital satellite radio signals includes multiple antenna modules for receiving digital satellite radio signals, multiple processing circuits for converting digital satellite radio signals to low-IF or 0-IF signals, diversity circuitry for selecting from among multiple low-IF or 0-IF signals, and additional processing circuitry for extracting audio and/or data from the selected signals. The system also includes automatic and manual switches for selecting from among multiple antennas, and for reducing power consumption of antenna and processing circuitry.

Abstract: A receiver device and method of receiving a plurality of signals are provided, wherein the receiver device includes at least one antenna element and circuitry in communication with the at least one antenna element. The at least one antenna element is configured to receive at least a first signal having a first polarization and a second signal having a second polarization, wherein the first polarization is different than the second polarization. The circuitry is configured to process and emit an output based upon at least one of the received first and second signals, wherein the first signal is received at a first reception elevation angle with respect to the at least one antenna element that is greater than a second reception elevation angle of the second signal with respect to the at least one antenna element, and the first and second signals are transmitted at substantially the same frequency.

Abstract: An antenna system for a vehicle including a front windshield glass and a rear windshield is disclosed. The antenna system comprises an antenna unit including a radiating element electromagnetically coupled to an excitation element. The radiating element is coupled to the front windshield glass, and the excitation element is positioned on a passenger compartment interior surface of the front windshield glass. The antenna system also comprises a high-gain antenna unit including first radiating elements, a second radiating element, a 90-degree phase shift circuit, and a low noise amplifier that is coupled to the phase shift circuit. The first radiating elements receive signals through the rear windshield glass. The antenna unit and the high-gain antenna unit may function in a diversity antenna configuration.

Abstract: A communications system and method thereof are provided, wherein the system includes a first receiver. The first receiver includes at least one antenna element configured to receive the first signal having a first polarization, and a combiner in communication with the at least one antenna element, wherein the combiner enhances the first signal and minimizes a second signal having a second polarization that is different than the first polarization of the first signal, such that an output is emitted by the first receiver based upon the received first signal. The first receiver further includes a beam steerer in communication with the combiner, wherein the beam steerer is configured to steer an antenna beam of the at least one antenna element in order to minimize reflection of the second signal, such that the second polarization of the second signal remains different than the first polarization of the first signal.

Abstract: A system for receiving a satellite digital radio signal, the system comprising: a repeater having a unibody housing and an antenna disposed within the housing, the antenna being configured for receiving the satellite digital radio signal; a repeater circuit for receiving the satellite digital radio signal of the antenna, the repeater circuit being configured to condition and re-transmit the satellite digital radio signal as a first signal containing audio data capable of being transmitted through electrical wiring; a satellite digital radio signal receiver having a receiver circuit being configured to receive the first signal; and wherein the receiver circuit receives the first signal from a power cable of the satellite digital radio signal receiver.

Abstract: A receiver system and method for receiving signals are provided, wherein the system includes a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive a transmitted signal. A receiver device is in communication with the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the receiver device is configured to emit an output based upon the received signal, and communicate a control signal that corresponds to a determined signal quality of the received signal. A switch device is adapted to switch among the plurality of antenna elements to electrically connect a selected antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements to the receiver device. A controller is in communication with the receiver device, such that the controller receives the control signal, wherein the controller commands the switch device to directly switch to any of the antenna elements to electrically connect one of the plurality of antenna elements to the receiver device based upon the control signal.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an externally-located vehicular mirror housing and an antenna assembly. The externally-located vehicular mirror housing includes a cable exit passage. The antenna assembly includes at least one antenna element mounted on a circuit board. The antenna assembly is located within the externally-located vehicular mirror housing. The cable exit passage passes an antenna cable extending from the circuit board and into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: An antenna having a plurality of elongated conductors is disclosed. The elongated conductors have a substantially straight portion and a substantially helical portion.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving and processing digital satellite radio signals includes multiple antenna modules for receiving digital satellite radio signals, multiple processing circuits for converting digital satellite radio signals to low-IF or 0-IF signals, diversity circuitry for selecting from among multiple low-IF or 0-IF signals, and additional processing circuitry for extracting audio and/or data from the selected signals. The system also includes automatic and manual switches for selecting from among multiple antennas, and for reducing power consumption of antenna and processing circuitry.

Abstract: An integrated patch antenna is disclosed. The integrated patch antenna receives at least a first and second band of signals. The integrated patch antenna includes a bottom metallization and first and second upper metallizations disposed about a dielectric material to receive the first and second signal bands. The first and second signal bands may be, for example, a satellite digital audio radio systems (SDARS) band and a global positioning system (GPS) band.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an externally-located vehicular mirror housing and an antenna assembly. The externally-located vehicular mirror housing includes a cable exit passage. The antenna assembly includes at least one antenna element mounted on a circuit board. The antenna assembly is located within the externally-located vehicular mirror housing. The cable exit passage passes an antenna cable extending from the circuit board and into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: An antenna having a plurality of elongated conductors is disclosed. The elongated conductors have a substantially straight portion and a substantially helical portion.

Abstract: An antenna module incorporates a microstrip patch antenna and a mast antenna in an at least substantially concentric arrangement for communicating signals in multiple communication bands. The output signals from the microstrip patch antenna and the mast antenna are output via a single RF cable. The antenna module can be used to communicate signals in multiple communication bands, including both satellite and terrestrial communications. The antenna module conserves space, while avoiding unacceptable distortion of radiation patterns for satellite services. In addition, the mast antenna can be implemented using a thinner, more flexible construction than certain conventional solutions. Further, providing the outputs from the antennas via a single RF cable may facilitate collocating tuners for multiple communication services, resulting in considerable size and cost savings by using a single set of RF cables and connectors.

Abstract: An antenna unit is disclosed. The antenna unit includes a patch antenna element with a dielectric substrate positioned on a circuit board. A parasitically enhanced perimeter extends from the circuit board and encompasses the patch antenna to utilize surface waves in order to enhance low-elevation terrestrial antenna performance.