Abstract: A broadcast radio frequency receiver includes an improved seek circuit receiving analog radio signals via an antenna according to a signal seek process wherein the frequency of the analog radio signals sequentially changes. In one embodiment, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter converts the magnitudes of the incoming radio signals to digital signal values (DV), and in an alternate embodiment a tuning circuit provides the digital signal values (DV) directly. In either case, a digital control circuit compares the digital signal values (DV) with a digital reference value (DRV), wherein DRV has a value corresponding to an analog signal reference level appropriate for the type of antenna being used. As long as the digital signal values are less than DRV, the seek process continues. Upon detection of a digital signal value in excess of DRV, the seek process is halted and the tuning circuit is allowed to maintain tuning to the current radio signal.

Abstract: A solar-ray antenna that includes a tuning element asymmetrically positioned on the windshield of a vehicle a certain distance from a multi-wire bundle connected to a rear-view mirror of the vehicle. An impedance matching element of the antenna is spaced a certain distance from the vehicle body so as to provide proper impedance matching for the tuning element. The wire bundle extends through a channel that is mounted to an inside surface of the windshield. A grounding connector is positioned relative to the wire bundle and is coupled to ground so that FM signals in the wire bundle are coupled to ground. The grounding connector can be positioned over the wire bundle and attached to the vehicle roof sheet metal. In an alternate embodiment, the grounding connector is an L-shaped conductive frit formed on the windshield, and having a horizontal portion positioned between the glass and the urethane windshield seal and a vertical portion positioned between the channel and the windshield.

Abstract: A window antenna is provided for receiving electromagnetic radio waves from a motor vehicle. The vehicle has a metallic structure that forms an aperture with a window glass disposed within. The window glass has an upper region and a substantially horizontal top edge that interfaces with the metallic structure. The antenna is formed from an electrically conducting material affixed to the window glass. The antenna includes a horizontally elongate principal element that is substantially parallel to and spaced from the upper edge portion of the window. The principal element electrically connects to a connecting element which extends downwardly therefrom. The connecting element electrically connects to an auxiliary element that is spaced below the principal element by an amount sufficient that no significant coupling is formed therewith.

Abstract: A capacitive grounding system for VHF and UHF antennas (50). An outer shield (70) of a coaxial feed cable (52) is capacitively coupled to a vehicle body panel (60) proximate an edge (74) of the body panel (60) adjacent a vehicle window opening. The feed cable (52) is attached to the body panel (60) by tape (66) or glue. The resulting capacitance between the outer shield (70) and the vehicle body panel (60) provides a very low impedance path for RF signals.

Abstract: A vehicle window antenna is a transparent, electrically conducting film disposed between the inner and outer glass sheets of a composite window glass. The antenna has a principal element spaced from the upper edge portion of the window aperture and an impedance matching element extending downward from the principal element to essentially cover the visible area of the window and form a slot transmission line with the remaining edge portion of the window aperture parasitically coupled to the principal element. The large area of the antenna provides a large capacitance producing high gain in a commercial AM band. An essentially transparent planar capacitive coupling member made of an electrically conducting material is affixed on an outer surface of the inner window glass.

Abstract: A vehicle window antenna for receiving radio waves of a predetermined wavelength comprises an electrically conducting entity affixed to the window glass having a horizontally elongate principal element having an effective horizontal length of an odd multiple of one quarter of the predetermined wavelength and an impedance matching element having a length of a multiple of one half the predetermined wavelength, extending along but spaced from the edge of the window so as to form a slot transmission line therewith, and parasitically coupled to the principal element by a connecting element. The impedance matching element is an extended ribbon which may leave most of the viewing area of the window free. Therefore, it uses significantly less of the material from which the antenna itself is made; it may be made of non-transparent as well as transparent material; and it provides great flexibility of design, with a number of different embodiments and variations.

Abstract: A vehicle has a window opening with a window comprising inner and outer glass layers and an interposed layer. The peripheral edge of the inner glass layer is indented in a notch which exposes an area of the outer glass layer, the space vacated by the notch being filled by an insulating member. A sealing strip, which may be electrically conducting, is disposed within the vehicle across the surface of the inner glass layer and the insulating member. An antenna is disposed between the inner and outer glass layers and has a connecting portion extending onto the exposed area of the outer glass layer. A connecting member has a connecting patch affixed to the connecting portion of the antenna within the exposed area and a feed portion extending therefrom between the insulating member and the notch of the peripheral edge of the inner glass layer to the interior of the vehicle without contacting the sealing strip.