Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to a multimode antenna structure for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a communications device. The communications device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure. The antenna structure is configured for optimal operation in a given frequency range. The antenna structure includes a plurality of antenna ports operatively coupled to the circuitry, and a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports. Each of the plurality of antenna elements is configured to have an electrical length selected to provide optimal operation within the given frequency range. The antenna structure also includes one or more connecting elements electrically connecting the antenna elements such that electrical currents on one antenna element flow to a connected neighboring antenna element and generally bypass the antenna port coupled to the neighboring antenna element.

Abstract: A modular communications apparatus. The apparatus comprises a dielectric substrate, a radiating structure disposed on a surface of the substrate, and an electronics module disposed within the dielectric substrate. The electronics module comprises a power amplifier and signal receiving components. The apparatus further comprises fixed length transmission lines connecting the radiating structure and the electronics module, a length of each transmission line selected to present a desired impedance at an input and an output terminal of each transmission line without requiring separate impedance matching elements.

Abstract: A communications apparatus comprising a first antenna, a first serial configuration of a first power amplifier and a first matching network, a second serial configuration of a second power amplifier and a second matching network, a switching element for switchably selecting the first or the second serial configuration for supplying a signal to the first antenna, the first and the second power amplifiers supplying a respective first signal of a first power and a second signal of a second power different than the first power to the first antenna for transmitting and the first and the second matching networks presenting respective first and second impedances to the respective first and second power amplifiers, the first and the second impedances responsive respectively to a power-related parameter of the first and the second signals.

Abstract: An antenna system is provided in a portable electronics device having a printed circuit board assembly. The antenna system includes a first antenna and a second balanced antenna provided on the printed circuit board assembly. The first antenna is fed from a portion of the printed circuit board assembly such that a ground plane of the printed circuit board assembly serves as a counterpoise for the first antenna. The second balanced antenna has dipole ends configured and oriented to generally minimize coupling to the ground plane of the printed circuit board assembly to increase isolation between the first antenna and the second balanced antenna.

Abstract: A scanner system. The system includes a mirror assembly having multiple reflective surfaces arranged to form one polygonal shape about an axis. A plurality of the multiple surfaces are each positionable to reflect radiation propagating from the source at a reflective angle and a position on the reflective surface to direct the radiation along a transmit path. When one reflective surface is so positioned, another surface is positioned to receive and reflect radiation along a detector signal path for processing. According to a related method for acquiring image data a mirror assembly is provided with multiple reflective surfaces sequentially arranged to form a polygonal shape about an axis. A beam of radiation is reflected from a first of the reflective surfaces and along a path in a first direction to a target region and a return signal propagates along the path in a second direction away from the target region.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to a multimode antenna structure for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a communications device. The communications device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure. The antenna structure is configured for optimal operation in a given frequency range. The antenna structure includes a plurality of antenna ports operatively coupled to the circuitry, and a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports. Each of the plurality of antenna elements is configured to have an electrical length selected to provide optimal operation within the given frequency range. The antenna structure also includes one or more connecting elements electrically connecting the antenna elements such that electrical currents on one antenna element flow to a connected neighboring antenna element and generally bypass the antenna port coupled to the neighboring antenna element.

Abstract: An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A system and method are described in which space-time coding techniques are used to transmit and receive multiple data streams within a near vertical incidence skywave (“NVIS”) communication system. Within the NVIS communication system, multiple independent data streams may be transmitted from a transmitting station at a high radiation angle, approaching or reaching 90 degrees. The data streams are reflected off of the ionosphere of the earth and received by one or more receiving stations. In one embodiment, the space-time coding techniques are multiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) signal communication techniques.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing near-field radiation and specific absorption rate (SAR) values in a communications device. The communications device includes a multimode antenna structure transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals and circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure.

Abstract: A communications device for receiving a propagating electromagnetic signal representing an information signal. The communications device comprises a first and a second radiator each comprising a plurality of structural elements; a controller for configuring one or more of the structural elements of the first radiator to produce first operating characteristics of the first radiator, the first radiator producing a first received signal responsive to the first operating characteristics; the controller for configuring one or more of the structural elements of the second radiator to produce second operating characteristics of the second radiator different than the first operating characteristics, the second radiator producing a second received signal responsive to the second operating characteristics and a signal processor responsive to at least one of the first and the second received signals for determining the information signal.

Abstract: An antenna for a communications device having configurable elements controlled to modify an antenna impedance and/or an antenna resonant frequency to improve performance of the communications device. The antenna impedance is controlled to substantially match to an output impedance of a power amplifier that supplies the antenna with a signal for transmission. The antenna resonant frequency is controlled to overcome the effects of various operating conditions that can detune the antenna or in response to an operable frequency band.

Abstract: A communications device for sending and receiving an information signal. The communications device comprising an element having an opening defined therein for receiving an antenna, the element comprising first conductive material disposed proximate the opening and comprising transmitting and receiving circuits. The antenna comprises: a dielectric tubular member, second conductive material forming an exterior surface of the tubular member with the second conductive material defining a slot therein, a slot length approximately equal to one-half of a guided wavelength and a feed connected to the transmitting and receiving circuits and disposed proximate the slot for establishing currents in the second conductive material.

Abstract: A multimode antenna structure is provided for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a communications device. The communications device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure. The antenna structure includes a plurality of antenna ports operatively coupled to the circuitry and a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to a multimode antenna structure for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a communications device. The communications device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure. The antenna structure is configured for optimal operation in a given frequency range. The antenna structure includes a plurality of antenna ports operatively coupled to the circuitry, and a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports. Each of the plurality of antenna elements is configured to have an electrical length selected to provide optimal operation within the given frequency range. The antenna structure also includes one or more connecting elements electrically connecting the antenna elements such that electrical currents on one antenna element flow to a connected neighboring antenna element and generally bypass the antenna port coupled to the neighboring antenna element.

Abstract: An antenna system operative with a communications device for receiving a radio frequency signal, wherein the communications device produces a first control signal representing a frequency of a received signal. The antenna system comprises an antenna structure for receiving the radio frequency signal, the antenna structure comprising tunable elements for controlling a resonant frequency of the antenna structure; a decoder responsive to the first control signal for producing a second control signal and a switch matrix responsive to the second control signal for configuring one or more of the tunable elements to control the resonant frequency responsive to the frequency of the received signal.

Abstract: An antenna for a communications device having configurable elements controlled to modify an antenna impedance and/or an antenna resonant frequency to improve performance of the communications device. The antenna impedance is controlled to substantially match to an output impedance of a power amplifier that supplies the antenna with a signal for transmission. The antenna resonant frequency is controlled to overcome the effects of various operating conditions that can detune the antenna or in response to an operable frequency band.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an antenna providing a tunable resonant frequency within a low frequency band and further providing a high resonant frequency, the antenna comprises a first radiating structure of a first effective electrical length, a second radiating structure of a second effective electrical length having a fractional integer relationship to a wavelength related to the high resonant frequency and a variable reactance element connecting the first and the second radiating structures, wherein varying a reactance of the variable reactance element tunes the antenna within the low frequency band.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to a multimode antenna structure for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a communications device. The communications device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure. The antenna structure is configured for optimal operation in a given frequency range. The antenna structure includes a plurality of antenna ports operatively coupled to the circuitry, and a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports. Each of the plurality of antenna elements is configured to have an electrical length selected to provide optimal operation within the given frequency range. The antenna structure also includes one or more connecting elements electrically connecting the antenna elements such that electrical currents on one antenna element flow to a connected neighboring antenna element and generally bypass the antenna port coupled to the neighboring antenna element.

Abstract: A multimode antenna structure is provided for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a communications device. The communications device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure. The antenna structure includes a plurality of antenna ports operatively coupled to the circuitry and a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports.

Abstract: A wide band antenna. The antenna comprises a radiating element in a corner region of a substrate, spaced apart from a ground plane occupying a substantial portion of a remaining area of the substrate. Series and shunt impedance matching elements are connected to the radiating element to control the antenna operating parameters. The radiating element is connected to a signal feed.