Abstract: A microwave antenna element comprising a ground plane printed on an insulating substrate and an antenna plate having at least one antenna outlet. The ground plane and the antenna plate are separated by a dielectric, wherein the dielectric separating the plate from the ground plane is air. The antenna plate is constituted by a conductive plate of a shape adapted to the polarization of the transmission microwave vector. The antenna plate has at least two legs formed by stamping and folding which serve to support the plate on the substrate. Each leg passes through a respective orifice in the substrate, at least one of the legs serves not only for support purposes, but also constitutes an antenna outlet. There is a gap in the ground plane surrounding the orifice via which each leg of the antenna outlet passes through the substrate.

Abstract: A payment system for transport vehicles includes a transmitter within each vehicle enclosure for transmitting information within the vehicle enclosure indicating a fare to be charged between successive vehicle stops as well as the location of the next vehicle stop. A ticket for each user includes a data processing unit, including a memory, and transceiver circuitry. Transceiver circuitry on the vehicle at a passenger boarding point interrogates the ticket to ensure a credit balance while also causing the ticket to store the location of the point of entry. Between successive stops, the transmitter equipment within the vehicle enclosure transmits signals indicating the fare to be charged for travel between successive stops, as well as the location of the next vehicle stop. The data processing unit on the ticket stores the location of the next vehicle stop while also decrementing the credit balance maintained in memory.