Abstract: An active antenna for UHF/VHF signal receiving is described, the active antenna being capable of configuration in one of a plurality of possible modes. The active antenna includes an antenna element configured for multiple resonances in the UHF/VHF bands, and capable of generating multiple radiation modes as well as active impedance matching using a microprocessor and multi-port switch having variable or multiple selectable modes. The active antenna may include a second antenna element arranged in a right-angle orientation with respect to the first antenna element. The first antenna element, second antenna element, or a combination may be selected for receiving signals in at a desired frequency. A three-dimensional antenna assembly is also described. Each of the examples illustrate an active beam steering antenna capable of UHF/VHF signal receiving.

Abstract: A system is described for distributing over the air (OTA) channels within buildings and homes. The system can implement one or more active multi-mode antennas for improved performance and reliability. The system can be configured as a mesh network where multiple nodes are distributed to improve the probability of channel capture across the VHF and UHF frequencies used for over the air TV distribution. A node consists of a beam steering antenna that operates at the VHF and UHF frequencies for TV signal reception, a receiver and demodulation circuit, a transcoder to convert the received information for re-distribution, and a transceiver capable of operation at a secondary frequency band for use in re-distributing the information to communication devices in proximity of the node.

Abstract: A communication system for an altitude changing object is provided. The communication system can include an antenna system having one or more antennas. The one or more antennas can be associated with a single fixed radiation pattern. The communication system can include one or more processors configured to execute a control routine to perform operations. The operations can include obtaining data indicative of one or more communication parameters associated with the altitude changing object. The operations can include determining a transmit power for each of the one or more antennas based at least in part on the one or more communication parameters. The operations can include controlling the antenna system based at least in part on the transmit power to communicate with a node in the communication network.

Abstract: A system is described where antenna beam steering techniques are implemented to optimize time and frequency channel resources in wireless communication systems where repeaters are used. Beam steering modes of the antenna systems in the repeaters as well as the nodes are optimized to improve system capacity and load balancing. Client devices in a wireless LAN system can be configured to work as repeaters, with the repeaters containing a beam steering capability. The beam steering capability can be implemented in one or multiple nodes and repeaters in the communication system.

Abstract: An RFIC with memory is described where the memory can be used to house a look-up table for tuning components designed into the RFIC, providing a customized tuning circuit for antenna and transceiver front-end tuning applications. The look-up table can be loaded at wafer level during the manufacturing process to customize an RFIC design for a specific antenna system. The memory can be used to restrict or tailor the tuning range of tunable capacitors and switches within the RFIC to optimize performance in the end application. The resident memory will improve signaling latency when tuning for time critical applications such as channel tuning in a cellular communication system.

Abstract: An antenna comprising an IMD element and one or more parasitic and active tuning elements is disclosed. The IMD element, when used in combination with the active tuning and parasitic elements, allows antenna operation at multiple resonant frequencies. In addition, the direction of antenna radiation pattern may be arbitrarily rotated in accordance with the parasitic and active tuning elements. Unique antenna architectures for beam steering in Wi-Fi band applications is further described.

Abstract: A system for location finding of devices and personnel for in-building applications is described. A group of sensors are distributed throughout a region or building of interest where each sensor contains an RF transceiver and an antenna system, with the antenna system capable of generating multiple radiation patterns or modes. The assets to be tracked by the sensors can have RF transceivers associated with each asset, and these transceivers can have antenna systems capable of generating multiple radiation patterns or modes. A system controller containing a processor is integrated into the system and is used to control the sensors and assets.

Abstract: An inventory management system for wirelessly taking inventories of medical trays comprises an easily assemblable and disassemblable enclosure comprising interconnected electrically conductive walls to form a Faraday cage. The interior space defined by the walls is large enough to accept the trays. RFID readers are placed within the enclosure directed at the tray to excite and read the RFID tags disposed on the medical articles within the tray. The walls of the enclosure are flexible and one of the walls is rolled up and down to act as an opening to the interior space. A host computer stores the inventory of the tray and compares it against a previous inventory existence for resupply purposes. The host computer also detects expired and recalled medical articles in the tray. If a recalled article is detected, the host computer determines if a substitute article exists.

Abstract: An active antenna for UHF/VHF signal receiving is described, the active antenna being capable of configuration in one of a plurality of possible modes. The active antenna includes an antenna element configured for multiple resonances in the UHF/VHF bands, and capable of generating multiple radiation modes as well as active impedance matching using a microprocessor and multi-port switch having variable or multiple selectable modes. The active antenna may include a second antenna element arranged in a right-angle orientation with respect to the first antenna element. The first antenna element, second antenna element, or a combination may be selected for receiving signals in at a desired frequency. A three-dimensional antenna assembly is also described. Each of the examples illustrate an active beam steering antenna capable of UHF/VHF signal receiving.

Abstract: A modal antenna array is described where modal antenna elements capable of generating multiple radiation modes are used to form array radiation patterns. Nulls in the array radiation pattern can be formed and positioned by proper modal antenna element mode selection, with these nulls used to provide interference suppression or mitigation. The shift in array radiation pattern maxima generated by modal element mode selection can be used to improve communication system link quality by optimizing array radiation pattern characteristics. Specifically, a ring or circular array configuration is described where a simplified common feed port can be implemented to feed multiple modal antenna elements used to form the array. A switch can be used to connect or disconnect one modal element from the array, with this feature providing additional unique array beam states. The modal array can be commanded via a look-up table or algorithm.

Abstract: A load balancing method for cellular communication systems and communication systems in general is described where beam steering antenna systems on the client or user side of the communication link are used to optimize load balancing among the base stations or nodes. A system controller containing an algorithm is implemented to control the radiation modes from the client or user devices to assign the client or user devices to the various base stations or nodes and to dynamically vary the network load across the cellular or communication system.

Abstract: A system is described where antenna beam steering techniques are implemented to optimize time and frequency channel resources in wireless communication systems where repeaters are used. Beam steering modes of the antenna systems in the repeaters as well as the nodes are optimized to improve system capacity and load balancing. Client devices in a wireless LAN system can be configured to work as repeaters, with the repeaters containing a beam steering capability. The beam steering capability can be implemented in one or multiple nodes and repeaters in the communication system.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the inventory of a medical storage container such as a tray that has a required inventory of medical articles. An enclosure is used to isolate, scan, and take an inventory of the tray or other container of medical articles. The tray and each of the medical articles in the tray have RFID tags. The enclosure having a size differing from the size needed for a resonant frequency at the RFID frequency of operation of the tags. A probe is used to create a robust electromagnetic field standing wave of constructive interference in the enclosure and a program compares the scanned present inventory of the tray to the required inventory database and indicates any differences. Expired and recalled articles and substitutes for recalled articles are identified.

Abstract: A beam steering antenna system for external antenna configurations for fixed and mobile communication devices is described where one or multiple beam steering antennas are integrated into a single external enclosure and where multiple enclosures containing beam steering antennas are used with a single communication device. Where multiple external enclosures are used with a single communication system such as a WLAN access point the beam steering antenna system provides an electrical means of optimizing antenna system and communication link performance as compared to mechanical means such as antenna enclosure positioning or orientation. Radiation mode selection for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz antennas integrated into an external enclosure on a WLAN access point allows for independent optimization of the antenna systems for the two frequency bands without requiring antenna movement or positioning.

Abstract: An antenna system is described where uniform radiation pattern coverage is provided in the plane of a low profile antenna element. A polarization that is orthogonal to the plane of the low profile antenna element can be achieved for the radiated field. Tuning mechanisms are described to provide a method for dynamically altering the radiation pattern and for adjusting the frequency response of the antenna during the manufacturing process as well as at field installation. The antenna system is capable of being implemented in applications such as local area network (LAN), cellular communication network, and machine to machine (M2M).

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an antenna subsystem that can be used in various repeater systems to optimize gain of the repeater by increasing isolation between donor and server antennas, wherein at least one of the donor and server antennas is an active multi-mode antenna.

Abstract: An inventory system for wirelessly taking inventories of mobile medical dispensing carts comprises an easily assemblable and disassemblable enclosure comprising interconnected electrically conductive walls to form a Faraday cage. The interior space defined by the walls is large enough to accept the mobile carts. RFID readers are placed within the enclosure directed at the mobile cart to excite and read the RFID tags disposed on the medical articles within the cart. The walls of the enclosure are flexible and one of the walls is rolled up and down to act as a door to the interior space. A host computer stores the inventory of the cart and compares it against a previous inventory existence for resupply purposes. The host computer also detects expired and recalled medical articles in the cart. If a recalled article is detected, the host computer determines if a substitute article exists.

Abstract: A Modal antenna system, control system, and algorithm is described which provides for improved connectivity in a communication system where statistics of previous antenna modes or beam positions for a mobile device operating in conjunction with specific base stations, access points, or other communication terminals are used to make intelligent decisions for current antenna beam state for optimal connectivity. A modal antenna is implemented to provide a variable radiation pattern for improved connectivity and an algorithm is provided that controls current beam position as the mobile device moves through a communication network.

Abstract: A system is described where antenna beam steering techniques are implemented to optimize time and frequency channel resources in wireless communication systems where repeaters are used. Beam steering modes of the antenna systems in the repeaters as well as the nodes are optimized to improve system capacity and load balancing. Client devices in a wireless LAN system can be configured to work as repeaters, with the repeaters containing a beam steering capability. The beam steering capability can be implemented in one or multiple nodes and repeaters in the communication system.

Abstract: An antenna system is integrated into a cover or accessory and adapted to couple to an antenna in a host device to improve transmission and reception of signals. The antenna system can be passive or active, with the active antenna system designed to amplify coupled signals on the integrated antenna elements in the cover or accessory. Single or multiple frequency bands can be improved with the integrated antenna system, and multiple antennas in the host device can be coupled to and improved. The antenna system can couple to the existing antennas in the host device by capacitive coupling, i.e. no physical contact required, or a connector can be designed into the cover or accessory containing the integrated antenna system that makes contact to electrical ground of the host device or power supply signals or other control signals.