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 automatic data collection system tracks medical articles by providing a robust electromagnetic (EM) field within an enclosure in which the articles are stored. Respective data carriers, such as RFID tags, attached to each medical article respond to the EM field by transmitting unique data identified with each medical article. The use of probes for injecting the EM field into the enclosure results in a greater likelihood of activation of the tags and greater accuracy in detecting and tracking medical articles.

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: 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 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: 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 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 has an RFID tag. The enclosure having a size smaller than 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: 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.

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 wideband array capable of MIMO operation and possessing low Passive Intermodulation (PIM) characteristics is described for use in Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and other applications which require low PIM levels. The antenna can be configured to provide a narrow radiated beamwidth across multiple frequency bands and can support high power levels. A novel antenna design is implemented to populate the array configuration, wherein both fed and counterpoise elements are isolated from the ground plane to provide low PIM performance, while maintaining constant beamwidth across wide frequency ranges.

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: 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: 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: An automatic data collection system tracks articles by providing a robust electromagnetic (EM) field within an enclosure in which the articles are stored. Respective data carriers, such as RFID tags, attached to each article respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting data identified with each article. An RFID scanner receives the transmitted RFID tag identification data and a processor compares the received identification data to a data base. The data base associates the identification data with data concerning the medical article to which the RFID tag is affixed, such as the name of the medicine, the size of the dose, and the expiration date. The processor is also programmed to keep track of the number of articles of a particular type remaining in the enclosure, to note receipt of an article in the enclosure, and to note removal of the article.

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: One or more input signals are used to generate a Pseudo noise generator and re-inject the signal to obtain a more efficient method of control of a receiver using adaptive antenna array technology. The antenna array automatically adjusts its direction to the optimum using information obtained from the input signal by the receiving antenna elements. The input signals may be stored in memory for retrieval, comparison and then used to optimize reception. The difference between the outputs of the memorized signals and the reference signal is used as an error signal. One or multiple Modal antennas, where the Modal antenna is capable of generating several unique radiation patterns, can implement this optimization technique in a MIMO configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an antenna with proximity sensor function. The antenna and proximity sensors can be implemented in a laptop computer, and proximity sensor loading states are surveyed and used to determine when and to what degree to alter the reactance at the junction of or along the parasitic element to optimize the frequency response and/or the impedance properties of the antenna system. An algorithm or look-up table is configured to relate proximity sensor loading states to reactance required to alter antenna characteristics.

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 two antenna assembly for use in MIMO systems is described where wide beamwidth performance is achieved over wide frequency ranges while maintaining high isolation and low envelope correlation between the antenna elements in a low profile, small form factor. This MIMO antenna system is optimal for use in DAS systems for in-building applications where a MIMO antenna system is required and a low profile is desirable for ceiling and wall mount applications. The antenna assembly is designed to maintain low Passive Intermodulation (PIM) characteristics across multiple cellular frequency bands. Each antenna in the pair of elements is configured to cover multiple cellular frequency bands to provide a single port per antenna for use with multiple transceivers. A single conductor radiator design for the antenna elements simplifies manufacturing of the antenna. A tuned parasitic element is positioned between the antenna elements to enhance isolation at specific portions of the frequency range.

Abstract: An automatic data collection system tracks articles by providing a robust electromagnetic (EM) field within an enclosure in which the articles are stored. Respective data carriers, such as RFID tags, attached to each article respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting data identified with each article. An RFID scanner receives the transmitted RFID tag identification data and a processor compares the received identification data to a data base. The data base associates the identification data with data concerning the medical article to which the RFID tag is affixed, such as the name of the medicine, the size of the dose, and the expiration date. The processor is also programmed to keep track of the number of articles of a particular type remaining in the enclosure, to note receipt of an article in the enclosure, and to note removal of the article.