Abstract: A system for amplifying GPS and satellite digital radio signals is provided. The system includes a GPS antenna configured to receive signals transmitted by a GPS satellite, and a satellite digital radio antenna configured to receive satellite digital radio signals. The system also includes an amplifier that is electrically coupled to the GPS antenna and satellite antenna. The amplifier is configured to amplify GPS and satellite digital radio signals received by the satellite digital radio antenna and GPS antenna. A method for amplifying GPS and satellite digital radio signals is also provided.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a dual band vertical loop wire antenna extending from a printed circuit board positioned over a ground plane, wherein the wire antenna includes: at least one coiled section, at least one straight wire section, and at least one feeding post section.

Abstract: An antenna system for a vehicle including a front windshield glass and a rear windshield is disclosed. The antenna system comprises an antenna unit including a radiating element electromagnetically coupled to an excitation element. The radiating element is coupled to the front windshield glass, and the excitation element is positioned on a passenger compartment interior surface of the front windshield glass. The antenna system also comprises a high-gain antenna unit including first radiating elements, a second radiating element, a 90-degree phase shift circuit, and a low noise amplifier that is coupled to the phase shift circuit. The first radiating elements receive signals through the rear windshield glass. The antenna unit and the high-gain antenna unit may function in a diversity antenna configuration.

Abstract: An automotive tire pressure monitor with diversity antenna system employs a RF transmitter within each wheel/tire assembly and a vehicle mounted receiver with multiple receiving antennas. A first, primary antenna is located adjacent one vehicle window and a secondary antenna is located adjacent another vehicle window opposite the primary antenna. Both antennas are coupled to a receiver via a switch. The receiver feeds a processor, which is encoded to select the optimal antenna/receiver configuration based upon absolute signal strength (signal to noise), signal quality (completeness of encoded data) or signal reception rate. The signal received from the optimized antenna/receiver configuration is processed and transmitted to the host vehicle for system intervention and or display to an operator.

Abstract: A system for receiving a satellite digital radio signal, the system comprising: a repeater having a unibody housing and an antenna disposed within the housing, the antenna being configured for receiving the satellite digital radio signal; a repeater circuit for receiving the satellite digital radio signal of the antenna, the repeater circuit being configured to condition and re-transmit the satellite digital radio signal as a first signal containing audio data capable of being transmitted through electrical wiring; a satellite digital radio signal receiver having a receiver circuit being configured to receive the first signal; and wherein the receiver circuit receives the first signal from a power cable of the satellite digital radio signal receiver.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an externally-located vehicular mirror housing and an antenna assembly. The externally-located vehicular mirror housing includes a cable exit passage. The antenna assembly includes at least one antenna element mounted on a circuit board. The antenna assembly is located within the externally-located vehicular mirror housing. The cable exit passage passes an antenna cable extending from the circuit board and into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A system for amplifying GPS and satellite digital radio signals is provided. The system includes a GPS antenna configured to receive signals transmitted by a GPS satellite, and a satellite digital radio antenna configured to receive satellite digital radio signals. The system also includes an amplifier that is electrically coupled to the GPS antenna and satellite antenna. The amplifier is configured to amplify GPS and satellite digital radio signals received by the satellite digital radio antenna and GPS antenna. A method for amplifying GPS and satellite digital radio signals is also provided.

Abstract: An antenna having a plurality of elongated conductors is disclosed. The elongated conductors have a substantially straight portion and a substantially helical portion.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an externally-located vehicular mirror housing and an antenna assembly. The externally-located vehicular mirror housing includes a cable exit passage. The antenna assembly includes at least one antenna element mounted on a circuit board. The antenna assembly is located within the externally-located vehicular mirror housing. The cable exit passage passes an antenna cable extending from the circuit board and into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: An antenna structure and assembly is disclosed. The antenna structure includes a case that provides a capacitive coupling between a ground plane and a circuit board assembly that includes a low noise amplifier and satellite antenna. The case includes a metal impregnated thermoplastic resin. The ground plane may include at least one resilient fastener receiving portion that permits passage and frictional retention of at least one integrated fastening portion extending from the case. The antenna structure includes a cover portion placed over and ultrasonically welded to the case for encapsulating the circuit board assembly. A method for manufacturing the antenna structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated patch antenna is disclosed. The integrated patch antenna receives at least a first and second band of signals. The integrated patch antenna includes a bottom metallization and first and second upper metallizations disposed about a dielectric material to receive the first and second signal bands. The first and second signal bands may be, for example, a satellite digital audio radio systems (SDARS) band and a global positioning system (GPS) band.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an externally-located vehicular mirror housing and an antenna assembly. The externally-located vehicular mirror housing includes a cable exit passage. The antenna assembly includes at least one antenna element mounted on a circuit board. The antenna assembly is located within the externally-located vehicular mirror housing. The cable exit passage passes an antenna cable extending from the circuit board and into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: An antenna system for a vehicle including a rear windshield is disclosed. The antenna system comprises a global positioning system (GPS) antenna unit including a radiating element electromagnetically coupled to an excitation element about the rear windshield glass.

Abstract: An antenna having a plurality of elongated conductors is disclosed. The elongated conductors have a substantially straight portion and a substantially helical portion.

Abstract: A hidden antenna system is disclosed. The hidden antenna system includes an external vehicle component, such as, an article carrier. The article carrier includes a removable portion attached to a fixed portion that defines a cavity. An antenna element is housed within the cavity in the article carrier. According to an embodiment, an end cap structure that elevates and supports a side rail over a vehicle roof includes the removeable portion and fixed portion. According to an embodiment, the article carrier includes a first and second cavity that houses a first and second antenna element, respectively, within the first and second cavities, such that the at least two antennta elements operate in a diversity application.

Abstract: An antenna unit is disclosed. The antenna unit includes a wire antenna element and a patch antenna element. The wire antenna element creates a null at low-elevation angles to provide directional antenna patterns in azimuth planes. Nulls of the terrestrial signal pattern are directed toward the passenger compartment of a vehicle to create a larger spatial region for reception of terrestrial signals.

Abstract: An antenna structure and assembly is disclosed. The antenna structure includes a case that provides a capacitive coupling between a ground plane and a circuit board assembly that includes a low noise amplifier and satellite antenna. The case includes a metal impregnated thermoplastic resin. The ground plane may include at least one resilient fastener receiving portion that permits passage and frictional retention of at least one integrated fastening portion extending from the case. The antenna structure includes a cover portion placed over and ultrasonically welded to the case for encapsulating the circuit board assembly. A method for manufacturing the antenna structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna module incorporates a microstrip patch antenna and a mast antenna in an at least substantially concentric arrangement for communicating signals in multiple communication bands. The output signals from the microstrip patch antenna and the mast antenna are output via a single RF cable. The antenna module can be used to communicate signals in multiple communication bands, including both satellite and terrestrial communications. The antenna module conserves space, while avoiding unacceptable distortion of radiation patterns for satellite services. In addition, the mast antenna can be implemented using a thinner, more flexible construction than certain conventional solutions. Further, providing the outputs from the antennas via a single RF cable may facilitate collocating tuners for multiple communication services, resulting in considerable size and cost savings by using a single set of RF cables and connectors.

Abstract: An antenna having a plurality of elongated conductors is disclosed. The elongated conductors have a substantially straight portion and a substantially helical portion.

Abstract: An automotive tire pressure monitor with diversity antenna system employs a RF transmitter within each wheel/tire assembly and a vehicle mounted receiver with multiple receiving antennas. A first, primary antenna is located adjacent one vehicle window and a secondary antenna is located adjacent another vehicle window opposite the primary antenna. Both antennas are coupled to a receiver via a switch. The receiver feeds a processor, which is encoded to select the optimal antenna/receiver configuration based upon absolute signal strength (signal to noise), signal quality (completeness of encoded data) or signal reception rate. The signal received from the optimized antenna/receiver configuration is processed and transmitted to the host vehicle for system intervention and or display to an operator.