Abstract: Broadband antennas and handheld electronic devices with broadband antennas are provided. A handheld electronic device may have a housing in which electrical components such as integrated circuits and a broadband antenna are mounted. The broadband antenna may have a ground element and a resonating element. The resonating element may have two arms of unequal length and may have a self-resonant element. The antenna may have a feed terminal connected to the self-resonant element and a ground terminal connected to the ground element. The self-resonant element may be near-field coupled to one of the arms of the resonating element. With one suitable arrangement, the self-resonant element may be formed using a conductive rectangular element that is not electrically shorted to the ground element or the arms of the resonating element. The antenna may operate over first and second frequency ranges of interest.

Abstract: An enclosure for a wireless device is described which may be used as the device's antenna. In one embodiment, the enclosure is comprised of two charged front and back conducting plates which propagate an electric field used to transmit and receive vertically polarized omnidirectional electromagnetic signals from a first orientation. In addition, the size of the plates are selected to propagate a second electric field which is used to transmit and receive vertically polarized electromagnetic signals in a second orientation, where, in one embodiment, the second orientation is orthogonal to the first orientation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna has two annular conductive elements separated by a slot, and a third conductive element connecting the annular conductive elements together at at least one end of the slot. In another embodiment, an antenna has two generally parallel conductive elements of different heights separated by a slot, and a third conductive element connecting the conductive members together at at least one end of the slot.

Abstract: A integrated position determination network including a position determination system and a radio relay system is disclosed which locates the precise location of the position determination system. The position determination system incorporates the radio, the power source and the GPS receiver and all necessary electronics into a single housing. Similarly, all of the components of the radio relay are integrated into a single housing. Many of the components of the position determination system and the radio relay system are interchangeable. Thus, a position determination system and radio relay system which use common components is obtained. The use of common components lowers the cost of manufacture and the cost of maintenance. In addition, interchange ability of components allows for great flexibility in designing a GPS network and in performing real time kinematics operations.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the minimum number of radiating elements required to achieve desired operating characteristics for a circular array of radiating elements. In one embodiment, the present invention determines the number of radiating elements required to space the radiating elements about the periphery of a circle such that a circular array of radiating elements is generated. The radiating elements are spaced apart from each other by a distance which is related to the wavelength of radiation at which the radiating elements operate. The present invention evaluates the maximum and minimum electric field strength generated by the circular array of radiating elements. By comparing the maximum field strength to the minimum field strength, the present invention measures the maximum ripple generated by the circular array of radiating elements. The maximum ripple generated by the circular array of radiating elements is then compared with a predetermined acceptable ripple level.

Abstract: An antenna for radiating toroidally is disclosed. The antenna may be fabricated to conform with any size of system. The antenna may be placed around an electronics package or a structure to radiate toroidally around the electronics package or structure. The antenna is formed of a strip of copper which includes a number of slots. The slots are disposed longitudinally within the strip of copper such that, upon the application of power to the copper strip, the antenna radiates toroidally. A method for making an antenna that conforms to the size and shape of a particular system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite insulator with a silicone rubber sheath coating the insulator rod between metal fittings. Adjacent the line fitting, at least, a series of weathersheds are mounted on the rod and fastened to the sheath with their hubs in abutting relationship and with one hub abutting the line fitting. Another series of sheds are spaced from each other and from the series of weathersheds having their hubs in abutting relationship.

Abstract: An antenna for broadcasting omnidirectionally is disclosed. The antenna includes a cylindrical housing which has a lip which includes slots adapted to receive a patch antenna strip and a conductive ring. A GPS receiver and electronics package may be placed in the center of the housing. The patch antenna strip which includes a number of patch antennas broadcasts and receives radio signals. The conductive ring absorbs energy broadcast from the patch antennas and rebroadcasts the signal omnidirectionally. The resulting signal has a high gain and a wide bandwidth. A third embodiment in which the conductive ring is incorporated into a housing cover is also disclosed. The antenna is easily and inexpensively assembled and is more durable and reliable than prior art antennas.

Abstract: A novel high voltage power cable terminator of the type having a rigid insulating housing made of an inorganic material is provided which employs a pre-stretched elastomeric stress relief tube mounted on a removable core prior to installation to facilitate installation of the terminator upon a prepared end of a high voltage cable. The removable core is a generally cylindrical, helically grooved tubular structure. The stress relief tube is supported coaxially in a stretched condition upon the exterior of the core prior to installation. To install the stress relief tube on the cable, the prepared end portion of the cable is positioned within the hollow interior of the core, and the core is then removed to allow the elastomeric stress relief tube to contract and grip the peripheral surface of the portion of the cable where stress relief is desired.