Abstract: A method involving providing a phased array antenna system having M antenna element pairs, each antenna element pair including a vertically oriented antenna element and a horizontally oriented antenna element; and with the phased array antenna system, generating n cross-polarized beams Bj, where j=1 . . . n, each cross-polarized beam Bj having either a +45° polarization or a ?45° polarization, wherein generating each cross-polarized beam Bj involves: with the vertically polarized antenna elements of Nj antenna element pairs among the M antenna element pairs, generating a vertically polarized beam BVj; and with the horizontally polarized antenna elements of the Nj antenna element pairs, generating a horizontally polarized beam BHj, wherein the vertically polarized beam BVj and the horizontally polarized beam BHj are identically shaped and directed and wherein a superposition of the beams BVj and BHj produces the cross-polarized beam Bj.

Abstract: A system for reading RFID tags of articles within a cabinet includes a repositionable shelf. The repositionable shelf includes an antenna assembly having three antenna pairs. Each antenna pair has a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna. The antenna pairs are on a PC board. The PC board includes an RJ45 connector which provides both power to the antenna assembly as well as a communication interface for the antenna assembly. The RJ45 connector could be used to provide the RF signals from the antenna to a reader. The system could also include a repositionable divider for placement perpendicular to the repositionable shelf. The repositionable divider also includes a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an antenna structure is provided having one or more antennae arranged so as to read all possible orientations of a randomly placed tag. Also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is a method of configuring one or more antennae composed of the steps of: identifying the “dead zones” of each discrete antennae used, and orienting each antennae such that there are no “dead zones” common to all antennae. The unique antenna structure (and corresponding method) has particular application in tag reader antenna systems for use in RFID (radio frequency identification) applications (13.56 MHz) and the like. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, multiple RF (radio frequency) antennae are utilized as part of an intelligent station to track items tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention, antenna structures having specified geometries (e.g., serpentine, slot, etc.) are provided for incorporating into fixtures such as shelves. Preferred antenna structures of the invention can be used as tag reader antenna systems in RFID (radio frequency identification) applications and the like. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, multiple RF (radio frequency) antennae are utilized as part of an intelligent station to track items comprising radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Abstract: A system for reading RFID tags of articles within a cabinet includes a repositionable shelf. The repositionable shelf includes an antenna assembly having three antenna pairs. Each antenna pair has a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna. The antenna pairs are on a PC board. The PC board includes an RJ45 connector which provides both power to the antenna assembly as well as a communication interface for the antenna assembly. The RJ45 connector could be used to provide the RF signals from the antenna to a reader. The system could also include a repositionable divider for placement perpendicular to the repositionable shelf. The repositionable divider also includes a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna.

Abstract: A system for reading RFID tags of articles within a cabinet includes a repositionable shelf. The repositionable shelf includes an antenna assembly having three antenna pairs. Each antenna pair has a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna. The antenna pairs are on a PC board. The PC board includes an RJ45 connector which provides both power to the antenna assembly as well as a communication interface for the antenna assembly. The RJ45 connector could be used to provide the RF signals from the antenna to a reader. The system could also include a repositionable divider for placement perpendicular to the repositionable shelf. The repositionable divider also includes a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna.

Abstract: An RFID reader system for tracking and locating RFID tags is described, along with an antenna suitable for use in this system, and an antenna configuration apparatus for use in this system. The system offers an antenna configuration that is cost-effective and easily reconfigurable, in which antennas with integral tuning components can be moved or replaced with antennas of a similar or different format. An end user is therefore able to easily reconfigure his or her platform in the field, in order to account for different products or different product orientations. Specific orientations of the reader antennae will furthermore increase system functionality by permitting multiple tag locations on the product.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an antenna structure is provided having one or more antennae arranged so as to read all possible orientations of a randomly placed tag. Also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is a method of configuring one or more antennae composed of the steps of: identifying the “dead zones” of each discrete antennae used, and orienting each antennae such that there are no “dead zones” common to all antennae. The unique antenna structure (and corresponding method) has particular application in tag reader antenna systems for use in RFID (radio frequency identification) applications (13.56 MHz) and the like. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, multiple RF (radio frequency) antennae are utilized as part of an intelligent station to track items tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Abstract: A system for reading RFID tags of articles within a cabinet includes a repositionable shelf. The repositionable shelf includes an antenna assembly having three antenna pairs. Each antenna pair has a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna. The antenna pairs are on a PC board. The PC board includes an RJ45 connector which provides both power to the antenna assembly as well as a communication interface for the antenna assembly. The RJ45 connector could be used to provide the RF signals from the antenna to a reader. The system could also include a repositionable divider for placement perpendicular to the repositionable shelf. The repositionable divider also includes a loop antenna and a figure eight antenna.

Abstract: An RFID reader system for tracking and locating RFID tags is described, along with an antenna suitable for use in this system, and an antenna configuration apparatus for use in this system. The system offers an antenna configuration that is cost-effective and easily reconfigurable, in which antennas with integral tuning components can be moved or replaced with antennas of a similar or different format. An end user is therefore able to easily reconfigure his or her platform in the field, in order to account for different products or different product orientations. Specific orientations of the reader antennae will furthermore increase system functionality by permitting multiple tag locations on the product.

Abstract: A device for conditioning a signal includes a hybrid phase shifter and power divider. The power divider circuit includes a transmission line with an input port and two asymmetrical output ports, a first ground plane, a second ground plane, and a first dielectric region. The variable phase shifter includes the transmission line and a dielectric slab disposed to be variably positioned in the first dielectric region. The position of the dielectric slab in relation to the power divider circuit determines the amount of phase shift in the signal. With the above configuration, the invention requires much less space and reduces the number of parts and cable interconnects.

Abstract: An array of antenna elements including a feed board that includes a power divider network and a balun section. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a horizontally polarized antenna arrangement including a feed board, a plurality of horizontally polarized antenna elements, and a reflector. The antenna elements are a plurality of dipole pairs. The feed board has two faces. The first face includes a power network and a balun section, that feeds power to the plurality of antenna elements, and the second face includes a ground plane. The fact that the feed board includes a balun section allows the antenna elements to be etched on an inexpensive board or, in the alternative, allows the antenna elements to be individual wires or plates. The antenna arrangement also includes two tuning means, line extensions in the power network and tuning stubs etched to the ground layer, which make it easier to tune the antenna.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tapered slot antenna with broadband characteristics whose beamwidth is stable over both the PCS (1850-1990 MHz) and the cellular bands (824-894 MHz). In a first preferred embodiment, a dual band antenna is disclosed which uses a single column elliptically shaped Vivaldi notches as the radiating elements. In a second preferred embodiment, a dual band antenna comprising elliptically shaped Vivaldi notches and sub-reflector positioned between a main reflector and the dipoles is disclosed. This resultant antenna produces a stable, ninety-degree beamwidth with a bandwidth broad enough to cover the PCS and the cellular bands.

Abstract: A radio antenna system having a quadrifilar antenna having four helical arms and a method of feeding the arms. The antenna system comprises a first balun having a feed line and two feed points with 180° phase differential therebetween for feeding one opposite arm pair, and a second balun having a feed line and two feed points with 180° phase differential therebetween for feeding the other opposite arm pair. The two feed lines are combined in a single combiner, which provides a 90° phase differential between the feed lines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tapered slot antenna with broadband characteristics whose beamwidth is stable over both the PCS (1850-1990 MHz) and the cellular bands (824-894 MHz). In a first preferred embodiment, a dual band antenna is disclosed which uses a single column elliptically shaped Vivaldi notches as the radiating elements. In a second preferred embodiment, a dual band antenna comprising elliptically shaped Vivaldi notches and sub-reflector positioned between a main reflector and the dipoles is disclosed. This resultant antenna produces a stable, ninety-degree beamwidth with a bandwidth broad enough to cover the PCS and the cellular bands.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for (non-radiative) coupling through a dielectric medium, such as the glass of an automobile window, a radiofrequency (RF) antenna signal. The coupling mechanism includes a coaxial conductor for providing the RF antenna signal to a slotline structure (consisting of a layer of metal, deposited on one side of a dielectric substrate such as a circuit board, in which a slot is formed to a depth reaching to the dielectric substrate) mounted typically by an adhesive on one side of the dielectric medium/window glass. On the other side of the dielectric medium/window glass, the coupling mechanism uses either a second slotline structure or a microstrip positioned so as to provide optimal coupling across the dielectric medium/window glass.

Abstract: A method for installing an antenna system having an antenna located exterior to a vehicle. The antenna system has at least one electrically conductive wire to be extended into interior of the vehicle for providing electrical connection to a receiver located in the interior. When the vehicle includes at least one window pane surrounded at least partially by a flexible seal adjacent a weather shield to a portal, the method comprises the steps of positioning the conductive wire in the flexible seal; leading the conductive wire from the flexible seal towards the weather shield; and leading the conductive wire to the receiver through the weather shield.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement is provide with a variable parasitic element whose position is varied as a function of the scan angle. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a variable scanning array dual polarized antenna provides different scan angles by varying phase elements of the array. According to this embodiment an adjustable phase shift mechanism is used to modify the phase of the antenna array. The adjustable phase shift mechanism is used changes the antenna's phase as a function of a moveable dielectric slab. The dielectric slab slides over a microstrip line that results in a phase change that is a function of line coverage. A parasitic element is also connected to the dielectric slab such that the position of the parasitic element is varied in response to a change in the phase shift mechanism thereby varying the canceling signal of the parasitic element to optimize port isolation for the dual polarized antenna.

Abstract: An isolation improvement circuit for a dual-polarization antenna, the dual-polarization antenna consisting of both a transmitter and receiver antenna for simultaneously transmitting a transmission signal and receiving a receiver signal, in which the transmitter and receiver antennas are configured so as to be mutually orthogonal either by physical or electrical orientation in order to reduce how much of the transmitter signal is picked up by the receiver antenna. The isolation improvement circuit reduces the level of transmitter signal appearing at the output port of the receiver antenna by providing a time-delayed transmission signal that destructively interferes with the transmitter signal picked up by the receiver element.

Abstract: A fixed radius tapered slot antenna (100) formed a dielectric substrate (10) with an electrically conductive layer (14) on one side. The slot is defined by two hemispherical shaped elements (12, 13). A common base (15) is also formed on the conductive layer behind the hemispherical shaped members. Preferably, a microstrip feedline (16) is formed on the side of the dielectric substrate to electromagnetically couple to the balun (18) adjacent the narrow end of the tapered slot. A contiguous array (102) of fixed radius tapered slot antennas (100) can be made on the same conductive layer of a dielectric layer. A reflector (30) can be integrated with the antenna array to improve the radiation pattern. The fixed radius tapered slot antenna has been proven to out-perform an exponentially tapered slot or Vivaldi antenna.