Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring vital signs of one or more living subjects comprises a monitoring station and at least one sensor in communication with the monitoring station. The sensor comprises an antenna system, an ultra wideband radar system coupled to the antenna system, a signal processor and a communication system. The signal processor is connected to receive a signal from the ultra wideband radar system and configured to extract from the signal information about one or more vital signs of a person or animal in a sensing volume corresponding to the antenna system. The communication system is configured to transmit the information to the monitoring station.

Abstract: An antenna architecture with a dual-band patch antenna structure having a broadened low-frequency beamwidth is disclosed. The dual band antenna structure comprises a high frequency patch antenna cavity stacked inline above a low frequency patch antenna cavity. An N-shaped metallic wall surrounds the low frequency patch antenna cavity and broadens the emission radiation beamwidth of the low frequency emission. As such, these dual band antenna structures can emit radiation with a beamwidth of approximately 90 degrees in the low frequency band of 700 MHz to 900 MHz as well as the high frequency band of 1.7 GHz to 2.2 GHz.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring vital signs of one or more living subjects comprises a monitoring station and at least one sensor in communication with the monitoring station. The sensor comprises an antenna system, an ultra wideband radar system coupled to the antenna system, a signal processor and a communication system. The signal processor is connected to receive a signal from the ultra wideband radar system and configured to extract from the signal information about one or more vital signs of a person or animal in a sensing volume corresponding to the antenna system. The communication system is configured to transmit the information to the monitoring station.

Abstract: A digital phase shifter suitable for high power RF applications is disclosed. A plurality of MEMs switches selectively couple delay lines into the RF signal path providing adjustable phase shift under digital control. 90 degree hybrid combiners on either side of the MEMs switches allow two signal paths to be used in combination to provide a desired number of phase shift steps with a reduced number of delay lines and switches and with lower power level on each path.

Abstract: An antenna architecture with enhanced emission directivity is disclosed. The antenna comprises a dielectric structure positioned over a plurality of radiator elements. The dielectric structure comprises columns of dielectric disks positioned above each radiator element. The antenna is driven by beam forming networks to form multiple, simultaneously steerable beams or a single main beam that can be dynamically steered.

Abstract: An antenna architecture containing a broadband resonant cap positioned over a radiating patch is disclosed. The resonant cap consists of a rectangular resonant patch at the center with parasitic patches in close proximity of the four edges of the resonant patch. The parasitic patches may be coplanar with the resonant patch or may be mounted at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of the resonant patch. The resonant cap reduces the HPBW of the emitted radiation and improves emission directivity.

Abstract: A low loss beam forming method and antenna structure are disclosed. The method and structure may preferably be used in forming two narrow beams within a cellular sector. This method allows an increase in the overall network capacity by using a three-column non-planar array and a compact, low-cost, low-loss 3-to-2 Beam-Forming Network (BFN). This structure produces two symmetrical beams with respect to the azimuth boresight. Radiation patterns of the two beams are designed to cover the entire azimuth coverage angle of a cellular sector with minimum beam-split loss and cross-over losses.

Abstract: A low loss beam forming method and antenna structure are disclosed. The method and structure may preferably be used in forming two narrow beams within a cellular sector. This method allows an increase in the overall network capacity by using a three-column non-planar array and a compact, low-cost, low-loss 3-to-2 Beam-Forming Network (BFN). This structure produces two symmetrical beams with respect to the azimuth boresight. Radiation patterns of the two beams are designed to cover the entire azimuth coverage angle of a cellular sector with minimum beam-split loss and cross-over losses.

Abstract: An antenna element architecture containing a dielectric beamwidth compensation perimeter structure around a radiating element is disclosed. A transmitting and receiving antenna element is provided so as to provide a desired azimuth and elevation radiation pattern in the intended polarization without degrading performance of cross polarization. Both single and dual polarization antenna elements can be employed.

Abstract: An antenna architecture with a dual-band patch antenna structure having a broadened low-frequency beamwidth is disclosed. The dual band antenna structure comprises a high frequency patch antenna cavity stacked inline above a low frequency patch antenna cavity. An N-shaped metallic wall surrounds the low frequency patch antenna cavity and broadens the emission radiation beamwidth of the low frequency emission. As such, these dual band antenna structures can emit radiation with a beamwidth of approximately 90 degrees in the low frequency band of 700 MHz to 900 MHz as well as the high frequency band of 1.7 GHz to 2.2 GHz.

Abstract: An antenna architecture with enhanced emission directivity is disclosed. The antenna comprises a dielectric structure positioned over a plurality of radiator elements. The dielectric structure comprises columns of dielectric disks positioned above each radiator element. The antenna is driven by beam forming networks to form multiple, simultaneously steerable beams or a single main beam that can be dynamically steered.

Abstract: An antenna architecture containing a broadband resonant cap positioned over a radiating patch is disclosed. The resonant cap consists of a rectangular resonant patch at the center with parasitic patches in close proximity of the four edges of the resonant patch. The parasitic patches may be coplanar with the resonant patch or may be mounted at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of the resonant patch. The resonant cap reduces the HPBW of the emitted radiation and improves emission directivity.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring vital signs of one or more living subjects comprises a monitoring station and at least one sensor in communication with the monitoring station. The sensor comprises an antenna system, an ultra wideband radar system coupled to the antenna system, a signal processor and a communication system. The signal processor is connected to receive a signal from the ultra wideband radar system and configured to extract from the signal information about one or more vital signs of a person or animal in a sensing volume corresponding to the antenna system. The communication system is configured to transmit the information to the monitoring station.

Abstract: An antenna array with azimuth beam width that can be continuously augmented through on-axis rotation of a single-column or a dual-column linear array is disclosed. Alternate radiating elements in the vertical direction are arranged on separate reflectors which are movable to change their angle in the azimuth to alter beam width.

Abstract: A low loss beam forming method and antenna structure are disclosed. The method and structure may preferably be used in forming two narrow beams within a cellular sector. This method allows an increase in the overall network capacity by using a three-column non-planar array and a compact, low-cost, low-loss 3-to-2 Beam-Forming Network (BFN). This structure produces two symmetrical beams with respect to the azimuth boresight. Radiation patterns of the two beams are designed to cover the entire azimuth coverage angle of a cellular sector with minimum beam-split loss and cross-over losses.

Abstract: A digital phase shifter suitable for high power RF applications is disclosed. A plurality of MEMs switches selectively couple delay lines into the RF signal path providing adjustable phase shift under digital control. 90 degree hybrid combiners on either side of the MEMs switches allow two signal paths to be used in combination to provide a desired number of phase shift steps with a reduced number of delay lines and switches and with lower power level on each path.

Abstract: An antenna element architecture containing a dielectric beamwidth compensation perimeter structure around a radiating element is disclosed. A transmitting and receiving antenna element is provided so as to provide a desired azimuth and elevation radiation pattern in the intended polarization without degrading performance of cross polarization. Both single and dual polarization antenna elements can be employed.

Abstract: An azimuth beamwidth variable antenna array for a wireless network system is disclosed. A multi-column antenna array architecture is employed having a mechanical azimuth beamwidth adjustment capability. The array comprises a plurality of driven radiating elements that are spatially arranged having movable Aperture Coupling Patch (ACP) radiating—receiving elements so as to provide a controlled variation of the antenna array's azimuth radiation pattern.

Abstract: An antenna comprising at least one dipole, the dipole comprising a pair of arms drooping relative to a plane orthogonal to a central axis, end portions of the arms being bent back toward the central axis. In one form of the invention the arms are bent back toward the central axis in at least one plane which is parallel to the central axis, and in another form of the invention the dipole arms are bent in the same rotational direction out of a pland which includes the central axis.