Abstract: An antenna system and method utilize an evaluation branch circuit and an implementation branch circuit. These circuits are each connected to both a first antenna input and a second antenna input. An output of the evaluation branch circuit is in communication with a controller while an output of the implementation branch circuit is in communication with a receiver. Each branch circuit includes at least one signal conditioner to change an electrical characteristic of RF signals received from antennas via the antenna inputs. The evaluation branch circuit, controlled by the controller, changes the electrical characteristics of the RF signals in a variety of different ways to discover an optimized evaluation RF signal. Once the optimized evaluation RF signal is determined, the implementation branch circuit is controlled, by the controller, to produce an optimized implementation RF signal in accordance with that discovered by the evaluation branch circuit.

Abstract: An antenna includes a ground plane, a dielectric, and an active radiating element. The dielectric is disposed on the ground plane, and the active radiating element is embedded in the dielectric for transmitting and/or receiving an RF signal. The antenna also includes a feeding element and a passive radiating element. The feeding element extends into the dielectric and is electrically coupled to the active radiating element. The passive radiating element is disposed on the ground plane and surrounds a periphery of the dielectric for perturbating the RF signal. The ground plane has a plurality of edges. At least one of the edges extends as a curvilinear lip. The curvilinear lip extends in a direction opposite the passive radiating element for directing the RF signal and for preventing abrupt discontinuity of the RF signal.

Abstract: An antenna system and method utilize a splitter electrically connectable to a single antenna for splitting an RF signal into two signals. A variable phase shifter shifts the phase of one of the signals. A combiner combines the phase shifted and non-phase shifted signals to produce a conditioned signal. A quality examiner circuit changes the amount of phase shift provided by the variable phase shifter to produce a plurality of different conditioned signals. The quality examiner circuit then determines a quality of each conditioned signal and changes the phase shift again to provide the highest quality conditioned signal to a receiver.

Abstract: An antenna system for receiving an RF signal from a first antenna and a second antenna includes a phase shift circuit. The phase shift circuit shifts a phase of the RF signal from the second antenna by one of a plurality of possible phase shifts to produce a phase shifted signal. A combiner combines the RF signal from the first antenna and the phase shifted signal to produce a combined signal. A comparator circuit compares a signal quality of the combined signal with a minimum threshold value to determine if the signal quality of the combined signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The comparator circuit is in communicative control of the phase shift circuit and maintains the phase shift of the RF signal received by the second antenna in response to the signal quality of the combined signal being equal to or greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a log-periodic antenna and method for controlling multiple polarizations of the antenna per a given frequency or frequencies The antenna includes a boom and a plurality of pairs of elements where each element of each pair of elements extends laterally from the boom in opposite directions. The plurality of pairs of elements includes a first pair of elements disposed in a first plane with the boom and a second pair of elements disposed in a second plane with the boom. The first plane extends radially from the boom at a first radial angle and the second plane extends radially from the boom at a second radial angle. The first radial angle is offset to the second radial angle. The antenna may include at least one adjustment mechanism. Each adjustment mechanism allows angular adjustment of at least one of the elements for controlling the multiple polarizations of the antenna.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a log-periodic antenna and method for controlling multiple polarizations of the antenna per a given frequency or frequencies. The antenna includes a boom and a plurality of pairs of elements where each element of each pair of elements extends laterally from the boom in opposite directions. The plurality of pairs of elements includes a first pair of elements disposed in a first plane with the boom and a second pair of elements disposed in a second plane with the boom. The first plane extends radially from the boom at a first radial angle and the second plane extends radially from the boom at a second radial angle. The first radial angle is offset to the second radial angle. The antenna may include at least one adjustment mechanism. Each adjustment mechanism allows angular adjustment of at least one of the elements for controlling the multiple polarizations of the antenna.

Abstract: An improved wire pattern layout for a window antenna that takes into account the characteristics of radio frequency current flow and the impact of a heater grid pattern. The wire pattern layout comprises a heating grid that is adapted to be in electrical communication with a DC power source. A plurality of antenna wires traverse the heating grid. The antenna wires are adapted to be in electrical communication with a feed to a radio frequency device such as an AM radio, a FM radio, an AM/FM radio, a CB radio, a cellular phone, a global positioning system, or combinations thereof. The antenna wires may extend across the heating grid in substantially straight lines or in a step-wise fashion. In addition, the antenna wires may change direction while traversing the heating grid. By taking into account the characteristics of radio frequency current flow and the impact of a heater grid pattern, the improved design of the wire pattern layout provides enhanced directional gain and impedance characteristics.

Abstract: An improved wire pattern layout for a window antenna that takes into account the characteristics of radio frequency current flow and the impact of a heater grid pattern. The wire pattern layout comprises a heating grid that is adapted to be in electrical communication with a DC power source. A plurality of antenna wires traverse the heating grid. The antenna wires are adapted to be in electrical communication with a feed to a radio frequency device such as an AM radio, a FM radio, an AM/FM radio, a CB radio, a cellular phone, a global positioning system, or combinations thereof. The antenna wires may extend across the heating grid in substantially straight lines or in a step-wise fashion. In addition, the antenna wires may change direction while traversing the heating grid. By taking into account the characteristics of radio frequency current flow and the impact of a heater grid pattern, the improved design of the wire pattern layout provides enhanced directional gain and impedance characteristics.