Including Antenna Pattern Plotting Patents (Class 342/360)
  • Patent number: 8897712
    Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless communication via multiple antenna assemblies. For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit to transmit and receive signals via one or more quasi-omnidirectional antenna assemblies, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit, via each quasi-omnidirectional antenna assembly, a plurality of first transmissions, to receive, in response to the first transmissions, a plurality of second transmissions from another device via one or more of the quasi-omnidirectional antenna assemblies, and, based on the second transmissions, to select at least one selected transmit antenna assembly for transmitting to the other device and a selected receive antenna assembly for receiving transmissions from the other device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Menashe Sofer, Assaf Kasher
  • Patent number: 8818291
    Abstract: A method for antenna calibration is provided, which includes the following steps: obtaining an updated calibration period T_i after the last time of antenna calibration (S301), calculating a calibration sequence of each antenna channel in the calibration period T_i (S302); according to the calibration sequence of each antenna channel, calibrating each antenna based on the calibration period T_i, and calculating a calibration error parameter (S303); and according to the obtained calibration error parameter, updating the calibration period T_i, and using the updated calibration period T_i for the next time of antenna calibration (S304). The technical solutions provided in the present invention, can monitor difference variety of radio channels in real time by the calibration error parameter, and reflect the calibration precision in real time by the reported calibration error parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology
    Inventors: Chuanjun Li, Changguo Sun
  • Patent number: 8738280
    Abstract: Methods for pedestrian unit (PU) communication activity reduction in pedestrian-to-vehicle communication networks include obtaining safety risk information for a pedestrian at risk for involvement in an accident and using the risk information to adjust a PU communication activity. In some embodiments, the activity reduction is achieved without implementing understanding of surroundings. In other embodiments, the activity reduction is based on risk assessment provided by vehicles. In some embodiments, the activity reduction includes PU transmission reduction. In some embodiments the transmission activity reduction may be followed by reception activity reduction for overall power consumption reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Autotalks Ltd.
    Inventor: Onn Haran
  • Patent number: 8681046
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for emitting electromagnetic beams, comprising a network of elements for the far-field emission of electromagnetic beams, the signals coming from and/or arriving towards each element weighted by excitation coefficients digitally determined by calculation means. According to the invention, the system comprises: a second separate network of sensors arranged close to the network of radiating elements in order to measure the near field radiated by the elements, means for calculating the far field radiated by the network from the near field actually measured by the sensors, and means for calculating the correction of the excitation coefficients of the elements from the difference between the far field calculated from the measurement of the near field and a pre-determined nominal far field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Microwave Vision, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales
    Inventors: Patrick Dumon, Philippe Garreau, Marc Le Goff, Luc Duchesne
  • Patent number: 8630748
    Abstract: A method for access or starting verification for a vehicle using a mobile identification encoder and at least two antennas located in or on the vehicle at different locations includes: the antennas emitting electromagnetic signals at alterable times, wherein the electromagnetic signals are emitted in transmission blocks having alterable specific properties and wherein a plurality of transmission blocks are strung together to form a communication message in which each transmission block adopts an alterable position in time, the identification encoder receiving the electromagnetic signals emitted by the antennas and processing them to generate a response signal, and altering at least one of the times at which the individual antennas are actuated, the specific properties of the individual transmission blocks, and the position of the individual transmission blocks in time in the communication message in accordance with a cryptographical method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hermann, Alexander Heinrich, Franz Plattner
  • Publication number: 20140009337
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for antenna parameter notification is provided. At a device comprising at least one processor, an antenna, and a display, a parameter associated with performance of the antenna is determined at the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Mahinthan VELUPPILLAI, Nagula Tharma SANGARY
  • Patent number: 8606433
    Abstract: A system and method for determining when a moving mobile platform will enter or exit a satellite coverage region. In a preferred form the method involves determining a plurality of boundary coordinates that define a satellite coverage region perimeter. A position of the mobile platform is monitored as the mobile platform moves along a travel path. The proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter is determined by periodically comparing the position of the mobile platform to the boundary coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Scott P. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130307726
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for performing energy-on-target simulations for targeted regions to predict power or energy levels incident within the targeted region resulting from transmissions of a specific transmitting platform. Models may be used of a transmitting platform, a receiving platform, and a channel between the transmitting platform and the receiving platform to perform the simulation. In some embodiments, a plot may be generated of the energy-on-target results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William H. Davis, John H. VanPatten
  • Patent number: 8548385
    Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless communication via multiple antenna assemblies. For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit to transmit and receive signals via one or more quasi-omnidirectional antenna assemblies, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit, via each quasi-omnidirectional antenna assembly, a plurality of first transmissions, to receive, in response to the first transmissions, a plurality of second transmissions from another device via one or more of the quasi-omnidirectional antenna assemblies, and, based on the second transmissions, to select at least one selected transmit antenna assembly for transmitting to the other device and a selected receive antenna assembly for receiving transmissions from the other device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Menashe Sofer, Assaf Kasher
  • Publication number: 20130214971
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for extrapolating antenna radiation patterns from a small number of measurements. The present invention is configured to derive an initial estimate based on design information and compare the initial estimate to far-field measurements. The controller is configured to recursively obtain a final estimate wherein a difference between the far-field measurements and the final estimate is less than a predetermined amount. The final estimate represents an extrapolated mapping of the antenna pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: SRC, Inc.
    Inventor: SRC, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8493271
    Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation measuring device includes a test antenna module and a main processor electrically connected to the test antenna module. The test antenna module includes a plurality of pre-test antennas and at least one final test antenna, which have predetermined polarities and are positioned at predetermined heights, respectively. The pre-test antennas and the final test antenna respectively receive wireless signals sent from an electronic device. The main processor measures and records a frequency of the strongest wireless signal received by selected ones of the pre-test antennas that have the same polarity, and further determines whether power of wireless signals at the recorded frequency received by the final test antenna polarized to have the same polarity as that of the selected ones of the pre-test antennas exceeds a predetermined acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Lian He
  • Patent number: 8487813
    Abstract: A method of automatic alignment of two directional beams having a known path attenuation, and an antenna gain pattern, for mutual transmission, comprises: determining a beam width between two angles of minimal detectable connection on either side of a beam maximum; then mapping points onto a scan field in a regular pattern, the pattern based on the beam width, such that a beam with the determined beam width is detected once if the beam is in the scan field at all; scanning the first antenna over the mapped scan points; and for each point allowing the second antenna to scan over all of its own set of mapped scan points, thereby providing a coarse alignment of the two antennas to achieve at least a minimal mutual connection. The coarse alignment may be followed by a fine alignment to maximize the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siklu Communication Ltd.
    Inventors: Yigal Leiba, Baruch Schwarz, Elad Dayan, Izhak Kirshenbaum
  • Patent number: 8478204
    Abstract: A system and method for reusing existing directional information to configure antennas in a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes retrieving existing directional information, the existing directional information having been established in a previous antenna training session with a receiver. The method further includes performing a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation procedure comprising: transmitting an SNR estimation probe message to the receiver via a directional antenna tuned with the existing directional information, and determining whether an estimated SNR value associated with the SNR estimation probe message is equal to or greater than a threshold SNR value. The method further includes transmitting a data message to the receiver via the directional antenna tuned with the existing directional information if it is determined that the estimated SNR value is equal to or greater than the threshold SNR value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiangping Qin, Pengfei Xia, Chiu Ngo
  • Patent number: 8471774
    Abstract: An antenna radiation pattern measurement device that measures a radiation pattern of an AUT by using a source antenna includes a control unit, an analysis unit, and a measurement unit. The control unit controls driving of the source antenna and the AUT. The analysis unit measures an electric field value from a radio frequency (RF) signal that is transmitted from one of the source antenna and the AUT and received by the other antenna. In addition, the measurement unit controls the control unit and the analysis unit and measures a radiation pattern of the AUT by using the electric field value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Soon-Soo Oh, Yong-Heui Cho, In-Kui Cho, Je Hoon Yun, Soon Ik Jeon, Chang-Joo Kim
  • Publication number: 20130135146
    Abstract: A system for aligning two ground-based antennae (100, 110) or a ground-based antenna (100) and a satellite antenna (110), for use in military and civilian settings, in which a visual display is generated showing a graphical representation of the antennae including graphical representations indicating both the axis of the main lobe (102) and the approximate radiation pattern (414) of the antennae, superimposed over a live imaging of the local terrain. The alignment is achieved when the graphical representations of the main axis and radiation patterns of the two antennae align with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Ransom, Myung Lee
  • Publication number: 20130093622
    Abstract: A method and software implementation for spatial pattern analysis. A user-guided test procedure is implemented to measure features of an antenna under test to determine the antenna's far-field patterns. The antenna features include RF amplitude or phase, and position and orientation relative to a receiving object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Snow, Michael Schumm, William L. Shaff, Terry Carlson, Carl Baker
  • Patent number: 8421673
    Abstract: A method and software implementation for spatial pattern analysis. A user-guided test procedure is implemented to measure features of an antenna under test to determine the antenna's far-field patterns. The antenna features include RF amplitude or phase, and position and orientation relative to a receiving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Snow, Michael Schumm, William L. Shaff, Terry Carlson, Carl Baker
  • Patent number: 8405560
    Abstract: An antenna evaluation apparatus includes receiving antennas to be evaluated, scatterer antennas surrounding the receiving antennas, a signal generator, a divider, a phase-shift circuit, and a computer. The computer generates first and second initial phase vectors each corresponding to a different set of multipath waves, determines a third initial phase vector including arbitrary initial phases each between a pair of corresponding initial phases in the first and second initial phase vectors, adjusts the phases of the radio frequency signals using the phase-shift circuit such that the phases of the radio frequency signals have corresponding initial phases in the third initial phase vector, and makes the adjusted radio frequency signals radiate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sakata, Atsushi Yamamoto, Satoru Amari
  • Patent number: 8330660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of tuning a glass antenna that is capable of analyzing the sensitivity of each point, and forming a structure of a glass antenna by making use of a common simulation tool so as to perform tuning depending on a priority that is determined by data obtained by analyzing the sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jung Hoon Oh, Yong Ho Noh, Tae-Heon Kim, Ho-Sung Choo, Woo-Jun Kang
  • Patent number: 8319659
    Abstract: A sensor system having a sensor module and an induction unit is provided, the sensor module having a first antenna, and the induction unit having a second and a third antenna, an induction transmission of signals being provided between the first and the second antenna, and the signals being sent and/or received electromagnetically by the third antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buck, Thorsten Pannek, Gustav Klett, Marian Keck
  • Patent number: 8315669
    Abstract: A femto cell base station and a method are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) monitoring data transmission antenna weights used during wireless data transmissions over a femto cell data channel between a femto cell base station and user equipment; b) deriving broadcast channel antenna weights from the data transmission antenna weights; and c) forming the femto cell broadcast channel beam using the broadcast channel antenna weights. The femto cell broadcast channel beam is adapted to minimize interference. The femto cell broadcast channel beam may then be formed using those broadcast channel antenna weights in order to direct and restrict the size of the broadcast channel beam and reduce the likely interference caused by the femto cell to other femto cells and to a macro cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Huiyu Tao, Hai Zhou
  • Patent number: 8203494
    Abstract: A testing method of a multiband antenna is provided. The testing method includes the following steps. Firstly, whether a testing angle of a multiband antenna is less than a default value is determined, and if the testing angle is less than a default value, then the testing frequency is set equal to a first default frequency according to the frequency table so as to obtain a first testing result corresponding to the first default frequency when the multiband antenna is at the testing angle. Next, whether the testing frequency needs to be changed is determined, and if the testing frequency needs to be changed, then the testing frequency is set equal to a second default frequency according to the frequency table so as to obtain a second testing result corresponding to the second default frequency when the multiband antenna is at the testing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Arcadyan Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Lin-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 8184051
    Abstract: A method of measuring a directional graph of a test antenna includes disposing a plurality of measuring probes relative to the test antenna, each being disposed at a different first predetermined height above a reference plane; disposing the test antenna at a second predetermined height above the reference plane; measuring transmission characteristics relative to the test antenna between each of the plurality of measuring probes and the test antenna; determining prevailing scatter characteristics of the reference plane; and determining the directional graph of the test antenna using the prevailing scatter characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Eibert, Torsten Fritzel, Carsten Schmidt, Hans-Juergen Steiner
  • Patent number: 8165095
    Abstract: A system (100) and method (400) for improving Radio Frequency (RF) Antenna Simulation is provided. The method can include determining (402) a proximity of an antenna (250) to a scattering structure (210), determining (410) a switching distance to the scattering structure that establishes when to switch the antenna on (416) and off (418) from a composite antenna pattern to a free space antenna pattern, and predicting RF coverage of the antenna responsive to the switching. The switching distance can be a function of a material type and a surface geometry of the scattering structure and a wavelength of the antenna. The method can also include evaluating a sensory mismatch in the antenna, and using a composite antenna pattern corresponding to the sensory mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Glafkos Stratis, Alexander Bijamov, Celestino A. Corral, Salvador Sibecas
  • Publication number: 20120062419
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing radio wave propagation in a radio wave system includes: an identification unit configured to search and identify all objects existing in a service area in which users are provided with services; a construction unit configured to calculate a relative position between the identified objects and acquire a radio wave propagation model based on visibility at respective objects; and an analysis unit configured to apply the radio wave propagation model to ray tracing dynamically and analyze radio wave propagation in the service area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Young-Keun Yoon
  • Patent number: 8112261
    Abstract: To facilitate GPS hardware selection and evaluate performance of vehicle integrated GPS hardware, including various types of GPS antennas and receivers, within different vehicle operating environments, embodiments of the invention are used to provide a simulator which does not require physical GPS hardware to simulate GPS system performance. Preferably, the simulator randomly generates one or more GPS system link budget variables, within predetermined performance bounds, in order to predict GPS system performance in a specific vehicle operating environment for a given antenna radiation pattern and/or GPS receiver. The simulator employs a Monte Carlo technique to evaluate the GPS system performance based on generated pools of link budget variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC.
    Inventors: Hyok J. Song, Hui-Pin Hsu, Eray Yasan, Richard W. Wiese
  • Patent number: 8095185
    Abstract: A method and an antenna array system are provided for estimating parameters of radio signals impinging on antenna arrays, for estimating angular parameters, for estimating angular distribution types, and for selecting types of antenna array processing. Models of angular distribution types are used to populate look-up tables. Correlation magnitudes and correlation phases of signals impinging on antenna elements of antenna arrays are used as pointers to obtain values of parameters from the look up tables. The obtained values may be compared to some value ranges in order to select appropriate antenna array processing types. Where the angular distribution type is unknown, several values representing angular parameters may be obtained from look-up tables representing various models, and a variance of the angular parameter values for each model may be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Alex Stephenne
  • Patent number: 8094073
    Abstract: A system and method to normalize a tracking control signal in a directional antenna system to reduce interference from an interfering adjacent transponder is presented. The system and method scans for the tracking signal along a scan path to produce a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal, coherently detects an RSSI image from the RSSI signal, and performs a morphologic feature estimation of the RSSI signal image to produce and output a normalized tracking correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Larry A. Nelson, Thomas F. Coon
  • Patent number: 8077098
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for testing antenna systems using position determination, orientation determination, test pattern analysis using a variety of factors and equipment including positions and orientation of antenna(s) under test at specific points and signal processing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Snow, Michael Schumm, William L. Shaff, Terry Carlson, Carl Baker
  • Patent number: 8063821
    Abstract: A wide-angle null-fill antenna with no null in the depression angle range, an omni antenna using the same, and radio communication equipment. A null-fill antenna comprises a first antenna array including antenna elements arranged with a prescribed point as the center, and a second antenna array having amplitude characteristics substantially equal to those of the antenna elements forming the first antenna array. The first antenna array is excited so that the excitation amplitude distribution is to have symmetry with respect to the prescribed point, while the excitation phase distribution is to have point symmetry with respect to the prescribed point. The phase center of the first antenna array is substantially coincident with that of the second antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiko Oomuro
  • Publication number: 20110267232
    Abstract: A wide-angle null-fill antenna with no null in the depression angle range, an omni antenna using the same, and radio communication equipment. A null-fill antenna comprises a first antenna array including antenna elements arranged with a prescribed point as the center, and a second antenna array having amplitude characteristics substantially equal to those of the antenna elements forming the first antenna array. The first antenna array is excited so that the excitation amplitude distribution is to have symmetry with respect to the prescribed point, while the excitation phase distribution is to have point symmetry with respect to the prescribed point. The phase center of the first antenna array is substantially coincident with that of the second antenna array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norihiko Oomuro
  • Patent number: 8018380
    Abstract: There is a provided a system for measuring an antenna radiation pattern in a Fresnel region, including: a fixed antenna and a movable antenna located in the Fresnel region to acquire a far-field radiation pattern; a moving unit for moving upward or downward to adjust a measuring angle of the movable antenna; a rotation unit to rotate a rotation shaft horizontally; a vector network analyzing unit for outputting an radio frequency (RF) signal to one of the fixed antenna and the movable antenna as a transmission antenna, receiving the RF signal received through the other one of the fixed antenna and the movable antenna as a receiving antenna, and detecting a complex value; a control and communication unit for controlling the vector network analyzing unit and a control unit, and performing a data communication; and the control unit for providing a vertical/horizontal rotation force to the moving unit and the rotation unit under a control of the control and communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Soon-Soo Oh, Je-Hoon Yun, Jung-Ick Moon, Joung-Myoun Kim, Yong-Heui Cho
  • Patent number: 8009094
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for generating an electromagnetic, or acoustic field by use of a number of field sources in order to produce a field anomaly at a known target location. The field anomaly is characterized by having a wavefront at the target location that has a predetermined desired orientation so that at the target location the field appears to emanate from a different direction to that perceived at field locations away from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Peter David Freed
  • Patent number: 8009116
    Abstract: For two-dimensional imaging of scenes through continuous passive or active microwave scanning, use is made of a fully mechanized directional antenna array comprising a main reflector (1), a primary radiator array (3) and a subreflector (2) having a small size in comparison to the main reflector and being tilted relative to the optical axis (7) of the directional antenna array. First drive means (8) are operative to rotate the subreflector (2) about the optical axis (7), and second drive means (17,18) are operative to move the total directional antenna array in a direction approximately vertical to the optical axis (7). The moving speed of the subreflector (2) is very high in comparison to that of the total directional antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Markus Peichl, Stephan Dill, Matthias Jirousek, Dominik Berthel
  • Patent number: 7994979
    Abstract: In an antenna positioning method for a communication device that performs communication using a plurality of antennas positioned on a straight line, the method has a first step of measuring radiation pattern characteristics of each antenna, a second step of detecting a direction in which fluctuation of the radiation pattern characteristics of each antenna is large, and a third step of positioning each antenna in the communication device so that the direction in which the characteristic fluctuation is large matches the straight line direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masahiko Shimizu, Koji Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 7978136
    Abstract: A method of associating a universal time with time of arrival information of an identified component of a signal at a terminal of a radio positioning system is disclosed. In the method a marker signal with an associated universal time tag is obtained from a timing device (or the marker signal is obtained from an independent oscillator and a universal time tag assigned to the marker signal), and the time or phase relationship between the marker signal (or between the time of arrival information of said identified component respectively) and the oscillator is measured. The time of arrival information of said identified component relative to the oscillator is determined and the universal time corresponding to the time of arrival information of said identified component is calculated from said universal time tag and said measured time or phase relationship, before the calculated universal time is associated with said time of arrival information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cambridge Positioning Systems Limited
    Inventors: Peter James Duffett-Smith, Paul Hansen, Anthony Richard Pratt
  • Patent number: 7929918
    Abstract: Systems and methods of training antennas for two devices equipped with phased array antennas in a wireless network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the methods include transmitting a plurality of estimation training sequences from a transmit phased array antenna to a receive phased array antenna, wherein a length of at least one of the plurality of training sequences is adapted to a number of antenna elements at one of the transmit and receive phased array antennas. The methods further include transmitting data to the receive phased array antenna via the transmit phased array antenna tuned with a transmit beamforming vector (BV) selected based at least in part on the plurality of estimation training sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huaning Niu, Pengfei Xia, Chiu Ngo
  • Patent number: 7928906
    Abstract: An antenna measurement range and a method of calibrating same is proposed which at least substantially reduces the effects of echoing or multi path. The method of calibrating the range comprises the steps of: generating and radiating a training signal; receiving the radiated training signal and comparing the received signal with the expected signal; determining a set of equalizer coefficients to be used in these circumstances to eliminate or minimize the error between the expected training signal and the received signal; and storing the set of equalization coefficients and associating them with the rotational or translational position of the antenna under test so that the coefficients can be applied to subsequent radiation pattern measurements. In one embodiment, the measurement nodes are dispersed in a three dimensional array about the antenna under test and a set of coefficients arrived at for each node to be applied to the subsequent radiation pattern measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fizzle Holding Limited
    Inventors: Paul Simon Holt Leather, John David Parsons
  • Patent number: 7847731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the operation of an antenna group (1) having M?2 transmitters and N?2 receivers (3) for the digital beamforming. In the method, a coherent transmit signal is transmitted in a transmit-receive-cycle via each of the M transmitters (2) into an area to be monitored, and a coherent receive signal from the area is recorded by each of the N receivers (3) for each transmit signal so that M·N receive signals are obtained. To each receive signal, a combination of the respective transmitting transmitter (2) and the respective receiving receiver (3) is allocated. The M·N receive signals are processed by means of digital beamforming to obtain spatial information about objects in the area to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Universitat Karlsruhe
    Inventors: Werner Wiesbeck, Karin Schuler
  • Patent number: 7843386
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the beam center location of an antenna, such as a global positioning system (GPS) antenna, are provided. A system for determining the beam center of an antenna may include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) probes, such as Integrated Transfer System (ITS) antenna elements, located at respective predefined positions surrounding the geometrical center of the antenna. The system may also include at least one detector configured to provide a measure of the RF power detected by each respective RF probe. The system may also include a processor configured to determine the beam center of the antenna based upon the predefined position of each RF probe and the measure of the RF power detected by each respective RF probe. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Armando Benavides
  • Patent number: 7830307
    Abstract: A method of determining one or more attributes of an antenna beam based on measuring phase and/or amplitude differences at different points in a feed network. Amplitude and/or phase are measured by a probe (13) at an input to a differential variable element (7, 8, 9) and by a probe (14) at fewer than all of the outputs of the differential variable element. By using lookup tables based on actual measurements of antenna beam attributes for phase and/or amplitude differences at different points in a feed network computation may be simplified. The method enables a relatively inexpensive control circuit to be employed while providing accurate measurement of antenna beam attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventor: Harold E. Asbridge, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100271262
    Abstract: A method of measuring a directional graph of a test antenna includes disposing a plurality of measuring probes relative to the test antenna, each being disposed at a different first predetermined height above a reference plane; disposing the test antenna at a second predetermined height above the reference plane; measuring transmission characteristics relative to the test antenna between each of the plurality of measuring probes and the test antenna; determining prevailing scatter characteristics of the reference plane; and determining the directional graph of the test antenna using the prevailing scatter characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas EIBERT, Torsten FRITZEL, Carsten SCHMIDT, Hans-Juergen STEINER
  • Patent number: 7751779
    Abstract: A payload (108) to be mounted onto a satellite (102) can include a first steerable antenna (302) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a first user terminal; a second steerable antenna (304) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a second user terminal; a switching network (306) coupling the first steerable antenna to the second steerable antenna; and a payload control unit (120) controlling the switching network to select one of the downlink to the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the downlink to the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna, and one of the uplink from the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the uplink from the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Hau H. Ho, Ethan A. Stein, Michael Fashano, Peter J. Hadinger, Gary Lehto
  • Publication number: 20100149038
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus to test an antenna. A transmitter generates a test signal radiated by the antenna under test. A near field scanner includes a field sampling probe to capture electromagnetic energy radiated by an antenna under test. An x-y positioning system including x and y positioning motors moves the field sampling probe over a measurement surface disposed proximate to the antenna under test. A quasi-optical beam transport system couples at least a portion of the captured electromagnetic energy from the field sampling probe to a scanner output port. A receiver is coupled to the scanner output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Brown, David D. Crouch, Michael J. Sotelo, Scott W. McClurg, Vince Giancola, William E. Dolash
  • Patent number: 7728769
    Abstract: An adaptive processing method of and system for clutter rejection in a phased array beam pattern. The amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of a two-dimensional phased array is determined. A desired pattern with low side lobes for a linear array is synthesized. The amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of the two-dimensional phased array is compared with the synthesized pattern. Select elements of the two-dimensional array are disabled to best fit the determined amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of the two-dimensional phased array to the synthesized beam pattern. Phase only pattern synthesis is performed to produce a desired two-dimensional beam pattern with low side lobes to minimize any best fit errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kaichiang Chang, William Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20100073231
    Abstract: A wide-angle null-fill antenna with no null in the depression angle range, an omni antenna using the same, and radio communication equipment. A null-fill antenna comprises a first antenna array including antenna elements arranged with a prescribed point as the center, and a second antenna array having amplitude characteristics substantially equal to those of the antenna elements forming the first antenna array. The first antenna array is excited so that the excitation amplitude distribution is to have symmetry with respect to the prescribed point, while the excitation phase distribution is to have point symmetry with respect to the prescribed point. The phase center of the first antenna array is substantially coincident with that of the second antenna array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: NEC Corp.
    Inventor: Norihiko Oomuro
  • Patent number: 7672640
    Abstract: A near field microwave scanning system includes a switched array of antenna elements forming an array surface, a scan surface substantially parallel to the array surface and separated by a distance less than about 1 wavelength of the measured frequency, and a processing engine for obtaining and processing near field data, without the use of an absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: EMSCAN Corporation
    Inventors: Adiseshu Nyshadham, Ruska Patton, Jason Jin
  • Publication number: 20100045529
    Abstract: In an antenna positioning method for a communication device that performs communication using a plurality of antennas positioned on a straight line, the method has a first step of measuring radiation pattern characteristics of each antenna, a second step of detecting a direction in which fluctuation of the radiation pattern characteristics of each antenna is large, and a third step of positioning each antenna in the communication device so that the direction in which the characteristic fluctuation is large matches the straight line direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Masahiko SHIMIZU, Koji Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 7660591
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a transmitter includes taking a Received Signal Strength (RSSI) measurement at a plurality of locations. Next, a known transmit power is subtracted from each of the RSSI measurements to produce a Propagation Loss Vector (PLV) for each location of the plurality of locations. A model is developed from the PLVs, the model including a plurality of grid points. A candidate Transmit Power Vector (TPV) is produced by subtracting the PLV for a candidate location from the RSSI measurement. Each of the RSSI measurements are matched against each TPV of the model. Once all the grid points have been evaluated, the grid point having a best match is selected as a location of the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Anjur Sundaresan Krishnakumar, Parameshwaran Krishnan, Jay Munro Stiles
  • Patent number: RE42472
    Abstract: A method for main beam alignment verification includes providing data pertaining to one or more patterns associated with an antenna, measuring power levels of a signal acquired by the antenna, and comparing the measured power levels with the data to determine whether a direction of the signal is incident upon a main beam of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Dybdal, Denny D. Pidhayny