United States Patent 7,696,943
Chiang April 13, 2010
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Low cost multiple pattern antenna for use with multiple receiver systems
Abstract
An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beam width. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain. A Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) processing technique may be employed to operate the antenna assembly with simultaneous beam patterns.
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Inventors: Chiang; Bing A. (Melbourne, FL)
Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Appl. No.: 11/604,013
Filed: November 22, 2006
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
11101914 Apr., 2005 7253783
10664413 Sep., 2003 6894653
60411570 Sep., 2002
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Current U.S. Class: 343/833 ; 343/757; 343/853
Current International Class: H01Q 19/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 343/757,833,834,853
