Radio Antenna Assembly and Apparatus for Controlling Transmission and Reception of RF Signals

Abstract

An apparatus includes an antenna for transmitting RF radiation and being structured to enable the distribution of RF energy emitted therefrom to be varied in the vertical plane. The apparatus comprises a generator for generating an RF signal and to pass the signal to the antenna, and a controller arranged to control the distribution of RF energy emitted from the antenna in the vertical plane in response to positional information about an object.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 969,305 filed on 31 Aug., 2007, and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 048,421 filed on 28 Apr., 2008, the entire contents of both applications being incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to radio antennas and antenna assemblies and in particular, but not limited to, antennas and antenna assemblies for vehicles and other mobile units.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Vehicle mounted radio antennas are generally known for receiving radio broadcast signals and for two-way communication in mobile telephone applications. Vehicle mounted antenna are also known for voice communications in military applications.[0004]In static applications, a known antenna assembly comprises an antenna array comprising several vertically stacked dipole antennas each of which operates over the same frequen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The inventors have discovered that when transmitting at certain frequencies from a vehicle mounted antenna, the signal strength is significantly lower than expected in certain regions in close proximity to the vehicle, and that such regions of lower than expected signal strength occur particularly for higher frequencies and where the vehicle significantly shadows and scatters the signal. Thus, as the vehicle moves towards an object, such as a receiver, the signal strength fades significantly when the vehicle is in close proximity with the receiver resulting in the receiver receiving less than the desired signal strength. In some applications, the signal emitted by the antenna comprises a jamming signal and the receiver may be a receiver for a remote controlled explosive device, for example. Accordingly, fading of the jamming signal when the vehicle is in close proximity to the receiver may render the jamming signal ineffective, and enable the explosive device to be remotely detonated.

[0006]In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide an improved antenna assembly which is capable of producing adequate signal strength and coverage in close proximity to the vehicle or other support on which it is mounted.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, as the vehicle moves towards an object, such as a receiver, the signal strength fades significantly when the vehicle is in close proximity with the receiver resulting in the receiver receiving less than the desired signal strength.

Accordingly, fading of the jamming signal when the vehicle is in close proximity to the receiver may render the jamming signal ineffective, and enable the explosive device to be remotely detonated.

Images