Passive repeater for wireless communications

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a relatively small antenna apparatus that acts as a passive repeater. The antenna apparatus can be designed to facilitate radio frequency (RF) signal gain for a collection or range of frequencies. In some embodiments, the antenna apparatus is placed near a device with a wireless receiver and/or transmitter, where the antenna apparatus causes increased RF signal intensity at the device by coupling RF signals from a proximate area of higher RF signal intensity into the area around the device. Accordingly, in some instances, an embodiment of the antenna apparatus can be used to increase the RF signal intensity in a null spot or dead spot by coupling RF signal energy from an area proximate to the null spot that has higher RF signal intensity.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 243,120, entitled “PORTABLE PASSIVE REPEATER,” filed Sep. 16, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 373,222, entitled “PASSIVE REPEATER WITH FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS,” filed Aug. 12, 2010. The entire contents of each of the above-identified provisional patent applications are incorporated by reference herein and made part of this specification.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]This disclosure relates to wireless communications and to passive repeaters for wireless communications.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Growing demand for high-rate wireless data services continues to drive the growth of wireless networks. One factor fostering the rapid growth of wireless networks is the growing demand for high-rate data services to be accessible from virtually any location, at all times.[0006]However, despite the efforts of network ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]There lies a challenge to provide increased RF signal strength within and around vehicles, buildings and / or other structures, so that wireless data services can be accessed seamlessly throughout a coverage area.

Problems solved by technology

However, despite the efforts of network operators and consumer equipment makers to provide seamless wireless communication coverage, areas of weak signal strength still exist, even in richly serviced areas such as urban centers.

For example, within a substantially enclosed environment, such as a vehicle or building, the materials of the vehicle or building can cause shadowing, shielding and / or multipath interference that deteriorate radio frequency (RF) signals.

In a dense urban area, the surrounding buildings create a multipath environment where signal reflections destructively combine in locations that are difficult to predict.

The destructive interference reduces receivable RF signals to the point where wireless communication can be virtually impossible at the frequency and power levels used in the wireless system.

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