Cellular mobile communication antenna

Claim 2

A mobile communications antenna system for use at UHF frequencies at least as high as 800 MHz comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a conductive base member affixed to the outer surface of a non-conductive dielectric member of a vehicle; and a coupling system disposed on the inner surface of said dielectric member and juxtaposed with said base member, said coupling system including a conductive housing defining a counterpoise for said antenna system and a coupling plate member juxtaposed with said base member to define therewith a coupling capacitor for RF energy, said coupling plate member being electrically insulated from said conductive counterpoise housing, a tuned circuit connected to said coupling capacitor and disposed within said conductive counterpoise housing for tuning said antenna system to a desired frequency within said 800 MHz band, and a connector member for a coaxial transmission line electrically connected to said tuned circuit at a point at which the impedance of the transmission line connected to said connector and said tuned circuit are substantially the same.

Claim 3

An antenna system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling plate member is a printed circuit foil formed in a non-conductive closing member closing one side of said conductive counterpoise housing; and including means for affixing said non-conductive closing member to the inner surface of said vehicle dielectric member with the printed circuit foil generally juxtaposed with said base member.

Claim 4

An antenna system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said tuned circuit comprises an adjustable tuning capacitor and an inductor connected in parallel therewith, said printed circuit foil coupling plate being one plate of said tuning capacitor, and the other plate comprising a generally U-shaped conductive member having a base portion disposed between and connected to first and second legs, said base portion being affixed to a conductive wall of said housing, said first leg being connected to said connector and said second leg being adjustable and having a free end portion juxtaposed and spaced from said foil coupling plate.

Claim 5

An antenna system as claimed in claim 3 including means for adjusting the degree of juxtaposition between the plates of said tuning capacitor.

Claim 6

An antenna system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said inductor is a straight wire extending between and connected to said printed circuit foil coupling plate and said base of said U-shaped member.

Claim 7

An antenna system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said connector is a coaxial connector having a shield contact connected to said first leg of said U-shaped member and to said conductive counterpoise housing and a center connector connected to said inductor wire.

Claim 8

An antenna system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said radiator is a collinear radiator having a first portion having a length about equal to 5/8 wavelength, a second portion including said base member having a length between about 1/4 and 1/2 wavelength, and a phasing coil therebetween.

Claim 9

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz and attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a conductive base member, said base member being attachable to a first surface of the dielectric member of the vehicle; a conductive housing defining a cavity therein, said housing having a non-conductive sidewall; means, attachable to a second surface of the dielectric member adjacent said base member, for coupling radio frequency energy with frequencies in excess of 800 MHz to said radiating member, said coupling means being affixed to said non-conductive sidewall of said housing; a coaxial connector with first and second conductors, said first connector conductor being electrically coupled to said housing; a selectively tunable circuit positioned in said cavity and electrically connected between said coupling means and said second connector conductor; and a coaxial cable having first and second conductors and connectable between said connector and the transceiver with said first connector conductor electrically engaging said first cable conductor and said first cable conductor electrically engaging a selected conductor of the transceiver so as to form only a single conductive path between said housing and the selected conductor in the transceiver.

Claim 10

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz and attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a conductive base member, said base member being attachable to a first surface of the dielectric member of the vehicle; a conductive housing defining a cavity therein, said housing having a non-conductive sidewall; means, attachable to a second surface of the dielectric member adjacent said base member, for coupling radio frequency energy with frequencies in excess of 800 MHz to said radiating member, said coupling means being affixed to said non-conductive sidewall of said housing; a coaxial connector with first and second conductors, said first connector conductor being electrically coupled to said housing; a selectively tunable circuit positioned in said cavity and electrically connected between said coupling means and said second connector conductor; and a coaxial cable having first and second conductors and connectable between said connector and the transceiver with said first connector conductor electrically engaging said first cable conductor and said first cable conductor electrically engaging a selected conductor of the transceiver so as to form only a single conductive path between said housing and the selected conductor in the transceiver.

Claim 11

The antenna system of claim 8 wherein said selectively tunable circuit includes means for matching the impedance of said coaxial cable.

Claim 12

The antenna system of claim 9 wherein said impedance matching means includes an inductor coupled between said housing and said coupling means.

Claim 13

The antenna system of claim 10 wherein said inductor is a straight wire having first and second ends coupled respectively to said housing and said coupling means.

Claim 14

The antenna system of claim 11 with said second connector conductor coupled to a selected point between said ends.

Claim 15

The antenna system of claim 8 with said conductive housing being a counterpoise for said radiating member.

Claim 16

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency eneergy, the energy being generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle, the antenna system being operable at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz, attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle and comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means couplable to the transceiver and having first and second conductors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means, spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiating member, said connector means affixed to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor said antenna system operable with an electrical connection only between said coupling system and the transceiver.

Claim 17

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency eneergy, the energy being generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle, the antenna system being operable at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz, attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle and comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means couplable to the transceiver and having first and second conductors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means, spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiating member, said connector means affixed to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor said antenna system operable with an electrical connection only between said coupling system and the transceiver.

Claim 18

An antenna system in accordance with claim 14 with said connector means including a cable having an end engageable with the transceiver and with said counterpoise being electrically coupled by only said cable end to a selected conductor in the transceiver.

Claim 19

An antenna system in accordance with claim 14 wherein: said supporting member includes a conductive base member affixable to a surface of the dielectric member.

Claim 20

An antenna system in accordance with claim 16 wherein said base member is affixable to one surface of the dielectric member and the coupling system is affixable to a second surface of said dielectric member.

Claim 21

An antenna system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said radio frequency coupling means includes a planar metal member positionable on the second surface, juxtaposed with said base member, thereby forming a coiupling capacitor.

Claim 22

An antenna system in accordance with claim 18 wherein said counterpoise includes a shaped metal member at least a portion of which is positionable against the second surface of the dielectric member.

Claim 23

An antenna system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said shaped metal member is a conductive housing.

Claim 24

An antenna system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said electrically coupling means includes a conducting member coupled between said planar metal member and said second conductor.

Claim 25

An antenna system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said electrically coupling means includes an impedance-matching circuit.

Claim 26

An antenna system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said electrically coupling means includes a tunable circuit.

Claim 27

An antenna system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said connector means includes a coaxial connector one conductor of which is electrically coupled to said shaped metal member and a second conductor of which is electrically coupled to said planar metal member.

Claim 28

An antenna system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said connector means includes a cable having first and second conductors couplable to the transceiver with said shaped metal member coupled to a selected electrical connection in the transceiver only by a selected one of said conductors in said cable.

Claim 29

An antenna system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said electrically coupling means includes a tuned circuit.

Claim 30

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy, the energy being generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle, the antenna system being operable at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz, attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle, and comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means couplable to the transceiver and having first and second connectors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means including a shaped metal member at least a portion of which is positionable adjacent the dielectric member, said shaped metal member defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiation member, said connector means being affixed mechanically to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor with said antenna system operable in the absence of any direct electric connection between said counterpoise and the vehicle.

Claim 31

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy, the energy being generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle, the antenna system being operable at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz, attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle, and comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means couplable to the transceiver and having first and second connectors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means including a shaped metal member at least a portion of which is positionable adjacent the dielectric member, said shaped metal member defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiation member, said connector means being affixed mechanically to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor with said antenna system operable in the absence of any direct electric connection between said counterpoise and the vehicle.

Claim 32

An antenna system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said shaped metal member is a conductive housing.

Claim 33

An antenna system in accordance with claim 28 with said connector means including a cable having an end engageable with the transceiver with said counterpoise being electrically coupled by only said end to a selected conductor in the transceiver.

Claim 34

An antenna system in accordance with claim 28 wherein: said supporting member includes a conductive base member with said base member being affixable to a surface of the dielectric member.

Claim 35

An antenna system in accordance with claim 30 wherein said base member is affixable to one surface of the dielectric member and the coupling system is affixable to a second surface of said dielectric member.

Claim 36

An antenna system in accordance with claim 31 wherein said radio frequency coupling means includes a planar metal member positionable on the second surface, juxtaposed with said base member, thereby forming a coupling capacitor.

Claim 37

An antenna system in accordance with claim 32 wherein said electrically coupling means includes a conducting member coupled between said planar metal member and said second conductor.

Claim 38

An antenna system in accordance with claim 32 wherein said electrically coupling means includes an impedance-matching circuit.

Claim 39

An antenna system in accordance with claim 32 wherein said electrically coupling means includes a tunable circuit.

Claim 40

An antenna system in accordance with claim 32 wherein said connector means includes a coaxial connector one conductor of which is electrically coupled to said conductive housing and a second conductor of which is electrically coupled to said planar metal member.

Claim 41

An antenna system in accordance with claim 32 wherein said connector means includes a cable having first and second conductors couplable to the transceiver with said conductive housing coupled to a selected electrical connection in the transceiver only by a selected one of said conductors in said cable.

Claim 42

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz and attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means having first and second conductors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means, spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiating member, said connector means being mechanically affixed to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and tunable circuit means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor and with said coupling system cooperating with said connector means and said radiating member such that said antenna system has a bandwidth in excess of 60 MHz.

Claim 43

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz and attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means having first and second conductors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means, spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiating member, said connector means being mechanically affixed to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and tunable circuit means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor and with said coupling system cooperating with said connector means and said radiating member such that said antenna system has a bandwidth in excess of 60 MHz.

Claim 44

An antenna system in accordance with claim 38 with said connector means having an end engageable with the transceiver with said counterpoise being electrically coupled by only said end of said connector means to a selected conductor in the transceiver.

Claim 45

An antenna system in accordance with claim 45 wherein: said supporting member includes a conductive base member with said base member being affixable to a surface of the dielectric member.

Claim 46

An antenna system in accordance with claim 40 wherein said base member is affixable to one surface of the dielectric member and the coupling system is affixable to a second surface of said dielectric member.

Claim 47

An antenna system in accordance with claim 41 wherein said coupling means includes a planar metal member positionable on the second surface, juxtaposed with said base member, thereby forming a coupling capacitor.

Claim 48

An antenna system in accordance with claim 42 wherein said conductive means includes a shape metal member at least a portion of which is positionable against the second surface of the dielectric member.

Claim 49

An antenna system in accordance with claim 43 wherein said shaped metal member is a conductive housing.

Claim 50

An antenna system in accordance with claim 43 wherein said tunable circuit means includes an impedance-matching circuit.

Claim 51

An antenna system in accordance with claim 45 wherein said impedance matching circuit includes an inductive element.

Claim 52

An antenna system in accordance with claim 43 wherein said connector means includes a coaxial connector one conductor of which is electrically coupled to said shaped metal member and a second conductor of which is electrically coupled to said planar metal member.

Claim 53

An antenna system in accordance with claim 43 wherein said connector means includes a cable with an end couplable to the transceiver with said shaped metal member coupled to a selected electrical connection in the transceiver only by said end of said cable.

Claim 54

A mobile communications antenna system attachable to a dielectric member of a vehicle and usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in the vehicle at frequencies at least as high as 800 MHz comprising: a radiating member and attached means for supporting said radiating member adjacent the dielectric member; a coupling system affixable to the dielectric member of and insulated thereby from the remainder of the vehicle, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for the antenna system and means for coupling radio frequency energy through the dielectric member to said radiating member; and connector means having first and second ends with said first end electrically coupled to said counterpoise and with said second end of said connector means engageable with the transceiver with said counterpoise being electrically coupled at only said second end to a selected conductor in the transceiver.

Claim 55

A mobile communications antenna system attachable to a dielectric member of a vehicle and usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in the vehicle at frequencies at least as high as 800 MHz comprising: a radiating member and attached means for supporting said radiating member adjacent the dielectric member; a coupling system affixable to the dielectric member of and insulated thereby from the remainder of the vehicle, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for the antenna system and means for coupling radio frequency energy through the dielectric member to said radiating member; and connector means having first and second ends with said first end electrically coupled to said counterpoise and with said second end of said connector means engageable with the transceiver with said counterpoise being electrically coupled at only said second end to a selected conductor in the transceiver.

Claim 56

A mobile communications antenna system attachable to a dielectric member of a vehicle and usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in the vehicle at frequencies at least as high as 800 MHz comprising: a radiating member and attached means for supporting said radiating member adjacent the dielectric member; a coupling system affixable to the dielectric member of the vehicle and insulated thereby from the remainder of the vehicle, said coupling system including, a conductive housing defining a counterpoise for the antenna system; and means for coupling radio frequency energy through the dielectric member, to said radiating member with said coupling means including impedance matching means.

Claim 57

A mobile communications antenna system attachable to a dielectric member of a vehicle and usable to radiate radio frequency energy generated by a transceiver located in the vehicle at frequencies at least as high as 800 MHz comprising: a radiating member and attached means for supporting said radiating member adjacent the dielectric member; a coupling system affixable to the dielectric member of the vehicle and insulated thereby from the remainder of the vehicle, said coupling system including, a conductive housing defining a counterpoise for the antenna system; and means for coupling radio frequency energy through the dielectric member, to said radiating member with said coupling means including impedance matching means.

Claim 58

A mobile communications antenna system as in claim 50 wherein said impedance matching means incorporates tuned circuit means.

Claim 59

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy, the energy being generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle, the antenna system being operable at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz, attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle, and comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means couplable to the transceiver and having first and second conductors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means, spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiating member, said connector means affixed to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor with said antenna system operable in the absence of any direct electrical connection between said counterpoise and the vehicle and with said coupling system cooperating with said connector means and said radiating member such that said antenna system has a bandwidth in excess of 60 MHz.

Claim 60

A mobile communications antenna system usable to radiate radio frequency energy, the energy being generated by a transceiver located in a vehicle, the antenna system being operable at frequencies in excess of 800 MHz, attachable to a dielectric member of the vehicle, and comprising: an elongated radiating member attached at one end to a supporting member, said radiating member being supportable adjacent the dielectric member of the vehicle; connector means couplable to the transceiver and having first and second conductors; and a coupling system separate from the vehicle but affixable to the dielectric member, juxtaposed with said supporting member, said coupling system including, conductive means defining a counterpoise for said antenna system, means, spaced from said counterpoise, for coupling radio frequency energy in excess of 800 MHz through the dielectric member to said radiating member, said connector means affixed to said coupling system with said first conductor coupled to said counterpoise, and means for electrically coupling said radio frequency coupling means to said second conductor with said antenna system operable in the absence of any direct electrical connection between said counterpoise and the vehicle and with said coupling system cooperating with said connector means and said radiating member such that said antenna system has a bandwidth in excess of 60 MHz.