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WO2010052205A1 - Appareil d'agencement d'antenne - Google Patents

Appareil d'agencement d'antenne Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010052205A1
WO2010052205A1 PCT/EP2009/064509 EP2009064509W WO2010052205A1 WO 2010052205 A1 WO2010052205 A1 WO 2010052205A1 EP 2009064509 W EP2009064509 W EP 2009064509W WO 2010052205 A1 WO2010052205 A1 WO 2010052205A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pole
antenna
extension portion
coupled
feedline
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2009/064509
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jan Johannes Maria Van Den Elzen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TomTom International BV
Original Assignee
TomTom International BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0820240A external-priority patent/GB0820240D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0820242A external-priority patent/GB0820242D0/en
Application filed by TomTom International BV filed Critical TomTom International BV
Publication of WO2010052205A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010052205A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/16—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/08—Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof
    • H01Q1/088—Quick-releasable antenna elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H01Q1/38—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/16—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole
    • H01Q9/26—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole with folded element or elements, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of operating wavelength
    • H01Q9/265—Open ring dipoles; Circular dipoles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/16—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole
    • H01Q9/28—Conical, cylindrical, cage, strip, gauze, or like elements having an extended radiating surface; Elements comprising two conical surfaces having collinear axes and adjacent apices and fed by two-conductor transmission lines
    • H01Q9/285—Planar dipole

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an antenna arrangement apparatus of the type that, for example, comprises a feedline and a dipole antenna comprising first and second pole portions.
  • Portable computing devices for example Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs), which include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and are widely employed as in-car or other vehicle navigation systems.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • a modern PND comprises a processor, memory, and map data stored within said memory.
  • the processor and memory cooperate to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system can be established, and additionally it is commonplace for one or more additional software programs to be provided to enable the functionality of the PND to be controlled, and to provide various other functions.
  • these devices further comprise one or more input interfaces that allow a user to interact with and control the device, and one or more output interfaces by means of which information may be relayed to the user.
  • output interfaces include: a visual display and a speaker for audible output.
  • Illustrative examples of input interfaces include: one or more physical buttons to control on/off operation or other features of the device (which buttons need not necessarily be on the device itself but could be on a steering wheel if the device is built into a vehicle), and a microphone for detecting user speech.
  • the output interface display may be configured as a touch sensitive display (by means of a touch sensitive overlay or otherwise) additionally to provide an input interface by means of which a user can operate the device through the display.
  • PNDs of this type also include a GPS antenna by means of which satellite- broadcast signals, including location-related data, can be received and subsequently processed to determine a current location of the device.
  • PNDs of this type can be mounted on the dashboard or windscreen of a vehicle, but can also be formed as part of an on-board computer of the vehicle radio or indeed as part of the control system of the vehicle itself.
  • the navigation device may also be part of a hand-held system, such as a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant), a media player, a mobile phone or the like, and in these cases, the normal functionality of the hand-held system is extended by means of the installation of software on the device to perform both route calculation and navigation along a calculated route.
  • a PND once a route has been calculated, the user interacts with the navigation device to select the desired calculated route, optionally from a list of proposed routes.
  • the user can intervene in, or guide the route selection process, for example by specifying that certain routes, roads, locations or criteria are to be avoided or are mandatory for a particular journey.
  • the route calculation aspect of the PND forms one primary function, and navigation along such a route is another primary function.
  • PNDs During navigation along a calculated route, it is usual for such PNDs to provide visual and/or audible instructions to guide the user along a chosen route to the end of that route, i.e. the desired destination. It is also usual for PNDs to display map information on-screen during the navigation, such information regularly being updated on-screen so that the map information displayed is representative of the current location of the device, and thus of the user or user's vehicle if the device is being used for in- vehicle navigation.
  • the device Whilst it is known for the device to perform route re-calculation in the event that a user deviates from the previously calculated route during navigation (either by accident or intentionally), a further important function provided by the device is automatic route recalculation in the event that real-time traffic conditions dictate that an alternative route would be more expedient.
  • the device is suitably enabled to recognize such conditions automatically, or if a user actively causes the device to perform route re-calculation for any reason.
  • the device can continually monitor road and traffic conditions, and offer to or choose to change the route over which the remainder of the journey is to be made due to changed conditions associated with the initially selected route.
  • Real time traffic monitoring systems based on various technologies (e.g. mobile phone data exchanges, fixed cameras, GPS fleet tracking) are being used to identify traffic delays and to feed the information into notification systems, for example a Radio Data System (RDS) - Traffic Message Channel (TMC) service.
  • RDS Radio Data System
  • TMC Traffic Message Channel
  • traffic-related information is of particular use when calculating routes and directing a user to a location.
  • traffic-related information is of particular use when calculating routes and directing a user to a location.
  • it is known to broadcast traffic-related information using the RDS-TMC service supported by some broadcasters.
  • the RDS-TMC service supported by some broadcasters.
  • one known traffic-related information service is broadcast using the frequencies allocated to the station known as "Classic fm".
  • Classic fm the frequencies allocated to the station known as "Classic fm”.
  • the skilled person should, of course, appreciate that different frequencies are used by different traffic-related information service providers.
  • a PND provided with an RDS-TMC receiver for receiving an RDS data broadcast, can decode the RDS data broadcast and extract TMC data included in the RDS data broadcast.
  • Frequency Modulation (FM) receivers need to be sensitive.
  • an accessory is provided comprising an RDS-TMC tuner coupled to an antenna at one end thereof and a connector at another end thereof for coupling the RDS-TMC receiver thereof to an input of the PND.
  • Devices of the type described above for example the 920 GO model manufactured and supplied by TomTom International B.V., which support use of the above-described antenna, support a process of enabling users to navigate from one location to another, in particular using traffic-related information. Such devices are of great utility when the user is not familiar with the route to the destination to which they are navigating.
  • antenna structures are known to have varying degrees of suitability in relation to receipt of RDS-TMC data.
  • One antenna structure is a so-called dipole antenna structure, having numerous variants thereof, for example a symmetric dipole antenna structure and an asymmetric dipole antenna structure.
  • Wired variants of the symmetric and asymmetric dipole antenna structures comprise a pair of wires, for example flexible wires, constituting a first pole and a second pole.
  • the symmetric antenna structure was originally designed for symmetric Radio-Frequency (RF) input circuits, the symmetric antenna structure simply comprising symmetric twin cables that were connected to an RF receiver.
  • RF Radio-Frequency
  • An RF transformer was provided in the RF receiver in order to convert a symmetric antenna signal to an asymmetric antenna signal that could be amplified by a suitable RF amplifier circuit in the RF receiver.
  • a so-called “feedline” was introduced into the design of the antenna for high frequency and/or weak signal applications in order to distance the antenna poles from "noisy" electrical circuitry to which the antenna structure was to be coupled.
  • One type of feedline employed was in the form of a length of coaxial cable.
  • the coaxial cable is a transmission line having conductors of unequal impedances with respect to ground potential and so is considered “unbalanced".
  • the so-called dipole antenna structure mentioned above can be employed with varying results in terms of antenna sensitivity.
  • the wires constituting the first and second poles are arranged so as to extend away from each other in order to provide effective performance.
  • an antenna arrangement apparatus comprising: a first pole portion and a second pole portion, the first and second pole portions being arranged to form a dipole antenna and have respective coupling ends and free ends; a pole extension portion coupled to the second pole portion; and a feedline coupled to the coupling ends of the first and second pole portions and the pole extension portion, the pole extension portion extending the effective length of the second pole portion.
  • the first pole portion may be laminar.
  • the second pole portion may be laminar.
  • the first pole portion may be planar.
  • the second pole portion may be planar.
  • the first pole portion may be disposed upon a carrier.
  • the second pole portion may be disposed upon a carrier.
  • the pole extension portion may be formed from a flexible wire.
  • the flexible wire may be a uniaxial wire.
  • the pole extension portion may be removable. Indeed, the pole extension portion may be pluggably removable.
  • the pole extension portion may be coupled to a non-free coupling end of the second pole portion.
  • the feedline may be a length of coaxial cable.
  • the apparatus may further comprise an amplifier device coupled between the feedline and the coupling ends of the first and second pole portions and the pole extension portion.
  • an RDS- TMC reception apparatus comprising the antenna arrangement apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a tuner coupled to the feedline.
  • a docking station comprising a housing substantially containing the antenna arrangement apparatus set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the pole extension portion may reside substantially externally to the housing.
  • an antenna apparatus capable of providing improved antenna sensitivity, for example an increase in sensitivity of a factor of three as compared to the dipole antenna lacking the pole extension portion.
  • the dipole antenna is sufficiently small to be neatly located within a mount or docking station apparatus, whilst at least maintaining performance in relation to receipt of RF signals, particularly those broadcast at frequencies used to bear TMC data.
  • the user is not burdened with the extension and arrangement within a vehicle of a pair of relatively long pole wires. Improved flexibility in respect of mounting a docking station is thus achieved.
  • the improved performance provided by the apparatus also reduces instances of user annoyance and false enquires made to manufacturers, distributors and/or retailers concerning whether or not the apparatus is faulty.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of components of a navigation device
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an architectural stack employed in the navigation device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a mount and/or docking station in which part of an antenna apparatus is disposed and coupled to a navigation device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the docking station or mount of Figure 3, when in use;
  • Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the exterior of part of the docking station or mount of Figure 3 in greater detail;
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of part of the docking station or mount of
  • Figure 5 Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a dipole antenna employed by the antenna apparatus of Figure 3 and constituting part of an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG 8 is a schematic diagram of another dipole antenna employed by the antenna apparatus of Figure 3 and constituting part of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 9 is a schematic diagram including a pole extension portion for the antennas of Figure 7 or 8;
  • Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment to that of Figure
  • Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another alternative embodiment to that of
  • FIG 12 is a schematic diagram of an antenna arrangement apparatus employing the antenna apparatus of Figure 9.
  • a navigation device is intended to include (without limitation) any type of route planning and navigation device, irrespective of whether the navigation device is embodied as a PND, a vehicle such as an automobile, or indeed a portable computing resource, for example a portable personal computer (PC), a mobile telephone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) executing route planning and navigation software.
  • PC personal computer
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • a "destination" location selected by the user need not have a corresponding start location from which the user wishes to start navigating, and as a consequence references herein to the "destination” location or indeed to a “destination” view should not be interpreted to mean that the generation of a route is essential, that travelling to the "destination” must occur, or indeed that the presence of a destination requires the designation of a corresponding start location.
  • a navigation device 100 is located within a housing (not shown).
  • the navigation device 100 comprises or is coupled to a GPS receiver device 102 via a connection 104, wherein the GPS receiver device 102 can be, for example, a GPS antenna/receiver.
  • the antenna and receiver designated by reference numeral 102 are combined schematically for illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna or helical antenna for example.
  • the navigation device 100 includes a processing resource comprising, for example, a processor 106, the processor 106 being coupled to an input device 108 and a display device, for example a display screen 1 10.
  • the input device 108 represents any number of input devices, including a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or any other known input device utilised to input information.
  • the display screen 1 10 can include any type of display screen for example a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
  • one aspect of the input device 108, the touch panel, and the display screen 1 10 are integrated so as to provide an integrated input and display device, including a touchpad or touchscreen input to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information through the touch panel screen so that a user need only touch a portion of the display screen 1 10 to select one of a plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual or "soft" buttons.
  • the processor 106 supports a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that operates in conjunction with the touchscreen.
  • GUI Graphical User Interface
  • the processor 106 is operatively connected to and capable of receiving input information from the input device 108 via a connection 1 12, and operatively connected to at least one of the display screen 1 10 and an output device 1 14, for example an audible output device (e.g. a loudspeaker), via respective output connections 1 16, 1 18.
  • an audible output device e.g. a loudspeaker
  • the input device 108 can include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands.
  • the navigation device 100 can also include any additional input device and/or any additional output device, for example audio input/output devices.
  • the processor 106 is operatively connected to a memory resource 120 comprising, for example a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a digital memory, such as a flash memory, via connection 122 and is further arranged to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O) port 124 via connection 126, wherein the I/O port 124 is connectible to an I/O device 128 external to the navigation device 100.
  • a memory resource 120 comprising, for example a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a digital memory, such as a flash memory
  • I/O input/output
  • the external I/O device 128 can include, but is not limited to, an external listening device, for example an earpiece.
  • the connection to the I/O device 128 can further be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device, for example a car stereo unit for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation, for connection to an earpiece or headphones, and/or for connection to a mobile telephone; the mobile telephone connection can be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 100 and the Internet or any other network for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the Internet or some other network for example.
  • the navigation device 100 is capable of establishing a data session, if required, with network hardware of a "mobile" or telecommunications network via a mobile communications device (not shown), for example the mobile telephone described above, a PDA and/or any device comprising mobile telephone technology.
  • the navigation device 100 can establish a digital connection, for example a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology, with the mobile communications device. Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile communications device can establish a network connection (through the Internet for example) with the server (not shown).
  • a "mobile” network connection can be established between the navigation device 100 (which can be, and oftentimes is, mobile as it travels alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server to provide a "real-time” or at least very “up to date” gateway for information.
  • the navigation device 100 also comprises an input port 125 operatively coupled to the processor 106 via connection 127 for receipt of traffic-related data.
  • the electronic units schematically shown in Figure 1 are powered by one or more power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner.
  • power sources not shown
  • different configurations of the units shown in Figure 1 are contemplated.
  • the components shown in Figure 1 may be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like.
  • the navigation device 100 described herein can be a portable or handheld navigation device 100.
  • the block diagram of the navigation device 100 described above is not inclusive of all components of the navigation device 100, but is only representative of many example components.
  • the memory resource 120 stores a boot loader program (not shown) that is executed by the processor 106 in order to load an operating system 132 from the memory resource 120 for execution by functional hardware components 130, which provides an environment in which application software 134 (implementing some or all of the above described route planning and navigation functionality) can run.
  • the operating system 132 serves to control the functional hardware components 130 and resides between the application software 134 and the functional hardware components 130.
  • the application software 134 provides an operational environment, including the GUI, which supports core functions of the navigation device 100, for example map viewing, route planning, navigation functions and any other functions associated therewith.
  • part of the application software 134 comprises a traffic data processing module 136 that receives and processes the traffic-related data and provides the user with traffic information integrated with map information.
  • a traffic data processing module 136 that receives and processes the traffic-related data and provides the user with traffic information integrated with map information.
  • the navigation device 100 is, in this example, capable of coupling to an arm 142 of a docking station 140, the arm 142 being capable of being secured to, for example, a vehicle dashboard or window using a suction cup 144.
  • the arm 142 is one example of a docking station with which the navigation device 100 can be docked.
  • the navigation device 100 can be docked with, or otherwise connected to, the docking station 140 by snap connecting the navigation device 100 to the arm 142, for example.
  • the navigation device 100 can also be rotatable on the arm 142. To release a connection between the navigation device 100 and the docking station 140, a button on the navigation device 100 is provided and can be pressed.
  • Other equally suitable arrangements for coupling and decoupling the navigation device 100 to a docking station can alternatively be provided.
  • the navigation device 100 is, in this example, located in a vehicle, for example an automobile, and connected to the docking station 140.
  • the docking station 140 is coupled to a Cigarette Lighter Adaptor (CLA) 150, the CLA 150 being plugged into a so-called cigar or cigarette lighter (not shown) of the vehicle.
  • CLA Cigarette Lighter Adaptor
  • the coupling of the CLA 150 to the cigarette lighter of the vehicle allows a battery 152 of the vehicle to be used to power the navigation device 100, in this example via the docking station 140, after appropriate conversion of the 12V Direct Current (DC) supply provided by the battery 152.
  • Both the battery 152 and the CLA 150 are coupled to a ground 153 provided by the vehicle, typically the chassis or body of the vehicle.
  • the docking station 140 comprises a pole extension port 154 that is coupled to a pole extension portion 156, which is part of an antenna apparatus (not shown in Figure 4).
  • the pole extension portion 156 can comprise a coupling connector (not shown), for example a jack plug, for coupling to the input port 154, the connector being coupled to a tuner (not shown in Figure 4) located in a housing of the docking station 140.
  • the pole extension portion 156 is coupled to a part of the antenna apparatus in a manner that is not detachable by the user.
  • the pole extension portion 156 can be stowed, for example by winding the pole extension portion 156 around a tidy protrusion or arrangement, and can be used in the stowed state.
  • the docking station 140 comprises a housing 160 within which an RDS-TMC reception apparatus is disposed.
  • the RDS reception apparatus comprises a tuner (not shown in Figure 5) and part of an antenna arrangement apparatus (also not shown in Figure 5).
  • the antenna arrangement apparatus comprises the antenna apparatus, which includes the pole extension portion 156.
  • the docking station or mount 140 comprises at least part of the antenna arrangement apparatus.
  • the docking station or mount 140 comprises all of the antenna arrangement apparatus apart from a substantial part of the pole extension portion 156.
  • the housing 160 of the docking station 140 defines an open cavity 162 that is closed by a suction cup 164 that is coaxially coupled to an internal fixing 166 of the housing 160.
  • a printed circuit board 168 is disposed within the housing 160 adjacent the suction cup 164.
  • the printed circuit board 168 is, in this example, discshaped and carries a part of the antenna apparatus that includes a first pole portion (not shown in Figure 6) and a second pole portion (also not shown in Figure 6).
  • the pole extension portion 156 is coupled to the second pole portion by soldering to the printed circuit board 168.
  • the pole extension portion 156 extends out of the housing 160 via an aperture 170.
  • the pole extension portion 156 resides substantially externally to the housing 160. Referring to Figure 7, the first pole portion 170 and the second pole portion 172 are disposed upon a carrier, for example the printed circuit board 168.
  • the first and second pole portions 170, 172 can be planar or laminar.
  • the first pole portion 172 extends to form a first loop and the second pole portion 172 extends to form a second loop.
  • the carrier has been described herein as being disc- shaped, the skilled person should appreciate that the first pole portion 170 can reside on a first carrier part, for example a first crescent-shaped carrier, and the second pole portion 172 can reside on a second, separate carrier, part, for example a second crescent-shaped carrier.
  • the first and second crescent-shaped carrier parts can, if desired, be arranged to form a substantially disc-like shape. However, the first and second carrier parts need not be crescent-shaped for all applications.
  • the first pole portion 170 can be formed as a first line or track and the second pole portion 172 can be formed as a second line or track.
  • the thicknesses of one or both antenna elements forming the first and second pole portions 170, 172 can be between about 35 » m thick and about 1.5mm thick, for example between about 0.5 mm thick and about 1 .5 mm thick. These dimensions include lines used to form the loops.
  • the first and second pole portions 170, 172 constituting a dipole antenna have coupling wires 174 connected thereto.
  • the pole extension portion 156 is a flexible wire, for example a uniaxial or unicore wire.
  • the pole extension portion 156 can vary in length depending upon the sensitivity required of the antenna apparatus. Turning to Figure 9, the pole extension portion 156 is about 20 cm in length and contributes to an antenna sensitivity, expressed in terms of RF output level (U), of about 250 • V. This translates to a field strength near the antenna apparatus of about 50 » VnY 1 .
  • the pole extension portion 156 can be shorter and is about 10 cm in length and contributes to a reduced antenna sensitivity (U) of about 350 » V. This translates to a field strength near the antenna apparatus of about 70 » Vm "1 .
  • the pole extension portion 156 is again about 20 cm but is removable from the second pole portion 172.
  • the pole extension portion 156 is removably pluggable with respect to the second pole portion 172 via the input port 154.
  • the pole extension portion 156 When connected to the second pole portion 172, the pole extension portion 156 again contributes to the antenna sensitivity (U) being about 250 • V (or a field strength near the antenna apparatus of about 50 » VnY 1 ).
  • the sensitivity (U) of the antenna apparatus is about 750 • V (or a field strength near the antenna apparatus of about 150 « VnY 1 ).
  • the RDS-TMC reception apparatus 180 comprises the TMC tuner 182 coupled to the antenna arrangement apparatus 184.
  • the tuner 182 is, in this example, a Frequency Modulation (FM) receiver, particularly an RDS-TMC tuner.
  • FM Frequency Modulation
  • a suitable receiver is available from GNS GmbH, Germany.
  • the antenna arrangement apparatus 184 comprises a feedline 186 coupled to an antenna apparatus 188.
  • the feedline 186 is coupled to the antenna apparatus 188 via an amplifier device 190 and a filter 192.
  • the feedline 186 is, in this example, a length of coaxial cable having a core 194 and a shield 196 coupled at first ends thereof, to the tuner 182.
  • the core 194 of the length of coaxial cable 186 is coupled, at a second end thereof, to first terminals of a first resistor 198 and a second resistor 200 of a low noise amplifier circuit constituting the amplifier device 190.
  • the shield 196 is coupled to ground potential at the second end of the feedline 196.
  • a second terminal of the first resistor 198 is coupled to a collector terminal of a bipolar transistor 202 of the low noise amplifier circuit.
  • a second terminal of the second resistor 200 is coupled to a base terminal of the bipolar transistor 202.
  • An emitter terminal of the bipolar transistor 202 is coupled to ground potential via an inductor 204 of the low noise amplifier circuit.
  • the base terminal of the bipolar transistor 202 is optionally coupled to the ground potential via a capacitor 206 to improve resonance as will be described shortly hereinafter.
  • the base terminal of the bipolar transistor 202 is further coupled to a first terminal of the common-mode filter 192, a second terminal of the common-mode filter 192 being coupled to the ground potential.
  • the first and second pole portions 170, 172 are small relative to the size of known pole portions used for receipt of RDS-TMS data.
  • the antenna apparatus is capacitive and so a third terminal of the common-mode filter 192 is coupled to the first pole portion 170 via another inductor 208 in order to make the antenna apparatus resonant in respect of the frequency band of interest, for example the frequency band associated with receipt of RDS-TMC data.
  • the inductance value of the another inductor 208 is dependent upon the length of the pole extension portion 156.
  • a fourth terminal of the common-mode filter 192 is coupled to the second pole portion 172 and the pole extension portion 156.
  • the filter 192 is, for example a common-mode transformer, such as a coil, or a toroidal inductor or a common-mode choke, for example a bifilar choke.
  • the filter 192 is located in the housing 160 and has a common-mode impedance and a differential-mode impedance.
  • the common-mode impedance of the filter 192 can be at least about 1 k » .
  • the common-mode impedance can be between about 1 k » and about 4k » , for example between about 1 .5k » and about 2.5k » , such as between about 2k » and about 2.3k » .
  • the filter 192 has a common- mode impedance of about 2.2k » . This is considerably in excess of an inherent common-mode impedance of a length of cable.
  • the differential-mode impedance of the filter 192 can be between about 1 • and about 50 • , for example, between about 1 • and about 20 • , such as between about 5 • and about 15 • . In this example, the differential-mode impedance of the filter 192 is about 10 • .
  • the amplifier device 190 can be provided inline between a proximal end (with respect to the first and second pole portions 170, 172) of the length of coaxial cable 186 and the first and second pole portions 170, 172.
  • the antenna arrangement apparatus 184 is therefore "active".
  • the amplifier 190 can be coupled between the common-mode filter 192 and the first and second pole portions 170, 172.
  • the third terminal of the common-mode filter 192 is coupled to an output of the RF amplifier circuit 190 and an input of the amplifier device 190 is coupled to the first pole portion 170.
  • a ground terminal of the amplifier device 190 is coupled to the fourth terminal of the common-mode filter 192 and the second pole portion 172.
  • the RF amplifier circuit can be any suitable RF amplifier, for example the Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) described above, and can include an RF transistor serving as the transistor 202, available from Infineon Technologies AG (for example, part number: BFR 93) or NXP Semiconductors.
  • LNA Low Noise Amplifier
  • the first pole portion and/or the second pole portion can be of the shortened lengths illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 12, for example, less than about 50 cm each, for example less than 20 cm, such as between about 15 cm and about 20 cm as used in the examples described herein.
  • the first and second pole portions 170, 172 are therefore capacitive.
  • the second inductor 208 constituting a compensatory inductance, for example a coil, such as a coil of 1 • H inductance, can be provided, in-line, between the third terminal of the filter 192 and the first pole portion 170 or the fourth terminal of the filter 192 and the second pole portion 172.
  • the inductance value of the compensatory inductance 208 can be between about 25OnH and about 1 .25 » H depending upon the respective lengths of the pole portions 170, 172 and associated structures.
  • the pole extension portion 156 can have a
  • sucker or small suction cup 210 or other suitable coupling device attached thereto in order to facilitate extension and arrangement of the pole extension portion 156 and/or coupling to a windshield.
  • the sucker 210 is disposed towards the end of the length of the pole extension portion 156.
  • the antenna arrangement apparatus can be used to receive signals bearing audio information, for example FM audio signals. Consequently, the antenna arrangement apparatus can be used in connection with FM radio applications, for example FM radio applications used in relation to other electronic devices, such as communications devices.
  • FM radio applications for example FM radio applications used in relation to other electronic devices, such as communications devices.
  • a mobile telephone handset comprising an integrated FM receiver or coupled to an FM receiver module.
  • the pole extension portion 156 can be coupled to a distal end (with respect to the feedline 186) of the second pole portion 172 instead of the proximal end of the second pole portion 172.
  • the navigation device may utilise any kind of position sensing technology as an alternative to (or indeed in addition to) GPS.
  • the navigation device may utilise using other global navigation satellite systems such as the European Galileo system. Equally, it is not limited to satellite based but could readily function using ground based beacons or any other kind of system that enables the device to determine its geographic location.

Landscapes

  • Navigation (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil d'agencement d'antenne (184) qui comporte une première partie pôle (170) et une seconde partie pôle (172). Les première et seconde parties pôle (170, 172) sont disposées de façon à former une antenne dipôle et possèdent des extrémités de couplage et des extrémités libres respectives. Une partie extension de pôle (156) est couplée à la seconde partie pôle. L'appareil comprend également une ligne d'alimentation (186) couplée aux extrémités de couplage des première et seconde parties pôle (170, 172) et à la partie extension de pôle (156), cette dernière étendant la longueur effective de la seconde partie pole (172).
PCT/EP2009/064509 2008-11-05 2009-11-03 Appareil d'agencement d'antenne Ceased WO2010052205A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0820242.6 2008-11-05
GB0820240A GB0820240D0 (en) 2008-11-05 2008-11-05 Improvements in relation to an antenna
GB0820242A GB0820242D0 (en) 2008-11-05 2008-11-05 Improvements in relation to an antenna
GB0820240.0 2008-11-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010052205A1 true WO2010052205A1 (fr) 2010-05-14

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ID=41718738

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2009/064509 Ceased WO2010052205A1 (fr) 2008-11-05 2009-11-03 Appareil d'agencement d'antenne

Country Status (2)

Country Link
TW (1) TW201032382A (fr)
WO (1) WO2010052205A1 (fr)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0070150A2 (fr) * 1981-07-10 1983-01-19 BRG Mechatronikai Vállalat Dispositif d'antenne pour émetteurs-récepteurs portatifs
JPH08307130A (ja) * 1995-05-10 1996-11-22 Casio Comput Co Ltd 携帯無線機器用アンテナおよび携帯無線機器
WO2000030210A1 (fr) * 1998-11-12 2000-05-25 Motorola Inc. Module carte a microprocesseur et technique permettant de fixer des fils d'antenne sur celle-ci
WO2001031735A1 (fr) * 1999-10-28 2001-05-03 Qualcomm Incorporated Antenne de téléphone mobile repliable équilibrée
US20050259010A1 (en) * 2003-07-04 2005-11-24 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Antenna element and mobile telephone device
EP1605545A1 (fr) * 2004-06-04 2005-12-14 Sony Corporation Ecouteur fonctionnant comme antenne et dispositif radio équipé de cet écouteur
EP1965502A1 (fr) * 2007-02-28 2008-09-03 Laird Technologies AB Dispositif d'antenne et dispositif de communication radio portable comportant un tel dispositif d'antenne
DE102007012617A1 (de) * 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Funkwerk Dabendorf-Gmbh Halter für portables Navigationsgerät

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0070150A2 (fr) * 1981-07-10 1983-01-19 BRG Mechatronikai Vállalat Dispositif d'antenne pour émetteurs-récepteurs portatifs
JPH08307130A (ja) * 1995-05-10 1996-11-22 Casio Comput Co Ltd 携帯無線機器用アンテナおよび携帯無線機器
WO2000030210A1 (fr) * 1998-11-12 2000-05-25 Motorola Inc. Module carte a microprocesseur et technique permettant de fixer des fils d'antenne sur celle-ci
WO2001031735A1 (fr) * 1999-10-28 2001-05-03 Qualcomm Incorporated Antenne de téléphone mobile repliable équilibrée
US20050259010A1 (en) * 2003-07-04 2005-11-24 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Antenna element and mobile telephone device
EP1605545A1 (fr) * 2004-06-04 2005-12-14 Sony Corporation Ecouteur fonctionnant comme antenne et dispositif radio équipé de cet écouteur
EP1965502A1 (fr) * 2007-02-28 2008-09-03 Laird Technologies AB Dispositif d'antenne et dispositif de communication radio portable comportant un tel dispositif d'antenne
DE102007012617A1 (de) * 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Funkwerk Dabendorf-Gmbh Halter für portables Navigationsgerät

Also Published As

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