Xm Satellite Radio Inc.

Sirius Xm Radio Inc.

Motorola Corporation

Anh Xuan Nguyen

Argyrios A Chatzipetros

Paul D Marko

Argy Petros

Craig P Wadin

Joan S DeLuca

Stuart Anderson Cox

Mark Rindsberg

Richard Andrew Michalski

Joseph Michael Smallcomb

George David Mantel

Kin Soon Liew

Terry C Helstrom

Hien Duc Ma

Deepak R Mody

Jeffery David Hayes

Arun K Krishnamurthy

Jeffrey David Hayes

Various applications, systems and methods for using, and enhancing V2V communications for various purposes are described. These systems and methods leverage various aspects of satellite radio broadcasts in combination with V2V communications. In some embodiments, V2V-enabled vehicles can receive advertisements or offers from RSEs, or even other V2V enabled vehicles, in a defined Target Region, which may then be played to a user in-vehicle once a given Trigger Region has been entered. By logging all advertisements or offers played to a user and sending the log to an RSE, for example, and from there to a content provider (e.g., an SDARS service operator), verified delivery of advertisements is achieved, which allows the content provider to obtain significant revenues from advertisers. In return for uploading the playback record from the vehicle to the RSE, a variety of incentives may be offered, such as (i) free or discounted satellite radio subscription; (ii) download credits for music or videos from an online store; (iii) reduced or free tolls on toll roads (e.g., RSE embedded in a toll collection plaza); (iv) premium audio or video content, (v) credit at an online store; and (vi) a special coupon code redeemable for merchandise.

Systems, methods and applications for using and enhancing vehicle to vehicle communications, including synergies and interoperation with satellite radio

A digital audio system () can include a receiver () coupled to an RF modulator (), a source signal modulated by the RF modulator to provide a modulated signal, and an external antenna () for receiving the source signal and for transmitting the modulated signal. The receiver can be a satellite radio receiver or any digital source such as an FM radio or MPplayer for example. The system can further include a coupling network () coupled between the receiver and the external antenna and between the RF modulator and the external antenna. The system can further include an internal antenna () coupled to the RF modulator for radiating the modulated signal via a second path. The digital audio system can be a satellite digital audio radio system for a vehiclewith the external antenna placed outside the vehicle and the internal antenna placed inside the vehicle.

Method and apparatus for wirelessly coupling a source signal to a radio frequency receiver

A system and method for confirming that two antennae are connected to a radio receiver. There is provided a radio receiver including a signal generating source, a first antenna feed connection port, a second antenna feed connection port, and a signal detection circuit. Also provided is a low noise amplifier (LNA) module having a first LNA and a second LNA, wherein the first LNA is in communication with a first antenna and the second LNA is in communication with a second antenna, and wherein outputs of the first and second LNAs are in communication, respectively, with the first antenna feed connection port and the second antenna feed connection port. A DC signal pathway is established, at least in part, through the LNA module and electrically connects the signal generating source and the signal detection circuit to each other, whereby when the signal is detected it can be confirmed that both antennae are connected to the radio receiver.

System and method for detecting the connections of two antennae to a radio receiver

An antenna system is provided which employs RF and DC coupling across a dielectric. RF coupling is achieved using low cost and low loss RF coupler pairs such as quarterwave patches that are mounted opposite each other on either side of a dielectric. The feeds of the patches are aligned so as to be directly opposite each other, and the patches are mounted against the dielectric. A voltage booster circuit can be provided to increase input supply voltage for DC coupling that is adjustable to accommodate the thickness of the dielectric.

Apparatus and method for transferring DC power and RF energy through a dielectric for antenna reception

A vehicle antenna mounting system whereby the antenna, associated antenna electronics (e.g., LNA) and RF and DC coupling are provided in an integral antenna assembly for installation on the exterior of a vehicle. The integral antenna assembly comprises a base section enclosing the associated antenna electronics and RF and DC coupling devices, and an antenna section pivotably mounted on the base section comprising the antenna. Two or more antennas are provided in the integral antenna assembly for SDARS reception on at least one satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Another satellite channel can be provided for diversity purposes, or a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver for performing location services, among others, for the vehicle.

Glass-mountable antenna system with DC and RF coupling

A satellite digital audio radio receiver system and method. The inventive receiver includes a circuit for down-converting a first ensemble in a received combined signal in a first mode of operation and for down-converting a second ensemble from the received combined signal in a second mode of operation. The first ensemble includes a first signal received from a first transmitter, a second signal received from a second transmitter, and a third signal received from a third transmitter. The second ensemble includes a second signal from the first transmitter, a second signal from the second transmitter, and a second signal from the third transmitter. A controller is included to selectively switch the circuit from the first mode to the second mode. The first ensemble comprises first, second and third frequency slots and the second ensemble comprises fourth, fifth, and sixth frequency slots. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second transmitters are mounted on first and second satellites and the third transmitter is a terrestrial repeater. Both ensembles are transmitted in accordance with the XM frequency plan. The first ensemble is down-converted using low side injection and the second ensemble down-converted using high side injection. The inventive circuit includes a synthesized frequency source. The circuit further includes a first intermediate frequency down-conversion stage with a first mixer for mixing the received combined signals with the output of synthesized frequency source. The circuit further includes first and second surface acoustic wave filters for separating the first and second signals received from the third signals. The inventive circuit further includes a second intermediate frequency down-conversion stage having second and third mixers for mixing the outputs of the first and second filters, respectively, with the output of a local oscillator.

Satellite digital audio radio service tuner architecture for reception of satellite and terrestrial signals

An apparatus, system and method for providing audio broadcast signals received from a satellite to a satellite radio receiver. A window clip having an integral transmission line is mounted on the edge of a vehicle window. The interior end of the transmission line is connected to the satellite radio receiver. The exterior portion of the clip, and the exterior portion of the integrated transmission line, is coupled to an antenna. The antenna may be an omnidirectional quadrifilar antenna having circular polarization, a gain greater than about 3 dBi, a G/T greater than about &minus;20 dB/K, and a frequency range of about 2.3 GHz to about 2.7 GHz, also known as the S-band. The antenna system can be used to receive satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) and transfer the signal to a satellite radio receiver inside the vehicle.

Vehicle antenna assembly for receiving satellite broadcast signals

A system is provided for detecting the presence of an FM-modulated audio signal from an auxiliary source, and operating a switch to provide that audio signal to a tuner in lieu of the radio frequency signal received at the tuner antenna. The tuner can be a vehicle tuner. The system also comprises a modulator unit for modulating the audio signal and an output plug for insertion into a cigarette lighter receptacle or power receptacle of a vehicle. A radio frequency transmission line, such as a coaxial cable, connects the cigarette lighter receptacle or power receptacle to the vehicle battery and to an antenna switch unit and transports both DC power and the FM-modulated audio signal. The antenna switch unit comprises switched inputs for the vehicle antenna and the output from the modulator unit, and a radio frequency signal detection device for detecting when the FM-modulated audio signal is present. The antenna switch unit provides the output from the modulator unit to the tuner whenever it is detected.

System for providing audio signals from an auxiliary audio source to a radio receiver via a DC power line

A dual coupled vehicle glass mount antenna system and method. The inventive system is adapted for operation through any suitable partition, such as an automobile windshield, and comprises an antenna mounted on a first side of the partition for receiving a signal and a first circuit connected to the antenna. The antenna and the first circuit are mounted on a first side of the partition. In accordance with the present teachings, an arrangement is provided for supplying power to the first circuit. The output of the first circuit is coupled through the partition to a second circuit mounted on a second side thereof by a first coupling arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment, the antenna is a radio frequency antenna, the partition is a vehicle windshield, the first circuit is an amplifier, and the arrangement for supplying power is a second coupling arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second coupling arrangements are coils and power is supplied to the second coupling arrangement from a direct current source by a cable. In alternative embodiments, power is supplied to the first circuit by a battery or solar cell arrangement. In the illustrative embodiment, the second circuit includes an impedance matching circuit and a transmitter or receiver depending upon the application. The location of the amplifier on the antenna side of the windshield reduces the noise figure of the system and provides improved gained relative to the conventional design.

Dual coupled vehicle glass mount antenna system

A battery charger which electronically discriminates between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, and which charges only rechargeable NiCd batteries. This feature is made possible due to the variation in the internal resistances between various types of battery cells.

Growing community of inventors

Boynton Beach, FL, United States of America

Anh Xuan Nguyen