Xm Satellite Radio Inc.

Argyrios A Chatzipetros

Anh Xuan Nguyen

Hien Duc Ma

Stanislav Licul

An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting the gain characteristics of an antenna array in accordance with elevation angle with respect to a satellite for optimum signal reception. The antenna elements of the antenna array are electronically steered in accordance with stored antenna element control data. The antenna element control data is retrieved based on the location of a mobile unit transporting the antenna and a receiver connected thereto, and on stored satellite location data. The mobile unit location data may be provided manually by a user using an input device on the receiver, or automatically by means of a GPS receiver.

Electronically steerable antenna array using user-specified location data for maximum signal reception based on elevation angle

A device for prepaid recording of digital audio signals. In a system where digital radio signals are received in an encoded format, a digital converter that is enabled by a smartcard module is employed to convert encoded digital signals to decoded digital signals for recording onto a digital storage media. A smartcard having a prepaid account balance is employed to authorize and control the recording of digital signals. A buffer is advantageously employed to store a quantity of digital signals prior to recording.

Digital radio prepaid music recording system

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 folded helical antenna. Generally, the inventive antenna includes plural radiating elements of conductive material. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna is a quadrifilar helix antenna having four radiating elements. Each radiating element is constrained into a helical shape. In accordance with the present teachings, each radiating element extends in a first direction and has a portion thereof folded in a second direction, the second direction being substantially parallel to the first direction. The novel method of making a quadrifilar helix antenna of the invention includes the steps of: ascertaining desired antenna characteristics for a given application; ascertaining limitations on antenna height for the application; fabricating a helical antenna in accordance with the desired antenna characteristics; and adjusting the height of the antenna in accordance with the limitations by folding the radiating elements thereof.

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Lake Worth, FL, United States of America

Argyrios A Chatzipetros