The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 17, 1997
Northern Telecom Limited, Montreal, CA;
Abstract
The present invention relates to integral antenna assemblies and in particular relates to an integral antenna assembly for microcellular base stations and fixed wireless access base stations. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an integral antenna comprising a radome, a layered antenna and a reflector back plane, wherein the layered antenna has an outer surface and a rear surface; wherein the radome is attached directly to an outer surface of the antenna; and wherein the back plane provides a reflective cavity and encloses the feed network for the antenna and is attached to the rear surface of the antenna. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided method of operating an integral antenna comprising a radome, a dielectric substrate having a patch antenna element on a surface thereof and a reflector back plane providing a reflective cavity behind the radiating element; wherein the radome is attached directly to an outer surface of the dielectric and the reflector back plane is attached to a rear surface of the dielectric, the patch being connected through the substrate to a microstrip feed line, whereby the microstrip feed line lies parallel to the patch, with the patch acting as a ground with respect to the microstrip line, wherein the antenna transmits and receives signals via the feed network.