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:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1998
Mohammad A Tassoudji, Cardiff, CA (US);
Ernest T Ozaki, Poway, CA (US);
William R Panton, San Diego, CA (US);
QUALCOMM Incorporated, San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A compact, low cost antenna communicates with low and medium earth orbit satellites. The antenna includes a plurality of micro-strip elements arranged about an axis and positioned to illuminate upper elevation angles. The micro-strip elements are perpendicular to each other and are oriented toward the horizon at 90 degree increments. Furthermore, the micro-strip elements are tilted at a 50 degree angle. A quadrifilar helix is positioned at the center of the micro-strip elements and positioned to illuminate lower elevation angles. The micro-strip elements generate an omni-directional field pattern in the azimuth plane. The quadrifilar helix generates a high-gain, narrow beam-width field pattern that is also omni-directional in the azimuth plane. The antenna provides improved immunity to specular ground reflections by limiting reception of signals below a threshold elevation angle. Also, the antenna provides continuous, uninterrupted communications by eliminating 'dead' period associated with conventional parabolic dish antennas.