Systems and methods for reducing signal radiation in an unwanted direction

A method comprising:

• identifying a first maximum point of a primary radiation pattern extending in an unwanted direction, the primary radiation pattern produced by a main antenna transmitting a primary signal;
• positioning a second maximum point of a secondary radiation pattern to extend in the unwanted direction and align with the first maximum point of the primary radiation pattern extending in the unwanted direction, the secondary radiation pattern produced by a secondary antenna transmitting a secondary signal, and the secondary antenna being smaller in volume, footprint, or frequency bandwidth relative to the main antenna;
• and
• amplitude modifying and phase shifting the secondary signal to cancel out or reduce the first maximum point of the primary radiation pattern extending in the unwanted direction while substantially preserving portions of the primary radiation pattern outside of the unwanted direction.

An antenna system comprising:

• a signal input source;
• a continuous ground plane;
• a main antenna array coupled to the continuous ground plane and electrically coupled to the signal input source;
• and
• a secondary antenna coupled to the continuous ground plane and electrically coupled to the signal input source,
• wherein the secondary antenna is smaller in volume, footprint, or frequency bandwidth relative to the main antenna,
• wherein the main antenna array transmits a primary signal to produce a primary radiation pattern in response to a first portion of energy from the signal input source,
• wherein the secondary antenna transmits a secondary signal to produce a secondary radiation pattern in response to a second portion of the energy from the signal input source,
• wherein the secondary signal is amplitude modified and phase shifted to position the secondary radiation pattern to cancel out or reduce a first portion of the primary radiation pattern extending in an unwanted direction while substantially preserving second portions of the primary radiation pattern outside of the unwanted direction,
• wherein a phase shift applied to one antenna in the main antenna array induces the second portions of the primary radiation pattern outside of the unwanted direction to tilt away from the unwanted direction, and
• wherein a reflector portion of the continuous ground plane separates the main antenna array and the secondary antenna to assist in positioning the secondary radiation pattern.