Multiple orientation antenna for vehicle communication
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsPerry Robinson MacNeille, Allen R. Murray, Oliver Lei
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and apparatus are disclosed for a multiple orientation antenna for vehicle communications. An example multiple orientation antenna includes a housing and a first and second set of shutters embedded into the housing. The example multiple orientation antenna also includes a waveguide disposed within the housing defining a first and second set of slot antennas. The slot antennas of the first set of slot antennas are oriented to facilitate horizontal communication. The slot antennas of the second set of slot antennas are oriented to facilitate vertical communication. Additionally, the example multiple orientation antenna includes a rotation motor to rotate the housing.
Claims18
A multiple orientation antenna for a vehicle comprising:
- a housing;
- a first and second set of shutters embedded into the housing;
- a waveguide disposed within the housing defining a first and second set of slot antennas, the first set of slot antennas oriented to facilitate horizontal communication and the second set of slot antennas oriented to facilitate vertical communication;
- and
- a rotation motor to rotate the housing.
A vehicle communication system comprising:
- an antenna including a plurality of shutters that, when open, facilitate communication through corresponding ones of a plurality of slot antennas;
- and
- a antenna controller to:
- during a first time period, open the plurality of shutters and continuously rotate the antenna;
- and
- during a second time period, selectively open one or more of the plurality of shutters and orient the open shutters to directions specified by an orientation request.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.