Multi-Antenna HADM Boards with Antenna Signal Combiner

Abstract

A system and method for performing distance measurements between two network devices is disclosed. The network device comprises two antenna elements, which may be oriented orthogonal with respect to one another. The outputs from these antenna elements are combined before being passed to the network interface for processing. The outputs may be combined using an active device or a passive device, such as a resistor network, a Wilkinson combiner or a 90° hybrid combiner. By orienting the antenna elements orthogonal to one another, the nulls associated with the radiation pattern of each do not overlap, reducing the error caused when signals are received at angles that correspond to the nulls of the antenna element. Further, by combining the signals, the time and power needed to perform a distance measurement may be reduced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.