Ultrahigh frequency mobile antenna system using dielectric resonators for coupling RF signals from feed line to antenna

An antenna apparatus for mounting on a window of a vehicle and adapted for operation in conjunction with a utilization device within the vehicle, said antenna apparatus comprising:

• an exterior module including a first electrically conductive shroud member defining a first shielded cavity, an elongated radiating element;
• a first dielectric resonator adapted for resonant mode coupling disposed in said first shielded cavity, means for electrically coupling said radiating element to said first dielectric resonator, and means for mounting said exterior module to an outside surface of said vehicle window with said radiating element disposed in an elevated feeding position;
• and
• an interior module including a second electrically conductive shroud member defining a second shielded cavity, a second dielectric resonator disposed in said second shielded cavity and adapted for resonant mode coupling with said first dielectric resonator, a coaxial feedline including an inner conductor and an outer conductive shield for electrically coupling said interior module to said device, said inner conductor being electrically coupled to said second dielectric resonator, said outer conductive shield being electrically coupled to said second conductive shroud member;
• and means for mounting said interior module to an inside surface of said vehicle window in general alignment with said exterior module such that the first dielectric resonator and the second dielectric resonator are disposed substantially in registration.

An antenna apparatus for mounting on a window of a vehicle and adapted for operation in conjunction with a utilization device within the vehicle, said antenna apparatus comprising:

• an exterior module including an elongated radiating element;
• a first dielectric resonator adapted for resonance mode coupling, means for electrically coupling said radiating element to said first dielectric resonator, and means for mounting said exterior module to an outside surface of said vehicle window with said radiating element disposed in an elevated feeding position;
• and
• an interior module including a second dielectric resonator adapted for resonance mode coupling with said first dielectric resonator element, a coaxial feedline for electrically coupling said interior module to said device including an inner conductor, said inner conductor being electrically coupled to said second dielectric resonator;
• and means for mounting said interior module to an inside surface of said vehicle window in general alignment with said exterior module such that the first dielectric resonator and the second dielectric resonator are disposed substantially in registration.

A glass mount antenna assembly for mounting on opposite sides of a glass interfacial member and adapted for operation at frequencies greater than or equal to about 1.5 GHz in conjunction with a utilization device on one side of the interfacial member, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a first module, the first module having means for mounting said first module on a first side of said interfacial member, said first module including a non-conductive first housing, a conductive first shroud member disposed within said first housing and defining a first shielded cavity within said first housing, an elongated coaxial radiating element mounted to said first housing, the coaxial radiating element including a core conductor portion and a shielding portion, said antenna assembly further including a first dielectric resonator adapted for resonance mode coupling disposed in said first shielded cavity, means for connecting said radiating element core conductor portion to said first dielectric resonator, means for connecting said radiating element shielding portion to said first shroud member;
• and,
• a second module, the second module having means for mounting said second module on a second side of said glass interfacial member in alignment with said first module, said second module including a non-conductive second housing, a conductive second shroud member disposed in said second housing and defining a second shielded cavity within said second housing, a second dielectric resonator adapted for resonance mode coupling disposed in said second shielded cavity, a coaxial feedline including a core portion and an outer shield portion, the core portion being connected to said second dielectric resonator, said outer shield portion being connected to said second shroud member, said first and second modules being mounted upon said glass interfacial member such that said first and second dielectric resonators are disposed on said first and second sides of said glass interfacial member in substantial registration with each other.

A method for coupling an omnidirectional antenna mounted on an interface member to a utilization device disposed on one side of the interface member, comprising:

• providing first and second dielectric resonators;
• locating the first dielectric resonator on a first surface of said interface member, locating the second dielectric resonator on a second surface of said interface member opposite said first dielectric resonator such that said first and second dielectric resonators are in substantial registration with each other;
• providing a radiating element and electrically coupling the radiating element to said first dielectric resonator;
• electrically coupling the utilization device to said second dielectric resonator;
• and,
• coupling radio-frequency energy through the interface member by resonance mode coupling of said first and second resonators.