Wireless network device including a polarization and spatial diversity antenna system

A wireless access gateway for communication of wave signals at radio frequencies within a frequency band, the gateway being enclosed in a housing comprising a bottom wall defining a base plane and comprising:

• a main circuit board within the housing overlying said bottom wall and having an upper surface and a lower surface, opposite to each other, said lower surface facing the bottom wall and said upper surface being substantially parallel to the base plane, and
• an antenna system arranged in the housing and comprising:
• a first linearly polarized antenna for propagating a first wave signal along a first polarization axis, the first antenna comprising a first radiating element extending along a first longitudinal axis in a first plane substantially parallel to the base plane, the first radiating element being placed laterally and external to the main circuit board with the first plane at a distance of not more than λ/4 from the upper surface of the main circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the first plane;
• and
• a second linearly polarized antenna for propagating a second wave signal along a second polarization axis oriented perpendicularly to the first polarization axis, the second antenna being placed laterally and external to the main circuit board and comprising a second radiating element extending along a second longitudinal axis in a second plane oriented perpendicularly to the first plane, wherein
• the first and second antennas are connected through the main circuit board to a diversity receiving circuit, and
• the first and second antennas are positioned relative to each other at a distance of at least λ/2 in a direction perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to a radio frequency within the frequency band.