Multiband MIMO vehicular antenna assemblies

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer radome coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer radome and the chassis;
• an inner radome within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer radome;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the inner radome and the chassis;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the inner radome so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the inner radome;
• wherein:
• the at least one antenna element along a portion of the inner radome comprises first and second antenna elements;
• and
• the inner radome comprises multiple pieces including a back piece having the first antenna element thereon, a front piece having the second antenna element thereon, and a middle piece attachable between the front and back pieces;
• and
• the front and back pieces include protruding portions that are engageable within corresponding slots in the middle piece.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer radome coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer radome and the chassis;
• an inner radome within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer radome;
• one or more antenna elements within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the inner radome and the chassis;
• one or more antenna elements along a portion of the inner radome so as to generally follow a contour of the portion of the inner radome;
• and
• one or more molded interconnect devices and/or one or more contact areas along a lower portion of the inner radome for electrically connecting the one or more antenna elements along the portion of the inner radome to corresponding electrically-conductive portions of a printed circuit board.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer radome coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer radome and the chassis;
• an inner radome within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer radome;
• one or more antenna elements within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the inner radome and the chassis;
• one or more antenna elements along a portion of the inner radome so as to generally follow a contour of the portion of the inner radome;
• and
• one or more contact areas along a lower portion of the inner radome for electrically connecting the one or more antenna elements along the portion of the inner radome to corresponding electrically-conductive portions of a printed circuit board, wherein the one or more contact areas include one or more electrically-conductive silicone elastomer members having a hollow profile.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer radome coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer radome and the chassis;
• an inner radome within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer radome;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the inner radome and the chassis;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the inner radome so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the inner radome;
• wherein:
• the at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the chassis and the inner surface of the inner radome comprises a first patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving satellite digital audio radio services (SDARS) signals, and a second patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals;
• and
• the at least one antenna element along the portion of the inner radome is configured to be operable with Long Term Evolution (LTE) frequencies, Wi-Fi, and Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC);
• and
• the inner radome includes latching or snap clip members to allow the inner radome to be latched or snap clipped onto the chassis.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer radome coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer radome and the chassis;
• an inner radome within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer radome;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the inner radome and the chassis;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the inner radome so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the inner radome;
• wherein:
• the at least one antenna element along the portion of the inner radome comprises a monopole antenna configured to be operable for receiving and transmitting communication signals within one or more cellular frequency bands, and an inverted F antenna configured to be operable for receiving communication signals within one or more cellular frequency bands;
• and
• the at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the chassis and the inner surface of the inner radome comprises a first patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving satellite signals, and a second patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving satellite signals different than the satellite signals received by the first patch antenna.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer cover coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer cover and the chassis;
• an antenna carrier within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer cover;
• a printed circuit board between the chassis and the antenna carrier;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the antenna carrier so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the antenna carrier;
• wherein the at least one antenna element along the portion of the antenna carrier comprise:
• a first MIMO antenna element located along a back outer surface portion of the antenna carrier such that the first MIMO antenna element generally follows a contour of the back outer surface portion of the antenna carrier;
• and
• a second MIMO antenna element located along a front outer surface portion of the antenna carrier such that the second MIMO antenna element generally follows a contour of the front outer surface portion of the antenna carrier.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer cover coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer cover and the chassis;
• an antenna carrier within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer cover;
• a printed circuit board between the chassis and the antenna carrier;
• one or more antenna elements within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board;
• one or more antenna elements along a portion of the antenna carrier so as to generally follow a contour of the portion of the antenna carrier;
• and
• one or more molded interconnect devices and/or one or more contact areas along a lower portion of the antenna carrier for electrically connecting the one or more antenna elements along the portion of the antenna carrier to corresponding electrically-conductive portions of the printed circuit board.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer cover coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer cover and the chassis;
• an antenna carrier within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer cover;
• a printed circuit board between the chassis and the antenna carrier;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the antenna carrier so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the antenna carrier;
• wherein:
• the at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board is configured to be operable for receiving satellite signals;
• and
• the at least one antenna element along the portion of the antenna carrier is configured to be operable for receiving and transmitting communication signals within one or more cellular frequency bands;
• and
• the antenna carrier includes latching or snap clip members to allow the antenna carrier to be latched or snap clipped onto the chassis.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer cover coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer cover and the chassis;
• an antenna carrier within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer cover;
• a printed circuit board between the chassis and the antenna carrier;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the antenna carrier so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the antenna carrier;
• wherein:
• the at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board comprises a first patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving satellite digital audio radio services (SDARS) signals, and a second patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals;
• and
• the at least one antenna element along the portion of the antenna carrier is configured to be operable with Long Term Evolution (LTE) frequencies, Wi-Fi, and Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC);
• and
• the outer radome is configured so as to seal the antenna assembly against the ingress of water.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer cover coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer cover and the chassis;
• an antenna carrier within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer cover;
• a printed circuit board between the chassis and the antenna carrier;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the antenna carrier so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the antenna carrier;
• wherein the at least one antenna element along the portion of the antenna carrier comprise:
• a monopole antenna configured to be operable for receiving and transmitting communication signals within one or more cellular frequency bands;
• and
• an inverted F antenna configured to be operable for receiving communication signals within one or more cellular frequency bands;
• and wherein the at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board comprises:
• a first patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving satellite signals;
• and
• a second patch antenna configured to be operable for receiving satellite signals different than the satellite signals received by the first patch antenna.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer cover coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer cover and the chassis;
• an antenna carrier within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer cover;
• a printed circuit board between the chassis and the antenna carrier;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the antenna carrier so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the antenna carrier;
• at least one contact member comprising electrically-conductive elastomer and positioned within an opening along a lower portion of the inner radome for electrically connecting the at least one element along the portion of the inner radome to a corresponding electrically conductive portion of the printed circuit board.

A multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) vehicular antenna assembly for installation to a vehicle body wall, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a chassis;
• an outer cover coupled to the chassis such that an interior enclosure is collectively defined by the outer cover and the chassis;
• an antenna carrier within the interior enclosure and having inner and outer surfaces spaced apart from the chassis and the outer cover;
• a printed circuit board between the chassis and the antenna carrier;
• at least one antenna element within the interior enclosure between the inner surface of the antenna carrier and the printed circuit board;
• and
• at least one antenna element along a portion of the antenna carrier so as to generally follow a curved or non-flat contour of the portion of the antenna carrier;
• wherein:
• the outer radome is configured so as to seal the antenna assembly against the ingress of water;
• and
• the inner radome includes latching or snap clip members to allow the inner radome to be latched or snap clipped onto the chassis.