Patent ID: 6700542
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: E05F,E05Y,G01S,H01Q

Abstract:
A planar antenna (30) comprising:a plurality of antenna elements (33, 41, 49) positioned relative to each other in a predetermined orientation, each of the plurality of antenna elements (33, 41, 49) being selectively electrically connectable to one or more of the other antenna elements, a plurality of switches (56, 57) electrically connecting the plurality of antenna elements so that closing one of the switches causes at least two antenna elements to be electrically connected, an antenna array (30) defined by the plurality of switches (56, 57) in combination with the plurality of antenna elements (33, 41, 49), characterized in that a central antenna element and two lateral antenna elements (33, 41, 49) are positioned on a planar substrate (31) in such a way that at least two different lobes (70, 72) of the antenna are provided by activating different antenna elements (33, 41, 49) by said switches (56, 57) said antenna elements (33, 41, 49) comprise each at least two patches (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50), wherein the patches of each antenna element are electrically connected by vertical lines (58, 60, 62) and the lateral antenna elements (33, 41) respectively and the central antenna element (49) are electrically connectable by said switches (56, 57).