Patent ID: 6031503
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G06K,H01Q,H04B

Abstract:
A communications card for transmission and reception of microwave signals with an associated portable computer, the communications card comprising:(A) a transceiver portion including receiver and transmitter electronics for communication of said signals to and from said computer;(B) a polarization diverse antenna assembly having:1) a first antenna and an orthogonally-disposed second antenna with each antenna being substantially omnidirectional about a first axis;2) a single metal sheet adhered to a plastic substrate, said metal sheet comprising a ground plane conductor, and the first and second antennas being first and second slot radiators formed in said metal sheet, said slot radiators being unobstructed on both sides so that signals may be radiated and received from both sides of said ground plane conductor;(C) a card body sized for insertion into a card slot in the portable computer, said card body having an RF section including said transceiver portion, and a digital electronics portion which provides a connection to the computer, and said antenna assembly being attached to said RF section of said card body in a hinge arrangement, whereby the radiation pattern of said antenna assembly is adjustable for obtaining maximum signal quality by rotation of said antenna assembly about said hinge arrangement;(D) coupling means disposed between said transceiver portion and said antenna assembly for communicating signals between said transceiver portion and said antenna assembly.