Patent ID: 8965276
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising antenna means mounted on a moving vehicle for transmitting RF radiation and being structured to enable the distribution of RF energy emitted therefrom to be varied in the vertical plane, signal generator means for generating an RF signal and adapted to pass said signal to said antenna means, a controller arranged to control the distribution of RF energy emitted from the antenna in the vertical plane; said controller includes receiving means for receiving a control signal, and said controller is adapted to control said distribution of RF energy based on said control signal; determining means for determining the position of an object and the positional relationship between an object and the apparatus; wherein said control signal contains information indicative of the position of said object and the positional relationship between said object and said antenna means; wherein said controller is adapted to steer the distribution of RF energy emitted from said antenna means towards said object based on said control signal; and a support for supporting said antenna means at an elevated position above a surface, said support being adapted for mounting on a predetermined support structure positioned on said surface, the support structure having a peripheral edge at an elevated position above the surface, wherein the support is adapted to support the antenna at a sufficient height above said surface, when mounted on said support structure, to provide a direct path for electromagnetic radiation from at least a portion of the antenna means to a position on the surface and spaced externally of the peripheral edge of the support structure, said position being any one or more of (1) a position of less than or equal to about 3.6 to 4.5 meters from substantially any point on the peripheral edge, (2) a position at any point between opposed ends of said support structure which is spaced about 2.5 to 3 meters or less from a side of said support structure, (3) a position of about 2.5 to 3 meters or less from a side of the support structure and about 2.5 to 3 meters or less from one or both ends of the support structure, and (4) a position of about 2.5 to 3 meters from an end of said support structure and between a side of the support structure and about 2.5 to 3 meters from said side.