Patent ID: 7595762
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. A multi panel antenna, comprising: a plurality of panels, each including a plurality of arrayed antenna radiator elements; a mechanical mount structure carrying the panels in a manner which allows movement of at least two of the panels relative to each other; an RF signal transmitter and/or receiver adapted to respectively transmit and/or receive RF signals through the radiator elements of the panels; RF transmission lines connecting the RF signal transmifter and/or receiver to the radiator elements in a manner which is capable of inducing electrical tilt in a pointing angle of a radiation pattern beam of one or more of the panels; and a controller adapted to mechanically rotate the panels over a range of radiation pattern beam pointing directions, while also moving the panel centers relative to each other such that when viewed from the beam pointing direction of the panels they appear to present a continuous surface without overlap or gaps over at least some range of beam pointing directions, wherein the controller is adapted to mechanically move the panels over a range including an angle in which the beam pointing direction of the panels and a line perpendicular to the panels are in separate quadrants of space when divided by horizontal and vertical lines intersecting at an axis of panel rotation.