Patent ID: 7038626
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: an active antenna element to receive or transmit Radio Frequency (RF) signals, the active antenna element formed as a monopole having a primary axis; at least one passive antenna element, the passive antenna element formed as a monopole having a primary axis, the active and passive elements disposed such that their respective primary axes are aligned with one another to determine a common antenna element plane which all antenna elements lie and characteristics of the at least one passive antenna element being adjusted to produce an input/output beam pattern for receiving/transmitting the RF signals, a shape of the input/output beam pattern depending on whether the at least one passive antenna element is in a reflective or transmissive state; and a backplane disposed to be aligned with and parallel to the common antenna element plane, such that the antenna elements lie on one side of said backplane, and the backplane further controlling the input/output beam pattern, wherein the at least one passive antenna element includes two passive antenna elements that are each selectably transmissive or reflective.