Abstract:
Communication assemblies are disclosed which comprises, a chassis, ground plane and one or more antenna subassemblies. Antenna assemblies include LTE, WI-FI, AM/FM, GPS and SDARS antennas. Some or all antenna subassemblies may consist of a multi-antenna configuration with each antenna appearing visually as a blade. For subassemblies configured in a multi-antenna arrangement, blades are configurable at a spacing optimal to implement MIMO or path diversity for instance for WIFI or LTE communications schemes. A chassis mechanism can be provided which holds elements of the antenna subassemblies in place and also acts as a ground plane. One or more feed lines which lead from each antenna subassembly and out of the molded enclosure can also be provided. A housing is provided which follows the general contours of the antenna subassemblies and is comprised of a material transparent to the frequencies utilized by the antenna subassemblies. The housing can be shaped in an aerodynamic morphology.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/232,786, filed Sep. 25, 2015, entitled FIN-TYPE ANTENNA ASSEMBLIES which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to communication assemblies and more particularly to a fin-type communications system comprising multiple communications systems including multi-antenna communications protocols suitable for use on a vehicle. 
         [0004]    Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    New antenna and receiver diversity and Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) radio applications require more than one antenna on the same frequency within a small device volume. In a typical application this was addressed by having multiple separate antennas, each with a separate enclosure or sometimes multiple antenna elements housed in a single radome. Multiple, separately enclosed antennas cost more to implement than a single enclosure with multiple internal antenna elements. A single enclosure without provisions for separating the antenna elements leads to poor antenna performance and a bulky casing appearance. What is needed is an antennae assembly that provides a single housing enclosure that contains a plurality of antenna elements wherein each antenna element is positioned within the housing such that each antenna element achieves optimal performance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Communication assemblies are disclosed which comprise, a chassis, a ground plane structure, and one or more antenna subassemblies positioned within a housing. Subassemblies can include, for example, wire, patch, microstrip, travelling wave or other types of communications antenna. Some or all antenna subassemblies may include a multi-antenna configuration appearing visually as a blade or other suitable planar structure. For subassemblies configured in a multi-antenna arrangement, blades are configured at a spacing optimal to implement MIMO or path diversity for instance for WI-FI® or LTE communications schemes. 
         [0007]    A molded enclosure or housing is configurable to encompass and follow the general contours of the antenna subassemblies positioned within the housing. The housing is formed from a material that is transparent to the frequencies utilized by the antenna subassemblies. The housing can be shaped in an aerodynamic morphology. 
         [0008]    The communication assembly may be utilized in a variety of applications including, but not limited to vehicular, underwater, air or space flight. In the vehicular application, the communication assembly may be attached to the roof of a car or truck. To minimize drag in the direction of travel, the housing will typically take the form of a finned or multi-finned device, wherein each blade contained within the housing corresponds to a protruding fin structure of the housing. The communication assembly may optionally be affixed to provide a multitude of modern communications schemes in a small compact device. 
         [0009]    An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a communications assembly. Suitable communications assemblies comprise: a housing having a length and a width and a base and a cover wherein the base and the cover have an exterior surface and an interior cavity when mated and wherein the housing has a first end and a second end and has a cross-section in the shape of an inverted W across at least a portion of a cross-section along a portion of the length; a chassis positionable on an interior facing surface of the base; two or more antenna subassemblies positioned within the cavity of the housing in communication with the chassis wherein at least two antenna subassemblies are perpendicular to a chassis plane. In some configurations, the assembly is configured to implement multi-antenna protocols. Additionally, the multiple-antenna protocols are selected from the group comprising LTE, WI-FI, AM/FM, GPS (global positioning system) and SDARS (satellite digital audio radio service). Moreover, the communications assembly is connectable to an external line feed and a fixed point located exterior to the housing in at least some configurations. The communications assembly is also configurable to connect to a vehicle in some configurations. The cross-sectional shape can be an inverted W, or have a plurality of fins, from two to sixteen. The housing first end can be tapered and the housing second end wider than the first end. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to an antenna comprising a housing formed from a base and a cover having a tapered first end and a widened second end wherein the housing encloses a chassis disposed and a plurality of antenna units, wherein the antenna further comprises: a first antenna unit disposed perpendicular to the chassis on a first side of the chassis positioned toward the widened second end of the housing; a second antenna unit disposed perpendicular to the chassis on a second side of the chassis positioned toward the widened second end of the housing; a third antenna unit disposed perpendicular to the chassis on the first side of the chassis and positioned toward the tapered end of the housing; a fourth antenna unit disposed perpendicular to the chassis on the second side of the chassis and positioned toward the tapered end of the housing; a fifth antenna unit disposed parallel to the chassis and positioned toward the tapered end of the housing, wherein the first antenna, second antenna, third antenna, fourth antenna and fifth antenna are selected from the group comprising: LTE antenna, WI-FI antenna, AM/FM antenna, GPS antenna and SDARS antenna. Additionally, the antenna is configurable to implement multi-antenna protocols. In at least some configurations, the antenna is connected to an external line feed and a fixed point located exterior to the housing. In some implementations the antenna is configurable to connect to a vehicle. Additionally, the exterior housing can form two fins in the shape of an inverted W in a cross-section along a portion of the cover, or an inverted V or U in a cross-section along a portion of the cover. The cross-sectional shape can be an inverted W, or have a plurality of fins, from two to sixteen. 
         [0011]    Still another aspect of the disclosure is directed to an antenna comprising a housing means formed from a base and a cover having a tapered first end and a widened second end wherein the housing means encloses a chassis means disposed and a plurality of antenna unit means, wherein the antenna further comprises: a first antenna means disposed perpendicular to the chassis means on a first side of the chassis means positioned toward the widened second end of the housing means; a second antenna means disposed perpendicular to the chassis means on a second side of the chassis means positioned toward the widened second end of the housing; a third antenna means disposed perpendicular to the chassis means on the first side of the chassis means and positioned toward the tapered end of the housing means; a fourth antenna means disposed perpendicular to the chassis means on the second side of the chassis means and positioned toward the tapered end of the housing means; a fifth antenna means disposed parallel to the chassis means and positioned toward the tapered end of the housing means; wherein the first antenna means, second antenna means, third antenna means, fourth antenna means and fifth antenna means are selected from the group comprising: LTE antenna, WI-FI antenna, AM/FM antenna, GPS antenna and SDARS antenna. Additionally, the antenna means is configurable to implement multi-antenna protocols. In some configurations, the antenna means is connected to an external line feed and a fixed point located exterior to the housing means. Additionally, in some configurations, the antenna means is configurable to be connected to a vehicle. The exterior housing means is configurable to form two fins in the shape of an inverted W in a cross-section along a portion of the cover in some configurations. Alternatively, the exterior housing means forms a single fin in the shape of an inverted V or U in a cross-section along a portion of the cover in other configurations. 
         [0012]    Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a communications assembly means comprising: a housing means having a length and a width and a base and a cover wherein the base and the cover have an exterior surface and an interior cavity when mated and wherein the housing means has a tapered first end and a widened second end and has a cross-section in the shape of an inverted W at a cross-section along a portion of the length at the second end; a chassis means positionable on an interior facing surface of the base; two or more antenna subassemblies means positioned within the cavity of the housing means in communication with the chassis means wherein at least two or more antenna subassemblies means are positioned within the cavity of the housing means in communication with the chassis means wherein at least two antenna subassemblies are perpendicular to a chassis plane. In some configurations, the communications assembly is configurable to implement multi-antenna protocols. Additionally, the multiple-antenna protocols of the communications assembly means are selectable from the group comprising LTE and WI-FI. In some configurations, the communications assembly means is connectable to an external line feed and a fixed point located exterior to the housing means. The communications assembly means can also be configured to be connected to a vehicle. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to communication assemblies comprising: a housing having a length and a width and a base and a cover wherein the base and the cover have an exterior surface and an interior cavity when mated and wherein the base of the housing has a tapered first end and a widened second end and has a cross-sectional shape at a cross-section along a portion of the length at the second end; a chassis positionable on an interior facing surface of the base; and two or more antenna subassemblies positioned within the cavity of the housing in communication with the chassis wherein at least two antenna subassemblies are perpendicular to a chassis plane, wherein the cross-sectional shape at the cross-section along the portion of the length of the second end is a shape that outlines a profile of the two or more antenna subassemblies positioned within the cavity of the housing at the second end of the housing. In some configurations, the assembly is configured to implement multi-antenna protocols. Additionally, the multiple-antenna protocols are selected from the group comprising LTE and WI-FI. Moreover, the communications assembly is connectable to an external line feed and a fixed point located exterior to the housing in at least some configurations. The communications assembly is also configurable to connect to a vehicle in some configurations. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of the housing can be from 10%-50% larger than the profile of the two or more antenna subassemblies positioned within the cavity of the housing. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0014]    All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. See, for example. U.S. Pat. No. 8,836,604 B2 issued Sep. 16, 2014, to Yang et al. for Unified Antenna of Shark Fin Type; U.S. Pat. No. 7,408,511 B2 issued Aug. 5, 2008, to Liu for MIMO Antenna Configuration; US 2013/0274519 A1 published Nov. 1, 2012, to Chikam et al. for Highly Integrated Multiband Shark Fin Antenna for Vehicle; U.S. Pat. No. 8,947,307 B2 issued Feb. 3, 2015, to Lo for Shark Fin Type Car Antenna Assembly; US 2008/0218412 A1 published Sep. 11, 2008 to Wales for Quad Polar Transmission; U.S. Pat. No. 7,239,281 B2 issued Jul. 3, 2007 to Lu for Fin-Shaped Antenna Apparatus for Vehicle Radio Application; WO 2014/204494 A1 published Dec. 24, 2014 to Laird Technologies for Multiband MIMO Vehicular Antenna Assemblies; WO 2014/07263 A1 published May 15, 2014, to The University of Birmingham, for Reconfigurable MIMO Antenna for Vehicles; and US 2014/0347231 A1 published Nov. 27, 2014, to Kerselaers et al. for Vehicle Antenna. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the housing with the cover removed; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2A-C  are rear views of an antenna which includes a view into the back of the antenna housing with the back face of the housing cut away and the components positioned therein, an enlargement of a portion of the back view and an angled view into the interior of the antenna from the rear perspective; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3A-B  are exterior views of an antenna housing according to the disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate an antenna housing according to the disclosure with four fins; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrate an antenna housing according to the disclosure with sixteen fins. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIG. 1  a fin antenna assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure is provided. The fin antenna assembly  100  comprises a housing  110  having a cover  112  and a base  114  with a length L, width W, and height H. The housing  110  is configured to enclose a plurality of components including a chassis  130 , which can provide a mechanical feature on which to mount other antenna elements as needed and which can also provide a ground plane structure for those additional antennas, and a plurality of antenna elements  140 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  160  including two Long Term Evolution (LTE) antennas, two Wi-Fi antennas, a patch antenna and an AM/FM antenna element. The LTE antennas can operate between 400 MHz and 6 GHz. The housing shape can be at least in part determined by the placement of the antenna elements and a PCB  158  within the housing. 
         [0022]    The base  114  of the housing  110 , as illustrated, is substantially planar in a first dimension and configurable so that it has a tapered shape at a first end  115  and has a width W that is increased gradually from the first end  115  of the base  114  toward the second, opposing, end  115 ′ of the base  114 . The base  114  has a lip  113  forming an exterior surface of the base  114  which extends perpendicular to the substantially planar base. An interior surface  111  of the base  114  securely receives the chassis  130  and a plurality of antenna elements. The lip  113  can be integrally formed with the base  114  or be attached to the base  114  during the manufacturing process. In one configuration, the lip  113  can be formed so that it fits within a channel formed in a lower surface of the cover  112 . Alternatively, the lip  113  can be configured to provide a snug fit either internally or externally to the cover  112 . 
         [0023]    The chassis  130  is positionable on an interior facing surface of the base  114 . The chassis  130  can be secured to the base  114  by any suitable fastening process including, for example, the use of a plurality of retaining fasteners. Alternatively, the chassis can be secured using a snap system. One or more posts  106  can be provided which extend from interior surface of the base  114  and engage corresponding female molded apertures in the cover  112  to provide a mechanism for aligning and securing the cover  112  to the base  114 . The one or more posts  106  can pass through cutouts in the chassis  130 , as illustrated, or can pass adjacent to a chassis  130  that is sized to fit within the base without engaging the edges formed by the lip  113  of the base. Additionally, one or more stems  136  can extend from the chassis  130  and provide an aperture through which a securement device  138  is passed. 
         [0024]    Antenna elements  140 ,  150 ,  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  160  are examples of a plurality of similar antenna elements which are mountable to the chassis  130  within the housing. Mounting can be achieved via an antenna mounting and line feed mechanism which includes, for example, a plurality of flanges  120  extending perpendicularly with a corresponding fastener  122  passing through the flange  120  and an associated antenna, such as antenna element  150 . The flange  120  and fastener  122  arrangement secures the antenna element in a position perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular to the chassis  130 . Additionally, a second flange  124  which has a face parallel to the chassis  130  and perpendicular to the antenna element  154  can be provided which is secure via fastener  126  which engages the base  114 . Other mounting mechanisms can be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Flange  120  and second flange  124  may also be integrally formed. 
         [0025]    As illustrated the antenna element  150  is mounted vertically to a horizontally positioned base  114  and aligned such that a front edge  150 ′ of the antenna element  150  is positioned nearest the first end  115  of the base  114 , while the back end  150 ″ of the antenna element  150  is positioned nearest second end  115 ′ of the base  114 , the lower edge  150 ′″ of the antenna element  150  is adjacent the chassis  130 , where the chassis  130  is configurable to function as a ground plane. A vertical array element, such as described, can also be referred to as a blade. 
         [0026]    Blades are used for antenna elements in the back left  150 , back right  154 , mid left  156  and mid right,  152 . Blades comprise a non-conducting substrate and a radiating element specially shaped to transmit and receive for a given communications protocol. Blades are positioned to maximize reception of the communications protocol. 
         [0027]    Parallel antenna element  154  (back blade, left) and antenna element  150  (back blade, right), together with their respective antenna mounting and flanges  120 ,  124  comprise a multi-antenna subassembly which is configured with radiating elements of determined shape and blade separation to implement the receipt and transmission of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), for either MIMO or signal path diversity. 
         [0028]    Similarly, parallel antenna element  156  (mid blade, left) and antenna element  152  (mid blade, right), together with respective antenna mounting and flanges or line feed elements, comprise a multi-antenna subassembly which is configured with radiating elements of determined shape and blade separation to implement the receipt and transmission of WI-FI for the Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) or signal path diversity and WI-FI. Separation of antenna element  150  (back blade, right) and antenna element  154  (back blade, left) enhance the performance of received and transmitted signals. The chassis  130  is a ground plane. Coax cables are provided to route signals from an element to the radio. 
         [0029]    A patch antenna  160  is mounted to the chassis  130  via a suitable antenna mounting and flanges  120 . The patch antenna  160  is positioned parallel to the surface of the chassis, such that it consists of a non-conducting substrate and radiating elements of determined shape. The radiating elements similarly utilize the secondary function of the chassis  130  in functioning as a ground plane. As illustrated, the patch antenna  160  can be positioned on a PCB  158  which acts as a ground plane for the element. The opposite side of the PCB  158  is positioned on a pedestal  134  on the chassis  130  and includes additional electronic components including a filter and a low noise amplifier (LNA). 
         [0030]    The cover  112  is mounted on the base  114  to cover the chassis  130  and associated components. The cover  112  is shaped such that the bottom edge  112 ′ engages the lip  113  of the base  114 . The upper surface of the cover  112  has a rounded first end  116  corresponding to the first end  115  of the base  114  and a fin shaped second end  116 ′ corresponding to the second end  115 ′ of the base  114 . Thus, the antenna assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  has the shape of one or more fins. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the antenna assembly has a first fin  118  and second fin  118 ′. In such a manner, the vehicle antenna assembly of  FIG. 1  reduces the air drag of the vehicle during movement. 
         [0031]    In addition, the antenna assembly  100  is protected by the housing  110  and will not be deformed or broken due to physical damage or weather, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the car antenna assembly  100 . 
         [0032]    Positioning of the antenna elements within the housing provides for at least 10 dB of isolation between the antenna elements. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-C  a multi-fin-type antenna is shown from the rear perspective looking forward to the first end  115  of the device shown in  FIG. 1 . The first fin  218 , is shown contoured around the LTE blade  254 , and second fin  218 ′ contours around LTE blade  250 . Between the two peaks of the first fin  218  and the second fin  218 ′, the top cover  212  of the housing  210  defines an aperture which houses the components of the antenna assembly. The upper surface of the housing curves down to a middle trough  219 . First LTE blade  250  and second LTE blade  254  are shown connected physically and electrically to the chassis  230  via antenna mounting and flange  220  which can be a line feed element. Some components can be positioned on a pedestal  234 . 
         [0034]    Situated parallel to LTE blade  250  and LTE blade  254  and the WI-FI blade  252  and LTE blade  256  which are shown connected physically and electrically to the chassis  230  which acts as a ground plane via antenna mounting and flange  220 . A fastener  222  can pass through the flange  220 . A pedestal  234  can be provided which can support at least a portion of an RF shield  244 . 
         [0035]    A cable holder can be provided to house cables within the interior of the antenna assembly  200 . A metal base  230  can be provided which is positionable within the housing  210 . The top cover  212  can be formed with a rib  211  on an interior surface which provides mechanical strength to the top cover  212 . Patch antenna  260  can also be provided. The patch antenna  260  can be positioned on an PCB  258 . The antenna securement mechanism  270  can also include a spacer washer  272  and a water seal plug  274 . The water seal plug helps to ensure that the interior of the antenna is resistant to moisture. 
         [0036]    The top cover  212  of the housing  210  is shown locking into the base  214  via locking elements on both sides, shown in more detail in  FIG. 1 . Each fin of the top cover can have a width W 1  and W 2 . The width of each fin can be the same, substantially the same, or different. Antenna securement mechanism  270 , such as a hex head nut which engages a threaded bolt or protrusion extending from the bottom exterior surface of the base  214 , is provided which secures the antenna assembly  200  to another device, such as a vehicle. 
         [0037]    Ground plane  230  is positioned at point, such as the midpoint, between the two multi-antenna arrays. The top of the ground plane  230  can be configured so that it touches an interior surface of the housing (as shown). 
         [0038]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the cover of the enclosure is configured so that it wraps around the antenna elements. Thus at least portions of the exterior shape may be a function of the position and orientation of the components within the housing. For example, the shape of the housing can have a cross-sectional shape along a portion of its length that is an inverted V, an inverted U, an inverted W, or any other shape that is conforming to the shape of the interior components. If, for example, the maximum height from the base to the top of the highest component within the disclosure is 10 cm, then the height of the enclosure could be from 11 cm to 15 cm (e.g., from 10% to 50% larger). Additionally, the housing can be from 10%-50% larger than the dimension of the profile of the components to be housed along any portion of its length. Where there are two blades, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the depth of the valley between two fins could be shallow or deep depending upon how high the components positioned within the blades are. For example, as can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the height of the AM/FM antenna  140  which is positioned between the antenna elements  152 ,  156  (right and left mid blades) influences the depth of the valley between the two blades. Where, for example, the AM/FM antenna  140  had a greater height, the cross-section may take on a squarer cross-sectional shape. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3A  and B depict an exterior view of the devices having one or more fins. As illustrated the housing  310  in  FIG. 3A  has a cross-sectional shape of an inverted W along a length towards the second end, and a cross-sectional shape of an V or U along a length towards the second end as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0040]    As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the housing protects the interior elements of the device from damage due to dust, rain or other physical or elemental factors. Additionally, the upper portion of the housing (the cover) can be formed from a single shaped piece of plastic, or any other suitable material. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), fiberglass and polycarbonate. The exterior shape of the housing can be a standard ‘shark fin’ antenna radome design, or a dual two fins antenna radome having a first fin  318  and a second fin  318 ′. The actual external shape can vary based on, among other things, the design choice and layout of the internal components. 
         [0041]    Communications cables or connections can also be provided protrude from the housing at an optimal position to provide the signals to and from the plurality of antenna subassemblies which function within the housing. For illustration purposes only,  FIG. 3B  shows wires  380  extending from the back end of the housing  310  of the antenna assembly  300 . However, in most configurations the wires would extend from the bottom surface through the base. The communication connections can also be incorporated into the antenna securement mechanism  270  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4A-B  illustrates fin antenna assembly  400 . The fin antenna assembly  400 , has a plurality of fins  418 ,  418 ′,  418 ″ which is shown as four fins in  FIGS. 4A-B . Each pair of fins has a trough  419  positioned between adjacent fins. The base  414  can have a plurality of vertical members positioned along its length which extend into an interior hollow cavity of each of the plurality of fins. The number of vertical members can be the same as the number of fins provided, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-B . The number of fins provided can correspond to a number of coaxial cables connecting to the antenna assembly. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrates fin antenna assembly  500 . The fin antenna assembly  500 , has a plurality of fins  518 ,  518 ′,  518 ″ which is shown as sixteen fins in  FIGS. 5A-B . Each pair of fins has a trough  519  positioned between adjacent fins. The base  514  can have a plurality of vertical members positioned along its length which extend into an interior hollow cavity of each of the plurality of fins. The number of vertical members can be the same as the number of fins provided, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-B . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the number of vertical members need not correlate to the number of fins provided. 
         [0044]    The number of fins provided can correspond to a number of coaxial cables connecting to the antenna assembly. Additionally, positioning of the antenna elements shown in  FIGS. 1-3  in the configurations of  FIGS. 4-5  can vary depending on the number of antenna elements incorporated, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0045]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.