Abstract:
A stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals is disclosed. The stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system includes a stationary satellite antenna, a stationary terrestrial antenna, and a stationary integrated head unit. The stationary satellite antenna is positioned on a surface and receives satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals. The stationary terrestrial antenna is positioned on the surface and receives AM/FM terrestrial signals. The satellite and terrestrial antenna are mounted on a mounting assembly including a low noise amplifier circuit and a bezel. The bezel is adapted to contain the low noise amplifier. The stationary integrated head unit is positioned on the surface and includes an AM/FM terrestrial receiver/tuner human interface and a satellite receiver/tuner human interface. The terrestrial antenna is connected to the AM/FM terrestrial receiver/tuner human interface and the satellite antenna is connected to the satellite receiver/tuner human interface via a conduit. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to digital radios. More particularly, the invention relates to a stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a known stationary satellite digital audio radio  1  that provides for the reception of satellite transmission signals is commercially available and sold under the trade name SKYFi™ from XM Satellite Radio Inc. of Washington, D.C. The known stationary satellite digital audio radio  1  includes a satellite digital audio radio services (SDARS) antenna and electronics  2  enclosed by a housing  3  for the reception of SDARS signals. The housing  3  may be placed on a surface, S, such as a desk, table, or countertop. Alternatively, the surface, S, may be window glass that faces the direction of satellite transmissions. A cable  4  communicates the received signals to an SDARS receiver/tuner human interface (HMI)  5  that may include a display, control buttons, and speakers.  
         [0003]     Satellite-based digital audio radio services cover a large geographic area, such as North America. SDARS generally employs either geo-stationary orbit satellites or highly elliptical orbit satellites that receive up-linked programming which, in turn, is rebroadcast directly to the stationary satellite digital audio radio  1  on the ground that subscribes to the service. The stationary satellite digital audio radio  1  is programmed to receive and unscramble the digital data signals, which typically include many channels of digital audio. In addition to broadcasting the encoded digital quality audio signals, the satellite-based digital audio radio service may also transmit data within a data bandwidth that may be used for various applications. The broadcast signal may also include other information for reasons such as advertising, informing the subscriber of warranty issues, providing information about the broadcast audio information, and providing news, sports, and other entertainment broadcasting. Accordingly, the digital broadcast may be employed for any of a number of satellite audio radio, satellite television, satellite Internet, and various other consumer services.  
         [0004]     Although adequate in providing a national broadcast signal (e.g. a signal broadcast and received by subscribers across North America), the stationary satellite digital audio radio  1  does not supply the subscriber with local content (i.e. a region-wide broadcast signal) offered on AM/FM frequencies. If the subscriber desires local broadcast content, the subscriber must employ a secondary radio that provides local content programming on AM/FM frequencies. Accordingly, a need therefore exists for an improved stationary satellite digital audio radio that offers national and local programming content.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention relates to a stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals. The stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system includes a stationary satellite antenna, a stationary terrestrial antenna, and a stationary integrated head unit. The stationary satellite antenna is positioned on a surface and receives satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals. The stationary terrestrial antenna is positioned on the surface and receives AM/FM terrestrial signals. The satellite and terrestrial antenna are mounted on a mounting assembly including a low noise amplifier circuit and a bezel. The bezel is adapted to contain the low noise amplifier. The stationary integrated head unit is positioned on the surface and includes an AM/FM terrestrial receiver/tuner human interface and a satellite receiver/tuner human interface. The terrestrial antenna is connected to the AM/FM terrestrial receiver/tuner human interface and the satellite antenna is connected to the satellite receiver/tuner human interface via a conduit.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The novel features and advantages of the present invention will best be understood by reference to the detailed description of the specific embodiments which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a known stationary satellite digital audio radio system that provides for the reception of satellite transmission signals;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an integrated dual element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an integrated single element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a representative view of the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system according to  FIGS. 2A and 2B ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is another representative view of the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system according to  FIGS. 2A and 2B ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is another view of the dual element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system according to  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a quadrifilar antenna etched on a flexible substrate that may be used in the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system according to the embodiments of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver according to  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is another view of the single element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver according to  FIG. 2B ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9 a  schematic block diagram of the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver according to  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is another view of the single element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver of  FIG. 2B  according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 11A-12C  each illustrate the mechanical configurations of an integrated stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIGS. 12A-12D  each illustrate the mechanical configurations of an AM/FM antenna as applied to the antenna configurations of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     The various features of the preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which like parts are identified with the same reference characters.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  each illustrate a stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver systems for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals at reference numerals  10  and  100 , respectively. Each stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver systems  10 ,  100  are positioned on a surface, S, such as a desk, table, or countertop. Alternatively, the surface, S, may be window glass that faces the direction of satellite transmissions and includes an AM/FM multi-band terrestrial antenna  12 ,  102  and a satellite digital audio radio services (SDARS) antenna and electronics  14 ,  104  that are both enclosed by a housing  16 ,  106 . Primarily, the multi-band terrestrial antenna  12 ,  102  is used for AM and FM radio reception. AM and FM radio is generally used for audio reception only, that is, for transmissions from local radio stations with various programming formats, including music, news, sports, “talk radio,” and so on. These programming formats are familiar to many people and are the kind that are commonly received by users in their homes, offices, vehicles and other stationary or mobile structures today.  
         [0022]     As applied in the present invention, it is also contemplated that the multi-band terrestrial antenna  12 ,  102  may be used for two-way cellular telephony and for reception of terrestrial retransmission of a satellite transmitted signal. It is known that radio frequency transmissions are often subject to multipath fading; this is especially true of satellite transmitted signals. Signal blockages at receivers can occur due to physical obstructions between a transmitter and the receiver or other service outages. For example, receivers may be positioned in a location that encounters physical obstructions when the line of sight (LOS) signal reception is impeded. Service outages can occur when noise or multipath signal reflections are sufficiently high with respect to the desired signal. At these times, when a direct line-of-sight transmission path between the satellite and satellite antenna  14 ,  104  and terrestrial antenna  12 ,  102  is blocked, retransmission of the satellite signals from terrestrial retransmitters is very useful. In the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the satellite antenna  14 ,  104  and terrestrial antenna  12 ,  102  are designed to receive satellite transmission signals directly from one or more satellites placed in synchronous or non-synchronous earth orbits, and terrestrial transmission signals from terrestrial repeaters.  
         [0023]     Once received at the antennas  12 ,  14  and  102 ,  104 , the SDARS and AM/FM signals are communicated to an integrated head unit  18 ,  108 , which may include an AM/FM receiver/tuner HMI  20 ,  110 , an SDARS receiver/tuner HMI  22 ,  112 , control buttons  13  ( FIG. 3 ), a display  15  ( FIG. 3 ), and a speaker output (not shown). The control buttons  13  may allow a subscriber to adjust the volume, toggle between AM, FM, and SDARS frequencies, or change the channel programming by pushing pre-programmed buttons or by adjusting the channel dial. The display  15  may show information pertaining to the programming on the channel, such as a song title, artist, or name of a talk show. As illustrated in both  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an AM/FM cable  24 ,  114  communicates the AM/FM terrestrial signals received by the AM/FM antenna  12 ,  102  to the AM/FM receiver/tuner HMI  20 ,  110 . Specifically relating to  FIG. 2A , a dual element SDARS satellite (SDARS/SAT) cable  26  and SDARS terrestrial (SDARS/TER) cable  28  communicates the satellite signal and the terrestrial retransmission of a satellite (or cellular) signal, respectively. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , a single element SDARS satellite-terrestrial (SDARS/SAT/TER) cable  116  communicates satellite information and terrestrial rebroadcast information.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the housing  16 ,  106  and integrated head unit  18 ,  108  may have any desirable shape or configuration. As illustrated, a combined conduit  11  extends from the housing  16 ,  106  to the integrated unit  18 ,  108 . The conduit  11  includes the cables  24 ,  26 ,  28  according to  FIG. 2A  or the cables  114 ,  116  according to  FIG. 2B . Although only one conduit  11  is illustrated, multiple, individual conduits  11  may extend from the housing  16 ,  106  to the integrated unit  18 ,  108  so as to completely maintain and isolate the received signals corresponding to each cable. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the integrated head unit  18 ,  108  may alternatively be received by the housing  16 ,  106 ; in this embodiment, the housing  16 ,  106  may resemble a boombox or similar device, which also comprises speakers  17 .  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a dual element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system is seen generally at reference numeral  200 , which is positioned on a surface, S. The dual element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system  200  includes a combined multi-band terrestrial and satellite antenna system for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast-satellite signals. The system  200  includes a multi-band terrestrial antenna  202 , satellite antenna  204 , a bezel  206 , and a low noise amplifier (LNA) housing  208  that are all located in a housing  210 , which may be a boombox or similar device as described above. A SDARS/SAT cable  212 , a SDARS/TER cable  214 , and an AM/FM cable  216  extends from the housing  210  to communicate satellite signals, terrestrial rebroadcast signals, and AM/FM terrestrial signals. Similarly as discussed above, the cables  212 ,  214 ,  216  may each be disposed in an individual conduit, or, alternatively, the cables  212 ,  214 ,  216  may be located in one conduit, carrying all three cables. The multi-band terrestrial antenna  202  may include any desirable AM/FM antenna, such as a folded-dipole, to receive AM and FM transmitted signals and terrestrial retransmission of satellite signals. Other embodiments of the multi-band terrestrial antenna  202  are discussed in greater detail in  FIGS. 12A-12D .  
         [0026]     The satellite antenna  204  includes a helical element to receive satellite transmitted signals directly. For example, as seen in  FIG. 6 , the helical element may be a quadrifilar antenna etched on a flexible substrate. The quadrifilar helix antenna includes conductive quadrifilar antenna elements  205  that are etched on a flexible insulating substrate  207 . A weatherproofing material, if desired, may be applied to the exterior surface  209  of the substrate  207  to protect the quadrifilar antenna elements  205  from the deteriorating effects of rain, sunshine, etc. (i.e., if a housing  210  is not implemented, which is discussed in greater detail with respect to the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 10 ). Additionally, a binding agent (not shown) may be applied to the interior surface  211  of the quadrifilar antenna when fabricated into the final desired form as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0027]     Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the antennas  202 ,  204  are two distinct antennas, as applied to SDARS signals (i.e. direct satellite signals and terrestrial rebroadcast-satellite signals), that are physically separated, including three cables that function in providing the satellite signal (SDARS/SAT cable  212 ), the terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals (SDARS/TER cable  214 ), and the AM/FM terrestrial signals (AM/FM cable  216 ). The three cables  212 ,  214 ,  216  provide a communication path to the integrated head unit  218  which includes the AM/FM and SDARS receiver/tuner HMI  220 ,  222 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a schematic block diagram of the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system  200  is seen generally at reference numeral  250 . The satellite antenna  204  may comprise dual elements for receiving satellite and terrestrial- rebroadcast satellite signals. More specifically, the satellite antenna  204  comprises an antenna  204   a  dedicated to satellite transmissions and a terrestrial antenna  204   b  dedicated to terrestrial-rebroadcasts of satellite signals. As seen in the Figure, the antenna  204   a  is directly attached at line  224   a  to a satellite low-noise amplifier (SAT/LNA)  228   a , the output of which is the SDARS/SAT cable  212 , and the antenna  204   b  is directly attached at line  224   b  to another SAT/LNA  228   b , the output of which is the SDARS/TER cable  214 . Essentially, the antennas  204   a ,  204   b  and SAT/LNAs  228   a ,  228   b  are all contained in one housing, which is seen at element  210 . As discussed above, the SAT/LNAs  228   a ,  228   b  may also be located in a housing within the housing  210 , which is seen at element  208 . Similarly, the multi-band terrestrial antenna  202  is directly attached at line  226 . According to one embodiment of the invention, line  226  may be directly attached to an active AM/FM stage  230  inline at the base of the terrestrial antenna  202 ; alternatively, the line  226  may be the AM/FM cable  216  that is attached to and directly extends from the antenna  202  out of the housing  210  to the AM/FM receiver/tuner HMI  220 . The SDARS receiver/tuner HMI  222  receives SDARS/SAT cable  212  and the SDARS/TER cable  214 . The integrated head unit  218  processes the information provided by the cables  212 ,  214 ,  216  and outputs usable information to the subscriber, such as an audio signal or visual data.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates a stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver  300  for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the invention generally includes the same elements as described in  FIG. 5 , except for the fact that the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver  300  includes a single element SDARS satellite-terrestrial (SDARS/SAT/TER) cable  313 , which carries the amplified received satellite signal and the amplified terrestrial retransmission of a satellite (or cellular) signal. The second cable is the AM/FM cable  316 , which carries the AM/FM terrestrial signals received by the AM/FM terrestrial antenna  302 .  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a schematic block diagram of the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system  300  is seen generally at reference numeral  350 . Connected to each antenna  302 ,  304  are outputs seen at lines  324  and  326 , respectively. Similarly as described above, line  324  may be directly attached to an active AM/FM stage (not shown) inline at the base of the terrestrial antenna  302 ; alternatively, as illustrated, the line  324  may be the AM/FM cable  316  that is attached to and directly extends from the antenna  302  and out of the housing  310  to the AM/FM receiver/tuner HMI  320 . The line  326  is input to the LNA housing  308 , which includes a SDARS/LNA  328 . Correlating to  FIG. 8 , the stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system  300  includes two cables; a single output cable is seen as the output of the SDARS/LNA  328 , which is SDARS/SAT/TER cable  313 , and at the AM/FM terrestrial antenna  302 , which is, essentially, the output cable  324  that functions as the AM/FM cable  316 . As explained above, the integrated head unit  318  processes the information provided by the cables  313 ,  316  and outputs usable information to the subscriber, such as an audio signal or visual data.  
         [0031]     Although the antennas described in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrated in a housing  16 ,  106 , it is also contemplated that the antenna systems may also employ a housing-free mast antenna. For example, as seen in  FIG. 10 , a single element stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system  400  includes a single element satellite and terrestrial antenna  402  placed concentrically around a retractable or fixed mast AM/FM terrestrial antenna  404 , which may be approximately 24-32 inches in length, that are connected by a coaxial cable  406 . The single element satellite and terrestrial antenna  402  includes a terrestrial antenna bore  408  located at or near the center of single element satellite and terrestrial antenna  402  to receive the AM/FM terrestrial antenna  404 . Although the retractable or fixed mast antenna  404  is positioned under the single element satellite and terrestrial antenna  402 , the mast antenna  404  may be concentrically located about the satellite antenna  402  in a similar fashion as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8  or in any other desirable orientation regardless of mechanics of the AM/FM terrestrial antenna  404 .  
         [0032]     It is also contemplated that antenna structures other than the quadrifilar antenna structure as illustrated in  FIG. 6  may be substituted for the single or dual element satellite antenna embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 5, 8 , and  10 . For example, three alternative embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11C  at  500 ,  600 , and  700 . The antennas implemented in the antenna systems as illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 8 , and  10  may alternatively include a patch antenna  500  ( FIG. 11A ), a loop antenna  600  ( FIG. 11B ), or a coupled-loop antenna  700  ( FIG. 11C ). As illustrated, each antenna  500 ,  600 ,  700  includes a terrestrial antenna element  501 ,  601 ,  701  and AM/FM, SDARS/SAT and/or SDARS/TER cables that are located in a conduit  511 ,  611 ,  711 . Each antenna  500 ,  600 ,  700  may be coupled to a structural element, such as a circuit board  502 ,  602 ,  702  or substrate  506 ,  606 ,  706 , and an LNA  504 ,  604 ,  704 . Each antenna  500 ,  600 ,  700  may also include a weatherproofing material (not shown) that may be applied to its exterior surface for protection against the deteriorating effects of rain, sunshine, etc. Additionally, a binding agent (not shown) may also be applied to the interior surface of the antennas  500 ,  600 ,  700  when fabricated into the final form as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C .  
         [0033]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 11A , the patch antenna  500  may also include a circuit board  502 , which has ground plane  508  on both sides of the circuit board  502 , positioned under the substrate  506  , and a conductive area  510  positioned over the LNA  504 , which includes a feed point  512 . The feed point  512  receives a pin (not shown) that extends through the LNA  504  for assembly and electrical communication purposes, which is subsequently soldered for directly connecting the antenna assembly. Referring now to  FIG. 11B , the loop antenna  600  also includes a generally planar substrate/circuit board  606 / 608 , and a generally circular or oval conductive area  610 . As illustrated, the circuit board  602 , may act not only as a planar substrate  606 , but also as a ground plane  608 .  FIG. 11C  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the loop antenna  600 , such that the conductive element  710  is wrapped or disposed upon a generally tubular or cylindrical substrate  706  that is positioned over the ground plane  708 . As seen in  Figure 11C , the conductive element  710  is essentially a loop that is wrapped about the cylindrical substrate  706 . As illustrated, the conductive element  710  comprises at least one loop portion with conductive strips that extend in a generally perpendicular pattern from the loop. According to the illustrated embodiments of the antennas in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the antennas  500 ,  600  may be directly coupled to the LNA  504 ,  604  via a soldering technique that includes a feed point at, on, or about the conductive element  510 ,  610  as described above. Alternatively, the conductive elements  710  of the antenna  700  illustrated in  FIG. 11C  are parasitic elements and are parasitically coupled with respect to the main conductive element  710  where the main conductive element  710  is directly coupled to the LNA  704 .  
         [0034]     It is known that antenna impedance is referenced from the ground; therefore, it is preferable to introduce the ground plane  508 ,  608 ,  708  on circuit boards  502 ,  602 ,  702  in the design of the antennas  500 ,  600 ,  700  to avoid undesirable ripple to obtain a smooth polar response. It is preferable to maintain a minimum circuit board ground plane  508 ,  608 ,  708  of approximately 100 sq-mm or 100 mm-diameter regardless of antenna position. If the antenna  500 ,  600 ,  700  is positioned on glass, then ground plane  508 ,  608 ,  708  may be introduced without any structural alterations to the antenna  500 ,  600 ,  700 ; however, if the antenna  500 ,  600 ,  700  is located on the front or rear dash, the ground plane  508 ,  608 ,  708  is not effected because the a ground plane already exists on the front or rear dash. Although not illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 8 , and  10 , it is also contemplated that the antenna systems  200 ,  300  may also include a ground plane as well.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 11A , the dielectric dimensions, dielectric constant, and dimensions of the conductive patch element  510  and the ground plane  508  determine the operating characteristics of the patch antenna  500 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the patch antenna  500  may be defined to include an approximate surface area of 1 square inch and height of approximately 4 mm to 6 mm. The conductive patch element  510  may be approximately 0.5 square inches. Referring to  FIG. 11B , the loop or micro-strip antenna  600  may be etched on a low-loss dielectric. The loop antenna  600  operates in the TM 21  mode and yields adequate performance for elevation angles approximately equal to 20 to 60 degrees and degraded performance at higher angles such as 70 to 90 degrees. Referring now to  FIG. 11C , the ground plane  708 , diameter, and length of the conductive elements  710  determine the operating characteristics of the coupled loop antenna  700 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the loop perimeter length may be approximately ½ wavelength and the height may be approximately equal to 30 mm. Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the diameter, height, and pitch angle of helical conductive elements  205  determine the operating characteristics of the quadrifilar antenna. According to one embodiment of the invention, the quadrifilar antenna may include a diameter approximately equal to 20 mm and a height ranging from 6.0 cm to 6.5 cm. Although not illustrated, it is contemplated that any desired alternative antenna may be implemented in the design of the antenna system  200 ,  300  other than the antenna systems as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11C . For example, an alternative antenna that may be applied to the antenna system  200 ,  300  is a cross-dipole antenna that receives terrestrial signals which includes AM/FM and SDARS signals. Essentially, the cross-dipole antenna may comprise two circuit boards each including a dipole that are crossed at a 90° angle. Feed points of the circuit boards may be varied in any desirable polarization such as a horizontal, vertical, left-hand, right-hand polarization, by varying tapping points 90°, 180°, or 270°.  
         [0036]     It is also contemplated that other antenna structures may be substituted for the AM/FM terrestrial antenna than the structures illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 8 , and  10 . For example, four alternative embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-12D  at  800 ,  900 ,  1000 , and  1100 . As seen in  FIG. 12A , an AM loop antenna  801  and an FM wire antenna  802  is shown generally at  800 . The AM loop antenna  801  includes any desirable number of loop turns, T, such as, for example, 6-8 loop turns, and the FM wire antenna  802  includes any desirable length, L, such as, for example, approximately 32-40 inches. The AM/FM receiver HMI receives two separate inputs, which are generally seen at  803 ,  804  for the AM and FM signals, respectively. As seen in  FIG. 12B , an active AM ferrite antenna is seen generally at  900 . The AM ferrite antenna  900  includes a tuned circuit formed from the inductor, L 1 , and capacitor, C 1 , which is fed into a source-follower buffer stage. As seen in  FIG. 12C , an FM dipole antenna is seen generally at  1000 . The FM dipole antenna includes two metallic rods  1002  that are ¼ wavelength apart and are mounted horizontally with respect to each other. As illustrated, one lead-in wire  1004  is connected to each rod, which results in an antenna impedance of 75 ohms, the transmission lead-in of which is also 75 ohms. As seen in  FIG. 12D , a folded dipole antenna is seen generally at  1100 , which includes a 300 ohm twin lead  1102  and two ½ wave dipoles  1104  placed in parallel to each other with both ends terminated at the twin lead  1102  feedpoints. The length, L, and width, W, may be any desirable dimension, such as, for example, 0.93×½ wavelength and 2-3 inches, respectively. Although each AM/FM antenna  800 - 1100  is illustrated as a separate unit, each AM/FM antenna  800 - 1100  may be attached to the satellite antenna element or the integrated head unit, if desired. If applied as part of the SDARS antenna, the AM/FM antenna  800 - 110  may include an amplifier to overcome cable losses.  
         [0037]     The present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof. Accordingly, a stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system for reception of AM, FM, satellite and terrestrial rebroadcast satellite signals is achieved. The stationary terrestrial/satellite antenna and receiver system provides national broadcast content and local broadcast content. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments described above. This may be done without departing from the spirit of the invention. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the preceding description.