Patent Description:
In wireless communication systems for vehicles, a modem for the vehicle is typically placed a great distance away from an antenna in order to prevent electro-magnetic signals from the modem from interfering with the antenna. This often requires a long coaxial cable wired throughout the vehicle.

General definitions for terms utilized in the pertinent art are set forth below.

BLUETOOTH technology is a standard short range radio link that operates in the unlicensed <NUM> gigahertz band.

Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") is a spread spectrum communication system used in second generation and third generation cellular networks, and is described in <CIT>.

GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications is a second generation digital cellular network.

The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System ("UMTS") is a wireless standard.

Long Term Evolution ("LTE") is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals and is based on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA communication network technologies.

LTE Frequency Bands include <NUM>-<NUM> (Band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); <NUM>-<NUM> (Band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>); <NUM>-<NUM> (Band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); <NUM>-<NUM>. 5MH (Band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); <NUM>-<NUM> (Band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); <NUM>-<NUM> (Band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

Antenna impedance and the quality of the impedance match are most commonly characterized by either return loss or Voltage Standing Wave Ratio.

Surface Mount Technology ("SMT") is a process for manufacturing electronic circuits wherein the components are mounted or placed directly onto a surface of a printed circuit board ("PCB").

The APPLE IPHONE® <NUM> LTE Bands include: LTE700/<NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>); LTE <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>); and LTE <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>).

The SAMSUNG GALAXY® SIII LTE Bands include: LTE <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>.

The NOKIA LUMIA® <NUM> LTE Bands: LTE <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>); LTE <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>).

The long coaxial cable that connects a modem to an antenna on a vehicle leads to signal losses due to the length of the coaxial cable. Thus, there is a need for placement of a modem in proximity of an antenna for a vehicle system.

Prior art document <CIT> discloses a Global Positioning System (GPS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna, including a dielectric board including a ground plane; a first antenna trace line disposed on a first portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line including at least one first meandered trace for transmitting and receive a WLAN radio frequency signal; a second antenna trace line disposed on a second portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the second antenna trace line including at least one second meandered trace for transmitting and receiving a GSM radio frequency signal; a GPS antenna for receiving radio frequency signals from at least one global positioning satellite; and a vehicle mountable housing for enclosing the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line, the second antenna trace line, and the GPS antenna.

Prior art document <CIT> discloses a telematics device has an antenna unit housing enclosing various antennas and an electronic control circuit, There is a link to an external power supply. The housing encloses multiple substrates in a multi-tier arrangement, including at least one antenna substrate supporting antennas and a control substrate supporting an electronic control circuit for the antennas. There is also a base plate and a domed plastics cover sealed to the base plate. The base plate is of metal material, for heat conduction out of the housing. The cover and the base plate are joined at their edges by a peripheral rim which interconnects them to seal the housing, and internally contributes to support of the control board, and also conducts heat to its outer surface.

One aspect of the present invention is an antenna assembly comprising a base composed of a metal material, the base comprising a body an interior surface, a sidewall and a plurality of heat dissipation elements extending from the interior surface; a modem disposed within the base and directly contacting the plurality of heat dissipation elements, the modem comprising at least one of a communication chip, a Global Navigation Satellite System "GNSS" reception component, a security access module, and a mobile phone communication component; a top lid for the base, the top lid comprising a bottom surface and at least one antenna element disposed on an exterior surface of the top lid; a housing covering the top lid and the base; wherein the top lid and the base act as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem allowing the modem to be placed in proximity to the at least one antenna element without interference from electro-magnetic signals from the at least one antenna element.

The present invention eliminates the signal loss over the cables connecting the modem to the antenna since the modem and antenna are in relative proximity.

The present invention also replaces several coaxial cables with a single cable.

An antenna assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The antenna assembly <NUM> preferably comprises a base <NUM>, a modem <NUM>, a top lid <NUM> and a housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the antenna assembly comprises a base <NUM>, a modem <NUM>, router (not shown), a top lid <NUM> and a housing <NUM>. The base <NUM> is preferably composed of an aluminum material. The modem <NUM> is disposed on the base <NUM>. The top lid <NUM> is to cover the base <NUM> and modem <NUM>, and the top lid <NUM> preferably comprises at least one antenna element disposed on an exterior surface. A radiofrequency cable <NUM> is attached to the modem <NUM> and secured to the base <NUM> by bolt <NUM>. The housing <NUM> covers the top lid <NUM> and the base <NUM>. The top lid <NUM> acts as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem <NUM> to maintain the electro-magnetic signals inside of the base <NUM> to prevent interference with the antenna signals.

As shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes a body <NUM> with an interior surface <NUM>. A side wall <NUM> defines an interior compartment <NUM> in which a first plurality of heat dissipation elements 66a-66e and a second plurality of heat dissipation elements 67a-67e. An aperture <NUM> extends through the body <NUM> for access by at least one cable. The base <NUM> is preferably composed of a die-cast aluminum material to prevent electro-magnetic signals from the modem <NUM> from interfering with the antennas on the top lid <NUM>. In this manner, the modem <NUM> is capable of being placed in proximity to the antennas on the top lid <NUM> without interference from electro-magnetic signals with the antennas on the top lid <NUM>.

The first plurality of heat dissipation elements 66a-66e and the second plurality of heat dissipation elements 67a-67e dissipate heat that is generated by the operation of the modem <NUM>.

The sidewall <NUM>, in addition to acting as electro-magnetic barrier, also provides a structure for placement of the top lid <NUM> thereon.

As shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> preferably has a height H2 ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> a height, H1, ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, and a height, H3, ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. The base preferably has a width ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, and a length, L1, ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. The aperture <NUM> is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> across.

As shown in <FIG>, the top lid <NUM> comprises a first antenna element <NUM>, a second antenna element <NUM> and a third antenna element <NUM>. Preferably the first antenna element <NUM> is a multi-band antenna for cellular communications such as disclosed in Thill, <CIT> for a Multi-Element Antenna For Multiple bands Of Operation And Method Therefor. Alternatively, the first antenna element <NUM> is a multi-band antenna for cellular communications such as disclosed in He, <CIT> for a Multi-Band LTE Antenna. Alternatively, the first antenna element is a <NUM> Sub <NUM> antenna or a mmWave antenna.

Preferably, the second antenna element <NUM> is selected from the group of antennas consisting of a WiFi <NUM> antenna, a WiFi <NUM> antenna, a DECT antenna, a ZigBee antenna, and a Zwave antenna. The WiFi <NUM> antennas are preferably <NUM>-<NUM> MegaHertz. The WiFi <NUM> antenna is preferably a <NUM> GigaHertz antenna. Alternatively, the second antenna element <NUM> operates at <NUM> or at <NUM>. Other possible frequencies for the second antenna element <NUM> include <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The second antenna element <NUM> preferably operates on an <NUM> communication protocol. Most preferably, the second antenna element <NUM> operates on an <NUM>. 11n communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element <NUM> operates on an <NUM>. 11b communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element <NUM> operates on an <NUM> communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element <NUM> operates on an <NUM>. 11a communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element <NUM> operates on an <NUM>. 11ac communication protocol.

The third antenna element <NUM> is preferably a GPS/GLONASS module.

Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other antenna types may be used for the first antenna element <NUM>, the second antenna element <NUM> and/or the third antenna element <NUM> without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The top lid <NUM> is preferably composed of an aluminum material, at least on a bottom surface. Alternatively, the top lid <NUM> is composed of materials that can act as a barrier to electro-magnetic signals.

The modem <NUM> preferably includes at least one of a computation component, a communication chip <NUM>, a switch, an antenna switch circuit, a GNSS reception component <NUM>, a security access module <NUM>, a mobile phone communication component <NUM>, and a power supply source. The computation component preferably includes a CPU <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and an interface (I/F) component. The modem <NUM> preferably operates for cellular protocols including <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> HPUE and <NUM> technology. HPUE is High Power User Equipment, and is more specifically a special class of user equipment for a cellular network, such as a LTE cellular network.

Preferably, the housing <NUM> is composed of a polypropylene material. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> preferably has a height, H4, ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters (mm), more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and most preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. The housing <NUM> preferably has a length, L2, ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and most preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. The housing <NUM> preferably has a width, W1 ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and most preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. An internal width W2 is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. A width W3 is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has a sidewall <NUM>, a crown <NUM> and a rear wall <NUM>. The walls of the housing <NUM> preferably have a thickness ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, and most preferably are <NUM>.

Another embodiment of the invention is set forth in <FIG>. The antenna assembly system is used as a remote modem plus an antenna plus a serial communication system for upgrading existing installed routers to <NUM> sub <NUM>, or adding a failover modem. To upgrade an existing router to <NUM> with a new internal modem, a technician must: remove the router from the vehicle; take the router apart to remove the modem; install a new modem; install the router in the vehicle; and test the router to verify the new modem is working properly.

To upgrade an existing router to <NUM> using an antenna assembly of the present invention, a technician must, leveraging the already-installed coax cables (as shown in <FIG>): loosen the existing antenna on a vehicle roof; cut the coax cables; add a coax connector to two of the cables; use one coax cable for powering the antenna assembly and for serial Ethernet communications; use the second coax cable for GPS/GNSS; connect a coax-to-Ethernet combiner and power injector to the router's spare Ethernet WAN port to 12V power (it combines Ethernet and power and conveys them over coax) and to an ignition sense; configure the router to use the Ethernet port as the WAN if it is not already configured; test the router to verify it is communicating over the new modem; remove the existing antenna and cables; disconnect the coax cables from the router; remove the antenna from the roof of the vehicle; install the new antenna and connect the coax cables to the router; connect the injector module to the router Ethernet, vehicle power and ignition sense; connect the combiner module Ethernet connector to the router; configure the router to use the Ethernet port as the WAN if it is not already configured; and test the router to verify it is communicating over the new modem.

<FIG> illustrates the removal of the existing antenna <NUM> of a vehicle, and the installation of an antenna assembly <NUM> of the present invention. <FIG> illustrate the connections between the antenna assembly and the existing router <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The antenna assembly <NUM> preferably comprises a base <NUM>, a modem <NUM>, a CPU <NUM>, a combiner <NUM>, a power regulator <NUM>, and a plurality of antenna elements <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> within a housing <NUM>. Four coaxial cables <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are connected from the antenna assembly <NUM> to connectors on the vehicle. The coaxial cable <NUM> is connected to an injector <NUM>, the coaxial cables <NUM> and <NUM> are connected to WiFi connectors <NUM> and <NUM> of a router <NUM>. The coaxial cable <NUM> is connected to a GPS/GNSS connector <NUM> of the router <NUM>. The injector <NUM> comprises a reset button <NUM>, a SIM card <NUM>, a USB connection <NUM> and a power-conditioning unit. The router <NUM> preferably comprises a modem <NUM>, an Ethernet or USB WAN connector <NUM>, LTE connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, an ignition sense and 12Volt connector <NUM> which an ignition sense cable <NUM> and 12Volt cable <NUM> connect thereto.

Using the present invention, there is no need to remove, open the existing router, remove and replace modem module, close the router, re-install the router, test the router and modem.

Using the present invention, installation is quicker and a lower risk (no static discharge accidental damage to the router or modem due to opening the router).

Signal loss is typically higher at <NUM> mid-band frequencies than traditional cellular, and those losses are mitigated if not eliminated by the present invention. Using the modem that is embedded in the antenna housing avoids cable loss and thereby extends coverage range.

A user of the antenna assembly of the present invention can continue to use the software they have been using with their existing router.

Claim 1:
An antenna assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>) composed of a metal material, the base (<NUM>) comprising a body (<NUM>), an interior surface (<NUM>), a sidewall (<NUM>) and a plurality of heat dissipation elements (67a-67e) extending from the interior surface (<NUM>);
a modem (<NUM>) disposed within the base (<NUM>) and directly contacting the plurality of heat dissipation elements (67a-67e), the modem (<NUM>) comprising at least one of a communication chip (<NUM>), a Global Navigation Satellite System "GNSS" reception component (<NUM>), a security access module (<NUM>), and a mobile phone communication component (<NUM>);
a top lid (<NUM>) for the base (<NUM>), the top lid (<NUM>) comprising a bottom surface and at least one antenna element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on an exterior surface of the top lid (<NUM>);
a housing (<NUM>) covering the top lid (<NUM>) and the base (<NUM>);
wherein the top lid (<NUM>) and the base (<NUM>) act as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem (<NUM>) allowing the modem (<NUM>) to be placed in proximity to the at least one antenna element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) without interference from electro-magnetic signals from the at least one antenna element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).