Cellular Radio Car Antenna Array for Smart Antenna Transmission and Diversity Reception 2000-01-0071

The application of smart or intelligent antennas at base stations of cellular radio systems has been proven to be a successful way to enhance the performance and the channel capacity of personal communication systems. In contrast to those technically highly developed base station antennas, the appearance and the functional principle of car antennas with omnidirectional pattern has been almost the same during the last few years. This paper presents a new type of mobile phone car antenna, which is implemented as a phased array of multiple short antennas with optimum omnidirectional pattern. In addition, it will allow adaptive beam steering as well. Optimum reception can be achieved by using the same set of antennas in diversity mode. In spite of the comparatively low technical effort and the small dimensions this highly effective antenna configuration opens the possibility for smart antenna application in vehicles as well.