Methods and systems for retransmission of a broadcast signal using proximity transmitting radiator
Systems and methods for wireless transmission of a modulated audio signal to a receiver using near-field or proximity transmission are presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such systems and methods can receive a broadcast signal with a first receiver, generate an audio signal therefrom, and then use a modulation device to convert the audio signal into a modulated signal. The modulated signal can be retransmitted wirelessly via a radiating element. The radiating element can, for example, be placed in close proximity to a second receiver, thereby enhancing the wireless link from the modulation device to the second receiver, and allowing the radiating element to operate at a relatively low power. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the broadcast signal can be, for example, a satellite radio signal, and the retransmission can occur within a vehicle, the second receiver being, for example, an in-vehicle conventional AM/FM radio system. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the radiating element can be remote from the first receiver, and can be co-located or integrated with the modulating device in a remote location. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a digital to analog converter can also be collocated, in-line with, or integrated with the modulating device and radiating element in the remote location.
1 . A method for rebroadcasting an audio signal, comprising:
receiving a first signal;
processing the first signal to generate a second signal;
modulating the second signal to generate a rebroadcast signal;
transmitting the rebroadcast signal from a rebroadcast antenna, wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located in close proximity to a receiving antenna.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first signal is a SDARS signal.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first signal is an in-band on channel signal.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second signal is an audio signal.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the audio signal is an analog signal.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the audio signal is a digital signal.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is a frequency modulated signal.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is an amplitude modulated signal.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is an in-band on channel modulated signal.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the modulating takes places within a receiver processing the first signal.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the modulating takes place external to a receiver processing the first signal.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located within a receiver processing the first signal.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located external to a receiver processing the first signal.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is one of a wavelength monopole antenna, a wavelength dipole antenna, a loop radiator antenna, a bent L radiator antenna and a bent F radiator antenna.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving antenna is coupled to one of an in-vehicle or in-home audio system.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the in-vehicle audio system includes one of an automobile audio system, a truck audio system, a marine audio system, an aircraft audio system and a motorcycle audio system.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the receiving antenna includes one of a whip antenna, a stinger antenna and an in-glass antenna.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located adjacent to the receiving antenna.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna appears electromagnetically large to the receiving antenna.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is in the near field of the receiving antenna.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is in the Reactive Near-field of the receiving antenna.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is within the Fresnel Radiative Near-field of the receiving antenna.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is about 3 inches from the receiving antenna.
24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is about 9 inches from the receiving antenna.
25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is about 15 inches from the receiving antenna.
26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is at a distance approximately from ¼ to ⅛ of the transmitted wavelength from the receiving antenna.
27 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located adjacent to a sheet metal structure of a vehicle.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the sheet metal structure is the outer sheet metal structure of the vehicle.
29 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is coupled to the rebroadcast antenna by shielded coaxial cable.
30 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is coupled to the rebroadcast antenna by at least one of an audio cable, a digital audio cable, an analog audio cable, and a wireless link.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the audio cable includes a two wire pair.
32 . A system for rebroadcasting an audio signal, comprising:
a receiver receiving a first signal and processing the first signal to generate a second signal;
a modulator coupled to the receiver, the modulator processing the second signal to generate a rebroadcast signal; and
a rebroadcast antenna coupled to the modulator, the rebroadcast antenna transmitting the rebroadcast signal,
wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located in close proximity to a receiving antenna.
33 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the first signal is a satellite radio signal.
34 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the first signal is an in-band on channel signal.
35 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the second signal is an audio signal.
36 . The system of claim 35 , wherein the audio signal is an analog signal.
37 . The system of claim 35 , wherein the audio signal is a digital signal.
38 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is a frequency modulated signal.
39 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is an amplitude modulated signal.
40 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is an in-band on channel modulated signal.
41 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the modulating takes places within a receiver processing the first signal.
42 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the modulating takes place external to a receiver processing the first signal.
43 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located within a receiver processing the first signal.
44 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located external to a receiver processing the first signal.
45 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is one of a wavelength monopole antenna, a wavelength dipole antenna, a loop radiator antenna, a bent L radiator antenna, a bent F radiator antenna and any combination thereof.
46 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the receiving antenna is coupled to one of an in-vehicle or in-home audio system.
47 . The system of claim 46 , wherein the in-vehicle audio system includes one of an automobile audio system, a truck audio system, a marine audio system, an aircraft audio system and a motorcycle audio system.
48 . The system of claim 46 , wherein the receiving antenna includes one of a whip antenna, a stinger antenna and an in-glass antenna.
49 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located adjacent to the receiving antenna.
50 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna appears electromagnetically large to the receiving antenna.
51 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is in the near field of the receiving antenna.
52 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is in the Reactive Near-field of the receiving antenna.
53 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is within the Fresnel Radiative Near-field of the receiving antenna.
54 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is about 3 inches from the receiving antenna.
55 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is about 9 inches from the receiving antenna.
56 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is about 15 inches from the receiving antenna.
57 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is at a distance approximately from ¼ to ⅛ of the transmitted wavelength from the receiving antenna.
58 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast antenna is located adjacent to a sheet metal structure of a vehicle.
59 . The system of claim 58 , wherein the sheet metal structure is the outer sheet metal structure of the vehicle.
60 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is coupled to the rebroadcast antenna by shielded coaxial cable.
61 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the rebroadcast signal is coupled to the rebroadcast antenna by an audio cable.
62 . The system of claim 61 , wherein the audio cable includes a two wire pair.
63 . An FM extender cable kit comprising:
an FM extender cable;
two or more suction cups for affixing the extender cable to an automobile window, windshield, a-pillar or other surface; and
at least one cable guide.
64 . The apparatus of claim 63 , including a satellite radio receiver.
65 . An FM extender cable, comprising:
an input plug;
a routing cable;
a ferrite bead overmold;
a radiating cable; and
a tip,
wherein the FM extender cable is used to radiate an audio signal to an FM antenna.
66 . The FM extender cable of claim 65 , wherein the radiating cable is placed so as to be within a defined distance of the FM receiving antenna.
67 . The FM extender cable of claim 66 , wherein said defined distance is one of the Reactive Near-field and the Fresnel Radiative Near-field.
68 . The FM extender cable of claim 65 , wherein the radiating cable is one of a ¼λ monopole and a ⅛λ monopole.