Smart antenna application on vehicles with low profile array antennas

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. 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 patterns. In addition, it allows 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.