Antenna for directional communication, a method of communicating and a communication system

Abstract

An antenna, a method of communicating and a communication system are provided. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) an alignment device and (2) an antenna mounted in alignment with the alignment device, the antenna including: (2A) a protective cover, (2B) a Luneberg lens located within the protective cover, and (2C) multiple radio frequency signal conveyors located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens and configured with the Luneberg lens to transmit radio frequency signals within a defined region or receive radio frequency signals that originate within the defined region.

1 . An antenna for directional electronics communication, comprising:
 an alignment device;   an antenna mounted in alignment with said alignment device, said antenna including:   a protective cover,   a Luneberg lens located within said protective cover, and   multiple radio frequency signal conveyors located proximate a portion of said Luneberg lens and configured with said Luneberg lens to transmit radio frequency signals within a defined region or receive radio frequency signals that originate within said defined region.   
     
     
         2 . The antenna as recited in  claim 1  wherein said multiple radio frequency signal conveyors are configured with said Luneberg lens to transmit radio frequency signals within said defined region and receive radio frequency signals that originate within said defined region. 
     
     
         3 . The antenna as recited in  claim 2  wherein said multiple radio frequency signal conveyors are configured with said Luneberg lens to exclude transmit radio frequency signals to receivers outside said defined region and receive radio frequency signals that originate outside of said defined region. 
     
     
         4 . The antenna as recited in  claim 1  wherein said defined region corresponds to a radial direction determined by said alignment device. 
     
     
         5 . The antenna as recited in  claim 1  wherein said Luneberg lens is located entirely within said protective cover. 
     
     
         6 . The antenna as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radio frequency signal conveyors are configured to transmit diverging radio frequency signals to said Luneberg lens and receive substantially collimated radio frequencies signals from said Luneberg lens. 
     
     
         7 . The antenna as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radio frequency signal conveyors are located within said protective cover. 
     
     
         8 . A communication system including a base station having a processor configured to create a secure execution environment and an antenna as recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A method of communicating, comprising:
 aligning an antenna in a desired direction, wherein said antenna includes a Luneberg lens and multiple radio frequency signal conveyors located proximate a portion of said Luneberg lens and configured with said Luneberg lens to transmit radio frequency signals within a defined region or receive radio frequency signals that originate within said defined region, wherein said defined region corresponds to said desired direction;   transmitting, employing said antenna, outbound radio frequency signals to transceivers within said defined region; and   receiving inbound radio frequency signals from transceivers within said defined region.   
     
     
         10 . A communication system, comprising:
 a steering mechanism; and   an antenna configured to communicate with at least one transceiver within a region, wherein said steering mechanism is employed to enable said antenna to communicate within said region, said antenna including:   a protective cover,   a Luneberg lens located within said protective cover; and   multiple radio frequency signal conveyors located proximate a portion of said Luneberg lens and configured with said Luneberg lens to transmit radio frequency signals within said region or receive radio frequency signals that originate within said region.   
     
     
         11 . The communication system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said steering mechanism is configured to align said antenna to define said region and enable said antenna to communicate with said transceivers within said region. 
     
     
         12 . The communication system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said steering mechanism is an alignment device. 
     
     
         13 . The communication system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said steering mechanism includes an electric circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The communication system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said region changes during said communicate. 
     
     
         15 . The antenna as recited in  claim 1  wherein said protective cover is a protective shell. 
     
     
         16 . The antenna as recited in  claim 1  wherein said alignment device is an aiming device. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein said aligning includes steering said antenna in said desired direction. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein at least one of said transceivers within said defined region is an omnidirectional transceiver. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein said outbound radio frequency signals include encrypted data. 
     
     
         20 . The communication system as recited in  claim 10  wherein said protective cover is a protective shell.