An Automatic Beam-Switching Array for ATSC DTV Reception

The purpose of this research is to design an automatic beam-switching array for ATSC DTV reception. Such an antenna system is potentially applied on a moving vehicle for the mobile reception. Four wideband and directional horn antennas form this array. Several techniques are presented to gain those wideband and directional characteristics, including an L-slot design on the horn and optimal dimensional design for the feeding probe inside the horn. A circuit is designed to play the role of selection hardware, by which only the strongest incoming wave is chosen in a multi-path environment. Real receiving test was performed inside a basement as well.