TUNABLE ANTENNA FOR RF METERING NETWORKS

摘要

[0040] An antenna assembly (10) for RF communication of signals representing utility meter data. The antenna assembly (10) comprises a first conductor (30) forming at least a portion of an antenna radiating element, a second conductor (28), and a dielectric (34) disposed between the first conductor (30) and the second conductor (28), such that the first conductor (30), the second conductor (28) and the dielectric (34) form a capacitor. The antenna assembly (10) further comprises an inductance (36) in cascade with the capacitor to provide a selected L-C circuit impedance in relation to the antenna radiating element. The second conductor (28) is disposed opposite to the first conductor (30) and at least one of the first and second conductors (28, 30) is movable from a first to a second position to adjust the capacitance of the L-C circuit to a selected frequency of operation.