The fast switching multifunction antenna of the present invention is a
variable length antenna that may be switched to provide the equivalent
function of a broadband antenna. The variable length antenna
quasi-continuously transmits or receives signals at a plurality of
frequencies by changing the effective length of the antenna using a
variety of switching mechanisms. The present invention may comprise a
plurality of antenna segments, a plurality of selectively actuable
switches for interconnecting the antenna segments, and a switching
mechanism operably coupled to the plurality of selectively actuable
switches for switching them at a switching rate that is greater than twice
the highest frequency to be transmitted or received. The switching rate
will be fast enough to allow the antenna to sample the highest frequency
and all of the required lower frequencies within the desired frequency
range without the loss of information at any frequency. However, the
switching rate is slow enough to allow sampling of the frequency at each
antenna length before the next antenna length is activated.
