An automotive spoiler-type device to house a suite of sensors is described. Such
sensors can include, for example, transmit antennas, receive antennas, video cameras,
Infrared (IR) sensors, Electro-Optic (EO) sensors, air sensors, etc. Examples of
the information transmitted and received include voice, data, navigation, and other
communications functions, including, but not limited to, two-way radios, GPS, wireless
Internet applications, etc. In one embodiment, the spoiler antenna installations
are lower in profile and more compact than conventional vehicle antennas. In one
embodiment, a top-load portion of a monopole antenna is used as a ground plane
for a patch-type or cavity type antenna.
