Antenna: Description and Operation
DIVERSITY ANTENNA SYSTEMThe diversity antenna system uses both front and back windows with an integral antenna built between the glass layers of the windshield and as an applique to the rear glass. Any damage to the antenna requires replacing the glass.
A diversity antenna system is designed to deliver the best radio signal reception possible. Two antennas are used to form a diversity system. The primary antenna is part of the rear window and looks similar to the defogger grid. This antenna receives both AM and FM signals. The secondary antenna is part of the front windshield and receives only FM signals.
The antenna reception signals are sorted out by the radio antenna module. The radio antenna module is enabled when the radio is turned on. When the AM or FM band is selected on the radio, the antenna module connects the rear window antenna directly to the radio. In addition, when the FM band is selected an enable signal is sent to the antenna module. Superimposed on this enable signal is the strength of the signal being received by the radio tuner. The antenna module now performs two functions. It switches between the front and rear antennas, monitoring the radio signal strength and combines both signals and phase aligns them to create one strong signal.