Slotted ring shaped antenna

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
A vertically polarized antenna conforming to the size requirements of a system comprising: an electronics package including provision for generating a radio signal; a flexible conductive strip disposed within said system such that said flexible conductive strip is disposed cylindrically so as to extend around an arc of greater than 300 degrees, said flexible conductive strip including a plurality of slots disposed longitudinally therein, said plurality of slots including a driven slot and a plurality of parasitically driven slots; and an antenna cable electrically coupled to said electronics package and electrically coupled to said driven slot such that, upon the application of power to said antenna cable, power is applied to said driven slot, said power applied to said driven slot parasitically driving said plurality of parasitically driven slots such that said flexible conductive strip radiates in a pattern that is substantially constant in the horizontal plane for any azimuthal angle for transmitting said radio signal.
2.
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said flexible conductive strip has a length and a height and wherein said plurality of slots have a length and a height, said length and height of said flexible conductive strip conforming to the size and geometry of said system, the length and height of said plurality of slots determined so as to produce a vertically polarized toroidal radiation pattern which conforms with the desired electronic characteristics of said antenna.
3.
The antenna of claim 2 wherein said electronic characteristics include an operating frequency, such that said antenna is tuned for resonance at the desired operating frequency by selecting an area for each of said slots such that said antenna resonates at the desired operating frequency.
4.
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said flexible conductive strip has a shape conforming to the shape of said system.
5.
The antenna of claim 1 wherein said flexible conductive strip extends around said electronics package extending around said azimuthal arc such that each of said plurality of slots are not separated from an adjoining slot by more than 60 degrees such that said plurality of slots generate a toroidal radiation pattern extending 360 degrees around said azimuthal arc