Antenna array on curved and flat substrates

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an antenna system may include a first substrate, which may include an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna system may further include a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate and may include radio frequency circuitry operable to carry radio frequency signals communicating via the antenna array. The first substrate may have a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate, such that at least one of the plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on the curved surface of the first substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to antenna systems for use in wireless communication systems, such as an antenna system for use in a cellular communication system. Prior Technology

[0002] Antenna systems (such as patch array antenna systems) can be coupled to various types of electronic devices (e.g., laptops, tablets, smartphones, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, etc.) to facilitate communication over cellular networks. Cellular networks operating under the fourth-generation (4G) broadband cellular network standard are widely used and have recently evolved to provide medium-to-high data rate transmission and voice communication over large areas with a stable and reliable network. Communication systems are transitioning to the fifth-generation (5G) broadband cellular network standard.

[0003] 5G networks offer substantially higher data rates and lower latency, and are suitable for voice, data, and IoT applications. 5G communication protocols can be implemented, for example, using antenna arrays configured to facilitate multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication and / or higher frequency bands (e.g., a band ranging from approximately 24 GHz to approximately 86 GHz) communication. Each of these antenna arrays may contain a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., radiating elements). The antenna elements can be individually and / or collectively controlled by one or more control devices of a communication and / or antenna system to transmit signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals) in a MIMO mode (e.g., a 4x4 MIMO mode). This can provide higher data rates and lower latency in wireless communication. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be understood from the description itself, or may be understood through practice of the embodiments.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an antenna system may include a first substrate, which may include an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna system may further include a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate and may include a radio frequency circuit operable to carry a radio frequency signal communicating via the antenna array. The first substrate may have a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate, such that at least one of the plurality of antenna elements can be disposed on the curved surface of the first substrate.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an antenna system may include forming an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements on a first substrate. The method may further include forming a radio frequency circuit operable to carry a radio frequency signal communicating via the antenna array on a second substrate. The first substrate may be spaced apart from the second substrate and may have a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate, such that at least one of the plurality of antenna elements may be formed on a curved surface of the first substrate.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of configuring an antenna system may include transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal using an antenna array by one or more processors. The antenna array may include a plurality of antenna elements disposed on a first substrate, the first substrate having a curved surface configuration relative to a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate. The second substrate may include an RF circuit operable to carry the RF signal communicated via the antenna array. The method may further include the one or more processors adjusting a main lobe of a radiation pattern associated with the antenna array from pointing in a first direction to pointing in a second direction. At least one of the plurality of antenna elements may be disposed on a curved surface of the first substrate.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the relevant principles of the invention. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] The specification describes in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments for those skilled in the art, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary unrestricted antenna system according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which can achieve approximately equal gain in any direction relative to an antenna array.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of one of the exemplary unrestricted antenna systems of Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 3 shows a top view of an example unrestricted substrate of the example unrestricted antenna system of Figure 1.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example radiation pattern that can be obtained by implementing an antenna system with a planar parallel substrate.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary unrestricted radiation field pattern that can be obtained by implementing one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 each illustrate a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary non-limiting antenna system according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 11 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary unrestricted control circuit that can be associated with one or more exemplary antenna systems of the present invention to achieve approximately equal gain in any direction relative to an antenna array, according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 12 illustrates a flowchart of one of the exemplary non-limiting methods that can be implemented to produce one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 13 illustrates a flowchart of one of the exemplary non-limiting methods that can be implemented to operate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] The repeated use of element symbols in this specification and accompanying drawings is intended to represent the same or similar features or elements of the present invention. Implementation

[0020] Priority Claim This application is based on and asserts priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 232,837, filed August 13, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] Detailed reference will now be made to the embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. These examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. In fact, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, a feature illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used together with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, the nature of the invention is intended to cover such modifications and variations.

[0022] Unless otherwise specified, as used herein, approximate terms such as “approximate,” “substantially,” and / or “about” mean within 10% error of the stated value. As indicated herein, the term “generally vertical” means within approximately 10 degrees (°) of verticality. As indicated herein, the terms “or” and “and / or” are generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” or “A and / or B” each mean “A or B or both”). As indicated herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used interchangeably to distinguish components from each other and are not intended to indicate the position or importance of individual components.

[0023] As used herein, the term "coupling" refers to chemical coupling (e.g., chemical bonding), communication coupling, electrical and / or electromagnetic coupling (e.g., capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, direct and / or connection coupling, etc.), mechanical coupling, operational coupling, optical coupling, and / or physical coupling. As used herein, the term "entity" refers to a person, a user, an end user, a consumer, a computing device and / or program (e.g., a processor, computing hardware and / or software, an application, etc.), an agent, a machine learning (ML) and / or artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, model, system and / or application, and / or another type of entity capable of implementing one or more embodiments of the invention described herein, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and / or included in the claims of the appended patent application.

[0024] The exemplary embodiments of this invention pertain to antenna systems. Existing antenna array systems (such as patch array antenna systems) that can be used in 5G networks and / or implement 5G communication protocols generally include an antenna array (e.g., a patch antenna array of radiating elements) with antenna elements mounted on a first planar substrate and an RF circuit mounted on a second planar substrate coupled to the first planar substrate. The RF circuit is operable to carry an RF signal that communicates via the antenna elements. These patch array antenna systems generally also include and / or are coupled to one or more control devices operable to use some or all of the antenna elements to perform a beamforming operation to adjust a radiation pattern associated with the antenna array, such that a main lobe of the radiation pattern is adjusted from pointing in one direction to pointing in another direction. Beamforming refers to the combination of different antenna beams to increase the signal strength in a specific direction (e.g., the direction of a base station) to enhance the communication link.

[0025] One problem with these existing patch array antenna systems is the difficulty in maintaining substantially equal gain values ​​in one or more directions during a beamforming operation. For example, when performing a beamforming operation using an existing patch array antenna system having antenna elements (e.g., a patch antenna array with radiating elements) mounted on a planar substrate as described above, it is difficult to maintain substantially equal gain values ​​in a Y direction (e.g., along a Y-axis) without changing the input power, while simultaneously directional-slanting the main lobe. That is, for example, the planar substrate on which the antenna elements are mounted does not allow compensation for lower gain values ​​associated with adjacent antenna elements to provide substantially equal gain in all directions.

[0026] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an antenna system (such as a patch array antenna system) may include a first substrate, which may include a patch antenna array having a plurality of patch antennas. In these embodiments, the antenna system may further include a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate and having an RF circuit operable to carry an RF signal communicating via the patch antenna array. In these embodiments, the first substrate may have a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate, such that at least one of the plurality of antenna elements is disposed on a curved surface of the first substrate (e.g., disposed on a curved surface of a segment of the first substrate having the curved surface configuration).

[0027] For example, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the curved surface configuration of the first substrate may be formed as a convex configuration relative to the second substrate, wherein the second substrate may have a generally planar configuration. In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate may have an end portion and a central portion, wherein a first distance between the end portion and a surface of the second substrate is less than a second distance between the central portion and a surface of the second substrate. In other exemplary embodiments, the first substrate may be formed such that the curved surface configuration may include one or more convex curved surface configurations and / or one or more concave curved surface configurations. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, one or more of a plurality of patch antennas may be formed on the first substrate using a laser direct forming (LDS) process to provide at least one of these patch antennas formed on a curved surface of the first substrate (e.g., on a curved surface of a segment of the first substrate having the curved surface configuration).

[0028] In some embodiments, a patch array antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include and / or be coupled to one or more control devices operable to perform a beamforming operation using some or all of the patch antennas to adjust a radiation pattern of the antenna array such that a main lobe of the radiation pattern is adjusted from pointing in a first direction to pointing in a second direction. As referred to herein, "main lobe" means the lobe of the radiation pattern associated with the highest gain. For example, in the above embodiments, the main lobe may be associated with a first gain in the first direction and a second gain in the second direction, wherein the second gain may be approximately equal to the first gain (e.g., within about 20% of the first gain). In these embodiments, the first direction may be a direction substantially perpendicular to a center point on the second substrate and the second direction may be a direction at about 45 degrees (°) from the center point of the second substrate.

[0029] To facilitate the aforementioned beamforming operation, the patch array antenna system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may further include an RF feed circuit disposed on a first side of a second substrate and a ground plane disposed on a second side of a second substrate, wherein the second side may be opposite to the first side. In these embodiments, the ground plane may have one or more slots and the RF feed circuit is operable to couple RF signals to one or more of a plurality of patch antennas via one or more slots. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one first slot of one or more slots may extend in a first direction and at least one second slot of one or more slots may extend in a second direction, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. In this example, the RF feed circuit may couple RF signals to one or more slots, the one or more slots may propagate RF signals to excite one or more patch antennas, and the patch antennas may then transmit RF signals. In some embodiments, one or more patch antennas may be used to transmit one or more RF signals and / or support the transmission of one or more RF signals in a frequency band of about 24 GHz to about 86 GHz in a MIMO mode and / or diversity mode via a patch antenna array and a cellular communication protocol (e.g., a 5G protocol).

[0030] The present invention provides numerous technical effects and benefits. For example, an antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be used to increase the gain of an antenna array (e.g., a patch antenna array) in one or more directions relative to the antenna array (e.g., a surface of the antenna array), such that the antenna array can provide approximately equal gain in any direction. In some embodiments, the antenna system can be implemented in one or more components of a cellular network to provide approximately equal gain in any direction relative to an antenna array during a beamforming operation. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the antenna system can be implemented in one or more components of a 5G network (such as a 5G base station) to provide approximately equal gain in any direction relative to an antenna array during a beamforming operation. In this example, this implementation of the antenna system in a 5G network can increase the signal strength and / or speed of an RF signal to provide higher data rates and / or lower latency across the 5G network. In this example, the increased data rate and / or lower latency across 5G networks can facilitate improved performance and / or reduced operating costs associated with one or more communication and / or computing components of the 5G network (such as mobile devices, processors, servers, memory devices, etc.).

[0031] In additional or alternative exemplary embodiments, since one or more of the plurality of antenna elements (e.g., radiating elements) can be formed on the first substrate using an LDS process, the antenna system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can further provide a simplified process for an antenna system that can provide approximately equal gain in any direction of projection from the antenna array during a beamforming operation. In these embodiments, this simplified process can reduce the costs associated with manufacturing and / or implementing an antenna system in a cellular network (e.g., a 5G network) and / or according to a cellular protocol (e.g., a 5G protocol).

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an antenna system 100 that can achieve approximately equal gain relative to an antenna array in any direction according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the antenna system 100 may include a first substrate 102 having an antenna array 104 that can be disposed on a surface 106 (e.g., a top surface) of the first substrate 102. In this exemplary embodiment, the antenna array 104 may include a plurality of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N (where "104N" refers to the total number of antenna elements). In this exemplary embodiment, the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N may each have surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, 108N (where "108N" refers to the total number of surfaces). In some embodiments, the first substrate 102 may be formed using, for example, an insulating substrate. For example, in some embodiments, the first substrate 102 may be formed using a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate (such as flame-retardant 4 (FR-4) material).

[0033] Although a single antenna array 104 is depicted in FIG. 1 as disposed on surface 106 of the first substrate 102 and having four antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For example, using the disclosure provided herein, those skilled in the art will understand that one or more additional antenna arrays 104 may be disposed on surface 106 of the first substrate 102, wherein, without departing from the scope of the invention, each of the one or more additional antenna arrays 104 may have more or fewer antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG1, the antenna system 100 may further include a second substrate 110 spaced apart from the first substrate 102. In this exemplary embodiment, the second substrate 110 may be coupled to the first substrate 102 (e.g., communication coupling, electrical coupling, electromagnetic coupling, operational coupling, etc.). Although not shown in FIG1, in some embodiments, the second substrate 110 may include an RF circuit operable to carry an RF signal communicating via the antenna array 104. For example, as described below and illustrated in FIG3, in some embodiments, the second substrate 110 may include an RF feed circuit (not shown) and / or a ground plane formed on the RF feed circuit, wherein the ground plane may have one or more slots and the RF feed circuit is operable to couple an RF signal via one or more slots to one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N. In this example, the antenna array 104 and / or one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N can transmit RF signals, at least in part, based on the coupling of the RF signal to one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N. In some embodiments, the second substrate 110 may be formed using, for example, an insulating substrate. For example, in some embodiments, the second substrate 110 may be formed using a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate (such as FR-4 material).

[0035] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first substrate 102 may be formed as and / or include a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110, such that at least one of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N is disposed on a curved surface of the first substrate 102 (e.g., a curved surface of at least one segment of the first substrate 102). In some embodiments, at least one of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N may be formed on this curved surface of the first substrate 102 and / or integrated into this curved surface of the first substrate 102, such that at least one corresponding surface of surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c and / or 108N has a curved surface configuration identical to the curved surface configuration of the first substrate 102. For example, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG1, one or more (e.g., all) of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may be formed on surface 106 of the first substrate 102, wherein surface 106 may be a convex surface relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more (e.g., all) of surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a convex surface configuration identical to the convex surface configuration of surface 106. In some embodiments, one or more of surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a curved surface configuration identical to the curved surface configuration of surface 106 (e.g., convex, concave, etc.) and be substantially coplanar with surface 106. In some embodiments, one or more of surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a curved surface configuration (e.g., convex, concave, etc.) that is the same as the curved surface configuration of surface 106 and may be formed on the first substrate 102 to be disposed in a plane adjacent to one of surfaces 106 (e.g., a parallel or approximately parallel plane adjacent to surface 106).

[0036] Although the first substrate 102 is depicted in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG1 as having a single convex surface configuration and surface (e.g., surface 106) relative to the second substrate 110, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For example, using the disclosure provided herein, those skilled in the art will understand that in some embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention, the first substrate 102 may be formed and / or include one or more convex surface configurations and / or surfaces, one or more concave surface configurations and / or surfaces, one or more biconcave surface configurations and / or surfaces, and / or one or more concave-convex surface configurations and / or surfaces relative to the second substrate 110.

[0037] In some embodiments, one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N (e.g., a plurality of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N) may be configured and / or provided as antenna elements defined by laser direct forming (LDS). In these embodiments, one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N (e.g., a plurality of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N) may be formed on a first substrate 102 using an LDS process, such that at least one of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N is disposed on a curved surface (e.g., surface 106) of the first substrate 102.

[0038] In some embodiments, antenna system 100 may be provided as a patch array antenna system, wherein antenna array 104 may be provided as a patch antenna array. In these embodiments, antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N may be provided as radiating elements of this patch antenna array operable to transmit an RF signal (e.g., transmit and / or receive an RF signal).

[0039] Although not depicted in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, in some embodiments, the antenna system 100 may further include and / or be coupled to a control circuit having one or more control devices operable to configure one or more antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N: transmit one or more signals (e.g., one or more RF signals); support communication of the one or more signals; and / or perform a beamforming operation. An exemplary non-limiting embodiment of such a control circuit having one or more control devices is described below and illustrated in Figure 11 as control circuit 1100.

[0040] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, control circuit 1100 and / or one or more control devices thereof may be used to perform a beamforming operation. For example, in these embodiments, antenna system 100 may further include and / or be coupled to control circuit 1100 (FIG. 11) and / or one or more control devices thereof, which may be operable to perform a beamforming operation to adjust a radiation pattern of antenna array 104 such that a main lobe of the radiation pattern is adjusted from pointing in a first direction to pointing in a second direction. In these exemplary embodiments, the main lobe may be associated with a first gain in the first direction and a second gain in the second direction, wherein the second gain may be approximately equal to the first gain (e.g., within about 20% of the first gain). In these exemplary embodiments, the first direction may be in a direction substantially perpendicular to a center point on the second substrate 110 and the second direction may be in a direction at about 45° to the center point on the second substrate 110 or in another direction.

[0041] To implement the beamforming operation described in the above exemplary embodiments, control circuitry 1100 and / or one or more control devices thereof may, according to various embodiments of the present invention, adjust the power and / or phase of one or more signals (e.g., one or more RF signals) that can be transmitted to antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N. In some embodiments, control circuitry 1100 and / or one or more control devices thereof may be used to implement a phase shift of one or more signals using a delay line, the delay line introducing a time delay into the signals(s) transmitted using the delay line. In other embodiments, control circuitry 1100 and / or one or more control devices thereof may be used to implement a phase shift of one or more signals using a phase shifter.

[0042] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the antenna system 100 depicted in FIG1 may be implemented in one or more components of a cellular network to provide approximately equal gain in any direction relative to the antenna array 104 during a beamforming operation. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the antenna system 100 may be implemented in one or more components of a 5G cellular communication network (such as a 5G base station) to provide approximately equal gain in any direction relative to the antenna array 104 during a beamforming operation. For example, the antenna system 100 may be implemented in one or more of these components to provide approximately equal gain in one or more directions relative to surface 106 and / or surface 108, such that the antenna array 104 and / or antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c and / or 104N may provide approximately equal gain in any direction relative to the antenna array 104 during a beamforming operation.

[0043] In some embodiments, one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N (e.g., each) are operable to transmit one or more signals (e.g., one or more RF signals) and / or support communication of one or more signals via a cellular communication protocol (such as a 5G cellular communication protocol). In some embodiments, one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N (e.g., each) are operable to transmit and / or support communication of one or more signals via cellular communication in a MIMO mode (e.g., a 4x4 MIMO mode) or a diversity mode. In some embodiments, one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N (e.g., each) are operable to transmit and / or support communication of these one or more signals via cellular communication in a frequency band of about 24 GHz to about 86 GHz in a MIMO mode or a diversity mode.

[0044] Although the exemplary embodiment of the antenna system 100 illustrated in FIG1 depicts the second substrate 110 as having a planar configuration relative to the first substrate 102, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the second substrate 110 of the present invention(s) may have a curved surface configuration. For example, in these exemplary embodiments(s), without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second substrate 110 may have a curved surface configuration that is the same as or different from that of the first substrate 102.

[0045] Although the exemplary embodiment of the antenna system 100 illustrated in FIG1 depicts a first substrate 102 having a curved surface configuration relative to a second substrate 110 (wherein such curved surface configuration may be curved relative to two-dimensional (2D) space), it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first substrate 102 and / or the second substrate 110 of the present invention(s) may be formed such that one or both of these substrates have a curved surface configuration in three-dimensional (3D) space (e.g., a 3D configuration). For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 102 and / or the second substrate 110 may be formed such that one or both substrates have a dome-shaped configuration.

[0046] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary non-limiting antenna system 100 of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, in one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first substrate 102 may include an end portion 202 and a central portion 204. In this exemplary embodiment, a first distance d1 between the end portion 202 and a surface 206 of the second substrate 110 may be less than a second distance d2 between the central portion 204 and the surface 206 of the second substrate 110.

[0047] Although the first substrate 102 is depicted in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as having a single convex surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For example, using the disclosure provided herein, those skilled in the art will understand that in some embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention, the first substrate 102 may be formed and / or include one or more convex surface configurations and / or one or more concave surface configurations relative to the second substrate 110. For example, in some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the first substrate 102 may be formed and / or include one or more of the various surface configurations described below and illustrated in the exemplary embodiments depicted in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

[0048] Although the exemplary embodiment of the antenna system 100 illustrated in FIG2 depicts the second substrate 110 as having a planar configuration relative to the first substrate 102, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the second substrate 110 of the present invention(s) may have a curved surface configuration. For example, in these exemplary embodiments(s), without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second substrate 110 may have a curved surface configuration that is the same as or different from that of the first substrate 102.

[0049] Although the exemplary embodiment of the antenna system 100 illustrated in Figure 2 depicts the first substrate 102 as having a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110 (wherein this curved surface configuration may be bent relative to a 2D space), it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, the first substrate 102 and / or the second substrate 110 of the exemplary embodiments of the invention may be formed such that one or both of these substrates have a curved surface configuration in a 3D space (e.g., a 3D configuration). For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 102 and / or the second substrate 110 may be formed such that one or both substrates have a dome-shaped configuration.

[0050] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a second substrate 110 of the exemplary non-limiting antenna system 100 described above and depicted in Figure 1. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the second substrate 110 may include a radio frequency (RF) feed circuit (not shown in Figure 3) and / or a ground plane 302 disposed on the RF feed circuit. In these exemplary embodiments, the RF feed circuit may be disposed on a first side (e.g., a bottom side, not shown in Figure 3) of the second substrate 110, and the ground plane 302 may be disposed on a second side (e.g., a top side) of the second substrate 110, wherein the second side may be opposite to the first side. In these exemplary embodiments, the ground plane 302 may include one or more slots 304a, 304b, and the RF feed circuit is operable to couple an RF signal (e.g., via control circuitry 1100) to one or more antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N via one or more slots 304a, 304b. In these exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG3, at least one first slot 304a of one or more slots may extend in a first direction (e.g., horizontally across FIG3) and at least one second slot 304b of one or more slots may extend in a second direction (e.g., vertically across FIG3), wherein the first direction may be substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

[0051] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary radiation pattern 400 that can be obtained by implementing an antenna system having a planar parallel substrate. For example, the radiation pattern 400 can be obtained by performing a beamforming operation using an antenna system 402 depicted in Figure 4. The antenna system 402 depicted in Figure 4 includes a first planar substrate 404 spaced apart from and / or coupled to a second planar substrate 406. The first planar substrate 404 includes an antenna array (not shown in Figure 4) having a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., radiating elements of a patch antenna array, not shown in Figure 4), such as a patch antenna array. The second planar substrate 406 includes an RF circuit (not shown in Figure 4) operable to carry an RF signal communicating via the antenna array. The RF circuit includes an RF feed circuit and a ground plane having one or more slots, wherein the RF feed circuit is operable to couple the RF signal to the plurality of antenna elements via the one or more slots.

[0052] When a beamforming operation is performed using antenna system 402, a main lobe 408 of radiation pattern 400 is adjusted from pointing in a first direction D1 to pointing in a second direction D2 and / or a third direction D3. The first direction D1 may be in a direction substantially perpendicular to a center point on the second planar substrate 406, and the second direction D2 and / or the third direction D3 may be in a direction defined by an angle θ relative to the center point on the second planar substrate 406, wherein this angle θ may be approximately 45° or another suitable angle. In radiation pattern 400, the main lobe 408 is associated with a first gain 408a in the first direction D1, a second gain 408b in the second direction D2, and / or a third gain 408c in the third direction D3. As illustrated by radiation pattern 400 in Figure 4, the second gain 408b in the second direction D2 and the third gain 408c in the third direction D3 are substantially less than the first gain 408a in the first direction D1. To overcome these deficiencies, one or more antenna systems and / or methods are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide improved gain equality in any direction relative to an antenna array.

[0053] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary non-limiting radiation pattern 500 that can be obtained by implementing one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, the radiation pattern 500 can be obtained by implementing one of the beamforming operations according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention using one or more antenna systems described herein (such as antenna system 100) (e.g., via control circuitry 1100 described below with reference to Figure 11).

[0054] When a beamforming operation is performed using, for example, an antenna system 100 according to one or more exemplary embodiments described herein (e.g., via control circuitry 1100), a main lobe 502 of the radiation pattern 500 can be adjusted from pointing to a first direction D1 to pointing to a second direction D2 and / or a third direction D3. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the first direction D1 may be in a direction substantially perpendicular to a center point on the second substrate 110, and the second direction D2 and / or the third direction D3 may be in a direction defined by an angle θ relative to the center point on the second substrate 110, wherein this angle θ may be approximately 45°. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the main lobe 502 may be associated with a first gain 502a on the first direction D1, a second gain 502b on the second direction D2, and / or a third gain 502c on the third direction D3. As illustrated by the radiation pattern 500 in the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 5, the second gain 502b in the second direction D2 and / or the third gain 502c in the third direction D3 can be approximately equal to the first gain 502a in the first direction D1. For example, as illustrated by the radiation pattern 500 in the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 5, the second gain 502b in the second direction D2 and / or the third gain 502c in the third direction D3 can be approximately equal to the first gain 502a in the first direction D1 (e.g., within about 20% of the first gain 502a in the first direction D1).

[0055] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary non-limiting antenna system 600 according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the antenna system 600 may be configured and / or provided as an exemplary non-limiting alternative embodiment of the antenna system 100 described above and illustrated in Figure 1.

[0056] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG6, the antenna system 600 may include a first substrate 602 which may be formed as and / or include a single concave surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 602 may be formed using one or more materials that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1 (e.g., FR-4). In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 602 may include and / or provide the same functions as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1.

[0057] Referring to the exemplary embodiments described above and illustrated in FIG1, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG6, the antenna array 104 (not shown in FIG6) and / or one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N (not shown in FIG6) may be disposed on (e.g., formed on and / or integrated into) a surface 604 (e.g., a top surface) of the first substrate 602, such that at least one of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N is disposed on a curved section of the surface 604. In this exemplary embodiment, the surface 604 may be formed as and / or include a concave curved surface configuration that is the same as that of the first substrate 602 relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N (not shown in FIG. 6) corresponding to one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 604. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 604 and may be substantially coplanar with surface 604. In some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 604 and may be formed on the first substrate 602 to be disposed in a plane adjacent to surface 604 (e.g., a parallel or approximately parallel plane adjacent to surface 604).

[0058] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG6, the first substrate 602 may include an end portion 606 and a central portion 608. In this exemplary embodiment, a first distance d1 between the end portion 606 and the surface 206 of the second substrate 110 may be greater than a second distance d2 between the central portion 608 and the surface 206 of the second substrate 110.

[0059] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary non-limiting antenna system 700 according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the antenna system 700 may be configured and / or provided as an exemplary non-limiting alternative embodiment of the antenna system 100 described above and illustrated in Figure 1.

[0060] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG7, the antenna system 700 may include a first substrate 702, which may be formed and / or include a single convex surface and a single concave surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 702 may be formed using one or more materials (e.g., FR-4) that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1. ​​In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 702 may include and / or provide functions that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1.

[0061] Referring to the exemplary embodiments described above and illustrated in FIG1, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG7, the antenna array 104 (not shown in FIG7) and / or one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N (not shown in FIG7) may be disposed on (e.g., formed on and / or integrated into) a surface 704 (e.g., a top surface) of the first substrate 702, such that at least one of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N is disposed on a curved section of the surface 704. In this exemplary embodiment, the surface 704 may be formed as and / or include a single convex surface and a single concave surface configuration that is the same as that of the first substrate 702 relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N (not shown in FIG. 7) corresponding to one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 704. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 704 and may be substantially coplanar with surface 704. In some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 704 and may be formed on the first substrate 702 to be disposed in a plane adjacent to surface 704 (e.g., a parallel or approximately parallel plane adjacent to surface 704).

[0062] Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary non-limiting antenna system 800 according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the antenna system 800 may be configured and / or provided as an exemplary non-limiting alternative embodiment of the antenna system 100 described above and illustrated in Figure 1.

[0063] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG8, the antenna system 800 may include a first substrate 802, which may be formed and / or include a single concave surface and a single convex surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 802 may be formed using one or more materials (e.g., FR-4) that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1. ​​In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 802 may include and / or provide functions that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1.

[0064] Referring to the exemplary embodiments described above and illustrated in FIG1, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG8, the antenna array 104 (not shown in FIG8) and / or one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N (not shown in FIG8) may be disposed on (e.g., formed on and / or integrated into) one surface 804 (e.g., a top surface) of the first substrate 802, such that at least one of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N is disposed on a curved section of the surface 804. In this exemplary embodiment, the surface 804 may be formed as and / or include a single concave surface and a single convex surface configuration that is the same as the single concave surface and single convex surface configuration of the first substrate 802 relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N (not shown in FIG. 8) corresponding to one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 804. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 804 and may be substantially coplanar with surface 804. In some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 804 and may be formed on the first substrate 802 to be disposed in a plane adjacent to surface 804 (e.g., a parallel or approximately parallel plane adjacent to surface 804).

[0065] Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary non-limiting antenna system 900 according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the antenna system 900 may be configured and / or provided as an exemplary non-limiting alternative embodiment of the antenna system 100 described above and illustrated in Figure 1.

[0066] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG9, the antenna system 900 may include a first substrate 902, which may be formed and / or include a single convex surface and a double concave surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 902 may be formed using one or more materials (e.g., FR-4) that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1. ​​In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 902 may include and / or provide functions that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1.

[0067] Referring to the exemplary embodiments described above and illustrated in FIG1, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG9, the antenna array 104 (not shown in FIG9) and / or one or more of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N (not shown in FIG9) may be disposed on (e.g., formed on and / or integrated into) a surface 904 (e.g., a top surface) of the first substrate 902, such that at least one of the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N is disposed on a curved section of the surface 904. In this exemplary embodiment, the surface 904 may be formed as and / or include a single convex surface and a double concave surface configuration relative to the same first substrate 902 of the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N (not shown in FIG. 9) corresponding to one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 904. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 904 and may be substantially coplanar with surface 904. In some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 904 and may be formed on the first substrate 902 to be disposed in a plane adjacent to surface 904 (e.g., a parallel or approximately parallel plane adjacent to surface 904).

[0068] Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary non-limiting antenna system 1000 according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the antenna system 1000 may be configured and / or provided as an exemplary non-limiting alternative embodiment of the antenna system 100 described above and illustrated in Figure 1.

[0069] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG10, the antenna system 1000 may include a first substrate 1002, which may be formed and / or include a single concave surface and a double convex surface configuration relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 1002 may be formed using one or more materials (e.g., FR-4) that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1. ​​In this exemplary embodiment, the first substrate 1002 may include and / or provide functions that are the same as those used in the first substrate 102 described above with reference to FIG1.

[0070] Referring to the exemplary embodiments described above and illustrated in FIG1, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG10, antenna array 104 (not shown in FIG10) and / or one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N (not shown in FIG10) may be disposed on (e.g., formed on and / or integrated into) a surface 1004 (e.g., a top surface) of the first substrate 1002, such that at least one of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N is disposed on a curved section of surface 1004. In this exemplary embodiment, surface 1004 may be formed as and / or include a single concave surface and a double convex surface configuration that is the same as the single concave surface and double convex surface configuration of the first substrate 1002 relative to the second substrate 110. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N (not shown in FIG. 10) corresponding to one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 1004. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 1004 and may be substantially coplanar with surface 1004. In some embodiments, one or more of the surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108N may have a surface configuration identical to that of surface 1004 and may be formed on the first substrate 1002 to be disposed in a plane adjacent to surface 1004 (e.g., a parallel or approximately parallel plane adjacent to surface 1004).

[0071] Figure 11 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting control circuit 1100 that can be associated with one or more exemplary non-limiting antenna systems of the present invention to achieve approximately equal gain in any direction relative to an antenna array, according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the control circuit 1100 can be associated with one or more of antenna systems 100, 600, 700, 800, 900, and / or 1000 to achieve approximately equal gain in any direction relative to an antenna array, according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the control circuit 1100 can be included in and / or coupled to this antenna system(s) to configure one or more antenna arrays: transmit one or more signals (e.g., one or more RF signals); support communication of these one or more signals; and / or perform a beamforming operation.

[0072] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG11, the control circuit 1100 may be coupled to a first antenna system 1100a and / or a second antenna system 1100b. In this exemplary embodiment, the first antenna system 1100a and / or the second antenna system 1100b may include the same structure, materials, and / or configuration as the antenna system 100 described above with reference to FIG1. ​​Alternatively, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG11, the first antenna system 1100a and / or the second antenna system 1100b may further include and / or provide the same functions as the antenna system 100.

[0073] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG11, the first antenna system 1100a and the second antenna system 1100b may respectively include a first antenna array 1102a and a second antenna array 1102b. In this exemplary embodiment, the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b may include the same structure, materials, and / or configuration as the antenna array 104 described above with reference to FIG1. ​​Alternatively, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG11, the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b may further include and / or provide the same functions as the antenna array 104.

[0074] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG11, the first antenna array 1102a and the second antenna array 1102b may each include a plurality of (e.g., 8) antenna elements (not labeled in FIG11), which may respectively include the same structure, materials and / or configuration as the antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N described above with reference to FIG1. ​​Alternatively, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG11, these plurality of antenna elements may respectively include and / or provide the same functions as antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG11, the control circuit 1100 may configure the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, the control circuit 1100 may configure the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention to: transmit one or more signals (e.g., one or more RF signals); support communication of the one or more signals; and / or perform a beamforming operation, wherein the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b may provide approximately equal gain in any direction relative to the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b.

[0076] Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which one of the first to Nth protocols of a 5G communication protocol (where "N" refers to the total number of protocols) can be supported by a first antenna array 1102a having a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., 8). In this exemplary embodiment, a second antenna array 1102b having a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., 8) can be used to support the communication of the first antenna array 1102a by being configured to perform an auxiliary function (e.g., MIMO, diversity, etc.) or by being configured to perform a beamforming operation.

[0077] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit 1100 is operable to configure the antenna elements of the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b between supporting an auxiliary function and supporting a beamforming operation.

[0078] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 11, a first to Nth transceiver 1104 (where "Nth" refers to the total number of transceivers 1104) may be associated (e.g., coupled) with a first antenna array 1102a to process signals according to a first to Nth protocol, which may include a 5G communication protocol. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, other protocols that may be supported by the transceiver 1104 may include (but are not limited to) a 2G protocol, a 3G protocol, a 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, and / or other cellular communication protocols.

[0079] As further illustrated in the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 11, a (N+1) to (N+M)th transceiver 1106 may be associated (e.g., coupled) with a second LTE array 1102b to perform an initially intended function in conjunction with one or more of the first to Nth protocols, which may include a 5G communication protocol. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, other protocols that may be supported by transceiver 1106 may include (but are not limited to) a 2G protocol, a 3G protocol, a 4G (LTE) protocol, and / or another cellular communication protocol.

[0080] The control circuit 1100 depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 11 may include a first switching component 1108 and a second switching component 1110. In this exemplary embodiment, the first switching component 1108 and the second switching component 1110 may be coupled to each other via a phase shift component 1112. In this exemplary embodiment, the phase shift component 1112 may be configured to provide multiple phase shifts between signals transmitted between antenna elements of the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b to implement beamforming functionality. For example, in this embodiment, the phase shift component 1112 may include a plurality of transmission lines of different electrical lengths, which may serve as delay lines that can be selectively coupled to one or more antenna elements using the first switching component 1108 and / or the second switching component 1110. In additional and / or alternative embodiments, the phase shift component 1112 may include one or more phase shifters configured to implement phase shifts in the signals transmitted via the phase shift component 1112.

[0081] The first switching component 1108 of the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 11 may include a plurality of first switches (e.g., transistors or other switching devices) that can be configured to selectively couple individual antenna elements of the first antenna array 1102a to the phase shift component 1112. The second switching component 1110 of the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 11 may include a plurality of second switches (e.g., transistors or other switching devices) that can be configured to selectively couple individual antenna elements of the second antenna array 1102b to the phase shift component 1112. In this exemplary embodiment, the first switching component 1108 may include a path that is disconnected, grounded, or shorted to a component or module in the system, as indicated by block 1114.

[0082] The control circuit 1100 depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 11 may include a module 1116, which can be configured to select one or more transceivers 1104 to couple to individual antenna elements of the first antenna array 1102a during a time period. In this exemplary embodiment, module 1116 may be coupled to a power combiner and / or divider 1118, which can be configured to select between providing signals to the first antenna array 1102a and / or the first switching component 1108. In this exemplary embodiment, control circuit 1100 may include a module 1120, which can be configured to select one or more transceivers 1106 to couple to individual antenna elements of the second antenna array 1102b during a time period.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 11, a controller 1122 (e.g., a processor, microprocessor, and / or another type of controller that can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in one or more memory devices) may be coupled to various components of the control circuit 1100 (such as a first switching component 1108, a second switching component 1110, a phase shift component 1112, a module 1116, a module 1120, and / or a power combiner and / or a splitter 1118) to control the selection of paths and / or phase shifts.

[0084] The control circuit 1100 depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 11 can control the elements to transmit one or more signals via a communication protocol by coupling one of the transceivers 1104 to one or more antenna elements in the first antenna array 1102a via the control module 1116. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication protocol may be, for example, a 5G communication protocol. In this exemplary embodiment, one or more antenna elements in the first antenna array 1102a can be configured to transmit a signal via the communication protocol in a MIMO mode.

[0085] The control circuit 1100 depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 11 can configure one or more of the antenna elements in the second antenna array 1102b to be in a first mode or a second mode. According to this exemplary embodiment, in the first mode, one or more of the second antenna elements are configured to provide an auxiliary function (e.g., MIMO, diversity, etc.) to support the first antenna element in communicating via a communication protocol.

[0086] More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG11, when one or more antenna elements of the second antenna array 1102b are used in a MIMO or diversity mode, the controller 1122 may control the second switching component 1110 and the module 1120 to selectively couple one or more antenna elements of the second antenna array 1102b to the appropriate transceiver of the transceiver 1106. Alternatively, in this exemplary embodiment, the controller 1122 may control the first switching component 1108 to selectively couple one or more antenna elements of the first antenna array 1102a to block 1114 (e.g., disconnect, ground, short-circuit, etc.). In this exemplary embodiment, the controller 1122 may also control the components to decouple one or more antenna elements of the first antenna array 1102a from one or more antenna elements of the second antenna array 1102b in other ways.

[0087] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 11, when in the second mode, control circuitry 1100 can control one or more of the antenna elements of the second antenna array 1102b and / or the first antenna array 1102a to support a beamforming operation performed on the first antenna element. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, first switching component 1108 and second switching component 1110 can be controlled by controller 1122 to connect several paths to phase shift component 1112 to couple two or more antenna elements of the first antenna array 1102a and / or the second antenna array 1102b. In this exemplary embodiment, phase shift component 1112 can be configured and / or structured to perform phase shifts between radiation patterns associated with the antenna elements to perform a beamforming operation.

[0088] Figure 12 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary non-limiting method 1200 that can be implemented to manufacture one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, method 1200 can be implemented to manufacture antenna systems 100, 600, 700, 800, 900 and / or 1000 and / or one or more components of such antenna systems.

[0089] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG12, in 1202, method 1200 may include forming an antenna array (e.g., antenna array 104) having a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N) on a first substrate (e.g., first substrate 102). In some embodiments, in 1202, method 1200 may include forming an antenna array (e.g., antenna array 104) having a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N) on the first substrate (e.g., first substrate 102) using an LDS process, such that at least one of the antenna elements (e.g., at least one of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N) is disposed on a curved surface (e.g., surface 106) of the first substrate. For example, as described above with reference to FIG1, one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may be provided as antenna elements defined by an LDS. In these embodiments, one or more of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N may be formed on a first substrate 102 using an LDS process, such that at least one of antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104N is disposed on a curved surface (e.g., surface 106) of the first substrate 102.

[0090] In this exemplary embodiment, in 1204, method 1200 may include forming a radio frequency circuit operable to carry a radio frequency signal communicating via an antenna array on a second substrate (e.g., second substrate 110), wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are spaced apart and include a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate (e.g., a concave surface configuration, a convex surface configuration, etc.), such that at least one of a plurality of antenna elements is formed on a curved surface (e.g., surface 106) of the first substrate.

[0091] Figure 13 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary non-limiting method 1300 that can be implemented to operate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, method 1300 can be implemented to operate one or more of antenna systems 100, 600, 700, 800, 900 and / or 1000 using the control circuit 1100 described above with reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 11.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, at 1302, method 1300 may include transmitting a radio frequency signal using an antenna array (e.g., antenna array 104) by one or more processors (e.g., controller 1122), the antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., antenna elements 104a, 104b, 104c, 104N) disposed on a first substrate (e.g., first substrate 102), the first substrate having a curved surface configuration (e.g., a concave surface configuration, a convex surface configuration, etc.) relative to a second substrate (e.g., second substrate 110) spaced apart from the first substrate, the second substrate including a radio frequency circuit operable to carry the radio frequency signal communicated via the antenna array.

[0093] In this exemplary embodiment, in 1304, method 1300 may include adjusting one main lobe (e.g., main lobe 502) of one radiation pattern (e.g., radiation pattern 500) associated with an antenna array from pointing in a first direction (e.g., first direction D1) to pointing in a second direction (e.g., second direction D2) by one or more processors (e.g., controller 1122), wherein at least one of the plurality of antenna elements is disposed on a curved surface (e.g., surface 106) of a first substrate.

[0094] The methods(s) described herein and / or illustrated in the accompanying drawings (e.g., method 1200 and / or method 1300) according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention are depicted as steps performed in a particular order for illustrative and discussion purposes. Using the disclosure provided herein, those skilled in the art will understand that various steps of any of these methods may be adapted, omitted, reconfigured, include steps not shown, performed concurrently, and / or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0095] Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that modifications, variations, and equivalents of such embodiments can be readily derived by those skilled in the art upon acquiring one of the foregoing understandings. Therefore, the scope of the invention is illustrative only and not limiting, and the invention does not exclude such modifications, variations, and / or additions to the invention that will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0096] 100: Antenna System 102: First substrate 104: Antenna Array 104a: Antenna element 104b: Antenna element 104c: Antenna element 104N: Antenna element 106: Surface 108: Surface 108a: Surface 108b: Surface 108c: Surface 108N: Surface 110: Second substrate 202:End 204: Central Section 206: Surface 302: Grounding plane 304a: Slot 304b: Slot 400: Radiation field type 402: Antenna System 404: First planar substrate 406: Second planar substrate 408: Main lobe 408a: First Gain 408b: Second Gain 408c: Third Gain 500: Radiation field type 502: Main lobe 502a: First Gain 502b: Second Gain 502c: Third Gain 600: Antenna System 602: First substrate 604: Surface 606:End 608: Central Section 700: Antenna System 702: First substrate 704: Surface 800: Antenna System 802: First substrate 804: Surface 900: Antenna System 902: First substrate 904: Surface 1000: Antenna System 1002: First substrate 1004: Surface 1100: Control Circuit 1100a: First Antenna System 1100b: Second Linear System 1102a: First antenna array 1102b: Second day linear array 1104: Transceiver 1106: Transceiver 1108: First Switching Component 1110: Second switching component 1112: Phase Shift Component 1114: Block 1116: Module 1118: Power combiners and / or distributors 1120: Module 1122: Controller 1200: Method 1202: An antenna array having one of a plurality of antenna elements is formed on a first substrate. 1204: A radio frequency circuit operable to carry a radio frequency signal for communication via an antenna array is formed on a second substrate. 1300: Method 1302: A radio frequency signal is transmitted by one or more processors using an antenna array. 1304: One or more processors adjust the main lobe of one of the radiation patterns associated with the antenna array from pointing in a first direction to pointing in a second direction. d1: First distance d2: Second distance D 1: First direction D 2: Second direction D 3: Third-party θ: angle

Claims

1. An antenna system comprising: A first substrate, comprising an antenna array having one of a plurality of antenna elements; The first substrate is spaced apart from the first substrate and includes a radio frequency circuit operable to carry a radio frequency signal communicating via the antenna array. The first substrate includes a curved configuration relative to the second substrate. At least one of the plurality of antenna elements has a surface on the curved surface such that one surface of the antenna has the same curved configuration as the curved surface of the first substrate. The curved configuration includes one or more convex curve configurations and one or more concave curve configurations.

2. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the first substrate includes an end portion and a central portion, and wherein a first distance between the end portion and a surface of the second substrate is less than a second distance between the central portion and the surface of the second substrate.

3. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are laser-directly shaped antenna elements.

4. The antenna system of claim 1, further comprising one or more control devices operable to: perform a beamforming operation to adjust a radiation pattern of the antenna array such that a main lobe of the radiation pattern is adjusted from pointing in a first direction to pointing in a second direction, wherein the main lobe is associated with a first gain in the first direction and a second gain in the second direction, and wherein the second gain is approximately equal to the first gain.

5. The antenna system of claim 4, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to one of the center points on the second substrate and the second direction is at approximately 45 degrees to the center point on the second substrate.

6. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency circuitry includes: A radio frequency power supply circuit is disposed on a first side of one of the second substrates; and a ground plane disposed on a second side of one of the second substrates, the second side being opposite to the first side, wherein the ground plane includes one or more slots, and wherein the RF feed circuit is operable to couple the RF signal to one or more of the plurality of antenna elements via the one or more slots.

7. The antenna system of claim 6, wherein at least one first slot of the one or more slots extends in a first direction and at least one second slot of the one or more slots extends in a second direction, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

8. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are plurality of radiating elements of a plurality of patch antennas.

9. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of antenna elements are operable to transmit one or more signals or support communication of the one or more signals via a cellular communication protocol.

10. A method for manufacturing an antenna system, comprising: An antenna array having one of a plurality of antenna elements is formed on a first substrate; A radio frequency circuit operable to carry a radio frequency signal communicating via the antenna array is formed on a second substrate, wherein the first substrate is spaced apart from the second substrate and includes a curved surface configuration relative to the second substrate, wherein at least one of the plurality of antenna elements on the curved surface has a surface configuration identical to that of the curved surface of the first substrate, wherein the curved surface configuration includes one or more convex surface configurations and one or more concave surface configurations.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein forming the antenna array having the antenna elements on the first substrate comprises: The antenna elements are formed on the first substrate using a laser direct forming process.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein forming the radio frequency circuit operable to carry the radio frequency signal communicated via the antenna array on the second substrate comprises: An RF feed circuit is formed on a first side of one of the second substrates; and a ground plane including one or more slots is formed on a second side of one of the second substrates, the second side being opposite to the first side, wherein the RF feed circuit is formed on the first side of the second substrate, such that it is operable to couple the RF signal to one or more of the plurality of antenna elements via the one or more slots.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: A ground plane including one or more slots is formed on the second side of the second substrate, such that at least one first slot of the one or more slots extends in a first direction and at least one second slot of the one or more slots extends in a second direction, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

14. A method for configuring an antenna system, comprising: A radio frequency (RF) signal is transmitted using an antenna array by one or more processors. The antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements mounted on a first substrate. The first substrate has a curved surface configuration relative to a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate. The second substrate includes an RF circuit operable to carry the RF signal communicated via the antenna array. At least one of the plurality of antenna elements has a surface configuration on the curved surface such that one surface of the antenna has the same curved surface configuration as the curved surface of the first substrate. The curved surface configuration includes one or more convex surface configurations and one or more concave surface configurations. The one or more processors adjust a main lobe of a radiation pattern associated with the antenna array from pointing in a first direction to pointing in a second direction. At least one of the plurality of antenna elements is mounted on a curved surface of the first substrate.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the main lobe is associated with a first gain in the first direction and a second gain in the second direction, and wherein the second gain is approximately equal to the first gain.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to one of the center points on the second substrate and the second direction is in one of the directions at approximately 45 degrees to the center point on the second substrate.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the main lobe of the radiation pattern from pointing in the first direction to pointing in the second direction by the one or more processors includes: The power or phase of the radio frequency signal is adjusted by one or more processors to one or more of the plurality of antenna elements.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: The processor operates one or more of the plurality of antenna elements at least in part based on the radio frequency signal to transmit one or more signals or support communication of the one or more signals via the antenna array and a cellular communication protocol in at least one of a multiple-input multiple-output mode or a diversity mode in a frequency band of about 24 GHz to about 86 GHz.

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