Method and System for Controlling an Antenna Array

Abstract

An antenna system may include an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna system may include an array controller configured to control the operation of the antenna array for beamforming of the antenna array. The antenna system may include radio frequency circuitry. The antenna system may include a transmission line coupling the radio frequency circuitry to the array controller. The transmission line may be configured to transmit radio frequency signals to the antenna array. The radio frequency circuitry may be configured to modulate an antenna array control signal onto the radio frequency signal to generate a transmission signal for transmission to the array controller via the transmission line. The array controller may be configured to demodulate the antenna array control signal from the transmission signal such that the array controller is configured to control the operation of the antenna array at least in part based on the antenna array control signal.

Description

[0001] Priority Claim

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 017,938, filed on Apr. 30, 2020, entitled “Methods and Systems for Controlling an Antenna Array,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to antenna systems for wireless communication systems, such as antenna systems for 5G cellular communication systems. Background Art

[0004] Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc. are operable to communicate via a cellular network. Cellular networks operating at 4G have been widely used and have recently evolved to provide medium to high data rate transmissions and voice communications in stable and reliable networks covering large areas. Communication systems are transitioning to 5G protocols and 5G networks. 5G networks can provide substantially higher data rates and lower latency and can be applicable to voice, data, and IoT applications. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments.

[0006] One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an antenna system. The antenna system may include an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna system may include an array controller configured to control the operation of the antenna array for beam forming of the antenna array. The antenna system may include radio frequency circuitry. The antenna system may include a transmission line coupling the radio frequency circuitry to the array controller. The transmission line may be configured to convey radio frequency signals for communication via the antenna array. The radio frequency circuitry may be configured to modulate an antenna array control signal onto the radio frequency signal to generate a transmission signal for conveyance to the array controller via the transmission line. The array controller may be configured to demodulate the antenna array control signal from the transmission signal such that the array controller is configured to control the operation of the antenna array based at least in part on the antenna array control signal.

[0007] Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for operating an antenna system that includes an antenna array. The method may include: modulating an antenna array control signal onto a radio frequency signal to generate a transmission signal. The method may include: transmitting the transmission signal through a transmission line to an array controller. The method may include: demodulating the antenna array control signal at the array controller. The method may include: controlling the operation of the antenna array based at least in part on the antenna array control signal.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and the appended claims. The drawings included in this specification and constituting a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a person of ordinary skill in the art, the embodiments are discussed in detail in the specification with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 a mobile device having an antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted;

[0011] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 2C an example beamforming configuration according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted;

[0012] Figure 3 a configuration of an antenna array in an antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted;

[0013] Figure 4 an example antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted;

[0014] Figure 5 a mobile device having an antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna system having a centralized front-end module configuration, is depicted;

[0015] Figure 6 a mobile device having an antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna system having a distributed front-end module configuration, is depicted; and

[0016] Figure 7 a flowchart of an example method according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of the disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield yet another embodiment. Accordingly, it is intended that the aspects of the disclosure cover such modifications and variations.

[0018] Example aspects of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods for beamforming using one or more antenna arrays in a communication system, such as a 5G communication system. For example, an antenna system of a device can include one or more antenna arrays. Each antenna array can have a plurality of different antenna elements. These antenna elements can be configured (e.g., by controlling the phase and / or amplitude of each antenna element) to control the operation of the antenna array for beamforming.

[0019] For example, an antenna array configured for communication in a higher frequency band (e.g., a band in the range of about 24 GHz to about 86 GHz) and / or an antenna array configured for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication can be used to implement a 5G communication protocol. Each of these antenna arrays can include a plurality of antenna elements. For example, in some cases, these antenna elements can be controlled individually and / or jointly to transmit signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) in a MIMO mode (e.g., a 4x4 MIMO mode). These and other suitable 5G features can provide higher data rates and lower latency in wireless communication.

[0020] An electronic device (e.g., a mobile device, an IoT device, or other electronic device) can include a plurality of antenna arrays (e.g., two antenna arrays, three antenna arrays, four antenna arrays). For example, a mobile device can be a device such as a smartphone or a tablet that can be held (e.g., fully held) by a user during operation. According to example aspects of the disclosure, a plurality of antenna elements of an antenna array can be controlled to support beamforming at the antenna array. Beamforming refers to combining different antenna beams to increase the signal strength in a specific direction (e.g., the direction of a base station), thereby enhancing the communication link. As an example, the phase and / or amplitude of each of a plurality of antenna elements in one or more antenna arrays can be configured to generate a radiation pattern (e.g., during the beamforming process).

[0021] Signals (e.g., control signals) transmitted to and / or received from an antenna array can be transmitted to and / or out of a central processor (e.g., a baseband processor and / or a host CPU) in a mobile device. Transmitting control signals within a mobile device (e.g., between a central processor and one or more antenna arrays) can pose challenges to radiofrequency (RF) communication. For example, using an antenna array with multiple antenna elements may require an increase in the amount of signal resources (e.g., control signal lines, wiring, etc.) to control and / or otherwise utilize these antenna arrays. As an example, antenna elements must be controlled to perform beamforming and / or beamsteering processes for communication. For example, in some cases, each of the multiple antenna elements in an antenna array may require one or more unique control signal lines (e.g., control signal lines in a bus) to be manipulated. These increased signal resources may result in an increase in the space dedicated to control signal lines.

[0022] Additionally and / or alternatively, control signal lines configured to transmit signals within a mobile device may experience electrical interference between two or more control signal lines, such as capacitive coupling. Increasing the size of an antenna array may reduce the available space for arranging these signal lines in a way that decouples the control signal lines, which can pose challenges to mitigating interference. This can be particularly problematic if it is desired to locate the antenna array in a mobile device, such as a smartphone, with limited available space. Additionally, in some cases, these signal lines may interfere with digital control, such as the control of switches, phase shifters, etc. Further, routing and / or debugging an increasing number of transmission lines in a mobile device may result in an increase in design costs. These issues may become particularly evident as the number and / or width (e.g., the width of a bus) of signal lines continue to grow with the emergence of 5G communication technologies.

[0023] To address these and other issues, the control signals for the antenna array can be modulated onto an RF signal and transmitted via a transmission line such as a coaxial cable. This can reduce the number of wires necessary to transmit the control signals and the RF signal. For example, a single coaxial cable can be used to transmit a transmission signal including an RF signal and a modulated control signal.

[0024] Additionally, in some embodiments, in addition to control signals, direct current (DC) power used to operate the antenna array can be transmitted to the antenna array via the transmission signal. This can further reduce the space required for power lines (e.g., wires and connectors) coupled to the antenna array and / or potential interference from these power lines.

[0025] Aspects of the present disclosure can achieve many technical effects and advantages. For example, modulating one control signal (and / or multiple control signals) onto a radio frequency signal and transmitting the combined signal through a single transmission line can enable reducing the device space necessary for transmitting control signals within a mobile device. Additionally and / or alternatively, this can result in a reduction in the total cost, for example, a reduction in the cost of connectors, wiring, etc. For example, one or more transmission lines can be configured to transmit most or all of the signals required for the operation of any antenna array, such that no additional space and / or wiring (e.g., to accommodate additional control signal lines) is needed to handle some or all of the signals necessary for manipulating the antenna array. For example, this can allow reducing interference between the transmission line and / or other components of the mobile device.

[0026] According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna system can include an antenna array that includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna system can include an array controller that is configured to control the antenna array. For example, the array controller can be configured to control the operation of the antenna array such that the antenna array operates for radio frequency communication such as beamforming. For example, the array controller can control the phase (e.g., phase shift) and / or amplitude of some or all of the plurality of antenna elements to perform beamforming at the antenna array. In some embodiments, the radio frequency communication can be 5G communication (e.g., within a frequency band of about 24 GHz to about 86 GHz).

[0027] As another example, in some embodiments, the radio frequency communication can be and / or include MIMO communication (e.g., 5G MIMO communication). For example, an antenna array can provide one or more additional antenna elements to support MIMO communication (e.g., support MIMO communication together with one or more additional antenna arrays and / or support MIMO communication from one or more additional antenna arrays, such as a second, third, fourth antenna array, etc.). As an example, a second array controller can be configured to control one or more additional antenna elements of the second antenna array such that the second antenna array operates in a MIMO configuration together with the first antenna array.

[0028] The antenna system can include radio frequency (RF) circuitry. Additionally, the antenna system can include a transmission line that couples the RF circuitry to the array controller. For example, the transmission line can be configured to transmit a radio frequency signal for communication through the antenna array.

[0029] In some embodiments, the transmission line can be a single coaxial cable. The RF circuit can be configured to modulate an antenna array control signal (e.g., from a control circuit) onto an RF signal to generate a transmission signal for transmission to the array controller via the transmission line. For example, in some embodiments, the RF circuit can perform amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation to modulate the antenna array control signal onto the RF signal. In some embodiments, the ASK modulation can include on-off keying (OOK) modulation. In some embodiments, the transmission signal can also include DC power for the array controller. For example, the transmission signal can provide sufficient power to operate the array controller.

[0030] The transmission signal can be transmitted via the transmission line to the array controller. The array controller can be configured to demodulate the antenna array control signal such that the array controller can control the operation of one or more antenna arrays via the antenna array control signal. For example, the antenna array control signal can specify a phase shift and / or amplitude for some or all (e.g., each) of the plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array. The array controller can be configured to implement the phase shift and amplitude for each of the plurality of antenna elements to control the antenna array. For example, the phase shift and amplitude can be implemented to provide beamforming at the antenna array.

[0031] Additionally and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, the array controller can be a multi-stage array controller that includes a plurality of independent controllers. For example, in some embodiments, the transmission signal can be received and / or decoded by a first array controller and forwarded to a second array controller. In some embodiments, the first array controller and the second array controller can be proximate (e.g., located on the same circuit board and / or adjacent circuit boards, and / or otherwise adjacent components).

[0032] Additionally and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more parasitic elements can be disposed proximate to one or more antenna arrays. The parasitic elements can be tuned to provide beam steering at the one or more antenna arrays. "Beam steering" refers to dynamically adjusting the antenna beam such that the high-gain direction of the antenna beam points in a specific direction (e.g., the direction of a base station). For example, a tuning circuit can tune the parasitic elements (e.g., change the reactance at the parasitic elements) to adjust the radiation pattern from the antenna array. Additionally, a parasitic element control signal for beam steering applied at the tuning circuit can be transmitted via the transmission line (e.g., from a control circuit to the tuning circuit). As an example, the parasitic element control signal can be additionally modulated (e.g., by the RF circuit) onto the transmission signal (e.g., via ASK modulation).

[0033] For example, an antenna system may include a tuning circuit coupled to a parasitic element. The parasitic element may be disposed proximate to the antenna array. The radio frequency (RF) circuit may be configured to modulate a parasitic element control signal onto an RF signal (e.g., in addition to the antenna array control signal) to generate a transmission signal for conveyance to the tuning circuit via a transmission line. The tuning circuit may be configured to demodulate the parasitic element control signal from the transmission signal and control the operation of the parasitic element based on the parasitic element control signal for beam steering.

[0034] Employing amplitude shift keying modulation as described herein may provide several advantages. For example, the RF signal and / or one or more control signals (e.g., antenna array control signals) may be transmitted (as part of the transmission signal) via a single transmission line with low interference and / or low noise. For example, amplitude shift keying may produce reduced resonances at harmonic frequencies associated with the one or more control signals and / or the RF signal. This may reduce the noise associated with modulating the one or more control signals onto the RF signal and demodulating the one or more control signals. The resulting high-fidelity transmission of the one or more control signals may provide accurate and effective control for the operation of one or more antenna arrays.

[0035] In some embodiments, the RF circuit may be configured to modulate one or more control signals onto the RF signal by selectively changing the amplitude associated with a carrier signal. In some embodiments, the RF circuit may be configured to selectively vary the amplitude between approximately zero and a non-zero value. In some embodiments, the carrier signal may include a periodic pattern. For example, the carrier signal may include a sine wave having a substantially constant frequency.

[0036] In some embodiments, the RF signal may be defined within a first frequency band, and the one or more control signals may be defined within a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. For example, the first frequency band may range from about 24 GHz to about 86 GHz. As another example, the second frequency band may range from about 10 MHz to about 1 GHz.

[0037] In some embodiments, the antenna system may include a first circuit board and a second circuit board physically separated from the first circuit board. The RF circuit may be disposed on the first circuit board, and at least one of an array controller, a tuning circuit, or the antenna array may be disposed on the second circuit board.

[0038] In some embodiments, the RF circuit may include a control circuit configured to generate one or more control signals. Additionally and / or alternatively, the RF circuit may include a modulator circuit configured to modulate the one or more control signals onto the RF signal (e.g., using amplitude shift keying modulation) to generate a transmission signal.

[0039] Additionally and / or alternatively, in some embodiments, the configurations of multiple antenna arrays may each support MIMO communication. For example, one or more antenna elements of the primary antenna array may switch from being used to support MIMO and / or diversity to being used for beam steering or beamforming. Additionally and / or as an alternative, one or more additional antenna elements from different antenna arrays may switch from being used to support MIMO and / or diversity to being used for beam steering or beamforming. In some embodiments, each of these antenna arrays may be configured for a unique operation (e.g., having a unique receiver). For example, the phase and / or amplitude of each of the multiple antenna elements in an antenna array may be configured for beamforming and / or beam steering (e.g., to establish a radiation pattern). In some embodiments, one of these antenna arrays (e.g., the primary antenna array) may be used for primary communication via a communication protocol (e.g., a cellular communication protocol such as 3G, 4G (LTE), 5G protocol), and one or more different antenna arrays may be used to provide secondary functions to support the communication of the primary antenna array. For example, the one or more different antenna arrays may be used to further enhance the MIMO operation and / or diversity operation of the primary antenna array.

[0040] Another example embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a method for controlling an antenna array. The method may include: at a radio frequency circuit, modulating one or more control signals (e.g., antenna array control signals) onto a radio frequency signal using amplitude shift keying modulation to generate a transmission signal. The method may include: transmitting the transmission signal through a single coaxial transmission line to an array controller. The method may include: at the array controller, demodulating the transmission signal to extract the one or more control signals from the radio frequency signal. The method may include: at the array controller, controlling the configuration of an antenna array (e.g., multiple antenna elements of the antenna array) via the one or more control signals from the radio frequency circuit so that the antenna array operates for radio frequency communication (e.g., beamforming). For example, the radio frequency communication may be 5G communication, MIMO communication, etc. As an example, the phase shift and / or amplitude of one or more antenna elements in the antenna array may be controlled to perform beamforming at the antenna array.

[0041] In some embodiments, modulating the one or more control signals onto the radio frequency signal at the radio frequency circuit may include: modulating the radio frequency signal using on-off keying modulation.

[0042] In some embodiments, modulating the one or more control signals onto a radio frequency signal may include: selectively changing the amplitude associated with the carrier signal. In some embodiments, selectively changing the amplitude associated with the carrier signal may include: varying the amplitude between approximately zero and a non-zero value. In some embodiments, the carrier signal may include at least one of a sine wave having a substantially constant frequency or any periodic form.

[0043] As used herein, a "mobile device" is an electronic device capable of wireless communication and capable of being handheld and carried by a user during normal operation. Example mobile devices include smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearable devices, personal digital assistants, and portable digital music players. As used herein, the term "about" when used with a numerical value refers to within 10% of the stated numerical value.

[0044] Figure 1 An example mobile device 100 in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. The example mobile device 100 supports cellular communication and / or other wireless communication and has beam steering or beamforming capabilities. As shown, the mobile device includes a housing 104. The housing 104 may include a plurality of different surfaces (e.g., edge surfaces).

[0045] As shown, the housing 104 houses four antenna arrays: a first antenna array 110, a second antenna array 120, a third antenna array 130, and a fourth antenna array 140. For illustration and discussion, the four antenna arrays are described. Those of ordinary skill in the art using the disclosure provided herein will understand that more or fewer antenna arrays may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] Each of the first antenna array 110, the second antenna array 120, the third antenna array 130, and the fourth antenna array 140 may include a plurality of antenna elements. Each antenna element may be configured to transmit one or more signals via a cellular communication protocol such as a 5G communication protocol. Each antenna element may be configured to transmit one or more signals in a frequency band (e.g., in the range of about 24 GHz to about 86 GHz). In some embodiments, each antenna array 110, 120, 130, 140 may include a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., radiating elements) disposed on a substrate (e.g., a circuit board).

[0047] The mobile device 100 may include a central circuit 150. For example, the central circuit 150 may include a baseband processor (e.g., a host CPU), a radio frequency circuit, a modulator circuit, a control circuit, and / or any other suitable elements. Although the central circuit 150 is Figure 1is depicted as being near the center of the mobile device 100, but the central circuitry can be located at any suitable location within the mobile device 100.

[0048] The central circuitry 150 can be physically separated from the antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, and 140. For example, each of the first antenna array 110, the second antenna array 120, the third antenna array 130, and the fourth antenna array 140 can be coupled to the central circuitry 150 via one or more transmission lines 105. For example, in some embodiments, the transmission line 105 can be a coaxial cable. For example, the coaxial cable can be configured to transmit most or all of the signals required for the operation of any one of the antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, and 140, thereby not requiring additional space for communication (e.g., compared to some transmission lines). According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, signals from the central circuitry 150 can be transmitted to the antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, and 140 by modulating one or more control signals (e.g., antenna array control signals) onto a radio frequency signal to form a transmission signal and transmitting the transmission signal via the transmission line 105 (e.g., via a single coaxial cable). Then, the array controller can demodulate the one or more control signals to operate the antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0049] Figures 2A to 2C Examples of three different radiation patterns corresponding to three different phase shifts are shown. In this example, the mobile device is configured to include a first antenna array or one or more first antenna elements in the first antenna array, and a second antenna array or one or more second antenna elements in the second antenna array. The first antenna array generates a first radiation pattern with the highest gain in the Y direction, and the second antenna array generates a second radiation pattern with the highest gain in the Z direction. Figure 2A A first mode is shown, in which the time delay or phase shift is set such that the contribution from the second radiation pattern is almost negligible, thereby generating a combined radiation pattern with the highest gain in the Y direction. Figure 2B A second mode is shown, in which the time delay or phase shift is set such that the first radiation pattern and the second radiation pattern coexist in phase, thereby generating a combined radiation pattern with the highest gain in the Y+Z direction. Figure 2C A third mode is shown, in which the time delay or phase shift is set such that the contribution from the first radiation pattern is almost negligible, thereby generating a combined radiation pattern with the highest gain in the Z direction.

[0050] Figure 3Depicts an example configuration of a first antenna array 110 and a second antenna array 120 in MIMO operation according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the configuration of one or more antenna arrays may include specifications of phase and / or amplitude (e.g., phase shift and / or amplitude shift) associated with one or more antenna elements of the one or more antenna arrays (e.g., each of these antenna elements). Additionally and / or alternatively, the configuration of an antenna array may include specifications of some or all of the antenna elements of a second antenna array operating in a MIMO configuration with the first antenna array. For example, in configuration 202, a plurality of first antenna elements 112 are configured to support primary communication via a communication protocol (e.g., 5G communication protocol). The plurality of first antenna elements 112 may communicate in a MIMO mode via the communication protocol. For example, the plurality of first antenna elements 112 may be configured to operate in a 4x4 MIMO mode.

[0051] In configuration 202, a plurality of second antenna elements 122 associated with the second antenna array 120 are configured to provide a secondary function to support the primary communication of the first antenna elements 112 in the first antenna array 110. For example, the plurality of second antenna elements 122 of the second antenna array 120 may provide additional MIMO capabilities and / or diversity for the first antenna elements 112 in the first antenna array 110.

[0052] In this configuration 202, a first subset 126 of the second antenna elements 122 is configured to provide a secondary function to support the first antenna elements 112 of the first antenna array 110. The first subset 126 includes all of the second antenna elements 122 in the second antenna array 120. A second subset (no antenna elements) of the second antenna array 120 is configured to support beam steering or beamforming of the first antenna elements 112 of the first antenna array 110.

[0053] According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, a control circuit may adjust the configuration of the first antenna array 110 and the second antenna array 120 from configuration 202 to configuration 204. In configuration 204, a subset 124 of the second antenna elements 122 has been configured to support beam steering or beamforming of the first antenna elements 112 of the first antenna array 110. The subset 126 of the second antenna elements 122 is still configured to support the primary communication (e.g., MIMO, diversity) of the first antenna elements 112 of the first antenna array 110.

[0054] Figure 3The example discussed the configuration of antenna elements in two antenna arrays for illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art using the disclosure provided herein will understand that, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, these antenna elements may be associated with a single antenna array or more than two antenna arrays. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, antenna element 112 and antenna element 122 may be all parts of a single antenna array. As another example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, antenna elements in the first antenna array 110, the second antenna array 120, the third antenna array 130, and / or the fourth antenna array 140 may be used (e.g., individually and / or in combination).

[0055] In some embodiments, for example, the mechanism for configuring the antenna elements for beamforming and beam steering in this example may be achieved by introducing a phase shift and / or an amplitude shift in the signal transmitted to the antenna elements. In some implementations, a delay line may be used to implement the phase shift and / or the amplitude shift, and the delay line introduces a time delay in the signal transmitted using the delay line. In some embodiments, a phase shifter may be used to implement the phase shift. As an example, the phase shift and / or the amplitude may be implemented at the array controller.

[0056] Figure 4 An example antenna system 400 in accordance with example aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Antenna system 400 may include radio frequency circuitry 410 and two antenna arrays 420. It should be understood that two antenna arrays 420 are shown for illustration, and more or fewer antenna arrays 420 may be used in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, four antenna arrays 420 may be used. In some embodiments, each of radio frequency circuitry 410 and antenna arrays 420 may be disposed on a separate circuit board. For example, radio frequency circuitry 410 and its components may be disposed on a first circuit board, and the first antenna array 420 and its components (e.g., antenna elements 422, front-end module 424, array controller 426) may be disposed on a second circuit board. Additional antenna arrays 420 may be disposed on additional circuit boards. As an example, antenna system 400 may include a first circuit board and a second circuit board physically separated from the first circuit board. Modulator circuitry 406 may be disposed on the first circuit board, and at least one of array controller 426 or an antenna array (e.g., a plurality of antenna elements 422) may be disposed on the second circuit board.

[0057] Radio frequency circuitry 410 may be coupled to antenna arrays 420 via transmission lines 415. For example, transmission lines 415 may be coaxial cables (e.g., each transmission line 415 may be a single coaxial cable), and the coaxial cables are configured to transmit a transmission signal including a radio frequency signal and / or one or more control signals for antenna arrays 420.

[0058] The radio frequency circuit 410 may include a host CPU 402. The host CPU 402 may be configured to perform a plurality of operations, which include steps of receiving and / or transmitting signals via the antenna system 400. As an example, the host CPU 402 may be a central processing unit of a mobile device housing the antenna system 400. For example, the host CPU 402 may be a central processing unit of a mobile phone and / or a smart phone.

[0059] The radio frequency circuit 410 may include a control circuit 404. The control circuit 404 may be configured to process these signals at a frequency inherent to the signals from the host CPU 402 (e.g., baseband frequency). For example, the control circuit 404 may be operative to prepare signals for transmission to and / or from the host CPU 402. In some embodiments, the host CPU 402 and the control circuit 404 may be coupled via signal lines (e.g., on a circuit board such as a printed circuit board).

[0060] The radio frequency circuit 410 may include a modulator circuit 406. The modulator circuit 406 may be configured to modulate an antenna array control signal (e.g., from the control circuit 404) onto a radio frequency signal to generate a transmission signal for transmission via the transmission line 415. For example, the transmission signal may be transmitted via the transmission line 415 to the antenna array 420, e.g., to the front-end module 424 and / or the array controller 426.

[0061] The antenna array 420 may include a plurality of antenna elements 422. The plurality of antenna elements 422 may be configurable as discussed in reference to Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C . For example, the configuration of the plurality of antenna elements 422 may be adjusted to operate the antenna array 420 for radio frequency communication (e.g., 5G communication, MIMO communication).

[0062] The antenna array 420 may include a front-end module 424. The front-end module 424 may be configured to process the signals before transmission to the plurality of antenna elements 422 and / or after receiving signals from the plurality of antenna elements 422. For example, the front-end module 424 may be configured to perform upsampling and / or downsampling of the signals, perform phase shifting, envelope tracking, and / or any other suitable functions of the front-end module. As Figure 4As shown, the front-end module 424 can be arranged to be close to the antenna element 422 (e.g., on the same circuit board as the antenna element 422). However, in some embodiments, the front-end module 424 can be positioned close to the radio frequency circuit 410 (e.g., on the same circuit board as the radio frequency circuit 410). In some embodiments, a part of the front-end module 424 can be distributed between both the radio frequency circuit 410 and / or the antenna array 420. In this regard, further discussion will be made below with reference to Figures 5 to 6 for further discussion.

[0063] The antenna array 420 can include an array controller 426. The array controller 426 can be configured to demodulate an antenna array control signal from a transmission signal (e.g., from the modulator circuit 406 and through the transmission line 415), such that the array controller 426 can control the operation of the antenna array 420 (e.g., a plurality of antenna elements 422) through the antenna array control signal. As an example, the array controller 426 can configure the phase shift and / or amplitude of some or all of the plurality of antenna elements 422. As another example, in some embodiments, the array controller 426 can configure the plurality of antenna elements 422 as additional antenna elements for MIMO communication together with the plurality of antenna elements 422 of an additional antenna array 420.

[0064] Figure 5 A mobile device 500 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted, and the mobile device 500 has an antenna system with a centralized front-end module configuration. The mobile device 500 can include a centralized front-end module 510. As Figure 5 shown, the centralized front-end module 510 can be arranged to be close to the central circuit 150. For example, the centralized front-end module can be on the same circuit board as the central circuit 150. The centralized front-end module can be configured to perform front-end processing for some or all of the antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, and 140.

[0065] Figure 6 A mobile device 600 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted, and the mobile device 600 has an antenna system with a distributed front-end module configuration. As Figure 6As shown, the front-end system may include a central portion of the front-end module system (e.g., a central front-end module) 650 and multiple antenna-proximate portions of the front-end module system (e.g., antenna-proximate front-end modules) 610, 620, 630, and 640. For example, the central front-end module 650 may be arranged to be close to the central circuit 150. As an example, the central front-end module 650 may be disposed on the same circuit board as the central circuit 150. The central front-end module 650 may be configured to perform at least a portion of the front-end processing on the signal before the signal is transmitted by the transmission line 105. For example, the central front-end module 650 may commonly perform front-end processing on each of the antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, and 140. Additionally and / or alternatively, the antenna-proximate front-end modules 610, 620, 630, and 640 may perform front-end processing uniquely for each of the antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, and 140. In some embodiments, the antenna-proximate front-end modules 610, 620, 630, and 640 may be disposed on the same circuit board as the respective antenna arrays 110, 120, 130, 140. For example, the central front-end module 650 may communicate signals with each of the antenna-proximate front-end modules 610, 620, 630, and 640 via the transmission line 105.

[0066] Figure 7 FIG. depicts a flowchart of an example method 700 for operating an antenna array according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 The steps depicted are performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art using the disclosure provided herein will understand that the various steps of any of the methods described herein may be omitted, extended, performed simultaneously, rearranged, and / or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, various steps (not shown) may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the method 700 is generally discussed with reference to the computing device and / or antenna system 100 to 600 described above. However, it should be understood that aspects of the present method 700 may be applied to any suitable antenna system including an antenna array. Figures 1 to 6

[0067] ​Method 700 may include: at (702), at a radio frequency circuit, modulating an antenna array control signal onto a radio frequency signal to generate a transmission signal. For example, amplitude shift keying modulation may be used to modulate the antenna array control signal onto the radio frequency signal to generate the transmission signal. For example, the antenna array control signal may include control instructions for changing the configuration of the antenna array (e.g., a plurality of antenna elements), or otherwise adjusting the direction or frequency of the radiation pattern of the antenna array. For example, the radio frequency circuit may include a control circuit configured to modulate the antenna array control signal onto the radio frequency signal using amplitude shift keying modulation to generate a transmission signal, such as the transmission signal described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6 the transmission signal described. In some embodiments, at the radio frequency circuit, modulating a control signal onto a radio frequency signal using amplitude shift keying modulation may include modulating the radio frequency signal using on-off keying modulation. In some embodiments, modulating a control signal onto a radio frequency signal may include selectively changing the amplitude associated with a carrier signal. In some embodiments, selectively changing the amplitude associated with a carrier signal may include: varying the amplitude between approximately zero and a non-zero value. In some embodiments, the carrier signal may include a sine wave. The sine wave may have a substantially constant frequency, or in some embodiments, the sine wave may include any suitable periodic form.

[0068] Method 700 may include: at (704), transmitting the transmission signal through a transmission line to an array controller. The transmission line may be a single coaxial transmission line. For example, as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6 the radio frequency circuit may include a front-end module that may transmit the radio frequency signal through the transmission line to the array controller.

[0069] Method 700 may include: at (706), demodulating the antenna array control signal at the array controller. For example, as described above with reference to Figure 4 the array controller may be configured to demodulate the antenna array control signal from the transmission signal. The array controller may also be configured to filter and / or amplify the control signal to isolate the carrier signal frequency associated with the carrier signal or relatively increase the intensity of the carrier signal frequency associated with the carrier signal. Logic circuitry (e.g., included in the array controller) may be configured to interpret control instructions associated with (e.g., included in) the antenna array control signal.

[0070] Method 700 may include: at (708), controlling the operation of an antenna array based at least in part on an antenna array control signal. For example, an array controller may be configured to control the operation of the antenna array such that the antenna array operates for radio frequency communication. As an example, the radio frequency communication may be 5G communication. As another example, the radio frequency communication may be MIMO communication (e.g., 5G MIMO communication). As an example, the phase shift and / or amplitude of each of a plurality of antenna elements in the antenna array may be implemented by the array controller.

[0071] As another example, in some embodiments, the antenna array may provide one or more additional antenna elements to support MIMO communication (e.g., support MIMO communication with and / or from one or more additional antenna arrays, such as a second, third, fourth antenna array, etc.). As an example, a second array controller may be configured to control one or more additional antenna elements of a second antenna array such that the second antenna array operates in a MIMO configuration with the first antenna array.

[0072] Although the subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be recognized that those skilled in the art, having obtained an understanding of the foregoing, can readily make alterations, variations, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is presented by way of example and not by way of limitation, and the subject matter disclosure does not exclude inclusion of such modifications, variations, and / or additions to the subject matter that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. An antenna system, comprising: a plurality of antenna arrays, each of the plurality of antenna arrays including a plurality of antenna elements; a plurality of array controllers, each array controller being coupled to one or more of the plurality of antenna arrays, each of the plurality of array controllers being configured to control the operation of one or more of the plurality of antenna arrays to perform beamforming on the one or more of the plurality of antenna arrays; a radio frequency circuit; a central front-end module, the central front-end module being arranged close to the radio frequency circuit, the central front-end module being configured to perform front-end processing on the plurality of antenna arrays jointly; a plurality of proximity front-end modules, each of the plurality of proximity front-end modules being arranged close to one of the plurality of antenna arrays and coupled to the antenna array, each of the plurality of proximity front-end modules being configured to perform front-end processing uniquely on the corresponding antenna array; and a transmission line that couples the radio frequency circuit to each of the plurality of array controllers, the transmission line being configured to transmit radio frequency signals for communication through each of the plurality of antenna arrays; wherein: the radio frequency circuit is configured to modulate an antenna array control signal onto the radio frequency signal to generate a transmission signal for transmission through the transmission line to each of the plurality of array controllers; and each of the plurality of array controllers is configured to demodulate the antenna array control signal from the transmission signal such that each of the plurality of array controllers is configured to control the operation of the antenna array coupled to the array controller at least in part based on the antenna array control signal.

2. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna array control signal specifies a phase shift of one or more of the plurality of antenna elements, and wherein each of the plurality of array controllers is configured to effect the phase shift at the one or more of the plurality of antenna elements.

3. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna array control signal specifies an amplitude of one or more of the plurality of antenna elements, and wherein each of the plurality of array controllers is configured to effect the amplitude at the one or more of the plurality of antenna elements.

4. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna arrays includes a first antenna array, and the antenna system further includes: a second antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays, the second antenna array being coupled to a second array controller of the plurality of array controllers, wherein the second array controller is configured to control the operation of the second antenna array such that the second antenna array operates to support multiple-input multiple-output MIMO communication together with the first antenna array, and wherein a second transmission line is coupled to the second array controller.

5. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein, the radio frequency circuit is configured to modulate the antenna array control signal onto the radio frequency signal by amplitude shift keying modulation.

6. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein, the transmission line is a single coaxial cable.

7. The antenna system according to claim 1, further comprising a tuning circuit, the tuning circuit being coupled to a parasitic element, the parasitic element being arranged to be close to one of the plurality of antenna arrays, wherein: the radio frequency circuit is configured to modulate a parasitic element control signal onto the radio frequency signal to generate the transmission signal for being transmitted to the tuning circuit through the transmission line; and the tuning circuit is configured to demodulate the parasitic element control signal from the transmission signal and control the operation of the parasitic element based on the parasitic element control signal for beam steering.

8. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein, the radio frequency signal is in a frequency band of 24 GHz to 86 GHz.

9. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein, the radio frequency circuit is physically separated from at least one of the plurality of array controllers or the plurality of antenna arrays.

10. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein, the antenna system is provided in a mobile device.

11. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein, the transmission signal further includes DC power for the array controller.

12. A method for operating an antenna system, the antenna system including a plurality of antenna arrays, the method comprises: modulating an antenna array control signal onto a radio frequency signal to generate a transmission signal; transmitting the transmission signal through a transmission line and one of a plurality of proximity front-end modules to one of a plurality of array controllers through a central front-end module close to the radio frequency circuit, each of the plurality of array controllers being coupled to one or more of the plurality of antenna arrays, the central front-end module being configured to perform front-end processing on the plurality of antenna arrays jointly, each of the plurality of proximity front-end modules being arranged to be close to one of the plurality of antenna arrays and coupled to the antenna array, each of the plurality of proximity front-end modules being configured to perform front-end processing uniquely for the corresponding antenna array; demodulating the antenna array control signal at the array controller of the plurality of array controllers; and controlling the operation of one or more of the plurality of antenna arrays coupled to the array controller at least partially based on the antenna array control signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the transmission line is a single coaxial transmission line.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the antenna array control signal is modulated onto the radio frequency signal using amplitude shift keying modulation to generate the transmission signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The antenna array control signal is modulated onto the radio frequency signal using on-off keying modulation to generate the transmission signal.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein, modulating the antenna array control signal onto the radio frequency signal includes selectively changing an amplitude associated with a carrier signal.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the antenna array control signal specifies an amplitude of one or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the antenna array control signal specifies a phase shift of one or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array.

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