Antenna arrangement

Abstract

An antenna arrangement includes: a conductive element comprising three slots extending radially from a common central gap; and a first feed and a second feed, wherein the first feed is a single-wire feed and the second feed is a single-wire feed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to an antenna arrangement. Background Technology

[0002] An antenna arrangement is a device that, on its own or in combination with one or more other components, can be used as a radio frequency antenna to efficiently transmit and / or receive far-field electromagnetic waves.

[0003] Antennas are resonant structures and can be difficult to design because they typically need to have specific performance characteristics in the operating resonant band (e.g., reflection coefficient, efficiency, directivity, polarization, insertion loss, isolation between feeds, and interference across other operating resonant bands) and a reduced size.

[0004] A dual-linearly polarized antenna can operate simultaneously within the same resonant frequency band, but has two orthogonal linear polarizations. This creates two independent communication channels—one for each polarization. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments, an antenna arrangement is provided, the antenna arrangement comprising:

[0006] The conductive element includes three slots extending radially from a common central gap; and

[0007] First single-line feed and second single-line feed.

[0008] In some, but not all, examples, the first and second feed sources do not overlap.

[0009] In some, but not all, examples, the first feed is a straight feed and the second feed is either a curved feed or a straight feed.

[0010] In some, but not all, examples, each feed source is a half-resonant wavelength resonator.

[0011] In some, but not all, examples, conductive elements include:

[0012] The first part is located between the first groove and the second groove in the tank.

[0013] The second part is located between the second and third slots in the trough, and

[0014] The third part is located between the third groove and the first groove in the tank.

[0015] The first feed source divides the first part into two equal parts and overlaps with a portion of the third slot in the slot.

[0016] In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the second feed extends over the second and third sections instead of the first section, and over the third slot in the slot.

[0017] In some, but not all, examples, the antenna arrangement is configured to support a first dipole mode associated with a first feed and a second dipole mode associated with a second feed, the second dipole mode providing orthogonal polarization in the far field.

[0018] In the first dipole mode, the second part is in phase with the third part, and the first part is out of phase with both the first and second parts.

[0019] In the second dipole mode, the second part is out of phase compared to the third part.

[0020] In some, but not all, examples, the slots are equidistant.

[0021] In some, but not all, examples, the slots have the same shape.

[0022] In some, but not all, examples, the slot has 120° rotational symmetry about the central void.

[0023] In some, but not all, examples, each slot is elongated and extends longitudinally from a common central gap, and includes at least one transversely extending slot, wherein the length of the slot is greater than its width, and wherein the width of the transverse slot is greater than its length.

[0024] In some, but not all, examples, each of the three slots has a transverse slot, and the three transverse slots are curved.

[0025] In some, but not all, examples, each of the three slots has a transverse slot, and the three transverse slots lie on a circle. In some, but not all, examples, the second feed source has the same curvature as the transverse slots.

[0026] In some, but not all, examples, the electrical length of the slot is half a wavelength.

[0027] In some, but not all, examples, antenna arrangements also include antenna radiators.

[0028] Examples as claimed in the appended claims are provided according to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1A Example embodiments of the topics described herein are shown;

[0031] Figure 1B Example embodiments of the topics described herein are shown;

[0032] Figure 1C Example embodiments of the topics described herein are shown;

[0033] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Another example embodiment of the subject matter described herein is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 Example embodiments of the topics described herein are shown;

[0035] Figure 4 Example embodiments of the topics described herein are shown;

[0036] Figure 5 Example embodiments of the topics described herein are shown;

[0037] Figure 6 Example embodiments of the topics described herein are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The figure below shows an example of an antenna arrangement 10, which includes: a conductive element 20 including three slots 22 extending radially from a common central gap 24; and a first single-wire feed 301 and a second single-wire feed 302.

[0039] The first feed 301 is a single-wire feed because it does not branch or split. The second feed 302 is a single-wire feed because it does not branch or split.

[0040] The three slots 22 include the first slot 221, the second slot 222, and the third slot 223.

[0041] Antenna arrangement 10 can provide good isolation between feeds 301 and 302, and the three-slot arrangement provides good spurious performance without polluting adjacent operating frequency bands.

[0042] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example of an antenna arrangement 10 is shown. These antenna arrangements 10 include a conductive element 20, a first single-wire feed 301 and a second single-wire feed 302, the conductive element 20 including three slots 22 extending radially from a common central gap 24.

[0043] Figure 1C A conductive element 20 comprising three slots 22 is shown, but the first single-wire feed 301 and the second single-wire feed 302 are not shown.

[0044] exist Figure 1A, Figure 1B and Figure 1C In the examples shown, the slots 22 are equidistant. In the examples shown, the slots 22 have the same shape. In the examples shown, the slots 22 have 120° rotational symmetry about the central gap 24. Each slot 22 is elongated and extends longitudinally from the common central gap 24 in a radially outward direction. In these examples, the slots 22 have a constant width along all or most of their length. The slots 22 are through-holes in the conductive element 20; that is, they are holes that extend through the conductive element 20.

[0045] The first feed source 301 and the second feed source 302 do not overlap. This improves the isolation between the feed sources 30.

[0046] In these examples, but not necessarily in all examples, the first feed 301 is a straight feed.

[0047] exist Figure 1A In the example shown, the second feed 302 is a curved feed. Figure 1B In the example shown, the second feed 302 is a linear feed. In these examples, but not necessarily in all examples, each feed 30 is a half-resonant wavelength resonator. For example, Figure 1A The length of the curved portion of the second feed 302 is approximately equal to half the resonant wavelength of the antenna arrangement 10. The resonant wavelength is the wavelength equivalent to the operating resonant frequency of the antenna arrangement 10.

[0048] In the example shown, the first feed 301 and the second feed 302 are on the same side of the conductive element 20. However, in other examples, the first feed 301 and the second feed 302 may be on opposite sides of the conductive element 20.

[0049] For example, the feed 30 can be formed as a conductive strip or a microstrip.

[0050] The conductive element 20 includes a first portion 261, a second portion 262, and a third portion 263. The first portion 261 is located between the first groove 221 and the second groove 222. The second portion 262 is located between the second groove 222 and the third groove 223. The third portion 263 is located between the third groove 223 and the first groove 221.

[0051] In the example shown, the first feed 301 bisects the first portion 261 and overlaps with a portion of the gap 24 and the third slot 223. The second feed 302 extends over a portion of the second portion 262 and a portion of the third portion 263, but not over any portion of the first portion 261, and extends over the third slot 223.

[0052] like Figure 2A , Figure 2BAs shown, antenna arrangement 10 is configured to support the first dipole mode ( Figure 2A ) and second dipole mode ( Figure 2B ). Figure 2A , Figure 2B Antenna arrangement 10 in the middle corresponds to Figure 1A or Figure 1B The antenna arrangement is shown. Figure 2A , Figure 2B A conductive element 20 comprising three slots 22 is shown, and for clarity of illustration, the first feed 301 or the second feed 302 is not shown.

[0053] First dipole mode ( Figure 2A The second dipole mode is associated with the first feed 301 because the first feed 301 is strongly coupled to the first dipole mode and operates as a feed source for the first dipole mode. Figure 2B The first dipole mode is associated with the second feed 302 because the second feed 302 is strongly coupled to the second dipole mode and operates as a feed source for the second dipole mode. There is good isolation between the first dipole mode and the second dipole mode. The first feed 301 and the second feed 302 are also well isolated. The first feed 301 and the second feed 302 are substantially uncoupled at or near the operating resonant frequency band of the antenna arrangement 10.

[0054] First dipole mode ( Figure 2A ) and second dipole mode ( Figure 2B It provides orthogonal polarization in the far field.

[0055] First dipole mode ( Figure 2A Under these conditions, the second part 262 is in phase with the third part 263 (phase difference is 0), while the first part 261 is out of phase with both the second and third parts 262 (phase difference is +π). At this time, the second part 262 and the third part 263 have a phase in the first direction (-π / 2), and the first part 261 has a phase in the opposite direction (+π / 2).

[0056] Second dipole mode ( Figure 2B In this case, the second part 262 is out of phase compared to the third part 263 (phase difference is +π). At this time, the second part 262 has a phase in the first direction (-π / 2) and the third part 263 has a phase in the opposite direction (+π / 2).

[0057] Feed 30 can be arranged to maximize the isolation of the dipole mode.

[0058] Antenna arrangement 10 is a dual-linear polarization antenna arrangement, which can operate simultaneously within the same operating resonant frequency band with two orthogonal linear polarizations. This creates two independent communication channels—one communication channel for each polarization.

[0059] Figure 3 An example of the antenna arrangement 10 as described above is shown. However, in this example, the slots 22 have a different shape. As previously described, each slot 22 is elongated and extends longitudinally from the common central gap 24 in a radially outward direction. Each slot 22 is elongated because its length is greater than its width.

[0060] In this example, but not necessarily all examples, each slot 22 includes at least one laterally extending transverse slot 28. The circumferential width of the transverse slot 28 is greater than its radial length. Each transverse slot 28 is bisected by the elongated slot 22. In the illustrated example, but not necessarily all examples, each transverse slot 28 is located at an end point (end) of the elongated slot 22, and the slots 22, 28 as a whole form a "T" shape. In the illustrated example, but not necessarily all examples, each transverse slot 28 is curved. In other examples, the transverse slot 28 may include straight slots angled to create a perfect T-shape or two straight slots angled to give an arrowhead shape. Other shapes are also possible.

[0061] In the example shown, each transverse slot 28 extends in a circumferential direction orthogonal to the radial direction. In the example shown, but not necessarily in all examples, each curved transverse slot 28 lies on a circle 40 and has a radius of curvature substantially the same as that of the second feed 302.

[0062] Figure 4 An example is shown in which the slot 22 in the conductive element 20 has a length L and the portion 26 has a height H. Applying simple trigonometric functions, L*cos 60°=H, that is, L=2H. In this example, the length L is half the resonant wavelength (λ / 2). The height H is one-quarter of the resonant wavelength (λ / 4).

[0063] In the foregoing examples, but not necessarily in all examples, the conductive element 20 is a flat planar conductive element 20.

[0064] In the foregoing example, but not necessarily in all examples, the conductive element 20 is configured to have a defined stable potential, i.e., it is grounded, also known as the ground plane.

[0065] Figure 5 An example of an antenna arrangement 10 as previously described in the cross-sectional side view is shown. In this example, the antenna arrangement 10 includes an antenna radiator 50. The antenna radiator 50 may be a conductive antenna radiator or a dielectric antenna radiator.

[0066] Figure 6 An example of the antenna radiator 50 is shown in a top view. The slots 22 and the central gap are shown in dashed lines. In this example, the radiator 50 is centrally positioned above the gap 24 and all or most of the slots 22 of the conductive element 20.

[0067] Radiator 50 can be 360 / N degrees rotationally symmetric, where N>2, to support dual polarization at the same frequency. Alternatively, radiator 50 can be any suitable shape—a solid planar shape or a toroidal shape. Radiator 50 can be circular (toroidal or solid planar).

[0068] In some, but not all, examples, the radiator 50 has a ring shape.

[0069] For example, it can be a rectangular ring with a rectangular inner and outer perimeter. Alternatively, it can be a square ring, as shown, with a square inner and outer perimeter. In this example, the width of the ring between the perimeters is constant and similar to the constant width of slot 22.

[0070] Return to reference Figure 5 There may be no, one, or two feed sources 30 between the radiator 50 and the conductive element 20. Alternatively, the conductive element 20 may be located between the radiator 50 and no, one, or two feed sources 30.

[0071] In this example, but not necessarily in all examples, conductive element 20 is located between radiator 50 and ground plane 60. Ground plane 60 is current-interconnected to conductive element 20. Therefore, conductive element 20 is grounded.

[0072] In this example, but not necessarily in all examples, the conductive wall 62 extends upward between the ground plane 60 and the conductive element 20 to form a cavity 70 between the ground plane 60, the conductive wall 62, and the conductive element 20. In some examples, the conductive wall 62 may completely surround the cavity 70.

[0073] The antenna radiator 50 is centrally positioned above the cavity 70. The gap 24 (not shown) can be centrally positioned relative to the cavity 70.

[0074] One or more feed sources 30 can enter the cavity 70 through the conductive wall 62 or through the ground plane 60.

[0075] The feed 30 can be coupled to the radiator 50 through the slot 22 in the grounded planar conductive element 20.

[0076] Antenna arrangement 10 may be included in another device or system 100.

[0077] For example, antenna arrangement 10 may have one antenna element in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array or a massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) antenna array. Each antenna element in the array may be the antenna arrangement 10 described herein. In this example, ground plane 60 may be shared among some or all antenna elements of the array. In this example, conductive element 20 may be shared among some or all antenna elements of the array.

[0078] For example, an antenna arrangement of 10 or more antennas (whether or not part of an antenna array) can be used in a radio frequency transmitter device, a radio frequency receiver device, or a radio frequency transceiver device. In some examples, such a device can be configured to operate as a network node (e.g., base station, Node B, small cell, macro cell, micro cell, etc.) or as a mobile node (e.g., smartphone, mobile cellular phone, mobile device, user equipment, laptop, tablet, vehicle, etc.) in a cellular telecommunications network.

[0079] Antenna arrangement 10 can be configured to operate in one or more operating resonant frequency bands. For example, one or more operating frequency bands may include (but are not limited to) Long Term Evolution (LTE) (US) (734 to 746 MHz and 869 to 894 MHz), Long Term Evolution (LTE) (Other Countries) (791 to 821 MHz and 925 to 960 MHz), AM radio (0.535–1.705 MHz); FM radio (76–108 MHz); Bluetooth (2400–2483.5 MHz); Wireless LAN (WLAN) (2400–2483.5 MHz); HiperLAN (5150–5850 MHz); and GSM. GPS (1570.42-1580.42MHz); US-GSM 850 (824-894MHz) and 1900 (1850-1990MHz); EGSM 900 (880-960MHz) and 1800 (1710-1880MHz); EU-WCDMA 900 (880-960MHz); PCN / DCS 1800 (1710-1880MHz); US-WCDMA 1700 (transmission: 1 710-1755MHz (receive: 2110-2155MHz) and 1900 (1850-1990MHz); Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) 2100 (transmit: 1920-1980MHz, receive: 2110-2180MHz); Personal Communication Services (PCS) 1900 (1850-1990MHz); Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) (1900MHz to 1920MHz, 2010MHz to 2025MHz), Ultra Wideband (UWB) Low Power (3100-4900MHz); Ultra Wideband (6000-10600MHz); Digital Vision Digital Broadcasting - Handheld (DVB-H) (470-702MHz); US DVB-H (1670-1675MHz); Digital World Broadcasting (DRM) (0.15-30MHz); Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMax) (2300-2400MHz, 2305-2360MHz, 2496-2690MHz, 3300-3400MHz, 3400-3800MHz, 5250-5875MHz); Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) (174.928-239.2MHz, 1452.96-1490.62MHz); Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Low Frequency (LF) (0.125-0.134MHz); Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) High Frequency (HF) (13.56-13.56MHz).5G frequency allocation can include, for example, 700MHz, 3.6-3.8GHz, 24.25-27.5GHz, 31.8-33.4GHz, 37.45-43.5GHz, 66-71GHz, millimeter wave, and >24GHz. (5G frequency allocation can include, for example, 700MHz, 3.6-3.8GHz, 24.25-27.5GHz, 31.8-33.4GHz, 37.45-43.5GHz, 66-71GHz, millimeter wave, and >24GHz).

[0080] The operating resonant mode (operating bandwidth) is the frequency range within which an antenna can operate efficiently. The frequency range in which an antenna can operate efficiently is the range where its return loss is less than the operating threshold. For example, efficient operation can occur when the antenna's return loss is better than (i.e., less than) -4dB or -6dB in a mobile transceiver, or better than -10dB or -15dB in a network node.

[0081] Where a structural feature has been described, it can be replaced by a component for performing one or more functions of the structural feature, whether or not the function or these functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

[0082] As used herein, "module" refers to a unit or device that does not include certain parts / components added by the final manufacturer or user. Antenna arrangement 10 may be a module.

[0083] The above example can be used as an enabling component for the following components:

[0084] Automotive systems; telecommunications systems; electronic systems, including consumer electronics; distributed computing systems; media systems for generating or rendering media content, including audio, visual, and audiovisual content, as well as mixed, mediated, virtual, and / or augmented reality; personal systems, including personal health systems or personal fitness systems; navigation systems; user interfaces, also known as human-computer interfaces; networks, including cellular, non-cellular, and optical networks; self-organizing networks; the Internet of Things; the Internet of Things; virtualized networks; and related software and services.

[0085] The term “includes” as used in this document is inclusive rather than exclusive. That is, any reference to X that includes Y means that X may include only one Y or may include more than one Y. If the intention is to use “includes” with an exclusive meaning, it will be clearly stated in the context by referring to “includes only one…” or using “consisting of…”.

[0086] Various examples are referenced in this specification. Descriptions of features or functions associated with examples indicate that those features or functions exist in that example. The use of the terms “example,” “for example,” “may,” or “may” in the text indicates, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions exist at least in the described example, and that they may, but not necessarily, exist in some or all other examples. Thus, “example,” “for example,” “may,” or “may” refers to a specific instance of a class of examples. An instance’s property may be a property of only that instance, a property of the class, or a property of a subclass of the class that includes some, but not all, instances of that class. Therefore, it is implicitly disclosed that features described with reference to one example, and not another, may be used as part of a working composition in that other example where possible, but are not necessarily required to be used in that other example.

[0087] Although embodiments have been described with reference to various examples in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that modifications may be made to the given examples without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0088] The features described above can be used in combinations other than those explicitly described above.

[0089] Although some features have been described with reference to certain characteristics, these functions can be performed by other features, whether or not they are described.

[0090] Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, these features may also exist in other embodiments, whether or not they are described.

[0091] The term "antenna feed arrangement" can be used to describe an antenna arrangement that does not yet include the antenna radiator (50). The term "feed antenna arrangement" can be used to describe an antenna arrangement that includes the antenna radiator (50).

[0092] The terms “a” or “the” as used in this document have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning. That is, any reference to X that includes one / the Y means that X may include only one Y or may include more than one Y, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. If the intention is to use “a” or “the” with an exclusive meaning, it will be clearly stated in the context. In some cases, “at least one” or “one or more” may be used to emphasize an inclusive meaning, but the omission of these terms should not be taken as an inference or an exclusive meaning.

[0093] The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or combination of features itself, as well as a reference to a feature (equivalent feature) that achieves substantially the same technical effect. Equivalent features include, for example, features that are variations and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same manner. Equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to achieve substantially the same result.

[0094] In this specification, various examples are referenced, and adjectives or adjective phrases are used to describe the characteristics of the examples. Such descriptions of characteristics related to examples indicate that the characteristic exists exactly as described in some examples and substantially as described in others.

[0095] Although the foregoing specification has been intended to draw attention to those features that are considered important, it should be understood that the applicant may seek protection by means of any patentable feature or combination of features mentioned above and / or shown in the figures, whether or not they are emphasized.

Claims

1. An antenna arrangement, comprising: A conductive element includes three slots extending radially from a common central gap, and wherein the conductive element further includes: a first portion located between a first slot and a second slot; a second portion located between the second slot and a third slot; and a third portion located between the third slot and the first slot. A first feed and a second feed, wherein the first feed is a single-line feed and the second feed is a single-line feed, wherein the first feed bisects the first portion and overlaps with a portion of the third slot in the slot, wherein the second feed extends over the second portion and the third portion but not over the first portion, and extends over the third slot in the slot.

2. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first feed and the second feed do not overlap.

3. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first feed source is a straight feed source, and the second feed source is a curved feed source or a straight feed source.

4. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each feed source is a half-resonant wavelength resonator.

5. The antenna arrangement of claim 1, configured to support a first dipole mode associated with the first feed and a second dipole mode associated with the second feed, the second dipole mode providing orthogonal polarization in the far field. In the first dipole mode, the second part is in phase with the third part, and the first part is out of phase with both the first and second parts. In the second dipole mode, the second part is out of phase compared to the third part.

6. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the slots are equidistant.

7. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the slots have the same shape.

8. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the slot has 120° rotational symmetry about the central gap.

9. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein each slot is elongated and extends longitudinally from the common central gap, and includes at least one laterally extending transverse slot, wherein the length of the slot is greater than its width, and wherein the width of the transverse slot is greater than its length.

10. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein each of the three slots has a transverse slot, and the three transverse slots are curved.

11. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein each of the three slots has a transverse slot, and the three transverse slots are located on a circle.

12. The antenna arrangement of claim 11, wherein the second feed has the same curvature as the transverse slot.

13. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the electrical length of the slot is half a wavelength.

14. The antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4 further includes an antenna radiator.

15. A radio frequency transceiver device comprising an antenna arrangement according to any of the preceding claims.

16. A network node comprising an antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-14.

17. A mobile node comprising an antenna arrangement according to any one of claims 1-14.

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