Calibration for the Open Space of an Antenna Array Module

Abstract

Aspects relate to calibrating an antenna array module of a wireless communication device in an open space. The antenna array module can be used as a proximity sensor to detect the proximity of an object relative to the antenna array module. The aspects include: displaying an open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device; transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measuring a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and storing the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value of the antenna array module. The first signal can be measured at a cross-polarized antenna of the antenna array module. The value of the first signal can represent the perturbation of the proximity test signal at the cross-polarized antenna.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority and the benefit of non - provisional patent application No. 17 / 210,228, filed on March 23, 2021, and provisional patent application No. 62 / 994,257, filed on March 24, 2020, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Technical Field

[0003] The techniques discussed below generally relate to wireless communication devices in a wireless communication network, and more particularly, to open - space calibration for an antenna array module in a wireless communication device.

[0004] Introduction

[0005] Fifth - generation wireless technology, or 5G, may employ millimeter - wave (mmWave) frequency transmissions. Millimeter - wave (mmWave) is absorbed within the first one to two millimeters of human skin, and when the power density of the wave is higher than 5 - 10 milliwatts per square centimeter (mW / cm 2 ²), a thermal heating effect may occur. Thus, for mmWave frequencies, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits that restrict the power density of the transmitting antenna. The antenna array module of a wireless communication device can be configured as a sensor to assist in MPE compliance. When the antenna array module is used as a sensor, calibration of the antenna array module in open space (also known as open - space calibration) can be performed.

[0006] Brief Overview of Some Examples

[0007] The following presents an overview of one or more aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This overview is not an exhaustive survey of all contemplated features of the present disclosure, and is neither intended to identify key or decisive elements of all aspects of the present disclosure, nor to attempt to define the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in a form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0008] According to one aspect, a method for open - space calibration of an antenna array module of a wireless communication device in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method includes: displaying an open - space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device, the open - space calibration instruction prompting a user to hold the wireless communication device during the open - space calibration; transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measuring a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and storing the value of the first signal as an open - space calibration value of the antenna array module.

[0009] According to one aspect, a wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The wireless communication device includes an antenna array module, a wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the antenna array module, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the antenna array module, the wireless transceiver, and the memory. In one example, the processor is configured to: display an open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device, the open space calibration instruction prompting a user to hold the wireless communication device during the open space calibration; transmit a proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measure a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and store the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value of the antenna array module.

[0010] These and other aspects will be more fully understood after reading the following detailed description. After reading the following description of specific examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects and features will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although certain features may be discussed with respect to some of the examples and drawings below, all examples may include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more examples may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more such features may be used in accordance with the various examples discussed herein. In a similar manner, although examples may be discussed below as examples of devices, systems, or methods, it should be understood that such examples may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless radio access network in accordance with some aspects described herein.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system supporting beamforming and / or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication in accordance with some aspects described herein.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device in accordance with some aspects described herein.

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication device positioned within a hypothetical hemisphere representative of an open space in accordance with some aspects described herein Figure 3 of.

[0016] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device configured to sense proximity to or contact by a human body object with an antenna array module in accordance with some aspects described herein.

[0017] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a wireless communication device employing a processing system according to some aspects described herein.

[0018] Figure 7A and Figure 7B illustrates a wireless communication device in a user's hand according to some aspects described herein.

[0019] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an open space calibration process according to some aspects described herein.

[0020] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another open space calibration process according to some aspects described herein.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0023] While aspects and examples are described herein by way of illustration of some examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional implementations and use cases can arise in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovations described herein can be implemented across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, aspects and / or uses can be generated via integrated chip examples and other non-module component-based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / shopping devices, medical devices, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not be specific to particular use cases or applications, a wide applicability of the described innovations can occur. The scope of various implementations can range from chip-level or module components to non-module, non-chip-level implementations, and further to aggregated, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems incorporating one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practical settings, devices incorporating the described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the claimed and described examples. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes several components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / summers, etc.). The innovations described herein are intended to be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc., of various sizes, shapes, and configurations.

[0024] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically divided into various classes, bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz – 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz – 52.6 GHz). It should be understood that although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is typically (interchangeably) referred to as the “sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. Similar naming issues sometimes arise with respect to FR2, and although different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz – 300 GHz) identified by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the “millimeter wave” band, FR2 is typically (interchangeably) referred to as the “millimeter wave” band in various documents and articles.

[0025] The frequency between FR1 and FR2 is generally referred to as the mid-band frequency. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designations FR3 (7.125 GHz – 24.25 GHz). Bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus can effectively extend the features of FR1 and / or FR2 into the mid-band frequencies. Additionally, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation above 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4-a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz – 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz – 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz – 300 GHz). Each of these higher bands falls within the EHF band.

[0026] Taking the above aspects into account, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used in this document, terms such as "sub-6 GHz" can be broadly interpreted to represent frequencies that can be less than 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if used in this document, terms such as "millimeter wave" can be broadly interpreted to represent frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or can be within the EHF band. Millimeter wave (mmWave) transmissions pose potential safety hazards as they can cause local heating on the surface of the skin or eyes. To protect the public from such hazards, government regulatory agencies have set limits on the maximum allowable mmWave power level per square centimeter area. This limit is referred to as the maximum permissible exposure (MPE). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States has set MPE limits for all transmissions at frequencies greater than 3 GHz. For example, for transmissions between 30 – 300 GHz, the FCC MPE is set at 1 mW / cm 2 .

[0027] The MPE tightens the link budget for already strained 5G mmWave uplink (UL) transmissions. One solution could be to use a proximity sensor that determines whether there are human body parts near the mmWave antenna array module. The wireless communication device can transmit at a higher power when the proximity sensor indicates an open space compared to when the proximity sensor indicates the presence of a human body part. If the proximity sensor indicates the presence of a human body part, the wireless communication device can re-lower its UL transmission power to remain compliant with the MPE limit.

[0028] In various aspects of the present disclosure, an end user may perform mmWave proximity sensor calibration, where an antenna array module of a wireless communication device is configured as a proximity sensor. The user may initiate a tool (or application) on the wireless communication device. The tool may guide the user on how to physically hold the wireless communication device during an open space calibration process. The method and apparatus may also have a built-in mechanism to detect when the user may not follow the provided open space calibration guidance.

[0029] The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure may be implemented across a wide variety of telecommunications systems, network architectures, and communication standards. Now refer to Figure 1 , by way of illustrative example and not limitation, a schematic illustration of a radio access network 100 is provided. The radio access network (RAN) 100 may implement any suitable one or more wireless communication technologies to provide radio access. As an example, the RAN 100 may operate according to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) specification (commonly referred to as 5G). As another example, the RAN 100 may operate under a hybrid of 5G NR and the evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (eUTRAN) standard (commonly referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE)). 3GPP refers to this hybrid RAN as the next generation RAN, or NG-RAN. Of course, many other examples may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] The geographical area covered by the radio access network 100 may be divided into several cellular areas (cells), which may be uniquely identified by a user equipment (UE) based on an identifier broadcast over the geographical area from an access point or base station. Figure 1 Cells 102, 104, 106, and 108 are illustrated, each of which may include one or more sectors (not shown). A sector is a sub-region of a cell. All sectors within a cell are served by the same base station. Radio links within a sector may be identified by a single logical identifier belonging to that sector. In a cell divided into sectors, multiple sectors within the cell may be formed by an antenna group, where each antenna is responsible for communicating with UEs in a portion of the cell.

[0031] Generally, the corresponding base station (BS) serves respective cells. Broadly, a base station is a network element in a radio access network that is responsible for radio transmission and reception to or from a UE in one or more cells. The BS may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base transceiver station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), access point (AP), Node B (NB), evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission and reception point (TRP), or some other suitable term. In some examples, a base station may include two or more TRPs that may be co-located or non-co-located. Each TRP may communicate on the same or different carrier frequencies within the same or different frequency bands. In an example where the RAN 100 operates according to both LTE and 5G NR standards, one of the base stations may be an LTE base station and another base station may be a 5G NR base station.

[0032] In Figure 1 FIG., two base stations 110 and 112 are shown in cells 102 and 104; and a third base station 114 is shown controlling a remote radio head (RRH) 116 in cell 106. That is, a base station may have an integrated antenna or may be connected to an antenna or RRH by a feeder cable. In the illustrated example, cells 102, 104, and 106 may be referred to as macro cells because base stations 110, 112, and 114 support cells with large dimensions. Additionally, a base station 118 is shown in cell 108 that may overlap with one or more macro cells. In this example, cell 108 may be referred to as a small cell (e.g., micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, home base station, home Node B, home evolved Node B, etc.) because base station 118 supports a cell with a relatively small dimension. Cell sizing may be done according to system design and component constraints. It is to be understood that the radio access network 100 may include any number of radio base stations and cells. Additionally, relay nodes may be deployed to extend the size or coverage area of a given cell. Base stations 110, 112, 114, 118 provide a wireless access point to the core network for any number of mobile devices.

[0033] Figure 1 Further included is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 120 (such as a quadcopter or drone) that may be configured to act as a base station. That is, in some examples, a cell may not have to be stationary, and the geographical area of a cell may move according to the location of a mobile base station such as UAV 120.

[0034] Generally, a base station may include a backhaul interface for communicating with a backhaul portion (not shown) of a network. The backhaul may provide a link between the base station and a core network (not shown), and in some examples, the backhaul may provide an interconnection between corresponding base stations. The core network may be part of a wireless communication system and may be independent of the radio access technology used in the radio access network. Various types of backhaul interfaces may be employed, such as direct physical connections using any suitable transport network, virtual networks, and the like.

[0035] RAN 100 is illustrated as supporting wireless communication for a plurality of mobile devices. Mobile devices are commonly referred to as user equipment (UE) in the standards and specifications promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), but may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as mobile stations (MS), subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, radio units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals (AT), mobile terminals, wireless terminals, remote terminals, handsets, terminals, user agents, mobile clients, clients, or some other suitable term. A UE may be a device that provides a user with access to network services.

[0036] Within this document, a "mobile" device does not necessarily need to have the ability to move and can be stationary. The term mobile device or mobile equipment refers to a wide variety of devices and technologies. For example, some non-limiting examples of mobile devices include mobile phones, cellular (cell) phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptop devices, personal computers (PCs), notebooks, netbooks, smartbooks, tablet devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and a wide variety of embedded systems, such as those corresponding to the "Internet of Things" (IoT). Additionally, a mobile device can be an automobile or other transportation vehicle, a remote sensor or actuator, a robot or robotic device, a satellite radio, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, an object tracking device, a drone, a multi-axis aircraft, a quadcopter, a remote control device, a consumer and / or wearable device (such as glasses), a wearable camera, a virtual reality device, a smartwatch, a health or fitness tracker, a digital audio player (e.g., an MP3 player), a camera, a gaming console, etc. A mobile device can also be a digital home or smart home device, such as a home audio, video, and / or multimedia device, an appliance, a vending machine, a smart lighting device, a home security system, a smart meter, etc. A mobile device can also be a smart energy device, a security device, a solar panel or solar array, a municipal infrastructure device (e.g., a smart grid) that controls electricity, lighting, water, etc., an industrial automation and enterprise device, a logistics controller, an agricultural equipment, etc. Further, a mobile device can provide connected healthcare or telemedicine support, i.e., remote healthcare. Telehealth devices can include telehealth monitoring devices and telehealth supervision devices, and their communications can be given priority treatment or prioritized access over other types of information, for example, in the form of prioritized access for critical service data transmission and / or relevant QoS for critical service data transmission.

[0037] Within the RAN 100, a cell can include UEs that can communicate with one or more sectors of each cell. For example, UEs 122 and 124 can communicate with base station 110; UEs 126 and 128 can communicate with base station 112; UEs 130 and 132 can communicate with base station 114 via RRH 116; UE 134 can communicate with base station 118; and UE 136 can communicate with mobile base station 120. Here, each base station 110, 112, 114, 118, and 120 can be configured to provide an access point to the core network (not shown) for all UEs in the corresponding cell. In another example, a mobile network node (e.g., quadcopter 120) can be configured to act as a UE. For example, quadcopter 120 can operate within cell 102 by communicating with base station 110.

[0038] Wireless communication between the RAN 100 and a UE (e.g., UE 122 or 124) can be described as utilizing an air interface. Transmissions on the air interface from a base station (e.g., base station 110) to one or more UEs (e.g., UEs 122 and 124) can be referred to as downlink (DL) transmissions. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the term downlink may refer to a point-to-multipoint transmission originating at a scheduling entity (described further below, e.g., base station 110). Another way to describe this scenario may be to use the term broadcast channel multiplexing. Transmissions from a UE (e.g., UE 122) to a base station (e.g., base station 110) can be referred to as uplink (UL) transmissions. According to further aspects of the present disclosure, the term uplink may refer to a point-to-point transmission originating at a scheduled entity (described further below, e.g., UE 122).

[0039] For example, DL transmissions may include unicast or broadcast transmissions of control information and / or traffic information (e.g., user data traffic) from a base station (e.g., base station 110) to one or more UEs (e.g., UEs 122 and 124), while UL transmissions may include transmissions of control information and / or traffic information originating at a UE (e.g., UE 122). Additionally, uplink and / or downlink control information and / or traffic information may be time-divided into frames, subframes, time slots, and / or symbols. As used herein, a symbol may refer to a time unit in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform where each subcarrier carries one resource element (RE). A time slot may carry 7 or 14 OFDM symbols. A subframe may refer to a 1 ms duration. Multiple subframes or time slots may be grouped together to form a single frame or radio frame. Of course, these definitions are exemplary, and any suitable scheme may be utilized to organize the waveform, and the various time divisions of the waveform may have any suitable duration.

[0040] To achieve a low block error rate (BLER) on transmissions over the air interface while still achieving a very high data rate, channel coding can be used. That is, wireless communication generally may utilize a suitable error-correcting block code. In a typical block code, an information message or sequence is split into code blocks (CBs), and an encoder (e.g., CODEC) at the transmitting device then mathematically adds redundancy to the information message. This redundancy in the encoded information message can improve the reliability of the message, thus enabling any bit errors that may occur due to noise to be corrected.

[0041] Data encoding can be implemented in a variety of ways. In earlier 5G NR specifications, user data is encoded using quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check (LDPC) with two different base graphs: one base graph is used for large code blocks and / or high code rates, while the other base graph is used for other cases. Polar coding is used to encode control information and the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) based on nested sequences. For these channels, puncturing, shortening, and repetition are used for rate matching.

[0042] Aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented using any suitable channel coding. Various implementations of the base station and the UE may include suitable hardware and capabilities (e.g., encoders, decoders, and / or CODECs) to perform wireless communication using one or more of these channel codes.

[0043] The air interface in RAN 100 can utilize one or more multiplexing and multiple access algorithms to enable simultaneous communication of various devices. For example, the 5G NR specification provides multiple access for UL or reverse link transmissions from UEs 122 and 124 to the base station 110, and utilizes orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) with a cyclic prefix (CP) to provide multiplexing for DL or forward link transmissions from the base station 110 to UEs 122 and 124. Additionally, for UL transmissions, the 5G NR specification provides support for discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) with CP (also known as single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA)). However, within the scope of the present disclosure, multiplexing and multiple access are not limited to the above schemes, and time-division multiple access (TDMA), code-division multiple access (CDMA), frequency-division multiple access (FDMA), sparse code multiple access (SCMA), resource-spread multiple access (RSMA), or other suitable multiple access schemes can be utilized to provide it. Furthermore, multiplexing for DL transmissions from the base station 110 to UEs 122 and 124 can be provided using time-division multiplexing (TDM), code-division multiplexing (CDM), frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), sparse code multiplexing (SCM), or other suitable multiplexing schemes.

[0044] In addition, the air interface in RAN 100 may utilize one or more duplexing algorithms. Duplexing refers to a point-to-point communication link where both endpoints can communicate with each other in two directions. Full duplex means that both endpoints can communicate with each other simultaneously. Half duplex means that only one endpoint can send information to the other endpoint at a time. Typically, half duplex emulation for a wireless link is achieved by utilizing time division duplexing (TDD). In TDD, transmissions in different directions on a given channel are separated from each other using time division multiplexing. That is, at some times, the channel is dedicated to transmission in one direction, while at other times, the channel is dedicated to transmission in the other direction, where the direction can change very rapidly, e.g., several times per time slot. In a wireless link, a full duplex channel generally relies on physical isolation of the transmitter and receiver, as well as suitable interference cancellation techniques. Typically, full duplex emulation for a wireless link is achieved by utilizing frequency division duplexing (FDD) or space division duplexing (SDD). In FDD, transmissions in different directions can operate at different carrier frequencies (e.g., within paired spectra). In SDD, transmissions in different directions on a given channel are separated from each other using space division multiplexing (SDM). In other examples, full duplex communication can be achieved within unpaired spectra (e.g., within a single carrier bandwidth), where transmissions in different directions occur in different sub-bands of the carrier bandwidth. This type of full duplex communication may be referred to as sub-band full duplex (SBFD) in this document, and is also known as flexible duplexing.

[0045] In RAN 100, the ability of a UE to communicate while moving, independent of its location, is referred to as mobility. Each physical channel between the UE and the RAN is generally established, maintained, and released under the control of an access and mobility management function (AMF). In some scenarios, the AMF may include a security context management function (SCMF) and a security anchor function (SEAF) that perform authentication. The SCMF can manage the security context for both control plane and user plane functionality, either in whole or in part.

[0046] In some examples, the RAN 100 can implement mobility and handovers (i.e., the connection of a UE is transferred from one radio channel to another radio channel). For example, during a call with a scheduling entity, or at any other time, the UE can monitor various parameters of the signal from its serving cell and various parameters of neighboring cells. Depending on the quality of these parameters, the UE can maintain communication with one or more neighboring cells. During this time, if the UE moves from one cell to another cell, or if the signal quality from a neighboring cell exceeds the signal quality from the serving cell for a given amount of time, the UE can perform a handover or switch from the serving cell to the neighboring (target) cell. For example, the UE 124 can move from the geographical area corresponding to its serving cell 102 to the geographical area corresponding to the neighbor cell 106. When the signal strength or quality from the neighbor cell 106 exceeds the signal strength or quality of its serving cell 102 for a given amount of time, the UE 124 can transmit a report message indicating this condition to its serving base station 110. In response, the UE 124 can receive a handover command, and the UE can undergo a handover to the cell 106.

[0047] In various implementations, the air interface in the RAN 100 can utilize licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or shared spectrum. Licensed spectrum generally provides exclusive use of a portion of the spectrum by a mobile network operator by purchasing a license from a government regulatory agency. Unlicensed spectrum provides shared use of a portion of the spectrum without a government-granted license. Although some technical rules generally still need to be followed to access unlicensed spectrum, any operator or device can obtain access. Shared spectrum can fall between licensed and unlicensed spectrum, where technical rules or restrictions may be required to access the spectrum, but the spectrum may still be shared by multiple operators and / or multiple RATs. For example, the license holder of a portion of licensed spectrum can provide Licensed Shared Access (LSA) to share the spectrum with other parties, e.g., with access obtained using conditions determined by the appropriate license holder.

[0048] In some examples, access to the air interface can be scheduled, where a scheduling entity (e.g., a base station) allocates resources (e.g., time-frequency resources) for communication among some or all of the devices and equipment within its service area or cell. Within this disclosure, as further discussed below, the scheduling entity can be responsible for scheduling, assigning, reconfiguring, and releasing resources for one or more scheduled entities. That is, for scheduled communication, the UE or the scheduled entity utilizes the resources allocated by the scheduling entity.

[0049] The base station is not the only entity that can be used as a scheduling entity. That is, in some examples, a UE can be used as a scheduling entity to schedule resources for one or more scheduled entities (e.g., one or more other UEs). For example, two or more UEs (e.g., UEs 138, 140, and 142) can communicate with each other using side link signals 137 without relaying the communication through a base station. In some examples, UEs 138, 140, and 142 can each act as a scheduling entity or a transmitter side link device and / or a scheduled entity or a receiver side link device to schedule resources and communicate side link signals 137 between them without relying on scheduling or control information from a base station. In other examples, two or more UEs (e.g., UEs 126 and 128) within the coverage area of ​​a base station (e.g., base station 112) can also communicate side link signals 127 on a direct link (side link) without communicating the communication through base station 112. In this example, base station 112 can allocate resources to UEs 126 and 128 for side link communication. In either case, such sidelink signaling 127 and 137 may be implemented in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a device-to-device (D2D) network, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) network, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X), a mesh network, or other suitable direct link network.

[0050] In some examples, a D2D relay framework may be included within a cellular network to facilitate relaying of communications to / from base station 112 via a D2D link (e.g., side link 127 or 137). For example, one or more UEs (e.g., UE 128) within the coverage area of ​​base station 112 may operate as relay UEs to extend the coverage area of ​​base station 112, improve transmission reliability to one or more UEs (e.g., UE 126), and / or allow the base station to recover from a UE link failure, such as due to blocking or fading.

[0051] The two main technologies that can be used by V2X networks include dedicated short range communications (DSRC) based on the IEEE 802.11p standard and cellular V2X based on LTE and / or 5G (New Radio) standards. For simplicity, various aspects of the present disclosure may relate to New Radio (NR) cellular V2X networks, referred to herein as V2X networks. However, it should be understood that the concepts disclosed herein may not be limited to a specific V2X standard or may be directed to sidelink networks other than V2X networks.

[0052] According to one aspect, the scheduling entity and / or the scheduled entity may be configured for beamforming and / or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques. Figure 2FIG. is a diagram of a wireless communication system 200 that illustrates support for beamforming and / or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication in accordance with some aspects described herein. In a MIMO system, a transmitter 202 includes a plurality of transmit antennas 204 (e.g., N transmit antennas), and a receiver 206 includes a plurality of receive antennas 208 (e.g., M receive antennas). Accordingly, there are N×M signal paths 210 from the transmit antennas 204 to the receive antennas 208. Each of the transmitter 202 and the receiver 206 may be implemented, for example, in a scheduling entity, a scheduled entity, or any other suitable wireless communication device.

[0053] The use of such multi-antenna techniques enables the wireless communication system 200 to utilize the spatial domain to support spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and transmit diversity. Spatial multiplexing can be used to simultaneously transmit different data streams (also referred to as layers) on the same time-frequency resources. These data streams can be transmitted to a single wireless communication device to increase the data rate or to multiple wireless communication devices to increase the overall system capacity, the latter being referred to as multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). This is achieved by spatially precoding each data stream (i.e., multiplying these data streams by different weights and phase shifts) and then transmitting each spatially precoded stream on the downlink via multiple transmit antennas. The spatially precoded data streams arrive at the wireless communication device(s) with different spatial signatures, and these different spatial signatures enable each wireless communication device to recover one or more data streams intended for that wireless communication device. On the uplink, each wireless communication device transmits a spatially precoded data stream, which enables the base station to identify the source of each spatially precoded data stream.

[0054] The number of data streams or layers corresponds to the transmission rank. In general, the rank of a MIMO system (e.g., the wireless communication system 200 that supports MIMO) is limited by the lower of the number of transmit or receive antennas 204 or 208. Additionally, the channel conditions at the wireless communication device and other considerations (such as the available resources at the base station) may also affect the transmission rank. For example, the rank assigned to a particular wireless communication device on the downlink (and thus, the number of data streams) can be determined based on a rank indicator (RI) transmitted from the wireless communication device to the base station. The RI can be determined based on the antenna configuration (e.g., the number of transmit and receive antennas) and the measured signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) on each receive antenna. The RI can indicate, for example, the number of layers that can be supported under the current channel conditions. The base station can use the RI along with resource information (e.g., the available resources and the amount of data to be scheduled for the wireless communication device) to assign a transmission rank to the wireless communication device.

[0055] In a time division duplex (TDD) system, the UL and DL are reciprocal, with each using different time slots of the same frequency bandwidth. Thus, in a TDD system, the base station can assign a rank for DL MIMO transmission based on UL SINR measurements (e.g., based on sounding reference signals (SRS) or other pilot signals transmitted from the UE). Based on the assigned rank, the base station can then transmit channel state information - reference signal (CSI-RS) using separate C-RS sequences for each layer to provide multi-layer channel estimation. Based on this CSI-RS, the UE can measure the channel quality across layers and resource blocks and feedback channel state indicator (CQI) and rank indicator (RI) values to the base station for use in updating the rank and assigning resource elements (REs) for future downlink transmissions.

[0056] In the simplest case, as Figure 2 shown, rank-2 spatial multiplexing transmission on a 2x2 MIMO antenna configuration will transmit one data stream from each transmit antenna 204. Each data stream arrives at each receive antenna 208 along a different one of the signal paths 210. The receiver 206 can then use the signals received from each receive antenna 208 to reconstruct these data streams.

[0057] Beamforming is a signal processing technique that can be used at the transmitter 202 or the receiver 206 to shape or direct an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) along the spatial path between the transmitter 202 and the receiver 206. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated via the antennas 204 or 208 (e.g., the antenna elements of an antenna array module) such that some of these signals experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. To produce the desired constructive / destructive interference, the transmitter 202 or the receiver 206 can apply amplitude and / or phase offsets to the signals transmitted or received from each antenna 204 or 208 associated with the transmitter 202 or the receiver 206.

[0058] In a 5G New Radio (NR) system, especially for systems above 6 GHz or mmWave systems, beamformed signals can be used for most downlink channels, including the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Additionally, broadcast control information (such as the Master System Information Block (MSIB), the Slot Format Indicator (SFI), and paging information) can be transmitted in a beam sweeping manner so that all scheduled entities (UEs) in the coverage area of a Transmission and Reception Point (TRP) (e.g., gNB) can receive the broadcast control information. Additionally, for a wireless communication device configured with a beamforming antenna array module, beamformed signals can also be used for uplink channels (including the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)).

[0059] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device 300 in accordance with some aspects described herein. The wireless communication device 300 can be a 5G wireless communication device configured to transmit and receive signals in the mmWave frequency band (e.g., FR2 or higher). The wireless communication device 300 can include at least one antenna array module; however, it should be understood that the wireless communication device 300 can include any number of antenna array modules. In Figure 3 the example, the wireless communication device 300 includes three antenna array modules 304, 306, 308. The respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 can each be a 5G mmWave antenna array module, which means that for example the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 can each handle traffic, perform beamforming, and provide spatial coverage as specified in 3GPP specifications related to 5G and 5G New Radio (NR) operating in the mmWave frequency band (e.g., FR2 or higher).

[0060] The antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 (and associated signal and data processing circuitry) may be configured to perform beamforming towards a gNB (e.g., a scheduling entity, a base station) or another wireless communication device (e.g., a user equipment, a scheduled entity) during D2D or sidelink communication. They may be configured to adjust the radiated power to, for example, increase the amount of energy received at the gNB (or other wireless communication device) to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and enhance the throughput and quality of the link between the wireless communication device and the gNB (or other wireless communication device). According to one aspect, each antenna array module 630 may be configured to operate as a proximity sensor that detects contact of a human body object (e.g., a finger, an ear, a cheek, or other body part or body surface) with one or more corresponding antenna array modules 304, 306, 308, or detects the proximity of a human body object to one or more corresponding antenna array modules 304, 306, 308. As used herein, for example, a human body object may be...

[0061] The wireless communication device 300 may include a housing 302. The housing 302 may include a display 310 and a rear surface 312. The wireless communication device 300 may correspond to Figure 1 and Figure 2 any of the wireless communication devices (e.g., a scheduled entity) illustrated in

[0062] The antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 may be located in the housing 302 of the wireless communication device 300 at positions such that each antenna array module 304, 306, 308 is capable of covering a corresponding portion of a sphere surrounding the wireless communication device 300. Specifically, the antenna array module 304 may be configured to generate a plurality of beams 314, the antenna array module 306 may be configured to generate a plurality of beams 316, and the antenna array module 308 may be configured to generate a plurality of beams 318. Each of the plurality of beams 314, 316, 318 may be directed to a different portion of the coverage area (e.g., a sphere) of the corresponding antenna array module 304, 306, 308. In one example, a wide beam 315 may be additionally or alternatively formed for transmission and / or reception. Generally, a base station may communicate with the wireless communication device 300 using corresponding beam pairs on both the downlink and the uplink. The beam pair link (BPL) for the downlink and the uplink may include beams from the same antenna array module 304, 306, 308 or different antenna array modules 304, 306, 308.

[0063] The number of multiple beams 314, 316, 318 generated by each antenna array module 304, 306, 308 may depend on, for example, the number of antenna sub - arrays in each antenna array module 304, 306, 308. Generally, in order to meet the link - budget requirements for downlink transmission (e.g., from the gNB to the wireless communication device 300), each antenna array module 304, 306, 308 may support N beams for every N antenna sub - arrays in the module. For example, assuming there are two antenna sub - arrays (N = 2) in each antenna array module 304, 306, 308, the wireless communication device 300 may be supported by 2N (e.g., 2N = 2 * 2 = 4) beams per antenna array module, and a total of 6N (e.g., 3 * 2N = 6N) beams. Correspondingly, for N = 2, as Figure 3 shown in the example of

[0064] the wireless communication device 300 may support a total of 12 beams (e.g., four beams from each antenna array module 304, 306, 308). However, it should be understood that each antenna array module 304, 306, 308 may support any suitable number of beams.

[0065] On the uplink, each of the multiple mmWave beams 314, 316, 318 generated by the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 is a directional beam that may propagate along a beam path extending outward from the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308. Each of the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 concentrates the radio - frequency (RF) radiation (e.g., as measured by RF power density) generated by the mmWave beam in a region corresponding to the direction of the path of the mmWave beam.

[0065] The FCC has placed limits on the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) to human tissue from such mmWave beams. In one approach, the MPE power - density threshold for the transmitting - party antenna array module is limited to not exceed 1.0 mW / cm 2 2, 4.0 mW / cm 2Etc. The power density can be averaged over an average time (e.g., the MPE time window), where the average time can depend on the transmitted frequency. In one such example, for higher frequencies, the average time is shorter. In one example, for frequencies in the range between 6 GHz and 10 GHz, the average time can be 30 seconds, for frequencies in the range between 10 GHz and 16 GHz, the average time is 14 seconds, for frequencies in the range between 16 GHz and 24 GHz, the average time is 8 seconds, for frequencies in the range between 24 GHz and 42 GHz, the average time is 4 seconds, for frequencies in the range between 42 GHz and 95 GHz, the average time is 2 seconds, etc. Following the MPE standard can impose restrictions on both the duty cycle and the transmit power on uplink transmissions. These constraints can lead to a degradation in both cell coverage and user experience (e.g., call stability and throughput). The wireless communication device can monitor and adjust the power output over time to comply with the exposure limit. The monitoring and adjustment of the power output can be based on the average exposure at a given radio frequency over a given time period (e.g., the MPE time window).

[0066] RF radiation / power density decays at a relatively high rate with distance from the transmitting antenna. Thus, when human tissue is not in the beam path or is far from the transmitting antenna, the uplink transmission results in significantly lower exposure. Therefore, using the sensing or detection capabilities of the wireless communication device 300 to determine which antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 are near human tissue can help comply with the FCC MPE regulations. Additionally or alternatively, when the wireless communication device 300 adjusts the output power to limit exposure, the user can be prompted to move the human tissue (e.g., generally fingers, thumbs, and heads) away from the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 so that after the human tissue is no longer close to the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308, future transmissions can be sent at a higher power to improve the uplink signal quality.

[0067] The wireless communication device 300 can implement proximity sensing to determine whether a hand (e.g., fingers, thumb, palm) is near or covering any of the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308. If so, the wireless communication device 300 can, for example, warn the user to move the hand or reduce the transmitter power level to meet the MPE regulations.

[0068] A wireless communication device can implement a proximity sensor using physical parameter sensors such as thermal sensors, capacitance sensors, display touch sensors, infrared sensors, and cameras. When implemented as a proximity sensor, these physical parameter sensors can be referred to as "external" proximity sensors, even if they are located within the housing of the wireless communication device. However, the implementation of such external proximity sensors can be bulky and power-consuming. Additionally, placing external sensors (not shown) adjacent to one or more antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 can increase the cost and complexity of the wireless communication device 300, occupy valuable space within the housing of the wireless communication device 600, and occupy valuable footprint on the circuit board within the housing of the wireless communication device 300. Moreover, the inherent behavior of the mmWave band dictates that a wireless communication device mounts multiple mmWave antenna array modules. Thus, to implement proximity detection, a wireless communication device can mount an external proximity sensor next to each mmWave antenna array module. The above negative aspects of using physical parameter sensors as external proximity sensors make their use in mmWave-enabled wireless communication devices undesirable.

[0069] An alternative involves using an mmWave proximity sensor integrated into a radio communication RF chip. In addition to the advantages of saving printed circuit board footprint and power consumption, the integrated mmWave proximity sensor also allows for faster sensing rates and higher reliability than external sensors.

[0070] However, the integrated mmWave proximity sensor is extremely sensitive to the mechanical housing of the antenna array module. Higher mechanical tolerances can occur due to manufacturing variations and can significantly degrade the performance of the integrated mmWave proximity sensor.

[0071] Alternatively, factory open space calibration of the mmWave proximity sensor can be performed. Factory open space calibration can retain high detection performance. However, factory open space calibration can involve using an anechoic chamber, which can be large and costly to build, operate, and maintain. Additionally, factory open space calibration can have limited value because such calibration does not account for protective covers that an end user may place on the sides, back, and / or front of the wireless communication device. The protective covers can affect the accuracy of the factory open space calibration.

[0072] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device 300 positioned within a hypothetical hemisphere representative of open space. The hypothetical hemisphere can enable visualization of the open space 400 surrounding the wireless communication device within the hypothetical hemisphere. For ease of illustration only, Figure 3 of the wireless communication device 300. The hypothetical hemisphere can enable visualization of the open space 400 surrounding the wireless communication device within the hypothetical hemisphere. For ease of illustration only, Figure 4Depicts a hypothetical hemisphere with a fixed open space boundary 402.

[0073] The open space boundary 402 can extend a predetermined distance 404 from the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308. In some examples, the predetermined distance 404 can be about 30 - 60 cm or more specifically about 30 - 40 cm. In other examples, the predetermined distance can be about the length of an arm from the antenna array module. In other examples, each predetermined distance 404 can include a corresponding range of distances from each antenna array module 304, 306, 308 or from the center of the wireless communication device 300. In one example, each predetermined distance 404 or range of distances can extend outward from the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 along the beam path of the corresponding antenna. In some examples, the range of distances can be variable based on, for example, the transmit power of the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308. The corresponding predetermined distances or corresponding ranges of predetermined distances can be different from each other. These previously described predetermined distances and ranges of distances are exemplary and non - limiting. For practical purposes, the open space boundary 402 can be in the shape of an amorphous sphere surrounding the wireless communication device 300.

[0074] In the examples described herein, for both open space calibration and proximity detection, the wireless communication device 300 can radiate proximity test signals from each of the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 into the open space 400. The corresponding antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 can be calibrated to the open space 400 before being configured as proximity sensors. The spatial volume within the open space 400 can be used for open space calibration. The open space 400 can also be referred to as a natural open space.

[0075] The wireless communication device 300 may configure at least one antenna among a plurality of antennas in the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 to transmit a proximity test signal from the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 into the open space 400 (e.g., an open space without objects). The wireless communication device 300 may also configure at least two other cross-polarized antennas of the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 to receive a (e.g., reflected, perturbed, unperturbed) version of the proximity test signal. The transmission of the proximity test signal and the reception of the version of the proximity test signal may occur simultaneously. According to some aspects, when measurements are made while following open space calibration instructions (e.g., holding the wireless communication device at about 30 - 60 cm from any object, including a human object) during open space calibration, the received version of the proximity test signal may be an unperturbed version of the transmitted proximity test signal. According to some aspects, when the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 are configured as proximity sensors and an object is close to or covers the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308, the received version of the proximity test signal may be a perturbed version of the transmitted proximity test signal.

[0076] The received version of the proximity test signal may be referred to herein as the first signal received at the cross-polarized antennas of the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308. For each cross-polarized receiving antenna, the first signal may be represented by a complex value. When measurements are made while following open space calibration instructions, the first signal received at the cross-polarized antennas may be referred to herein as the open space calibration value. When measurements are made during proximity sensor operation, the first signal received at the cross-polarized antennas may be referred to herein as the measured open space value. These values may be stored in the memory 610 of the wireless communication device 600. For example, in Figure 6 the memory 610 of the wireless communication device 600, the open space calibration value may be stored in the open space calibration value register 631. The measured open space value may be stored in the measured open space value register 632. The terms "value" and "multiple values" may be used interchangeably. For example, one or more values (including one or more complex, real, and imaginary and / or magnitude and angle values) may be stored in any register described herein.

[0077] The versions of the antennas in the respective antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 that are configured to receive the proximity test signal during open space calibration should not receive any reflected proximity test signals transmitted into the open space 400. Since there are no objects in the open space 400 from which to receive a reflected version of the proximity test signal or a perturbed version of the proximity test signal during calibration, there is no reflection. Accordingly, any signal received during open space calibration (e.g., the first signal) can be attributed to leakage of the unperturbed proximity test signal from the transmit antenna to the cross-polarized receive antenna. Similarly, any signal received during proximity sensor operation can be attributed to leakage of the perturbed proximity test signal from the transmit antenna to the cross-polarized receive antenna. In both open space calibration operation and proximity sensor operation, the proximity test signal can be transmitted at a level that is tens of dB higher than the background noise and / or the noise of the receiver in the receiver chain of the cross-polarized antenna itself. The amplitude of the signal received at each cross-polarized antenna can accordingly be higher than the noise and can be in the linear region of the amplifier in the receiver chain. Thus, the wireless communication device can use the signal received during open space calibration as a threshold level or threshold. The difference between the version of the proximity test signal received at the cross-polarized antenna and the proximity test signal transmitted from the transmit antenna (e.g., differences in amplitude and phase) is attributed to an object occupying the space near the antenna array module (within the open space) or in contact with the antenna array module. Such objects include those with human tissue, including fingers, thumbs, palms, and heads. For ease of reference, these tissue-bearing features of the human anatomical structure are generally referred to herein as human objects.

[0078] Figure 5FIG. is an illustration of a wireless communication device 500 configured to sense proximity of a human object to, or contact of a human object with, antenna array modules 504, 506, 508, in accordance with some aspects described herein. The wireless communication device 500 includes a housing 502. The housing 502 may be partially enclosed within and coupled to a protective cover 512. The wireless communication device 500 includes three antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 within the housing 502. The antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 are positioned within the housing 502 along the left, top, and right sides of the wireless communication device 500, and are adjacent to and at least partially covered by the protective cover 512. The wireless communication device 500 includes a display 510 in the XY plane. The rear surface of the wireless communication device 500 is hidden from view. The protective cover 512 may enclose at least a portion of the (hidden) rear surface and sides of the wireless communication device 500. One or more additional antenna array modules (not shown) may be mounted within the housing 502 of the wireless communication device adjacent to the (not shown) rear surface of the wireless communication device 500 and adjacent to the protective cover 512.

[0079] In Figure 5 the example of, antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 are each configured as antenna array module proximity sensors. To configure the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 as antenna array module proximity sensors, at least one antenna in each given antenna array module 504, 506, 508 may be configured to transmit a proximity test signal. At least two other cross-polarized antennas of a given antenna array module 504, 506, 508 may be configured to receive leakage from the transmitting antenna in the form of a cross-polarized version of the proximity test signal. The received version of the cross-polarized proximity test signal may be undisturbed (e.g., during open space calibration) or disturbed (during proximity sensor operation when an object may be near or covering the respective antenna array module 504, 506, 508). Using the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 as proximity sensors obviates the need to use one or more separate physical parameter sensors (such as Figure 6 physical parameter sensor 624) as proximity sensors. However, physical parameter sensors may be used for other purposes.

[0080] In accordance with various aspects described herein, for the purpose of proximity detection, it may not be necessary to indicate that contact has occurred with an object (e.g., a human object or a protective cover), or to provide a specific distance between the object and a given antenna array module 504, 506, 508. For the purpose of proximity detection, it may be sufficient to detect the proximity of the protective cover on the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 or the proximity of a human object relative to the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508.

[0081] In Figure 5 it, for purposes of illustration, the display 510 of the wireless communication device 500 and the front plane of the user's face are located in a parallel or substantially parallel XY plane. The user's line of sight can be along the Z axis perpendicular to the XY plane. This orientation is merely an example, and it should be understood that other orientations can be utilized by the processes or apparatuses described herein.

[0082] In Figure 5 it, the user's left hand holds the wireless communication device 500 such that the middle finger of the user's hand is covering at least a portion of the antenna array module 508. The user's index finger is adjacent to the antenna array module 508. The user's left thumb is near the antenna array module 504. In this orientation, the user's thumb will be within Figure 4 the open space 400 described in it. The positions of the user's fingers and thumb will be sufficient to cause the cross-polarization perturbation of each proximity test signal received at the left antenna array module 504 and the right antenna array module 508 to be different from the open space cross-polarization perturbation measured previously (when the user's fingers and thumb are not near either of the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508).

[0083] In one example, at the antenna array module 504, two receiving antennas having different polarizations (e.g., cross-polarizations) relative to one another can receive a proximity test signal (e.g., the electromagnetic field of the proximity test signal) transmitted from at least one transmitting antenna of the antenna array module 504. During open space calibration, the wireless communication device 500 transmits the proximity test signal into the open space. The open space has no objects that could perturb the proximity test signal. For example, in an open space environment, it is nearly impossible to receive any reflected energy at the two receiving antennas; furthermore, the radiation transmission near the two receiving antennas can be unperturbed by any objects in the open space. On the other hand, when an object (e.g., a thumb) is within the region defined as the open space or in contact with the antenna array module 504, the presence of the object perturbs the transmitted proximity test signal. This perturbation causes the value representing the proximity test signal received at the cross-polarized receiving antenna to be different from the value measured in an open space environment (e.g., during open space calibration).

[0084] In one example of antenna array modules 504, 506, 508, there may be four antenna elements. The ports of each antenna element may be horizontally polarized or vertically polarized. Accordingly, in a four-antenna configuration, two antennas may have vertical polarization and two antennas may have horizontal polarization. A greater number or a smaller number of antenna array modules, a different number of antennas per antenna array module, different distributions of antenna polarization, and even different types and combinations of polarization (such as vertical, horizontal, and circular polarization) are within the scope of the present disclosure. In the aspects described herein, a proximity test signal may be transmitted from at least one antenna of each respective antenna array module 504, 506, 508. The proximity test signal may be received by at least two other cross-polarized antennas of each respective antenna array module 504, 506, 508. For example, cross-polarization means that the first antenna may be horizontally polarized while the second antenna may be vertically polarized.

[0085] As described above, to comply with the MPE limit, the wireless communication device 500 may need to know (e.g., detect, determine) whether an object (e.g., a human object) is located near or covering at least one of the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508. If the object is located near or covering at least one of the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508, the wireless communication device 500 may need to reduce the transmitter output power to stay within the MPE limit. Complying with the MPE limit can protect the health of the user by not subjecting any tissue of the user to excessive power in the mmWave band (e.g., FR2 and above).

[0086] In some examples, the wireless communication device 500 may initiate calibration of the antenna array module proximity sensor to an open space (e.g., an open space calibration process 800 similar to Figure 8 or an open space calibration process 900 of Figure 9 ), to calibrate the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 for use as an antenna array module proximity sensor when the wireless communication device 500 is online (e.g., powered on, turned on, activated).

[0087] In other examples, the wireless communication device 500 may initiate an open space calibration process upon receiving an input (e.g., via Figure 6 the user interface 616) from the user that indicates (e.g., but not limited to) a change in the protective cover model or a command to perform an open space calibration process. Upon receiving these exemplary indications driven by user input or any other indication related to user input regarding open space calibration, the wireless communication device 500 may initiate an open space calibration process.

[0088] In another example, the wireless communication device 600 can initiate an open space calibration process in response to detecting the coupling of the protective cover to the wireless communication device 500, the placement or replacement of the protective cover on the wireless communication device 500, or otherwise receiving an indication that the protective cover can be placed on the wireless communication device.

[0089] The wireless communication device 500 can detect the placement of the protective cover on the wireless communication device 500 in several ways. For example, the wireless communication device 500 can be provided with open space calibration data approximating the expected open space signature of the wireless communication device 500 (e.g., the so-called "naked machine") or the expected open space signature of a given cover (or a transformation that converts the naked machine signature of the wireless communication device into the signature of the wireless communication device with a given cover). The provided open space calibration data can be obtained from the characterization of many wireless communication devices of the same model (e.g., the averaged characterization of dozens or hundreds or thousands). The provided open space calibration data can be referred to herein as the characterized open space calibration value. The characterized open space calibration value can be stored, for example, in a characterized open space calibration value register (e.g., Figure 6 634 of). The factory-provided open space calibration value can be useful for detecting when the cover is coupled to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device can use the factory-provided characterized open space calibration value to compare with the open space calibration value measured by the user. If the factory-provided characterized open space calibration value and the open space calibration value measured by the user differ from each other by more than a predetermined value, the wireless communication device can detect that a new protective cover is coupled to the wireless communication device.

[0090] Another way to detect the presence of a new cover or the replacement of a cover on the wireless communication device can be implemented using a radio frequency identification (RFID) device integrated into the wireless communication device (e.g., Figure 6 RFID device 618 of). According to such aspects, when the protective cover is coupled to the wireless communication device, the RFID device can read the RFID tag adhered to or embedded in the protective cover. The reading of the RFID tag associated with the protective cover can cause the wireless communication device to perform an open space calibration process, such as, for example, Figure 8 open space calibration process 800 of or Figure 9 900 of. Other ways to start, initialize, or trigger the open space calibration process are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] Once calibrated to an open space, an antenna array module (configured as an antenna array module proximity sensor) can be capable of detecting the presence of a human object in contact with or in proximity to the antenna array module. Detection can be facilitated by understanding that, for example, a perturbation received at a cross-polarization receive antenna of the antenna array module when perturbed by a finger placed on the antenna array module will be different from or greater than a perturbation measured (and recorded) during open space calibration of the wireless communication device 500.

[0092] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a wireless communication device 600 employing a processing system 602 in accordance with some aspects described herein. For example, the wireless communication device 600 can be any user equipment or scheduled entity as referenced above Figures 1 to 5 shown and described.

[0093] The wireless communication device 600 can be implemented using a processing system 602 that includes one or more processors 604. Examples of processors 604 include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. In various examples, the wireless communication device 600 can be configured to perform any one or more of the functions described herein. That is, the processor 604 utilized in the wireless communication device 600 can be used to implement any one or more of the processes and procedures described below.

[0094] In this example, the processing system 602 can be implemented to have a bus architecture generally represented by bus 608. Depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system 602, bus 608 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges. Bus 608 links together various circuits including one or more processors (generally represented by processor 604), a memory 610, and a computer-readable medium (generally represented by computer-readable medium 612). Bus 608 can also link various other circuits such as a timing source, a voltage regulator, and a power management circuit, which are well known in the art and will not be described further herein.

[0095] The bus interface 614 provides an interface between the bus 608 and the transceiver 628. The transceiver 628 provides means for communicating with various other devices via a transmission medium (e.g., an air interface). The transceiver 628 may further be coupled to one or more antenna array modules 630. In some examples, the transceiver 628 and the antenna array module 630 may be configured to transmit and receive in a mmWave band (e.g., FR2) using directional beamforming (e.g., using a single beam or beam pair link (BPL) on each of the uplink and downlink). The bus interface 614 further provides an interface between the bus 608 and the user interface 616 (e.g., a keyboard, a display, a touch screen, speakers, a microphone, control knobs, etc.).

[0096] One or more antenna array modules 630 of the wireless communication device 600 may be configured as antenna array module proximity sensors. The one or more antenna array modules 630 may be configured to transmit and receive proximity test signals. The proximity test signals may be perturbed by a human body object within the open space defined for the wireless communication device 600. The perturbation may be measured by the wireless communication device 600 and used to detect the proximity of the human body object to the one or more antenna array modules 630. In some examples, the one or more antenna array modules 630 may correspond to Figure 3 and 4 the antenna array modules 304, 306, 308 shown in Figure 5 or the antenna array modules 504, 506, 508 shown in

[0097] The bus 608 may also link various peripheral devices. The peripheral devices may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) device 618. The RFID device 618 may be used in conjunction with a protective cover having an RFID tag coupled thereto. When the protective cover with the RFID tag is coupled to the wireless communication device 600, the RFID device 618 may sense the RFID tag and may signal the processing system 602 to provide an indication to the processing system 602 that the protective cover may be coupled to the wireless communication device 600. According to some examples, the signal may also convey information about, for example, the manufacturer and model of the protective cover. The open space calibration circuitry 642 of the processor 604 of the processing system 602 may utilize this information to change, modify, or transform the open space calibration values measured during the open space calibration process. The proximity circuitry 643 of the processor 604 of the processing system 602 may utilize this information to change, modify, or transform the measured open space values measured during the operation of the proximity sensor.

[0098] The peripheral device may include a vibration device 620. The vibration device 620 may be configured to cause the wireless communication device 600 to vibrate. The vibration may constitute haptic feedback provided by the wireless communication device 600 to the user. For example, during open space calibration, the wireless communication device 600 may display an instruction to the user to change the grip of the user on the wireless communication device 600. The instruction may instruct the user to hold the wireless communication device 600 below a line displayed on the display of the wireless communication device 600. The wireless communication device 600 may sense (e.g., using a capacitive touch-sensitive feature associated with the display) that the user's finger is above the line. In this case, the wireless communication device 600 may cause the vibration device 620 to vibrate, thereby alerting the user that the displayed instruction has not been followed.

[0099] The peripheral device may include a power source 622, which is well known in the art and will not be described further herein.

[0100] The peripheral device may include physical parameter sensors 624 (such as thermal sensors, capacitive sensors, display touch sensors, infrared sensors, and cameras). The physical parameter sensors 624 are well known in the art and will not be described further.

[0101] The peripheral device may further include one or more motion sensors 626 (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes). The motion sensors 626 may be used to determine the acceleration change along each of the six degrees of freedom of the wireless communication device 600 and the angular acceleration about each degree of freedom. According to some aspects, the wireless communication device 600 may use the motion sensors 626 to determine whether the user can follow the open space calibration instruction to hold the wireless communication device. The motion sensors 626 may be used to detect the motion of the wireless communication device 600 during the calibration process. A wireless communication device that exhibits a lack of motion during the open space calibration process indicates that the open space calibration instruction has not been followed. The motion may include micro-motion caused by the user's heartbeat and detected by the antenna array module 630 when the user's finger or thumb covers the antenna array module 630.

[0102] The processor 604 may be responsible for managing the bus 608 and general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium 612. Software should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether it is referred to in terms of software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other terms. When executed by the processor 604, the software causes the processing system 602 to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. The computer-readable medium 612 and the memory 610 may also be used to store data that can be manipulated by the processor 604 when executing the software.

[0103] The computer-readable medium 612 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may store computer-executable code (e.g., software) that includes code for causing the wireless communication device 600 to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. As an example, non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic tape), optical disks (e.g., compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, or key drives), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), registers, removable disks, and any other suitable medium for storing software and / or instructions that can be accessed and read by a computer. The computer-readable medium 612 may reside within the processing system 602, outside the processing system 602, or be distributed across multiple entities including the processing system 602. The computer-readable medium 612 may be embodied in a computer program product. As an example, the computer program product may include the computer-readable medium in a package material. In some examples, the computer-readable medium 612 may be part of the memory 610. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement the described functionality presented throughout this disclosure depending on the particular application and overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0104] According to one aspect, processor 604 may include circuitry configured for various functions. For example, processor 604 may include communication and processing circuitry 641 configured to communicate with a base station. In some examples, communication and processing circuitry 641 may include one or more hardware components that provide the physical structures for performing processes related to wireless communication (e.g., signal reception and / or signal transmission) and signal processing (e.g., processing received signals and / or processing signals for transmission). In some examples, communication and processing circuitry 641 may be configured to generate and transmit an uplink signal at mmWave frequencies via transceiver 628 and antenna array module 630. Additionally, communication and processing circuitry 641 may be configured to receive and process a downlink mmWave signal via antenna array module 630 and transceiver 628. Communication and processing circuitry 641 may further be configured to execute communication and processing software 651 stored on computer-readable medium 612 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0105] Processor 604 may further include open space calibration circuitry 642. Open space calibration circuitry 642 may be used by wireless communication device 600 to perform or run an open space calibration process to record open space calibration values (e.g., measurements of cross-polarization perturbation) measured during the execution of the open space calibration process. In one aspect, open space calibration circuitry 642 may transmit a proximity test signal from antenna array module 630 into open space. Open space calibration circuitry 642 may also measure the value of a first signal received at antenna array module 630 in response to transmitting the proximity test signal. Open space calibration circuitry 642 may obtain the value of a first signal received at a pair of cross-polarized antennas at antenna array module 630 in response to transmitting the proximity test signal (e.g., measurement of cross-polarization perturbation). Open space calibration circuitry 642 may also store the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value in open space calibration value register 631 of memory 610. The first signal may represent an unperturbed version of the transmitted proximity test signal received at the cross-polarized antennas, where the lack of perturbation is caused by the open space associated with the wireless communication device being free of objects (e.g., including human objects). Open space calibration circuitry 642 may further be configured to execute open space calibration software 652 stored on computer-readable medium 612 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0106] Processor 604 may further include proximity circuitry 643, which is configured to determine whether an object (e.g., a human object) may be present as described in connection with Figure 4Within the defined and described open space. The proximity circuitry 643 may be further configured to determine whether an object (e.g., a human body object or a protective cover) may be covering the antenna array module 630. Additionally, the proximity circuitry 643 may be configured to determine whether open space calibration may be performed based on, for example, the first installation of the protective cover on the wireless communication device 600, the replacement of the protective cover on the wireless communication device 600, or a command from the user.

[0107] In some examples, the proximity circuitry 643 may be configured to obtain measurements of cross-polarization perturbations received by a plurality of cross-polarization receiving antennas of the antenna array module 630, and store the measured values of the cross-polarization perturbations in the measured open space value register 632 or other locations in the memory 610. The measured open space values may be obtained during open space calibration or proximity sensor operation. As used herein, the open space values obtained during the open space calibration process may be referred to as open space calibration values. In contrast, the open space values obtained during proximity sensor operation may be referred to as open space values.

[0108] In another example, a factory may measure the open space values for a given model of wireless communication device without a protective cover. The open space values may be referred to as default open space values herein. The factory may, for example, pre-store the default open space values in the default open space value register 633 or other locations in the memory 610.

[0109] In another example, a factory may characterize the open space performance of a given model of wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 600). The characterization may be obtained by, for example, averaging multiple open space calibration values collected from dozens or hundreds of wireless communication devices of the same model. The factory may pre-store the characterized open space calibration values for a given model of the wireless communication device 600 in the characterized open space calibration value register 634 or other locations in the memory 610 of the wireless communication device 600. The open space calibration values obtained by the user during the open space calibration process may be compared with the default open space values provided by the factory and / or the characterized open space calibration values provided by the factory to determine whether the open space calibration values obtained by the user are consistent with the open space values provided by the factory. Characterizations may also be performed on the associated pairings of wireless communication device models coupled to protective covers.

[0110] The proximity circuitry 643 may be further configured to compare a newly measured value of the cross-polarization perturbation with a previously stored open-space calibration value. For example, comparing a newly measured open-space value with a previously stored measured open-space value may be used to ensure the consistency of measurements over time. A lack of consistency may indicate that the protective cover may be absent (e.g., in cases where the previously stored measured open-space value or open-space calibration value was obtained with the protective cover present). A lack of consistency may alternatively indicate that a new protective cover has replaced a previously used protective cover, that open-space calibration instructions were not followed, or damage to the wireless communication device.

[0111] Comparing a newly measured open-space value of a wireless communication device with a protective cover to a default open-space value (of the corresponding wireless communication device model without the protective cover) may be used to determine the presence of the protective cover. Comparing a newly measured open-space value of a wireless communication device without a protective cover to a default open-space value (of the corresponding wireless communication device model without the protective cover) may be used to measure the degree of consistency between the current state of the wireless communication device and the factory-new state of the corresponding wireless communication device model. Comparing a newly measured open-space value of a given antenna array module to a characterized open-space calibration value of a given model of the corresponding antenna array module (found in the wireless communication device under test) may be used to determine whether one or more antenna array modules are damaged.

[0112] The proximity circuitry 643 may be further configured to execute proximity software 653 stored on a computer-readable medium 612 to implement one or more of the functions described herein.

[0113] Processor 604 may further include motion sensing circuitry 644. Motion sensing circuitry 644 may utilize inputs from motion sensors 626. Motion sensing circuitry 644 may be configured to measure movement (e.g., acceleration, rotation) and orientation (e.g., vertical, horizontal orientation) of wireless communication device 600 during open space calibration of antenna array module 630. Movement of wireless communication device 600 may be used to determine whether a user follows open space calibration instructions or other instructions accompanying proximity sensor operation. For example, if a user places the wireless communication device on a tabletop and performs an open space calibration process, the direct adjacency of the wireless communication device to the table will result in a unique set of open space calibration values returned by the open space calibration process, which is different from both the default open space calibration values and the characterized open space calibration values. Deviation from an expected result combined with motion measurements indicating a stationary wireless communication device may be used by the wireless communication device to infer (e.g., determine) a possible lack of compliance with open space calibration instructions. Motion sensing circuitry 644 may further be configured to execute motion sensing software 654 stored on computer-readable medium 612 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0114] Processor 604 may further include user interaction circuitry 645. User interaction circuitry 645 may be used by wireless communication device 600 to display open space calibration instructions on a display of the wireless communication device (e.g., a display included with user interface 616), the open space calibration instructions prompting the user to hold wireless communication device 600 during open space calibration of wireless communication device 600. In some aspects, user interaction circuitry 645 may be used to display instructions to hold wireless communication device 600 without covering antenna array module 630 and to ensure that no object is within a given distance of wireless communication device 600 along each of a plurality of directions from wireless communication device 600. User interaction circuitry 645 may further be configured to execute user interaction software 655 stored on computer-readable medium 612 to implement one or more functions described herein.

[0115] Generally, memory 610 of wireless communication device 600 may include an open space calibration value register 631, a measured open space value register 632, a default open space value register 633, and a characterized open space calibration value register 634. Each value stored in the registers may be one or more complex numbers and may represent cross-polarization perturbations of a proximity test signal in horizontal and vertical polarizations. The foregoing was described in connection with Figure 6 the previous values. For the sake of brevity, these descriptions will not be repeated.

[0116] The memory 610 may also include a motion sensor algorithm register 635. The motion sensor algorithm stored in the motion sensor algorithm register 635 may quantify and / or detect motion in the open space calibration data (e.g., in the values of the perturbation data that vary over time) using a metric such as at least one of variance, autocorrelation, or higher-order moments. The time period for determining variance, autocorrelation, or higher-order moments may be as short as about a few hundred milliseconds or as long as about several minutes. According to some aspects, the wireless communication device may perform a combination of variance, autocorrelation, higher-order moments, or other statistical operations during the open space calibration process as well as during proximity sensor operation. The motion sensor algorithm may evaluate its input and, based on statistical operations that may include one or more of variance, autocorrelation, and higher-order moments, indicate whether the user has followed the instructions. Failure to follow the instructions may result in the display of additional instructions, which may cause the user to repeat the open space calibration process.

[0117] Figure 7A and Figure 7B Illustrated is a wireless communication device 700 in a user's hand according to some aspects described herein. In both figures, the wireless communication device 700 is within a protective cover 712 (e.g., coupled to the protective cover 712). The protective cover 712 may be coupled to the wireless communication device 700, for example, before the user initializes the wireless communication device 700. Initialization may occur when or shortly after the wireless communication device 700 is made online after the user purchases it. Initialization may occur within, for example, a few minutes or hours of purchase. Alternatively, the protective cover 712 may be coupled to the wireless communication device 700, for example, as a replacement for a previous protective cover. Alternatively, the protective cover 712 may be coupled to the wireless communication device 700, for example, hours, days, weeks, months, or years after the first initialization of the wireless communication device 700 and / or after a substantially similar time since the first or most recent open space calibration process was performed.

[0118] As in Figure 5 in Figure 7A and 7B the wireless communication device 700 is oriented towards the user. The display 710 of the wireless communication device 700 and the front plane of the user's face may be parallel or substantially parallel. The user's line of sight may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to these planes. This orientation is merely an example, and it should be understood that other orientations may be utilized by the processes or apparatuses described herein. For the sake of illustration, the wireless communication device is shown in the orientation of Figure 7A and Figure 7B .

[0119] In Figure 7AIn [the figure], the user's left hand is grasping the wireless communication device 700. The middle finger of the user's hand covers at least a portion of the antenna array module 708. The index finger of the user's hand is closely adjacent to the antenna array module 708. The left thumb of the user is near the antenna array module 704. In this orientation, the user's thumb is within the open space volume associated with at least one of the antenna array modules 704. Thus, the positions of the user's fingers and thumb may be sufficient to cause the cross-polarization perturbation of each signal received by the left antenna array module 704 and the right antenna array module 708 to be different from that previously obtained (e.g., obtained during the open space calibration process) or the cross-polarization perturbation pre-stored in the default open space value register 633 or the characterized open space calibration value register 634 or both in the factory. Alternatively, if the obtained open space value is obtained during the proximity sensor operation, the positioning of the user's fingers and thumb will also cause the measured open space value to be different from the open space calibration values stored in the open space calibration value register 631, the default open space value register 633, and the characterized open space calibration value register 634. This difference may enable the wireless communication device to determine that there is an error in the new open space calibration process, or that an object (e.g., a human object) is near or covering the antenna array module 630 in the open space. The wireless communication device 700 may determine that the value associated with the cross-polarization measurement is different from the expected value, and thus determine what action to take in response to determining this difference. Figure 6 The default open space value register 633 or the characterized open space calibration value register 634 or the cross-polarization perturbation pre-stored in both. Alternatively, if the obtained open space value is obtained during the proximity sensor operation, the positioning of the user's fingers and thumb will also cause the measured open space value to be different from the open space calibration values stored in the open space calibration value register 631, the default open space value register 633, and the characterized open space calibration value register 634. This difference may enable the wireless communication device to determine that there is an error in the new open space calibration process, or that an object (e.g., a human object) is near or covering the antenna array module 630 in the open space. The wireless communication device 700 may determine that the value associated with the cross-polarization measurement is different from the expected value, and thus determine what action to take in response to determining this difference.

[0120] In one example, the wireless communication device 700 may determine that this difference may be the result of a human object (e.g., the user's finger) being near or on one or more of the antenna array modules 704, 708, and that, for example, a higher radiation output power from the antenna array modules 704, 708 may be required to achieve the promised signal reliability. However, when a human object is on or near the antenna array modules 704, 708, the wireless communication device 700 may not be able to increase the output power because the increased power level will exceed the MPE. In this case, before the wireless communication device can safely increase the transmit power, the wireless communication device 700 may alert / warn / request the user to move away from the antenna array modules 704, 708 and reposition the user's hand (e.g., thumb and fingers). However, the difference in cross-polarization perturbation (such as between the previously measured value stored in the memory of the wireless communication device 700 and the just measured value) may be due to the addition or change of the protective cover 712 on the wireless communication device 700. According to this aspect, the wireless communication device 700 may request the user to perform (e.g., execute) a new open space calibration.

[0121] In an exemplary implementation calibrated according to the new open space, the wireless communication device 700 can cause the message 714 to be displayed on the display 710 of the wireless communication device 700. In Figure 7A and 7B the illustrated example of, the message 714 reads: "Hold the phone with one hand below the upper line and away from nearby objects." Figure 7B Illustrates a follow - the - formula hand - grip, where the thumb on the front of the wireless communication device and the fingers on the back of the wireless communication device 700 are below the thick line displayed on the display 710. Once compliance with the message 714 is verified, the wireless communication device can perform (e.g., run) the open space calibration process and can collect open space calibration data. Figure 7B Graphically depicts the open space 720 on the left, above, and right sides of the wireless communication device 700.

[0122] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an open space calibration process (e.g., method) according to some aspects described herein. The process can be a process for open space calibration of an antenna array module of a wireless communication device in a wireless communication network. The wireless communication device can be, for example Figures 1 - 7B any wireless communication device or scheduled entity of. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in a particular implementation within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may be used only to implement some aspects. In some examples, the method can be performed by the wireless communication device 600 as described above and illustrated in Figure 6 , by a processor or processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0123] In block 802, the wireless communication device can display an open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device, the open space calibration instruction prompting the user to hold the wireless communication device during open space calibration. According to some aspects, displaying an open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device can further include: displaying instructions to hold the wireless communication device without covering the antenna array module and ensuring that no object is within a given distance of the wireless communication device along each of a plurality of directions from the wireless communication device. In one example, the given distance can be between about 30 cm and 60 cm. In another example, the given distance can be between about 30 cm and 40 cm. According to some aspects, displaying an open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device can further include providing a visualization on the display of the wireless communication device of the location where the user is to grasp the wireless communication device. For example, the user interaction circuitry 645 and user interface 616 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 can provide means for displaying an open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device.

[0124] At block 804, the wireless communication device may transmit a proximity test signal from the antenna array module. According to some aspects, transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module and measuring the value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal may further include: transmitting a proximity test signal from at least one antenna in the antenna array module, and measuring the value of the first signal at two other antennas in the antenna array module that are cross-polarized with respect to each other. For example, the open space calibration circuitry 642, transceiver 628, and antenna array module 630 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 may provide means for transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module.

[0125] At block 806, the wireless communication device may measure the value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal. According to one aspect, measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module may include measuring received versions of the proximity test signal at two corresponding polarizations. According to another aspect, measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module may include measuring received versions of the proximity test signal as cross-polarization perturbations of received versions of the proximity test signal at two corresponding polarizations. For example, the open space calibration circuitry 642 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 may provide means for measuring the value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting a proximity test signal. As another example, in the case where the wireless communication device configures the antenna array module 630 as a proximity sensor, the proximity circuitry 643 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 may provide means for measuring the value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting a proximity test signal. In both examples, the transceiver 628 and antenna array module 630 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 may provide means for transmitting and receiving a proximity test signal and a first signal, respectively.

[0126] At block 808, the wireless communication device may store the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value for the antenna array module. For example, the open space calibration value register 631 in the memory 610 of the processing system 602 and the antenna array module 630 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 may provide means for storing the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value for the antenna array module.

[0127] After the storage in block 808, the wireless communication device may perform at least one of the following operations: initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module during startup of the wireless communication device; initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to detecting coupling of a protective cover to the wireless communication device; initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to determining that a difference between a characterized open space calibration value stored in a memory of the wireless communication device and a previous open space calibration value is greater than a predetermined threshold; or initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to receiving a command to calibrate the antenna array module.

[0128] According to some aspects, the open space calibration process 800 may further include: configuring, by the wireless communication device, the antenna array module as an antenna array module proximity sensor; transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measuring a second value of a second signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and determining that an object is covering at least a portion of the antenna array module or is within a predefined distance from the antenna array module when the second value of the second signal is different from the value of the first signal.

[0129] According to other aspects, the open space calibration process 800 may further include: comparing an open space calibration value of the antenna array module with a characterized open space calibration value stored in a memory of the wireless communication device; and verifying that the antenna array module was not covered during measurement of the value of the first signal when a difference between a variance of the open space calibration value and the characterized open space calibration value is less than a predetermined amount.

[0130] In some examples, the open space calibration process 800 may further include: measuring an amplitude of movement of the wireless communication device; and verifying that a user follows open space calibration instructions when the amplitude of movement of the wireless communication device is greater than a predetermined threshold. In other examples, the open space calibration process 800 may further include: transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module when open space calibration instructions are displayed on a display of the wireless communication device.

[0131] Figure 9 is a flowchart of an open space calibration process 900 (e.g., method) for open space calibration of an antenna array module of a wireless communication device in a wireless communication network according to some aspects described herein. The wireless communication device may be, for example Figures 1 - 8 any wireless communication device or a scheduled entity. As described below, some or all of the illustrated features may be omitted in a particular implementation within the scope of the present disclosure, and some of the illustrated features may be used only to implement some aspects. In some examples, the method may be performed by the above-described and in Figure 6The wireless communication device 600 described in the [description] is performed by a processor or a processing system, or by any suitable means for performing the described functions.

[0132] At block 902, the wireless communication device may determine whether an initiation of open space calibration for the wireless communication device can be performed (e.g., whether an initiation of open space calibration for an antenna array module configured as a proximity detector is to be performed). For example, the wireless communication device may determine to initiate the execution of open space calibration based on at least one of the following: the startup of the wireless communication device can be performed; the attachment of a protective cover to the wireless communication device can be detected; an existing open space calibration may be inaccurate; or a command to calibrate the antenna array module of the wireless communication device can be received. For example, the open space calibration circuitry 642 shown and described above may provide means for determining whether an initiation of open space calibration for the wireless communication device can be performed. Figure 6 In some examples, the wireless communication device may determine to initiate the execution of open space calibration by: transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module when the antenna array module can be configured as an antenna array module proximity sensor; measuring a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and determining that the value of the first signal may be different from a previously stored open space calibration value. Measuring the value of the first signal may further include determining a cross-polarization perturbation between a pair of cross-polarized antenna elements in the antenna array module that receive the first signal.

[0133]

[0134] In another aspect, the wireless communication device may determine whether an open space calibration trigger event has occurred. According to some aspects, one trigger event may be the installation of a first cover on the wireless communication device or the detection of the installation of a first cover on the wireless communication device (e.g., installing a first protective cover after purchasing the wireless communication device). Another trigger event may be a cover replacement event. That is, the installation of a replacement cover on the wireless communication device or the detection of the installation of a replacement cover on the wireless communication device (e.g., reinstalling or replacing a protective cover). Another trigger event may be the receipt of an open space calibration command at the processor of the wireless communication device. The open space calibration command may be input (e.g., by a user) to the wireless communication device. If, at block 902, the wireless communication device determines that a trigger event has not occurred, the wireless communication device may return to block 902. In other words, the wireless communication device may loop through (e.g., in and out of) block 902 until a trigger event occurs. If, at block 902, a trigger event does occur, the wireless communication device may proceed to block 904.

[0135] ​At block 904, the wireless communication device may display open space calibration instructions on a display of the wireless communication device. Displaying open space calibration instructions on a display of the wireless communication device may include displaying instructions to physically hold the wireless communication device in a manner that does not cover any antenna array modules of the wireless communication device. For example, the instructions may direct a user to hold the wireless communication device in a manner that ensures that no object (e.g., a human object, finger, thumb, etc.) partially or fully covers an antenna array module of the wireless communication device. In some examples, the instructions may ensure that no object can be within a given distance of the wireless communication device in each of a plurality of directions from the wireless communication device. The plurality of directions may include directions relative to the left side, right side, top, front, and / or back of the wireless communication device. The given distance may correspond to an open space distance. The given distance may be about 30 - 60 cm, or more specifically may be about 30 - 40 cm. For example, the user interaction circuitry 645 and user interface 616 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 may provide means for displaying open space calibration instructions on a display of the wireless communication device.

[0136] The open space calibration instructions may include, for example Figure 7A , 7B a message 714 such as, “Hold the phone with one hand below the line above, and away from nearby objects.” According to another aspect, an exemplary message may read: “Hold the phone with one hand below the line above, away from nearby objects, and at arm's length from the face.” According to one aspect, only one message may be provided. Specific movement or redirection within the open space calibration process 900 of the wireless communication device may not be necessary. The user may move the wireless communication device within the open space as long as the user adheres to the open space distance parameter (e.g., keeping the wireless communication device away from objects (including, for example, the user's head and body) by about 30 - 60 cm, or more specifically about 30 - 40 cm). For example, the motion sensing circuitry 644 in combination with the motion sensor 626 may measure movement and indicate the movement to the Figure 6 open space calibration circuitry 642.

[0137] Holding the wireless communication device such that no object can be within a given distance of the left side, right side, top, front, and / or back of the wireless communication device can be one way to establish a functional open space required for open space calibration. The functional open space may approximate a true open space. The true open space may be an inherently static environment. In this context, the word “true” may mean “actual” or “the actual manifestation of...”. True does not necessarily mean ideal or absolute.

[0138] In some examples, no object that would perturb the proximity test signal is moving in the inherent static environment of a real open space. In the absence of movement, no object perturbs the reception of the transmitted proximity test signal at the cross-polarization receiving antenna. Any perceived perturbation in the real open space can be attributed to noise in the receiver of the proximity sensor. Detection of a perturbation different from the perturbation measured during open space calibration can indicate the presence of an object (such as a human object) near the proximity sensor of the antenna array module (configured by the antennas of the antenna array module). In some examples, the wireless communication device can use a motion sensor algorithm (e.g., stored in Figure 6 the motion sensor algorithm register 635) to quantify and / or detect perturbations of the transmitted / received proximity test signal.

[0139] At block 906, the wireless communication device can wait to verify that the wireless communication device is ready and oriented in space for open space calibration. According to one example, the wireless communication device can verify that the user may be holding the wireless communication device as required for open space calibration by receiving an indication from the user. For example, the user can perform a quick rotation of the wireless communication device in space, shake the wireless communication device, open the palm in front of the user's face, or any other way the user can convey the readiness of the wireless communication device for the open space calibration process. The wireless communication device can use the statistical operations described above to detect micro-movements, for example, before or during the open space calibration process. Detection of micro-movements can be an indicator by which the wireless communication device determines whether the user may be following the open space calibration instructions. As an example, the wireless communication device can exhibit micro-movements when held tightly in the user's hand. The user's pulse can be transmitted to the wireless communication device, resulting in micro-movements of the wireless communication device. For example, the open space calibration circuitry 642 and the motion sensor 626 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 can provide means for waiting to verify that the wireless communication device is ready and oriented in space for open space calibration.

[0140] If, at block 906, the wireless communication device determines that it can be oriented for open space calibration, the wireless communication device can return to the top of block 906. In other words, the wireless communication device can loop through (e.g., in and out of) block 906 until it receives or derives a signal verifying that the wireless communication device is positioned (e.g., oriented) in space according to the displayed message. For example, the open space calibration circuitry 642 and the motion sensor 626 shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 can provide means for the wireless communication device to determine that it can be oriented for open space calibration.

[0141] At block 908, a wireless communication device may perform open space calibration and collect open space calibration data. According to one aspect, the wireless communication device may transmit a proximity test signal from an antenna array module into an open space without an object. According to some aspects, the wireless communication device may transmit a proximity test signal from the antenna array module when displaying open space calibration instructions. Transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module and measuring a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module may further include: transmitting a proximity test signal from at least one antenna in the antenna array module, and receiving the first signal at two other antennas that are cross-polarized with respect to each other in the antenna array module. The received proximity test signal may be undisturbed (e.g., when received in the absence of an object in the open space). If the open space without an object is not actually without an object, the received proximity test signal may be disturbed by whatever object is in the region defined for the open space. For example, the open space calibration circuitry 642, memory 610, and various registers (including the open space calibration value register 631) shown and described above in connection with Figure 6 may provide means for the wireless communication device to perform open space calibration and collect open space calibration data.

[0142] The wireless communication device may measure a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module during transmission of the proximity test signal. Measuring the value of the first signal may include measuring received versions of the proximity test signal at two corresponding polarizations. According to another aspect, measuring the value of the first signal may include measuring a received version of the proximity test signal as a value of cross-polarization perturbation of the received versions of the proximity test signal at two corresponding polarizations. According to some aspects, the open space calibration data may include cross-channel perturbation data for each wireless communication device antenna array module. According to one aspect, each cross-channel perturbation may be a scalar value. According to other aspects, each cross-channel perturbation may be a vector value. According to yet another aspect, each cross-channel perturbation may be expressed as an array of values.

[0143] The proximity test signal may be transmitted simultaneously or sequentially. Receivers associated with cross-polarized receiving antennas at the respective antenna array modules may receive versions of the proximity test signal that leak to and / or reflect back to the respective cross-polarized receiving antennas. Cross-polarization perturbation of the electromagnetic field at the receiving antennas may then be measured and stored as an open space calibration value (in the case where a proximity test signal was transmitted during open space calibration of the antenna assembly module) or a proximity test result (in the case where a proximity test signal was transmitted during proximity testing of the antenna assembly module).

[0144] According to some aspects, the wireless communication device may additionally verify during measurement of the value of the first signal that the antenna array module can be covered by a human object. In some aspects, verifying during measurement of the value of the first signal that the antenna array module can be covered by a human object may include: comparing the open space calibration value of the antenna array module with the characterized open space calibration value (e.g., the factory open space calibration value) stored in the memory of the wireless communication device. In other aspects, verifying during measurement of the value of the first signal that the antenna array module can be covered by a human object may further include: determining whether data collected from at least one of the gyroscope or the accelerometer indicates a lack of movement of the wireless communication device during the open space calibration process. The lack of any movement may indicate that the user, for example, placed the wireless communication device on a table during the open space calibration process. Placing the wireless communication device on a table will result in an object (the table) being within the open space (e.g., the table will be within a few millimeters of the wireless communication device's antenna array module, rather than within about 30 - 60 cm or more specifically within about 30 - 40 cm). The wireless communication device may move through the space during open space calibration, as long as the open space calibration distance parameter is not violated (e.g., as long as a distance of about 30 - 60 cm or more specifically about 30 - 40 cm can be maintained between the wireless communication device and the object (including the user's head and body)). The absence of any movement detected by the gyroscope or accelerometer after a period of detected movement may indicate a change in the way the user may be holding the wireless communication device and may indicate that the wireless communication device may no longer be held in the open space.

[0145] At block 909, the wireless communication device may use a motion sensor algorithm (also referred to as a motion detection algorithm) to confirm that the user follows the instructions given at block 904. The motion sensor algorithm may, for example, consider perturbation values associated with one or more antenna assembly modules during the open space calibration process. A change in the perturbation value during open space calibration (e.g., rapid fluctuations) may indicate that the user, for example, is waving his or her hand or fingers around the area of one or more antenna array modules. Such behavior would be inconsistent with the instructions and may tend to indicate that the user is not following the open space calibration instructions. According to some aspects, the motion sensor algorithm may additionally utilize (e.g., from Figure 6 the motion sensor 626 of) motion sensor data to determine, for example, whether the wireless communication device remains stationary during the open space calibration process. The lack of movement may indicate that the wireless communication device was placed on a table for the duration of the open space calibration process. Placing the wireless communication device on a table during the open space calibration process would indicate non - compliance with the open space calibration instructions, which may require the user to hold the wireless communication device at a distance of about 60 - 60 cm, or more specifically about 30 - 40 cm, from any object. For example, as described above in connection with Figure 6The open space calibration circuitry 642 , motion sensor 626 , and memory 610 storing motion sensor algorithm registers 635 shown and described may provide a means for the wireless communication device to use a motion sensor algorithm (also referred to as a motion detection algorithm) to confirm that the user is following the instructions given at block 904 .

[0146] At block 910, the wireless communication device may optionally use, for example, a Figure 6 The characterized open space calibration value in the characterized open space calibration value register similar to the characterized open space calibration value register 634 of the memory 610 of the wireless communication device 600. The characterized open space calibration value may be pre-stored on the wireless communication device or obtained in other ways. The factory may provide the characterized open space calibration value. The characterized open space calibration value may be derived by collecting multiple open space calibration values ​​from dozens, hundreds or more wireless communication devices of the same model and averaging the multiple open space calibration values. The sample size (e.g., dozens, hundreds or more) is exemplary and not limiting. The characterized open space calibration value may be compared with the open space calibration value measured by the user to quantify how the two values ​​correspond. The open space calibration values ​​(whether they are measured by the user or provided by the factory characterized open space calibration values) may be displayed as a cluster of points on an I / Q coordinate system (e.g., a cross-polarization coordinate system). The center of the cluster may be determined based on the average of the positions of the points of all samples on the I / Q coordinate grid. The diameter of the cluster may have a given standard deviation or variance. Various clusters (e.g., based on user-measured open space calibration values ​​or factory-provided characterized open space calibration values) may have centers at various locations in the I / Q coordinate grid, but the clusters may all have approximately the same diameter (e.g., the same standard deviation or variance). If the user-measured open space calibration values ​​and the characterized open space calibration values ​​(measured by the factory in open space) are substantially similar in diameter (regardless of the location of the cluster center in the I / Q grid), then the user-measured open space calibration values ​​may be accurate. For example, the above combined Figure 6 The open space calibration circuitry 642 and memory 610 storing characterized open space calibration values ​​in characterized open space calibration value registers 634 shown and described may provide means for using characterization data stored in, for example, characterized open space calibration value registers 634 by a wireless communication device.

[0147] However, if the user incorrectly performs the open space calibration process by not following the instruction to hold the wireless communication device at approximately 30 - 60 cm, or more specifically approximately 30 - 40 cm, from an object (including a human object), these clusters may have approximately the same diameter. The wireless communication device can use a motion sensor to determine whether the user follows the open space calibration instruction. For example, if the clusters have approximately the same diameter (e.g., approximately the same standard deviation or variance), but the motion sensor determines that the wireless communication device is substantially stationary (e.g., because it is resting on a table), the open space calibration circuitry 642 implementing the motion sensor algorithm stored in the motion sensor algorithm register 635 can infer that the user may not have followed the open space calibration instruction. The result can be that the wireless communication device can display a prompt on the display of the wireless communication device, indicating that the user should repeat the open space calibration process.

[0148] If the open space calibration value measured by the user is not in any of the clusters, but is scattered in one or more quadrants of the I / Q grid, the open space calibration process may also be unsuccessful. This result can occur when there is an object in the open space during the open space calibration process. The scattering can be caused by the perturbation of the proximity test signal received at the cross - polarized antennas of the antenna array module. The perturbation can be caused by an object in the open space. Similar to the non - compliance test result, the wireless communication device can again display a prompt on the display of the wireless communication device, indicating that the user should repeat the open space calibration process.

[0149] At block 910, the wireless communication device can additionally or alternatively collect data from external sensing devices of the wireless communication device (including, for example, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a touch sensor under the screen of the wireless communication device, a front and / or rear camera, and / or an infrared sensor (e.g., for specific absorption rate (SAR))) to detect compliance with the instruction. Non - compliance with the instruction can result in requiring the user to re - perform the open space calibration. For example, the open space calibration circuitry 642, the physical parameter sensor 624, and the memory 610 storing the characterized open space calibration value register 634, shown and described above, can provide means for the wireless communication device to additionally or alternatively collect data from external sensing devices of the wireless communication device. Figure 6 shown and described above can provide means for the wireless communication device to additionally or alternatively collect data from external sensing devices of the wireless communication device.

[0150] At block 912, the wireless communication device may consider whether the measured open space calibration value, proximity data, and / or wireless communication device motion data are consistent with the characterized open space calibration value, expected proximity data, and / or expected wireless communication device motion data. If at block 912, the wireless communication device determines that the measured results and the expected results are consistent, then at block 914, the wireless communication device may store the value of the first signal as the open space calibration value of the antenna array module. The wireless communication device may use the stored data in further processing. The wireless communication device may end the process after block 914. However, if at block 912, the wireless communication device determines that the measured results and the expected results are inconsistent, then the wireless communication device may proceed to block 916. For example, the open space calibration circuit system 642, motion sensing circuit system 644, and memory 610 with its various registers 631 - 635 shown and described above may provide means for the wireless communication device to consider whether the measured open space calibration data, proximity data, and / or wireless communication device motion data are consistent with the characterized open space calibration value, expected proximity data, and / or expected wireless communication device motion data. Figure 6 The open space calibration circuit system 642, motion sensing circuit system 644, and memory 610 with its various registers 631 - 635 shown and described above may provide means for the wireless communication device to consider whether the measured open space calibration data, proximity data, and / or wireless communication device motion data are consistent with the characterized open space calibration value, expected proximity data, and / or expected wireless communication device motion data.

[0151] At block 916, the wireless communication device may determine whether a predefined number of open space calibration attempts have been made. The predefined number N may be set according to preference or experience. If at block 916, the number of open space calibration attempts N is less than N, then the wireless communication device may return to block 904 and re - attempt the open space calibration process. However, if at block 916, the number of open space calibration attempts is equal to N, then at block 918, the wireless communication device may use the display to convey a prompt to the user. The prompt may ask the user whether the user wants to use the previous open space calibration value (e.g., whether the user wants to retain the previous open space calibration value). The user may then respond to the prompt (e.g., by indicating yes or no) and thereby instruct the wireless communication device to use or not use the previous open space calibration value. The wireless communication device may determine whether an instruction to use the previously stored open space calibration value can be received based on input from the user in response to the prompt on the display of the wireless communication device. For example, the communication and processing circuit system 641 shown and described above may provide means for the wireless communication device to determine whether a predefined number of open space calibration attempts have been made. Figure 6 The communication and processing circuit system 641 shown and described above may provide means for the wireless communication device to determine whether a predefined number of open space calibration attempts have been made.

[0152] If the wireless communication device receives a response (input) indicating that the user has decided not to use a previous open space calibration (e.g., not to use the open space calibration value stored in the open space calibration value register 631, or the default open space value stored in the default open space value register 633, or the characterized open space calibration value stored in the characterized open space calibration value register 634, or the measured open space value stored in the measured open space value register 632), then at block 920, the wireless communication device may set the proximity detection flag to equal "true". The proximity detection flag value may be stored, for example, in Figure 6 the flag value register 636. When the proximity detection flag can be set to equal true, the wireless communication device may persistently report proximity detection. In response to the report of proximity detection, the wireless communication device controls transmission to keep the transmitted power level within the MPE requirements. This power level limitation may mean that the wireless communication device may not be able to increase the transmitted power (which may affect the quality of service provided by the wireless communication device). The proximity detection flag value may be stored, for example, in the flag value register 636 or Figure 6 another location in the memory 610. Setting the proximity detection flag to equal true may configure the proximity sensor to report proximity detection until a successful open space calibration is completed.

[0153] However, if the wireless communication device receives a response indicating that the user has decided to use a previous open space calibration (e.g., an indication that the previously stored open space calibration value should remain as is and unchanged), then the wireless communication device may end the process.

[0154] In one aspect, a wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network may include: means for displaying an open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device, the instruction prompting the user to hold the wireless communication device during open space calibration; means for transmitting a proximity test signal from an antenna array module; means for measuring a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and means for storing the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value of the antenna array module. The foregoing means may be Figure 6 the processor 604 shown, which is configured to perform the functions recited by the foregoing means. Additionally or alternatively, in any of the above aspects, the foregoing means may be a circuit or any equipment configured to perform the various functions recited by the foregoing means.

[0155] Of course, in the above example, the circuitry included in the processor 604 is provided merely as an example. Other means for performing the described functions may be included within various aspects of the present disclosure, including but not limited to stored in Figure 6instructions in the computer-readable medium 612, or in any other suitable equipment or device described in any of Figures 1 - 7B such as the methods, procedures, and / or algorithms described herein with respect to Figures 8 - 9 .

[0156] A general overview of the present disclosure is provided below:

[0157] Aspect 1: A method for open space calibration of an antenna array module of a wireless communication device in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: displaying, on a display of the wireless communication device, an open space calibration instruction that prompts a user to hold the wireless communication device during the open space calibration; transmitting a proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measuring a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and storing the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value of the antenna array module.

[0158] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, wherein measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module comprises: measuring received versions of the proximity test signal at two corresponding polarizations.

[0159] Aspect 3: The method according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module comprises: measuring the received version of the proximity test signal as a cross-polarization perturbation of the received versions of the proximity test signal at two corresponding polarizations.

[0160] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, further comprising at least one of the following: initiating open space calibration of the antenna array module during startup of the wireless communication device; initiating open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to detecting coupling of a protective cover to the wireless communication device; initiating open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to determining that a difference between a characterized open space calibration value stored in a memory of the wireless communication device and a previous open space calibration value is greater than a predetermined threshold; or initiating open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to receiving a command to calibrate the antenna array module.

[0161] Aspect 5: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein displaying the open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device further comprises: displaying an instruction to hold the wireless communication device without covering the antenna array module and ensuring that no object is within a given distance in each of a plurality of directions from the wireless communication device.

[0162] Aspect 6: The method according to aspect 5, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 60 cm.

[0163] Aspect 7: The method as described in aspect 5, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 40 cm.

[0164] Aspect 8: The method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein displaying the open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device further comprises: providing a visualization on the display of the wireless communication device of the location where the user is to grasp the wireless communication device.

[0165] Aspect 9: The method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein transmitting the proximity test signal from the antenna array module and measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal further comprises: transmitting the proximity test signal from at least one antenna in the antenna array module; and measuring the value of the first signal at two other antennas in the antenna array module that are cross-polarized with respect to each other.

[0166] Aspect 10: The method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 9, further comprising: configuring, by the wireless communication device, the antenna array module as an antenna array module proximity sensor; transmitting the proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measuring a second value of a second signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and determining that an object is covering at least a portion of the antenna array module or is within a predefined distance from the antenna array module if the second value of the second signal is different from the value of the first signal.

[0167] Aspect 11: The method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 10, further comprising: comparing the open space calibration value of the antenna array module with a characterized open space calibration value stored in the memory of the wireless communication device; and verifying that the antenna array module was not covered during the measurement of the value of the first signal when the difference between the variance of the open space calibration value and the characterized open space calibration value is less than a predefined amount.

[0168] Aspect 12: The method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 11, further comprising: measuring the amplitude of movement of the wireless communication device; and verifying that the user follows the open space calibration instruction when the amplitude of movement of the wireless communication device is greater than a predefined threshold.

[0169] Aspect 13: The method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 12, further comprising: transmitting the proximity test signal from the antenna array module when the open space calibration instruction is displayed on the display of the wireless communication device.

[0170] Aspect 14: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network, comprising: an antenna array module, a wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the antenna array module, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the antenna array module, the wireless transceiver, and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: display an open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device, the instruction prompting a user to hold the wireless communication device during open space calibration; transmit a proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measure a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and store the value of the first signal as an open space calibration value of the antenna array module.

[0171] Aspect 15: The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in aspect 14, wherein the processor is configured to measure the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module by further configuring the processor to: measure received versions of the proximity test signal at two respective polarizations.

[0172] Aspect 16: The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in aspect 14 or 15, wherein the processor is configured to measure the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module by further configuring the processor to: measure the received version of the proximity test signal as a cross-polarization perturbation of received versions of the proximity test signal at two respective polarizations.

[0173] Aspect 17: The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of aspects 14 to 16, wherein the processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following operations: initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module during startup of the wireless communication device; initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to detecting coupling of a protective cover to the wireless communication device; initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to determining that a difference between a characterized open space calibration value stored in the memory of the wireless communication device and a previous open space calibration value is greater than a predetermined threshold; or initiate open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to receiving a command to calibrate the antenna array module.

[0174] Aspect 18: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of Aspects 14 to 17, wherein the processor is configured to display the open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: displaying an instruction to hold the wireless communication device without covering the antenna array module and ensuring that no object is within a given distance of the wireless communication device in each of a plurality of directions from the wireless communication device.

[0175] Aspect 19: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in Aspect 18, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 60 cm.

[0176] Aspect 20: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in Aspect 18, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 40 cm.

[0177] Aspect 21: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of Aspects 14 to 20, wherein the processor is configured to display the open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: providing a visualization on the display of the wireless communication device of the location where the user is to grasp the wireless communication device.

[0178] Aspect 22: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of Aspects 14 to 21, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the proximity test signal from the antenna array module and measure a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: transmitting the proximity test signal from at least one antenna in the antenna array module; and measuring the value of the first signal at two other antennas in the antenna array module that are cross-polarized with respect to each other.

[0179] Aspect 23: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of Aspects 14 to 22, wherein the processor is further configured to: configure the antenna array module as an antenna array module proximity sensor; transmit the proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measure a second value of a second signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and determine that an object is covering at least a portion of the antenna array module or is within a predefined distance of the antenna array module if the second value of the second signal is different from the value of the first signal.

[0180] Aspect 24: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of Aspects 14 to 23, wherein the processor is further configured to: compare the open space calibration value of the antenna array module with the characterized open space calibration value stored in the memory of the wireless communication device; and verify that the antenna array module is not covered during measurement of the value of the first signal when the difference between the variance of the open space calibration value and the characterized open space calibration value is less than a predetermined amount.

[0181] Aspect 25: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of Aspects 14 to 24, wherein the processor is further configured to: measure the movement amplitude of the wireless communication device; and verify that the user follows the open space calibration instruction when the movement amplitude of the wireless communication device is greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0182] Aspect 26: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as described in any one of Aspects 14 to 25, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit the proximity test signal from the antenna array module when the open space calibration instruction is displayed on the display of the wireless communication device.

[0183] Aspect 27: A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network, comprising at least one means for performing the method as described in any one of Aspects 1 to 13.

[0184] Aspect 28: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, the computer-executable code comprising code for causing a device to perform the method as described in any one of Aspects 1 to 13.

[0185] Several aspects of a wireless communication network are given with reference to exemplary implementations. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the various aspects described throughout this disclosure may be extended to other telecommunication systems, network architectures, and communication standards.

[0186] As an example, various aspects may be implemented within other systems defined by 3GPP, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Packet System (EPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), and / or Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). Various aspects may also be extended to systems defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), such as CDMA 2000 and / or Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO). Other examples may be implemented within systems employing IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth, and / or other suitable systems. The actual telecommunication standards, network architectures, and / or communication standards employed will depend on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the system.

[0187] In this disclosure, the term "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other aspects of the disclosure. Similarly, the term "aspect" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation. The term "coupled" is used herein to refer to a direct or indirect coupling between two objects. For example, if object A physically contacts object B, and object B contacts object C, then objects A and C may still be considered to be coupled to each other—even if they are not in direct physical contact with each other. For instance, a first object may be coupled to a second object even if the first object never directly physically contacts the second object. The terms "circuit" and "circuitry" are used broadly and are intended to include both hardware implementations of electronic devices and conductors and software implementations of information and instructions, which, when connected and configured, enable the performance of the functions described in this disclosure without limitation as to the type of electronic circuit, and which, when executed by a processor, enable the performance of the various functions described in this disclosure.

[0188] Figures 1 - 8 One or more of the components, steps, features, and / or functions illustrated therein may be rearranged and / or combined into a single component, step, feature, or function, or implemented in several components, steps, or functions. Additional elements, components, steps, and / or functions may also be added without departing from the novel features disclosed herein. Figures 1 - 8 The apparatus, devices, and / or components illustrated therein may be configured to perform one or more of the methods, features, or steps described herein. The novel algorithms described herein may also be efficiently implemented in software and / or embedded in hardware.

[0189] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed methods is illustrative of exemplary processes. Based on design preferences, it should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in these methods can be rearranged. The appended method claims present the elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless specifically recited herein.

[0190] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein the recitation of a singular element is not intended to mean "one and only one" - unless specifically so stated - but rather "one or more". The term "some / a" refers to one or more unless specifically stated otherwise. The phrase reciting "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, b, and c. The construction "A and / or B" is intended to cover A or B, or A and B. Elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are presently known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art as structural and functional equivalents are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Additionally, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, whether or not such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A method for performing open space calibration on an antenna array module of a wireless communication device in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: Displaying an open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device, the open space calibration instruction prompting a user to hold the wireless communication device in an open space during the open space calibration, the open space having no objects other than a protective cover on the wireless communication device, the open space extending from a surface of the wireless communication device to a given distance from the surface of the wireless communication device; Transmitting from the antenna array module a proximity test signal related to obtaining an open space calibration value of the antenna array module; Measuring a value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal to the open space having no objects other than the protective cover; And Storing the value of the first signal as the open space calibration value of the antenna array module.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module comprises: Measuring received versions of the proximity test signal at two respective polarizations.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module comprises: Measuring the received version of the proximity test signal as a cross-polarization perturbation of the received versions of the proximity test signal at two respective polarizations.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following: Initiating the open space calibration of the antenna array module during startup of the wireless communication device; Initiating the open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to detecting coupling of the protective cover to the wireless communication device; Initiating the open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to determining that a difference between a characterized open space calibration value stored in a memory of the wireless communication device and a previous open space calibration value is greater than a predetermined threshold; or Initiating the open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to receiving a command to calibrate the antenna array module.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device further comprises: Displaying an instruction to hold the wireless communication device without covering the antenna array module and to ensure that there are no objects other than the protective cover within the given distance from the surface of the wireless communication device in each of a plurality of directions from the wireless communication device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 60 cm.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 40 cm.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the open space calibration instruction on the display of the wireless communication device further comprises: Providing a visualization on the display of the wireless communication device of a location at which the user is to grasp the wireless communication device.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting the proximity test signal from the antenna array module and measuring the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal to the open space having no object other than the protective cover further comprises: transmitting the proximity test signal from at least one antenna in the antenna array module to the open space having no object other than the protective cover; and measuring the value of the first signal at two other antennas in the antenna array module that are cross-polarized with respect to each other.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: configuring, by the wireless communication device, the antenna array module as an antenna array module proximity sensor; transmitting the proximity test signal from the antenna array module; measuring a second value of a second signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and determining that an object is covering at least a portion of the antenna array module or is within a predefined distance from the antenna array module when the second value of the second signal is different from the value of the first signal.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: comparing an open space calibration value of the antenna array module with a characterized open space calibration value stored in a memory of the wireless communication device; and verifying that the antenna array module is not covered during measurement of the value of the first signal when a difference between variances of the open space calibration value and the characterized open space calibration value is less than a predetermined amount.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: measuring a movement amplitude of the wireless communication device; and verifying that the user follows the open space calibration instruction when the movement amplitude of the wireless communication device is greater than a predetermined threshold.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the proximity test signal from the antenna array module to the open space having no object other than the protective cover when the open space calibration instruction is displayed on a display of the wireless communication device.

14. A wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network, comprising: an antenna array module; a wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the antenna array module; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the antenna array module, the wireless transceiver, and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: display, on a display of the wireless communication device, an open space calibration instruction that prompts a user to hold the wireless communication device in an open space during open space calibration, the open space having no object other than a protective cover on the wireless communication device and extending from a surface of the wireless communication device to a given distance from the surface of the wireless communication device; transmit, from the antenna array module, a proximity test signal related to obtaining an open space calibration value of the antenna array module; Measure the value of a first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal to the open space having no object other than the protective cover; And Store the value of the first signal as the open space calibration value of the antenna array module.

15. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network according to claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to measure the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: Measure received versions of the proximity test signal at two respective polarizations.

16. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network according to claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to measure the value of the first signal received at the antenna array module by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: Measure the received version of the proximity test signal as a cross-polarization perturbation of received versions of the proximity test signal at two respective polarizations.

17. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network according to claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following operations: Initiate the open space calibration of the antenna array module during startup of the wireless communication device; Initiate the open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to detecting coupling of the protective cover to the wireless communication device; Initiate the open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to determining that a difference between a characterized open space calibration value stored in a memory of the wireless communication device and a previous open space calibration value is greater than a predetermined threshold; or Initiate the open space calibration of the antenna array module in response to receiving a command to calibrate the antenna array module.

18. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network according to claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to display the open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: Display an instruction to hold the wireless communication device without covering the antenna array module and ensure that there is no object other than the protective cover within the given distance along each of a plurality of directions from the wireless communication device on a surface of the wireless communication device.

19. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network according to claim 14, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 60 cm.

20. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network according to claim 14, wherein the given distance is between 30 cm and 40 cm.

21. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to display the open space calibration instruction on a display of the wireless communication device by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: Provide a visualization on the display of the wireless communication device of the location where the user is to grasp the wireless communication device.

22. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the proximity test signal from the antenna array module and measure a value of the first signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal to the open space having no object other than the protective cover by further configuring the processor to perform the following operations: Transmit the proximity test signal from at least one antenna in the antenna array module; and Measure the value of the first signal at two other antennas cross-polarized with respect to each other in the antenna array module.

23. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to: Configure the antenna array module as an antenna array module proximity sensor; Transmit the proximity test signal from the antenna array module; Measure a second value of a second signal received at the antenna array module in response to transmitting the proximity test signal; and Determine that an object is covering at least a portion of the antenna array module or is within a predefined distance from the antenna array module if the second value of the second signal is different from the value of the first signal.

24. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to: Compare the open space calibration value of the antenna array module with a characterized open space calibration value stored in a memory of the wireless communication device; and Verify that the antenna array module was not covered during the measurement of the value of the first signal if a difference between variances of the open space calibration value and the characterized open space calibration value is less than a predefined amount.

25. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to: Measure an amplitude of movement of the wireless communication device; and Verify that the user follows the open space calibration instruction if the amplitude of movement of the wireless communication device is greater than a predefined threshold.

26. The wireless communication device for wireless communication in a wireless communication network as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to: Transmit the proximity test signal from the antenna array module to the open space having no object other than the protective cover when the open space calibration instruction is displayed on the display of the wireless communication device.

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