Dual-mode antenna, antenna array, and operation method thereof

Abstract

A dual-mode antenna includes: a first conductive member; and a second conductive member configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the first conductive member through a dielectric at a second frequency to operate as a loop antenna together with the first conductive member, and configured to operate independently of the first conductive member at a first frequency to operate as a monopole antenna. Together with a plurality of single-mode antennas coupled to a wiring substrate, the dual-mode antenna may be included in an antenna array as one of the plurality of dual-mode antennas coupled to the wiring substrate, or as a reference dual-mode antenna coupled to the wiring substrate; wherein each of the plurality of dual-mode antennas, the reference dual-mode antenna, and the plurality of single-mode antennas is uniformly arranged relative to a first adjacent antenna and a second adjacent antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments presented in this disclosure generally relate to antennas. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to antennas that can be used in an array to determine the angle of arrival of one or more other instances of those antennas. Background Art

[0002] Several wireless communication standards use angle of arrival (AoA) calculations to determine the direction of a received signal, which can be used to identify the location of a mobile station (STA) relative to an access point (AP) serving or potentially serving the STA. To determine the AoA of a signal, an operator can use an antenna array with known distances between them to measure the phase differences of a single signal arriving at several individual antennas of the antenna array. By knowing the relative angle of a STA to the AP, an operator can improve signaling between the STA and the AP and make various other location-related determinations in the signaling context (including beam steering, providing location-specific services, assisting in handoffs between APs, etc.). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] In order that the above-mentioned features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, the present disclosure briefly described above will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings show typical embodiments and therefore should not be considered as limiting; other equally effective embodiments can be envisioned.

[0004] Figure 1A-Figure 1D An antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0005] Figure 2A-2C Several views of a dual-mode antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure are shown.

[0006] Figure 3A-3C Several views of a first antenna of a dual-mode antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.

[0007] Figure 4A-4C Several views of a second antenna of a dual-mode antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.

[0008] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Several views showing a spacer for a dual-mode antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0009] Figure 6A-6C Several views of a single mode antenna according to an embodiment of the disclosure are shown.

[0010] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method for operating an antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 8 The hardware of a computing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0012] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Overview

[0014] One embodiment proposed in the present disclosure provides a dual-mode antenna, comprising: a first conductive member; and a second conductive member, configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the first conductive member through a dielectric at a second frequency to operate as a loop antenna together with the first conductive member, and configured to operate independently of the first conductive member at a first frequency to operate as a monopole antenna.

[0015] One embodiment proposed in the present disclosure provides an antenna array, comprising: a wiring substrate; a plurality of dual-mode antennas coupled to the wiring substrate; a reference dual-mode antenna coupled to the wiring substrate; a plurality of single-mode antennas coupled to the wiring substrate; wherein each of the plurality of dual-mode antennas, the reference dual-mode antenna and the plurality of single-mode antennas is evenly arranged relative to a first adjacent antenna and a second adjacent antenna.

[0016] One embodiment presented in the present disclosure provides a system, comprising: a processor; and a memory storage device, comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor perform operations, the operations comprising: identifying a first radio device of a first RAT type to receive signals from an antenna array during a first time period, and a second radio device of a second RAT type different from the first RAT type to receive signals from the antenna array during a second time period non-concurrent with the first time period, wherein the antenna array comprises a plurality of dual-mode antennas and a plurality of single-mode antennas; during the first time period, switching output from the antenna array to the first radio device, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas operate as monopole antennas and the plurality of single-mode antennas operate as loop antennas; calculating a first AoA of signals of the first RAT type received during the first time period; during the second time period, switching output from the antenna array to the second radio device, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas operate as loop antennas; and calculating a second AoA of signals of the second RAT type received during the second time period.

[0017] Example Embodiments

[0018] Free space within an AP is at a premium, and end users are always looking to install thinner and smaller APs (e.g., less obtrusive or suitable for more compact spaces) in signaling environments. The present disclosure provides a low-profile AoA antenna array using dual-mode and single-mode antennas and a switching architecture that allows the antenna array to be used (non-simultaneously) for communication standards using two different frequencies. The small AoA antenna array allows for more efficient use of space by using curved metal antennas (rather than planar antennas) and multiple dual-mode antennas associated with multiple single-mode antennas, so that a single smaller antenna array can be used for APs that provide services via multiple communication standards and / or frequency bands. When used by a first radio device at a first frequency, the AoA is determined using a single-mode antenna and a dual-mode antenna (operating as a monopole antenna in the first mode). Conversely, when used by a second radio device at a second frequency, a single-mode antenna is not used, and a dual-mode antenna (operating as a loop antenna in the second mode) is used to determine the AoA.

[0019] Although several non-limiting examples given in this disclosure use specific values ​​for frequencies, wavelengths, and distances to illustrate concepts, it should be understood that these values ​​are approximate and that manufacturers may establish tolerances to allow for slight differences in signal waveforms, component sizes, component placement, etc. Therefore, the present disclosure may be used with frequencies, wavelengths, and distances other than those discussed herein, and any value provided herein should be understood to include ±10% of the stated value, which may account for rounding and / or manufacturing tolerances.

[0020] Figure 1A-Figure 1D An antenna array 100 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The antenna array 100 includes a wiring substrate 130 to which a number of different individual antennas are attached and wired to at least a first radio 150A and a second radio 150B (generally or collectively referred to as radios 150) via a host controller 140. As shown, the number of individual antennas include a plurality of single-mode antennas 110A-110G (generally or collectively referred to as single-mode antennas 110) and a plurality of dual-mode antennas 120A-120I (generally or collectively referred to as dual-mode antennas 120), each of which can be used differently (based on the operating frequency of a given radio 150) to determine AoA for a STA.

[0021] The antenna array 100 provides for shared use of a group of antennas by different radio devices 150. The radio devices 150 may be two instances of the same type of radio access technology (RAT) signaling devices operating at different frequencies, or may be two different RATs operating at the same or different frequencies. In another embodiment, one of the radio devices 150 may operate at two frequencies, while the other radio device 150 operates at one of the two frequencies. For example, the first radio device 150A may be a WiFi radio device or signaling device operating at a 5 GHz (gigahertz) frequency or a 2.4 GHz frequency, and the second radio device 150B may be a Bluetooth radio device or signaling device operating at a 2.4 GHz frequency. In another example, the first radio device 150A may be a first WiFi signaling device operating at a 5 GHz frequency, and the second radio device 150B may be a second WiFi signaling device operating at a 2.4 GHz frequency.

[0022] Figure 1A 1 shows the layout of individual antennas of the antenna array 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the frequency and / or RAT type used by the currently active radio device 150. Figure 6A-6C Detailed description) is provided as a loop antenna operating at a first frequency (eg, 5 GHz), a dual-mode antenna 120 (will be described with respect to Figure 2A-2C , Figure 3A-3C , Figure 4A-4C ,as well as Figure 5A and Figure 5B The antenna array 110 is provided as a monopole antenna for a first frequency (e.g., 5 GHz) and a loop antenna for a second frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz) as described in more detail. The antennas are arranged around the wiring substrate 130 at known distances and angles relative to each other so that the radio device 150 can perform AoA arrival calculations based on phase differences when different antennas receive the same signal from STAs. The single-mode antenna and the dual-mode antenna are vertically polarized and are generally arranged on a plane parallel to the plane of the wiring substrate 130, thereby saving vertical space in the antenna array 110 and more efficiently utilizing the available horizontal space.

[0023] In one embodiment, the antennas are spaced no more than half a wavelength (λ / 2) apart from each other, but because the antenna array 100 is arranged to operate at two different wavelengths, which antennas are active / operable and the operating mode they are in (e.g., loop mode or monopole mode) can be changed depending on the frequency used by the radio device 150 that is currently active or controlling the antenna array 100.

[0024] Figure 1BA first operational layout of the antenna array 100 operating at a first frequency (f1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In the first operational layout, the host controller 140 connects the first radio 150A to the antenna array 100 (and disconnects the second radio 150B). The single-mode antennas 110A-110G are all active and operate as loop antennas, and the dual-mode antennas 120A-120I are all active, where the dual-mode antennas 120A-120I operate as monopole (M) antennas and the dual-mode antenna 120H operates as a reference (R) antenna. For example, when the first radio 150A operates at a first frequency of 5 GHz, the wavelength (λ) used is approximately 60 mm (millimeter), so each of the antennas is positioned no more than 30 mm (λ / 2) away from an adjacent antenna. For example, the first single-mode antenna 110A is positioned 30 mm or closer to the ninth dual-mode antenna 120I and 30 mm or closer to the first dual-mode antenna 120A. Similarly, the first dual mode antenna 120A is positioned 30 mm or less from the first single mode antenna 110A and the second single mode antenna 110B. As will be appreciated, other distances between the antennas may be used when other frequencies are selected for use as the first frequency.

[0025] Figure 1C A second operational layout of the antenna array 100 operating at a second frequency (f2) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In the second operational layout, the host controller 140 connects the first radio 150A to the antenna array 100 (and disconnects the second radio 150B). The single-mode antennas 110A-110G are all disabled, and the dual-mode antennas 120A-120I are all active, where the dual-mode antennas 120A-120I operate as loop (L) antennas and the dual-mode antenna 120H operates as a reference antenna. For example, when the first radio 150A sends signaling at a first frequency of 2.4 GHz, the wavelength (λ) used is approximately 125 mm (millimeter), so each of the active antennas is positioned no more than 63 mm (λ / 2) away from an adjacent active antenna. For example, the first dual-mode antenna 120A is positioned 62.5 mm or closer to the ninth dual-mode antenna 120I and the second dual-mode antenna 120B. Similarly, the second dual mode antenna 120B is positioned 62.5 mm or closer to the first dual mode antenna 120A and the third dual mode antenna 120C. As will be appreciated, other distances between the antennas may be used when other frequencies are selected for use as the second frequency.

[0026] Figure 1DA third operational layout of the antenna array 100 operating at a second frequency (f2) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In the second operational layout, the host controller 140 connects the second radio 150B to the antenna array 100 (and disconnects the first radio 150A). The single-mode antennas 110A-110G are inactive (as indicated by the dashed outline), the dual-mode antennas 120A-120G and 120I are active and operate as loop antennas, and the dual-mode antenna 120H is inactive (as indicated by the dashed outline). For example, when the second radio 150B transmits signaling at the second frequency of 2.4 GHz, the wavelength used is approximately 125 mm, so each of the active antennas is positioned no more than 62.5 mm from an adjacent active dual-mode antenna 120. For example, the first dual-mode antenna 120A is positioned 62.5 mm or closer to the ninth dual-mode antenna 120I and the second dual-mode antenna 120B. Similarly, the second dual mode antenna 120B is positioned 62.5 mm or closer to the first dual mode antenna 120A and the third dual mode antenna 120C. As will be appreciated, other distances between the antennas may be used when other frequencies are selected for use as the second frequency.

[0027] In order to enable the antenna array 100 to operate at two different frequencies, the antennas are arranged so that each group of active antennas (e.g., all antennas when sending signaling according to the first wavelength, and the indicated dual-mode antennas when sending signaling according to the second wavelength) adhere to a pattern of half-wavelength spacing. The pattern can be understood as a group of alternating antennas rotating around the center point of the wiring substrate 130, wherein the dual-mode antenna 120 occupies every odd position in the pattern (e.g., the first, third, fifth, etc. positions), and the single-mode antenna 110 occupies every even position in the pattern (e.g., the second, fourth, sixth, etc. positions), except for one position. An even position in the pattern (e.g., the zeroth or sixteenth position) is occupied by the dual-mode antenna 120 that is configured to be used as a reference antenna in the first and second operating layouts. In an alternative illustration, when sixteen antennas are used, there are seven identical pairs of one single-mode antenna 110 and one dual-mode antenna 120 (e.g., the first single-mode antenna 110A and the first dual-mode antenna 120B), and one pair of two dual-mode antennas (e.g., the eighth dual-mode antenna 120H and the ninth dual-mode antenna 120I), wherein the dual-mode antenna 120 located at one position (where the single-mode antenna 110 would have been located in the other seven pairs) is designated as the reference antenna. As will be appreciated, this pattern or understanding of the various groups of pairs both describes the antenna array 100 described herein and can also be applied to various embodiments using more or less than sixteen individual antennas as needed by the radio device 150.

[0028] In another explanation, each antenna can be understood as having two adjacent antennas, which are the antennas closest to a given antenna. The first adjacent antenna can be understood as the closest antenna in the clockwise direction of a given antenna, and the second adjacent antenna can be understood as the closest antenna in the counterclockwise direction of a given antenna. The antennas are evenly spaced relative to each other (taking into account manufacturing tolerances), so that no matter which antenna is identified as a given antenna, the spacing between adjacent antennas is consistent. For example, the first single-mode antenna 110A uses the first dual-mode antenna 120A as the first adjacent antenna and the ninth dual-mode antenna 120I as the second adjacent antenna. Similarly, the fifth dual-mode antenna 120E uses the sixth single-mode antenna 110F as the first adjacent antenna and the fifth single-mode antenna 110E as the second adjacent antenna. Since the adjacent antennas are evenly spaced, the spacing between the first single-mode antenna 110A and the first dual-mode antenna 120A, between the first single-mode antenna 110A and the ninth dual-mode antenna 120I, between the fifth dual-mode antenna 120E and the sixth single-mode antenna 110F, and the fifth dual-mode antenna 120E are all substantially equal. Similarly, the spacing between any given antenna and its adjacent antennas is substantially equal.

[0029] In various embodiments, the wiring substrate 130 includes an electrical integrated circuit or printed circuit board in which various traces are defined to route signals to and from various contacts to which the antenna and host controller 140 are connected. Although shown as being generally octagonal, in various embodiments, the wiring substrate 130 may take a variety of shapes to better fit within the housing of the AP along with other chips, substrates, modules, host controller 140, and / or radio 150.

[0030] In various embodiments, the host controller 140 is a computing device or microcontroller that provides timing control for connecting the radios 150 to the wiring substrate 130 (and associated antennas) at a given time. The host controller 140 provides each radio 150 with non-simultaneous access to the wiring substrate 130. In other words, the host controller 140 controls when one of the connected radios 150 can use the antenna and when the other connected radios 150 wait to use the antenna. In various embodiments, the host controller 140 can provide access based on a repeating time division scheme (e.g., X seconds for the first radio 150A, Y seconds for the second radio 150B, X seconds for the first radio 150A, etc.), based on a bidding request from the control device of the radio 150, or other time division access control scheme.

[0031] Figure 2A-2C Several views of a dual-mode antenna 120 are shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2A An isometric view of the dual-mode antenna 120 is provided, and Figure 2BProvides a frontal view in the ZX plane, Figure 2C Provides a front view in the ZY plane. The dual-mode antenna 120 includes a first antenna 210, a second antenna 220, and an (optional) spacer 230. Each of the antennas 210, 220 is a conductive member that allows the dual-mode antenna 120 to operate in two different modes at two different frequencies. The second antenna 220 (with respect to Figure 4A-4C The first antenna 210 and the second antenna 220 are electromagnetically coupled to each other to form a loop antenna when operating at a second frequency.

[0032] The antennas 210, 220 may be connected to the wiring chip 130 via various divots, through holes, or solder connections between the surface of the wiring chip 130 (or pads defined thereon) and the foot members of the respective antennas 210, 220. The various vertical members raise the horizontal surfaces to different heights relative to each other. In addition, the horizontal surfaces extend toward each other from the respective vertical members but are separated by horizontal offsets. In various embodiments, the spacers 230 (which separate the horizontal surfaces from the respective vertical members) may be used to connect the wiring chip 130 to the respective antennas 210, 220. Figure 5A and Figure 5B (discussed in more detail) the first antenna 210 and the second antenna 220 are held in position to maintain the vertical and horizontal offsets between the first antenna 210 and the second antenna 220 when the dual-mode antenna is connected to the wiring substrate 130, and / or provide a dielectric through which the horizontal surfaces are electromagnetically coupled when operating at the second frequency. The vertical offset, horizontal offset, and dielectric constant of the spacer 230 directly affect the electromagnetic coupling between the surfaces. Figure 2A-2C As shown, the first surface area of ​​the horizontal member of the first antenna 210 is greater than the second surface area of ​​the horizontal member of the second antenna 210, but in other embodiments, the surface areas may be substantially equal, or the second surface area may be greater than the first surface area.

[0033] Each of the dual-mode antennas 120 connected to the wiring substrate 130 is oriented in the same direction. Figure 2A In FIG. 1 , when considering that the wiring substrate 130 rotates around the Z axis in the XY plane, the second antenna 220 is located clockwise relative to the first antenna 210 and represents each of the plurality of dual-mode antennas 120. In another example, each of the dual-mode antennas 120 may be arranged in a manner similar to that of the first antenna 210. Figure 2A , so that the first antenna 210 is positioned clockwise relative to the second antenna 220.

[0034] Figure 3A-3C The following is an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2A-2C Several views of the first antenna 210 of the dual-mode antenna 120 are shown. Figure 3A An isometric view of the first antenna 210 is provided, and Figure 3B Provides a front view in the YX plane, Figure 3C A front view in the ZY plane is provided. The first antenna 210 includes a first horizontal member 310, a first vertical member 320, and a first foot 330 that connects the first antenna 210 to the wiring substrate 130 (not shown). In various embodiments, the first foot 330 can be longer, shorter, or the same length (in the X direction) as the first horizontal member 310, and can optionally include one or more first toe members 380A and second toe members 380B configured to be inserted into and engaged with corresponding recesses or through holes in the wiring substrate 130, which can include contact pads, or can provide a physical arrangement of the first antenna 210 without including contact pads therein. In addition to or in place of one or more toe members 380A, 380B, the first foot member 330 can be mounted to a contact pad defined on the surface of the wiring substrate 130 (e.g., by a solder joint). For example, the first foot member 330 can be connected to a trace in the wiring substrate 130 that is connected to the ground.

[0035] The first horizontal member 310 has a first length 350 (in the X direction) and a first width 360 (in the Y direction), and the first vertical member has a first height 370 (in the Z direction). The first length 350 and the first width 360 are set based on the second frequency to receive signals carried at the second frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz) as a loop antenna with the second antenna 220. The first width 360 of the first horizontal member 310 is also set to position the first antenna 210 with a predefined offset relative to the second antenna 220 when the antennas 210, 220 are assembled into the dual-mode antenna 120. The first height 370 of the first vertical member 320 is set to raise the first horizontal member 310 above the second antenna 220 when the antennas 210, 220 are assembled into the dual-mode antenna 120. Because the toe components 380A, 380B (if included) are configured to sit below the surface of the wiring substrate 130 , the height of the toe components 380A, 380B (in the Z direction) is not included in the first height 370 of the first vertical member 320 .

[0036] like Figure 3A-3C As shown, the first horizontal member 310 includes a first tooth 340A and a second tooth 340B to be connected with the Figure 2A-2CThe tooth members 340A, 340B are configured to engage with corresponding recesses in the spacer 3230 to hold the first antenna 210 to the spacer 230. In various embodiments, the tooth members 340A, 340B are formed as dimples on one side of the material of the first horizontal member 310 (e.g., via a plate bender) to form a rounded (or other shaped) protrusion on the opposite side of the first horizontal member 310. In various embodiments, based on the complementary design on the spacer 230, the first horizontal member 310 can include more than two or less than two tooth members (including no tooth members) at various locations on the first horizontal member 310.

[0037] In various embodiments, the first antenna 210 is formed of a single piece of conductive material (e.g., metal) having a substantially uniform thickness that is bent into a three-dimensional shape in which the first horizontal member 310 is substantially perpendicular to the first vertical member 320. In various embodiments, the first foot member 330 can be longer or shorter than shown, can be bent inward from the first vertical member 320 to be below the first horizontal member 310 (as shown), or can be bent outward from the first vertical member 320 to not overlap the first horizontal member 310.

[0038] Figure 4A-4C The following is an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2A-2C Several views of the second antenna 220 of the dual-mode antenna 120 are shown. Figure 4A An axonometric view of the second antenna 220 is provided, and Figure 4B Provides a front view in the YX plane, Figure 4C A front view in the ZY plane is provided. The second antenna 220 includes a second horizontal member 410 that is electromagnetically coupled to the first antenna 210 when operating as a loop antenna, but the second antenna 220 also operates as a monopole antenna in addition. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the second vertical member 420 may also include a corresponding toe member configured to be inserted into and engaged with a corresponding recess or through hole in the wiring substrate 130 (not shown), which may include a contact pad, or a physical arrangement of the second antenna 220 may be provided without including a contact pad therein. In addition to or in place of one or more toe members, the second vertical member 420 can be mounted to a contact pad defined on the surface of the wiring substrate 130 (e.g., by a solder joint). For example, the second vertical member 420 can be connected to a trace in the wiring substrate 130 that is connected to the signal output.

[0039] The second horizontal member 410 has a second length 430 (in the X direction) and a second width 440 (in the Y direction), and the second vertical member 420 has a second height 450 (in the Z direction). The second width 440 of the second horizontal member 410 is set to position the second antenna 220 with a predefined offset relative to the first antenna 210 when the antennas 210, 220 are assembled into the dual-mode antenna 120. The second height 450 of the second vertical member 420 is set to raise the second horizontal member 410 above the wiring substrate 130 but below the first horizontal member 310 of the first antenna 210 when the antennas 210, 220 are assembled into the dual-mode antenna 120.

[0040] In various embodiments, the second antenna 220 is formed from a single sheet of metal having a substantially uniform thickness that is bent into a three-dimensional shape in which the second horizontal member 410 is substantially perpendicular to the second vertical member 420 .

[0041] Figure 5A and Figure 5B The following is an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2A-2C Several views of the spacer 230 of the dual-mode antenna 120 are shown. Figure 5A An isometric view of the spacer 230 is provided, and Figure 5B A cross-sectional view in the ZY plane of the spacer 230 is provided, taken along line 505. Although shown as a generally rectangular parallelepiped, the spacer 230 may be formed in other shapes in various embodiments.

[0042] The spacer 230 defines a plurality of cavities to engage and clamp the first antenna 210 and the second antenna 220 and to form a plurality of cavities when the first antenna 210 and the second antenna 220 are assembled. Figure 2A-2C The vertical and horizontal offsets between the antennas 210 and 220 are maintained when the dual-mode antenna 120 is connected. The first cavity 510 is configured to engage the first horizontal member 310 of the first antenna 210, and the second cavity 520 is configured to engage the second horizontal member 410 of the second antenna 220. The first cavity 510 is open in the ZX plane to allow the first horizontal member 310 to be inserted therein, and is open in one or more ZY planes to allow the inserted first horizontal member 310 to extend outward from the spacer 230 in the X direction.

[0043] In various embodiments, a first groove 530A and a second groove 530B are provided to engage Figure 3A-3CIn various embodiments, more or fewer grooves may be provided in various patterns and cross-sectional shapes to engage corresponding numbers, patterns, and cross-sectional shapes of tooth members included in the first horizontal member 310. The grooves and corresponding tooth members help clamp the first horizontal member 310 in the first cavity 510 and align the first antenna 210 with the second antenna 220 when assembled.

[0044] The second cavity 520 is open in the ZX plane to allow the second horizontal member 410 to be inserted therein, and is closed in the ZY plane to clamp the second horizontal member 410 and align the second antenna 220 with the first antenna 210 when assembled.

[0045] A first distance 540 between the farthest position in the spacer 230 to which the first cavity 510 extends in the Y direction and the farthest position in the spacer 230 to which the second cavity 520 extends in the Y direction (in the opposite direction) defines and maintains the horizontal offset between the antennas 210 and 220 when assembled into the dual-mode antenna 120. A second distance 550 between the lower limit of the first cavity 510 in the spacer 230 in the Z direction and the upper limit of the second cavity 520 in the spacer 230 in the Z direction defines and maintains the vertical offset between the antennas 210 and 220 when assembled into the dual-mode antenna 120.

[0046] The spacer 230 is made of a dielectric material through which the first antenna 210 and the second antenna 220 can be electromagnetically coupled when operating at a second frequency. In various embodiments, the spacer 230 is made of a dielectric material that is heat-resistant to at least 250 degrees Celsius to withstand a reflow soldering process. For example, before the dual-mode antenna 120 is connected to the wiring substrate 130 via a soldering process, the spacer 230 can be connected to both the first antenna 210 and the second antenna 220 to assemble the dual-mode antenna 120. In some embodiments, the spacer 230 can be omitted (for example, using air as a dielectric between the antennas 210 and 220), or the spacer 230 can be connected to the antennas 210, 220 after the antennas 210, 220 are soldered to the wiring substrate 130.

[0047] Figure 6A-6C Several views of a single mode antenna 110 are shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6A An isometric view of a single mode antenna 110 is provided, and Figure 6B Provides a front view in the YX plane, Figure 6C Provides a frontal view in the ZY plane.

[0048] The single-mode antenna 110 includes a horizontal member 610, a wiring substrate 130 (in Figure 6CThe first vertical member 620 (also referred to as a first leg) of the foot member 630 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1 ), and the second vertical member 640 (also referred to as a second leg) that also connects the single-mode antenna 110 to the wiring substrate 130. The leg members may be connected to the wiring chip 130 via various recesses or through holes into which one or more toe members are inserted, or via connections (e.g., solder connections) between the surface of the wiring chip 130 (or pads defined thereon) and the foot members of the corresponding leg members. In various embodiments, the foot member 630 may be longer, shorter, or the same length (in the X direction) as the horizontal member 610, and may optionally include one or more first toe members 650A and second toe members 650B configured to be inserted into and engaged with corresponding recesses or through holes in the wiring substrate 130, which may include contact pads, or may provide a physical arrangement of the single-mode antenna 110 without including contact pads therein. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the second vertical member 640 may also include corresponding toe members. In addition to or in lieu of one or more toe features 650A, 650B, foot feature 630 and / or second vertical member 640 may be mounted (e.g., by solder joints) to contact pads defined on a surface of wiring substrate 130. For example, foot feature 630 may be connected to a trace in wiring substrate 130 connected to a ground, and second vertical member 640 may be connected to a trace in wiring substrate 130 connected to a signal output.

[0049] The horizontal member 610 has a length 660 (in the X direction) and a width 670 (in the Y direction), and the first vertical member 620 and the second vertical member 640 have a height 680 (in the Z direction). The length 660 and the width 670 are set based on the first frequency to receive a signal carried at the first frequency. Because the toe components 650A, 650B (if included) are configured to sit below the surface of the wiring substrate 130, the height of the toe components 650A, 650B (in the Z direction) is not included in the height 680 of the vertical members 620, 640.

[0050] In various embodiments, the single-mode antenna 110 is formed from a single sheet of metal of substantially uniform thickness that is bent into a three-dimensional shape in which the horizontal member 610 is substantially perpendicular to the vertical members 620, 640. In various embodiments, the foot member 630 may be longer or shorter than shown, may be bent inward from the first vertical member 620 to be below the horizontal member 610 (as shown), or may be bent outward from the first vertical member 620 to not overlap the horizontal member 610.

[0051] Each of the single-mode antennas 110 connected to the wiring substrate 130 is oriented in the same direction. Fig. 6A, when considering that the wiring substrate 130 is rotated around the Z axis in the XY plane, the second vertical member 640 is located clockwise relative to the first vertical member 620 and represents each of the plurality of single-mode antennas 110. In another example, each of the single-mode antennas 110 may be arranged in a manner similar to that of the first vertical member 620. Fig. 6A , with the first vertical member 620 positioned clockwise relative to the second vertical member 640. In various embodiments, the single-mode antenna 110 is oriented such that the dual-mode antenna 220 (eg, Figure 2A-Figure 3C ) is positioned clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the corresponding first antenna 210 to position the second vertical member 640 clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the first vertical member 620, so that the wiring substrate 130 can define the same attachment point for the single-mode antenna 110 and the dual-mode antenna 120.

[0052] Figure 7 7 is a flow chart of a method 700 for operating an antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 700 begins at block 710, where the host controller 140 identifies a time period during which at least a first radio 150A and a second radio 150B are provided respective access to receive signals from an antenna array 100 having two sets of antennas configured to operate at different frequencies. The host controller 140 identifies a first time period during which the first radio 150A accesses the antenna array 100 and a second time period during which the second radio 150B accesses the antenna array 100. The first and second time periods are non-simultaneous (i.e., the radios 150 do not access the antenna array 100 at the same time), and in some embodiments a guard period may be included between the first time period and the second time period.

[0053] At block 720, the host controller 140 switches the output from the antenna array 100 to the first radio 150A (and away from the second radio 150B) during a first time period. When the first radio 150A is a WiFi signaling device using a signal at a first frequency (e.g., 5 GHz), the host controller 140 connects the outputs from all single-mode antennas 110 and dual-mode antennas 120 of the antenna array 100 to the first radio 150A. When receiving signals from STAs using the first frequency, the connected dual-mode antenna 120 operates as a monopole antenna and the single-mode antenna 110 operates as a loop antenna. When the first radio 150A is a WiFi signaling device using a signal at a second frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz), the host controller 140 connects the outputs from all dual-mode antennas 120 of the antenna array to the first radio 150A and disconnects the outputs from the single-mode antenna 110 from the first radio 150A. When receiving signals from a STA using the second frequency, the connected dual mode antenna 120 operates as a loop antenna and the single mode antenna 110 is inactive.

[0054] At block 730, the first radio 150A receives one or more signals from the STA using the activated antennas of the antenna array 100, and calculates the AoA of the signals from the STA relative to the antenna array 100 using the relative reception phase differences or time differences at different antennas of the antenna array 100. When the first radio 150A is a WiFi signaling device, one dual-mode antenna 120 is designated as a reference antenna, and the signals received at the other active antennas are compared with the reference antenna in the AoA calculation.

[0055] At block 740, the host controller 140 switches the output from the antenna array 100 to the second radio 150B (and away from the first radio 150A) during the second time period. When the second radio 150B is a Bluetooth signaling device using signals at a second frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz), the host controller 140 connects the outputs from all but one of the dual-mode antennas 120 of the antenna array 100 to the first radio 150A and disconnects the outputs from the single-mode antenna 110 from the first radio 150A. The one dual-mode antenna 120 that remains disconnected is a reference dual-mode antenna 120 (e.g., a dual-mode antenna 120 that replaces a single-mode antenna 110 in an antenna pair or an alternating pattern of two dual-mode antennas 120). When receiving signals from a STA using the second frequency, the connected dual-mode antenna 120 operates as a loop antenna, and the single-mode antenna 110 and the reference dual-mode antenna 120 are inactive.

[0056] At block 750, the second radio 150B receives one or more signals from the STA using the activated antennas of the antenna array 100, and calculates the AoA of the signals from the STA relative to the antenna array 100 using the relative receive phase differences or time differences at the different antennas of the antenna array 100. The method 700 then returns to block 710, where the host controller 140 determines how and when to make the next switch of the output of the antenna array 100 to the radio 150.

[0057] Figure 8 The hardware of a computing device 800 is shown, which can be used for a host controller 140 or other system to control access to an antenna array 100, and / or to calculate the AoA of various sites via different radio devices 150 sharing the antenna array 100. The computing device 800 includes a processor 810, a memory 820, and a communication interface 830. The processor 810 can be any processing element capable of performing the functions described herein. The processor 810 represents a single processor, multiple processors, a processor with multiple cores, and a combination thereof. The communication interface 830 facilitates communication between the computing device 800 and other devices. The communication interface 830 represents a wireless communication antenna and various wired communication ports. The memory 820 can be a volatile or non-volatile memory, and can include RAM, flash memory, disk drives, and other computer-readable memory storage devices. Although shown as a single entity, the memory 820 can be divided into different memory storage elements, such as RAM and one or more hard drives.

[0058] As shown, the memory 820 includes various instructions that can be executed by the processor 810 to provide an operating system 821 for managing various functions of the computing device 800 and one or more applications 822 for providing various functionalities to users of the computing device 800, including one or more of the functions and functionalities described in the present disclosure.

[0059] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented, for example, as a computer process (method), a computing system, or as a manufactured product, such as a computer program product or a computer-readable medium. A computer program product may be a computer storage medium that is readable by a computer system and carries and encodes a computer instruction program (for executing a computer process on one or more processors so that any method described herein is executed). A computer program product may also be a propagation signal on a carrier that is readable by a computing system and encodes a computer instruction program for executing a computer process. Therefore, the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.). In other words, embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-available or computer-readable storage medium, which has a computer-available or computer-readable program code implemented in a medium for use by or related to an instruction execution system. A computer-available or computer-readable medium may be any medium that may contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit a program used by or related to an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus.

[0060] In the current disclosure, various embodiments are referred to. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the specific described embodiments. On the contrary, whether or not related to different embodiments, any combination of the features and elements can be envisioned to implement and practice the envisioned embodiments. In addition, when the elements of the embodiment are described in the form of "at least one of A and B", it will be understood that the embodiments including element A alone, element B alone, and elements and A and B are all conceivable. In addition, although some embodiments disclosed herein can achieve advantages that are superior to other possible solutions or superior to the prior art, whether a given embodiment achieves a specific advantage does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the aspects, features, embodiments and advantages disclosed herein are only exemplary and should not be regarded as elements or limitations of the attached claims unless clearly stated in (one or more) claims. Similarly, reference to "the present invention" should not be interpreted as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein, nor should it be regarded as an element or limitation of the attached claims unless clearly stated in (one or more) claims.

[0061] In view of the foregoing, the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A dual-mode antenna, comprising: a first conductive member; as well as a second conductive member configured to electromagnetically couple with the first conductive member through a dielectric at a second frequency to operate as a loop antenna with the first conductive member, and configured to operate independently of the first conductive member at a first frequency to operate as a monopole antenna; The first conductive member and the second conductive member are horizontal members parallel to a wiring substrate to which the first conductive member and the second conductive member are connected, and wherein the first conductive member and the second conductive member are horizontally offset and vertically offset from each other. 2 . The dual-mode antenna according to claim 1 , further comprising a first vertical member and a second vertical member, wherein the first vertical member is connected to a ground via the wiring substrate, and the second vertical member is connected to a signal output via the wiring substrate.

3. The dual-mode antenna according to claim 2, wherein the dielectric is defined by a spacer, the spacer is in contact with the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and is configured to maintain the vertical offset between the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and to maintain the horizontal offset between the farthest position of the first conductive member extending toward the second conductive member in the first plane and the farthest position of the second conductive member extending toward the first conductive member in the second plane.

4. The dual-mode antenna of claim 3, wherein the first conductive member defines a first number of tooth members, and the spacer defines a first number of grooves, wherein each groove of the first number of grooves engages a corresponding tooth member of the first number of tooth members.

5. The dual-mode antenna according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the spacer is made of a dielectric material having a heat resistance of at least 250 degrees Celsius. 6 . The dual-mode antenna according to claim 1 , wherein a first surface area of ​​the first conductive element is greater than a second surface area of ​​the second conductive element.

7. The dual-mode antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dual-mode antenna is included in an antenna array and arranged together with one of a single-mode antenna or another dual-mode antenna.

8. An antenna array, comprising: Wiring substrate; a plurality of dual-mode antennas coupled to the wiring substrate; a reference dual-mode antenna coupled to the wiring substrate; a plurality of single-mode antennas coupled to the wiring substrate; and wherein each of the plurality of dual-mode antennas, the reference dual-mode antenna, and the plurality of single-mode antennas is uniformly arranged relative to a first adjacent antenna and a second adjacent antenna; Each of the plurality of dual-mode antennas and the reference dual-mode antenna is a dual-mode antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The antenna array of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of single-mode antennas comprises: A first vertical member of a predefined height connected to the wiring substrate; The second vertical member of the predefined height is connected to the wiring substrate; as well as A first horizontal member is perpendicular to and connected to the first vertical member and the second vertical member and extends in a plane parallel to the wiring substrate at the predefined height.

10. The antenna array according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the spacing between adjacent antennas on the wiring substrate is no greater than half of the following wavelength: the wavelength is that the multiple dual-mode antennas, the reference dual-mode antenna and the multiple single-mode antennas are configured to receive.

11. The antenna array according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a first radio at a first frequency configured to use the plurality of dual-mode antennas and the reference dual-mode antenna as monopole antennas and the plurality of single-mode antennas as loop antennas in a first operating mode to identify a first angle of arrival (AoA) of a first signal at the first frequency; as well as A second radio at a second frequency different from the first frequency is configured to use the plurality of dual-mode antennas as loop antennas in a second operating mode to identify a second AoA of a second signal at the second frequency.

12. The antenna array of claim 11, wherein the first radio uses 5 GHz WiFi signaling for the first frequency, and the second radio uses 2.4 GHz WiFi signaling or Bluetooth signaling for the second frequency, the antenna array further comprising: A host controller is configured to give control of the antenna array to one of the first radio and the second radio at a given time.

13. A system comprising: processor; as well as a memory storage device comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform operations comprising: identifying a first radio of a first RAT type to receive signals from an antenna array during a first time period, and a second radio of a second RAT type different from the first RAT type to receive signals from the antenna array during a second time period non-concurrent with the first time period, wherein the antenna array is the antenna array of any one of claims 8 to 12; switching outputs from the antenna array to the first radio during the first time period, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas operate as monopole antennas and the plurality of single-mode antennas operate as loop antennas; calculating a first AoA for signals of the first RAT type received during the first time period; switching output from the antenna array to the second radio during the second time period, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas operate as loop antennas; and A second AoA is calculated for signals of the second RAT type received during the second time period.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas include a plurality of working dual-mode antennas and a single reference dual-mode antenna, wherein each of the plurality of dual-mode antennas includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the first antenna operating as a monopole antenna connected to a signal output, the second antenna being electromagnetically coupled to the first antenna to operate as a loop antenna connected to ground; wherein each of the plurality of single-mode antennas is connected to the wiring substrate via a first leg member connected to an output and a second leg member connected to a ground; and Each of the plurality of dual-mode antennas and the plurality of single-mode antennas is evenly arranged relative to a first adjacent antenna and a second adjacent antenna.

15. The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas and the plurality of single-mode antennas are vertically polarized.

16. The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the first radio is a WiFi radio and the second radio is a Bluetooth radio.

17. A method executed by a processor, the method comprising: identifying a first radio device of a first radio access technology (RAT) type to receive signals from an antenna array during a first time period, and a second radio device of a second RAT type different from the first RAT type to receive signals from the antenna array during a second time period non-concurrent with the first time period, wherein the antenna array is the antenna array of any one of claims 8 to 12; switching outputs from the antenna array to the first radio during the first time period, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas operate as monopole antennas and the plurality of single-mode antennas operate as loop antennas; calculating a first angle of arrival (AoA) for signals of the first RAT type received during the first time period; switching output from the antenna array to the second radio during the second time period, wherein the plurality of dual-mode antennas operate as loop antennas; as well as A second AoA is calculated for signals of the second RAT type received during the second time period.

18. A computer program product carrying computer readable instructions for causing one or more processors to cause the method according to claim 17 to be performed.

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