Antenna array with self-cancelling conductive structure

Abstract

An antenna array capable of full duplex communication is described. The antenna array includes a first dipole antenna element and a second dipole antenna element. A first conductive structure extends between the first antenna element and the second antenna element along a common diagonal axis between the first antenna element and the second antenna element and forms a coupling path between the first antenna element and the second antenna element such that at least a portion of a signal generated by the first antenna element is coupled to the second antenna element through the coupling path to at least reduce cross-polar mutual coupling between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. nonprovisional patent application No. 16 / 921,480, filed on July 6, 2020, entitled “Antenna array with self-cancelling conductivity structure”. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to antenna arrays, including antenna arrays having structures for self-cancelling mutual coupling. Such antenna arrays can be used for full-duplex communication in wireless networks. Background Technology

[0004] Full-duplex wireless technology has garnered significant attention in the field of wireless communication, including its use in fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks, where a shared antenna and transceiver are used to transmit and receive wireless signals. In full-duplex communication, the same time-frequency resources (e.g., using the same carrier frequency simultaneously) are used to transmit and receive signals. Therefore, full-duplex communication is a technology that can be used to achieve up to double the throughput by enabling both transmission and reception simultaneously.

[0005] Because full-duplex communication systems utilize the same frequency for both transmission and reception, full-duplex antenna arrays have adjacent transmitting and receiving units that are susceptible to self-interference. High isolation is required between the transmitting and receiving ports of a full-duplex antenna array to avoid self-interference problems in the received signal. Traditional antenna systems incorporate various techniques to filter out unwanted signals, including self-interference signals, from the desired received signal. Conventional methods for achieving this include signal processing techniques for digitized signals.

[0006] Compared to low-density antenna arrays, dense antenna arrays (e.g., antenna arrays used for massive MIMO functionality) exhibit increased self-interference and make digital cancellation techniques more computationally demanding or less efficient than expected.

[0007] A better and / or more efficient method is needed to remove or reduce unnecessary coupling between antenna elements in an antenna array. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In various examples, the present disclosure describes an antenna array capable of full duplex communication, the antenna array comprising: a first dipole antenna element, the first antenna element having a diagonal axis; a second dipole antenna element, the second antenna element sharing the diagonal axis with the first antenna element. The second antenna element is adjacent to the first antenna element along the diagonal axis, a first conductive structure extends along the diagonal axis between the first antenna element and the second antenna element and forms a coupling path between the first antenna element and the second antenna element. The formed coupling path causes at least a portion of a signal generated by the first antenna element to be coupled to the second antenna element through the coupling path to at least reduce cross-polar mutual coupling between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.

[0009] In any of the above example embodiments, the first antenna element and the second antenna element of the antenna array can be supported by a substrate, the first conductive structure can be located on a first side of the substrate.

[0010] In any of the above example embodiments, the first conductive structure can be a copper conductive structure.

[0011] In any of the above example embodiments, the antenna array can have a third dipole antenna element and a fourth dipole antenna element, the first antenna element, the second antenna element, the third antenna element, and the fourth antenna element can form a 2x2 grid. A second conductive structure extending along a second diagonal axis shared by the first antenna element and the fourth antenna element between the third antenna element and the fourth antenna element can form a coupling path between the third antenna element and the fourth antenna element such that at least a portion of a signal generated by the third antenna element is coupled to the fourth antenna element through the coupling path to at least reduce cross-polar mutual coupling between the third antenna element and the fourth antenna element.

[0012] In any of the above example embodiments, the first antenna element, the second antenna element, the third antenna element, and the fourth antenna element can be supported by a substrate, the first conductive structure can be located on a first side of the substrate, the second conductive structure can be located on a second side of the substrate.

[0013] In any of the above example embodiments, a length of the first conductive structure can be such that the signal generated by the first antenna element arrives at the second antenna element with a 180° phase difference relative to an over-the-air signal generated by the first antenna element.

[0014] In any of the above example embodiments, the first antenna element and the second antenna element can be supported by a substrate, the first conductive structure can be connected to a portion of the first antenna element that is overlaid by the radiating patch element of the first antenna element, and to a portion of the second antenna element that is overlaid by the radiating patch element of the second antenna element.

[0015] In any of the above example embodiments, the first conductive structure can have at least a first arm that extends proximate a perimeter of the portion of the first antenna element that is overlaid by the radiating patch element of the first antenna element, and at least a second arm that extends proximate a perimeter of the portion of the second antenna element that is overlaid by the radiating patch element of the second antenna element.

[0016] In any of the above example embodiments, an arm of the first conductive structure that extends proximate a first inner substrate perimeter can have a curved geometry.

[0017] In any of the above example embodiments, an arm of the first conductive structure that extends proximate the first inner substrate perimeter can extend along a first inner substrate perimeter edge that is shorter than a midpoint of the perimeter edge.

[0018] In any of the above example embodiments, the first antenna element can include a first corner, the second antenna element can include a second corner. The first corner can be adjacent and proximate to the second corner, the first conductive structure can be connected proximate the first corner and proximate the second corner.

[0019] In any of the above example embodiments, the first antenna element and the second antenna element can be supported by a substrate, the first conductive structure can extend along a first inner substrate perimeter of the first antenna element and a second substrate perimeter of the second antenna element.

[0020] In any of the above example embodiments, the first antenna element can have four corner portions, each corner portion containing a respective conductive structure.

[0021] In any of the above example embodiments, a length of the first conductive element can be equal to one half of an operating wavelength of the antenna array.

[0022] In various examples, the present disclosure describes an antenna array capable of full-duplex communication, the antenna array comprising: a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a grid pattern; a plurality of conductive structures. The plurality of conductive structures extend between diagonally adjacent antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements and form a plurality of coupling paths between respective diagonally adjacent antenna elements, such that at least a portion of a signal generated by each antenna element is coupled to the respective diagonally adjacent antenna element through the coupling paths to at least reduce cross-polar mutual coupling between the diagonally adjacent antenna elements.

[0023] In any of the above example embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements can include at least a first antenna element and a second antenna element having a common diagonal axis along which the first antenna element and the second antenna element are adjacent to each other. A length of a first conductive structure of the plurality of conductive structures extending between the first antenna element and the second antenna element can be such that the signal generated by the first antenna element arrives at the second antenna element with a 180° phase difference relative to an over-the-air signal generated by the first antenna element.

[0024] In any of the above example embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements can include at least a first antenna element and a second antenna element having a common diagonal axis along which the first antenna element and the second antenna element are adjacent to each other. A length of a first conductive structure of the plurality of conductive structures extending between the first antenna element and the second antenna element can be equal to half of an operating wavelength of the antenna array.

[0025] In any of the above example embodiments, each of the plurality of antenna elements can be shaped to have four corner portions, and each of the plurality of conductive structures can extend between diagonally adjacent corners of respective diagonally adjacent antenna elements.

[0026] In any of the above example embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements can include at least a first antenna element and a second antenna element having a common diagonal axis along which the first antenna element and the second antenna element are adjacent to each other. The first conductive structure of the plurality of conductive structures extending between the first antenna element and the second antenna element can be connected to a portion of the first antenna element superimposed by a radiating patch element of the first antenna element and to a portion of the second antenna element superimposed by a radiating patch element of the second antenna element.

[0027] In any of the above example embodiments, the first conductive structure can have at least a first arm extending proximate a periphery of the portion of the first antenna element that is overlaid by the radiating patch element of the first antenna element, and at least a second arm extending proximate a periphery of the portion of the second antenna element that is overlaid by the radiating patch element of the second antenna element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the exemplary embodiments of the present application will be illustrated, by way of example, in which:

[0029] Figure 1A A schematic diagram illustrating an example communication system suitable for use with examples described herein is shown;

[0030] Figure 1B A schematic diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device in which examples of the disclosed antenna array can be implemented is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 An example antenna system in which examples of the disclosed antenna array can be implemented is shown;

[0032] Figure 3 An example antenna array element with conductive structure provided by examples described herein is shown;

[0033] Figure 4 An expanded view of an example antenna array with conductive structure that can be implemented in examples of the disclosed 2x2 antenna array is shown;

[0034] Figure 5 An example antenna array with conductive structure in a 2x2 antenna element grid provided by examples described herein is shown.

[0035] Similar reference characters can be used to represent similar components in different figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In various examples, the present disclosure describes an antenna array having a network of conductors positioned above a ground plane reflector that reduces or eliminates unwanted coupling between diagonal antenna array elements. The antenna array can include dual orthogonal polarized antenna elements. Antenna coupling can be reduced or eliminated across both dimensions of a large scale multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array.

[0037] The antenna arrays disclosed herein can be configured to not significantly increase the array depth required to achieve a self-cancellation effect, only increasing the complexity of the antenna array.

[0038] Full-duplex technology enables transmission and reception of wireless signals using a common antenna and transceiver. In full-duplex communication, the same time-frequency resources (e.g., the same carrier frequency) are used to transmit a transmit signal and to receive a receive signal simultaneously. Full-duplex communication offers the potential to double the communication capacity over a given bandwidth. However, in full-duplex communication, interference cancellation is critical to maintaining acceptable performance.

[0039] A typical full-duplex massive MIMO array or other antenna array structure can include multiple physically adjacent duplex transceiver antenna elements. These duplex transceiver antenna elements can create self-interference, especially in dense arrays such as those used for massive MIMO functionality, which can make full-duplex operation unfeasible or difficult to achieve.

[0040] Examples of antenna arrays having conductive structures that allow for the formation of a coupling path between diagonally opposed antenna elements in the array and enable self-cancellation of cross-polar mutual coupling are described.

[0041] Figure 1A An example wireless communication system 100 (also referred to as wireless system 100) in which embodiments of the application can be implemented is shown. Generally, the wireless system 100 enables multiple wireless or wireline elements to communicate data and other content. The wireless system 100 can enable the communication of content (e.g., voice, data, video, text, etc.) between entities of the system 100 (e.g., through broadcast, narrowcast, user equipment to user equipment, etc.). The wireless system 100 can be adapted for wireless communication using 5G technology and / or higher generation wireless technology (e.g., 6G or higher). In some examples, the wireless system 100 can also accommodate some legacy wireless technology (e.g., 3G or 4G wireless technology).

[0042] In the illustrated example, the wireless system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a-110c (generally referred to as EDs 110), radio access networks (RANs) 120a-120b (generally referred to as RANs 120), a core network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. In some examples, one or more of the networks can be omitted or replaced by a different type of network. Other networks can be included in the wireless system 100. Although Figure 1A A particular number of these components or elements is shown in FIG. 1. Any reasonable number of these components or elements can be included in the wireless system 100.

[0043] The EDs 110 are configured to operate and / or communicate in the wireless system 100. For example, the EDs 110 can be configured to transmit and / or receive over wireless communication channels. Each ED 110 represents any suitable end user device for wireless operation, and can include (or can be referred to as) a user equipment (UE), a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a cellular telephone, a station (STA), a machine type communication (MTC) device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a computer, a tablet, a wireless sensor, or a consumer electronics device, among other examples. Future generations of EDs 110 can be referred to using other terminology.

[0044] In Figure 1A The RAN 120 includes base stations (BSs) 170a-170b (generally BSs 170), respectively. Each BS 170 is configured to wirelessly interface with one or more of the UEs 110 to enable access to any of the core network 130, the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and / or the other networks 160.

[0045] For example, a BS 170 can include (or be) one or more of several well-known devices, such as a base transceiver station (BTS), a wireless base station, a Node-B (NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a Home eNodeB, a gNodeB (sometimes referred to as a next generation NodeB), a transmission point (TP), a transmit and receive point (TRP), a site controller, an access point (AP), or a wireless router, among other possibilities. Future generations of BSs 170 can be referred to using other terminology. Alternatively or additionally, any of the EDs 110 can be configured to connect, access, or communicate with any other BS 170, the Internet 150, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, the other networks 160, or any combination of the aforementioned devices that use the antenna systems of the present disclosure. The wireless system 100 can include a RAN, such as the RAN 120b, in which the corresponding BS 170b accesses the core network 130 through the Internet 150, as shown.

[0046] BS 170 is an example of a communication device that can be used to implement some or all of the functionality of the antenna arrays described herein and / or embodiments. In Figure 1A In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, BS 170a forms part of RAN 120a, which can include other BSs, one or more base station controllers (BSC), one or more radio network controllers (RNC), relay nodes, elements and / or devices. Any of the BSs 170 can be a single element, as illustrated, or a plurality of elements distributed across multiple physical locations. Further, BS 170b forms part of RAN 120b, which can include other BSs, elements and / or devices. Each BS 170 transmits and / or receives wireless signals within a particular geographic area, sometimes called a "cell" or "coverage area". The cell can further be divided into cell sectors, and the BS 170 can use multiple transceivers to provide service to multiple sectors. In some embodiments, established pico or femto cells can be supported by wireless access technologies. A macro cell can include one or more smaller cells. In some embodiments, multiple transceivers can be used for each cell, for example using MIMO technology. The number of RANs 120 shown is merely an example. Any number of RANs can be considered when designing wireless system 100.

[0047] The BS 170 communicates with one or more of the EDs 110 over one or more air interfaces 190a using wireless communication links (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), etc.), which can utilize the antenna arrays described herein located in the antenna systems. The EDs 110 can also communicate directly with one another over one or more sidelink air interfaces 190b. The interfaces 190a and 190b can be generally referred to as air interfaces 190. BS-ED communications over the interfaces 190a and ED-ED communications over the interfaces 190b can use similar communication techniques. For example, the antenna arrays disclosed herein can be used for BS-ED communications as well as for ED-ED communications. The air interfaces 190 can utilize any suitable wireless access technology. For example, the wireless system 100 can implement one or more channel access methods in the air interfaces 190, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). The air interfaces 190 can utilize other high-dimensional signal spaces according to examples described herein, which can include combinations of orthogonal and / or non-orthogonal dimensions.

[0048] The RAN 120 communicates with the core network 130 to provide various services to the EDs 110, such as voice, data, and other services. The RAN 120 and / or the core network 130 can communicate with one or more other RANs (not shown) that can or can not be directly

[0049] Figure 1B A diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device 1000 in which the antenna array 200 described herein can be used is shown. For example, the wireless communication device 1000 can be a BS 170 or an ED 110 in the wireless system 100. The wireless communication device 1000 can be used for communication within a 5G communication network or other wireless communication network. Although Figure 1B A single instance of each component is shown, but there can be multiple instances of each component in the wireless communication device 1000. The wireless communication device 1000 can be implemented using a parallel architecture and / or a distributed architecture.

[0050] The wireless communication device 1000 can include one or more processing devices 1005, such as a processor, microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), dedicated logic circuitry, or a combination thereof. Further, the wireless communication device 1000 can include one or more optional input / output (I / O) interfaces 1010, which can interface with one or more optional input devices 1035 and / or output devices 1070. The wireless communication device 1000 can include one or more network interfaces 1015 for wired or wireless communication with one or more networks of the wireless system 100 (e.g., an intranet, the Internet, a P2P network, a WAN, and / or a LAN, and / or a Radio Access Network (RAN)). The one or more network interfaces 1015 can include one or more interfaces to connect to wired networks and wireless networks. Wired networks can use wired links (e.g., Ethernet cables). The one or more network interfaces 1015 can provide wireless communication (e.g., full-duplex communication) through the disclosed example of the antenna array 200. The wireless communication device 1000 can also include one or more storage units 1020, which can include solid-state drives, hard disk drives, disk drives, and / or optical disk drives, among other mass storage units.

[0051] The wireless communication device 1000 can include one or more memories 1025 (which can include physical memory 1040), which can include volatile or nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash, random access memory (RAM), and / or read-only memory (ROM)). The one or more non-transitory memories 1025 (as well as the memory 1020) can store instructions for execution by the one or more processing devices 1005. The one or more memories 1025 can include other software instructions for implementing an operating system (OS) and / or the like, as well as other applications / functions. In some examples, one or more data sets and / or modules can be provided by an external storage (e.g., an external drive in wired or wireless communication with the wireless communication device 1000), as well as by a transitory or non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include RAM, ROM, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, a CD-ROM, or other portable memory storage.

[0052] There can be a bus 1030 for communicating between the components of the wireless communication device 1000. The bus 1030 can be any suitable bus architecture, such as including a memory bus, a peripheral bus, or a video bus. One or more optional input devices 1035 (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touchscreen, and / or a keypad) and one or more optional output devices 1070 (e.g., a display, a speaker, and / or a printer) are shown as external devices of the wireless communication device 1000 and connected to the optional I / O interface 1010. In other examples, one or more of the one or more input devices 1035 and / or the one or more output devices 1070 can be used as a component of the wireless communication device 1000. The one or more processing devices 1005 can be used to control the transmission of signals to / from the antenna array 200. The one or more processing devices 1005 can also be used to control the beamforming and beam steering of the antenna array 200.

[0053] Reference is now made to Figures 2 to 4 An example of the disclosed antenna array 200 and individual antenna elements therein is shown. The following reference axes are shown in Cartesian planes: a first axis 202, a second axis 204, and a diagonal axis 206. The first axis 202 is perpendicular to the second axis 204, and the diagonal axis 206 is also shown intersecting the intersection of the first axis 202 and the second axis 204.

[0054] Reference Figure 2 Antenna array 200 includes a plurality of antenna elements, which in this example are arranged in an NxM array. For example, in the illustrated example embodiment, a first antenna element 220 is shown as being located at the center of the intersection of a first axis 202 and a second axis 204, and a second antenna element 230 is shown as being diagonally adjacent to the second antenna element 230. The diagonal line between the first antenna element 220 and the second antenna element 230 shares a same diagonal axis 206.

[0055] The antenna elements of antenna array 200 can be arranged in a variety of patterns. In example embodiments, the antenna elements of antenna array 200 are arranged in a half- lambda spacing, where the distance separating diagonally adjacent antenna elements is one-half of the signal wavelength λ of the intended operating frequency. For example, Figure 2 The distance 240 shown in FIG. 2 can be configured to be one-half of the signal wavelength λ of the operating frequency, such that the distance from one antenna element to another diagonally adjacent antenna element is equal to one signal wavelength λ. In some example embodiments, the antenna elements of antenna array 200 are arranged in a grid-like manner, as shown in Figure 2 FIG. 3. In other example embodiments, the grid-like manner can include non-rectangular shapes defined by the constituent grid-like antenna array 200 (e.g., having rows / columns containing different numbers of antenna elements 230).

[0056] Antenna array 200 is capable of full-duplex communication. In operation, antenna array 200 includes antenna elements that transmit signals and antenna elements that simultaneously receive signals.

[0057] The antenna elements themselves (e.g., the first antenna element 220) can be a variety of shapes. The antenna elements can be symmetric about a plane. In example embodiments, the first antenna element 220 and / or the plurality of antenna elements as a whole and / or the radiating elements therein can be circular, square, or polygonal. In example embodiments, as disclosed above, the antenna elements are any shape that facilitates arranging the antenna elements in a half-lambda spacing.

[0058] In Figure 2 FIG. 2, when the first antenna element 220 transmits a signal, there is cross-polarization mutual coupling with other antenna elements in a vertical direction coincident with the first axis 202, in a horizontal direction coincident with the second axis 204, along the diagonal axis 206, or in a direction mirrored to the diagonal axis 206. The mutual coupling in the vertical or horizontal direction tends to be relatively weak (e.g., -65 dB or less in power). However, the mutual coupling in the diagonal direction tends to be relatively strong (e.g., about -40 dB in power).

[0059] In example embodiments, a plurality of conductive structures are introduced in the antenna array 200, where the conductive structures extend diagonally between diagonally adjacent antenna elements (e.g., between the first antenna element 220 and the second antenna element 230). The conductive structures form coupling paths between the diagonally adjacent antenna elements. The diagonal coupling paths enable coupling between the diagonally adjacent antenna elements, which have cross-polar mutual coupling in the diagonal direction, equal amplitude but with 180° phase difference between the diagonally adjacent antenna elements. Employing the conductive structures in this configuration helps to reduce or eliminate port-to-port coupling between the diagonally adjacent antenna elements.

[0060] The antenna elements are supported by a substrate structure (or simply, a substrate), and each antenna element includes a patch cell.

[0061] Referring to Figure 3 where the first antenna element 220 is shown. In example embodiments, the first antenna element 220 can include a plurality of conductive structures, including a first conductive structure 310, a second conductive structure 312, a third conductive structure 314, and a fourth conductive structure 316 (“conductive structures”). For clarity, the conductive structures shown in bold provide coupling paths between adjacent diagonal antenna elements (as described below).

[0062] The conductive structures can be made of any material capable of establishing a coupling path with an adjacent diagonal antenna element. For example, the conductive structures can be made of copper, aluminum, or other metals or any non-metallic conductive material.

[0063] Figure 3 A top view of the antenna element 220 is shown. In some embodiments, for example, for clarity, the first antenna element 220 has an outer perimeter 302 (shown in white dashed line) and a first inner perimeter 304 (shown in white dashed line). The portion of the antenna element 220 encapsulated by the first inner substrate perimeter 304 is the portion overlaid by the patch cell (which can be referred to herein as the inner portion of the antenna element 220). The area between the outer perimeter 302 and the first inner substrate perimeter 304 is referred to herein as the substrate portion of the antenna element 220 and defines a portion of the antenna element where the patch cell is not overlaid. Similarly, an inner portion and a substrate portion can be defined for the second antenna element 230 and each other antenna element of the antenna array 200.

[0064] The outer periphery of the antenna element can have any number of edges, thereby creating different possible shapes of the antenna element. For example, in some embodiments, the outer periphery 302 has four edges, where the first antenna element 220 is square or rectangular. In exemplary embodiments, the first antenna element 220 is polygonal, and the outer periphery 302 can have an odd or even number of edges. In exemplary embodiments, the outer periphery 302 has only one edge, and the antenna element 220 is circular or elliptical.

[0065] In exemplary embodiments, the conductive structures can have different elements, including arms that extend along different directions and can improve the cancellation effect. For example, in Figure 3 the second conductive structure 312 has diagonal extending portions 312A that extend between the first antenna element 220 and diagonally adjacent antenna elements (not shown). The second conductive structure 312 can also include one or more arms 312B and 312C. The arms 312B and 312C can be located at the inner portion of the antenna element 220 and can extend close to the first inner periphery 304, thereby expanding the area of the inner portion covered by the arms 312B and 312C. In exemplary embodiments, the arms 312B and 312C are close to the first inner periphery 304 and are parallel to the vertical axis 202 and the horizontal axis 204, respectively. In some exemplary embodiments, the arms 312B and 312C can be curved or have a curved geometry. In some examples, there can be only one arm (e.g., only arm 312B) extending along one axis. In some examples, the arms 312B and 312C can together form a single arc.

[0066] The arms 312B and 312C can be of different lengths, or in exemplary embodiments, the arms 312B and 312C can be substantially equal in length. The first conductive structure 310 can have arms of different lengths than the arms of the second conductive structure 312, and so on. The arms 312B and 312C can extend close to the first inner periphery 304, but not extend into contact with other conductive structures. For example, the arms 312B and 312C can extend close to the first inner periphery 304, but the arm 312C can not extend past the midpoint 330.

[0067] The above discussion regarding the conductive structure 312 is similarly applicable to all of the conductive structures, including the first conductive structure 310. For example, the first conductive structure can have an arm element 310A that extends close to the first inner periphery 304.

[0068] In example embodiments, when the first inner perimeter 304 is polygonal, the portions of the substrate proximate to the polygonal corners can be considered "corners." The corners can also be defined by the areas of the substrate portions proximate to the corners of the radiating patch element. In the example embodiment shown, the first antenna element 220 includes a first corner 320, a second corner 322, a third corner 324, and a fourth corner 326. Each of the conductive structures 310, 312, 314, 316 can be located proximate to a respective corner 320, 322, 324, 326.

[0069] Figure 4 A close-up view of respective corners of four antenna elements (i.e., the first antenna element 220, the second antenna element 230, the third antenna element 412, and the fourth antenna element 414) that are adjacent to each other (e.g., arranged in a 2x2 grid) is shown. Reference is made to FIG. 4A, which shows a close-up view of the respective corners of the four antenna elements 220, 230, 412, 414. Figure 4 In example embodiments, the first conductive structure 310 is connected proximate to the inner perimeter 304 of the first antenna element 220, extends through the substrate portion of the first antenna element 220, and extends through the substrate portion of the second antenna element 230, and is connected proximate to the inner substrate perimeter 404 of the second antenna element 230.

[0070] In example embodiments, the first conductive structure 310 can have at least one arm element 310C that extends proximate to the second inner substrate perimeter 404. The at least one arm element 310C that extends proximate to the second inner substrate perimeter 404 can have a curved geometry (not shown).

[0071] The first antenna element 220 is connected to the first conductive structure 310, and the second antenna element 230 is also connected to the first conductive structure 310, such that a diagonal coupling path is formed between the two antenna elements. The signal generated by the first antenna element 220 will be coupled to the second antenna element 230 through the first conductive structure 310, and the coupled signal will be cross-polarly mutually coupled in the air with respect to the first antenna element 310 to the second antenna element 230 with a 180° phase difference to reach the second antenna element 230. Thus, the first conductive structure 310 can reduce the diagonal cross-polar mutual coupling between the first antenna element 220 and the second antenna element 230.

[0072] In example embodiments, the length and / or thickness of the first conductive structure 310 can be designed to provide a coupling path between the diagonally adjacent first antenna element 220 and the second antenna element 230 such that the amplitudes of the coupled signals along the conductive structure 310 are equal, but there is a 180° phase difference with respect to the diagonal cross-polar mutual coupling between the first antenna element 220 and the second antenna element 230.

[0073] Additional conductive structures can be configured similarly to the first conductive structure 310 described above to provide additional coupling paths relative to other diagonally adjacent antenna elements, thereby reducing or eliminating port-to-port diagonal cross-polarity mutual coupling. For example, the second conductive structure 420 can also provide a conductive path between the third antenna element 412 and the fourth antenna element 414 in a similar manner to reduce or eliminate diagonal cross-polarity mutual coupling between the third antenna element 412 and the fourth antenna element 414.

[0074] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 An orthogonal exploded view of a portion of the antenna array 200 shown. Figure 5 The view in the image shows a portion of four antenna elements, specifically a portion of the first antenna element 220, the second antenna element 230, the third antenna element 412, and the fourth antenna element 414 arranged in a 2x2 grid (generally referred to as "antenna elements").

[0075] The antenna elements are coplanar and supported by a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate). Each antenna element may have individual radiating elements that together define a unit sheet plane. Where multiple conductive structures are required to be located in the same region between multiple diagonally adjacent antenna elements, the conductive structures may be placed on opposite sides of the substrate. Antenna elements 220, 230, 412, and 414 have a first antenna element first side 220A, a second antenna element first side 230A, a third antenna element first side 412A, and a fourth antenna element first side 230A, respectively, on a first side of the substrate. The antenna elements also have second sides 220B, 230B, 412B, and 414B, respectively, on a second side of the substrate opposite to the first side. A first conductive structure 310 extending diagonally between the first antenna element 220 and the second antenna element 230 is shown on the first side of the substrate. A second conductive structure 420, shown in dashed lines, is located on the second side of the substrate. The first conductive structure 310 and the second conductive structure 420 are configured in this way to be located in the same region, but on opposite sides of the substrate. Therefore, the conductive structures 310 and 420 are located below the unit sheet plane and do not significantly increase the thickness of the antenna array 200. Figure 4 A 2D overhead representation of a portion of the antenna array 200 is also shown. Figure 4 In the diagram, the first conductive structure 310 is shown on the first side of the substrate, and the second conductive structure 420 is located on the opposite second side of the substrate (it should be noted that the second conductive structure 420 will be hidden, as shown by dashed lines).

[0076] The disclosed examples of antenna arrays can be applied to full-duplex antenna arrays, including tightly packed array configurations, such as base stations or access points for wireless communication networks.

[0077] The disclosed network of conductive structures can be disposed above a reflector of an antenna array, have dual-polarized antenna elements, and be used to introduce independent coupling paths between diagonally adjacent antenna elements. In particular, these coupling paths introduced between diagonally placed antenna elements are not placed along the vertical or horizontal symmetry lines of the elements. The magnitudes of these independent coupling paths are equal, but there is a 180° phase difference from the intrinsic antenna coupling, thus reducing or canceling cross-polarized port-to-port coupling.

[0078] The disclosed network of conductive structures creates independent coupling in both dimensions of an antenna array. In some examples, high isolation and pure polarized antenna elements can be used in the antenna array.

[0079] The disclosed network of conductive structures in an antenna array can help reduce coupling between antenna elements in a dense array, such as for massive MIMO operation. The network of conductive structures can not significantly increase the overall volume of the antenna array, only the complexity of the antenna array.

[0080] The application can take other specific forms without departing from the subject matter of the claims. The described example embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects, and are not restrictive. Selected features of one or more of the above-described embodiments can be combined to create alternative embodiments not explicitly described, with the understanding that the features of such combinations are within the scope of the application. For example, although certain dimensions and shapes of the disclosed antenna elements and / or antenna arrays have been shown, other dimensions and shapes can be used.

[0081] All values and subranges within the disclosed ranges are also disclosed. In addition, while the systems, devices, and processes disclosed and shown herein can include particular numbers of elements / components, the systems, devices, and assemblies can be modified to include more or less of such elements / components. For example, while any of the disclosed elements / components can be referred to in the singular, embodiments disclosed herein can be modified to include a plurality of such elements / components. The subject matter described herein is intended to cover and encompass all appropriate technical equivalents.

Claims

1. An antenna array capable of full-duplex communication, characterized in that, include: The first antenna element is a bipolar antenna element, and the first antenna element has a diagonal axis; The second antenna element is a bipolar antenna element. The second antenna element shares the diagonal axis with the first antenna element, and the second antenna element is adjacent to the first antenna element along the diagonal axis. A first conductive structure extends along the diagonal axis between the first antenna element and the second antenna element, and forms a coupling path between the first antenna element and the second antenna element, such that at least a portion of the signal generated by the first antenna element is coupled to the second antenna element through the coupling path, thereby at least reducing cross-polarity mutual coupling between the first antenna element and the second antenna element; the length of the first conductive structure is such that the signal generated by the first antenna element arrives at the second antenna element with a 180° phase difference relative to the air signal generated by the first antenna element.

2. The antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first antenna element and the second antenna element are supported by a substrate, and the first conductive structure is located on the first side of the substrate.

3. The antenna array according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first conductive structure is a copper conductive structure.

4. The antenna array according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The third antenna element is a bipolar antenna element; The fourth antenna element is a bipolar antenna element; The first antenna element, the second antenna element, the third antenna element, and the fourth antenna element form a 2x2 grid; A second conductive structure extends along a second diagonal axis shared by the third and fourth antenna elements between the third and fourth antenna elements, and forms a coupling path between the third and fourth antenna elements, such that at least a portion of the signal generated by the third antenna element is coupled to the fourth antenna element through the coupling path, thereby at least reducing cross-polarity mutual coupling between the third and fourth antenna elements.

5. The antenna array according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first antenna element, the second antenna element, the third antenna element, and the fourth antenna element are supported by a substrate; The first conductive structure is located on the first side of the substrate; The second conductive structure is located on the second side of the substrate.

6. The antenna array according to claim 1, 2, or 5, characterized in that, The first antenna element and the second antenna element are supported by a substrate. The first conductive structure is connected to a portion of the first antenna element which is composed of radiating sheet units of the first antenna element, and is also connected to a portion of the second antenna element which is composed of radiating sheet units of the second antenna element.

7. The antenna array according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first conductive structure has at least a first arm extending close to the periphery of the portion of the first antenna vibrator on which the radiating sheet units of the first antenna vibrator are superimposed, and at least a second arm extending close to the periphery of the portion of the second antenna vibrator on which the radiating sheet units of the second antenna vibrator are superimposed.

8. The antenna array according to claim 7, characterized in that, At least one arm of the first conductive structure extending near the periphery of the first inner substrate has a curved geometry.

9. The antenna array according to claim 8, characterized in that, At least one arm of the first conductive structure extends near the periphery of the first inner substrate and extends along the peripheral edge of the first inner substrate, the peripheral edge of the first inner substrate being shorter than the midpoint of the peripheral edge.

10. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, or 7-9, characterized in that: The first antenna element includes a first corner; The second antenna element includes a second corner; The first corner is adjacent to and closest to the second corner; The first conductive structure is connected near the first corner and near the second corner.

11. The antenna array according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first antenna element and the second antenna element are supported by a substrate, and the first conductive structure extends along the periphery of the first inner substrate of the first antenna element and the periphery of the second substrate of the second antenna element.

12. The antenna array according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first antenna element has four corner sections, each corner section containing a corresponding conductive structure.

13. The antenna array according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, 7-9, or 11-12, characterized in that, The length of the first conductive element is equal to half the operating wavelength of the antenna array.

14. An antenna array capable of full-duplex communication, characterized in that, include: Multiple antenna elements are arranged in a grid pattern; The plurality of antenna elements includes at least a first antenna element and a second antenna element, the first antenna element and the second antenna element having a common diagonal axis, and the first antenna element and the second antenna element being adjacent to each other along the diagonal axis; Multiple conductive structures extend between diagonally adjacent antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements and form multiple coupling paths between corresponding diagonally adjacent antenna elements, such that at least a portion of the signal generated by each antenna element is coupled to the corresponding diagonally adjacent antenna element through the coupling paths, thereby at least reducing cross-polarity mutual coupling between the diagonally adjacent antenna elements; wherein, the length of the first conductive structure extending between the first antenna element and the second antenna element is such that the signal generated by the first antenna element reaches the second antenna element with a 180° phase difference relative to the air signal generated by the first antenna element.

15. The antenna array according to claim 14, characterized in that, The length of the first conductive structure extending between the first antenna element and the second antenna element in the plurality of conductive structures is equal to half the operating wavelength of the antenna array.

16. The antenna array according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of antenna elements is shaped to have four corner portions, and each of the plurality of conductive structures extends between diagonally adjacent corners of the respective diagonally adjacent antenna elements.

17. The antenna array according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first conductive structure, which extends between the first antenna element and the second antenna element, is connected to a portion of the first antenna element, which is composed of radiating sheet units of the first antenna element, and is also connected to a portion of the second antenna element, which is composed of radiating sheet units of the second antenna element.

18. The antenna array according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first conductive structure has at least a first arm extending close to the periphery of the portion of the first antenna vibrator on which the radiating sheet units of the first antenna vibrator are superimposed, and at least a second arm extending close to the periphery of the portion of the second antenna vibrator on which the radiating sheet units of the second antenna vibrator are superimposed.

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