Multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna arrays and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) modules

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module. In an exemplary aspect, the device includes a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module having a first antenna array, a second antenna array, and at least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit. The first antenna array includes at least two first antenna elements and is tuned to a first mmW band. The second antenna array includes at least two second antenna elements and is tuned to a second mmW band. At least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit includes at least two first transceiver chains and at least two second transceiver chains. At least two first transceiver chains are respectively coupled to at least two first antenna elements, and at least two second transceiver chains are respectively coupled to at least two second antenna elements.

Description

[0001] This divisional application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 201980072490.7, entitled “Multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module”, filed on October 24, 2019.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This patent application claims priority to non-provisional application No. 16 / 178,189, filed on November 1, 2018, entitled “MULTI-BAND MILLIMETER-WAVE (MMW) ANTENNA ARRAY AND RADIO-FREQUENCY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (RFIC) MODULE,” which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to antenna arrays and wireless transceivers, and more particularly to a joint antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) design that implements a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and RFIC module. Background Art

[0005] Electronic devices use radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit information. These RF signals enable users to talk with friends, download information, share pictures, remotely control home devices, and receive global positioning information. Some electronic devices include multiple antenna arrays to transmit and receive communication signals at different frequencies or along different directions. However, due to the size limitations of some electronic devices, the number of antenna arrays that can be implemented may be limited. As a result, electronic devices may be limited in the number of frequency bands they can support or the amount of spatial coverage they can provide at any time or in a given physical orientation. Summary of the invention

[0006] A device for implementing a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module is disclosed. Positioning multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules around a device enables providing target spatial coverage for one or more millimeter wave bands. The disclosed multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module have a compact design so that multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules can be included in a space-constrained device. The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module can be used to perform multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) operations, carrier aggregation, or to utilize multiple millimeter wave bands. The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module can also support multiple polarizations by using two sets of single-polarized antenna elements or dual-polarized antenna elements. The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module include at least two antenna arrays and at least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit, which are constructed together to save the space occupied by the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module without adversely affecting the performance of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module.

[0007] In an example aspect, a device is disclosed. The device includes a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module. The multi-band mmW antenna array and the RFIC module include a first antenna array, a second antenna array, and at least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit. The first antenna array includes at least two first antenna elements and is tuned to a first mmW band. The second antenna array includes at least two second antenna elements and is tuned to a second mmW band. At least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit includes at least two first transceiver chains and at least two second transceiver chains. At least two first transceiver chains are respectively coupled to at least two first antenna elements, and at least two second transceiver chains are respectively coupled to at least two second antenna elements.

[0008] In an example aspect, a device is disclosed. The device includes a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module. The multi-band mmW antenna array and the RFIC module include a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array is configured to respond to a first signal associated with a first mmW band. The second antenna array is configured to respond to a second signal associated with a second mmW band. The multi-band mmW antenna array and the RFIC module also include a radio frequency front-end integrated circuit coupled to the first antenna array and the second antenna array. The radio frequency front-end integrated circuit includes a first dividing device for adjusting the first signal associated with the first mmW band. The radio frequency front-end integrated circuit also includes a second dividing device for adjusting the second signal associated with the second mmW band.

[0009] In an example aspect, a method for operating a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module is disclosed. The method includes responding to a first signal associated with a first mmW band via a first antenna array of the multi-band mmW antenna array and the RFIC module. The method also includes adjusting the first signal associated with the first mmW band via a radio frequency front end integrated circuit of the multi-band mmW antenna array and the RFIC module. The method also includes responding to a second signal associated with a second mmW band via a second antenna array of the multi-band mmW antenna array and the RFIC module. The method also includes adjusting the second signal associated with the second mmW band via the radio frequency front end integrated circuit.

[0010] In an example aspect, a device is disclosed. The device includes a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module having a first antenna array, a second antenna array, a first radio frequency front end integrated circuit, and a second radio frequency front end integrated circuit. The first antenna array includes at least two first antenna elements and is tuned to a first mmW band. The second antenna array includes at least two second antenna elements and is tuned to a second mmW band. The first radio frequency front end integrated circuit includes at least two first transceiver chains respectively coupled to the at least two first antenna elements. The second radio frequency front end integrated circuit includes at least two second transceiver chains respectively coupled to the at least two second antenna elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 An example operating environment utilizing a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 An example computing device including multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and an RFIC module is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 An example implementation of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0014] Figure 4-1 An example antenna array for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0015] Figure 4-2 An example single-polarized antenna element and two example implementations thereof for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module are shown.

[0016] Figure 4-3 An example dual-polarized antenna element and two example implementations thereof for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module are shown.

[0017] Figure 5-1 Example non-interleaved partitioning of a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0018] Figure 5-2 An example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0019] Figure 5-3 Another example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0020] Figure 5-4 Another example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0021] Figure 5-5 Example interleaved partitioning of a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0022] Figure 5-6 An example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0023] Figure 5-7 Another example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0024] Figure 5-8 An example implementation of a transceiver chain within a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module is shown.

[0025] Figure 6-1 An example arrangement of an antenna array and a radio frequency front end integrated circuit for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module is shown.

[0026] Figure 6-2 An example arrangement of multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules for implementing a large linear antenna array is shown.

[0027] Figure 6-3 An example arrangement of multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules for implementing a two-dimensional antenna array is shown.

[0028] Figure 7-1An example routing of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module including dual-polarized patch antenna elements and a radio frequency front-end integrated circuit with non-interleaved partitions is shown.

[0029] Figure 7-2 Another example routing of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module including dual-polarized cross-patch antenna elements and a radio frequency front-end integrated circuit with non-interleaved partitions is shown.

[0030] Figure 7-3 An example routing of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module including single-polarized patch antenna elements and a radio frequency front-end integrated circuit with non-interleaved partitions is shown.

[0031] Figure 7-4 Another example routing of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module including a single-polarized patch antenna element and a radio frequency front-end integrated circuit with non-interleaved partitions is shown.

[0032] Figure 7-5 An example routing of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module including single-polarized patch antenna elements and a radio frequency front-end integrated circuit with staggered partitions is shown.

[0033] Figure 8-1 An example implementation of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module with multiple RF front-end integrated circuits is shown.

[0034] Figure 8-2 Another example implementation of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module with multiple radio frequency front-end integrated circuits is shown.

[0035] Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for operating a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Electronic devices use radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit information. These RF signals enable users to talk with friends, download information, share pictures, remotely control home devices, receive global positioning information, use radar for object detection and tracking, listen to radio stations, and so on. Some electronic devices include multiple antenna arrays to transmit and receive communication signals at different frequencies or along different directions. However, due to the size limitations of some electronic devices, the number of antenna arrays that can be deployed in a given electronic device may be limited. As a result, the electronic device may be limited in the number of frequency bands it can support or the amount of spatial coverage that can be achieved.

[0037] To address such challenges, technologies for implementing multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna arrays and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) modules are described herein. Positioning multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules around a device enables providing target spatial coverage for one or more millimeter wave bands. The described multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module have a compact design so that multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules can be included in space-constrained devices. Multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules can be used to perform multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) operations, carrier aggregation, or for utilizing multiple millimeter wave bands. Multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules can also support multiple polarizations by using single-polarized antenna elements or dual-polarized antenna elements. Multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules include at least two antenna arrays and at least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit, which are constructed together to save the space occupied by multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules without adversely affecting the performance of multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules.

[0038] Figure 1 An example environment 100 utilizing a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module is shown. In the example environment 100, a computing device 102 communicates with a base station 104 via a wireless communication link 106 (wireless link 106). In this example, the computing device 102 is depicted as a smart phone. However, the computing device 102 may be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a modem, a cellular base station, a broadband router, an access point, a cellular phone, a gaming device, a navigation device, a media device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, a server, a network attached storage (NAS) device, a smart home appliance or other Internet of Things (IoT) device, a medical device, a vehicle-based communication system, a radar, a radio, etc.

[0039] Base station 104 communicates with computing device 102 via wireless link 106, which may be implemented as any suitable type of wireless link. Although depicted as a tower of a cellular network, base station 104 may represent or be implemented as another device, such as a satellite, a server device, a terrestrial television broadcast tower, an access point, a peer device, a mesh network node, etc. Computing device 102 may communicate with base station 104 via a wireless connection (e.g., in the same or different frequency band as wireless link 106) or a wired connection, or a combination thereof. Computing device 102 may also communicate with another device via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination thereof.

[0040] Wireless link 106 may include a downlink of data or control information transmitted from base station 104 to computing device 102 and an uplink of other data or control information transmitted from computing device 102 to base station 104. Wireless link 106 may be implemented using any suitable communication protocol or standard, such as fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi TM ), any satellite communications (SATCOM) standard, IEEE 802.16 (e.g., WiMAX TM ), etc. In some implementations, the wireless link 106 may provide power wirelessly, and the base station 104 may include a power source.

[0041] As shown, computing device 102 includes an application processor 108 and a computer-readable storage medium 110 (CRM 110). Application processor 108 may include any type of processor, such as a multi-core processor, that executes processor executable code stored by CRM 110. CRM 110 may include any suitable type of data storage medium, such as volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), optical media, magnetic media (e.g., disk), etc. In the context of the present disclosure, CRM 110 is implemented to store instructions 112, data 114, and other information for computing device 102, and therefore does not include transient propagating signals or carrier waves.

[0042] The computing device 102 may also include an input / output port 116 (I / O port 116) and a display 118. The I / O port 116 enables data exchange or interaction with other devices, networks, or users. The I / O port 116 may include a serial port (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) port), a parallel port, an audio port, an infrared (IR) port, a user interface port (such as a touch screen), etc. The display 118 presents graphics of the computing device 102, such as a user interface associated with an operating system, program, or application. Alternatively or additionally, the display 118 may be implemented as a display port or a virtual interface through which the graphical content of the computing device 102 is presented.

[0043] The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 of the computing device 102 provide connectivity with the corresponding network and other electronic devices connected thereto. In addition, the computing device 102 may include a wired transceiver, such as an Ethernet or fiber optic interface, for communicating through a local network, an intranet, or the Internet. The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 can facilitate communication through any suitable type of wireless network, such as a wireless local area network (LAN) (WLAN), a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a mesh network, a cellular network, a wireless wide area network (WWAN), and / or a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In the context of the example environment 100, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 enable the computing device 102 to communicate with the base station 104 and the network connected thereto. However, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 can also enable the computing device 102 to communicate "directly" with other devices or networks.

[0044] The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 includes at least one radio frequency front end (RFFE) integrated circuit (IC) 122 (RFFE IC 122) (e.g., RFIC) and at least two antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N. The RF front end integrated circuit 122 includes circuit systems and logic for adjusting signals transmitted and received via the antenna arrays 124-1 to 124N (e.g., generating or processing signals). The components of the RF front end integrated circuit 122 may include amplifiers, switches, mixers, filters, phase shifters, etc. In some cases, the components of the RF front end integrated circuit 122 are implemented as separate receiver and transmitter entities. Additionally or alternatively, the RF front end integrated circuit 122 can be implemented by using multiple or different parts to implement corresponding reception and transmission operations (e.g., separate transmission and reception chains). Typically, the RF front end integrated circuit 122 adjusts signals associated with transmitting data of the computing device 102 through the antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N. Although not explicitly shown, the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 may be included as part of a wireless transceiver that includes other components or integrated circuits, such as an intermediate frequency integrated circuit or a baseband integrated circuit. The wireless transceiver may also include logic for performing in-phase / quadrature (I / Q) operations such as synthesis, encoding, modulation, decoding, demodulation, etc. Figures 5-1 to 5-8 An example implementation of the RF front end integrated circuit 122 is further described.

[0045] The RF front-end integrated circuit 122 may include one or more partitions associated with mmW bands, respectively. As used herein, a frequency band is a substantially continuous portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that may have a dedicated purpose defined by a government and may be public or private (e.g., unlicensed or licensed). In some cases, a frequency band may include a shared frequency band for carrier aggregation. Examples of mmW bands include mmW bands for fifth generation standards, such as low mmW bands (e.g., a band including at least a subset of frequencies between approximately 24 and 35 gigahertz (GHz)), mid mmW bands (e.g., a band including at least a subset of frequencies between approximately 35 and 50 GHz), or high mmW bands (e.g., a band including at least a subset of frequencies between approximately 50 and 300 GHz).

[0046] Each of the at least two antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N is tuned to a specific mmW frequency band. In other words, each antenna array is designed to transmit or receive RF signals having one or more frequencies within the associated mmW frequency band without significantly attenuating the RF signals. Each of the antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N can be coupled to a partition within the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 that is associated with a specific mmW frequency band, such as Figure 3 Further described. Figures 4-1 to 4-3 Example implementations of antenna arrays 124 - 1 through 124 -N are further described.

[0047] Within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120, the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 and the antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N are co-constructed to save space without adversely affecting performance. In particular, the design and placement of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 and the antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N simplify routing within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 and enable multiple traces to be arranged in the same metal layer. In this way, multiple traces do not overlap or cross each other, and the use of vias can be avoided, which improves the performance of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 compared to other designs with crossing or utilizing vias. To achieve this, some RF front-end integrated circuits 122 can be designed to have a symmetrical layout, such as Figure 5-1 and 5-6 and are placed in specific positions and orientations relative to antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-2, such as Figure 6-1 and 7-1 In addition, the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 are arranged in a symmetrical manner, as shown in FIG. Figure 6-1 and 7-1As further described in 7-3. As a result, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 can be assembled within a smaller form factor of a given computing device 102 (such as a portable computing device). In addition, the compact design of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 can enable multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules to be implemented within the computing device 102, such as with respect to Figure 2 Further described.

[0048] Figure 2 An example computing device 102 is shown that includes multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3. In the configuration shown, the multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 are oriented toward the top side 202, the left side 204, and the front side 206 of the computing device 102, respectively. In this way, the multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 can transmit or receive signals along the vertical direction or Y axis, the horizontal direction or X axis, or along the Z axis out of the page. In general, the mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 can be arranged around the computing device 102 to enable transmission and reception of signals in any direction relative to the computing device 102.

[0049] As mentioned above about Figure 1 As described, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 can transmit and receive signals 208-1 to 208-N associated with mmW bands 210-1 to 210-N. In general, the number of mmW bands supported by each of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 1203 is based on the number of antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N implemented in each of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3. Relative to the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-1, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-2 to 120-3 can support similar or different mmW bands 210-1 to 210-N. By utilizing multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120 - 1 through 120 - 3 having different orientations and located at different locations within the computing device 102 , the computing device 102 may achieve target spatial coverage for one or more mmW frequency bands 210 - 1 through 210 -N.

[0050] A control circuit system (not shown) within the computing device 102 may dynamically select which of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 to use based on the current situation or environment. If the control circuit system determines that a portion of one of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 is blocked (e.g., by an appendage of a user), the control circuit system may cause the computing device 102 to transmit and receive signals via one of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 that is unobstructed. As another example, the control circuit system may select a path along the way to the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3. Figure 1 The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 to 120-3 provide a target spatial coverage area or support a specific mmW frequency band in the direction of the base station 104. Figure 3 The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 are further described.

[0051] Figure 3 An example implementation of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is shown. In the configuration shown, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is shown to include one RF front-end integrated circuit 122 (RFFE IC 122) and two antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-2. In other implementations, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 may include more than two RF front-end integrated circuits 122 (e.g., Figures 8-1 to 8-2 As shown) or more than two antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N.

[0052] The RF front-end integrated circuit 122 is implemented on the die 302 and has a layout arranged according to partitions 304-1 and 304-2. Each of the partitions 304-1 and 304-2 is associated with a specific mmW band and includes one or more transceiver chains. In this case, the partition 304-1 supports the mmW band 210-1 (e.g., generates or processes signals within the mmW band 210-1), and the partition 304-2 supports the mmW band 210-2 (e.g., generates or processes signals within the mmW band 210-2). Typically, the number of partitions within the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 is based on the number of mmW bands 210-1 to 210-N that the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 are designed to support or the number of RF front-end integrated circuits 122 implemented within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120.

[0053] The RFFEIC 122 may be mounted to a surface 306 of a substrate 308 via an interface 310. The surface 306 is the bottom side of the substrate 308. Figure 3304-1 and 304-2 face the surface 306 of the substrate 308. An interface 310 disposed on the surface 306 is configured to receive and connect to the die 302. The interface 310 includes a plurality of terminals represented as terminals 312-1 to 312-A and terminals 314-1 to 314-B, where A and B are positive integers that may or may not be equal to each other. The values ​​of A and B are based on the respective numbers of feed ports associated with the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2. Figure 4-2 and 4-3 Different types of feed ports are described further.Although not explicitly depicted, interface 310 may include other terminals that connect RF front end integrated circuit 122 to other components, such as another integrated circuit that is part of a wireless transceiver or control circuitry.

[0054] Through interface 310, terminals 312-1 through 312-A couple transceiver chains within partition 304-1 to antenna elements of antenna array 124-1. Similarly, terminals 314-1 through 314-B couple transceiver chains within partition 304-2 to antenna elements of antenna array 124-2. Figure 3 , antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 are disposed on a surface 316 of substrate 308 (eg, on a surface opposite to the surface to which RF front-end integrated circuit 122 is mounted). Surface 316 is the upper side of substrate 308, which is Figure 3 306. In this manner, the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 face away from the RF front-end integrated circuit 122. In other implementations, at least some of the antenna arrays 124-1 to 124-N may be disposed on the surface 306 on which the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 is mounted. Figures 4-1 to 4-3 Antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 are further described.

[0055] Figure 4-1Example antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 are shown. In the configuration shown, antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 are linear arrays. Antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 include antenna elements 402-1, 402-2, ..., 402-C and antenna elements 404-1, 404-2, ..., 404-D, respectively, where C and D are positive integers that may or may not be equal to A and B, respectively. In this example, antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C of antenna array 124-1 are tuned to mmW band 210-1, and antenna elements 404-1 to 404-D of antenna array 124-2 are tuned to mmW band 210-2. Antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C are arranged along a first axis 406-1, and antenna elements 404-1 to 404-D are arranged along a second axis 406-2. Figure 4-1 As shown, the first axis 406-1 and the second axis 406-2 can be substantially parallel to each other. In some implementations, the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C or the antenna elements 404-1 to 404-D can be arranged along multiple axes, such as Figure 7-3 shown.

[0056] Antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 to 404-D may include a variety of different types of antenna elements, including patch antenna elements, crossed patch antenna elements (e.g., cross-shaped patch antenna elements), slot antenna elements, dipole antenna elements, bowtie antenna elements, crossed bowtie antenna elements, inverted-F antennas, other types of microstrip antenna elements, other types of linear antenna elements, combinations thereof, etc. As such, in the following figures, a triangular symbol is generally used to represent antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 to 404-D as any one or another of these types of antenna elements.

[0057] Within the antenna array 124-1, adjacent antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 are shown as being separated by an element spacing 408-1. The element spacing 408-1 can be based on a specific wavelength associated with the mmW band 210-1. Example types of wavelengths can include a center wavelength associated with a center frequency within the mmW band 210-1, a maximum wavelength associated with the lowest frequency within the mmW band 210-1, a minimum wavelength associated with the highest frequency within the mmW band, and the like. The element spacing 408-1 can be approximately equal to a portion of the specific wavelength. For example, the element spacing 408-1 can be approximately equal to half of the center wavelength (e.g., between approximately 30% and 75% of the center wavelength). Within the antenna array 124-2, adjacent antenna elements 404-1 and 404-2 are shown as being separated by an element spacing 408-2. Similar to the element spacing 408-1, the element spacing 408-2 can be a portion of the wavelength associated with the mmW band 210-2 (e.g., approximately equal to the center wavelength).

[0058] In some implementations, antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 are implemented as uniform antenna arrays. Uniform antenna arrays have substantially similar antenna element spacing between adjacent elements throughout the antenna array. In other words, the variation in antenna element spacing within respective antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 may be within approximately 1 / 16 of the respective wavelength associated with element spacing 408-1 and 408-2 (e.g., 1 / 16 of the center wavelength of mmW bands 210-1 and 210-2, respectively).

[0059] Here, it is assumed that mmW band 210-1 includes frequencies lower than frequencies within mmW band 210-2. In other words, at least relative to each other, mmW band 210-1 is a low mmW band and mmW band 210-2 is a high mmW band. Therefore, element spacing 408-1 is shown as being greater than element spacing 408-2, and the overall size of antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C is shown as being greater than antenna elements 404-1 to 404-D. In some cases, mmW band 210-2 includes frequencies that are approximately twice the frequencies included within mmW band 210-1 (e.g., mmW band 210-1 may include frequencies of approximately 24 or 30 GHz, and mmW band 210-2 may include frequencies of approximately 48 or 60 GHz). If the wavelengths associated with these frequencies are used to determine element spacing 408-1 and 408-2, element spacing 408-1 may be approximately twice the element spacing 408-2. As a result, the dimensions of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 along the first axis 406-1 are substantially based on the dimensions of the antenna elements 402-1 through 402-C and the relative element spacing between adjacent elements within the antenna array 124-1.

[0060] In some cases, the coverage area of ​​antenna array 124-1 along first axis 406-1 is used to determine the number of antenna elements 404-1 through 404-D within antenna array 124-2 or the element spacing between adjacent elements within antenna array 124-2. In this manner, the length of antenna array 124-2 along second axis 406-2 may be similar to the length of antenna array 124-1 along first axis 406-1. For example, the number of antenna elements of antenna array 124-2 may be twice the number of antenna elements of antenna array 124-1.

[0061] Depending on whether antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 to 404-D have a single feed port or multiple feed ports, antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 to 404-D can each be coupled to one or more of terminals 312-1 to 312-A and 314-1 to 314-B, respectively. To illustrate these different situations, antenna element 402-1 is shown as being coupled to terminal 312-1 for a single-polarized antenna element or to two terminals 312-1 and 312-2 for a dual-polarized antenna element. Similarly, antenna elements 402-2 and 402C are shown as being coupled to terminals 312-2 and 312-A, respectively, or to two terminals 312-3 and 312-4 and two terminals 312-(A-1) and 312-A, respectively. Within antenna array 124-2, antenna element 404-1 is shown coupled to terminal 314-1 for a single-polarized antenna element or to two terminals 314-1 and 314-2 for a dual-polarized antenna element. Similarly, antenna elements 404-2 and 404-D are shown coupled to terminals 314-2 and 314-B, respectively, or to two terminals 314-3 and 314-4 and two terminals 314-(B-1) and 314-B, respectively. Figure 4-2 and 4-3 Example types of antenna elements are further described, such as single-polarized elements and dual-polarized elements.

[0062] Figure 4-2 An example single polarized antenna element and two example implementations thereof for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 are shown. Figure 4-1 One or more of the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 to 404-D may be implemented using a single-polarized antenna element. Typically, a single-polarized antenna element has a single feed port coupled to the RF front-end integrated circuit 122. The single-polarized antenna element uses a single feed port to transmit or receive signals associated with a specific polarization, such as horizontal polarization or vertical polarization.

[0063] exist Figure 4-2In the upper half of FIG. 1 , the single-polarized antenna element is shown as a horizontally polarized antenna element 410 having a horizontally polarized feed port 412. The horizontally polarized antenna element 410 transmits and receives horizontally polarized signals using the horizontally polarized feed port 412. Figure 4-2 In the lower portion of FIG. 4 , the single polarized antenna element is shown as a vertically polarized antenna element 414 having a vertically polarized feed port 416 . The vertically polarized antenna element 414 transmits and receives vertically polarized signals using the vertically polarized feed port 416 .

[0064] In all of the following figures, a single-polarized antenna element is shown as including a single feed port, which is represented by a single black circle. The placement of the feed port within the single-polarized antenna element indicates the polarization of the feed port. If the feed port is shown on the left or right side of the antenna element, the antenna element corresponds to a horizontally polarized antenna element 410, and the feed port corresponds to a horizontally polarized feed port 412. If the feed port is shown on the top or bottom side of the antenna element, the antenna element corresponds to a vertically polarized antenna element 416, and the feed port corresponds to a vertically polarized feed port 416.

[0065] In some implementations, the single-polarized antenna element may be a patch antenna, which is represented herein by a square symbol. Although shown using a square symbol, the shape of the patch antenna may be rectangular, circular, elliptical, pentagonal, etc. Figure 4-2 , horizontally polarized antenna element 410 may be implemented as a horizontally polarized patch antenna element 418, and vertically polarized antenna element 414 may be implemented as a vertically polarized patch antenna element 420. In other implementations, horizontally polarized antenna element 410 and vertically polarized antenna element 414 may include dipole antennas oriented along a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, respectively. In some cases, a single-polarized antenna element may be easier or cheaper to implement than a dual-polarized antenna element, which may be relevant to Figure 4-3 Further description.

[0066] Figure 4-3 An example dual-polarized antenna element 422 and two example implementations thereof for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 are shown. Figure 4-1 One or more of the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 to 404-D may be implemented using a dual-polarized antenna element 422. Figure 4-2Compared to the single polarized antenna element type shown, the dual polarized antenna element 422 has two feed ports, such as the horizontal polarization feed port 412 and the vertical polarization feed port 416. The feed ports 412 and 416 couple the dual polarized antenna element 422 to the RF front end integrated circuit 122. The dual polarized antenna element 422 can transmit or receive signals associated with horizontal polarization, vertical polarization, horizontal and vertical polarization, or circular polarization using the feed ports 412 and 416. Figure 4-3 In the lower half of FIG. 1 , the dual-polarized antenna element 422 is shown as being implemented as a dual-polarized patch antenna element 424 or a dual-polarized cross-patch antenna element 426. The feed ports 412 or 416 of the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 and 404-D are coupled to corresponding ports of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122, as described with respect to FIG. Figures 5-1 to 5-8 Further described.

[0067] Figure 5-1 An example non-interleaved partition of an RF front-end integrated circuit 122 for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is shown. In the configuration shown, the partitions 304-1 and 304-2 of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 are continuous around a first axis 500-1 and a second axis 500-2, respectively. The partition 304-1 includes transceiver (Trx) chains 502-1 to 502-A arranged in a row along the first axis 500-1 in a continuous manner. The transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A have a plurality of Trx chains coupled to the first axis 500-1. Figure 3 The transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A are coupled to the feed ports 412 or 416 of the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C within the antenna array 124-1 through the ports 504-1 to 504-A. Similarly, the partition 304-2 includes transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-B arranged in a row along the second axis 500-2 in a continuous manner. The transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-B have a plurality of transceiver chains coupled to the feed ports 412 or 416 of the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C within the antenna array 124-1. Figure 3 The transceiver chains 512-1 to 512B are coupled to the feed ports 412 or 416 of the antenna elements 404-1 to 404D within the antenna array 124-2 via the ports 514-1 to 514-B.

[0068] Typically, transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A have a larger size than transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-B because transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A utilize larger components to support mmW band 210-1, which has a wavelength greater than the wavelength of mmW band 210-2 supported by transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-B. In this way, the number of transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-B within partition 304-2 can be greater than the number of transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A within partition 304-1 to support a larger number of antenna elements 404-1 to 404-D. In some cases, partition 304-2 has twice as many transceiver chains as partition 304-1.

[0069] Although the RF front end integrated circuit 122 is shown as having two partitions 304-1 and 304-2, other implementations may have more than two partitions. Additionally or alternatively, other implementations may have more than two rows of transceiver chains. Additional rows may be associated with another partition, or with partitions 304-1 or 304-2 (e.g., such that transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A or 512-1 to 512-B are arranged along multiple axes).

[0070] Each transceiver chain 502-1 to 502-A and 512-1 to 512-B may include, for example, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier, separate receiver phase shifters and transmitter phase shifters, or a common phase shifter shared between the receiver and the transmitter, one or more switches, etc. Within the RF front end integrated circuit 122, multiple transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A and 512-1 to 512-B are coupled to a mixer. Because the transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A and 512-1 to 512-B are coupled to the feed ports 412 or 416 of the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C and 404-1 to 404-D, each transceiver chain is associated with a specific polarization of the feed port 412 or 416, as described with respect to FIG. Figure 5-2 and 5-3 As further described. The RFFEIC 122 may couple together transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A and 512-1 to 512-B associated with the same polarization, as described with respect to Figure 5-8 Further described.

[0071] In some implementations, the positions of the transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A within the partition 304-1 or the transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-B within the partition 304-2 can be substantially symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to the first axis 500-1 or the second axis 500-2. The ports 504-1 to 504-A or 514-1 to 514-B can also be arranged symmetrically about the axis, such as Figures 5-2 to 5-4 As further shown in .

[0072] Figure 5-2 The method for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module 120 is shown. Figure 5-1 1 and 2. An example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within the RFFEIC 122 of FIG. 1. In the configuration shown, the RFFEIC 122 includes four transceiver chains supporting mmW band 210-1 and eight transceiver chains supporting mmW band 210-2. Figure 5-1 , the transceiver chains are represented by different identification numbers to further identify the polarization or type of feed port to which each transceiver chain is connected. The number after the dash identifies the specific dual-polarized antenna element 422 or pair of single-polarized antenna elements (e.g., horizontally polarized antenna element 410 and vertically polarized antenna element 414) to which the transceiver chain is connected.

[0073] For example, Figure 5-1 The transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A are shown to include transceiver chains 506-1 to 506-2 and transceiver chains 508-1 to 508-2. Ports 504-1 and 504-3 of transceiver chains 506-1 and 506-2 are coupled to the horizontal polarization feed port 412 or the vertical polarization feed port 416 according to the first polarization 520-1. Ports 504-2 and 504-4 of transceiver chains 508-1 and 508-2 are coupled to the feed port of the antenna array 124-1 associated with the second polarization 520-2. The second polarization 520-2 is different from the first polarization 520-1, such that if the first polarization 520-1 represents a horizontal polarization, the second polarization 520-2 represents a vertical polarization (and vice versa). Transceiver chains 506-1 and 508-1 are coupled to antenna element 402-1, which may include a specific dual-polarized antenna element 422 or a pair of single-polarized antenna elements within antenna array 124-1. Similarly, transceiver chains 506-2 and 508-2 are coupled to antenna element 402-2, which may also include dual-polarized antenna element 422 or another pair of single-polarized antenna elements within antenna array 124-1.

[0074] Figure 5-1 The transceiver chain 512-1 to 512-B in Figure 5-21 and 124-2 are shown as including transceiver chains 516-1 to 516-4 associated with a first polarization 520-1 and transceiver chains 518-1 to 518-4 associated with a second polarization 520-2. Transceiver chains 516-1 and 518-1 are respectively coupled to antenna element 404-1, which may include a dual-polarized antenna element 422 or a pair of single-polarized antenna elements within antenna array 124-2. Transceiver chains 516-2 and 518-2, 516-3 and 518-3, and 516-4 and 518-4 are similarly coupled to antenna elements 404-2, 404-3, and 404-4 within antenna array 124-2.

[0075] like Figure 5-2 As shown, the order of the types of polarizations 520-1 and 520-2 associated with the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522. The symmetry axis 522 is approximately perpendicular to the first axis 500-1 or the second axis 500-2 and can extend vertically downward to the center of the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2, as shown in FIG. Figure 6-1 Similarly, the order of the types of polarizations 520-1 and 520-2 associated with the eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 along the second axis 500-2 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522. This arrangement enables multiple traces within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 to be arranged in the same metal layer, as described with respect to FIG. Figure 7-1 and 7-2 Further described. In this case, the two groups of transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and 516-1 to 518-4 are alternately polarized on either side of the symmetry axis 522. In addition, a pair of transceiver chains associated with a particular antenna element of antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C or 404-1 to 404-D are adjacent to each other (e.g., transceiver chain 506-1 is adjacent to transceiver chain 508-1, and transceiver chain 516-1 is adjacent to transceiver chain 518-1). Other symmetrical arrangements are also possible, such as Figure 5-3 An alternative arrangement of eight transceiver chains 516-1 through 518-4 is shown.

[0076] Figure 5-3 The method for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module 120 is shown. Figure 5-1 Another example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within the RFFEIC 122 of FIG. In the configuration shown, the order of the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 is similar to Figure 5-2 However, with Figure 5-2 In contrast, the eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 are arranged in a different symmetrical order. Figure 5-2In , the polarization of the transceiver chains is alternated, and pairs of transceiver chains associated with different antenna elements are located adjacent to each other. Figure 5-3 In contrast, transceiver chains (of the eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4) associated with different antenna elements alternate, and transceiver chains associated with a particular polarization are paired together and positioned adjacent to each other. For example, transceiver chains 516-1 and 518-1 are interlaced with transceiver chains 516-2 and 518-2 on the left side of the symmetry axis 522. As a result, transceiver chains 516-1 and 516-2, both associated with the first polarization 520-1, are adjacent to each other, and transceiver chains 518-1 and 518-2, both associated with the second polarization 520-2, are also adjacent to each other. Similarly, transceiver chains 516-3 and 518-3 alternate with transceiver chains 516-4 and 518-4, such that transceiver chains 518-3 and 518-4 are adjacent to each other and transceiver chains 516-3 and 516-4 are adjacent to each other. With the above arrangement, the order of the types of polarization 520 - 1 or 520 - 2 associated with the eight transceiver chains 516 - 1 to 518 - 4 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522 .

[0077] Figure 5-4 The method for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module 120 is shown. Figure 5-1 Another example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within an RF front end integrated circuit. Figure 5-2 and 5-3 , the order of polarizations 520-1 and 520-2 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522. Figure 5-4 In contrast, the order of polarizations 520-1 and 520-2 is asymmetric. In particular, the polarization of the transceiver chain to the right of the axis of symmetry 522 corresponds to polarization 520-1, and the polarization of the transceiver chain to the left of the axis of symmetry 522 corresponds to polarization 520-2. In implementations in which one of the antenna arrays 124-1 or 124-2 includes a pair of single-polarized antennas located on opposite sides of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122, the illustrated configuration can facilitate routing within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120, an example of which is shown in FIG. Figure 7-4 Although partitions 304-1 and 304-2 are Figures 5-1 to 5-4 1 is shown as being contiguous, but other implementations of the RFFEIC 122 may have one or more discontinuous partitions, such as Figures 5-5 to 5-7 shown.

[0078] Figure 5-5 An example interleaved partitioning of the RF front end integrated circuit 122 for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is shown. Figure 5-1In contrast, partition 304-2 is shown as being discontinuous, with different portions alternately distributed above and below partition 304-1. In this manner, transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-A and transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-B are arranged along multiple axes and have ports 504-1 to 504-A and 514-1 to 514-B located on both sides of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122. In implementations in which one of the antenna arrays 124-1 or 124-2 includes a pair of single-polarized antennas located on opposite sides of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122, this can facilitate routing within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120, an example of which is shown in FIG. Figure 7-3 Use with Figures 5-2 to 5-4 Similar symbols, about Figure 5-6 and 5-7 An example order of the types of polarizations 520 - 1 and 520 - 2 with which the transceiver chains 502 - 1 through 502 -A and 512 - 1 through 512 -B are associated is further described.

[0079] Figure 5-6 The method for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module 120 is shown. Figure 5-5 FIG. 1 is an example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within the RFFEIC 122 of FIG. In the configuration shown, the order of the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 from left to right (or right to left) is similar to Figure 5-2 and 5-3 Thus, the order of the types of polarizations 520-1 and 520-2 associated with the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522. Likewise, the order of the eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 from left to right (or right to left) is similar to Figure 5-3 The order of the types of polarizations 520 - 1 and 520 - 2 associated with the eight transceiver chains 516 - 1 to 518 - 4 is also symmetrical about the axis of symmetry 522 . Figure 5-5 and 5-6 The arrangement of transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and 516-1 to 518-4 in FIG. 5 is shown as symmetrical about the axis of symmetry 522. Other asymmetrical arrangements of transceiver chains or polarization orders are also possible, such as about Figure 5-7 Further described.

[0080] Figure 5-7 The method for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and an RFIC module 120 is shown. Figure 5-5Another example arrangement of multiple transceiver chains associated with different polarizations within the RF front end integrated circuit 122 of FIG. In the configuration shown, transceiver chains 506-1 and 508-1 are positioned together along the top side of the RF front end integrated circuit 122, and transceiver chains 506-2 and 508-2 are positioned together along the bottom side of the RF front end integrated circuit 122. Four transceiver chains 516-1 to 516-4 are positioned together along the bottom side of the RF front end integrated circuit 122 below the transceiver chains 506-1 and 508-1. Four transceiver chains 518-1 to 518-4 are positioned together along the top side of the RF front end integrated circuit 122 above the transceiver chains 506-2 and 508-2. In this manner, the arrangement of the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and the eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 is asymmetric about the axis of symmetry 522.

[0081] In this case, the order of polarizations 520-1 and 520-2 associated with the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522. In contrast, the order of polarizations 520-1 and 520-2 associated with the eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 is not symmetrical. In particular, the polarizations associated with the four transceiver chains 516-1 to 516-4 to the right of the symmetry axis 522 correspond to polarization 520-1. The polarizations associated with the four transceiver chains 518-1 to 518-4 to the left of the symmetry axis 522 correspond to polarization 520-2. This depicted configuration may enable traces within the multi-band mmW antenna array and the RFIC module 120 to be disposed in the same metal layer, such as Figure 7-5 Transceiver chains associated with the same polarization 520-1 or 520-2 may be combined within the RFFEIC 122, as described with respect to Figure 5-8 Further described.

[0082] Figure 5-8 An example implementation of a transceiver chain within the RF front end integrated circuit 122 for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is shown. In the configuration shown, the eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 associated with partition 304-2 each include a single channel block 524 (1×CH Blk 524). The single channel block 524 is shown as including a power amplifier 526 (PA 526), ​​a low noise amplifier 528 (LNA 528), and a phase shifter 530 (PS 530). The four transceiver chains 516-1 to 516-4 associated with the first polarization 520-1 include single channel blocks 524-1 to 524-4, respectively.

[0083] Typically, the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 uses a coupler 534 to couple a pair of single channel blocks 524-1 to 524-4 associated with the first polarization 520-1 in a dual channel block 532. For example, the dual channel block 532-1 uses a coupler 534-1 to couple single channel blocks 524-1 and 524-2 together, and the dual channel block 532-2 uses a coupler 534-2 to couple single channel blocks 524-3 and 524-4 together. Typically, couplers 534-1 and 534-2 separate or combine signals propagated in dual channel blocks 532-1 and 532-2. As an example, couplers 534-1 and 534-2 can be implemented using Wilkinson splitters and combiners. These dual channel blocks 532-1 and 532-2 are also coupled together in a four-channel block 536-1.

[0084] The quad channel block 536-1 includes a coupler 534-3 that couples the dual channel blocks 532-1 and 532-2 together; a transmit (TX) variable gain amplifier (VGA) 538-1; and a receive (RX) variable gain amplifier 538-2. Although not explicitly shown, the quad channel block 536-1 may also include a mixer 540-1 that is coupled to the transmit variable gain amplifier 538-1 and the receive variable gain amplifier 538-2. In some implementations, the routing and couplers 534-1 to 534-3 within the quad channel block 536-1 are arranged or travel along the middle of the RF front end integrated circuit 122, such as in Figure 5-1 or between axes 500-1 and 500-2 or partitions 304-1 and 304-2 in 5-5.

[0085] The RF front end integrated circuit 122 also includes another four-channel block 536-2 associated with the second polarization 520-2. The four-channel block 536-2 is arranged similarly to the four-channel block 536-1 and couples the four transceiver chains 518-1 to 518-4 to the mixer 540-2. The mixers 540-1 and 540-2 convert the frequency between the radio frequencies within the mmW band 210-2 to an intermediate frequency between about 2 and 20 GHz or to a baseband frequency.

[0086] While ports 514-1 to 514-8 are positioned along one or more outer edges of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122, the combined ports of the four-channel blocks 536-1 and 536-2 can be located at or near the axis of symmetry along one or more outer edges. These combined ports can be coupled to other components associated with the wireless transceiver, such as another integrated circuit associated with the intermediate frequency or baseband frequency. In some cases, the common ports of the four-channel blocks 536-1 and 526-2 are located on opposite sides of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 to mitigate potential electromagnetic coupling.

[0087] Although not explicitly shown, the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 may utilize the same Figure 5-8 Depending on the number of transceiver chains within partition 304-1 or 304-2, other implementations may include other types of channel blocks, such as one or more eight-channel blocks or sixteen-channel blocks, or may have fewer types of blocks, such as single-channel blocks and dual-channel blocks. Figure 6-1 The location of the RFFEIC 122 within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is further described.

[0088] Figure 6-1 An example arrangement of antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 and a radio frequency front end integrated circuit 122 for implementing a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is shown. In the configuration shown, the antenna array 124-1 includes two dual-polarized antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 with corresponding horizontal polarization feed ports 412 and vertical polarization feed ports 416. The antenna array 124-2 includes four dual-polarized antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 with corresponding horizontal polarization feed ports 412 and vertical polarization feed ports 416. In this case, the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 are uniform linear arrays using element spacings 408-1 and 408-2, respectively. Antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 are arranged on one side of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 along a first axis 406-1, while antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 are arranged on an opposite side of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 relative to the first axis 406-1 along a second axis 406-2.

[0089] like Figure 6-1 As shown, the order of the horizontal polarization feed ports 412 and the vertical polarization feed ports 416 of the antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 along the direction of the first axis 406-1 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522. Similarly, the order of the horizontal polarization feed ports 412 and the vertical polarization feed ports 416 of the antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 along the direction of the second axis 406-2 is symmetrical about the symmetry axis 522. For example, both vertical polarization feed ports 416 of the antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 are relatively closer to the symmetry axis 522, while both horizontal polarization feed ports 512 are relatively far away from the symmetry axis 522. In this way, the order of the horizontal polarization feed ports 412 and the vertical polarization feed ports 416 is symmetrical.

[0090] One or more pairs of antenna elements selected from antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 or antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 may have a horizontally polarized feed port 412 or a vertically polarized feed port 416 on a respective side facing away from the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 (e.g., the horizontally polarized feed port 412 and the vertically polarized feed port 416 are radially outward from the RF front-end integrated circuit 122), as shown in FIG. Figure 6-1 In other cases, one or more pairs of antenna elements selected from antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 or antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 may have a horizontally polarized feed port 412 or a vertically polarized feed port 416 on a respective side facing the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 (e.g., the horizontally polarized feed port 412 or the vertically polarized feed port 416 is radially inward toward the RF front-end integrated circuit 122).

[0091] In some implementations, the pair of horizontally polarized feed ports 412 or the pair of vertically polarized feed ports 416 are positioned at approximately symmetrical distances relative to the symmetry axis 522. For example, the distance between the symmetry axis 522 and the horizontally polarized feed port 412 of the antenna element 402-1 may be approximately equal to the distance between the symmetry axis 522 and the horizontally polarized feed port 412 of the antenna element 402-2.

[0092] In some implementations, the center of the RFFEIC 122 is along the central vertical axis of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 (which is located at Figure 6-1 406-1 and 406-2). In this example, the symmetry axis 522 is substantially perpendicular to the axes 406-1 and 406-2. In some cases, the element spacing 408-1 of the antenna array 124-1 is large enough that the size of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 can be fitted within the middle element of the antenna array 124-1 to the left and right of the symmetry axis 522 (for example, between the antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2). A portion of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 can be positioned along the first axis 406-1 or on either side of the first axis 406-1. Similarly, in some aspects, Figure 5-1 The axes 500 - 1 and 500 - 2 are substantially parallel to the first axis 406 - 1 .

[0093] Although the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 is shown as including two antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 within the antenna array 124-1 and four antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 within the antenna array 124-2, other implementations may have a larger number of antenna elements. Utilizing a larger number of antenna elements 402-1 to 402-C or 404-1 to 404-D may increase the respective gains of the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 and enable the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 to form narrower beams. However, instead of increasing the number of antenna elements within a single multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120, multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120 may be arranged together to implement larger antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2, as further described with respect to 6-2 and 6-3. This modular design simplifies the routing interconnections between the antenna arrays 124 - 1 and 124 - 2 and multiple RFFE ICs 122 within the computing device 102 .

[0094] Figure 6-2 An example arrangement of multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 for implementing a large linear antenna array is shown. In the configuration shown, the multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 are positioned along a horizontal axis so that the multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 share a first axis 406-1 and a second axis 406-2. In this manner, the antenna array 124-1 includes antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-1 and antenna elements 402-3 and 402-4 of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-2. Likewise, the antenna array 124-2 includes antenna elements 404-1 through 404-4 of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-2 and antenna elements 404-5 through 404-8 of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-2.

[0095] The distance between the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 can enable the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 to be implemented as uniform linear antenna arrays. For example, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 are arranged so that the antenna elements 402-2 and 402-3 are separated by the element spacing 408-1 and the antenna elements 404-4 and 404-5 are separated by the element spacing 408-2. In some aspects, the components within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-1 and the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-2 can be arranged symmetrically about an inter-module symmetry axis located between the symmetry axes 522-1 and 522-2 and approximately parallel to the symmetry axes 522-1 and 522-2.

[0096] Figure 6-3 An example arrangement of multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 for implementing a two-dimensional antenna array is shown. In the configuration shown, the multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 are positioned along a vertical axis such that the multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 share an axis of symmetry 522. Similar to Figure 6-2 , antenna array 124-1 includes antenna elements 402-1 to 402-4. However, while antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 are arranged along a first axis 406-1, antenna elements 402-3 and 402-4 are arranged along a third axis 406-3. In this way, antenna elements 402-1 to 402-4 implement a two-dimensional array, rather than Figure 6-2 Similarly, antenna array 124-2 is shown as being implemented as a two-dimensional array including antenna elements 404-1 to 404-8. Antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 are arranged along a second axis 406-2, while antenna elements 404-5 to 404-8 are arranged along a fourth axis 406-4.

[0097] Typically, the first axis 406-1, the second axis 406-2, the third axis 406-3, and the fourth axis 406-4 are substantially parallel to each other. In some cases, the vertical distance between the first axis 406-1 and the third axis 406-3 can be approximately equal to the element spacing 408-1, and the vertical distance between the second axis 406-2 and the fourth axis 406-4 can be approximately equal to the element spacing 408-2. In some aspects, the components within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-1 and the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120-2 can be symmetrically arranged about an inter-module symmetry axis located between the second axis 406-2 and the fourth axis 406-4 and substantially parallel to the axes 406-2 and 406-4.

[0098] By using multiple multi-band mmW antenna arrays and RFIC modules 120 to implement a large antenna array as described herein, as compared to a single multi-band antenna array and RFIC module that couples a large number of antenna elements to a single RF front-end integrated circuit 122, the routing lengths between the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-4 and the RF front-end integrated circuits 122-1 and 122-2 within the multi-band antenna array and RFIC modules 120-1 and 120-2 can be relatively similar. This is because the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-4 or 404-1 to 404-8 are at similar distances from the associated RF front-end integrated circuits 122-1 and 122-2. In addition, the modular design simplifies the routing interconnections between the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 and the RF front-end integrated circuits 122-1 to 122-2 within the computing device 102. About Figures 7-1 to 7-3 Example routes are further described.

[0099] Figure 7-1 shows a dual polarized patch antenna element and Figure 5-2 1 and 12. Example routing of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module of the RFFEIC 122. In the configuration shown, the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-2 and 404-1 to 404-4 of the respective antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 include Figure 4-3 The dual polarized patch antenna element 424 is shown in FIG. 1 . Within the RF front end integrated circuit 122, the first polarization 520-1 is a vertical polarization represented by the letter V, and the second polarization 520-2 is a horizontal polarization represented by the letter H. The eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 are located on a side of the RF front end integrated circuit 122 that is closer to the second antenna array 124-2 than the opposite side along which the four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 are located.

[0100] With the symmetrical arrangement of the feed ports 412 and 416 and the twelve transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and 516-1 to 518-4, the traces within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 can be arranged in the same metal layer. In other words, the traces can be designed and arranged so that there are no crossovers or vias within the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120, at least for routing between the feed ports and the transceiver chains.

[0101] The lengths of the traces may be similar or different between different antenna elements 402-1 and 402-2 or 404-1 to 404-4 of the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 and the RF front-end integrated circuit 122. In some cases, a subset of the traces may be designed to have relatively similar lengths. If the traces couple multiple antenna elements located at different distances from the axis of symmetry 522 (e.g., such as traces that couple the horizontally polarized feed ports 412 of antenna elements 404-3 and 404-4 to transceiver chains 518-3 and 518-4, respectively), certain traces may be designed to have one or more short bends to compensate for the different distances and make the lengths of the traces relatively similar. By making the lengths of the traces relatively similar, signals propagating along the traces have relatively equal delays. Alternatively, if the lengths of the traces are relatively different, the signals propagating along the traces have relatively different delays. In this case, the phase shifter 530 within any of the associated twelve transceiver chains 506-1 through 508-2 or 516-1 through 518-4 may partially or fully compensate for the length difference.

[0102] In some cases, the length of the trace may be symmetric about an axis of symmetry (e.g., the length of the trace between the horizontally polarized feed port 412 of antenna element 404-1 and transceiver chain 518-1 is approximately equal to the length of the trace between the horizontally polarized feed port 412 of antenna element 404-4 and transceiver chain 518-4). Sometimes, the path (e.g., geometry or pattern) of the trace may also be symmetric about an axis of symmetry.

[0103] Figure 7-2 shows a dual polarized cross-patch antenna element and Figure 5-2 Another example routing of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 of the RFFEIC 122. Figure 7-1 , Figure 7-2 The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 in the embodiment includes a dual-polarized patch antenna element 424 and a Figure 5-2 The antenna array 124-2 is implemented by the RFFEIC 122. However, the antenna elements 402-1 to 402-2 of the antenna array 124-1 are implemented by using Figure 4-3 By using the cross-patch antenna elements 426, the vertical spacing between the antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 can be relatively Figure 7-1 The multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 are reduced in size to save space. Figure 7-1 , the length or path of the trace can be substantially symmetrical relative to the symmetry axis 522.

[0104] Figure 7-3 shows a single polarized patch antenna element and Figure 5-3 Example routing of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 for a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120. Similar to Figure 7-2 , the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 includes an antenna array 124-1 implemented using dual-polarized cross-patch antenna elements 426. However, the four antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 of the antenna array 124-2 include two rows of single-polarized antenna elements. In the configuration shown, the antenna array 124-2 includes a linear array of four horizontally polarized patch antenna elements 418-1 to 418-4 and another linear array of four vertically polarized patch antenna elements 420-1 to 420-4. In general, Figure 7-2 Each of the antenna elements 404-1 to 404-4 in is implemented as a pair of alternating polarization antenna elements. Figure 7-2 The antenna element 404-1 includes Figure 7-3 4. Antenna element 404-2 includes a pair of antenna elements 418-1 and 420-1, antenna element 404-2 includes a pair of antenna elements 418-2 and 420-2, antenna element 404-3 includes a pair of antenna elements 418-3 and 420-3, and antenna element 404-4 includes a pair of antenna elements 418-4 and 420-4.

[0105] In this example, the four transceiver chains 516-1 to 516-4 are associated with vertical polarization and are coupled to vertically polarized antenna elements 420-1 to 420-4. Generally, the polarization of the transceiver chains 516-1 to 516-4 arranged farther from the symmetry axis 522 toward the outer edge of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 corresponds to the polarization of the single-polarized antenna element facing the opposite side of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 relative to the side on which the transceiver chains 516-1 to 516-4 are implemented. Additionally, the polarization of the four transceiver chains 518-1 to 518-4 arranged closer to the symmetry axis 522 toward the center of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 corresponds to the polarization of the single-polarized antenna element facing the side of the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 on which the transceiver chains 518-1 to 518-4 are implemented. In other implementations, the RF front-end integrated circuit 122 may utilize Figure 5-6 7 , the length or path of the trace may be substantially symmetrical with respect to the symmetry axis 522 .

[0106] Figure 7-4 shows a single polarized patch antenna element and Figure 5-4 Another example routing of the RFFEIC 122 for a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120. Similar to Figure 7-3, the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 includes an antenna array 124-1 implemented using dual-polarized cross-patch antenna elements 426 and an antenna array 124-2 implemented using horizontally polarized patch antenna elements 418-1 to 418-4 and vertically polarized patch antenna elements 420-1 to 420-4. In the configuration shown, Figure 5-4 The RF front-end integrated circuit 122 is arranged vertically along the symmetry axis 522, so that the axes 500-1 and 500-2 are approximately parallel to the symmetry axis 522. With this configuration, the traces can be arranged on the same metal layer without any crossing, such as Figure 7-4 shown.

[0107] Figure 7-5 shows a single polarized patch antenna element and Figure 5-7 Example routing of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 of the RFFEIC 122. Similar to Figure 7-3 and 7-4 , the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 includes an antenna array 124-1 implemented using dual-polarized cross-patch antenna elements 426 and an antenna array 124-2 implemented using horizontally polarized patch antenna elements 418-1 to 418-4 and vertically polarized patch antenna elements 420-1 to 420-4. Figure 5-7 The RF front-end integrated circuit 122 is also arranged vertically along the symmetry axis 522, similar to Figure 7-4 With this configuration, traces can be placed on the same metal layer without any crossing, such as Figure 7-5 shown.

[0108] Figure 8-1 An example implementation of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 with multiple RF front-end integrated circuits 122-1 and 122-2 is shown. In the configuration shown, the multiple RF front-end integrated circuits 122-1 and 122-2 are associated with different mmW frequency bands 210-1 and 210-2. Figure 8-1 The top portion of FIG. 1 shows an example arrangement of four transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and eight transceiver chains 516-1 to 518-4 within the RFFEICs 122-1 and 122-2. Although the RFFEICs 122-1 and 122-2 are associated with a single mmW frequency band 210-1 and 210-2, respectively, the arrangement of the transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and 516-1 to 518-4 may have similarities to those described with respect to FIG. Figure 5-1 and 5-5 Similar features as described.

[0109] In this example, a total of twelve transceiver chains in transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and 516-1 to 518-4 are arranged along an axis that is substantially parallel to axes 406-1 and 406-2. In other implementations, transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 or 516-1 to 518-4 may be arranged along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to axes 406-1 and 406-2. Figure 8-1 is not explicitly shown, but may have the same Figure 7-1 RFFEICs 122-1 and 122-2 may be spaced apart from one another along axis of symmetry 522 to allow traces to connect to transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-2 and 516-1 to 518-4.

[0110] Figure 8-2 Another example implementation of a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 having multiple RF front-end integrated circuits 122-1 and 122-2 is shown. In the configuration shown, antenna array 124-1 includes antenna elements 402-1 to 402-4, and antenna array 124-2 includes antenna elements 404-1 to 404-8. In this example, antenna elements 404-1 and 404-5 have horizontally polarized feed ports 412 facing toward RF front-end integrated circuit 122-2. Alternatively, antenna elements 404-1 and 404-5 may be designed to have horizontally polarized feed ports 412 facing away from RF front-end integrated circuit 122-2. Figure 8-2 The top portion of FIG. 1 shows an example arrangement of eight transceiver chains 506 - 1 to 508 - 4 and sixteen transceiver chains 516 - 1 to 518 - 8 within the RFFEICs 122 - 1 and 122 - 2 . Figure 8-1 , the arrangement of a total of twenty-four transceiver chains in transceiver chains 506-1 to 508-4 and 516-1 to 518-8 may have the same configuration as with respect to Figure 5-1 and 5-5 Similar features as described in Figure 8-1 Traces not explicitly shown in the diagram may have Figure 7-1 Similar features as described.

[0111] Fig. 9 900 is a flow chart illustrating an example process 900 for operating a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module. The process 900 is described in the form of a set of blocks 902-908 that specify operations that may be performed. However, the operations are not necessarily limited to Fig. 9 The order described herein is not shown, as the operations may be implemented in an alternative order or in a fully or partially overlapping manner. The operations represented by the illustrated blocks of process 900 may be performed by a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 (e.g., Figure 3 or Figures 7-1 to 7-3More specifically, the operations of process 900 may be performed by RF front-end integrated circuit 122 (e.g., Figures 5-1 to 5-8 ) and antenna arrays 124-1 and 124-2 (e.g., Figure 4-1 )implement.

[0112] At box 902, a first antenna array via a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module responds to a first signal associated with a first mmW band. For example, the first antenna array 124-1 of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 can respond to a first signal 208-1 associated with the mmW band 210-1 by transmitting or receiving the first signal 208-1. In this way, the first signal 208-1 can represent an uplink signal transmitted to the base station 104 or a downlink signal received from the base station 104. As an example, the mmW band 210-1 can be a licensed low mmW band including frequencies between 24 and 30 GHz. The first antenna array 124-1 may include a dual-polarized antenna element 422, a horizontally polarized antenna element 410, a vertically polarized antenna element 414, or a combination thereof.

[0113] At block 904, a first signal associated with a first mmW frequency band is conditioned via an RFFEIC of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module. For example, the RFFEIC 122 of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 may condition the first signal 208-1 by generating or processing the first signal 208-1 transmitted or received via the first antenna array 124-1. Typically, the RFFEIC 122 conditions the first signal 208-1 by amplifying, phase shifting, filtering, up-converting, or down-converting the first signal 208-1. The RFFEIC 122 may include at least two transceiver chains 502-1 to 502-N, such as Figure 5-1 and 5-5 Multiple versions of the first signal 208-1 (eg, multiple phase-shifted signals) may propagate between the first antenna array 124-1 and the RFFEIC 122 along a trace that may be substantially symmetrical, as shown in FIG. Figures 7-1 to 7-3 shown.

[0114] At box 906, a second antenna array via a multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module responds to a second signal associated with a second mmW band. For example, the second antenna array 124-2 of the multi-band mmW antenna array and RFIC module 120 responds to a second signal 208-2 associated with a second mmW band 210-2 by transmitting or receiving a second signal 208-2. In this way, the second signal 208-2 can represent an uplink signal or a downlink signal. As an example, the second mmW band 210-2 can be an unlicensed high mmW band, including frequencies between 48 and 60 GHz. Typically, the mmW band 210-2 has a different bandwidth or center frequency than the mmW band 210-1. The second antenna array 124-2 may include a dual-polarized antenna element 422, a horizontally polarized antenna element 410, a vertically polarized antenna element 414, or a combination thereof.

[0115] At block 908, a second signal associated with a second mmW frequency band is conditioned via the RFFEIC. For example, the RFFEIC 122 may condition the second signal 208-2 by generating or processing the second signal 208-2 transmitted or received via the second antenna array 124-2. The RFFEIC 122 may include at least two transceiver chains 512-1 to 512-N, such as Figure 5-1 and 5-5 In other implementations, the second signal may be conditioned by a different RF front-end integrated circuit. For example, Figure 8-1 and 8-2 The RFFEIC 122-1 may adjust the first signal 208-1, and the RFFEIC 122-2 may adjust the second signal 208-2. Multiple versions of the second signal 208-2 (e.g., multiple phase-shifted signals) may propagate between the second antenna array 124-2 and the RFFEIC 122 along a trace that may be substantially symmetrical, such as Figures 7-1 to 7-3 shown.

[0116] Unless the context dictates otherwise, use of the word "or" herein may be viewed as use of an "inclusive or" or a term that permits the inclusion or application of one or more items linked by the word "or" (e.g., the phrase "A or B" may be interpreted as permitting only "A," only "B," or both "A" and "B"). In addition, items represented in the figures and terms discussed herein may indicate one or more items or terms, and thus single or multiple forms of an item or term may be referenced interchangeably in this written description. Finally, although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features or methodological operations, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or operations described above, including not necessarily to the organization of the features or the order in which the operations are performed.

Claims

1. A device comprising: Multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna arrays and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) modules, including: substrate; a first antenna array disposed on the substrate and comprising at least two first antenna elements, the first antenna array being tuned to a first millimeter wave frequency band; a second antenna array disposed on the substrate and comprising at least two second antenna elements, the second antenna array being tuned to a second millimeter wave frequency band; and At least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate, and the at least one radio frequency front-end integrated circuit includes: at least two first transceiver chains, respectively coupled to the at least two first antenna elements; and at least two second transceiver chains, respectively coupled to the at least two second antenna elements, The multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module include multiple traces arranged in the same metal layer, a subset of the multiple traces respectively couples the at least two first antenna elements to the at least two first transceiver chains, and another subset of the multiple traces respectively couples the at least two second antenna elements to the at least two second transceiver chains.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array respectively have a first feed port associated with a first polarization and a second feed port associated with a second polarization; The at least two first transceiver chains include at least four first transceiver chains; as well as The subset of the plurality of traces: coupling two of the at least four first transceiver chains to the first feed port associated with the first polarization with similar routing lengths; as well as Another two of the at least four first transceiver chains are coupled to the second feed port associated with the second polarization with otherwise similar routing lengths.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array each have a first feed port associated with a first polarization; the subset of the plurality of traces coupling the at least two first transceiver chains to the first feed port associated with the first polarization at different routing lengths; as well as At least one of the at least two first transceiver chains includes a phase shifter having a phase shift based on a difference between the different routing lengths.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array are positioned along a first axis, and adjacent ones of the at least two first antenna elements are separated by half a first center wavelength associated with the first millimeter wave frequency band; as well as The at least two second antenna elements of the second antenna array are positioned along a second axis parallel to the first axis, and other adjacent ones of the at least two second antenna elements are separated by half a second center wavelength associated with the second millimeter wave frequency band.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array each have a first feed port associated with a first polarization and a second feed port associated with a second polarization, respectively; and The order of the first feeding port and the second feeding port along the direction of the first axis is symmetric about a symmetry axis, and the symmetry axis is perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least two second antenna elements of the second antenna array each have a first feed port associated with the first polarization and a second feed port associated with the second polarization; as well as The order of the first feeding ports of the at least two second antenna elements and the second feeding ports of the at least two second antenna elements along the direction of the second axis is symmetrical with respect to the symmetry axis.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The first central wavelength is greater than the second central wavelength; and The radio frequency front-end integrated circuit is located between the at least two first antenna elements.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The at least two first transceiver chains are positioned along a third axis parallel to the first axis; The at least two second transceiver chains are positioned along a fourth axis parallel to the third axis; and The at least two second transceiver chains are positioned along a side of the RFFEIC that is closer to the second antenna array than an opposite side of the RFFEIC.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The at least two first transceiver chains include: two first transceiver chains coupled to first feed ports of the at least two first antenna elements, the first feed ports being associated with a first polarization; and two further first transceiver chains coupled to second feed ports of the at least two first antenna elements, the second feed ports being associated with a second polarization; and an order of the two first transceiver chains and the further two first transceiver chains along the direction of the third axis being symmetric about an axis of symmetry, the axis of symmetry being perpendicular to both the third axis and the fourth axis.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The at least two second transceiver chains include: two second transceiver chains coupled to first feed ports of the at least two second antenna elements, the first feed ports of the at least two second antenna elements being associated with the first polarization; and two further second transceiver chains coupled to second feed ports of the at least two second antenna elements, the second feed ports of the at least two second antenna elements being associated with the second polarization; and The order of the two second transceiver chains and the other two second transceiver chains along the direction of the fourth axis is symmetrical with respect to the symmetry axis.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array include at least two dual-polarized antenna elements; and The at least two second antenna elements of the second antenna array include at least two other dual-polarized antenna elements.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein: The at least two dual-polarized antenna elements of the first antenna array include at least two dual-polarized cross-patch antenna elements; and The at least two other dual-polarized antenna elements of the second antenna array include at least two dual-polarized patch antenna elements.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array include at least two dual-polarized antenna elements; as well as The at least two second antenna elements of the second antenna array include at least four single-polarized antenna elements.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array are positioned along a first axis; a subset of the at least four single-polarized antenna elements of the second antenna array associated with a first polarization positioned along a second axis parallel to the first axis; as well as Another subset of the at least four single-polarized antenna elements of the second antenna array associated with a second polarization is positioned along a third axis parallel to the second axis, the third axis being positioned on an opposite side of the first axis relative to the second axis.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the at least two second antenna elements is twice the number of the at least two first antenna elements; and The number of the at least two second transceiver chains is twice the number of the at least two first transceiver chains. 16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second millimeter wave frequency band comprises a frequency that is twice another frequency within the first millimeter wave frequency band.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first millimeter wave frequency band comprises a licensed millimeter wave frequency band; and The second millimeter wave frequency band comprises an unlicensed millimeter wave frequency band.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Another multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module, comprising: substrate; a third antenna array disposed on the substrate and comprising at least two third antenna elements, the third antenna array being tuned to the first millimeter wave frequency band; a fourth antenna array disposed on the substrate and comprising at least two fourth antenna elements, the fourth antenna array being tuned to the second millimeter wave frequency band; and At least one other radio frequency front-end integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate, and the other radio frequency front-end integrated circuit includes: at least two third transceiver chains, respectively coupled to the at least two third antenna elements; and At least two fourth transceiver chains are respectively coupled to the at least two fourth antenna elements.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array and the at least two third antenna elements of the third antenna array are positioned along a first axis; Adjacent ones of the at least two first antenna elements and the at least two third antenna elements are separated by half a first center wavelength associated with the first millimeter wave frequency band; the at least two second antenna elements of the second antenna array and the at least two fourth antenna elements of the fourth antenna array are positioned along a second axis parallel to the first axis; as well as Other adjacent ones of the at least two second antenna elements and the at least two fourth antenna elements are separated by half of a second center wavelength associated with the second millimeter wave frequency band.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: The at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array are positioned along a first axis; said at least two second antenna elements of said second antenna array are positioned along a second axis; the at least two third antenna elements of the third antenna array being positioned along a third axis parallel to the first axis, the third axis being offset from the first axis by half a first center wavelength associated with the first millimeter wave frequency band; the at least two fourth antenna elements of the fourth antenna array being positioned along a fourth axis parallel to the second axis, the fourth axis being offset from the second axis by half a second center wavelength associated with the second millimeter wave frequency band; Adjacent ones of the at least two first antenna elements of the first antenna array and the at least two third antenna elements of the third antenna array are separated by half the first center wavelength along two dimensions; as well as Other adjacent ones of the at least two second antenna elements of the second antenna array and the at least two fourth antenna elements of the fourth antenna array are separated by half the second center wavelength along two dimensions.

21. An apparatus comprising: Multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna arrays and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) modules, including: substrate; a first antenna array disposed on the substrate and configured to respond to a first signal associated with a first millimeter wave frequency band; a second antenna array disposed on the substrate and configured to respond to a second signal associated with a second millimeter wave frequency band; and A radio frequency front-end integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate and coupled to the first antenna array and the second antenna array, the radio frequency front-end integrated circuit comprising: a first dividing component for conditioning the first signal associated with the first millimeter wave frequency band; a second dividing means for conditioning the second signal associated with the second millimeter wave frequency band; A trace component is used to couple the first antenna array to the first dividing component and the second antenna array to the second dividing component in the same metal layer.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the trace means comprises means for routing the first signal between the first antenna array and the first dividing means with equal delay.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a phase shifting component for adjusting a phase shift within the first dividing component based on different delays, and Wherein the trace means comprises means for routing the first signal between the first antenna array and the first dividing means with the different delays.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first antenna array and the second antenna array have respective feed ports that are ordered in a symmetrical manner about an axis of symmetry.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: The first partitioning component and the second partitioning component each include a radio frequency integrated circuit port associated with a first polarization and a radio frequency integrated circuit port associated with a second polarization; as well as The radio frequency integrated circuit ports associated with the first polarization and the radio frequency integrated circuit ports associated with the second polarization are ordered in a symmetrical manner about a symmetry axis.

26. A method for operating a multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna array and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) module, the method comprising: responding to a first signal associated with a first millimeter wave frequency band via a first antenna array of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module, the first antenna array being disposed on a substrate of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module; conditioning the first signal associated with the first millimeter wave frequency band via a radio frequency front end integrated circuit of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module, the radio frequency front end integrated circuit being disposed on the substrate of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module; responding to a second signal associated with a second millimeter wave frequency band via a second antenna array of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module, the second antenna array being disposed on the substrate of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and radio frequency integrated circuit module; conditioning, via the RFFEIC, the second signal associated with the second millimeter wave frequency band; Propagate multiple versions of the first signal between the first antenna array and the RFFEIC using symmetrical traces of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and the RFIC module disposed in the same metal layer; as well as Multiple versions of the second signal are propagated between the second antenna array and the RF front-end integrated circuit using other symmetrical traces of the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and the RF integrated circuit module arranged in the same metal layer.

27. An apparatus comprising: Multi-band millimeter wave (mmW) antenna arrays and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) modules, including: substrate; a first antenna array disposed on the substrate and comprising at least two first antenna elements, the first antenna array being tuned to a first millimeter wave frequency band; a second antenna array disposed on the substrate and comprising at least two second antenna elements, the second antenna array being tuned to a second millimeter wave frequency band; a first RF front-end integrated circuit disposed on the substrate and comprising at least two first transceiver chains respectively coupled to the at least two first antenna elements; and A second RF front-end integrated circuit is arranged on the substrate and includes at least two second transceiver chains respectively coupled to the at least two second antenna elements, wherein the multi-band millimeter wave antenna array and the RF integrated circuit module include a plurality of traces arranged in the same metal layer, a subset of the plurality of traces respectively couples the at least two first antenna elements to the at least two first transceiver chains, and another subset of the plurality of traces respectively couples the at least two second antenna elements to the at least two second transceiver chains.

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