Antenna tuner

Abstract

An apparatus for implementing an antenna tuner is disclosed. In example aspects, the apparatus includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on or in the substrate, a radio frequency integrated circuit disposed on the substrate, and an antenna tuner. The radio frequency integrated circuit includes an amplification circuit. The antenna tuner is coupled between the antenna and the amplification circuit. The antenna tuner includes an inductive component disposed on or in the substrate and a capacitive component implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication, and more specifically to antenna tuners for wireless devices. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic devices can use radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits (ICs) and antennas to transmit or receive wireless communication signals. RF ICs and antennas can be designed with matched impedances, which allow power to be transmitted efficiently between the IC and the antenna without significant loss. However, maintaining matched impedances can be difficult during operation, and some power may be reflected. This reflected power can reduce the transmitted signal strength or received sensitivity of the electronic device, making it challenging for the device to communicate with other entities over longer distances. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An apparatus for implementing an antenna tuner is disclosed. Instead of implementing a discrete antenna tuner on a substrate and coupling the discrete antenna tuner between the antenna and the RF integrated circuit, the components of the described antenna tuner are distributed between the substrate and the RF integrated circuit of the module. Specifically, the antenna tuner may include at least one inductor component disposed on the substrate and at least one capacitor component integrated within the RF integrated circuit, both packaged within the module. Using this architecture, the antenna tuner can have a space-saving design that meets the size constraints of a given electronic device. This architecture also enables the integration of multiple antenna tuners within an electronic device (e.g., within a single antenna module) to dynamically tune the impedance associated with individual antenna elements of an antenna array.

[0004] In one example aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on or within the substrate, a radio frequency integrated circuit disposed on the substrate, and an antenna tuner. The radio frequency integrated circuit includes an amplifier circuit. The antenna tuner is coupled between the antenna and the amplifier circuit. The antenna tuner includes an inductor component disposed on the substrate and a capacitor component implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit.

[0005] In one example aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate and an antenna component for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals. The antenna component is disposed on or within the substrate. The apparatus also includes an integrated circuit comprising components for regulating the radio frequency signals. The integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate. The apparatus further includes a tuning component for providing impedance matching between the antenna component and the tuning component. The tuning component includes an inductor component for providing positive reactance and a capacitor component for providing negative reactance. The inductor component is disposed on or within the substrate, and the capacitor component is implemented as part of the integrated circuit.

[0006] In one example aspect, a method for operating an antenna tuner is disclosed. The method includes providing an impedance between an amplifier circuit of a radio frequency integrated circuit and an antenna disposed on or within a substrate via the antenna tuner. The impedance is based on the positive reactance of an inductive component of the antenna tuner and the negative reactance of a capacitive component of the antenna tuner. The inductive component is disposed on the substrate, and the capacitive component is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit. The radio frequency integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate. The method also includes transmitting a radio frequency signal from the amplifier circuit to the antenna via the antenna tuner having the impedance. The method further includes transmitting a first radio frequency signal via the antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 An example operating environment for a device including an antenna tuner is shown.

[0008] Figure 2 An example implementation of an antenna module with an antenna tuner is shown.

[0009] Figure 3 An example implementation of an antenna module with multiple antennas, multiple antenna tuners, and radio frequency integrated circuits is shown.

[0010] Figure 4-1 An example sequence flowchart for adjusting the impedance of an antenna tuner is shown.

[0011] Figure 4-2 Another example sequence flowchart for adjusting the impedance of an antenna tuner is shown.

[0012] Figure 5-1 An example implementation of an antenna tuner is shown.

[0013] Figure 5-2 Another example implementation of the antenna tuner is shown.

[0014] Figure 5-3 An additional example implementation of the antenna tuner is shown.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example process for operating an antenna tuner.

[0016] Figure 7 This is another flowchart illustrating another example of a process for operating an antenna tuner. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Electronic devices can use radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits (ICs) and antennas to transmit or receive wireless communication signals. RF ICs and antennas can be designed with matched impedances, allowing power to be efficiently transmitted between the IC and antenna without significant loss. However, the antenna impedance can vary due to changes in operating or environmental conditions. Therefore, the impedances of the RF IC and antenna may become mismatched, and some power may be reflected. This reflected power can reduce the transmitted signal strength or receive sensitivity of the electronic device, making it challenging for the device to communicate with other entities over longer distances.

[0018] Some technologies allow antenna tuners to be directly connected between each antenna and the radio frequency integrated circuit in an electronic device. While each antenna tuner can be used to adjust the impedance of its corresponding antenna, some antenna tuner architectures are bulky and require a lot of space. Therefore, equipping an antenna array with multiple antenna tuners while meeting the size constraints of a given electronic device can be a challenge, especially for portable electronic devices such as smartphones or wearable devices.

[0019] To address this challenge, a technique for antenna tuners is described herein. The described technique realizes an antenna module with a compact design, which packages at least one antenna and at least one radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) on a substrate. The antenna module also includes at least one antenna tuner that acts as an impedance matching circuit. The antenna tuner is coupled between the antenna and the amplifier circuitry of the RFIC. The antenna tuner has a variable impedance that can be adjusted to match the input (or output) impedance of the antenna with the output (or input) impedance of the amplifier circuitry. By varying the impedance of the antenna tuner, the antenna tuner can maintain similar impedance matching performance across different beamforming operations (e.g., across signals with different phases), different frequency bands (e.g., across signals with different frequencies), and different distances between the user and the antenna.

[0020] Instead of implementing discrete antenna tuners on the substrate and coupling them between the antenna and the RF integrated circuit (IC), the components of the antenna tuner are distributed between the RF IC and the substrate of the module in which the RF IC is implemented, respectively. Specifically, the antenna tuner may include at least one inductor component disposed on the substrate and coupled to the antenna and the RF IC. The antenna tuner may also include at least one inductor component integrated within and coupled to the RF IC, and at least one capacitor component of an amplifier circuit. Using this architecture, the antenna tuner can have a space-saving design that allows the antenna module to meet the size constraints of the electronic device. This architecture also enables the integration of multiple antenna tuners within the antenna module to dynamically tune the impedance associated with individual antenna elements of the antenna array.

[0021] Figure 1 An example environment 100 for operating a device including an antenna tuner is shown. In environment 100, computing device 102 communicates with base station 104 via wireless communication link 106 (wireless link 106). In this example, computing device 102 is depicted as a smartphone. However, computing device 102 can be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a modem, cellular base station, broadband router, access point, cellular phone, gaming device, navigation device, media device, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, wearable computer, server, network-connected storage (NAS) device, smart home appliance or other Internet of Things (IoT) device, medical device, vehicle-based communication system, radar, radio equipment, etc.

[0022] Base station 104 communicates with computing device 102 via wireless link 106, which can be implemented as any suitable type of wireless link. Although depicted as a tower in a cellular network, base station 104 can be represented or implemented as another device, such as a satellite, server equipment, terrestrial television broadcasting tower, access point, peer-to-peer device, mesh network node, fiber optic line, etc. Therefore, computing device 102 can communicate with base station 104 or another device via wired connection, wireless connection, or a combination thereof.

[0023] Wireless link 106 may include a downlink transmitting data or control information from base station 104 to computing device 102, an uplink transmitting other data or control information from computing device 102 to base station 104, or both downlink and uplink. Wireless link 106 may be implemented using any suitable communication protocol or standard, such as second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), or fifth-generation (5G) cellular; IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi). TM ); IEEE 802.15 (e.g., Bluetooth) TM ); IEEE 802.16 (e.g., WiMAX) TM In some implementations, the wireless link 106 can be wirelessly powered, and the base station 104 can include a power supply.

[0024] As shown in the figure, computing device 102 includes a processor 108 and a computer-readable storage medium 110 (CRM 110). The processor 108 may include any type of processor, such as a multi-core processor, that executes processor-executable code stored in the CRM 110. The 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 this disclosure, the CRM 110 is implemented to store instructions 112, data 114, and other information of computing device 102, and therefore does not include transient propagation signals or carrier waves.

[0025] 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 touchscreen, etc. The display 118 displays graphics from 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 virtual interface through which the graphical content of the computing device 102 is displayed.

[0026] The antenna module 120 of computing device 102 provides connectivity to a suitable network and other electronic devices connected thereto. The antenna module 120 can facilitate communication over any suitable type of wireless network, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), peer-to-peer (P2P) network, mesh network, cellular network, wireless wide area network (WWAN), and / or wireless personal area network (WPAN). In the context of example environment 100, the antenna module 120 enables computing device 102 to communicate with base station 104 and the network connected thereto. However, the antenna module 120 can also enable computing device 102 to communicate "directly" with other devices or networks.

[0027] Antenna module 120 includes circuitry and logic for transmitting and receiving communication signals. Specifically, as shown, antenna module 120 includes a substrate 122 (e.g., one or more substrate layers), at least one antenna 124, and at least one radio frequency integrated circuit 126 (RFIC 126) (e.g., a radio frequency front-end integrated circuit (RFFE IC)). Antenna 124 and RF IC 126 may be packaged together as part of antenna module 120 and disposed on substrate 122.

[0028] Antenna 124 may include a patch antenna, a cross-pattern antenna element (e.g., a cross-shaped patch antenna), a slot antenna element, a dipole antenna, a bow antenna, an inverted-F antenna, another type of microstrip antenna, or another type of wired antenna. Antenna 124 may be horizontally polarized, vertically polarized, circularly polarized, or some combination thereof. In some implementations, antenna module 120 includes an antenna array having a plurality of antennas 124 operating as antenna elements of the antenna array.

[0029] The radio frequency integrated circuit 126 includes circuitry and logic for regulating signals transmitted and received via antenna 124 (e.g., generating and / or processing signals). Components of the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 may include amplifiers, phase shifters, switches, mixers, filters, etc. Specifically, the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 includes at least one amplifier circuit 128. The amplifier circuit 128 includes one or more amplifiers, such as power amplifiers (PAs) or low-noise amplifiers (LNAs). In some cases, the components of the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 are implemented as separate transmitter and receiver entities. Alternatively or additionally, the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 may be implemented using multiple or different portions for implementing corresponding transmission and reception operations (e.g., separate transmission and reception chains).

[0030] The radio frequency integrated circuit 126 may form part of a wireless transceiver (not shown). The wireless transceiver may include other integrated circuits and / or a processor. Although not shown, the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 may be connected to another integrated circuit within the wireless transceiver, such as an intermediate frequency integrated circuit or a baseband integrated circuit. The radio frequency integrated circuit 126 may also be connected (indirectly or directly) to a processor, such as processor 108, another processor, or a modem of the wireless transceiver.

[0031] In some implementations, antenna 124 and radio frequency integrated circuit 126 are jointly configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals having one or more frequencies within a millimeter-wave (mmW) band, which includes frequencies greater than or equal to 24 gigahertz (GHz). Example mmW bands include those used in 5G standards, such as low mmW bands (e.g., bands comprising at least a subset of frequencies between approximately 24 and 35 GHz), mid mmW bands (e.g., bands comprising at least a subset of frequencies between approximately 35 and 50 GHz), or high mmW bands (e.g., bands comprising at least a subset of frequencies between approximately 50 and 300 GHz).

[0032] like Figure 1As shown, antenna module 120 may include at least one antenna tuner 130 and at least one impedance control circuit 132. Antenna tuner 130 provides impedance matching between antenna 124 and amplifier circuit 128. In particular, the impedance of antenna tuner 130 can be varied to maintain similar impedance matching performance across different beamforming operations (e.g., across signals with different phases), different frequency bands (e.g., across signals with different frequencies), and / or varying environmental conditions affecting the impedance of antenna 124 (such as varying distances between a part of the user (e.g., a user's finger or appendage) and antenna 124).

[0033] Antenna tuner 130 may include at least one substrate tuning circuit 134 and at least one integrated circuit (IC) tuning circuit 136. Antenna tuner 130 may represent a distributed antenna tuner because portions of antenna tuner 130 are distributed among individual components of antenna module 120 (e.g., integrated within these individual components). Specifically, substrate tuning circuit 134 is disposed on substrate 122, and IC tuning circuit 136 is integrated within radio frequency integrated circuit 126. By implementing some of these components within radio frequency integrated circuit 126, antenna tuner 130 can have a compact design that allows antenna module 120 to meet the size constraints of computing device 102. This compact design also allows multiple antenna tuners 130 to be implemented within antenna module 120 to support dynamic tuning of multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, as per [reference to...]. Figure 3 Further description.

[0034] Impedance control circuit 132 controls the impedance of antenna tuner 130. In some implementations, impedance control circuit 132 can indirectly measure the impedance of antenna 124 and / or detect changes in the impedance of antenna 124. For example, impedance control circuit 132 can determine and monitor the magnitude of the reflection coefficient by measuring the amount of power reflected between antenna 124 and amplifier circuit 128. This reflection coefficient indicates the impedance of antenna 124. Alternatively or additionally, impedance control circuit 132 can measure the signal strength of the received signal or the signal-to-noise ratio associated with the received signal.

[0035] Impedance control circuit 132 can be implemented within RF integrated circuit 126 between amplifier circuit 128 and antenna tuner 130. Based on measured or detected impedance changes in antenna 124, impedance control circuit 132 dynamically adjusts the impedance of antenna tuner 130 by an appropriate amount to facilitate impedance matching.

[0036] In other implementations, the impedance control circuit 132 may be coupled to a processor within the computing device 102 (e.g., processor 108, communication processor, modem, etc.), and the impedance of the antenna tuner 130 may be set to a predetermined value based on the operational configuration of the computing device 102 as indicated by the processor. The substrate 122, antenna 124, RF integrated circuit 126, antenna tuner 130, and impedance control circuit 132 may be packaged together as part of the antenna module 120, as per [reference to...]. Figure 2 Further description.

[0037] Figure 2 An example implementation of an antenna module 120 with an antenna tuner 130 is shown. In the depicted configuration, the antenna module 120 includes an antenna 124 and an RF integrated circuit 126. In other implementations, the antenna module 120 may include more than one antenna 124 and / or more than one RF integrated circuit 126.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, antenna 124, RF integrated circuit 126, and substrate tuning circuit 134 of antenna tuner 130 are disposed on surface 202 of substrate 122. In other implementations, one or more of these entities (e.g., antenna 124 and / or substrate tuning circuit 134) may be disposed on another surface of substrate 122, in / on a layer within substrate 122, and / or distributed among multiple layers or inner layers between the surface of substrate 122. For example, RF integrated circuit 126 may alternatively be mounted to the underside of substrate 122 (e.g., disposed on another surface opposite surface 202 and in...). Figure 2 (Not visible in the image). Antenna 124 may be formed on surface 202 and / or in a layer of substrate 122 closer to surface 202 than the surface on which RF integrated circuit 126 is mounted. This may result in the aiming line of antenna 124 being away from RF integrated circuit 126, which helps to mitigate unwanted coupling. In other embodiments, the aiming line of antenna 124 may be approximately perpendicular to surface 202.

[0039] The radio frequency integrated circuit 126 is implemented on die 204. The amplifier circuit 128, impedance control circuit 132, and IC tuning circuit 136 of the antenna tuner 130 are disposed on die 204. Die 204 can be mounted to surface 202 of substrate 122 via interface 206. Interface 206 disposed on surface 202 is configured to receive and connect to die 204. Although not explicitly depicted, interface 206 may include terminals for connecting the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 to substrate tuning circuit 134 or other components (such as another integrated circuit or processor) outside the antenna module 120.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, components of the antenna tuner 130 (e.g., substrate tuning circuit 134 and IC tuning circuit 136) can be distributed between the substrate 122 and the RF integrated circuit 126. Specifically, the substrate tuning circuit 134 is directly disposed on the substrate 122 (e.g., placed on at least one layer of the substrate 122), and the IC tuning circuit 136 is directly disposed on the die 204 of the RF integrated circuit 126. Because the IC tuning circuit 136 is implemented within the RF integrated circuit 126 (e.g., disposed on the die 204), the IC tuning circuit 136 is not directly disposed on the substrate 122. The antenna 124, the substrate tuning circuit 134, and the RF integrated circuit 126 are electrically connected together, as per [reference to...]. Figure 3 Further description.

[0041] Figure 3 An example implementation of an antenna module 120 is shown, comprising multiple antennas 124-1 to 124-N, multiple antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N, and an RF integrated circuit 126. The variable N represents a positive integer. The RF integrated circuit 126 includes amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N. Each amplifier circuit 128-1 to 128-N may include one or more power amplifiers, one or more low-noise amplifiers, or some combination thereof. For example, amplifier circuit 128-1 may be configured as a transmit amplifier and may include a power amplifier and / or a drive amplifier having an output coupled to antenna 124-1, and the receive circuitry may be omitted. In another example, amplifier circuit 128-1 may be configured as a receive amplifier and may include a low-noise amplifier having an input coupled to antenna 124-1, and the transmit circuitry may be omitted. In yet another example, amplifier circuit 128-1 may be configured for both transmit and receive operations and may include a power amplifier having an output coupled to antenna 124-1 and a low-noise amplifier having an input coupled to antenna 124-1.

[0042] In the depicted configuration, antennas 124-1 to 124-N represent antenna elements of antenna array 302. Each antenna 124-1 to 124-N is coupled to a corresponding antenna tuner 130-1 to 130-N. For example, antenna 124-1 is coupled to antenna tuner 130-1, and antenna 124-N is coupled to antenna tuner 130-N. In some such embodiments, antennas 124-1 to 124-N have a single feed. In implementations where antennas 124-1 to 124-N have multiple feeds, each feed may be coupled to a separate antenna tuner 130. For example, a first feed of antenna 124-1 is coupled to a first antenna tuner among antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N, and a second feed of antenna 124-2 is coupled to a second antenna tuner among antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N. In some cases, the power supply can be associated with different frequencies, phases, and / or polarizations.

[0043] Each antenna tuner 130 includes an IC tuning circuit 136 (see also...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), substrate tuning circuit 134 (see also) Figure 2 Antenna node 304 and transceiver node 306 are also included. For example, antenna tuner 130-1 includes a substrate tuning circuit 134-1, an IC tuning circuit 136-1, antenna node 304-1, and transceiver node 306-1. The substrate tuning circuit 134-1 is disposed on substrate 122, and the IC tuning circuit 136-1 is integrated within RF integrated circuit 126. Antenna node 304-1 is coupled to antenna 124-1, and transceiver node 306-1 is (indirectly or directly) coupled to amplifier circuit 128-1. Similarly, antenna tuner 130-N includes a substrate tuning circuit 134-N, an IC tuning circuit 136-N, antenna node 304-N, and transceiver node 306-N. The substrate tuning circuit 134-N is disposed on substrate 122, and the IC tuning circuit 136-N is integrated within RF integrated circuit 126. Antenna node 304-N is coupled to antenna 124-N, and transceiver node 306-N is coupled (indirectly or directly) to amplifier circuit 128-N. Substrate tuning circuits 134-1 to 134-N and IC tuning circuits 136-1 to 136-N are coupled between antenna nodes 304-1 to 304-N and transceiver nodes 306-1 to 306-N, respectively.

[0044] In the example implementation, each of the IC tuning circuits 136-1 to 136-N includes at least one capacitor component 308. Each of the substrate tuning circuits 134-1 to 134-N includes at least one inductor component 310. The capacitor component 308 has negative reactance, and the inductor component 310 has positive reactance. The example capacitor component 308 may include at least one varactor diode, at least one switched capacitor or variable capacitor, at least one capacitor, or some combination thereof. The example inductor component 310 may include at least one transmission line, at least one variable inductor, at least one inductor, or some combination thereof. At least one component of each antenna tuner 130-1 to 130-N has a tunable (e.g., variable) impedance. Thus, the positive reactance of the inductor component 310 and / or the negative reactance of the capacitor component 308 can be changed by the impedance control circuit 132.

[0045] In the depicted configuration, impedance control circuitry 132 is coupled between antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N and amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N. For example, a corresponding portion of impedance control circuitry 132 may be connected in series between each of the antenna tuners 130 and the corresponding amplifier circuit 128. In other embodiments, one or more amplifier circuits in amplifier circuitry 128 are directly connected to the corresponding antenna tuner 130 (e.g., directly connected to transceiver node 306). In such embodiments, impedance control circuitry 132 (or a portion thereof) may be coupled in a parallel or shunt path. In some embodiments, impedance control circuitry 132 includes one or more couplers configured to magnetically couple a portion of the signal transmitted between the antenna tuner 130 and the corresponding amplifier circuitry 128 to a circuit system configured to measure the magnitude of the impedance and / or reflection coefficient of antenna 124, as described above.

[0046] Although not shown, amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N may be coupled to other components (not shown) of the RF integrated circuit 126, such as phase shifters, mixers, amplifiers, or coupling circuits (e.g., combiners or splitters). For example, one or more mixers may be implemented in the RF integrated circuit 126 and may be configured to up-convert intermediate frequency (IF) communication signals to mmW frequencies for transmission, and / or may be configured to down-convert mmW frequency signals to IF frequencies for reception. Furthermore, at least one phase shifter may be coupled to each amplifier circuit 128 and implemented in the RF integrated circuit 126. For example, a phase shifter may be coupled between one or more mixers and the corresponding amplifier circuit 128. In such an embodiment, antenna 124 may be configured as a phased array.

[0047] During transmission and / or reception, impedance control circuitry 132 generates configuration signals 312-1 to 312-N and provides these configuration signals 312-1 to 312-N to antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N, respectively. Configuration signals 312-1 to 312-N specify a particular configuration or target impedance for each antenna tuner 130-1 to 130-N. Antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N receive configuration signals 312-1 to 312-N and accordingly adjust (e.g., change) the impedance of substrate tuning circuits 134-1 to 134-N and / or the impedance of IC tuning circuits 136-1 to 136-N. Specifically, the reactance of the capacitor component 308 within the tuning IC tuning circuits 136-1 to 136-N of the antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N, the reactance of the inductor component 310 within the tuning board tuning circuits 134-1 to 134-N, or some combination thereof. In this way, the antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N provide a specified impedance according to the impedance control circuit 132.

[0048] In some implementations, impedance control circuitry 132 configures the impedance of antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N based on the operational configuration of computing device 102 (e.g., beamforming configuration and / or selected frequency band). During transmission, impedance control circuitry 132 may additionally or alternatively measure the reflection coefficient and set the impedance of antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N to reduce the reflection coefficient. During reception, impedance control circuitry 132 may additionally or alternatively measure the signal strength associated with RF signals 318-1 to 318-N and set the impedance of antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with RF signals 318-1 to 318-N. Typically, impedance control circuitry 132 appropriately configures antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N to improve impedance matching between antennas 124-1 to 124-N and amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N during transmission and / or reception.

[0049] During transmission, amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N receive corresponding radio frequency signals 314-1 to 314-N from other components within radio frequency integrated circuit 126 or from another integrated circuit or component within or outside module 120. Amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N amplify the radio frequency signals 314-1 to 314-N to generate amplified radio frequency signals 316-1 to 316-N.

[0050] Antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N provide corresponding impedances specified by impedance control circuitry 132. In some cases, impedance control circuitry 132 adjusts the impedances provided by antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N so that the magnitude (or absolute value) of each reflection coefficient associated with antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N is less than a predetermined threshold. By providing these impedances, antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N substantially match the output impedances of amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N with the input impedances of antennas 124-1 to 124-N. Furthermore, antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N receive amplified RF signals 316-1 to 316-N at transceiver nodes 306-1 to 306-N and transmit the amplified RF signals 316-1 to 316-N to antennas 124-1 to 124-N via antenna nodes 304-1 to 304-N.

[0051] In the depicted configuration, antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N indirectly receive amplified radio frequency signals 316-1 to 316-N from amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N via impedance control circuitry 132. In other implementations (not shown) where impedance control circuitry 132 is not electrically coupled between antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N and amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N, antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N may “directly” receive amplified radio frequency signals 316-1 to 316-N from amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N (e.g., not propagated through impedance control circuitry 132, although other intervening circuitry systems may be present).

[0052] Antennas 124-1 to 124-N transmit amplified radio frequency signals 316-1 to 316-N. These amplified radio frequency signals 316-1 to 316-N can be formed, for example, transmitted from computing device 102 to base station 104. Figure 1 The uplink signal of ).

[0053] During reception, antennas 124-1 to 124-N receive radio frequency signals 318-1 to 318-N, which can represent signals transmitted by base station 104 and ( Figure 1The portion of the downlink signal received at computing device 102. Antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N provide corresponding impedances specified by impedance control circuitry 132. In some cases, impedance control circuitry 132 adjusts the impedances provided by antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N to make the signal-to-noise ratio associated with RF signals 318-1 to 318-N greater than a predetermined threshold. By providing these impedances, antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N substantially match the output impedances of antennas 124-1 to 124-N to the input impedances of amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N. In addition, antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N receive radio frequency signals 318-1 to 318-N at antenna nodes 304-1 to 304-N, and transmit radio frequency signals 318-1 to 318-N to amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N via transceiver nodes 306-1 to 306-N.

[0054] Amplifier circuits 128-1 to 128-N amplify radio frequency (RF) signals 318-1 to 318-N to generate amplified RF signals 320-1 to 320-N. RF integrated circuit 126 transmits these amplified RF signals 320-1 to 320-N to other components within RF integrated circuit 126 or to another integrated circuit or component within or outside antenna module 120. Impedance control circuitry 132 can dynamically adjust the impedance of antenna tuners 130-1 to 130-N to maintain similar impedance matching performance for various signal types (e.g., signals with different frequencies and / or phases) and for various different environments, such as regarding... Figure 4-1 and Figure 4-2 Further description.

[0055] Figure 4-1 and Figure 4-2 An antenna tuner 130 is shown for adjusting the antenna tuner 130 as time flows downwards (e.g., Figure 3 Example sequence flowcharts 400-1 and 400-2 show the impedance of antenna tuner 130-1 or 130-N. The impedance of antenna tuner 130 is determined according to the impedance of antenna 124 (e.g., Figure 3 The adjustment is based on one or more events that cause a change in the impedance of the antenna 124-1 or 124-N. These events may include changes in the operating configuration of the computing device 102, such as... Figure 4-1 As shown in 402, 404, and 406, or changes in the external environment, such as Figure 4-2 As shown in 408 and 410.

[0056] exist Figure 4-1 At position 402, computing device 102 is in a first operating configuration 412-1, which transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal 414-1 via antenna 124. The first RF signal 414-1 indicates ( Figure 3 The amplified radio frequency signal 316-1 or 316-N has a first signal characteristic 416-1, such as a specific phase and / or frequency. This phase can be based on a selected beamforming operation performed as part of a first operating configuration 412-1. This beamforming operation enables ( Figure 3 The antenna array 302 is capable of manipulating the main lobe of its radiation pattern in a specific direction. This frequency can be based on a selected frequency band associated with the first operating configuration 412-1. Due to the first signal characteristic 416-1, the antenna 124 has a specific impedance.

[0057] To improve the relationship between antenna 124 and amplifier circuit 128 (e.g., Figure 3 Impedance matching is performed between the amplifier circuit 128-1 or 128-N, and the impedance control circuit 132 gives the antenna tuner 130 a first impedance 418-1. This first impedance 418-1 is selected to reduce the magnitude of the reflection coefficient below a predetermined threshold for the first operating configuration 412-1. In this way, the antenna tuner 130 facilitates the transmission of the first radio frequency signal 414-1.

[0058] exist Figure 4-1 At position 404, the operating configuration of computing device 102 is changed to a second operating configuration 412-2, which transmits a second radio frequency signal 414-2 via antenna 124. The second radio frequency signal 414-2 also indicates ( Figure 3 The second radio frequency signal 414-2 is amplified from the first signal 416-1 or 316-N. The second radio frequency signal 414-2 has a second signal characteristic 416-2 that differs from the first signal characteristic 416-1. For example, the second radio frequency signal 414-2 may have a different phase and / or frequency than the first radio frequency signal 414-1. This change may occur because the second operating configuration 412-2 performs beamforming operations different from the first operating configuration 412-1 (e.g., manipulating the main lobe of the antenna array 302 in different directions). Alternatively, this change may occur because the second operating configuration 412-2 uses a different frequency band than the first operating configuration 412-1. Due to the second signal characteristic 416-2, the antenna 124 has an impedance in the second operating configuration 412-2 that differs from that in the first operating configuration 412-1.

[0059] To improve impedance matching between the antenna 124 and the amplifier circuit 128 for the second operating configuration 412-2, the impedance control circuit 132 causes the antenna tuner 130 to have a second impedance 418-2, which is different from the first impedance 418-1. This second impedance 418-2 is selected to reduce the magnitude of the reflection coefficient below a predetermined threshold for the second operating configuration 412-2. In this way, the antenna tuner 130 facilitates the transmission of the second radio frequency signal 414-2.

[0060] exist Figure 4-1 At position 406, the operating configuration of computing device 102 is changed to a third operating configuration 412-3, which receives a third radio frequency signal 414-3 via antenna 124. The third radio frequency signal 414-3 indicates ( Figure 3 The radio frequency signal 418-1 or 318-N is used. The third radio frequency signal 414-3 has a third signal characteristic 416-3 that may be similar to or different from the first signal characteristic 416-1 or the second signal characteristic 416-2. Since the antenna 124 is receiving rather than transmitting, the antenna 124 has an impedance in the third operating configuration 412-3 that is different from that in the first operating configuration 412-1 and the second operating configuration 412-2.

[0061] To improve impedance matching between the antenna 124 and the amplifier circuit 128 for the third operating configuration 412-3, the impedance control circuit 132 causes the antenna tuner 130 to have a third impedance 418-3, which is different from the first impedance 418-1 and the second impedance 418-2. This third impedance 418-3 is selected to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the radio frequency signal 414-3 above a predetermined threshold for the third operating configuration 412-3. In this way, the antenna tuner 130 facilitates the reception of the third radio frequency signal 414-3.

[0062] exist Figure 4-2 At position 408, computing device 102 operates within a first environment 420-1, in which the user's thumb is positioned away from antenna 124. In this example, the user's thumb does not obstruct (or minimally obstructs) antenna 124. To improve impedance matching between antenna 124 and amplifier circuit 128, impedance control circuit 132 may measure the reflection coefficient or signal-to-noise ratio and, based on this measurement, enable antenna tuner 130 to have a fourth impedance 418-4. In some cases, the fourth impedance 418-4 may be a first impedance 418-1 at 402, a second impedance 418-2 at 404, a third impedance 418-3 at 406, or another impedance different from impedances 418-1 to 418-3. The fourth impedance 418-4 may be selected to reduce the magnitude of the reflection coefficient below a predetermined threshold for environment 420-1 and / or to increase the signal-to-noise ratio above a predetermined threshold for environment 420-1.

[0063] At 410, computing device 102 operates in a second environment 420-2, in which a user's thumb is positioned near antenna 124. In this example, the user's thumb obstructs (or at least partially obstructs) antenna 124. To improve impedance matching between antenna 124 and amplifier circuit 128, impedance control circuit 132 may measure the reflection coefficient or signal-to-noise ratio and, based on this measurement, enable antenna tuner 130 to have a fifth impedance 418-5. Because the user's thumb is near antenna 124, the reflection coefficient (or measured signal-to-noise ratio) measured at 410 may differ from the reflection coefficient (or measured signal-to-noise ratio) measured at 408. Thus, the fifth impedance 418-5 of antenna tuner 130 at 410 may differ from the fourth impedance 418-4 at 408. This fifth impedance 418-5 may be selected by impedance control circuit 132 to reduce the magnitude of the reflection coefficient below a predetermined threshold for environment 420-2 and / or to increase the signal-to-noise ratio above a predetermined threshold for environment 420-2.

[0064] The impedances 418-1 to 418-5 and / or settings of the substrate tuning circuit 134 and / or IC tuning circuit 136 applied to achieve such impedances may be different or substantially the same, or may overlap in one or more ways. For example, a subset of the settings used to affect the first impedance among impedances 418-1 to 418-5 may also be used to affect the second impedance among impedances 418-1 to 418-5.

[0065] At positions 408 and 410, antenna 124 can transmit and / or receive radio frequency signals. In some cases, impedance control circuitry 132 assigns a specific impedance to antenna tuner 130 based on both operating configuration and environmental conditions. Regarding... Figure 5-1 The example implementation of antenna tuner 130 is described in further detail.

[0066] Figure 5-1 An example implementation of the antenna tuner 130 is shown. In the depicted configuration, it can be represented that... Figure 3 The antenna tuner 130 of the antenna tuner 130-1 or 130-N includes a substrate tuning circuit 134 and an IC tuning circuit 136. The substrate tuning circuit 134 and the IC tuning circuit 136 are coupled to a shared node 502 and an antenna node 304 (e.g., Figure 3 Antenna node 304-1 or 304-N) and transceiver node 306 (e.g., Figure 3 (Transceiver node 306-1 or 306-N).

[0067] In the example implementation, the substrate tuning circuit 134 includes a first inductor component 310-1 and a second inductor component 310-2. Although in Figure 5-1Although not explicitly shown, the first inductor assembly 310-1 and the second inductor assembly 310-2 are disposed on or within the substrate 122. The first inductor assembly 310-1 is coupled between the antenna node 304 and the shared node 502. The second inductor assembly 310-2 is coupled between the shared node 502 and the transceiver node 306.

[0068] The IC tuning circuit 136 includes a first capacitor assembly 308-1, a second capacitor assembly 308-2, and a third capacitor assembly 308-3. Although in Figure 5-1 Although not explicitly shown, capacitor components 308-1 to 308-3 are integrated within the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 (e.g., located in...). Figure 2 (On the bare die 204). The first capacitor assembly 308-1 is coupled between the antenna node 304 and the shared node 502. Thus, the first capacitor assembly 308-1 and the first inductor assembly 310-1 are coupled together in parallel. The second capacitor assembly 308-2 is coupled between the shared node 502 and the transceiver node 306. Thus, the second capacitor assembly 308-2 and the second inductor assembly 310-2 are coupled together in parallel. The third capacitor assembly 308-3 is coupled between the shared node 502 and ground 504. Ground 504 can be the local ground of the RF integrated circuit 126 or the antenna module 120.

[0069] To save space within the RF integrated circuit 126, capacitor components 308-1 to 308-3 can be designed to have a smaller impedance than inductor components 310-1 to 310-2. Thus, the impedance of inductor components 310-1 to 310-2 can contribute a larger portion of the impedance of antenna tuner 130, while the impedance of capacitor components 308-1 to 308-3 can contribute a smaller portion of the impedance of antenna tuner 130. In this case, inductor components 310-1 to 310-2 can provide the bulk of the impedance of antenna tuner 130, while capacitor components 308-1 to 308-3 can be used to fine-tune the impedance of antenna tuner 130. For example, IC tuning circuit 136 can have an adjustable capacitance between approximately 0 and 150 nanofarads (fF). In other embodiments, one or more of capacitor components 308-1 to 308-3 each have an adjustable capacitance between approximately 0 and 150 fF. In some embodiments... The substrate tuning circuit 134 has an impedance of approximately 50 ohms (or variable around 50 ohms and including approximately 50 ohms) at one or more operating frequencies (e.g., one or more mmW frequencies). In other embodiments, one or both of the inductor components 310-1 and 310-2 each have an impedance of approximately 50 ohms (or variable around 50 ohms and including approximately 50 ohms) at one or more operating frequencies (e.g., one or more mmW frequencies).

[0070] In some cases, it can be cheaper and easier to design capacitor assemblies 308-1 to 308-3 with variable impedance and inductor assemblies 310-1 and 310-2 with fixed impedance, as discussed in [the relevant section]. Figure 5-2 Further description.

[0071] Figure 5-2 Another example implementation of the antenna tuner 130 is shown. In the depicted configuration, capacitor components 308-1 to 308-3 are implemented using corresponding varactor diodes 506-1 to 506-3. The varactor diodes 506-1 to 506-3 have variable impedances. Inductor components 310-1 and 310-2 are implemented using corresponding transmission lines 508-1 and 508-2. In this case, the impedances of transmission lines 508-1 and 508-2 are fixed. In some embodiments, the design of transmission line 508 can be used to compensate for constraints inherent in the design of varactor diode 506 and / or its design. For example, in some embodiments, the size (e.g., length) of transmission line 508 can be increased to reduce the tuning range required by varactor diode 506. In some embodiments, such an implementation can be achieved by placing transmission line 508 on or within substrate 122. Other implementations may have an inductor component 310 with variable impedance, as described above. Figure 5-3 Further description.

[0072] Figure 5-3 Additional example implementations of the antenna tuner 130 are shown. In the depicted configuration, capacitor assemblies 308-1 to 308-3 are implemented using capacitors 510-1 to 510-3. Capacitors 510-1 to 510-3 may have fixed or variable impedance. Inductor assemblies 310-1 and 310-2 are implemented using corresponding tunable inductors 512-1 and 512-2. Tunable inductors 512-1 and 512-2 have variable impedance.

[0073] Typically, the antenna tuner 130 can be implemented using capacitor components 308-1 to 308-3 of the IC tuning circuit 136, inductor components 310-1 to 310-2 of the substrate tuning circuit 134, or both, to provide impedance tuning. In some embodiments, additional space and / or design flexibility are available when one or more inductor components 310 are implemented on or in the substrate 122.

[0074] although Figure 5-1 , Figure 5-2 and Figure 5-3 The substrate tuning circuit 134 is shown as including two inductor components 310-1 and 310-2, but it should be understood that the substrate tuning circuit 134 may include any number of inductor components 310, including one inductor component or more than two inductor components. Similarly, Figure 5-1 , Figure 5-2 and Figure 5-3 The IC tuning circuit 136 may include any number of capacitor components 308, including one capacitor component, two capacitor components, or more than three capacitor components. In some embodiments, more than two inductor components 310 are implemented, with the capacitor components 308 implemented in parallel with each of the inductor components 310, and corresponding additional capacitor components coupled between each node that couples the respective pairs of capacitor components and inductor components together and ground. Typically, the implementation of the substrate tuning circuit 134 and / or IC tuning circuit 136 with a larger number of components can achieve an impedance 418 ( ) to the antenna tuner 130. Figure 4-1 or Figure 4-2 It offers a wider impedance range and more precise control.

[0075] The inductor assembly 310 and capacitor assembly 308 of the antenna tuner 130 can be arranged in any type of network between the antenna node 304, the transceiver node 306, and ground 504. Example networks include series networks, parallel networks, T-networks, π-networks, Δ-networks, Y-networks, or some combination thereof. Typically, the architecture of the antenna tuner 130 is designed such that the antenna tuner 130 can have a specific impedance tuning range and resolution to provide impedance matching for various operating configurations 412 of the computing device 102 and / or various environments 420 in which the computing device 102 can operate.

[0076] Those skilled in the art will understand that, in addition to Figures 1 to 5-3 Other configurations besides those shown can be implemented based on the concepts described herein. For example, in some embodiments, antenna module 120 omits antenna(s)124. In such embodiments, antenna(s)124 may be implemented in a separate module or on a substrate separate from substrate 122 and coupled to antenna(s)304. In some embodiments, amplifier circuitry 128 is implemented in an IC different from the IC in which IC tuning circuitry 136 is implemented. Thus, RF integrated circuitry 126 may be split into several ICs, which may be disposed in the same module or in different modules. In some embodiments, antenna module 120 is coupled to another module including an IC comprising a mixer configured to switch between intermediate frequency and mmW frequency and / or a phase shifter coupled to amplifier circuitry 128 via interconnection. In some embodiments, substrate tuning circuitry 134 and IC tuning circuitry 136 are not included within a module but are implemented on a substrate such as a flexible printed circuit board, which couples the frequency conversion and / or phase shift circuitry system to the substrate or board on which antenna(s)124 is implemented.

[0077] Figure 6This is a flowchart illustrating an example process 600 for operating the antenna tuner 130. Process 600 is described in the form of a set of blocks 602-606 specifying the operations that can be performed. However, the operations are not necessarily limited to... Figure 6 The order shown or described herein is not fixed, as operations can be implemented in an alternative order or in a fully or partially overlapping manner. Furthermore, more, fewer, and / or different operations can be implemented to perform process 600 or alternative processes. The operations represented by the shown boxes of process 600 can be performed by (e.g., Figure 1 The computing device 102 or (e.g., Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 3 The antenna module 120 performs the operation. More specifically, the operation of process 600 can be partially performed by, for example, the antenna module 120. Figures 1 to 5-3 The antenna tuner 130 shown is used to perform this.

[0078] In block 602, an impedance is provided between the amplifier circuit of the RF integrated circuit and the antenna. The antenna and the RF integrated circuit can be disposed on the substrate (or, for example, disposed in the substrate relative to the antenna). The impedance is provided by the antenna tuner and is based on the positive reactance of the inductor component and the negative reactance of the capacitor component of the antenna tuner. The inductor component can be disposed on or in the substrate, and the capacitor component is implemented within the RF integrated circuit.

[0079] For example, antenna tuner 130 provides impedance between amplifier circuit 128 of RF integrated circuit 126 and antenna 124 (e.g., Figure 4-1 and Figure 4-2 The impedance is one of 418-1, 418-2, 418-4, or 418-5. For example... Figure 2 As shown, antenna 124 and RF integrated circuit 126 are disposed on substrate 122 (or, for example, disposed in the substrate relative to antenna 124). The impedance of antenna tuner 130 is based on the positive reactance of one or more inductor components 310 of antenna tuner 130 disposed on or in substrate 122. Furthermore, the impedance is based on the negative reactance of one or more capacitor components 308 of antenna tuner 130, which are implemented within RF integrated circuit 126 (e.g., disposed in the substrate 122). Figure 2 (on the bare die 204). In some cases, this impedance allows the magnitude of the reflection coefficient between the antenna 124 and the amplifier circuit 128 to be less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. In this way, the antenna tuner provides impedance matching between the antenna 124 and the amplifier circuit 128.

[0080] In block 604, the radio frequency signal is transmitted from the amplifier circuit to the antenna via an antenna tuner having this impedance. For example, antenna tuner 130 amplifies the radio frequency signal (e.g., Figure 3The amplified radio frequency signal (316-1 or 316-N) is emitted from amplifier circuit 128 (e.g., Figure 3 The amplifier circuit 128-1 or 128-N) transmits the signal to the antenna 124 (e.g., Figure 3 Antenna 124-1 or 124-N).

[0081] In box 606, radio frequency signals are transmitted via an antenna. For example, antenna 124 transmits radio frequency signals, such as... Figure 4-1 The radio frequency signal is 414-1 or 414-2. Although the transmission is described, similar operations can be performed for the reception, as described regarding... Figure 7 Further description.

[0082] Figure 7 This is another flowchart illustrating an example process 700 for operating the antenna tuner 130. Process 700 is described in the form of a set of blocks 702-706 specifying the operations that can be performed. However, the operations are not necessarily limited to... Figure 7 The order shown or described herein is not fixed because operations can be implemented in an alternative order or in a fully or partially overlapping manner. Furthermore, more, fewer, and / or different operations can be implemented to perform process 700 or alternative processes. The operations represented by the shown boxes of process 700 can be performed by (e.g., Figure 1 The computing device 102 or (e.g., Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 3 The antenna module 120 performs the operation. More specifically, the operation of process 700 can be partially performed by, for example, the antenna module 120. Figures 1 to 5-3 The antenna tuner 130 shown is used to perform this.

[0083] In block 702, radio frequency signals are received via an antenna disposed on or in the substrate. For example, antenna 124 receives... Figure 4-1 The radio frequency signal 414-3. Antenna 124 can be disposed on or within substrate 122, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0084] In block 704, impedance is provided between the amplifier circuit of the RF integrated circuit and the antenna. The RF integrated circuit can be disposed on the substrate. The impedance is provided by the antenna tuner and is based on the positive reactance of the inductor component and the negative reactance of the capacitor component of the antenna tuner. The inductor component can be disposed on or in the substrate, and the capacitor component is implemented within the RF integrated circuit.

[0085] For example, antenna tuner 130 provides impedance between amplifier circuit 128 of RF integrated circuit 126 and antenna 124 (e.g., Figure 4-1 and Figure 4-2(The impedance is one of 418-3 to 418-5). RF integrated circuit 126 is disposed on substrate 122, such as... Figure 2 As shown. The impedance of the antenna tuner 130 is based on the positive reactance of one or more inductor components 310 of the antenna tuner 130, which are disposed on or in the substrate 122. Furthermore, the impedance is based on the negative reactance of one or more capacitor components 308 of the antenna tuner 130, which are implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit 126 (e.g., disposed in...). Figure 2 (on the bare die 204). In some cases, the impedance makes the signal-to-noise ratio of the received RF signal 414-3 greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. In this way, the antenna tuner provides impedance matching between the antenna 124 and the amplifier circuit 128.

[0086] In block 706, the radio frequency signal is transmitted from the antenna to the amplification circuit via an antenna tuner having this impedance. For example, antenna tuner 130 transmits radio frequency signal 414-3 (e.g., Figure 3 The radio frequency signal (318-1 or 318-N) is emitted from antenna 124 (e.g., Figure 3 The antenna 124-1 or 124-N) transmits the signal to the amplifier circuit 128 (e.g., Figure 3 The amplifier circuit is 128-1 or 128-N.

[0087] Unless the context otherwise requires, the use of the word “or” herein can be interpreted as the use of an inclusive “or”, or a term that allows the inclusion or application of one or more items linked by the word “or” (e.g., the phrase “A or B” can be interpreted as allowing only “A”, only “B”, or both “A” and “B”). Furthermore, items represented in the figures and terminology discussed herein may indicate one or more items or terms, and therefore reference can be made interchangeably to the singular or plural forms of items and terms 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 as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or operations described above, including not necessarily limited to the organization of arrangement features or the order of performing operations.

[0088] The following include aspects that describe certain configurations based on the concepts described herein.

[0089] Aspect 1: An apparatus comprising:

[0090] substrate;

[0091] The antenna is mounted on or within the substrate.

[0092] Radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits, disposed on a substrate, include amplifier circuits; and

[0093] An antenna tuner, coupled between the antenna and the amplifier circuit, includes:

[0094] Inductor components, mounted on a substrate; and

[0095] The capacitor assembly is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit.

[0096] Aspect 2. The apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein:

[0097] The inductor component is configured to provide positive reactance; and

[0098] The capacitor assembly is configured to provide negative reactance.

[0099] Aspect 3. The apparatus according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the capacitor assembly and the inductor assembly are connected in parallel.

[0100] Aspect 4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the capacitor assembly includes a varactor diode.

[0101] Aspect 5. The apparatus according to aspect 4, wherein the antenna tuner is configured to change the negative reactance of the varactor diode.

[0102] Aspect 6. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the inductor component includes a transmission line.

[0103] Aspect 7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the antenna tuner is configured to selectively:

[0104] Match the output impedance of the amplifier circuit to the input impedance of the antenna; and

[0105] Match the antenna's output impedance to the amplifier's input impedance.

[0106] Aspect 8. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein:

[0107] The antenna is configured as follows:

[0108] Transmit a first radio frequency signal having first signal characteristics; and

[0109] Transmit a second radio frequency signal having a second signal characteristic different from the first signal characteristic; and

[0110] The antenna tuner is configured as follows:

[0111] The first impedance is provided based on the transmission of a first radio frequency signal through the antenna, and the first impedance is based on the positive reactance of the inductor component and the negative reactance of the capacitor component.

[0112] Before the second radio frequency signal is transmitted, at least one of the following is changed:

[0113] The positive reactance of the inductor component; or

[0114] The negative reactance of the capacitor assembly; and

[0115] The second impedance is provided by transmitting a second radio frequency signal through the antenna, and the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0116] Aspect 9. The apparatus according to aspect 8, wherein:

[0117] The first signal characteristic includes a first phase; and

[0118] The second signal characteristic includes a second phase that is different from the first phase.

[0119] Aspect 10. The apparatus according to aspect 8, wherein:

[0120] The first signal characteristic includes a first frequency; and

[0121] The second signal characteristic includes a second frequency that is different from the first frequency.

[0122] Aspect 11. The apparatus according to aspect 8, wherein the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal each include at least one frequency greater than or equal to 24 gigahertz.

[0123] Aspect 12. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein:

[0124] The inductor assembly includes a first inductor assembly;

[0125] The capacitor assembly includes a first capacitor assembly; and

[0126] The antenna tuner includes:

[0127] The second inductor assembly is disposed on or in the substrate;

[0128] The second capacitor assembly is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit; and

[0129] The third capacitor assembly is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit.

[0130] Aspect 13. The apparatus according to aspect 12, wherein:

[0131] The antenna tuner includes:

[0132] Antenna node, coupled to the antenna;

[0133] Shared nodes; and

[0134] The transceiver node is coupled to the amplifier circuit.

[0135] The first inductor component is coupled between the antenna node and the shared node;

[0136] The second inductor component is coupled between the shared node and the transceiver node;

[0137] The first capacitor assembly is coupled between the antenna node and the shared node;

[0138] The second capacitor assembly is coupled between the shared node and the transceiver node; and

[0139] The third capacitor assembly is coupled between the shared node and ground.

[0140] Aspect 14. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein:

[0141] The antenna includes a first antenna;

[0142] The amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier circuit;

[0143] The antenna tuner includes a first antenna tuner;

[0144] The radio frequency integrated circuit includes a second amplifier circuit; and

[0145] The device includes:

[0146] Antenna array, including:

[0147] First antenna; and

[0148] The second antenna is disposed on or within the substrate; and

[0149] The second antenna tuner is coupled between the second antenna and the second amplifier circuit.

[0150] The two-antenna tuner includes:

[0151] Inductor components, disposed on or in a substrate; and

[0152] The capacitor assembly is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit.

[0153] Aspect 15. The apparatus according to aspect 14 further includes:

[0154] The mixer is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit;

[0155] A first phase shifter, implemented within an RF integrated circuit, is coupled between a mixer and a first amplifier circuit; and

[0156] The second phase shifter is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit and is coupled between the mixer and the second amplifier circuit.

[0157] Aspect 16. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the amplification circuitry includes at least one of the following:

[0158] A power amplifier, configured to amplify radio frequency signals for transmission; or

[0159] A low-noise amplifier is configured to amplify other radio frequency signals used for reception.

[0160] Aspect 17. The apparatus according to any of the preceding aspects further includes:

[0161] Antenna module,

[0162] The substrate, antenna, RF integrated circuit, and antenna tuner are packaged together as part of the antenna module.

[0163] Aspect 18. The apparatus according to aspect 17 further includes:

[0164] Display screen; and

[0165] A processor, operatively coupled to a display screen and an antenna module, is configured to present one or more graphic images on the display screen based on radio frequency signals transmitted by the antenna module.

[0166] Aspect 19. An apparatus comprising:

[0167] substrate;

[0168] Antenna components are used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The antenna components are disposed on or in the substrate.

[0169] An integrated circuit, including components for regulating radio frequency signals, wherein the integrated circuit is disposed on a substrate; and

[0170] A tuning component, used to provide impedance matching between the antenna component and the component used for adjustment, includes:

[0171] An inductor component for providing positive reactance, the inductor component being disposed on or in a substrate; and

[0172] A capacitor component used to provide negative reactance is implemented as part of an integrated circuit.

[0173] Aspect 20. The apparatus according to aspect 19, wherein the capacitor component and the inductor component are coupled in parallel.

[0174] Aspect 21. The apparatus according to aspect 19 or 20, wherein the capacitor component is further configured to selectively provide a first negative reactance and a second negative reactance.

[0175] Aspect 22. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 19 to 21, wherein the inductor is further configured to selectively provide a first positive reactance and a second positive reactance.

[0176] Aspect 23. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 19 to 22, wherein:

[0177] The antenna components are configured as follows:

[0178] A first radio frequency signal having a first signal characteristic in the transmitted radio frequency signal; and a second radio frequency signal having a second signal characteristic in the transmitted radio frequency signal, wherein the second signal characteristic is different from the first signal characteristic; and

[0179] The tuning component is configured as follows:

[0180] The first impedance is provided by transmitting a first radio frequency signal based on the antenna component, and the first impedance is based on the positive reactance of the inductor component and the negative reactance of the capacitor component.

[0181] Before the second radio frequency signal is transmitted, at least one of the following is changed:

[0182] The positive reactance of the inductor; or

[0183] The negative reactance of the capacitor component; and

[0184] The second impedance is provided by transmitting a second radio frequency signal based on the antenna component, and the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0185] Aspect 24. A method for operating an antenna tuner, the method comprising:

[0186] An impedance is provided between the amplifier circuit of the radio frequency integrated circuit and the antenna disposed on or in the substrate via the antenna tuner. The impedance is based on the positive reactance of the inductor component of the antenna tuner and the negative reactance of the capacitor component of the antenna tuner. The inductor component is disposed on or in the substrate, and the capacitor component is implemented in the radio frequency integrated circuit, which is disposed on the substrate.

[0187] Radio frequency signals are transmitted from the amplifier circuit to the antenna via an antenna tuner with impedance; and

[0188] Radio frequency signals are transmitted via an antenna.

[0189] Aspect 25. The method according to aspect 24, wherein:

[0190] Impedance includes the first impedance;

[0191] The radio frequency signal includes a first radio frequency signal; and

[0192] The methods include:

[0193] Change at least one of the positive reactance of the inductor component or the negative reactance of the capacitor component;

[0194] In response to the change, a second impedance is provided between the amplifier circuit and the antenna via the antenna tuner, and the second impedance is different from the first impedance;

[0195] A second radio frequency signal is transmitted from the amplifier circuit to the antenna via an antenna tuner with a second impedance; and

[0196] The second radio frequency signal is transmitted via the antenna.

[0197] Aspect 26. The method according to aspect 25, wherein:

[0198] Providing the first impedance includes matching the output impedance of the amplifier circuit with the first input impedance of the antenna; and

[0199] Providing the second impedance involves matching the output impedance of the amplifier circuit with the second input impedance of the antenna, which is different from the first input impedance.

[0200] Aspect 27. The method according to aspect 25 or 26, wherein the second radio frequency signal has a phase different from that of the first radio frequency signal.

[0201] Aspect 28. The method according to any one of aspects 25 to 27, wherein the second radio frequency signal has a frequency different from that of the first radio frequency signal.

[0202] Aspect 29. The method according to any one of Aspects 24 to 28, wherein the capacitor assembly and the inductor assembly are connected in parallel.

[0203] Aspect 30. The method according to any one of Aspects 24 to 29, wherein:

[0204] The capacitor assembly includes a varactor diode; and

[0205] Inductor components include transmission lines.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: substrate; An antenna array, disposed on or in the substrate, the antenna array comprising at least two antennas; A radio frequency integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate, and the radio frequency integrated circuit includes at least two amplifier circuits; as well as At least two antenna tuners are respectively coupled between the at least two antennas and the at least two amplifier circuits, each of the at least two antenna tuners comprising: An inductor assembly is disposed on or in the substrate, and the inductor assembly is separate from the radio frequency integrated circuit. as well as The capacitor assembly is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The inductor component is configured to provide positive reactance; and The capacitor assembly is configured to provide negative reactance.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the capacitor assembly and the inductor assembly are connected in parallel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the capacitor assembly comprises a varactor diode.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the at least two antenna tuners is configured to change the negative reactance of the varactor diode.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inductor component comprises a transmission line.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two antenna tuners is configured to selectively: Match the output impedance of the corresponding amplifier circuit in the at least two amplifier circuits with the input impedance of the corresponding antenna in the at least two antennas; and The output impedance of the corresponding antenna is matched with the input impedance of the corresponding amplifier circuit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the at least two antennas is configured as follows: Transmit a first radio frequency signal having first signal characteristics; as well as Transmit a second radio frequency signal having a second signal characteristic different from the first signal characteristic; and Each of the at least two antenna tuners is configured as follows: The first impedance is provided by transmitting the first radio frequency signal based on the corresponding antenna of the at least two antennas, the first impedance being based on the positive reactance of the inductor component and the negative reactance of the capacitor component; Before the second radio frequency signal is transmitted, at least one of the following shall be changed: The positive reactance of the inductor component; or The negative reactance of the capacitor assembly; and The second impedance is provided by transmitting the second radio frequency signal based on the corresponding antenna, and the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The first signal characteristic includes a first phase; and The second signal characteristic includes a second phase that is different from the first phase.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The first signal characteristic includes a first frequency; and The second signal characteristic includes a second frequency that is different from the first frequency.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal each comprise at least one frequency greater than or equal to 24 gigahertz.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The inductor assembly includes a first inductor assembly; The capacitor assembly includes a first capacitor assembly; and Each of the at least two antenna tuners includes: A second inductor component is disposed on or in the substrate, and the second inductor component is separate from the radio frequency integrated circuit. The second capacitor assembly is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit; and The third capacitor assembly is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: Each of the at least two antenna tuners includes: Antenna node, coupled to the corresponding antenna of the at least two antennas; Shared nodes; and A transceiver node is coupled to the corresponding amplifier circuit in the at least two amplifier circuits; The first inductor component is coupled between the antenna node and the shared node; The second inductor component is coupled between the shared node and the transceiver node; The first capacitor assembly is coupled between the antenna node and the shared node; The second capacitor assembly is coupled between the shared node and the transceiver node; and The third capacitor assembly is coupled between the shared node and ground.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The mixer is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit; A first phase shifter is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit and is coupled between the mixer and a first amplifier circuit in the at least two amplifier circuits. as well as A second phase shifter is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit and is coupled between the mixer and a second amplifier circuit in the at least two amplifier circuits.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two amplification circuits comprises at least one of the following: A power amplifier, configured to amplify radio frequency signals for transmission; or A low-noise amplifier is configured to amplify other radio frequency signals used for reception.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Antenna module, The substrate, the at least two antennas, the radio frequency integrated circuit, and the at least two antenna tuners are packaged together as part of the antenna module.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: Display screen; as well as A processor, operatively coupled to the display screen and the antenna module, is configured to present one or more graphic images on the display screen based on radio frequency signals transmitted by the antenna module.

18. An apparatus comprising: substrate; A first antenna component is used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals, and the first antenna component is disposed on or in the substrate; A second antenna component is used to transmit and receive other radio frequency signals, and the second antenna component is disposed on or in the substrate; An integrated circuit, disposed on the substrate, includes: The first component for amplifying radio frequency signals; and A second component used to amplify other radio frequency signals; A first antenna tuning component is used to provide impedance matching between the first antenna component and the first component for amplification; A second antenna tuning component is configured to provide impedance matching between the second antenna component and a second component for amplification, wherein the first antenna tuning component and the second antenna tuning component each include: An inductor for providing positive reactance, the inductor being disposed on or in the substrate, the inductor being separate from the integrated circuit; and A capacitor component for providing negative reactance, the capacitor component being implemented as part of the integrated circuit.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the capacitor component and the inductor component are coupled in parallel.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the capacitor component is further configured to selectively provide a first negative reactance and a second negative reactance.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the inductor is further configured to selectively provide a first positive reactance and a second positive reactance.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: The first antenna component and the second antenna component are each configured as follows: Transmit the first radio frequency signal having the first signal characteristics in the radio frequency signal; as well as Transmit a second radio frequency signal having a second signal characteristic, which is different from the first signal characteristic, in the radio frequency signal transmission; and The first antenna tuning component and the second antenna tuning component are each configured as follows: The first impedance is provided by transmitting the first radio frequency signal based on the corresponding antenna component, the first impedance being based on the positive reactance of the inductor component and the negative reactance of the capacitor component; Before the second radio frequency signal is transmitted, at least one of the following shall be changed: The positive reactance of the inductor component; or The negative reactance of the capacitor component; and The second impedance is provided by transmitting the second radio frequency signal based on the corresponding antenna component, and the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

23. A method for operating a first antenna tuner and a second antenna tuner, the method comprising: A first impedance is provided between a first amplifier circuit of a radio frequency integrated circuit and a first antenna disposed on or in the substrate via the first antenna tuner. The first impedance is based on the positive reactance of a first inductor component of the first antenna tuner and the negative reactance of a first capacitor component of the first antenna tuner. The first inductor component is disposed on or in the substrate and is separate from the radio frequency integrated circuit. The first capacitor component is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit, which is disposed on the substrate. A first radio frequency signal is transmitted from the first amplifier circuit to the first antenna via the first antenna tuner having the first impedance; The first radio frequency signal is transmitted via the first antenna; A second impedance is provided between the second amplifier circuit of the radio frequency integrated circuit and the second antenna on or within the substrate via the second antenna tuner. This second impedance is based on the positive reactance of the second inductor component and the negative reactance of the second capacitor component of the second antenna tuner. The second inductor component is disposed on or within the substrate and is separate from the radio frequency integrated circuit. The second capacitor component is implemented within the radio frequency integrated circuit. A second radio frequency signal is transmitted from the second amplifier circuit to the second antenna via the second antenna tuner having the second impedance; as well as The second radio frequency signal is transmitted via the second antenna.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: Change at least one of the positive reactance of the first inductor component or the negative reactance of the first capacitor component; In response to the change, a third impedance, different from the first impedance, is provided between the first amplifier circuit and the first antenna via the first antenna tuner. A third radio frequency signal is transmitted from the first amplifier circuit to the first antenna via the first antenna tuner having the third impedance; as well as The third radio frequency signal is transmitted via the first antenna.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein: Providing the first impedance includes matching the output impedance of the first amplifier circuit with the first input impedance of the first antenna; and Providing the third impedance includes matching the output impedance of the first amplifier circuit with the second input impedance of the first antenna, wherein the second input impedance of the first antenna is different from the first input impedance.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the third radio frequency signal has a phase different from that of the first radio frequency signal.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the third radio frequency signal has a frequency different from that of the first radio frequency signal.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the capacitor assembly and the inductor assembly are connected in parallel.

29. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The capacitor assembly includes a varactor diode; and The inductor component includes a transmission line.

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