Patch antenna array with improved radiation efficiency

Abstract

An antenna assembly includes an array of patch antennas arranged above a rectangular ground plane. The patch antenna is arranged in a sequence starting at a first end of the rectangular ground plane and extending continuously across a width of the rectangular ground plane into a second end. With respect to the sequence, a plurality of polarized feeds alternate between adjacent a first corner of the patch antenna and adjacent a second corner of the patch antenna, and / or a plurality of via walls alternate between a direction along a portion of a first edge of the rectangular ground plane and a direction along a portion of a second edge of the rectangular ground plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to antennas, and more particularly to patch antenna arrays with improved radiation efficiency. Background Art

[0002] For wireless systems that employ millimeter wavelength (mmW) spectrum (e.g., 24 GHz to 48 GHz of the 5G NR high frequency band, also known as FR2, although higher frequencies may be used), it is desirable to include a multi-band antenna or antenna array in a single device to increase the transmit and receive capabilities of the device. The millimeter wave antenna can be a patch antenna. To provide coverage on multiple frequency bands, the patch antenna can be a multi-layer patch antenna. However, patch antenna radiation is based on fringe fields, so that traditional multi-layer patch antennas often suffer from reduced gain and radiation efficiency when placed in mobile devices. Summary of the invention

[0003] Some aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of all expected features of the present disclosure, and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to describe the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to provide some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in a summarized form as a prelude to more specific embodiments that will be provided later.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna assembly is provided, the antenna assembly comprising: a substrate; a first metal layer adjacent to a surface of the substrate and configured to form a rectangular ground plane having a first edge extending through a width of the rectangular ground plane; a second metal layer configured to form a first linear array of patch antennas separated from the rectangular ground plane, the first linear array of patch antennas being configured to extend through a length substantially equal to the width of the rectangular ground plane, wherein the first metal layer is located between the substrate and the second metal layer; a first feed coupled to a first portion of a first patch antenna in the first linear array of patch antennas, the first portion being separated from a center of the first patch antenna toward the first edge; and a first plurality of through holes coupled to the first metal layer and configured to form a first through hole wall extending only along a portion of the first edge adjacent to the first patch antenna.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna assembly is provided, the antenna assembly comprising: a rectangular ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending across a width of the rectangular ground plane; a plurality of patch antennas above the rectangular ground plane, the plurality of patch antennas being configured as a linear array, the linear array extending across a length substantially equal to the width of the rectangular ground plane, each of the plurality of patch antennas comprising a first portion proximate to the first edge and a second portion proximate to the second edge; a plurality of first feeds arranged in a sequence corresponding to the plurality of patch antennas, the plurality of first feeds being configured to alternate in direction, such that each subsequent first feed in the sequence is configured to: couple to the first portion of the corresponding patch antenna in response to a preceding first feed in the sequence being configured to couple to the corresponding first portion of the patch antenna. a second portion of a patch antenna, and such that each subsequent first feed in the sequence is configured to be coupled to the first portion of its corresponding patch antenna in response to the preceding first feed in the sequence being configured to be coupled to the second portion of its corresponding patch antenna; and a plurality of through-hole walls coupled to the rectangular ground plane and arranged to correspond to the plurality of patch antennas, the plurality of through-hole walls being configured to alternate in direction such that each through-hole wall is configured to extend only along a portion of the first edge adjacent to the corresponding patch antenna in response to the first feed of the corresponding patch antenna being coupled to the first portion of the corresponding patch antenna, and such that each through-hole wall is configured to extend only along a portion of the second edge adjacent to the corresponding patch antenna in response to the first feed of the corresponding patch antenna being coupled to the second portion of the corresponding patch antenna.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna assembly is provided, the antenna assembly comprising: a rectangular ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending across a width of the rectangular ground plane from a first end to a second end, the rectangular ground plane including a first portion extending from the first end to a second portion of the rectangular ground plane; a first rectangular patch antenna and a second rectangular patch antenna, both spaced apart from the rectangular ground plane by an antenna height, the first rectangular patch antenna being adjacent to the first portion and the second rectangular patch antenna being adjacent to the second portion, each rectangular patch antenna being symmetric about an axis of the rectangular patch antenna, the axis extending from a first corner of the rectangular patch antenna to an opposite second corner of the rectangular patch antenna, wherein the axis is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge; a first feed coupled to a first portion of the first rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a center of the first rectangular patch antenna toward a first corner of the first rectangular patch antenna; and a first plurality of through holes coupled to the rectangular ground plane, each through hole being configured to extend from the rectangular ground plane to substantially the antenna height, the first plurality of through holes being configured to extend along the first edge of the rectangular ground plane only in the first portion.

[0007] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna assembly is provided, the antenna assembly comprising: a ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending through a width of the ground plane; a first rectangular patch antenna and a second rectangular patch antenna, both of which are separated from the rectangular ground plane by an antenna height; a plurality of parasitic patches disposed proximate each of the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna, each rectangular patch antenna and its corresponding plurality of parasitic patches being symmetrical about an axis of the rectangular patch antenna, without regard to any feed interface, the axis extending from a first corner of the rectangular patch antenna to an opposite second corner of the rectangular patch antenna, wherein the axis is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge; a first feed coupled to a first portion of the first rectangular patch antenna separated from a center of the first rectangular patch antenna toward the first corner of the first rectangular patch antenna; a second feed coupled to the a first portion of the second rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a center of the second rectangular patch antenna toward a second corner of the second rectangular patch antenna; a first plurality of through holes coupled to the ground plane, each of the first plurality of through holes being configured to extend from the ground plane substantially to the antenna height, the first plurality of through holes being configured to extend on a first line along the first edge of the ground plane, wherein the first line intersects with two of the plurality of parasitic patches that are disposed adjacent to the first rectangular patch antenna; and a second plurality of through holes coupled to the ground plane, each of the second plurality of through holes being configured to extend from the ground plane substantially to the antenna height, the second plurality of through holes being configured to extend on a second line along the second edge of the ground plane, wherein the second line intersects with two of the plurality of parasitic patches that are disposed adjacent to the second rectangular patch antenna.

[0008] After reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary implementations of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects, features, and implementations of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although the features of the present disclosure may be discussed below with respect to certain implementations and the accompanying drawings, all implementations of the present disclosure may include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more implementations are discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of these features may also be used according to the various implementations of the present disclosure discussed herein. In a similar manner, although exemplary implementations may be discussed below as device, system, or method implementations, it should be understood that such exemplary implementations may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to the same or functionally similar elements throughout the individual views and which, together with the following detailed description, are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, are used to further illustrate various implementations and to explain various principles and advantages according to the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a single-band antenna assembly having a patch antenna array and including alternating through-hole walls and feeds according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a single-band antenna assembly.

[0012] Figure 3 is a top view of a portion of a dual-band antenna assembly having two patch antenna arrays and including alternating through-hole walls and feeds according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a portion of a dual-band antenna assembly.

[0014] Figure 5 is a top view of a portion of a dual-band antenna assembly having two patch antenna arrays and including through-holes and alternating feeds according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 A cellular telephone is shown having an antenna assembly disposed along an edge of the cellular telephone and including alternating through-hole walls and feeds in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] It is advantageous to place the millimeter wave antenna at the edge of the cellular phone housing to reduce interaction with the user when the user holds the cellular phone or to reduce interaction with other parts of the phone. But modern cellular phones are low-profile devices, so that the height of the device housing is relatively small (e.g., 5 to 6 mm or even less). And the length of the housing may be relatively long, such as more than 100 mm. Therefore, the edge of the modern cellular phone housing is defined by a relatively long or wide rectangle with a relatively short height. Note that although some phones have rounded edges, the cross-section of at least a portion of such phones may be rectangular. In the following discussion, it will be assumed that the rectangular length (also expressed as the rectangular width) is aligned in the Cartesian x direction and the height is aligned in the Cartesian y direction. Given this edge geometry, the millimeter wave patch antennas are arranged so that their apertures intersecting the edge are generally forced to form a linear array, which is aligned or extends linearly in the x direction along the width of the rectangular edge. The ground plane of the linear array must fit into the rectangle and can have the same rectangular geometry and be located below the patch antenna.

[0017] Each patch antenna can be coupled to a vertically polarized feed and a horizontally polarized feed. Depending on which feed is active, the patch antenna transmits (or receives) in the corresponding linear polarization. In the following discussion, it will be assumed that the horizontally polarized electric field excited by the horizontally polarized feed is aligned with the x-direction, while the vertically polarized electric field excited by the vertically polarized feed is aligned in the y-direction. Note that given this orientation, the horizontally polarized electric field is aligned with the relatively long width of the (rectangular) ground plane, while the vertically polarized electric field is aligned with the relatively short height of the (rectangular) ground plane. More generally, the first linear polarization of the patch array has an electric field aligned with the relatively long width of the (rectangular) ground plane, while the second linear polarization of the patch array, which is orthogonal to the first linear polarization, has an electric field aligned with the relatively short height of the (rectangular) ground plane. Depending on the frequency of the transmission, the asymmetry between the ground plane dimensions aligned with the electric fields of the two linear polarizations can result in significant differences in the radiation efficiency of one linear polarization compared to the other.

[0018] The following discussion will assume, without loss of generality, that vertical linear polarization has reduced radiation efficiency. This reduced radiation efficiency is related to the fact that the height of the rectangular ground plane is significantly less than the width of the rectangular ground plane. To improve the radiation efficiency of transmission using vertical linear polarization, vias are provided. In some examples, via walls are provided that alternate along the edges of the rectangular ground plane. Figure 1 An example single-band antenna array (which may also be denoted as an antenna assembly) 100 is shown including patches 105 and 110 above a rectangular ground plane 140. Rectangular ground plane 140 has a width extending in a Cartesian x-direction and a height extending in a Cartesian y-direction.

[0019] Patches 105 and 110 are all square rectangles, but non-square rectangular or circular patches can be used in alternative implementations. Array 100 may include additional patches (not shown) that will extend along the width of rectangular ground plane 140. About its width, rectangular ground plane 140 has upper horizontal edge 155 and lower horizontal edge 160. The edges of patches 105 and 110 are rotated or tilted 45 degrees about horizontal edges 155 and 160. For example, patch 105 has a first angle facing edge 160 and a relative second angle pointing to edge 155. Similarly, patch 110 has a first angle pointing to edge 160 and a second angle pointing to edge 155. However, other rotations can be used. In some examples, non-square rectangular patches are rotated to an amount between about 20 and 70 degrees.

[0020] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, given a 45 degree rotation of patch 105 about horizontal edges 155 and 160, a vertical center axis 170 extending from a first corner of patch 105 to an opposite second corner thereof is aligned in the y-direction. Patch 110 has the same orientation, but its vertical center axis is not shown for clarity of illustration. To excite a vertically polarized electric field aligned in the y-direction, a vertically polarized feed may be located near the first corner or the opposite second corner along the vertical center axis of each patch. For example, a vertically polarized feed 120 is coupled to patch 105 along the vertical center axis 170 adjacent to the first corner of patch 105. In some examples, the distance between the first corner and the center of feed 120 is approximately 25% or less (e.g., 20% or 15% or less) of the distance between the first corner and the second corner. The vertically polarized feed 120 extends from a waveguide or trace (not shown) below a ground plane through an aperture (not shown) in the ground plane to an aperture 175 in patch 105. The vertically polarized feed 120 is therefore capacitively coupled to the patch 105, but direct coupling may be used for alternative implementations. Other types of feed structures may also be used.

[0021] The horizontal center axis 180 for patch 105 extends from its third corner to the opposite fourth corner. Figure 1In the example shown, the patch 105 is rotated 45 degrees about the horizontal edges 155 and 160 of the rectangular ground plane 140, and the horizontal center axis 180 extends along the x-direction. For clarity of illustration, a similar horizontal center axis of the patch 110 is not shown. If the feed interface is ignored, the patches 105, 110 can be symmetrical around the point where the horizontal axis and the vertical center axis intersect. In order to excite a horizontally polarized electric field in the x-direction, the horizontally polarized feed can be located near the third or opposite fourth corner along the horizontal center axis of the patch. For example, the horizontally polarized feed 125 is coupled to the patch 105 along the horizontal center axis 180 adjacent to the third corner of the patch 105. In some examples, the distance between the third corner and the center of the feed 120 is approximately 25% or less (e.g., 20% or 15% or less) of the distance between the third corner and the fourth corner. The center of the patch 105 is located at the intersection of the vertical center axis 170 and the horizontal center axis 180. The vertical polarization feed 120 is coupled to a portion of the patch 105 spaced from the center toward a first angle along the vertical central axis. Similarly, the horizontal polarization feed 125 is coupled to a portion of the patch 105 spaced from the center of the patch 105 toward a third angle along the horizontal central axis 180.

[0022] The height of the rectangular ground plane 140 with respect to the vertically polarized electric field excited by the vertically polarized feed 120 is relatively short compared to the width of the rectangular ground plane 140 with respect to the horizontally polarized electric field excited by the horizontally polarized feed 125. As discussed previously, the vertically polarized radiation efficiency of the patch 105 may therefore be significantly lower than the horizontally polarized radiation efficiency of the patch 105. However, the height of the rectangular ground plane 140 cannot be extended due to the limited form factor along the edge of the modern cellular phone housing. In order to effectively extend the height of the rectangular ground plane 140, a through hole may be implemented. In Figure 1 In the example shown, the alternating sequence of via walls includes via walls 135 aligned along the first edge 160. The via walls 135 extend only along a portion of the first edge 160 adjacent to the patch 105. For example, the via walls 135 may not extend to a point midway between the third corner of the patch 105 and the fourth corner of the patch 110. In other examples, the via walls 135 extend beyond the midway point, but do not extend beyond a theoretical line extending vertically from the horizontal edge 160 to the fourth corner of the patch 110.

[0023] Patch 105 is also shown in Figure 2 For clarity of illustration, the remaining patches in array 100 are not Figure 2. A rectangular ground plane 140 is formed in the first metal layer. Similarly, the patch 105 is formed in the second metal layer above the rectangular ground plane 140 separated by the antenna height. Additional metal layers may be disposed between the first and second metal layers shown. Dielectric layers (not shown) alternate between the various metal layers. The vias 130 extend from the first metal layer to the height of the second metal layer. In some implementations, in addition to or in lieu of connecting to the ground plane 140 running beneath all antennas in the array 100, the vias 130 are connected to a ground plane local to the antenna 105 or local to several adjacent antennas. The center of each via 130 can be substantially aligned (e.g., the vias 130 can be arranged so that their centers are substantially linear).

[0024] Reference again Figure 1 , the size of patches 105 and 110 depends on the desired operating frequency. If the patch is designed for higher frequency operation, the patch size (such as axes 170 and 180) will be reduced accordingly. Conversely, if the patch is designed for lower frequency operation, the patch size increases. As the patch size increases, the first corner and the second corner get closer and closer to the horizontal edges 155 and 160, respectively. Therefore, the through hole 130 in the through hole wall 135 may not exist in the central area 137 adjacent to the first corner of the patch 105 to avoid electrical contact between the through hole wall 135 and the patch 105. Therefore, although the first corner of the patch 105 is shown as being outside the dotted line indicating the through hole wall 135, the first corner may instead extend to the area surrounded by the dotted line. Therefore, in Figure 1 In the embodiment, a portion of the patch 105 may extend below a theoretical line orthogonal to the topmost point of the through hole 130. In other examples, the through hole 130 is formed in the central region 137. For example, the spacing between all through holes in the through hole wall 135 may be substantially uniform. Figure 1 A greater or lesser number of through-holes 130 are shown. In some examples, there are four or more through-holes (in some implementations, divided into two groups) in the through-hole wall 135. For example, there may be eight or more through-holes in the through-hole wall 135.

[0025] Although the through-hole wall 135 improves the vertically polarized radiation efficiency of the patch 105, it is noted that coupling to an adjacent patch (such as, patch 110) may reduce or even eliminate this increase in radiation efficiency. To address this coupling issue, in the example shown, the vertically polarized feed and the through-hole wall alternate from one patch to another. For example, patch 110 has a vertically polarized feed 145 that is adjacent to the second corner of the patch 110 and is therefore adjacent to the horizontal edge 155. In contrast, the vertical feed 120 of the patch 105 is adjacent to the first corner of the patch 105 and is therefore adjacent to the horizontal edge 160. Similarly, the through-hole wall 185 of the through-hole 130 for the patch 110 is aligned with the horizontal edge 155, while the through-hole wall 135 for the patch 105 is aligned with the horizontal edge 160. The through-hole wall 185 extends only along a portion of the edge 155 that is adjacent to the patch 110. In view of this alternation of the vertical polarization feeds, the RF signal source drives the vertical polarization feed 120 with an RF signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with the RF signal driving the vertical polarization feed 145. Because the rectangular ground plane 140 has sufficient width across the array 100, the horizontal polarization feeds do not need to alternate as occurs for the vertical polarization feeds. For example, the horizontal polarization feed 150 for patch 110 is adjacent to the third corner of patch 110, similar to that discussed for the horizontal feed 125 for patch 105. In other examples, the horizontal polarization feeds may alternate. However, in such examples, the horizontal polarization feeds may be set in the corners of two adjacent patches that are closest to each other. For example, feed 125 may be adjacent to the third corner of patch 105, while feed 150 may be adjacent to the fourth corner of patch 110 (in an example not shown). In contrast, setting the horizontal polarization feeds at the same corners of all patches (such as in FIG. 1 ) may be a good idea to alternate the horizontal polarization feeds. Figure 1 ) can reduce the likelihood of coupling between antennas and / or can alleviate space limitations, for example, because filters or other components or routing for horizontal polarization feeds are separated.

[0026] The through-hole 130 in the through-hole wall 185 can be configured similarly to the through-hole 130 in the through-hole wall 135, except that the through-hole 130 in the through-hole wall 185 can be disposed near the horizontal edge 155 and the second corner of the patch 110. For example, the through-hole 130 in the through-hole wall 185 can be arranged linearly and can exist in the central area of ​​the through-hole wall 185 or not exist therefrom. As another example, the second corner of the patch 110 can extend into the area surrounded by the dotted line demarcating the through-hole wall 185, or can remain outside it. In addition, the through-hole 130 can be grounded, for example, by connecting to the local ground plane and / or the ground plane 140. Figure 1A greater or lesser number of through-holes 130 than shown may be included in the through-hole wall 185. In some examples, there are four or more through-holes (in some implementations, divided into two groups) in the through-hole wall 185. For example, there may be eight or more through-holes in the through-hole wall 185.

[0027] Patches 105 and 110 are shown offset, for example, so that horizontal center axis 180 is not aligned with the horizontal center axis (not shown) of patch 110. In other examples, the horizontal center axes may be aligned. For example, the centers of all horizontally polarized feeds in array 100 may be arranged linearly.

[0028] In some examples, via walls near adjacent patches can be disposed on the same side of ground plane 140. For example, via wall 135 and via wall 185 can both be disposed near horizontal edge 160, or can both be disposed near horizontal edge 155. In some examples, all vias 130 for array 100 are arranged along the same horizontal edge.

[0029] In some examples, via walls for a particular antenna or for all antennas in the array can be disposed in the x-direction along both sides of ground plane 140. For example, in addition to via walls 135 and 185, via walls can be disposed near the second corner of patch 105 along horizontal edge 155 and / or near the first corner of patch 110 along horizontal edge 160.

[0030] In some examples, no ground vias are provided between patches 105 and 110 (or between any two adjacent antennas). In some examples, no ground vias are provided that extend to the metal layer in which patches 105, 110 are provided and which is also located between patches 105, 110 (or between any two adjacent antennas). For example, there may be no ground vias in the area between patches 105 and 110, the area being defined by a theoretical line connecting the second corner of patch 105 to the second corner of patch 110 and a theoretical line connecting the first corner of patch 105 to the first corner of patch 110.

[0031] In some examples, patches 105 and 110 are not rotated about ground plane 140. For example, the edges of patches 105 and 110 can be approximately parallel to the edges of rectangular ground plane 140. In some such examples, the feeds for these patches are arranged approximately in the center of two adjacent edges, rather than two adjacent corners. In this configuration, one polarization feed can maintain approximately the same position on each patch, while the feed for the other polarization can alternate edges between patches.

[0032] The next antenna in array 100 may be configured similarly to patch 105, with feeds, via walls, etc. disposed in the same relative positions. Additionally, a fourth antenna following the next antenna in array 100 may be configured similarly to patch 110, with feeds, via walls, etc. disposed in the same relative positions. In this manner, feed positions and / or via wall positions for one polarization may alternate between adjacent antennas in the sequence of patches / antennas, while feed positions for another polarization remain consistent.

[0033] In order to provide dual-band functionality, stacked patches can be used.For example, the low-band patch in the stacking pair can be relatively close to the ground plane, and the high-band patch in the stacking pair can be located above the low-band patch, and therefore further separated from the ground plane.The stacking can be reversed so that the high-band patch is between the low-band patch and the ground plane.In some implementations, the radiation efficiency of both horizontal polarization and vertical polarization is enough for low-band operation, so that alternating vertical polarization feed and / or through-hole wall improve high-band vertical polarization radiation efficiency.But, it will be understood that the low-band vertical polarization radiation efficiency can also benefit from alternating vertical polarization feed and / or through-hole wall.

[0034] Figure 3 An example of a dual-band array 300 (which may also be represented as a dual-band antenna assembly) is shown in . The patch 105 is as discussed for the array 100, and is coupled to the vertical polarization feed 120 and the horizontal feed 125 accordingly. However, the low-band patch 315 is located between the (rectangular) ground plane 140 and the patch 105. Therefore, the patch 105 is a high-band patch 105 in the array 300. For example, the patch 315 can be configured to operate at a frequency between approximately 24 GHz and 30 GHz, and the patch 105 can be configured to operate at a frequency between approximately 37 GHz and 44 GHz (although other frequency configurations are possible). To assist in the operation of the high-band patch 105, the metal layer for the high-band patch 105 is also configured to include a parasitic patch 320 adjacent to the patch 105. In other examples, the parasitic patch 320 is disposed in a metal layer different from the metal layer in which the patch 105 is disposed. As Figure 3 As shown, parasitic patch 320 may have the same length as patch 105, but may have a significantly smaller width (e.g., 25%-35% of the width of patch 105). When parasitic patch 320 is disposed in a different metal layer than the metal layer in which patch 105 is disposed, parasitic patch 320 may slightly overhang patch 105 when viewed from above. In such a configuration, the length and / or width of the parasitic patch may differ from the dimensions described above.

[0035] Vertically polarized feed 305 for low band patch 315 is adjacent to horizontal edge 155 as vertically polarized feed 120 for high band patch 105 is adjacent to horizontal edge 160. Similarly, horizontally polarized feed 310 is located on the opposite side of low band patch 315 compared to horizontally polarized feed 125.

[0036] Patch 110 is a high band patch 110 in dual band array 300. Thus, high band patch 110 is coupled to vertical polarization feed 145 and horizontal polarization feed 150 as discussed for array 100. Parasitic patch 320 assists the operation of high band patch 110 as discussed for high band patch 105. Via wall 185 is aligned with horizontal edge 155 due to alternation from via wall 135. Low band patch 330 is formed in the same metal layer as used to form low band patch 315. Patch 110 can be configured to operate at the same frequency as patch 105, and patch 330 can be configured to operate at the same frequency as patch 315.

[0037] The vertically polarized feed 340 for the low band patch 330 is adjacent to the horizontal edge 160 as the vertically polarized feed 145 for the high band patch 110 is adjacent to the horizontal edge 155. Similarly, the horizontally polarized feed 335 is located on the opposite side of the low band patch 330 compared to the horizontally polarized feed 150. Given this alternation of vertically polarized feeds for the low band patches 315, 330, the RF signal source drives the vertically polarized feed 305 with an RF signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with the RF signal driving the vertically polarized feed 340.

[0038] A portion of the dual band array 300 is shown in cross section at Figure 4 4 (e.g., looking toward the patch from horizontal edge 160). Ground plane 140 is adjacent to substrate 410, which may be a semiconductor die or a circuit board substrate. To enhance performance, parasitic low-band patch 405 (not shown) Figure 3 The parasitic low-band patch 405 (not shown) may be formed in a metal layer adjacent to the metal layer forming the low-band patch 315. The size and shape of the parasitic low-band patch 405 may be similar to the low-band patch 315, or may be slightly larger. Similarly, the parasitic high-band patch 415 (not shown) may be formed in a metal layer adjacent to the metal layer forming the low-band patch 315. Figure 3 The parasitic high-band patch 415 (shown in FIG. 1 ) may be formed in a metal layer adjacent to the metal layer forming the high-band patch 105. The size and shape of the parasitic high-band patch 415 may be similar to the high-band patch 105, or may be slightly larger. The vertical polarization feed 120 and the horizontal polarization feed 125 pass through the apertures (not shown) in the parasitic low-band patch 405, the low-band patch 315, and the parasitic high-band patch 415 to couple to the high-band patch 105. Similarly, the horizontal polarization feed 310 and the vertical polarization feed 305 ( Figure 3) passes through an aperture (not shown) in the parasitic low-band patch 405 to couple to the low-band patch 315. For clarity of illustration, the parasitic patch 320 for the high-band patch 105 is not shown. Figure 4 105, but may be formed in the same metal layer that forms the high-band patch 105, or may be formed in a different layer. Similarly, for clarity of illustration, the through hole 130 is not shown in FIG. Figure 4 105, 415, 315, 405) to a metal layer in which any of the patches 105, 415, 315, 405 is disposed. For example, one or more vias 130 may extend from the ground plane to a metal layer in which the patch 315 is disposed. In another example, one or more vias 130 extend from the ground plane to a metal layer in which the patch 105 is disposed. In some examples, one or more vias extend from the ground plane to the topmost metal layer. All vias 130 may extend to the same metal layer, or the height of some of the vias 130 may vary. Photolithography techniques may be used to form various antenna structures, such as the low-band patch 315, the parasitic low-band patch 405, the high-band patch 105, the parasitic patch 320, and the vias 130. If the feed interface is ignored, the patches 105, 315 and parasitic patches 320, 405, 415 can be arranged around the horizontal and vertical center axes (not shown). Figure 3 or Figure 4 ) are symmetrical about the point where they intersect.

[0039] Figure 5 Another example dual-band array 500 (which may also be denoted as a dual-band antenna assembly) is shown. Array 500 is similar to array 300 ( Figure 3 ), but the height of the (rectangular) ground plane 540 is less than the height of the ground plane 140. This may allow for a reduced size of the array 500 compared to the array 300. In addition, the width of the parasitic patch 520 is greater than the width of the parasitic patch 320. However, the width of the parasitic patch 520 is still substantially less than the width of the patches 105 and 110 (e.g., approximately 40%-45% of the width of the patches 105, 110). In addition, one corner of each parasitic patch 520 is truncated to fit into the reduced size of the ground plane 540. If the feed interface is omitted, the patches 105, 315 and the parasitic patches 520 (and the parasitic patches 405, 415 when included, see Figure 4 ) can be centered around a vertical axis ( Figure 5 (not shown) symmetric.

[0040] Another difference between array 300 and array 500 is that parasitic patch 520, and optionally patches 315 and 330, extend into the area enclosed by the dashed line indicating via wall 535. The vias 130 in each via wall 535 may be arranged linearly, and a portion of patch 520 (and optionally a portion of patches 315, 330) may intersect a theoretical line connecting all vias in via wall 535. Furthermore, in the example shown, there are fewer vias 130 in each via wall 535 (as shown in via walls 135, 185). Figure 3 ).exist Figure 5 In the example shown, each via wall 535 includes four vias, which are split into two groups of two. The reduced number of vias can allow for an increased size of the via-free central region in the via wall 535 so that no vias 130 interfere with the parasitic patch 520. In addition, the via walls 535 are provided along both horizontal edges 155, 160 of each antenna. However, the vertically polarized feeds are alternated between the antennas, similar to how they are alternated in the array 300.

[0041] A portion of a cellular telephone 600 is shown in Figure 6 6, which includes an example array 605 having a plurality of alternating through-hole walls located at the edge of a cell phone 600. For clarity of illustration, the corresponding patches are not shown, but may be arranged as discussed for the dual-band array 300 or the single-band array 100. As described above, the through-hole walls may alternatively be arranged along both horizontal edges of the array 605, such as shown with respect to the dual-band array 500. In addition, the feed of one polarization may be provided in a manner similar to that of the other polarizations. Figure 6 The via walls shown in FIG. 4 alternate in the same manner. In some examples, the feed of the other polarization may not alternate.

[0042] For ease of description, a cellular telephone is described in detail above, but it will be appreciated that the antenna array as described herein may be implemented in any device configured to communicate wirelessly. For example, such an array may be implemented in a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an extended reality device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a medical device, etc.

[0043] The present disclosure will now be summarized in the following example clauses.

[0044] Clause 1. An antenna assembly comprising:

[0045] substrate;

[0046] a first metal layer adjacent to a surface of the substrate and configured to form a rectangular ground plane having a first edge extending across a width of the rectangular ground plane;

[0047] a second metal layer configured to form a first linear array of patch antennas spaced apart from the rectangular ground plane, the first linear array of patch antennas configured to extend across a length substantially equal to the width of the rectangular ground plane, wherein the first metal layer is located between the substrate and the second metal layer;

[0048] a first feed coupled to a first portion of a first patch antenna in the first linear array of patch antennas, the first portion being spaced apart from a center of the first patch antenna toward the first edge; and

[0049] A first plurality of vias are coupled to the first metal layer and are configured to form first via walls extending only along a portion of the first edge adjacent to the first patch antenna.

[0050] Clause 2. The antenna assembly of clause 1, wherein the rectangular ground plane includes a second edge extending along the width of the rectangular ground plane, the antenna assembly further comprising:

[0051] a second feed coupled to a first portion of a second patch antenna in the first linear array of patch antennas, the first portion of the second patch antenna being spaced apart from a center of the second patch antenna toward the second edge; and

[0052] A second plurality of vias are coupled to the first metal layer and are configured to form second via walls extending only along a portion of the second edge adjacent to the second patch antenna.

[0053] Clause 3. The antenna assembly of clause 2, wherein the first feed is configured to cause the first patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a first linear polarization, and wherein the second feed is configured to cause the second patch antenna to transmit and receive according to the first linear polarization.

[0054] Clause 4. The antenna assembly according to clause 3, further comprising:

[0055] a third feed coupled to a second portion of the first patch antenna, the second portion of the first patch antenna being spaced apart from the center of the first patch antenna in a direction parallel to the first edge and the second edge; and

[0056] A fourth feed is coupled to a second portion of the second patch antenna, the second portion of the second patch antenna being spaced apart from the center of the second patch antenna in the direction parallel to the first edge and the second edge.

[0057] Clause 5. An antenna assembly according to clause 4, wherein the third feed is configured to cause the first patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a second linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization, and wherein the fourth feed is configured to cause the second patch antenna to transmit and receive according to the second linear polarization.

[0058] Clause 6. The antenna assembly of any of clauses 3-5, wherein the first linear polarization is defined by an electric field orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge.

[0059] Clause 7. The antenna assembly according to any one of clauses 2-6, further comprising:

[0060] A third metal layer is between the second metal layer and the first metal layer, and the third metal layer is configured to form a second linear array of patch antennas adjacent to the first linear array of patch antennas.

[0061] Clause 8. The antenna assembly of clause 7, wherein the first linear array of patch antennas is configured for a first frequency, and wherein the second linear array of patch antennas is configured for a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

[0062] Clause 9. The antenna assembly of any of clauses 7-8, wherein the first linear array of patch antennas is a first linear array of rectangular patch antennas, and wherein the second linear array of patch antennas is a second linear array of rectangular patch antennas.

[0063] Clause 10. The antenna assembly of clause 9, wherein the first linear array of rectangular patch antennas is a first linear array of square patch antennas, and wherein the second linear array of rectangular patch antennas is a second linear array of square patch antennas.

[0064] Clause 11. An antenna assembly according to clause 7, wherein the first patch antenna is a first square patch antenna, and wherein the second patch antenna linear array includes a second square patch antenna adjacent to the first square patch antenna, and the second square patch antenna is larger than the first square patch antenna.

[0065] Clause 12. An antenna assembly as described in any of clauses 2-11, wherein the antenna assembly is integrated into an edge of a cellular telephone, wherein the width of the rectangular ground plane extends along the width of the edge of the cellular telephone, and wherein the width of the rectangular ground plane defines a longer edge of the rectangular ground plane.

[0066] Clause 13. An antenna assembly comprising:

[0067] a rectangular ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending across a width of the rectangular ground plane;

[0068] a plurality of patch antennas above the rectangular ground plane, the plurality of patch antennas being configured as a linear array extending across a length substantially equal to the width of the rectangular ground plane, each patch antenna of the plurality of patch antennas comprising a first portion proximate the first edge and a second portion proximate the second edge;

[0069] a plurality of first feeds arranged in a sequence corresponding to the plurality of patch antennas, the plurality of first feeds being configured to alternate in direction such that each subsequent first feed in the sequence is configured to couple to the second portion of the corresponding patch antenna in response to a preceding first feed in the sequence being configured to couple to the first portion of the corresponding patch antenna, and such that each subsequent first feed in the sequence is configured to couple to the first portion of its corresponding patch antenna in response to the preceding first feed in the sequence being configured to couple to the second portion of its corresponding patch antenna; and

[0070] a plurality of via walls coupled to the rectangular ground plane and arranged to correspond to the plurality of patch antennas, the plurality of via walls being configured to alternate in direction such that each via wall is configured to extend only along a portion of the first edge adjacent to the corresponding patch antenna in response to a first feed for the corresponding patch antenna being coupled to a first portion of the corresponding patch antenna, and such that each via wall is configured to extend only along a portion of the second edge adjacent to the corresponding patch antenna in response to the first feed for the corresponding patch antenna being coupled to a second portion of the corresponding patch antenna.

[0071] Clause 14. The antenna assembly of clause 13, wherein the rectangular ground plane is defined by the width and the height, wherein the width of the rectangular ground plane is greater than the height of the rectangular ground plane.

[0072] Clause 15. The antenna assembly of any of clauses 13-14, wherein each first feed of the plurality of first feeds is configured to cause the corresponding patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a first linear polarization.

[0073] Clause 16. The antenna assembly of clause 15, wherein the first linear polarization has an electric field that is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge.

[0074] Clause 17. The antenna assembly according to clause 15, further comprising:

[0075] a plurality of second feeds corresponding to the plurality of patch antennas, each of the plurality of second feeds being coupled to a corresponding patch antenna from the plurality of patch antennas and configured to cause the corresponding patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a second linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization.

[0076] Clause 18. The antenna assembly of clause 17, wherein the first linear polarization is a vertical linear polarization, and wherein the second linear polarization is a horizontal linear polarization.

[0077] Clause 19. The antenna assembly according to any one of clauses 13-18, further comprising:

[0078] A radio frequency (RF) transmitter is configured to drive each subsequent first feed with an RF signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with the RF signal driven to the preceding first feed.

[0079] Clause 20. The antenna assembly according to any one of clauses 13-19, further comprising:

[0080] A substrate is adjacent to the rectangular ground plane.

[0081] Clause 21. The antenna assembly of clause 20, wherein the substrate is a semiconductor die substrate.

[0082] Clause 22. An antenna assembly comprising:

[0083] a rectangular ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending across a width of the rectangular ground plane from a first end to a second end, the rectangular ground plane including a first portion extending from the first end to a second portion of the rectangular ground plane;

[0084] a first rectangular patch antenna and a second rectangular patch antenna, both separated from the rectangular ground plane by an antenna height, the first rectangular patch antenna being adjacent to the first portion and the second rectangular patch antenna being adjacent to the second portion, each rectangular patch antenna being symmetric about an axis of the rectangular patch antenna, the axis extending from a first corner of the rectangular patch antenna to an opposite second corner of the rectangular patch antenna, wherein the axis is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge;

[0085] a first feed coupled to a first portion of the first rectangular patch antenna spaced from a center of the first rectangular patch antenna toward a first corner of the first rectangular patch antenna; and

[0086] A first plurality of vias is coupled to the rectangular ground plane, each via configured to extend from the rectangular ground plane to substantially antenna height, the first plurality of vias configured to extend along the first edge of the rectangular ground plane only in the first portion.

[0087] Clause 23. The antenna assembly according to clause 22, further comprising:

[0088] A second plurality of vias is coupled to the rectangular ground plane, each via of the second plurality of vias being configured to extend from the rectangular ground plane to substantially antenna height, the second plurality of vias being configured to extend along the second edge of the rectangular ground plane only in the second portion.

[0089] Clause 24. The antenna assembly according to clause 23, further comprising:

[0090] A second feed is coupled to a first portion of the second rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a center of the second rectangular patch antenna toward a second corner of the second rectangular patch antenna.

[0091] Clause 25. The antenna assembly of any of clauses 23-24, wherein the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna each comprise a square patch antenna.

[0092] Clause 26. The antenna assembly according to any one of clauses 23-25, further comprising:

[0093] a third feed coupled to a second portion of the first rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a third corner of the first rectangular patch antenna toward the center of the first rectangular patch antenna; and

[0094] A fourth feed is coupled to a second portion of the second rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a third triangle of the second rectangular patch antenna toward the center of the second rectangular patch antenna.

[0095] Clause 27. The antenna assembly of clause 26, wherein the first feed and the second feed are both configured to excite a first linear polarization, and wherein the third feed and the fourth feed are both configured to excite a second linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization.

[0096] Clause 28. The antenna assembly of clause 27, wherein the first linear polarization is a vertical linear polarization, and wherein the second linear polarization is a horizontal linear polarization.

[0097] Clause 29. The antenna assembly according to clause 26, further comprising:

[0098] a third rectangular patch antenna disposed between the first rectangular patch antenna and the first portion of the rectangular ground plane; and

[0099] A fourth rectangular patch antenna is disposed between the second rectangular patch antenna and the second portion of the rectangular ground plane.

[0100] Clause 30. An antenna assembly according to clause 29, wherein the third rectangular patch antenna and the fourth rectangular patch antenna are both configured for a first frequency, and wherein the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna are both configured for a second frequency higher than the first frequency.

[0101] Item 31. An antenna assembly according to Item 2, wherein no through-hole exists in a portion of the second edge adjacent to the first patch antenna, and no through-hole exists in a portion of the first edge adjacent to the second patch antenna, and wherein no through-hole exists in an area between the first patch and the second patch antenna.

[0102] Clause 32. An antenna assembly according to clause 7, wherein the first patch antenna is a first square patch antenna, and wherein the second patch antenna is a second square patch antenna, and wherein the second patch antenna linear array includes a third square patch antenna adjacent to the first square patch antenna and a fourth square patch antenna adjacent to the second square patch antenna, the third square patch antenna is larger than the first square patch antenna, and the fourth square patch antenna is larger than the second square patch antenna.

[0103] Item 33. The antenna assembly according to Item 32 further includes: a third feed coupled to a third portion of the third square patch antenna, the third portion being separated from the center of the third square patch antenna toward the second edge, and further includes: a fourth feed coupled to a fourth portion of the third regular square patch antenna, the fourth portion being separated from the center of the fourth square patch antenna toward the first edge.

[0104] Clause 34. An antenna assembly comprising:

[0105] a ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending across a width of the ground plane;

[0106] a first rectangular patch antenna and a second rectangular patch antenna, both separated from the ground plane by an antenna height;

[0107] a plurality of parasitic patches disposed adjacent to each of the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna, each rectangular patch antenna and its corresponding plurality of parasitic patches being symmetrical about an axis of the rectangular patch antenna, ignoring any feed interface, the axis extending from a first corner of the rectangular patch antenna to an opposite second corner of the rectangular patch antenna, wherein the axis is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge;

[0108] a first feed coupled to a first portion of the first rectangular patch antenna spaced from a center of the first rectangular patch antenna toward a first corner of the first rectangular patch antenna;

[0109] a second feed coupled to a first portion of the second rectangular patch antenna spaced from a center of the second rectangular patch antenna toward a second corner of the second rectangular patch antenna;

[0110] a first plurality of vias coupled to the ground plane, each via of the first plurality of vias being configured to extend from the ground plane substantially to the antenna height, the first plurality of vias being configured to extend on a first line along the first edge of the ground plane, wherein the first line intersects two of the plurality of parasitic patches disposed adjacent to the first rectangular patch antenna; and

[0111] a second plurality of vias coupled to the ground plane, each of the second plurality of vias being configured to extend from the ground plane substantially to the antenna height, the second plurality of vias being configured to extend on a second line along the second edge of the ground plane, wherein the second line intersects two of the plurality of parasitic patches disposed adjacent to the second rectangular patch antenna.

[0112] Item 35. An antenna assembly according to Item 34, wherein no through hole exists in a portion of the second edge adjacent to the first rectangular patch antenna, and no through hole exists in a portion of the first edge adjacent to the second rectangular patch antenna, and wherein no through hole exists in an area between the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna.

[0113] Item 36. An antenna assembly according to Item 34, wherein the through holes in the first plurality of through holes are arranged near the second rectangular patch antenna, and the through holes in the second plurality of through holes are arranged near the first rectangular patch antenna, and wherein no through holes exist in the area between the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna.

[0114] Clause 37. The antenna assembly of any of clauses 34-36, wherein the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna each comprise a square patch antenna.

[0115] Clause 38. The antenna assembly of any of clauses 34-37, further comprising:

[0116] a third feed coupled to a second portion of the first rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a third corner of the first rectangular patch antenna toward the center of the first rectangular patch antenna; and

[0117] A fourth feed is coupled to a second portion of the second rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a third triangle of the second rectangular patch antenna toward the center of the second rectangular patch antenna.

[0118] Clause 39. The antenna assembly of clause 38, wherein the first feed and the second feed are both configured to excite a first linear polarization, and wherein the third feed and the fourth feed are both configured to excite a second linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization.

[0119] Clause 40. The antenna assembly of clause 39, wherein the first linear polarization is a vertical linear polarization, and wherein the second linear polarization is a horizontal linear polarization.

[0120] Clause 41. The antenna assembly according to any one of clauses 34-40, further comprising:

[0121] a third rectangular patch antenna disposed between the first rectangular patch antenna and the first portion of the rectangular ground plane; and

[0122] A fourth rectangular patch antenna is disposed between the second rectangular patch antenna and the second portion of the rectangular ground plane.

[0123] Clause 42. An antenna assembly according to clause 41, wherein the third rectangular patch antenna and the fourth rectangular patch antenna are both configured for a first frequency, and wherein the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna are both configured for a second frequency higher than the first frequency.

[0124] Clause 43. The antenna assembly of any of clauses 34-42, wherein each of the plurality of parasitic patches has a corner that is truncated to accommodate the dimension of the ground plane.

[0125] Clause 44. An antenna assembly as described in any of clauses 2-12, wherein the first patch antenna is rectangular and has an axis extending from a first corner of the patch antenna to an opposite second corner of the patch antenna, wherein the axis is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge.

[0126] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe exemplary configurations and do not represent all examples that can be implemented or within the scope of the claims. Specific embodiments include specific details for providing an understanding of the described technology. However, these technologies can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, in order to avoid blurring the concepts of the described examples, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. In order to enable ordinary technicians in the field to implement or use the disclosure, the description herein is provided. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is given the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly, comprising: substrate; a first metal layer adjacent to a surface of the substrate and configured to form a rectangular ground plane having a first edge extending across a width of the rectangular ground plane and a second edge extending across the width of the rectangular ground plane; a second metal layer configured to form a first linear array of patch antennas spaced apart from the rectangular ground plane, the first linear array of patch antennas configured to extend across a length substantially equal to the width of the rectangular ground plane, wherein the first metal layer is located between the substrate and the second metal layer; a first feed coupled to a first portion of a first patch antenna in the first linear array of patch antennas, the first portion being spaced apart from a center of the first patch antenna toward the first edge; a first plurality of vias coupled to the first metal layer and configured to form first via walls extending only along a portion of the first edge adjacent to the first patch antenna; a second feed coupled to a first portion of a second patch antenna in the first linear array of patch antennas, the first portion of the second patch antenna being spaced apart from a center of the second patch antenna toward the second edge; and A second plurality of vias are coupled to the first metal layer and are configured to form second via walls extending only along a portion of the second edge adjacent to the second patch antenna.

2. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A portion of the second edge adjacent to the first patch antenna has no through-hole, and a portion of the first edge adjacent to the second patch antenna has no through-hole, and wherein an area between the first patch and the second patch antenna has no through-hole.

3. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first feed is configured to cause the first patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a first linear polarization, and wherein the second feed is configured to cause the second patch antenna to transmit and receive according to the first linear polarization.

4. The antenna assembly according to claim 3, further comprising: a third feed coupled to a second portion of the first patch antenna, the second portion of the first patch antenna being spaced apart from the center of the first patch antenna in a direction parallel to the first edge and the second edge; as well as A fourth feed is coupled to a second portion of the second patch antenna, the second portion of the second patch antenna being spaced apart from the center of the second patch antenna in the direction parallel to the first edge and the second edge.

5. The antenna assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The third feed is configured to cause the first patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a second linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization, and wherein the fourth feed is configured to cause the second patch antenna to transmit and receive according to the second linear polarization.

6. The antenna assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The first linear polarization is defined by an electric field orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge.

7. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: A third metal layer is between the second metal layer and the first metal layer, and the third metal layer is configured to form a second linear array of patch antennas adjacent to the first linear array of patch antennas.

8. The antenna assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The first linear array of patch antennas is configured for a first frequency, and wherein the second linear array of patch antennas is configured for a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

9. The antenna assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The first linear array of patch antennas is a first linear array of rectangular patch antennas, and wherein the second linear array of patch antennas is a second linear array of rectangular patch antennas.

10. The antenna assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The first patch antenna is a first square patch antenna, and wherein the second patch antenna is a second square patch antenna, and wherein the second patch antenna linear array includes a third square patch antenna adjacent to the first square patch antenna and a fourth square patch antenna adjacent to the second square patch antenna, the third square patch antenna is larger than the first square patch antenna, and the fourth square patch antenna is larger than the second square patch antenna.

11. The antenna assembly according to claim 10, further comprising: a third feed coupled to a third portion of the third square patch antenna, the third portion being spaced apart from a center of the third square patch antenna toward the second edge, and also including: a fourth feed coupled to a fourth portion of the third regular square patch antenna, the fourth portion being spaced apart from a center of the fourth square patch antenna toward the first edge.

12. The antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna assembly is integrated into an edge of a cellular telephone, wherein the width of the rectangular ground plane extends along a width of the edge of the cellular telephone, and wherein the width of the rectangular ground plane defines a longer edge of the rectangular ground plane.

13. An antenna assembly, comprising: a rectangular ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending across a width of the rectangular ground plane; a plurality of patch antennas above the rectangular ground plane, the plurality of patch antennas being configured as a linear array extending across a length substantially equal to the width of the rectangular ground plane, each patch antenna of the plurality of patch antennas comprising a first portion proximate the first edge and a second portion proximate the second edge; a plurality of first feeds arranged in a sequence corresponding to the plurality of patch antennas, the plurality of first feeds being configured to alternate in direction such that each subsequent first feed in the sequence is configured to: couple to the second portion of the corresponding patch antenna in response to a preceding first feed in the sequence being configured to couple to the first portion of the corresponding patch antenna, and such that each subsequent first feed in the sequence is configured to: couple to the first portion of its corresponding patch antenna in response to the preceding first feed in the sequence being configured to couple to the second portion of its corresponding patch antenna; as well as a plurality of through-hole walls coupled to the rectangular ground plane and arranged to correspond to the plurality of patch antennas, the plurality of through-hole walls being configured to alternate in direction such that each through-hole wall is configured to extend only along a portion of the first edge adjacent to the corresponding patch antenna in response to a first feed of the corresponding patch antenna being coupled to a first portion of the corresponding patch antenna, and such that each through-hole wall is configured to extend only along a portion of the second edge adjacent to the corresponding patch antenna in response to the first feed of the corresponding patch antenna being coupled to a second portion of the corresponding patch antenna.

14. The antenna assembly according to claim 13, wherein: The rectangular ground plane is defined by the width and the height, wherein the width of the rectangular ground plane is greater than the height of the rectangular ground plane.

15. The antenna assembly according to claim 13, wherein: Each first feed of the plurality of first feeds is configured to cause the corresponding patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a first linear polarization.

16. The antenna assembly according to claim 15, wherein: The first linear polarization has an electric field orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge.

17. The antenna assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a plurality of second feeds corresponding to the plurality of patch antennas, each of the plurality of second feeds being coupled to a corresponding patch antenna from the plurality of patch antennas and configured to cause the corresponding patch antenna to transmit and receive according to a second linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization.

18. The antenna assembly according to claim 17, wherein: The first linear polarization is a vertical linear polarization, and wherein the second linear polarization is a horizontal linear polarization.

19. The antenna assembly of claim 13, further comprising: A radio frequency (RF) transmitter is configured to drive each subsequent first feed with an RF signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with the RF signal driven to the preceding first feed.

20. The antenna assembly of claim 13, further comprising: A substrate is adjacent to the rectangular ground plane.

21. The antenna assembly of claim 20, wherein: The substrate is a semiconductor die substrate.

22. An antenna assembly, comprising: a ground plane having a first edge and a second edge, both extending across a width of the ground plane; a first rectangular patch antenna and a second rectangular patch antenna, both separated from the ground plane by an antenna height; a plurality of parasitic patches disposed adjacent to each of the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna, each rectangular patch antenna and its corresponding plurality of parasitic patches being symmetrical about an axis of the rectangular patch antenna, ignoring any feed interface, the axis extending from a first corner of the rectangular patch antenna to an opposite second corner of the rectangular patch antenna, wherein the axis is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge; a first feed coupled to a first portion of the first rectangular patch antenna spaced from a center of the first rectangular patch antenna toward a first corner of the first rectangular patch antenna; a second feed coupled to a first portion of the second rectangular patch antenna spaced from a center of the second rectangular patch antenna toward a second corner of the second rectangular patch antenna; a first plurality of vias coupled to the ground plane, each via of the first plurality of vias being configured to extend from the ground plane substantially to the antenna height, the first plurality of vias being configured to extend on a first line along the first edge of the ground plane, wherein the first line intersects two of the plurality of parasitic patches disposed adjacent to the first rectangular patch antenna; and a second plurality of vias coupled to the ground plane, each of the second plurality of vias being configured to extend from the ground plane substantially to the antenna height, the second plurality of vias being configured to extend on a second line along the second edge of the ground plane, wherein the second line intersects two of the plurality of parasitic patches disposed adjacent to the second rectangular patch antenna.

23. The antenna assembly of claim 22, wherein: There is no through hole in a portion of the second edge adjacent to the first rectangular patch antenna, and there is no through hole in a portion of the first edge adjacent to the second rectangular patch antenna, and there is no through hole in the area between the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna.

24. The antenna assembly of claim 22, wherein: The through holes in the first plurality of through holes are disposed adjacent to the second rectangular patch antenna, and the through holes in the second plurality of through holes are disposed adjacent to the first rectangular patch antenna, and wherein no through holes exist in an area from between the first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna.

25. The antenna assembly of claim 22, wherein: The first rectangular patch antenna and the second rectangular patch antenna each include a square patch antenna.

26. The antenna assembly of claim 22, further comprising: a third feed coupled to a second portion of the first rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a third corner of the first rectangular patch antenna toward the center of the first rectangular patch antenna; as well as A fourth feed is coupled to a second portion of the second rectangular patch antenna spaced apart from a third triangle of the second rectangular patch antenna toward the center of the second rectangular patch antenna.

27. The antenna assembly of claim 26, wherein: The first feed and the second feed are both configured to excite a first linear polarization, and wherein the third feed and the fourth feed are both configured to excite a second linear polarization orthogonal to the first linear polarization.

28. The antenna assembly of claim 27, wherein: The first linear polarization is a vertical linear polarization, and wherein the second linear polarization is a horizontal linear polarization.

29. The antenna assembly of claim 22, further comprising: a third rectangular patch antenna disposed between the first rectangular patch antenna and the ground plane; as well as A fourth rectangular patch antenna is arranged between the second rectangular patch antenna and the ground plane.

30. The antenna assembly of claim 29, wherein: The third and fourth rectangular patch antennas are both configured for a first frequency, and wherein the first and second rectangular patch antennas are both configured for a second frequency higher than the first frequency.

31. The antenna assembly of claim 22, wherein: Each parasitic patch of the plurality of parasitic patches has a corner that is truncated to accommodate the dimension of the ground plane.

32. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first patch antenna is rectangular and has an axis extending from a first corner of the patch antenna to an opposite second corner of the patch antenna, wherein the axis is orthogonal to the first edge and the second edge.

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