Devices, systems and methods of controlling polarization of transmitted signals

Abstract

For example, polarization control circuitry may be configured to control polarization of a transmitted signal according to a polarization setting. The polarization control circuitry may include a first radio frequency (RF) path configured to transmit a first RF signal corresponding to the transmitted signal via a first antenna port according to a first polarization; a second RF path configured to transmit a second RF signal corresponding to the transmitted signal via a second antenna port according to a second polarization; phase offset circuitry, the phase offset circuitry comprising at least one phase shifter in at least one of the first RF path or the second RF path, the phase offset circuitry is configurable to apply a phase offset between the first RF signal in the first RF path and the second RF signal in the second RF path; and a controller to configure the phase offset circuitry to apply the phase offset based on the polarization setting.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Polarization is a property of waves that defines the geometric orientation of wave oscillations.

[0002] The polarization of radio frequency (RF) waves (e.g., communication signals) transmitted via an antenna array can be determined by one or more properties of the antenna elements of the antenna array. Attached Figure Description

[0003] For the sake of simplicity and clarity, the elements shown in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to others for clarity. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated in the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements. The accompanying drawings are listed below.

[0004] Figure 1 It is a schematic block diagram illustrating a vehicle equipped with radar, based on some exemplary aspects.

[0005] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a radar-equipped robot based on some exemplary aspects.

[0006] Figure 3 It is a schematic block diagram based on some exemplary aspects of radar equipment.

[0007] Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram of a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar device based on some exemplary aspects.

[0008] Figure 5 It is a schematic illustration of an extraction scheme that can be implemented based on some exemplary aspects to extract range and rate (Doppler) estimates from digitally received radar data values.

[0009] Figure 6 It is a schematic illustration of an angle determination scheme that can be implemented based on some exemplary aspects to determine the angle of arrival (AoA) information based on incoming radio signals received by a receiving antenna array.

[0010] Figure 7 This is a schematic illustration of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar antenna scheme that can be implemented based on a combination of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) antennas, according to some exemplary aspects.

[0011] Figure 8 It is a schematic block diagram illustrating elements of a radar device, including a radar front-end and a radar processor, based on some exemplary aspects.

[0012] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of a radar system including multiple radar devices implemented in a vehicle, based on some exemplary aspects.

[0013] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram based on some exemplary aspects of the system.

[0014] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a dual-polarized antenna array that can be implemented based on some exemplary aspects.

[0015] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of an Rx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including an Rx polarization control circuit system.

[0016] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of a Tx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including a Tx polarization control circuit system.

[0017] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of an Rx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including an Rx polarization control circuit system.

[0018] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of a Tx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including a Tx polarization control circuit system.

[0019] Figure 16 It is a schematic diagram of an Rx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including an Rx polarization control circuit system.

[0020] Figure 17 It is a schematic diagram of a Tx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including a Tx polarization control circuit system.

[0021] Figure 18 It is a schematic diagram of an Rx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including an Rx polarization control circuit system.

[0022] Figure 19 It is a schematic diagram of a Tx circuit system based on some exemplary aspects, including a Tx polarization control circuit system.

[0023] Figure 20 It is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the polarization of transmitted signals based on some exemplary aspects.

[0024] Figure 21 These are schematic diagrams illustrating the manufacture of products based on some exemplary aspects. Detailed Implementation

[0025] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some aspects. However, those skilled in the art will understand that some aspects can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units, and / or circuits have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the discussion.

[0026] The use of terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing,” “analyzing,” and “checking” in this document may refer to the operation and / or process of a computer, computing platform, computing system, or other electronic computing device that manipulates data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities in the computer’s registers and / or memory and / or transforms said data into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer’s registers and / or memory or other information storage medium that may store instructions for performing the operation and / or process.

[0027] As used herein, the terms “multiple” and “various” include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. For example, “multiple items” includes two or more items.

[0028] The terms “exemplary” and “illustrator” are used in this document to mean “serving as an example, illustration, or explanation.” Any aspect, aspect, or design described as “exemplary” or “illustrator” in this document is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or better than other aspects, aspects, or designs.

[0029] References to “one aspect,” “one aspect,” “exemplary aspect,” “various aspects,” etc., indicate that the aspect described in this way may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every aspect necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in one aspect” does not necessarily refer to the same aspect, although it may refer to the same aspect.

[0030] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe common objects merely indicates reference to different instances of the same object and is not intended to imply that the objects described in this way must be in a given sequence in time, space, hierarchy, or any other manner.

[0031] The phrases “at least one” and “one or more” can be understood to include numerical quantities greater than or equal to one, such as one, two, three, four, [...], etc. The phrase “at least one of…” relating to a group of elements can be used herein to mean at least one element from the group consisting of the stated elements. For example, the phrase “at least one of…” relating to a group of elements can be used herein to mean one of the listed elements, multiple of the listed elements, multiple separately listed elements, or multiple of multiple separately listed elements.

[0032] As used herein, the term "data" can be understood to include information presented in any suitable analog or digital form (e.g., as a file, part of a file, a collection of files, a signal or stream, a part of a signal or stream, a collection of signals or streams, etc.). Furthermore, the term "data" can also be used to refer to information, for example, in the form of a pointer. However, the term "data" is not limited to the examples described above and can take various forms and / or represent any information as understood in the art.

[0033] The terms "processor" or "controller" can be understood to include any kind of technical entity that allows the disposal of any suitable type of data and / or information. Data and / or information can be disposed of according to one or more specific functions performed by the processor or controller. Further, a processor or controller can be understood as any kind of circuit, for example, any type of analog or digital circuit. Therefore, a processor or controller can be or include analog circuits, digital circuits, mixed-signal circuits, logic circuits, processors, microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., or any combination thereof. Any other specific implementation of the corresponding functions, which will be further described in detail below, can also be understood as a processor, controller, or logic circuit. It should be understood that any two (or more) processors, controllers, or logic circuits detailed herein can be implemented as a single entity with equivalent functionality, and conversely, any single processor, controller, or logic circuit detailed herein can be implemented as two (or more) separate entities with equivalent functionality.

[0034] The term "memory" should be understood as a computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) in which data or information can be stored for retrieval. Therefore, "memory" can be understood to refer to volatile or non-volatile memory, including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state storage devices, magnetic tape, hard disk drives, optical disk drives, and so on, or any combination thereof. Registers, shift registers, processor registers, data buffers, and so on are also covered by the term "memory" herein. The term "software" can be used to refer to any type of executable instructions and / or logic, including firmware.

[0035] "Vehicle" can be understood to include any type of driven object. By way of example, a vehicle can be a driven object with an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a reaction engine, an electric drive object, a hybrid drive object, or a combination thereof. Vehicles can be or can include automobiles, buses, minibuses, vans, trucks, mobile homes, vehicle trailers, motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, locomotives, train carriages, mobile robots, personal transport vehicles, boats, ships, submersibles, submarines, drones, aircraft, rockets, and so on.

[0036] "Ground transport" can be understood to include any type of transport configured to travel along the ground (e.g., on streets, highways, tracks, one or more tracks, cross-country travel, etc.).

[0037] "Autonomous vehicle" can describe a vehicle capable of making at least one navigational change without driver input. Navigational changes can describe or include changes in one or more of the vehicle's steering, braking, acceleration / deceleration, or any other movement-related actions. Even if the vehicle is not fully autonomous (e.g., fully operated with or without driver input), it can still be described as autonomous. Autonomous vehicles can include those that can operate under driver control during certain time periods and without driver control during other time periods. Additionally or alternatively, autonomous vehicles can include those that control only some aspects of the vehicle's navigation (such as steering (e.g., to maintain the vehicle's route between lane constraints) or some steering actions in certain conditions (e.g., not all conditions), but leave other aspects of the vehicle's navigation to the driver (e.g., braking or braking in certain conditions). Additionally or alternatively, autonomous vehicles may include vehicles that share control of one or more aspects of vehicle navigation in certain situations (e.g., in the case of manual driver operation, such as in response to driver input); and / or vehicles that control one or more aspects of vehicle navigation in certain situations (e.g., in the case of driver release, such as independently of driver input). Additionally or alternatively, autonomous vehicles may include vehicles that control one or more aspects of vehicle navigation in certain situations (e.g., under certain environmental conditions, such as spatial areas, road conditions, etc.). In some aspects, autonomous vehicles may handle some or all aspects of braking, speed control, rate control, steering, and / or any other additional operations of the vehicle. Autonomous vehicles may include those vehicles that can operate without driver intervention. The level of autonomy of a vehicle may be described or determined by the vehicle levels of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), for example, as defined by SAE in SAE J3016 2018: Taxonomy and definitions for terms related to driving automation systems for on road motor vehicles, or by other relevant professional organizations. SAE levels can have values ​​ranging from the lowest level (e.g., level 0 (illustratively, essentially no driving automation)) to the highest level (e.g., level 5 (illustratively, fully driving automation)).

[0038] "Assisted vehicles" can describe vehicles that can inform the driver or passengers of the vehicle of the sensed data or information derived therefrom.

[0039] The phrase "vehicle operation data" can be understood as describing any type of characteristic related to the operation of a vehicle. For example, "vehicle operation data" may describe the condition of a vehicle, such as the type of tires, vehicle type, and / or the year of manufacture. More generally, "vehicle operation data" may describe or include static characteristics or static vehicle operation data (illustratively, characteristics or data that do not change over time). As another example, additionally or alternatively, "vehicle operation data" may describe or include characteristics that change during the operation of a vehicle, such as environmental conditions (such as weather or road conditions during the operation of the vehicle), fuel levels, fluid levels, operating parameters of the vehicle's drive source, etc. More generally, "vehicle operation data" may describe or include changing characteristics or changing vehicle operation data (illustratively, time-varying characteristics or data).

[0040] Some aspects can be used in conjunction with a variety of devices and systems, such as radar sensors, radar devices, radar systems, vehicles, vehicle-mounted systems, autonomous vehicle-mounted systems, vehicle-mounted communication systems, vehicle-mounted devices, airborne platforms, waterborne platforms, road infrastructure, motion capture infrastructure, urban monitoring infrastructure, static infrastructure platforms, indoor platforms, mobile platforms, robotic platforms, industrial platforms, sensor devices, user equipment (UE), mobile devices (MD), radio stations (STA), sensor devices, non-vehicle-mounted devices, mobile or portable devices, etc.

[0041] In some aspects, it can be used in conjunction with radio frequency (RF) systems, radar systems, vehicle radar systems, autonomous systems, robotic systems, detection systems, etc.

[0042] Some exemplary aspects may be used in conjunction with RF frequencies in bands with starting frequencies above 10 GHz (e.g., bands with starting frequencies between 10 GHz and 120 GHz). For example, some exemplary aspects may be used in conjunction with RF frequencies with starting frequencies above 30 GHz (e.g., above 45 GHz, or above 60 GHz). For example, some exemplary aspects may be used in conjunction with automotive radar bands (e.g., bands between 76 GHz and 81 GHz). However, other aspects may be implemented using any other suitable bands, such as bands above 140 GHz, 300 GHz, the Asia-Pacific Hertz (THz) band, the THz band, the infrared (IR) band, and / or any other band.

[0043] As used herein, the term "circuit system" may refer to, be part of, or include: an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or grouped), and / or a memory (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuits, and / or other suitable hardware components to provide the described functionality. In some aspects, some functions associated with the circuit may be implemented by one or more software or firmware modules. In some aspects, a circuit system may include logic that is at least partially operable in hardware.

[0044] The term "logic" can refer to computational logic, for example, embedded in the circuitry of a computing device and / or stored in the memory of the computing device. For example, logic can be accessed by a processor of the computing device to execute the computational logic, thereby performing computational functions and / or operations. In one instance, logic can be embedded in various types of memory and / or firmware, for example, embedded in the silicon block of various chips and / or processors. Logic can be included in and / or implemented as part of various circuitry systems, such as radio circuitry systems, receiver circuitry systems, control circuitry systems, transmitter circuitry systems, transceiver circuitry systems, processor circuitry systems, etc. In one instance, logic can be embedded in volatile and / or non-volatile memory, including random access memory, read-only memory, programmable memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, persistent memory, etc. Logic can be executed by one or more processors using memory (e.g., registers, buffers, stacks, etc.) coupled to one or more processors, for example, executing the logic as needed.

[0045] As used herein with respect to signals, the term "transmit" includes both transmitting and / or receiving signals. For example, a device capable of transmitting signals may include a transmitter for transmitting signals and / or a receiver for receiving signals. The verb "transmit" can refer to either the act of sending or the act of receiving. In one instance, the phrase "transmit signal" may refer to the act of a transmitter transmitting a signal and may not necessarily include the act of a receiver receiving a signal. In another instance, the phrase "transmit signal" may refer to the act of a receiver receiving a signal and may not necessarily include the act of a transmitter transmitting a signal.

[0046] As used herein, the term "antenna" can include any suitable configuration, structure, and / or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies, and / or arrays. In some aspects, an antenna may use separate transmitting and receiving antenna elements to achieve transmitting and receiving functionality. In other aspects, an antenna may use common and / or integrated transmitting / receiving elements to achieve transmitting and receiving functionality. Antennas may include, for example, phased array antennas, MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) array antennas, unit antennas, a set of beam-switching antennas, etc. In one instance, an antenna may be implemented as a single element or an integrated element, for example, or according to any other antenna architecture, as an antenna on a module or an antenna on a chip.

[0047] This article describes some exemplary aspects of RF radar signals. However, other aspects may be implemented with respect to or in combination with any other radar signal, radio signal, IR signal, acoustic signal, optical signal, wireless communication signal, communication scheme, network, standard and / or protocol. For example, some exemplary aspects may be implemented with respect to systems utilizing light and / or acoustic signals (e.g., LiDAR systems and / or sonar systems).

[0048] Now for reference Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates a vehicle 100 implementing radar according to some exemplary aspects.

[0049] In some exemplary aspects, the vehicle 100 may include cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, trains, aircraft, water vehicles, handcarts, golf carts, electric carts, road vehicles, or any other means of transportation.

[0050] In some exemplary aspects, the vehicle 100 may include a radar device 101, for example, as described below. For example, the radar device 101 may include a radar detection device, a radar sensing device, a radar sensor, etc., for example, as described below.

[0051] In some exemplary aspects, the radar device 101 may be implemented as part of an onboard system (e.g., a system to be implemented and / or installed in a vehicle 100).

[0052] In one example, radar device 101 may be implemented as part of an autonomous vehicle system, an automated driving system, an auxiliary vehicle system, a driving assistance and / or support system, etc.

[0053] For example, radar device 101 can be installed in vehicle 100 to detect nearby objects, for example, for autonomous driving.

[0054] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 may be configured to detect targets near vehicle 100 (e.g., at a distance and / or close range), for example, using RF and analog chains, capacitor structures, large helical transformers and / or any other electronic or electrical components, such as those described below.

[0055] In one example, radar device 101 may be mounted, placed (e.g., directly) onto or attached to vehicle 100.

[0056] In some exemplary aspects, vehicle 100 may include multiple radar aspects, and vehicle 100 may include a single radar device 101.

[0057] In some exemplary aspects, the vehicle 100 may include a plurality of radar devices 101, which may be configured to cover a 360-degree field of view around the vehicle 100.

[0058] In other respects, the vehicle 100 may include any other suitable counting, arrangement and / or configuration of radar devices and / or units that may be adapted to cover any other field of view, for example, less than 360 degrees.

[0059] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 can be implemented as a component of a sensor suite for driving assistance and / or autonomous vehicles, for example, because radar is capable of operating in almost all weather conditions.

[0060] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 can be configured to support use by autonomous vehicles, for example, as described below.

[0061] In one instance, radar device 101 can determine the category, location, orientation, speed, intent, perceived understanding of the environment, and / or any other information corresponding to an object in the environment.

[0062] In another instance, radar device 101 may be configured to determine one or more parameters and / or information for one or more operations and / or tasks (e.g., path planning and / or any other task).

[0063] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 may be configured to map a scene by measuring the echoes (reflectivity) of targets and distinguishing them (e.g., primarily in terms of range, velocity, azimuth, and / or elevation), for example, as described below.

[0064] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 may be configured to detect and / or sense one or more objects located in the vicinity of vehicle 100 (e.g., at a distance and / or nearby) and provide one or more parameters, attributes and / or information about said objects.

[0065] In some exemplary aspects, objects may include road users, such as other vehicles, pedestrians; road objects and markings, such as traffic signs, traffic lights, lane markings, road markings, road elements (e.g., sidewalks at road junctions, road edges, road contours, road roughness (or smoothness)); general objects, such as hazardous materials (e.g., tires, boxes, road cracks); and so on.

[0066] In some exemplary aspects, one or more parameters, properties and / or information about an object may include the range of the object from the vehicle 100, the angle of the object relative to the vehicle 100, the position of the object relative to the vehicle 100, the relative speed of the object relative to the vehicle 100, etc.

[0067] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 may include a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar device 101, for example, as described below.

[0068] In one instance, a MIMO radar device may be configured to utilize "spatial filtering," such as beamforming and / or any other mechanism, for one or both of the transmitted (Tx) and / or received (Rx) signals.

[0069] The following describes some exemplary aspects of a radar device implemented as a MIMO radar (e.g., radar device 101). However, in other aspects, radar device 101 can be implemented as any other type of radar utilizing multiple antenna elements, such as a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) radar or a multiple-input single-output (MISO) radar.

[0070] Some exemplary aspects may be implemented with respect to a radar device (e.g., radar device 101) implemented as a MIMO radar, for example, as described below. However, in other aspects, radar device 101 may be implemented as any other type of radar, such as electronic beam steering radar, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), adaptive and / or cognitive radar that changes its transmission according to the environment and / or its own state, reflector array radar, etc.

[0071] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 may include antenna arrangement 102, radar front end 103 configured to transmit radar signals via antenna arrangement 102, and radar processor 104 configured to generate radar information based on radar signals, for example, as described below.

[0072] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 104 may be configured to process radar information of radar device 101 and / or control one or more operations of radar device 101, for example, as described below.

[0073] In some exemplary aspects, the radar processor 104 may include, or may be partially or wholly implemented by, circuitry and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuitry and / or logic, memory circuitry and / or logic. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of the radar processor 104 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and / or one or more processors, for example, as described below.

[0074] In one instance, radar processor 104 may include at least one memory (e.g., coupled to one or more processors) which may be configured, for example, to store (e.g., at least temporarily) at least some of the information processed by one or more processors and / or circuitry, and / or may be configured to store logic to be utilized by the processors and / or circuitry.

[0075] In other respects, the radar processor 104 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of the vehicle 100.

[0076] In some exemplary aspects, radar front-end 103 may include, for example, one or more (radar) transmitters and one or more (radar) receivers, as described below.

[0077] In some exemplary aspects, antenna arrangement 102 may include multiple antennas for transmitting radar signals. For example, antenna arrangement 102 may include multiple transmitting antennas in the form of a transmitting antenna array and multiple receiving antennas in the form of a receiving antenna array. In another example, antenna arrangement 102 may include one or more antennas that serve as both transmitting and receiving antennas. In the latter case, radar front-end 103 may include, for example, a duplexer or circulator, such as circuitry for separating transmitted signals from received signals.

[0078] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 1 As shown, the radar front-end 103 and antenna arrangement 102 can be controlled, for example, by the radar processor 104 to transmit radio transmission signals 105.

[0079] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 1 As shown, the radio transmission signal 105 can be reflected by the object 106, thereby generating an echo 107.

[0080] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 may receive echo 107, for example, via antenna arrangement 102 and radar front end 103, and radar processor 104 may generate radar information, for example, by calculating information about the position, radial velocity (Doppler), and / or orientation of object 106, for example, relative to vehicle 100.

[0081] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 104 may be configured to provide radar information to vehicle controller 108 of vehicle 100, for example, for autonomous driving of vehicle 100.

[0082] In some exemplary aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of the radar processor 104 may be implemented as part of the vehicle controller 108. In other aspects, the functionality of the radar processor 104 may be implemented as part of the radar device 101 and / or any other element of the vehicle 100. In still other aspects, the radar processor 104 may be implemented as a separate part or portion of the radar device 101 and / or any other element of the vehicle 100.

[0083] In some exemplary aspects, the vehicle controller 108 may be configured to control one or more functions, operating modes, components, devices, systems and / or elements of the vehicle 100.

[0084] In some exemplary aspects, the vehicle controller 108 may be configured to control one or more on-board systems of the vehicle 100, for example, as described below.

[0085] In some exemplary aspects, the in-vehicle system may include, for example, the steering system, braking system, driving system and / or any other system of the vehicle 100.

[0086] In some exemplary aspects, the vehicle controller 108 may be configured to control the radar device 101 and / or process one or more parameters, attributes and / or information from the radar device 101.

[0087] In some exemplary aspects, the vehicle controller 108 may be configured, for example, to control the vehicle's onboard systems based on radar information from radar device 101 and / or one or more other sensors of the vehicle 100 (e.g., light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, camera sensors, etc.).

[0088] In one example, the vehicle controller 108 may control the steering system, braking system, and / or any other onboard system of the vehicle 100, for example, based on information from radar device 101 (e.g., based on one or more objects detected by radar device 101).

[0089] In other respects, the vehicle controller 108 may be configured to control any other additional or alternative functionality of the vehicle 100.

[0090] This document describes some exemplary aspects of a radar device 101 implemented in a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 100). In other aspects, the radar device (e.g., radar device 101) may be implemented as part of any other element of a transportation system or network (e.g., as part of road infrastructure), and / or any other element of a transportation network or system. Other aspects may be implemented with respect to any other system, environment, and / or device that may be implemented in any other object, environment, location, or place. For example, radar device 101 may be part of a non-vehicle-mounted device, which may be installed, for example, in an indoor location, an outdoor fixed infrastructure, or any other location.

[0091] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 101 may be configured to support safe use. In one instance, radar device 101 may be configured to determine the nature of an operation (e.g., human entry, animal entry, environmental movement, etc.) to identify the threat level of the detected event and / or any other additional or alternative operations.

[0092] Some exemplary aspects may be implemented with regard to any other additional or alternative devices and / or systems (e.g., for robots), as described below.

[0093] In other respects, radar device 101 can be configured to support any other use and / or application.

[0094] Now for reference Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates a block diagram of a robot 200 implementing radar according to some exemplary aspects.

[0095] In some exemplary aspects, robot 200 may include robotic arm 201. Robot 200 may be implemented, for example, in a factory to handle object 213, which may be, for example, a component to be attached to a product being manufactured. Robotic arm 201 may include multiple movable components, such as movable components 202, 203, 204 and support 205. Movable components 202, 203 and / or 204 of mobile robotic arm 201 (e.g., by actuating associated motors) may allow physical interaction with the environment to perform tasks, such as handling object 213.

[0096] In some exemplary aspects, the robotic arm 201 may include multiple joint elements, such as joint elements 207, 208, and 209, which may, for example, connect components 202, 203, and / or 204 to each other and to a support 205. For example, joint elements 207, 208, and 209 may have one or more joints, each of which can provide rotational movement (e.g., rotational motion), and / or translational movement (e.g., displacement), and / or movement of the components relative to each other to the associated component. Movement of components 202, 203, and 204 may be initiated by suitable actuators.

[0097] In some exemplary aspects, the component furthest from support 205 (e.g., component 204) may also be referred to as end effector 204 and may include one or more tools, such as a claw for grasping objects, a welding tool, etc. Other components (e.g., components 202, 203 closer to support 205) may be used to change the position of end effector 204 (e.g., in three-dimensional space). For example, robotic arm 201 may be configured to function similarly to a human arm, for example, possibly carrying tools at its end.

[0098] In some exemplary aspects, robot 200 may include a (robot) controller 206 configured to enable interaction with the environment (e.g., by controlling the actuators of the robot arm according to a control program), for example, to control the robot arm 201 according to the task to be performed.

[0099] In some exemplary aspects, the actuator may include a component adapted to influence a mechanism or process in response to being driven. The actuator may respond to a command (so-called activation) issued by the controller 206 by performing mechanical movement. This means that the actuator (generally a motor (or electromechanical converter)) may be configured to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy when activated (i.e., actuated).

[0100] In some exemplary aspects, controller 206 can communicate with radar processor 210 of robot 200.

[0101] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front-end 211 and radar antenna arrangement 212 may be coupled to the radar processor 210. In one example, the radar front-end 211 and / or radar antenna arrangement 212 may be included, for example, as part of a robotic arm 201.

[0102] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front-end 211, radar antenna arrangement 212, and radar processor 210 may be capable of operating as a radar device, and / or may be configured to form a radar device. For example, antenna arrangement 212 may be configured to perform antenna arrangement 102 ( Figure 1 One or more functions of radar front-end 211 can be configured to perform radar front-end 103 ( Figure 1 One or more functionalities of the radar processor 210 may be configured to perform the functions of the radar processor 104. Figure 1 One or more functionalities, such as those described above.

[0103] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front-end 211 and antenna arrangement 212 may be controlled, for example, by the radar processor 210 to transmit radio transmission signals 214.

[0104] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 2 As shown, the radio transmission signal 214 can be reflected by the object 213, thereby generating an echo 215.

[0105] In some exemplary aspects, the echo 215 may be received, for example, via antenna arrangement 212 and radar front end 211, and radar processor 210 may generate radar information, for example, by calculating information about the position, velocity (Doppler) and / or orientation of an object 213, for example, relative to robotic arm 201.

[0106] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 210 may be configured to provide radar information to robot controller 206 of robot arm 201, for example, to control robot arm 201. For example, robot controller 206 may be configured to control robot arm 201 based on radar information, for example, to grasp object 213 and / or perform any other operation.

[0107] refer to Figure 3 The schematic diagram illustrates radar equipment 300 based on some exemplary aspects.

[0108] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 300 may be implemented as part of apparatus or system 301, for example, as described below.

[0109] For example, radar device 300 can be implemented as described above. Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 The radar device 300 is part of the described apparatus or system, and / or may be configured to perform one or more operations and / or functionalities of the apparatus or system. In other respects, the radar device 300 may be implemented as part of any other apparatus or system 301.

[0110] In some exemplary aspects, the radar device 300 may include an antenna arrangement that may include one or more transmitting antennas 302 and one or more receiving antennas 303. In other aspects, any other antenna arrangement may be implemented.

[0111] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 300 may include radar front-end 304 and radar processor 309.

[0112] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 3 As shown, one or more transmitting antennas 302 may be coupled to a transmitter (or transmitter arrangement) 305 of the radar front end 304; and / or one or more receiving antennas 303 may be coupled to a receiver (or receiver arrangement) 306 of the radar front end 304, for example, as described below.

[0113] In some exemplary aspects, transmitter 305 may include one or more elements, such as an oscillator, a power amplifier, and / or one or more other elements, which are configured to generate radio transmission signals to be transmitted by one or more transmitting antennas 302, for example, as described below.

[0114] In some exemplary aspects, for example, radar processor 309 may provide digital radar transmit data values ​​to radar front-end 304. Radar front-end 304 may include, for example, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 307 to convert the digital radar transmit data values ​​into analog transmit signals. Transmitter 305 may convert the analog transmit signals into radio transmit signals to be transmitted by transmit antenna 302.

[0115] In some exemplary aspects, receiver 306 may include one or more elements configured to process and downconvert radio signals received via one or more receiving antennas 303, such as one or more mixers, one or more filters, and / or one or more other elements, such as those described below.

[0116] In some exemplary aspects, for example, receiver 306 can convert radio received signals received via one or more receiving antennas 303 into analog received signals. Radar front-end 304 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 308 to generate digital radar received data values ​​based on the analog received signals. For example, radar front-end 304 may provide digital radar received data values ​​to radar processor 309.

[0117] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 309 may be configured to process digital radar received data values, for example, to detect one or more objects in the environment of, for example, device / system 301. Such detection may include, for example, determining information such as the range, velocity (Doppler), orientation, and / or any other information of one or more objects relative to system 301.

[0118] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 309 may be configured to provide the determined radar information to system controller 310 of device / system 301. For example, system controller 310 may include a vehicle controller (e.g., in the case where device / system 301 includes an onboard device / system), a robot controller (e.g., in the case where device / system 301 includes a robotic device / system), or any other type of controller for any other type of device / system 301.

[0119] In some exemplary aspects, radar information from radar processor 309 may be processed, for example, by system controller 310 and / or any other element of system 301, in combination with information from one or more other information sources (e.g., LiDAR information from a LiDAR processor, visual information from a vision-based processor, etc.).

[0120] In some exemplary aspects, the environmental model of system 301 may be determined, for example, by system controller 310 and / or any other element of system 301, based on radar information from radar processor 309 and / or information from one or more other information sources.

[0121] In some exemplary aspects, a driving strategy system (which may be implemented by system controller 310 and / or any other element of system 301) may process an environmental model, for example, to determine one or more actions that may be taken.

[0122] In some exemplary aspects, the system controller 310 may be configured to control one or more controlled system components 311 of the system 301 (e.g., motors, brakes, steering mechanisms, etc.) based on one or more action decisions, such as through one or more corresponding actuators.

[0123] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 300 may include storage device 312 or memory 313, for example, to store information processed by radar 300, such as digital radar reception data values ​​being processed by radar processor 309, radar information generated by radar processor 309, and / or any other data to be processed by radar processor 309.

[0124] In some exemplary aspects, device / system 301 may include, for example, application processor 314 and / or communication processor 315, for example, to at least partially implement one or more functions of system controller 310 and / or perform communication between system controller 310, radar device 300, controlled system component 311 and / or one or more additional elements of device / system 301.

[0125] In some exemplary aspects, radar device 300 may be configured to generate and transmit radio transmission signals in a manner that supports the determination of range, rate, and / or direction, for example, as described below.

[0126] For example, the radio transmission signal of a radar can be configured to include multiple pulses. For instance, pulse transmission may include the transmission of a short, high-power pulse train that is combined with the time when the radar device listens for echoes.

[0127] For example, to better support highly dynamic situations (e.g., in automotive scenarios), continuous wave (CW) can be used instead as the radio transmission signal. However, while continuous wave with a constant frequency, for example, can support speed determination, it may not allow range determination, for example, due to the lack of a time stamp that allows for distance calculation.

[0128] In some exemplary aspects, radio transmission signals 105 can be transmitted according to technologies that can support the determination of range, speed, and / or direction, such as, for example, frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, phase modulated continuous wave (PMCW) radar, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radar, and / or any other type of radar technology. Figure 1 For example, as described below.

[0129] refer to Figure 4 The illustration schematically depicts an FMCW radar device based on some exemplary aspects.

[0130] In some exemplary aspects, the FMCW radar device 400 may include a radar front-end 401 and a radar processor 402. For example, the radar front-end 304 ( Figure 3 It may include one or more elements of the radar front-end 401, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the radar front-end; and / or radar processor 309 ( Figure 3 It may include one or more elements of radar processor 402, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of said radar processor.

[0131] In some exemplary aspects, the FMCW radar device 400 may be configured to transmit radio signals according to FMCW radar technology, for example, instead of transmitting radio transmission signals with a constant frequency.

[0132] In some exemplary aspects, the radio front end 401 may be configured to periodically ramp and reset the frequency of the transmitted signal, for example, according to a sawtooth waveform 403. In other aspects, a triangular waveform or any other suitable waveform may be used.

[0133] In some exemplary aspects, for example, radar processor 402 may be configured to provide waveform 403 to front end 401, for example, in digital form (e.g., as a sequence of digital values).

[0134] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front-end 401 may include a DAC 404 to convert waveform 403 into analog form and provide it to a voltage-controlled oscillator 405. For example, the oscillator 405 may be configured to generate an output signal that can be frequency modulated according to waveform 403.

[0135] In some exemplary aspects, the oscillator 405 may be configured to generate an output signal that includes a radio transmission signal, which may be fed to and transmitted by one or more transmitting antennas 406.

[0136] In some exemplary aspects, the radio transmission signal generated by oscillator 405 may have the form of a sequence of chirps 407, which may be the result of modulating a sine wave with a sawtooth waveform 403.

[0137] In one instance, the chirp 407 may correspond to a sine wave of an oscillator signal whose frequency is modulated (e.g., from minimum frequency to maximum frequency) by the “teeth” of the sawtooth waveform 403.

[0138] In some exemplary aspects, the FMCW radar device 400 may include one or more receiving antennas 408 to receive radio signals. For example, the radio signals may be based on the echo of the radio transmitted signals, excluding any noise, interference, etc.

[0139] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front end 401 may include a mixer 409 to mix radio transmitted signals with radio received signals into a mixed signal.

[0140] In some exemplary aspects, radar front-end 401 may include a filter, such as a low-pass filter (LPF) 410, which may be configured to filter the mixed signal from mixer 409 to provide a filtered signal. For example, radar front-end 401 may include an ADC 411 to convert the filtered signal into digital received data values, which may be provided to radar processor 402. In another example, filter 410 may be a digital filter, and ADC 411 may be arranged between mixer 409 and filter 410.

[0141] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 402 may be configured to process digital received data values ​​to provide radar information, such as range, rate (velocity / Doppler), and / or direction (AoA) information of one or more objects.

[0142] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 402 may be configured to perform a first Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) (also known as a “range FFT”) to extract a delay response from digitally received data values ​​(which can be used to extract range information), and / or perform a second FFT (also known as a “Doppler FFT”) to extract a Doppler drift response from digitally received data values ​​(which can be used to extract velocity information).

[0143] In other respects, any other additional or alternative methods can be used to extract range information. In one instance, in a digital radar implementation, the correlation with the transmitted signal can be used, for example, according to a matched filter implementation.

[0144] refer to Figure 5 This schematically illustrates an extraction scheme, based on some exemplary aspects, that can be implemented to extract range and rate (Doppler) estimates from digitally received radar data values. For example, radar processor 104 ( Figure 1 Radar processor 210 Figure 2 Radar processor 309 Figure 3 ) and / or radar processor 402 ( Figure 4 ) can be configured to according to Figure 5 One or more aspects of the extraction scheme are used to extract range and / or rate (Doppler) estimates from digitally received radar data values.

[0145] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the receiving antenna array 501 can receive radio received signals, such as echoes of radio transmitted signals. The radio received signals can be processed by the radio radar front-end 502 to generate digital received data values, for example, as described above. The radio radar front-end 502 can provide the digital received data values ​​to a radar processor 503, which can process the digital received data values ​​to provide radar information, for example, as described above.

[0146] In some exemplary aspects, digital received data values ​​can be represented in the form of a data cube 504. For example, data cube 504 may include digitized samples of radio received signals based on radio signals transmitted from a transmit antenna and received by M receive antennas. In some exemplary aspects, for example, in a MIMO implementation, multiple transmit antennas may be present, and the number of samples may be increased accordingly.

[0147] In some exemplary aspects, a layer of data cube 504 (e.g., a horizontal layer of data cube 504) may contain a sample of an antenna (e.g., a corresponding antenna among M antennas).

[0148] In some exemplary aspects, data cube 504 may include K chirped samples. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the chirped samples can be arranged in the so-called "slow time" direction.

[0149] In some exemplary aspects, for example, for a single chirp (e.g., per chirp), data cube 504 may include L samples (e.g., L = 512) or any other number of samples. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the samples of each chirp can be arranged in the so-called "fast time" direction of data cube 504.

[0150] In some exemplary aspects, the radar processor 503 can be configured to process multiple samples via a first FFT, for example, L samples collected for each chirp and each antenna. For example, the first FFT can be performed for each chirp and each antenna such that the result of the processing of the data cube 504 by the first FFT can again have three dimensions and can have the size of the data cube 504, while including the values ​​of L range bins, for example, instead of the values ​​of L sampling times.

[0151] In some exemplary aspects, for example, for each antenna and each range cell, the radar processor 503 may be configured to process the results of processing the data cube 504 by a first FFT, for example, by processing the results according to a second FFT along the chirp.

[0152] For example, the first FFT can be in the "fast time" direction, and the second FFT can be in the "slow time" direction.

[0153] In some exemplary aspects, such as when converged via antenna, the result of the second FFT can provide a range / Doppler (R / D) graph 505. The R / D graph may have FFT peaks 506, for example, peaks of the FFT output values ​​(expressed in absolute value) that include certain range / rate combinations (e.g., range / Doppler bins). For example, a range / Doppler bin may correspond to a range bin and a Doppler bin. For example, a radar processor 503 may consider the peaks as potentially corresponding to objects, for example, range and rate bins, with the peaks corresponding to range bins and rate bins.

[0154] In some exemplary aspects, Figure 5 The extraction scheme can be implemented for FMCW radar, for example, FMCW radar 400 ( Figure 4 As described above. In other respects, Figure 5 The extraction scheme can be implemented for any other type of radar. In one example, radar processor 503 can be configured to determine range / Doppler image 505 based on digital received data values ​​from PMCW radar, OFDM radar, or any other radar technology. For example, in adaptive or cognitive radar, the pulses, waveforms, and / or modulations in a frame can vary over time, such as according to environmental changes.

[0155] Re-reference Figure 3 In some exemplary aspects, the receiving antenna arrangement 303 may be implemented using a receiving antenna array having multiple receiving antennas (or receiving antenna elements). For example, the radar processor 309 may be configured to determine the received radio signal (e.g., echo 107). Figure 1 ) and / or echo 215 ( Figure 2 The angle of arrival of the received radio signal. For example, the radar processor 309 may be configured to determine the direction of the detected object, for example, relative to the device / system 301, based on the angle of arrival of the received radio signal, for example, as described below.

[0156] refer to Figure 6 It schematically illustrates an angle determination scheme that can be implemented based on some exemplary aspects to determine the angle of arrival (AoA) information based on incoming radio signals received by the receiving antenna array 600.

[0157] Figure 6 A scheme for determining the angle of the received signal at the receiving antenna array is described.

[0158] In some exemplary aspects, such as in virtual MIMO arrays, angle determination can also be based on signals transmitted by a Tx antenna array.

[0159] Figure 6 A one-dimensional angle determination scheme is described. Other multi-dimensional angle determination schemes, such as two-dimensional or three-dimensional schemes, can be implemented.

[0160] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, the receiving antenna array 600 may include M antennas (numbered 1 to M from left to right).

[0161] like Figure 6 As indicated by the arrows, assume the echo originates from an object located in the upper left direction. Therefore, the direction of the echo (e.g., an incoming radio signal) could be towards the lower right. Based on this example, the further left the receiving antenna is positioned, the earlier it will receive a certain phase of the incoming radio signal.

[0162] For example, the phase difference between two antennas of the receiving antenna array 600 (denoted as...) This can be determined, for example, as follows:

[0163]

[0164] Where λ represents the wavelength of the incoming radio signal, d represents the distance between the two antennas, and θ represents the angle of arrival of the incoming radio signal, for example, relative to the normal direction of the array.

[0165] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 309 ( Figure 3 It can be configured to utilize this relationship between the phase and angle of the incoming radio signal, for example, by performing an FFT (e.g., a third FFT (“angle FFT”)) on the antenna to determine the angle of arrival of the echo.

[0166] In some exemplary aspects, multiple transmit antennas (e.g., in the form of an antenna array with multiple transmit antennas) can be used, for example, to improve spatial resolution, such as to provide high-resolution radar information. For example, a MIMO radar device can utilize a virtual MIMO radar antenna, which can be formed as a convolution of multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas.

[0167] refer to Figure 7 It schematically illustrates a MIMO radar antenna scheme that can be implemented based on a combination of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) antennas according to some exemplary aspects.

[0168] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, a radar MIMO arrangement may include a transmitting antenna array 701 and a receiving antenna array 702. For example, one or more transmitting antennas 302 ( Figure 3 It can be implemented as including a transmitting antenna array 701, and / or one or more receiving antennas 303. Figure 3 It can be implemented as including a receiving antenna array 702.

[0169] In some exemplary aspects, multiple virtual channels can be provided using antenna arrays comprising multiple antennas that are used both to transmit radio signals and to receive echoes of those signals, such as... Figure 7 The diagram is illustrated by the dashed line. For example, a virtual channel can be formed as a convolution between a transmit antenna and a receive antenna (e.g., as a Kronecker product), which, for example, represents the virtual steering vector of a MIMO radar.

[0170] In some exemplary aspects, transmitting antennas (e.g., each transmitting antenna) may be configured to transmit individual radio transmission signals, for example, having a phase associated with the respective transmitting antenna.

[0171] For example, an array consisting of N transmit antennas and M receive antennas can be implemented to provide a virtual MIMO array of size N x M. For example, a virtual MIMO array can be formed by applying the Kronecker product operation based on the steering vectors Tx and Rx.

[0172] Figure 8 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating elements of a radar device 800 based on some exemplary aspects. For example, radar device 101 ( Figure 1 ), radar device 300 ( Figure 3 ) and / or radar device 400 ( Figure 4 It may include one or more elements of radar device 800, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of radar device 800.

[0173] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, the radar device 800 may include a radar front-end 804 and a radar processor 834. For example, the radar front-end 103 ( Figure 1 ), Radar front end 211 ( Figure 1 ), radar front end 304 ( Figure 3 ), Radar front end 401 ( Figure 4 ) and / or radar front end 502 ( Figure 5 It may include one or more elements of the radar front end 804, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the radar front end 804.

[0174] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front-end 804 may be implemented as part of a MIMO radar utilizing a MIMO radar antenna 881, which includes: a plurality of Tx antennas 814 configured to transmit a plurality of Tx RF signals (also referred to as “Tx radar signals”); and a plurality of Rx antennas 816 configured to receive, for example, a plurality of Rx RF signals (also referred to as “Rx radar signals”) based on the Tx radar signals, as described below, for example.

[0175] In some exemplary aspects, MIMO antenna arrays 881, 814, and / or 816 may comprise, or be part of, any type of antenna suitable for transmitting and / or receiving radar signals. For example, MIMO antenna arrays 881, 814, and / or 816 may be implemented as part of any suitable configuration, structure, and / or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies, and / or arrays. For example, MIMO antenna arrays 881, 814, and / or 816 may be implemented as part of a phased array antenna, a multi-element antenna, a set of beam-switching antennas, etc. In some aspects, MIMO antenna arrays 881, 814, and / or 816 may be implemented using separate transmit and receive antenna elements to support transmit and receive functionality. In some aspects, MIMO antenna arrays 881, 814, and / or 816 may be implemented using common and / or integrated transmit / receive elements to support transmit and receive functionality.

[0176] In some exemplary aspects, the MIMO radar antenna 881 may include a rectangular MIMO antenna array and / or, for example, a curved array shaped to suit the design of a vehicle.

[0177] In other respects, any other form, shape and / or arrangement of the MIMO radar antenna 881 can be realized.

[0178] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front end 804 may include one or more radio components configured to generate and transmit Tx RF signals via Tx antenna 814; and / or process Rx RF signals received via Rx antenna 816, for example, as described below.

[0179] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front end 804 may include at least one transmitter (Tx) 883, which includes circuitry and / or logic configured to generate and / or transmit Tx radar signals via Tx antenna 814.

[0180] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front end 804 may include at least one receiver (Rx) 885, which includes circuitry and / or logic for, for example, receiving and / or processing Rx radar signals received via Rx antenna 816 based on Tx radar signals.

[0181] In some exemplary aspects, transmitter 883 and / or receiver 885 may include circuitry; logic; radio frequency (RF) elements, circuitry and / or logic; baseband elements, circuitry and / or logic; modulation elements, circuitry and / or logic; demodulation elements, circuitry and / or logic; amplifiers; analog-to-digital converters and / or digital-to-analog converters; filters; and so on.

[0182] In some exemplary aspects, transmitter 883 may include a plurality of Tx chains 810 configured to generate and transmit Tx RF signals, for example, via Tx antenna 814 respectively; and / or receiver 885 may include a plurality of Rx chains 812 configured to receive and process Rx RF signals received via Rx antenna 816, for example.

[0183] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 834 can be configured to generate radar information 813, for example, based on radar signals transmitted by MIMO radar antenna 881, as described below. For example, radar processor 104 ( Figure 1 Radar processor 210 Figure 2 Radar processor 309 Figure 3 Radar processor 402 Figure 4 ) and / or radar processor 503 ( Figure 5 It may include one or more elements of radar processor 834, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of radar processor 834.

[0184] In some exemplary aspects, the radar processor 834 may be configured to generate radar information 813, for example, based on radar Rx data 811 received from multiple Rx chains 812. For example, the radar Rx data 811 may be based on radar Rx signals received via Rx antenna 816.

[0185] In some exemplary aspects, the radar processor 834 may include an input 832 to receive radar input data, such as radar Rx data 811 from multiple Rx chains 812.

[0186] In some exemplary aspects, the radar processor 834 may include, or may be partially or wholly implemented by, circuitry and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuitry and / or logic, memory circuitry and / or logic. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of the radar processor 834 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and / or one or more processors, for example, as described below.

[0187] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 834 may include at least one processor 836, which may be configured, for example, to process radar Rx data 811 and / or perform one or more operations, methods and / or algorithms.

[0188] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 834 may include at least one memory 838, for example, coupled to processor 836. For example, memory 838 may be configured to store data processed by radar processor 834. For example, memory 838 may store (e.g., at least temporarily) at least some of the information processed by processor 836 and / or logic to be utilized by processor 836.

[0189] In some exemplary aspects, the processor 836 may interface with the memory 838, for example, via the memory interface 839.

[0190] In some exemplary aspects, processor 836 may be configured to access memory 838, for example, to write data to memory 838 and / or read data from memory 838 via memory interface 839.

[0191] In some exemplary aspects, memory 838 may be configured to store at least a portion of radar data (e.g., some or all of the radar Rx data) for processing, for example, by processor 836, as described below.

[0192] In some exemplary aspects, memory 838 may be configured to store processed data, which may be generated by processor 836, for example, during the generation of radar information 813, as described below.

[0193] In some exemplary aspects, memory 838 may be configured to store range information and / or Doppler information that can be generated by processor 836, for example, based on radar Rx data. In one instance, the range information and / or Doppler information may be determined based on cross-correlation (XCORR) operations that can be applied to the radar Rx data. Any other additional or alternative operations, algorithms, and / or procedures may be used to generate the range information and / or Doppler information.

[0194] In some exemplary aspects, memory 838 may be configured to store AoA information that can be generated by processor 836, for example, based on radar Rx data, range information, and / or Doppler information. In one instance, AoA information may be determined based on an AoA estimation algorithm. Any other additional or alternative operations, algorithms, and / or procedures may be used to generate AoA information.

[0195] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 834 can be configured to generate radar information 813 including one or more of range information, Doppler information, and / or AoA information.

[0196] In some exemplary aspects, radar information 813 may include point cloud 1 (PC1) information, such as raw point cloud estimates, such as range, radial velocity, azimuth and / or elevation.

[0197] In some exemplary aspects, radar information 813 may include additional information, such as information that may be based on, for example, the original point cloud estimate, and / or may be related to the original point cloud estimate.

[0198] In some exemplary aspects, radar information 813 may include metadata information corresponding to the original point cloud estimate.

[0199] In some exemplary aspects, radar information 813 may include, for example, information related to the reliability level of the raw point cloud estimate, information related to one or more parameters, conditions and / or criteria implemented in determining the raw point cloud estimate, and / or any other suitable additional or alternative information.

[0200] For example, radar information 813 may include log-likelihood ratio (LLR) information corresponding to the original point cloud estimate, radar cross section (RCS) estimation information, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation information, and / or any other suitable additional or alternative information.

[0201] In some exemplary aspects, radar information 813 may include point cloud 2 (PC2) information, which may be generated, for example, based on PC1 information. For example, PC2 information may include clustering information, tracking information (e.g., tracking of probability and / or density functions), bounding box information, classification information, orientation information, etc. In one instance, PC2 information may be based on one or more temporal filtering techniques, for example, for temporal filtering of multiple frames and / or multiple PC1 instances, which may be applied to PC1 information.

[0202] In some exemplary aspects, radar information 813 may include target tracking information corresponding to multiple targets in the environment of radar device 800, for example, as described below.

[0203] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 834 may be configured to generate radar information 813 in the form of four-dimensional (4D) image information (e.g., cube), which may represent 4D information corresponding to one or more detected targets.

[0204] In some exemplary aspects, 4D image information may include, for example, range values ​​based on range information, velocity values ​​based on Doppler information, azimuth values ​​based on azimuth AoA information, elevation values ​​based on elevation AoA information, and / or any other values.

[0205] In some exemplary aspects, radar processor 834 may be configured to generate radar information 813 in any other form and / or including any other additional or alternative information.

[0206] In some exemplary aspects, the radar processor 834 can be configured to process signals transmitted via the MIMO radar antenna 881 into signals of a virtual MIMO array formed by convolution of multiple Rx antennas 816 and multiple Tx antennas 814.

[0207] In some exemplary aspects, the radar front-end 804 and / or radar processor 834 may be configured to utilize MIMO technology, for example, to support a reduced physical array aperture (e.g., array size), and / or to utilize a reduced number of antenna elements. For example, the radar front-end 804 and / or radar processor 834 may be configured to transmit orthogonal signals via one or more Tx arrays 824 comprising N elements (e.g., Tx antenna 814), and process received signals via one or more Rx arrays 826 comprising M elements (e.g., Rx antenna 816).

[0208] In some exemplary aspects, MIMO technology, which transmits orthogonal signals from a Tx array 824 with N elements and processes the received signals in an Rx array 826 with M elements, can be equivalent, for example, in the far-field approximation, to a radar that transmits from a single antenna and receives using N*M antennas. For example, the radar front-end 804 and / or the radar processor 834 can be configured to utilize a MIMO antenna array 881 as a virtual array with an equivalent array size of N*M, where the positions of virtual elements can be defined, for example, as convolutions of the positions of physical elements (e.g., antennas 814 and / or 816).

[0209] In some exemplary aspects, the radar system may include multiple radar units 800. For example, a vehicle 100 ( Figure 1 It may include multiple radar devices 800, such as those described below.

[0210] refer to Figure 9 The illustration schematically depicts a radar system 901 implemented in a vehicle 900 according to some exemplary aspects, the radar system comprising a plurality of radio head (RH) radar devices (also referred to as RH) 910.

[0211] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, multiple RH radar devices 910 may be located at multiple locations, for example, around the vehicle 900, to provide radar sensing with a large field of view around the vehicle 900, for example, as described below.

[0212] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, the plurality of RH radar devices 910 may include, for example, six RH radar devices 910, as described below.

[0213] In some exemplary aspects, multiple RH radar devices 910 may be located at multiple locations, for example, surrounding the vehicle 900, and these multiple locations may be configured to support 360-degree radar sensing, for example, a 360-degree field of view around the vehicle 900, as described below.

[0214] In one instance, 360-degree radar sensing can provide a radar-based view of virtually all the surrounding environment of a vehicle 900, as described below, for example.

[0215] In other respects, the plurality of RH radar devices 910 may include any other number of RH radar devices 910, for example, fewer than six radar devices or more than six radar devices.

[0216] In other respects, the plurality of RH radar devices 910 may be located at any other location and / or arranged in any other manner, which may support radar sensing of any other field of view surrounding the vehicle 900, such as 360-degree radar sensing or any other field of view.

[0217] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle 900 may include a first RH radar device 902 located at the front of the vehicle 900, for example, the front RH.

[0218] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle 900 may include a second RH radar device 904 located at the rear of the vehicle 900, for example, at the rear RH.

[0219] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle 900 may include one or more RH radar devices located at one or more corresponding corners of the vehicle 900. For example, the vehicle 900 may include a first corner RH radar device 912 located at a first corner of the vehicle 900, a second corner RH radar device 914 located at a second corner of the vehicle 900, a third corner RH radar device 916 located at a third corner of the vehicle 900, and / or a fourth corner RH radar device 918 located at a fourth corner of the vehicle 900.

[0220] In some exemplary aspects, vehicle 900 may include Figure 9 One, some, or all of the plurality of RH radar devices 910 shown. For example, a vehicle 900 may include a front RH radar device 902 and / or a rear RH radar device 904.

[0221] In other respects, the vehicle 900 may include any additional or alternative radar devices, for example, located at any other additional or alternative locations surrounding the vehicle 900. In one example, the vehicle 900 may include, for example, a side radar located on the side of the vehicle 900.

[0222] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle 900 may include a radar system controller 950 configured to control one or more (e.g., some or all) of the RH radar devices 910.

[0223] In some exemplary aspects, at least some of the functionality of the radar system controller 950 may be implemented by a dedicated controller (e.g., a dedicated system controller or a central controller), which may be separate from the RH radar device 910 and may be configured to control some or all of the RH radar device 910.

[0224] In some exemplary aspects, at least some of the functionality of the radar system controller 950 can be implemented as part of at least one RH radar device 910.

[0225] In some exemplary aspects, at least some of the functionality of the radar system controller 950 can be implemented by the radar processor of the RH radar device 910. For example, radar processor 834 ( Figure 8 It may include one or more elements of the radar system controller 950, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the radar system controller 950.

[0226] In some exemplary aspects, at least some of the functionality of the radar system controller 950 can be implemented by the system controller of the vehicle 900. For example, the vehicle controller 108 ( Figure 1 It may include one or more elements of the radar system controller 950, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the radar system controller 950.

[0227] In other respects, one or more functions of the system controller 950 may be implemented as part of any other component of the vehicle 900.

[0228] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, one of the plurality of RH radar devices 910 may include a baseband processor 930 (also referred to as a "baseband processing unit (BPU)"), which may be configured to control the transmission of radar signals by the RH radar device 910 and / or process the radar signals transmitted by the RH radar device 910. For example, the baseband processor 930 may include a radar processor 834 ( Figure 8 One or more elements of ), and / or an executable radar processor 834 ( Figure 8 One or more operations and / or functionalities of ( ).

[0229] In other respects, one of the multiple RH radar devices 910 may exclude one or more (e.g., some or all) functionalities of the baseband processor 930. For example, the controller 950 may be configured to perform one or more (e.g., some or all) functionalities of the baseband processor 930 for the RH.

[0230] In one instance, controller 950 can be configured to perform baseband processing for all RH radar devices 910, and all RH radio devices 910 can be implemented without baseband processor 930.

[0231] In another instance, controller 950 may be configured to perform baseband processing for one or more first RH radar devices 910, and one or more first RH radio devices 910 may be implemented without baseband processor 930; and / or one or more second RH radar devices 910 may be implemented using one or more functionalities (e.g., some or all of the functionalities) of baseband processor 930.

[0232] In another instance, one or more (e.g., some or all) RH radar devices 910 may be implemented using one or more (e.g., some or all) functionalities of the baseband processor 930.

[0233] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processor 930 may include one or more components and / or elements configured to digitally process radar signals transmitted by the RH radar device 910, for example, as described below.

[0234] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processor 930 may include one or more FFT engines, matrix multiplication engines, DSP processors and / or any other additional or alternative baseband (e.g., digital) processing components.

[0235] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9 As shown, the RH radar device 910 may include a memory 932, which may be configured to store data processed by and / or to be processed by the baseband processor 930. For example, the memory 932 may include a memory 838 ( Figure 8 One or more elements of ) and / or executable memory 838 ( Figure 8 One or more operations and / or functionalities of ( ).

[0236] In some exemplary aspects, memory 932 may include internal memory, and / or an interface for one or more external memories (e.g., external double data rate (DDR) memory) and / or any other type of memory.

[0237] In other respects, one of the multiple RH radar devices 910 may exclude the memory 932. For example, the RH radar device 910 may be configured to provide radar data to the controller 950, for example, in the form of raw radar data.

[0238] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 9As shown, the RH radar device 910 may include one or more RF units, for example, in the form of one or more RF integrated chips (RFICs) 920, which may be configured to transmit radar signals, for example, as described below.

[0239] For example, RFIC 920 may include a front-end 804 ( Figure 8 One or more components of ) and / or an executable front-end 804 ( Figure 8 One or more operations and / or functionalities of ( ).

[0240] In some exemplary aspects, multiple RFIC 920s may be able to operate to form a radar antenna array comprising one or more Tx antenna arrays and one or more Rx antenna arrays.

[0241] For example, multiple RFIC 920s may be able to operate to form a Tx array 824 ( Figure 8 ) and / or Rx array 826 ( Figure 8 MIMO radar antenna 881 ( Figure 8 ).

[0242] In some exemplary aspects, the radar performance of a radar apparatus can be affected by one or more properties of the radar apparatus's antenna array. For example, the polarization and / or one or more other properties of the antenna array can be based on, for example, one or more properties of one or more array elements of the antenna array and / or on the size of the antenna array.

[0243] For example, when implementing a phased array antenna with a polarization configuration, one or more technical problems, drawbacks, and / or inefficiencies may exist, where the polarization configuration is fixed and / or identical across all antenna elements of the phased array antenna. For example, such a phased array antenna may have a fixed polarization that cannot be changed and / or adjusted. For example, even when the polarization of each element is fixed, the polarization of the phased array antenna may depend on the observation angle or steering angle of the phased array antenna. For example, this could be a result of polarization variations on the radiation pattern of each element of the phased array antenna.

[0244] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described polarization control mechanism can be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functionalities of a polarization control mechanism, which can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting the control of the polarization of a transmitted signal transmitted by a radar device, for example, as described below.

[0245] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9The described structure can be configured to implement a configurable polarization architecture, which can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting control of the polarization of transmitted signals, for example, as described below.

[0246] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described structure can be configured to implement, for example, a configurable polarization architecture for a phased array antenna implemented by a radar device. For example, the configurable polarization architecture can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting, for example, controlling the polarization of transmitted signals via a phased array antenna, as described below.

[0247] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described can be configured, for example, as part of a dual amplifier RF front end or as a dual amplifier RF front end to implement a configurable polarization architecture, for example, as described below.

[0248] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described polarization control mechanism can be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functionalities of the polarization control mechanism, which can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting the control (e.g., dynamic control) of the polarization of the antenna array, as described below.

[0249] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described polarization control mechanism can be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functionalities of a polarization control mechanism, which can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting, for example, controlling the polarization of an antenna array according to multiple polarization settings, as described below.

[0250] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control mechanism can be configured to support, for example, controlling the polarization of the antenna array according to multiple polarization settings, which may include one or more linear polarization settings, such as vertical polarization, horizontal polarization and / or any other suitable type and / or orientation of linear polarization, for example, as described below.

[0251] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control mechanism can be configured to support, for example, controlling the polarization of the antenna array according to multiple polarization settings, which may include one or more circular polarization settings, such as left-hand circular polarization, right-hand circular polarization and / or any other suitable type and / or orientation of circular polarization, for example, as described below.

[0252] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control mechanism can be configured to support, for example, controlling the polarization of the antenna array according to multiple polarization settings, which may include one or more elliptic polarization settings, for example, as described below.

[0253] In other respects, the polarization control mechanism can be configured to support controlling the polarization of the antenna array based on any other additional or alternative types of polarization settings.

[0254] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control mechanism can be configured to support the control of the polarization of the antenna array, for example, based on virtually any possible polarization setting within a predefined polarization range, as described below.

[0255] In some exemplary aspects, polarization control mechanisms can be configured to control the polarization of an antenna array based on substantially any linear orientation within a predefined linear polarization range, for example, as described below.

[0256] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control mechanism can be configured to control the polarization of the antenna array based on substantially any circular polarization within a predefined range of circular polarization, for example, as described below.

[0257] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control mechanism can be configured to control the polarization of the antenna array based on substantially any elliptic polarization within a predefined range of elliptic polarization, for example, as described below.

[0258] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described (as described) can be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functionalities of a polarization control mechanism, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting dynamic control of the polarization of an antenna array, for example, according to one or more radar communication and / or processing settings and / or requirements, as described below.

[0259] For example, the antenna array of a radar device can be configured such that the receiving (received) polarization of the Rx antenna array used to receive Rx radar signals can be substantially aligned with the transmitting (transmitted) polarization of the Tx antenna array used to transmit Tx radar signals.

[0260] In some exemplary aspects, for example, in some use cases or scenarios, polarization control mechanisms can be implemented, for example, to align the receiving polarization of the Rx antenna array with, for example, the cross polarization based on the Tx antenna array, to provide a technical solution for supporting the extraction of additional information.

[0261] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9The described method can be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functionalities of a polarization control mechanism, which can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting, for example, correction of cross-polarization based on the observation angle in the field of view of the antenna array of a radar device, to improve the cross-polarization suppression ratio, as described below.

[0262] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described can be configured to implement a configurable polarization architecture, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting, for example, control of the polarization of an antenna array based on substantially any possible polarization within a predefined polarization range, as described below.

[0263] In some exemplary aspects, the configurable polarization architecture may be based on a front end, such as an improved front end, which may be configured to include a dual amplifier front end, for example, as described below.

[0264] In one instance, such as when implemented as part of a transmitter front end, a configurable polarization architecture may include a dual power amplifier (PA) architecture, for example, as described below.

[0265] In another instance, such as when implemented as part of a receiver front end, a configurable polarization architecture may include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) architecture, for example, as described below.

[0266] In some exemplary aspects, a configurable polarization architecture may include two paths that can be configured to transmit signals via two antenna ports with different polarizations, for example, as described below.

[0267] For example, the first path of the configurable polarization architecture may include a first amplifier, which may be configured to amplify a signal transmitted via a first antenna port corresponding to the first polarization, for example, as described below.

[0268] For example, the second path of the configurable polarization architecture may include a second amplifier, which can be configured to amplify a signal transmitted via a second antenna port corresponding to the second polarization, which may be different from the first polarization, for example, as described below.

[0269] In some exemplary aspects, the first and second paths of the configurable polarization architecture can be configured to connect to two respective antenna ports of a dual-polarized antenna element of an antenna array, for example, as part of a phased array antenna, as described below.

[0270] In some exemplary aspects, the first and second paths of the configurable polarization architecture can be configured to connect to the antenna ports of two respective antenna elements of the antenna array, for example, as described below.

[0271] In some exemplary aspects, the RF chain of the RF front end (e.g., each RF chain) may include two amplifiers that can be connected to two corresponding antenna ports corresponding to different polarizations, for example, as described below.

[0272] In some exemplary aspects, the Rx RF chain of the Rx RF front end (e.g., each Rx RF chain) may include two LNAs that can be connected to two corresponding antenna ports corresponding to different polarizations, for example, as described below.

[0273] For example, signals amplified by two LNAs can be combined, for example, by a power combiner, as described below.

[0274] In some exemplary aspects, the Tx RF chain of the Tx RF front end (e.g., each Tx RF chain) may include two PAs that can be connected to two corresponding antenna ports corresponding to different polarizations, for example, as described below.

[0275] For example, the Tx signal of a Tx RF chain can be split into two Tx signals by a power splitter to provide to the PA, for example, as described below.

[0276] In some exemplary aspects, the configurable polarization architecture may include a phase shifter and / or a phase rotator that can be configured to apply a phase offset between a first path and a second path, for example, as described below.

[0277] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be implemented to provide technical solutions for supporting, for example, setting the polarization of a dual-port antenna in an antenna array (e.g., independently of other antenna elements in the antenna array) by connecting a first path and a second path to the first antenna port and the second antenna port of the dual-port antenna.

[0278] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting, for example, “fully polarized receivers / transmitters” and / or “fully polarized phased array radars” that can be configured, for example, on the fly, according to the selected polarization of the antenna elements and / or the entire array, as described below.

[0279] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting different polarizations of the transmitter and receiver. For example, in some use cases, such as to provide technical solutions for extracting additional information about a target, it may be advantageous to use the receiver polarization (which can essentially be a cross-polarization of the transmitter polarization) for receiving, compared to scenarios where the receiver polarization is aligned with the transmitter polarization.

[0280] In one instance, the scattering pattern of a target under the first polarization may, in many cases, differ from the scattering pattern of the same target under the second polarization (e.g., a polarization orthogonal to the first polarization).

[0281] In another instance, the scattering pattern of the environment (e.g., the ground) can be attenuated, for example, by using a specific polarization.

[0282] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be implemented to provide technical solutions for supporting configurable polarization of transmitters and / or receivers, for example, to support the transmission of signals under a first polarization and the reception of reflected signals based on the transmitted signals under a second polarization that is different from (e.g., orthogonal to) the first polarization.

[0283] In some exemplary aspects, a configurable polarization architecture can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting the setting of the polarization (e.g., independent of other antenna elements) of antenna elements (e.g., each antenna element) in an antenna array. Therefore, a configurable polarization architecture can be implemented to provide a technical solution for supporting, for example, automatic correction of the co-polarization and / or cross-polarization performance of a phased array antenna based on a desired observation angle and / or a steering angle. For example, a configurable polarization architecture can be implemented to provide a technical solution for supporting, for example, automatic correction of the co-polarization and / or cross-polarization performance of a phased array antenna for substantially any polarization (e.g., linear polarization, circular polarization, and / or elliptical polarization), as described below.

[0284] For example, with the polarization of each element fixed, the polarization of a phased array antenna can depend on the observation angle or steering angle of the phased array antenna. For example, this could be the result of polarization variations on the radiation pattern of each element of the phased array antenna.

[0285] In some exemplary aspects, radar devices (e.g., as referenced above) Figures 1 to 9 The described (as described) can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting, for example, low-cost and / or flexible architectures for controlling the polarization of transmitted signals in multimodal systems, as described below.

[0286] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting the polarization of antenna elements based on substantially any polarization among all polarizations in a predefined polarization range, for example, as described below.

[0287] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting antenna elements that switch between substantially any polarization in supported polarizations (e.g., substantially instantaneous switching), for example, as described below.

[0288] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be configured to provide technical solutions for configurable polarization of antennas (e.g., Rx antennas and / or Tx antennas) supporting radar systems, such as to improve the sensitivity of radar systems in response to, for example, radar cross section (RCS) polarization changes, clutter, and / or multipath suppression.

[0289] In some exemplary aspects, configurable polarization architectures can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting improved overall performance of radar perception, for example, by performing measurements using different polarizations, and by filtering and enhancing output information (e.g., point cloud information) by, for example, a tracker.

[0290] refer to Figure 10 The schematic diagram illustrates system 1000 based on some exemplary aspects.

[0291] In some exemplary aspects, one or more components of system 1000 may be implemented as part of a radar device. For example, radar device 800 ( Figure 8 It may include one or more elements of system 1000, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of system 1000.

[0292] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 can be implemented as part of any other suitable device and / or system.

[0293] For example, in some exemplary aspects, system 1000 may be implemented as part of an apparatus (e.g., a mobile device, a computing device, and / or a wireless communication device), for example, to transmit RF wireless communication signals.

[0294] For example, in some exemplary aspects, the system 1000 may be implemented to transmit RF wireless communication signals via millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies and / or any other suitable frequencies.

[0295] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 may include polarization control circuitry system 1002, which may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to polarization setting 1005, as described below.

[0296] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuitry system 1002 may include a first RF path 1010, for example, as described below.

[0297] In some exemplary aspects, the first RF path 1010 may be configured to transmit, for example, a first RF signal 1015 corresponding to the transmitted signal via a first antenna port 1032, for example, according to a first polarization, as described below.

[0298] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuitry system 1002 may include a second RF path 1020, for example, as described below.

[0299] In some exemplary aspects, the second RF path 1020 may be configured, for example, to transmit a second RF signal 1025 corresponding to the transmitted signal via a second RF port 1034, for example, according to a second polarization, as described below.

[0300] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuitry system 1002 may include a phase shift circuitry system 1008, which may be configured to apply a phase shift between a first RF signal 1015 in a first RF path 1010 and a second RF signal 1025 in a second RF path 1020, for example, as described below.

[0301] In some exemplary aspects, the phase shifting circuit system 1008 may include at least one phase shifter in at least one of the first RF path 1010 or the second RF path 1020, for example, as described below.

[0302] In some exemplary aspects, the phase shifting circuit system 1008 may include a first path phase shifter 1012 in the first RF path 1010, for example, as described below.

[0303] In some exemplary aspects, the phase shifting circuit system 1008 may include a second path phase shifter 1022 in the second RF path 1020, for example, as described below.

[0304] In some exemplary aspects, the phase shifting circuit system 1008 may include a first path phase shifter 1012 in the first RF path 1010 and a second path phase shifter 1022 in the second RF path 1020, for example, as described below.

[0305] In other respects, the phase shifting circuit system 1008 may include a first path phase shifter 1012 in the first RF path 1010, for example, while excluding the second path phase shifter 1022 from the second RF path 1020.

[0306] In other respects, the phase shifting circuit system 1008 may include a second path phase shifter 1022 in the second RF path 1020, for example, while excluding the first path phase shifter 1012 from the first RF path 1010.

[0307] In some exemplary aspects, polarization control circuitry system 1002 may include controller 1040, which may be configured to configure phase offset circuitry system 1008, for example, as described below.

[0308] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured, for example, based on polarization setting 1005 to configure the phase offset circuitry 1008, for example, to apply a phase offset, as described below.

[0309] In some exemplary aspects, the first polarization may be orthogonal to the second polarization, for example, as described below.

[0310] In other respects, the first and second polarizations can be any other polarizations, such as non-orthogonal polarizations.

[0311] In some exemplary aspects, the first polarization may include vertical (V) polarization, for example, as described below.

[0312] In some exemplary aspects, the second polarization can be horizontal (H) polarization, for example, as described below.

[0313] For example, horizontal polarization and / or vertical polarization can be defined relative to the ground. In one instance, horizontal polarization and / or vertical polarization can be defined relative to a road, for example, in the case of a polarized antenna implemented by a vehicle. For example, horizontal polarization can be in a plane substantially parallel to the horizon (e.g., parallel to the road); and / or vertical polarization can be in a plane substantially perpendicular to the horizon (e.g., perpendicular to the road).

[0314] In other respects, the first polarization and / or the second polarization may include any other polarization.

[0315] In some exemplary aspects, the first RF path 1010 may be configured to transmit the first RF signal 1015 via the first antenna port 1032 of the dual-polarized antenna element 1031, for example, as described below.

[0316] In some exemplary aspects, the second RF path 1020 may be configured to transmit the second RF signal 1025 via the second antenna port 1034 of the dual-polarized antenna element 1031, for example, as described below.

[0317] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 may include antenna array 1030, which includes a plurality of dual-polarized antenna elements 1031, for example, as described below.

[0318] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 10 As shown, antenna ports 1032 and 1034 may belong to the same antenna element 1031, for example, as described above.

[0319] In other respects, antenna ports 1032 and 1034 may belong to a separate antenna element 1031, for example, as described below.

[0320] In some exemplary aspects, the first RF path 1010 may be configured to transmit the first RF signal 1015 via the first antenna port 1032 of the first antenna element 1031, for example, as described below.

[0321] In some exemplary aspects, the second RF path 1020 may be configured to transmit a second RF signal 1025 via a second antenna port 1034 of the second antenna element 1031, for example, as described below.

[0322] In some exemplary aspects, antenna array 1030 may include a plurality of antenna elements 1031, including a first antenna element and a second antenna element 1031, for example, as described below.

[0323] In one instance, the first antenna element and the second antenna element may be located on the same aperture or on separate apertures.

[0324] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to a plurality of polarization settings 1005, as described below.

[0325] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 may include processor 1024, such as radar processor 1024, which may be configured to determine polarization settings 1005, for example, as described below. For example, radar processor 834 ( Figure 8 It may include one or more elements of radar processor 1024, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of radar processor 1024.

[0326] In some exemplary aspects, processor 1042 may be configured to determine polarization setting 1005, for example, based on the steering angle of antenna array 1030 capable of transmitting transmitted signals, as described below.

[0327] In other respects, the processor 1042 may be configured to determine the polarization setting 1005, for example, based on any other additional and / or alternative parameters, criteria, conditions, and / or methods.

[0328] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuitry 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to substantially any polarization setting 1005 within a predefined polarization range, as described below.

[0329] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to a linear polarization setting, as described below.

[0330] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to substantially any linear polarization setting within a predefined linear polarization range, as described below.

[0331] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to a selected linear polarization setting among a plurality of linear polarization settings, as described below.

[0332] In some exemplary aspects, multiple linear polarization settings may include vertical (V) polarization settings, horizontal (H) polarization settings, and 45-degree linear polarization settings, for example, as described below.

[0333] In other respects, multiple linear polarization settings may include any other additional and / or alternative linear polarization settings.

[0334] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to a circular polarization (CP) setting, as described below.

[0335] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to substantially any CP setting within a predefined circular polarization range, as described below.

[0336] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to a selected CP setting among a plurality of circular polarization settings, as described below.

[0337] In some exemplary aspects, multiple circular polarization settings may include clockwise (CW) CP settings and counterclockwise (CCW) CP settings, for example, as described below.

[0338] In other respects, multiple circular polarization settings may include any other additional and / or alternative CP settings.

[0339] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to elliptic polarization, as described below.

[0340] In one instance, elliptic polarization may include CW elliptic polarization. In another instance, elliptic polarization may include CCW elliptic polarization.

[0341] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, based on substantially any elliptic polarization within a predefined range of elliptic polarization, as described below.

[0342] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, according to a selected elliptic polarization setting among a plurality of elliptic polarization settings, as described below.

[0343] In some exemplary aspects, the phase offset circuit system 1008 may be configured to apply substantially any phase offset within a predefined phase offset range corresponding to, for example, a polarization setting range, as described below.

[0344] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured, for example, to configure the phase offset circuitry 1008 to apply a first phase offset based on a first polarization setting 1005, for example, as described below.

[0345] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured, for example, to configure the phase offset circuitry 1008 to apply a second phase offset based on the second polarization setting 1005, for example, as described below.

[0346] In some exemplary aspects, the first polarization setting 1005 may differ from the second polarization setting 1005, for example, as described below.

[0347] In some exemplary aspects, the first phase offset may differ from the second phase offset, for example, as described below.

[0348] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization of the transmitted signal may be based, for example, on a first polarization, a second polarization, and a phase shift, as described below.

[0349] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization of the transmitted signal may be based, for example, on a combination of a first polarization and a second polarization according to a phase shift, as described below.

[0350] In some exemplary aspects, the first path phase shifter 1012 may be configured to apply a first path phase shift to a first RF signal 1015 in the first RF path 1010, for example, as described below.

[0351] In some exemplary aspects, the second path phase shifter 1022 may be configured to apply a second path phase shift to a second RF signal 1025 in the second RF path 1020, for example, as described below.

[0352] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured, for example, to configure the first path phase shifter 1012 to apply a first path phase shift and to configure the second path phase shifter 1012 to apply a second path phase shift based on the polarization setting 1005, for example, as described below.

[0353] In some exemplary aspects, at least one phase of the first phase shifter 1012 or the second phase shifter 1022 may include a switchable phase shifter, for example, as described below.

[0354] In some exemplary aspects, a switchable phase shifter may be able to switch between multiple predefined phase shifter settings corresponding to multiple predefined phase shifts, for example, as described below.

[0355] In some exemplary aspects, a switchable phase shifter may include an inductor (L) capacitor (C) (LC) circuit, for example, as described below.

[0356] In other respects, switchable phase shifters may include any other additional or alternative types of circuitry.

[0357] In other respects, the first phase shifter 1012 and / or the second phase shifter 1022 may include any other type of phase shifter.

[0358] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured, for example, to set a switchable phase shifter to a selected phase shifter setting among a plurality of predefined phase shifter settings based on polarization setting 1005, for example, as described below.

[0359] In some exemplary aspects, multiple predefined phase shift settings may include three predefined phase shift settings, for example, as described below.

[0360] In other respects, multiple predefined phase shift settings may include any other count of predefined phase shift settings.

[0361] In some exemplary aspects, a switchable phase shifter may include multiple phase shifter paths corresponding to multiple predefined phase shifter settings, for example, as described below.

[0362] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured to, for example, switch a switchable phase shifter to a selected phase shifter path among a plurality of phase shifter paths based on predefined phase shift settings, as described below.

[0363] In some exemplary aspects, at least one phase shifter of the first phase shifter 1012 or the second phase shifter 1022 may include a variable phase shifter, for example, as described below.

[0364] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may implement at least one variable phase shifter, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting multiple circular polarization settings (e.g., any circular polarization setting within a predefined range of circular polarization) and / or supporting multiple elliptical polarization settings (e.g., any elliptical polarization within a predefined range of elliptical polarization), for example, as described below.

[0365] In some exemplary aspects, at least one phase shifter of the first phase shifter 1012 or the second phase shifter 1022 may include a phase rotator, for example, as described below.

[0366] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may implement at least one phase rotator, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting multiple circular polarization settings (e.g., any circular polarization setting within a predefined range of circular polarization) and / or supporting multiple elliptical polarization settings (e.g., any elliptical polarization within a predefined range of elliptical polarization), for example, as described below.

[0367] In some exemplary aspects, at least one of the RF paths in the first RF path 1010 or the second RF path 1020 may include an amplifier, for example, as described below.

[0368] In some exemplary aspects, the first RF path 1010 may include an amplifier 1014 to amplify the first RF signal 1015, for example, as described below.

[0369] In some exemplary aspects, amplifier 1014 may be implemented between antenna port 1032 and phase shifter 1012, for example, as described below.

[0370] In some exemplary aspects, the second RF path 1020 may include an amplifier 1024 to amplify the second RF signal 1025, for example, as described below.

[0371] In some exemplary aspects, amplifier 1024 may be implemented between antenna port 1034 and phase shifter 1022, for example, as described below.

[0372] In some exemplary aspects, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may utilize amplifiers 1014 and / or 1024, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting multiple linear polarization settings (e.g., any linear polarization setting within a predefined linear polarization range (e.g., ±90° or any other polarization range)), as described below, for example.

[0373] For example, the polarization control circuit system 1002 may be configured to control amplifier 1014 to amplify the first RF signal 1015, for example, by setting a scaling factor of 0.5 for a vertically polarized antenna, and to control amplifier 1024 to amplify the second RF signal 1025, for example, by setting a scaling factor of 0.866 for a horizontally polarized antenna, for example, to set a linear polarization of 30° along a line intersecting the horizon of the transmitted signal.

[0374] In one example, polarization control circuitry system 1002 may include amplifier 1014 and / or amplifier 1024, for example, to provide a technical solution for addressing losses in RF circuitry systems that may be introduced by one or more elements of system 1000 (e.g., phase offset circuitry system 1008 and / or power splitter or combiner).

[0375] In some exemplary aspects, at least one of the amplifiers in the first amplifier 1014 or the second amplifier 1024 may include an adjustable amplifier, for example, as described below.

[0376] In some exemplary aspects, the first amplifier 1014 may include an adjustable amplifier, such as those described below.

[0377] In some exemplary aspects, the second amplifier 1024 may include an adjustable amplifier, such as those described below.

[0378] In one instance, the adjustable amplifier may include a controlled amplifier or a controlled attenuator that can be implemented by weighted circuitry, such as those described below.

[0379] In some exemplary aspects, controller 1040 may be configured to configure adjustable amplifiers (e.g., first amplifier 1014 and / or second amplifier 1024) based, for example, on the gain difference to be applied between a first RF signal 1015 in a first RF path 1010 and a second RF signal 1025 in a second RF path 1020, as described below.

[0380] In some exemplary aspects, the gain difference may be based, for example, on polarization setting 1005, as described below.

[0381] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 may include processing circuitry system 1006 which may be connected to a first RF path 1010 and a second RF path 1020, for example, as described below.

[0382] In some exemplary aspects, the processing circuitry 1006 may be configured to process the transmitted signal, for example, based on the polarization setting 1005, as described below.

[0383] In some exemplary aspects, the processing circuit system 1006 may include an RF processing circuit system, for example, as described below.

[0384] In some exemplary aspects, the processing circuitry 1006 may include a baseband processor, for example, as described below.

[0385] In other respects, the processing circuit system 1006 may include any other type of processing circuit system.

[0386] In some exemplary aspects, the transmitted signal may include a Tx signal, for example, as described below.

[0387] In some exemplary aspects, the first RF signal 1015 and the second RF signal 1025 may, for example, be based on a split of the Tx signal, as described below.

[0388] For example, the first RF signal 1015 may include a first Tx signal, and the second RF signal 1025 may include a second Tx signal that may be based on the Tx signal.

[0389] In some exemplary aspects, for example when the transmitted signal includes a Tx signal, the first RF path 1010 may include a first PA for amplifying the first RF signal 1015 to be transmitted via the first antenna port 1032, for example, as described below.

[0390] In some exemplary aspects, such as in a specific implementation where the transmitted signal includes a Tx signal, the second RF path 1020 may include a second PA for amplifying the second RF signal 1025 to be transmitted via the second antenna port 1034, for example, as described below.

[0391] For example, in a specific implementation where the transmitted signal includes a Tx signal, the first amplifier 1014 may include a first PA, and / or the second amplifier 1024 may include a second PA, for example, as described below.

[0392] In some exemplary aspects, the transmitted signal may include a received (Rx) signal, for example, as described below.

[0393] In some exemplary aspects, the Rx signal may be based, for example, on a combination of the first RF signal 1015 and the second RF signal 1025, as described below.

[0394] For example, the first RF signal 1015 may include a first Rx signal, and the second RF signal 1025 may include a second Rx signal.

[0395] In some exemplary aspects, such as in a particular implementation where the transmitted signal includes an Rx signal, the first RF path 1010 may include a first LNA for amplifying the first RF signal 1015 received via the first antenna port 1032, for example, as described below.

[0396] In some exemplary aspects, such as in a particular implementation where the transmitted signal includes an Rx signal, the second RF path 1020 may include a second LNA for amplifying the second RF signal 1025 received via the second antenna port 1034, for example, as described below.

[0397] For example, in a particular embodiment where the transmitted signal includes an Rx signal, the first amplifier 1014 may include a first LNA, and / or the second amplifier 1024 may include a second LNA, for example, as described below.

[0398] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 10 As shown, system 1000 can be implemented according to an architecture that may include a connection between polarization control circuitry system 1002 and dual-polarized antenna element 1031, for example, to support dynamic changes in the polarization of dual-polarized antenna element 1031, such as as described above.

[0399] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 may be implemented according to an architecture that may include a connection of a first RF path 1010 of polarization control circuitry system 1002 to a port of a first antenna element and a connection of a second RF path 1020 of polarization control circuitry system 1002 to a port of a second antenna element. For example, this architecture may be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting dynamic changes in the polarization of two antenna elements. For example, the two antenna elements may have different linear polarizations. For example, the two antenna elements may not be in the same location and / or may not be concentric.

[0400] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 may be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting substantially any linear polarization and / or circular polarization, for example, based on any observation angle of antenna array 1030. For example, system 1000 may be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting the correction of any linear polarization and / or circular polarization (e.g., similar to the correction of co-polarization or cross-polarization), for example, as described above.

[0401] In some exemplary aspects, System 1000 can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting virtually any polarization within a predefined polarization range, such as enhancing the performance of systems implementing RF signal transmission and / or covering a wider field of view, for example, even without virtually any performance and / or SNR degradation, while maintaining full flexibility.

[0402] In some exemplary aspects, System 1000 can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting substantially any polarization within a predefined polarization range for RF signal transmission using a phased array antenna. For example, System 1000 can be implemented to support RF communications performed by radar applications, positioning applications, satellite applications, communication applications, unmanned aerial vehicle applications, etc.

[0403] In some exemplary aspects, system 1000 can be configured to provide technical solutions for supporting systems utilizing dual polarization and / or circular polarization. For example, system 1000 can be implemented to support RF communications performed by satellite communication systems (e.g., using fixed ground stations, mobile stations and / or customer site equipment, satellite navigation systems, retransmission links, etc.).

[0404] refer to Figure 11 The illustration schematically depicts a dual-polarized antenna array 1100 that can be implemented according to some exemplary aspects.

[0405] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the dual-polarized antenna array 1100 may include a plurality of dual-polarized antenna elements 1101.

[0406] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the dual-polarized antenna element 1101 may include a first antenna port 1132 and a second antenna port 1134.

[0407] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the first antenna port 1132 may correspond to a first polarization, such as horizontal polarization.

[0408] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the second antenna port 1134 can correspond to a second polarization, such as vertical polarization.

[0409] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the first antenna port 1132 can be perpendicular to the second antenna port 1134.

[0410] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, vertical polarization can be perpendicular to horizontal polarization.

[0411] In some exemplary aspects, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It can be configured, for example, to transmit a first RF signal 1015 via a first antenna port 1132 according to horizontal polarization. Figure 10 ).

[0412] In some exemplary aspects, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It can be configured, for example, to transmit a second RF signal 1025 via the second antenna port 1134 according to vertical polarization. Figure 10 ).

[0413] In some exemplary aspects, the dual-polarized antenna element 1101 may support left-hand circular polarization or right-hand circular polarization, for example, by means of the first RF signal 1015 ( Figure 10 ) and the second RF signal 1025 ( Figure 10 Apply a phase offset (e.g., optional ±90° phase offset) between them.

[0414] In some exemplary aspects, the weighting circuitry can be connected to the first port 1132 and the second port 1134, for example, to support substantially any linear or circular polarization, as described below.

[0415] refer to Figure 12 The schematic diagram illustrates an Rx circuit system 1201 including an Rx polarization control circuit system 1202, based on some exemplary aspects.

[0416] For example, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1202, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1202.

[0417] In some exemplary aspects, the Rx polarization control circuitry 1202 can be configured to control the polarization of the Rx signal 1205, for example, based on the Rx polarization setting.

[0418] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuitry system 1202 may include a first Rx path 1210, which may be configured to receive a first Rx signal 1215 via a first antenna port 1211, for example, according to a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0419] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1202 may include a second Rx path 1220, which may be configured to receive a second Rx signal 1225 via a second antenna port 1221, for example, according to a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0420] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the Rx signal 1205 may be based, for example, on a combination of the first Rx signal 1215 and the second Rx signal 1225.

[0421] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1202 may include a phase offset circuit system 1208, which may be configured to apply a phase offset between a first Rx signal 1215 in a first Rx path 1210 and a second Rx signal 1225 in a second Rx path 1220.

[0422] In some exemplary aspects, the controller (e.g., controller 1040) Figure 10The phase offset circuitry 1208 can be configured, for example, based on Rx polarization settings, to apply a phase offset between the first Rx signal 1215 in the first Rx path 1210 and the second Rx signal 1225 in the second Rx path 1220.

[0423] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the phase shift circuit system 1208 may include a first path phase shifter 1212, which may be configured to apply a first path phase shift to a first Rx signal 1215 in a first Rx path 1210.

[0424] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the phase shift circuit system 1208 may include a second path phase shifter 1222, which may be configured to apply a second path phase shift to a second Rx signal 1225 in a second Rx path 1220.

[0425] In some exemplary aspects, a first path phase shift applied to a first Rx signal 1215 in a first Rx path 1210 and a second path phase shift applied to a second Rx signal 1225 in a second Rx path 1220 may be configured, for example, based on an Rx polarization setting, to result in a phase shift between the first Rx signal 1215 in the first Rx path 1210 and the second Rx signal 1225 in the second Rx path 1220.

[0426] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1201 may include an Rx processing circuit system 1209, which may be configured to process the Rx signal 1205, for example, based on the Rx polarization setting.

[0427] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1201 may include a power combiner 1204, which may be configured to combine a first Rx signal 1215 and a second Rx signal 1225 into an Rx signal 1205.

[0428] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1201 may include an Rx chain circuit system 1206, which may be configured to process the Rx signal 1235, for example, based on the Rx polarization setting.

[0429] In some exemplary aspects, the phase offset between the first Rx signal 1215 in the first Rx path 1210 and the second Rx signal 1225 in the second Rx path 1220 can be configured, for example, such that a combination of the first Rx signal 1215 and the second Rx signal 1225 (e.g., via a power combiner 1204) can produce a polarization of the Rx signal 1205, which can be set according to the Rx polarization.

[0430] refer to Figure 13 The diagram schematically illustrates a Tx circuit system 1231 including a Tx polarization control circuit system 1332, according to some exemplary aspects. For example, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1332, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1332.

[0431] In some exemplary aspects, the Tx polarization control circuitry 1332 can be configured to control the polarization of the Tx signal 1335, for example, based on the Tx polarization setting.

[0432] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the Tx polarization control circuitry system 1332 may include a first Tx path 1340, which may be configured to transmit a first Tx signal 1345 via a first antenna port 1341, for example, according to a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0433] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the Tx polarization control circuitry system 1332 may include a second Tx path 1350, which may be configured to transmit a second Tx signal 1355 via a second antenna port 1351, for example, according to a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0434] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the first Tx signal 1345 and the second Tx signal 1355 may be based on a branch of the Tx signal 1335, for example, as described below.

[0435] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1332 may include a phase offset circuit system 1338, which may be configured to apply a phase offset between a first Tx signal 1345 in a first Tx path 1340 and a second Tx signal 1355 in a second Tx path 1350.

[0436] In some exemplary aspects, the controller (e.g., controller 1040) Figure 10 The phase offset circuitry 1338 can be configured, for example, based on the Tx polarization setting, to apply a phase offset between the first Tx signal 1345 in the first Tx path 1340 and the second Tx signal 1355 in the second Tx path 1350.

[0437] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13As shown, the phase shift circuit system 1338 may include a first path phase shifter 1342, which may be configured to apply a first path phase shift to a first Tx signal 1345 in a first Tx path 1350.

[0438] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the phase shift circuit system 1338 may include a second path phase shifter 1352, which may be configured to apply a second path phase shift to a second Tx signal 1355 in a second Tx path 1350.

[0439] In some exemplary aspects, a first path phase shift applied to a first Tx signal 1345 in a first Tx path 1340 and a second path phase shift applied to a second Tx signal 1355 in a second Tx path 1350 may be configured, for example, based on a Tx polarization setting, to result in a phase shift between the first Tx signal 1345 in the first Tx path 1340 and the second Tx signal 1355 in the second Tx path 1350.

[0440] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1331 may include a Tx processing circuit system 1339, which may be configured to process the Tx signal 1335, for example, based on the Tx polarization setting.

[0441] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the Tx processing circuit system 1339 may include a power splitter 1334, which may be configured to split the Tx signal 1335 into a first Tx signal 1345 and a second Tx signal 1355.

[0442] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1331 may include a Tx chain circuit system 1336, which may be configured to process the Tx signal 1335, for example, based on the Tx polarization setting.

[0443] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 13 As shown, the phase offset between the first Tx signal 1345 in the first Tx path 1340 and the second Tx signal 1355 in the second Tx path 1350 can be configured, for example, such that a combined Tx signal based on the first Tx signal 1355 and the second Tx signal 1355 can have a polarization set according to the Tx polarization. For example, the combined Tx signal may include a combination of the first Tx signal 1355 (which is processed by the first path phase shifter 1342 and transmitted via the first antenna port 1341 of the first RF path) and the second Tx signal 1355 (which is processed by the second path phase shifter 1352 and transmitted via the second antenna port 1351).

[0444] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1202 ( Figure 12 The Tx polarization control circuit system 1332 may be implemented using one or more (e.g., some or all) identical or substantially similar polarization control circuit system components.

[0445] In some exemplary aspects, Figure 12 and / or Figure 13 The phase shifter of the phase shift circuit system (e.g., the first path phase shifter 1212) Figure 12 ), second path phase shifter 1222 ( Figure 12 The first path phase shifter 1342 and / or the second path phase shifter 1352 may include LC circuitry, which may include, for example, an inductor (denoted as L1) and a capacitor (denoted as C1), and / or an inductor (denoted as L2) and a capacitor (denoted as C2).

[0446] In some exemplary aspects, Figure 12 and / or Figure 13 The phase shifter of the phase shift circuit system (e.g., the first path phase shifter 1212) Figure 12 ), second path phase shifter 1222 ( Figure 12 The first path phase shifter 1342 and / or the second path phase shifter 1352 can be switched between multiple predefined phase shifter settings corresponding to multiple predefined phase shifts.

[0447] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, multiple predefined phase shift settings may include three predefined phase shift settings (denoted as A, B, and C) that correspond to the three predefined phase shifts.

[0448] In some exemplary aspects, Figure 12 and / or Figure 13 The phase shifter of the phase shift circuit system (e.g., the first path phase shifter 1212) Figure 12 ), second path phase shifter 1222 ( Figure 12 The first path phase shifter 1342 and / or the second path phase shifter 1352 may include multiple phase shifter paths corresponding to multiple predefined phase shifter settings, for example, as described below.

[0449] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, multiple phase shifter paths may include three paths corresponding to three predefined phase shift settings A, B, and C.

[0450] In some exemplary aspects, Figure 12 and / or Figure 13The phase shifter of the phase shift circuit system (e.g., the first path phase shifter 1212) Figure 12 ), second path phase shifter 1222 ( Figure 12 The first path phase shifter 1342 and / or the second path phase shifter 1352 may include a first switch (referred to as S1) and a second switch (referred to as S2), which can be configured to switch between three paths corresponding to three predefined phase shift settings A, B and C.

[0451] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the first phase shift path corresponding to the predefined phase shift setting A can be configured to apply a "+45°" phase shift to the RF signal transmitted via the first phase shift path A.

[0452] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the second phase shift path corresponding to the predefined phase shift setting B can be configured to apply a "0°" phase shift to the RF signal transmitted via the second phase shift path B.

[0453] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, for example, when the third switch (denoted as S3) is in the closed (ON) state, the second phase shift path corresponding to the predefined phase shift setting B can be configured to apply a "0°" phase shift to the RF signal transmitted via the second phase shift path.

[0454] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, for example, when the third switch S3 is in the OFF state, the third switch S3 can disconnect the second phase shift path.

[0455] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the third phase shift path corresponding to the predefined phase shift setting C can be configured to apply a "-45°" phase shift to the RF signal transmitted via the third phase shift path C.

[0456] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the first phase shift path and the third phase shift path can be implemented by an LC network.

[0457] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the second phase shift path can be implemented by a transmitter line (e.g., a short line) with a switch (e.g., switch S3).

[0458] In some exemplary aspects, the first phase shift path and / or the third phase shift path can be implemented using resistor-inductor (RL) circuits and / or resistor-capacitor (RC) circuits.

[0459] In other respects, the first phase shift path and / or the third phase shift path can be implemented using any other suitable circuitry.

[0460] In one example, a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit can be implemented, for instance, to save silicon area.

[0461] In other respects, such as when physical area is not a primary consideration, the second phase shift path can be implemented using any other type of emitter line, for example, used to achieve a 90° phase shift between the first and second paths.

[0462] In some exemplary aspects, the controller (e.g., controller 1040) Figure 10 It can be configured to switch the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 between multiple phase shifter paths corresponding to three predefined phase shift settings A, B and C.

[0463] In some exemplary aspects, the controller (e.g., controller 1040) Figure 10 The switch S3 can be configured to switch between closed and closed states.

[0464] In some exemplary aspects, the controller (e.g., controller 1040) Figure 10 The phase offset circuit system 1208 can be configured to configure the phase offset circuit system. Figure 12 To apply a phase shift between RF path 1210 and RF path 1220, for example, by configuring phase shifter 1212 ( Figure 12 Switches S1, S2, and S3, and phase shifter 1222 ( Figure 12 Switches S1, S2, and S3.

[0465] In some exemplary aspects, the controller (e.g., controller 1040) Figure 10 The phase shift circuit system 1338 can be configured to apply a phase shift between the first Tx signal 1345 in the first Tx path 1340 and the second Tx signal 1355 in the second Tx path 1350, for example, by configuring switches S1, S2 and S3 of phase shifter 1342 and switches S1, S2 and S3 of phase shifter 1352.

[0466] Re-reference Figure 10In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured, for example, to configure the phase shift circuit system 1008 (e.g., phase shift circuit system 1208) according to the selected polarization in a plurality of polarization settings based on the switch settings in a plurality of switch settings. Figure 12 ) and / or phase offset circuit system 1338 ( Figure 13 For example, multiple switch settings can correspond to multiple polarization settings.

[0467] In some exemplary aspects, the switch settings may include setting the first path switches (denoted as S1a, S2a, and S3a) of the first path phase shifter (denoted as Ant Pol1) of the phase shift circuit system and the second path switches (denoted as S1b, S2b, and S3b) of the second path phase shifter (denoted as Ant Pol2) of the phase shift circuit system.

[0468] For example, with phase offset circuit system 1208 ( Figure 12 The corresponding switch settings may include phase shifter 1212. Figure 12 Switches S1, S2, and S3 and phase shifter 1222 Figure 12 The settings of switches S1, S2 and S3.

[0469] For example, with phase offset circuit system 1338 ( Figure 13 The corresponding switch settings may include phase shifter 1342. Figure 13 Switches S1, S2, and S3, and phase shifter 1352 ( Figure 13 The settings of switches S1, S2 and S3.

[0470] In one instance, multiple switch settings corresponding to multiple polarization settings can be defined, for example, as follows:

[0471]

[0472] Table (1)

[0473] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202) according to the selected linear polarization. Figure 12 ) or polarization control circuit system 1332 ( Figure 13 For example, by configuring the first path switches S1a and S2a of the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 and the second path switches S1b and S2b of the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 to a predefined phase shift setting B, and by configuring the first path switch S3a and the second path switch S3b, for example, as described below.

[0474] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202) according to the selected linear polarization. Figure 12 ) and / or polarization control circuitry system 1332 ( Figure 13 For example, by configuring only the first path switch S3a to the closed state (e.g., according to a high-pass setting), by configuring only the second path switch S3b to the closed state (e.g., according to a low-pass setting), or by configuring both the first path switch S3a and the second path switch S3b to the closed state (e.g., according to a full-pass setting).

[0475] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 according to horizontal polarization (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202). Figure 12 ) and / or polarization control circuitry system 1332 ( Figure 13 For example, by configuring the first path switch S3a to the closed state and by configuring the second path switch S3b to the closed state (e.g., according to Qualcomm settings).

[0476] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 according to vertical polarization (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202). Figure 12 ) and / or polarization control circuitry system 1332 ( Figure 13 For example, by configuring the first path switch S3a to the off state and by configuring the second path switch S3b to the closed state (e.g., low-pass setting).

[0477] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 according to 45-degree linear polarization (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202). Figure 12 ) and / or polarization control circuitry system 1332 ( Figure 13 For example, by configuring the first path switch S3a to the closed state and by configuring the second path switch S3b to the closed state (e.g., according to the all-through setting).

[0478] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202) according to the selected circular polarization. Figure 12 ) and / or polarization control circuitry system 1332 ( Figure 13For example, by configuring the first path switches S1a and S2a of the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 to one of a predefined phase shift setting A and a predefined phase shift setting C, and by configuring the second path switches S1b and S2b of the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 to one of a predefined phase shift setting A and a predefined phase shift setting C, for example, as described below.

[0479] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202) according to CCW circular polarization. Figure 12 ) and / or polarization control circuitry system 1332 ( Figure 13 For example, by configuring the first path switches S1a and S2a of the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 to a predefined phase shift setting A, and by configuring the second path switches S1b and S2b of the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 to a predefined phase shift setting C.

[0480] For example, according to a CCW circular polarization setting, a first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 can apply a +45-degree phase shift to a first signal via a horizontal port, and a second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 can apply a -45-degree phase shift to a second signal via a vertical port. This setting can, for example, result in CCW circular polarization of the transmitted signal, which can be based on a combination of the first and second signals.

[0481] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (1), controller 1040 can be configured to configure polarization control circuitry 1002 (e.g., polarization control circuitry 1202) according to CW circular polarization. Figure 12 ) and / or polarization control circuitry system 1332 ( Figure 13 For example, by configuring the first path switches S1a and S2a of the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 to a predefined phase shift setting C, and by configuring the second path switches S1b and S2b of the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 to a predefined phase shift setting A.

[0482] For example, according to a CW circular polarization configuration, a first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 can apply a -45-degree phase shift to a first signal via a horizontal port, and a second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 can apply a +45-degree phase shift to a second signal via a vertical port. This configuration can, for example, result in CW circular polarization of the transmitted signal, which can be based on a combination of the first and second signals.

[0483] refer to Figure 14The diagram schematically illustrates an Rx circuit system 1401 including an Rx polarization control circuit system 1402, based on some exemplary aspects. For example, the polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1402, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1402.

[0484] In some exemplary aspects, the Rx polarization control circuitry 1402 can be configured to control the polarization of the Rx signal 1405, for example, according to the Rx polarization setting.

[0485] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1401 may include a first Rx path 1410 (represented as Path1) and a second Rx path 1420 (represented as Path2).

[0486] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the first Rx path 1410 can be connected to a first antenna port corresponding to the first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0487] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the first Rx path 1410 can be configured to receive the first Rx signal 1415 via the first antenna port.

[0488] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the second Rx path 1420 can be connected to the second antenna port corresponding to the second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0489] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the second Rx path 1420 can be configured to receive the second Rx signal 1417 via the second antenna port.

[0490] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the first Rx path 1410 may include an LNA 1411 and a variable phase shifter 1413.

[0491] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the second RX path 1420 may include an LNA 1412 and a variable phase shifter 1414.

[0492] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1402 may include a dual LNA phase shifter topology, for example, wherein the LNAs (e.g., LNA 1411 and / or LNA 1412) may have gain control, and / or the phase shifters (e.g., phase shifter 1413 and / or phase shifter 1414) may have offset characteristics, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting substantially any relative phase and / or amplitude between signals received via the first path 1410 and the second path 1420 of the Rx circuit system.

[0493] In some exemplary aspects, each LNA in the Rx polarization control circuit system 1402 may have gain control, and / or each phase shifter in the Rx polarization control circuit system 1402 may have offset characteristics.

[0494] In other respects, only one of the LNAs in the Rx polarization control circuit system 1402 may have gain control, and / or only one of the phase shifters in the Rx polarization control circuit system may have offset characteristics.

[0495] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1401 may include an Rx processing circuit system 1407, which may be connected to a first Rx path 1410 and a second Rx path 1420 of the Rx circuit system 1401.

[0496] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1401 may include a power combiner 1406 and an Rx chain circuit system 1408.

[0497] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 14 As shown, the power combiner 1406 can be configured, for example, to combine a first Rx signal 1415 from the output of the variable phase shifter 1413 and a second Rx signal 1417 from the output of the variable phase shifter 1414 into an Rx signal 1405 for processing by the Rx chain circuit system 1408.

[0498] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 ( Figure 10 The LNA 1411, LNA 1412, variable phase shifter 1413, and / or variable phase shifter 1414 can be configured, for example, to apply a phase shift between a first Rx signal 1415 in a first Rx path 1410 and a second Rx signal 1417 in a second Rx path 1420. For example, the phase shift can be configured such that the polarization of the Rx signal 1405 can include Rx polarization settings, for example, based on the combination of the first Rx signal 1415 and the second Rx signal 1417 at the output of the combiner 1406, for example, as described below.

[0499] refer to Figure 15 The diagram schematically illustrates a Tx circuit system 1521 including a Tx polarization control circuit system 1522, according to some exemplary aspects. For example, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522.

[0500] In some exemplary aspects, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522 can be configured to control the polarization of the Tx signal 1525, for example, according to the Tx polarization setting.

[0501] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1521 may include a first Tx path 1530 (represented as Path1) and a second Tx path 1540 (represented as Path2).

[0502] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the first Tx path 1530 can be connected to the first antenna port corresponding to the first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0503] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the first Tx path 1530 can be configured to transmit the first Tx signal 1535 via the first antenna port.

[0504] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the first Tx path 1530 may include PA 1531 and variable phase shifter 1533.

[0505] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the second Tx path 1540 can be connected to the second antenna port corresponding to the second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0506] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the second Tx path 1540 can be configured to transmit the second Tx signal 1537 via the second antenna port.

[0507] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the second Tx path of the Tx circuit system 1521 may include PA 1532 and variable phase shifter 1534.

[0508] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15As shown, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522 may include a dual PA phase shifter topology, for example, wherein the PAs (e.g., PA 1531 and / or PA 1532) may have gain control, and / or the phase shifters (e.g., phase shifter 1533 and / or phase shifter 1534) may have offset characteristics, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting substantially any relative phase and / or amplitude between signals transmitted via the first path 1530 and the second path 1540 of the Tx circuit system 1521.

[0509] In some exemplary aspects, each PA in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522 may have gain control, and / or each phase shifter in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522 may have offset characteristics.

[0510] In other respects, only one of the PAs in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522 may have gain control, and / or only one of the phase shifters in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1522 may have offset characteristics.

[0511] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1521 may include a Tx processing circuit system 1527, which may be connected to the first Tx path 1530 and the second Tx path 1540.

[0512] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1501 may include a power splitter 1526 and a Tx chain circuit system 1528.

[0513] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the power splitter 1526 can be configured to split the Tx signal 1523 from the Tx chain circuit system 1528 into, for example, a first Tx signal 1535 for phase shifting by phase shifter 1533 and amplification by PA 1531, and split it into a second Tx signal 1537 for phase shifting by phase shifter 1534 and amplification by PA 1532.

[0514] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 15 As shown, the Tx signal 1525 may be based on a combination of a first Tx signal 1535 (e.g., transmitted via a first antenna port) and a second Tx signal 1537 (e.g., transmitted via a second antenna port).

[0515] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 ( Figure 10The phase shifter can be configured to configure PA 1531, PA 1532, variable phase shifter 1533, and / or variable phase shifter 1534, for example, to apply a phase shift between a first Tx signal 1535 in a first Tx path 1530 and a second Tx signal 1537 in a second Tx path 1540. For example, the phase shifter can be configured such that the polarization of the Tx signal 1525 can be set according to a Tx polarization setting.

[0516] refer to Figure 16 The diagram schematically illustrates an Rx circuit system 1641 including an Rx polarization control circuit system 1642, based on some exemplary aspects. For example, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1642, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1642.

[0517] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1642 can be configured to control the polarization of the Rx signal 1645, for example, according to the Rx polarization setting.

[0518] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1641 may include a first Rx path 1640 (denoted as Path1) and a second Rx path 1650 (denoted as Path2).

[0519] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the first Rx path 1640 can be connected to the first antenna port corresponding to the first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0520] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the first Rx path 1640 can be configured to receive the first Rx signal 1655 via the first antenna port.

[0521] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the second Rx path 1650 can be connected to the second antenna port corresponding to the second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0522] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the second Rx path 1650 can be configured to receive the second Rx signal 1657 via the second antenna port.

[0523] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the first Rx path 1640 may include an LNA 1651 and a phase rotator 1653.

[0524] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the second Rx path 1650 may include an LNA 1652 and a phase rotator 1654.

[0525] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1642 may include a dual LNA phase rotator topology, where the LNAs (e.g., LNA 1651 and / or LNA 1652) may have gain control, and / or the phase rotators (e.g., phase rotator 1653 and / or phase rotator 1654) may have offset features, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting substantially any relative phase and / or amplitude between signals received via the first path 1640 and the second path 1650 of the Rx circuit system 1641.

[0526] In some exemplary aspects, each LNA in the Rx polarization control circuit system 1642 may have gain control, and / or each phase rotator in the Rx polarization control circuit system 1642 may have offset characteristics.

[0527] In other respects, only one of the LNAs in the Rx polarization control circuitry system 1642 may have gain control, and / or only one of the phase shifters in the Rx polarization control circuitry system 1642 may have offset characteristics. For example, the Rx polarization control circuitry system 1642 may include a single variable phase shifter and / or a single gain-controlled LNA.

[0528] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, a phase rotator (e.g., phase rotator 1653 and / or phase rotator 1654) may include a 90-degree phase shifter 1681, a phase rotator power combiner 1685, and, for example, a first variable gain amplifier 1682 and a second variable gain amplifier 1684 connected in parallel between the 90-degree phase shifter 1681 and the phase rotator power combiner 1685.

[0529] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1641 may include an Rx processing circuit system 1647, which may be connected to a first Rx path 1640 and a second Rx path 1650 of the Rx circuit system 1641.

[0530] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1641 may include a power combiner 1646 and an Rx chain circuit system 1648.

[0531] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 16As shown, the power combiner 1646 can be configured, for example, to combine a first Rx signal 1655 from the output of the phase rotator 1653 and a second Rx signal 1657 from the output of the phase rotator 1654 into an Rx signal 1645 for processing by the Rx chain circuit system 1648.

[0532] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 ( Figure 10 The LNA 1651, LNA 1652, phase rotator 1652, and / or phase rotator 1654 can be configured, for example, to apply a phase shift between a first Rx signal 1655 in a first Rx path 1640 and a second Rx signal 1657 in a second Rx path 1650. For example, the phase shift can be configured such that the polarization of the Rx signal 1645 can include Rx polarization settings, for example, based on the combination of the first Rx signal 1655 and the second Rx signal 1657 at the output of the combiner 1646, for example, as described below.

[0533] refer to Figure 17 The diagram schematically illustrates a Tx circuit system 1761 including a Tx polarization control circuit system 1762, based on some exemplary aspects. For example, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762.

[0534] In some exemplary aspects, the Tx polarization control circuitry 1762 can be configured to control the polarization of the Tx signal 1765, for example, according to the Tx polarization setting.

[0535] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1761 may include a first Tx path 1760 (denoted as Path1) and a second Tx path 1770 (denoted as Path2).

[0536] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the first Tx path 1760 can be connected to the first antenna port corresponding to the first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0537] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the first Tx path 1760 can be configured to transmit the first Tx signal 1775 via the first antenna port.

[0538] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the second Tx path 1770 can be connected to the second antenna port corresponding to the second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0539] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the second Tx path 1770 can be configured to transmit the second Tx signal 1777 via the second antenna port.

[0540] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the first Tx path 1760 may include PA 1771 and phase rotator 1773.

[0541] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the second Tx path 1770 may include PA 1772 and phase rotator 1774.

[0542] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, phase rotator 1774 and / or phase rotator 1773 may include phase rotator 1653 ( Figure 16 One or more components of a component.

[0543] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762 may include a dual PA phase rotator topology, for example, wherein the PAs (e.g., PA 1771 and / or PA 1772) may have gain control, and / or the phase rotators (e.g., phase rotator 1773 and / or phase rotator 1774) may have offset features, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting substantially any relative phase and / or amplitude between signals transmitted via the first path 1760 and the second path 1770 of the Tx circuit system 1761.

[0544] In some exemplary aspects, each PA in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762 may have gain control, and / or each phase rotator in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762 may have offset characteristics.

[0545] In other respects, only one of the PAs in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762 may have gain control, and / or only one of the phase shifters in the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762 may have offset characteristics. For example, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762 may include a single variable phase shifter and / or a single gain control LNA.

[0546] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1761 may include a Tx processing circuit system 1767, which may be connected to a first Tx path 1760 and a second Tx path 1770 of the Tx circuit system 1761.

[0547] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17As shown, the Tx circuit system 1761 may include a power splitter 1766 and a Tx chain circuit system 1768.

[0548] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the power splitter 1766 can be configured to split the Tx signal 1763 from the Tx chain circuit system 1768 into, for example, a first Tx signal 1775 for phase shifting by the phase rotator 1773 and amplification by the PA 1771, and split it into a second Tx signal 1777 for phase shifting by the phase rotator 1774 and amplification by the PA 1772.

[0549] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 17 As shown, the Tx signal 1765 may be based on a combination of a first Tx signal 1775 (e.g., transmitted via a first antenna port) and a second Tx signal 1777 (e.g., transmitted via a second antenna port).

[0550] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 ( Figure 10 The phase shifter can be configured to configure PA 1771, PA 1772, phase rotator 1772, and / or phase rotator 1774, for example, to apply a phase shift between a first Tx signal 1775 in a first Tx path 1760 and a second Tx signal 1777 in a second Tx path 1770. For example, the phase shift can be configured such that the polarization of the Tx signal 1765 may include a Tx polarization setting.

[0551] In some exemplary aspects, polarization control circuit systems based on phase rotators (e.g., Rx polarization control circuit system 1642) Figure 16 The Tx polarization control circuitry system 1762 can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting compact implementations, such as covering the entire 0-360° phase shift.

[0552] In some exemplary aspects, the phase rotator 1653 has a variable gain amplifier (e.g., variable gain amplifier 1682). Figure 16 ) and / or variable gain amplifier 1684 ( Figure 16 This can be used, for example, to weight signals via a first and second path of a phase rotator-based RF circuit system in different ways, for example, to provide a technical solution for supporting substantially any elliptical, circular, and / or linear polarization, for example, within a predefined polarization range. For example, the variable gain amplifier of phase rotator 1653 can be implemented to provide support for a fixed gain amplifier (e.g., LNA 1651). Figure 16 ) and / or LNA 1652 ( Figure 16Technical solutions for specific implementations of PA 1771 and / or PA 1772. For example, a specific implementation of a fixed gain amplifier can provide a technical solution using a simple implementation of a standard LNA and / or PA.

[0553] In some exemplary aspects, amplifiers based on phase rotator-based polarization control circuitry systems (e.g., LNA1651) Figure 16 LNA 1652 Figure 16 PA1771 and / or PA 1772 can be implemented using variable gain amplifiers, for example, to enhance the weighted dynamic range between paths in the polarization control circuitry system.

[0554] In some exemplary aspects, polarization control circuit systems based on phase rotators (e.g., Rx polarization control circuit system 1642) Figure 16 The Tx polarization control circuitry system 1762 can be configured to provide a technical solution for supporting the correction of the polarization (e.g., in terms of degree and / or axial ratio) of an element (e.g., each element) in the antenna array. For example, such a configuration can be implemented to achieve, for example, very good cross polarization and / or axial ratio of the entire antenna array (e.g., at each observation angle and / or steering angle of the antenna array).

[0555] In one instance, a circularly polarized antenna can be constrained to a specific axial ratio throughout its entire field of view or its radiation pattern. For example, the circular polarization of a circularly polarized antenna may deteriorate as the difference between the observation angle and the line of sight increases. Therefore, it is advantageous to configure an array of elements that are all circularly polarized and can achieve a wide range of scan angles and good cross-polarization throughout the desired field of view.

[0556] In some exemplary aspects, the phase shifter's coverage can exceed ±90° phase shift, which may be desirable for purely circular polarization, for example, to correct polarization at each observation angle and / or steering angle of the antenna array (e.g., in terms of degrees and / or axial ratio).

[0557] In some exemplary aspects, polarization control circuit systems based on phase rotators (e.g., Rx polarization control circuit system 1642) Figure 16 The Tx polarization control circuitry system 1762 can be configured, for example, to support the full 0-360° phase shift range, and the required workload is substantially the same as that required to cover the 0-90° phase shift range. This is, for example, comparable to other phase shifter topologies, which may require greater size and complexity as the required phase shift range increases.

[0558] Re-reference Figure 10In some exemplary aspects, controller 1040 may be configured to control RF circuitry (e.g., Rx circuitry 1401). Figure 14 ), Tx circuit system 1521 ( Figure 15 ), Rx circuit system 1641 ( Figure 16 ) and / or Tx circuit system 1761 ( Figure 17 For example, the polarization of the transmitted signal via the RF circuitry can be controlled according to the polarization setting, as described below.

[0559] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 can be configured to control the RF circuitry system, for example, based on a selected polarization among a plurality of polarization settings.

[0560] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured to control the RF circuitry system, for example, based on a selected polarization among a plurality of polarization settings, such as by configuring a first path amplifier (denoted as Ant Pol1 Gain), a first path phase shifter (denoted as Ant Pol1 Phase), a second path amplifier (denoted as Ant Pol2 Gain), and a second path phase shifter (denoted as Ant Pol2 Phase).

[0561] In one example, controller 1040 can be configured to control the Rx circuit system 1401, for example, based on the selected polarization among multiple polarization settings. Figure 14 ) Received Rx signal 1405 ( Figure 14 The polarization of ) for example, by configuring LNA 1411 ( Figure 14 ), Phase shifter 1413 ( Figure 14 LNA 1412 Figure 14 ) and phase shifter 1414 ( Figure 14 ).

[0562] In another example, controller 1040 may be configured to control, for example, the Tx signal 1525 emitted by Tx circuit system 1521 according to a selected polarization among a plurality of polarization settings. Figure 15 The polarization of ) can be configured, for example, by configuring PA 1531 ( Figure 15 ), Phase Shifter 1533 ( Figure 15 PA 1532 Figure 15 ) and phase shifter 1534 ( Figure 15 ).

[0563] In another instance, controller 1040 may be configured to control the Rx circuit system 1641, for example, based on a selected polarization among multiple polarization settings. Figure 16 ) Received Rx signal 1645 ( Figure 16The polarization of ) can be configured, for example, by configuring the LNA1651 ( Figure 16 Phase Rotator 1653 Figure 16 LNA 1652 Figure 16 ) and phase rotator 1654 ( Figure 16 ).

[0564] In another instance, controller 1040 can be configured to control the Tx circuit system 1761, for example, based on the selected polarization among multiple polarization settings. Figure 16 The Tx signal 1765 (transmitted) Figure 16 The polarization of ) for example, by configuring PA 1771 ( Figure 16 Phase Rotator 1773 Figure 16 PA 1772 Figure 16 ) and phase rotator 1774 ( Figure 16 ).

[0565] In one instance, multiple polarization settings can include multiple predefined polarization settings, for example, as follows:

[0566]

[0567] Table (2)

[0568] For example, without power normalization, the first path amplifier AntPol1Gain and the second path amplifier AntPol2Gain according to Table 2 can be implemented.

[0569] For example, when power normalization is implemented, the first path amplifier Ant Pol1Gain and the second path amplifier Ant Pol2Gain in Table 2 can be configured with a sine function and a cosine function relationship.

[0570] In one example, a 45° linear polarization with power normalization can be configured, for example, by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain to maximum gain. And the second-path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain is configured to maximum gain.

[0571] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (2), the controller 1040 can be configured to configure the RF circuitry according to the horizontal polarization, for example by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain to apply maximum gain, configuring the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase to apply a “0” degree phase shift, and configuring the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain to apply minimum gain.

[0572] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (2), the controller 1040 can be configured to configure the RF circuitry according to the vertical polarization, for example by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain to apply minimum gain, configuring the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain to apply maximum gain, and configuring the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase to apply a "0" degree phase shift.

[0573] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (2), the controller 1040 can be configured to configure the RF circuitry according to a 45° linear polarization, for example by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain to apply maximum gain, configuring the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase to apply a “0” degree phase shift, configuring the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain to apply maximum gain, and configuring the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase to apply a “0” degree phase shift.

[0574] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured to configure the RF circuitry system according to substantially any other linear polarization within a predefined linear polarization range, for example, by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain, the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase, the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain, and / or the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase according to any other predefined combination and / or configuration.

[0575] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (2), the controller 1040 can be configured to configure the RF circuitry according to the CP CCW polarization, for example by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain to apply maximum gain, configuring the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase to apply a “45” degree phase shift, configuring the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain to apply maximum gain, and configuring the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase to apply a “-45” degree phase shift.

[0576] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (2), the controller 1040 can be configured to configure the RF circuitry according to the CP CW polarization, for example by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain to apply maximum gain, configuring the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase to apply a "-45" degree phase shift, configuring the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain to apply maximum gain, and configuring the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase to apply a "45" degree phase shift.

[0577] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured to configure the RF circuitry system according to substantially any other CP polarization within a predefined circular polarization range, for example, by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain, the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase, the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain, and / or the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase according to any other predefined combination and / or configuration.

[0578] In some exemplary aspects, as shown in Table (2), the controller 1040 can be configured to configure the RF circuitry according to an elliptic polarization having a 1:2 axial ratio, for example by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain to apply maximum gain, configuring the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase to apply a "-45" degree phase shift, configuring the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain to apply half of the maximum gain (e.g., half of the -3dB gain), and configuring the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase to apply a "45" degree phase shift.

[0579] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 1040 may be configured to configure the RF circuitry system according to substantially any other elliptic polarization having any other axial ratio within a predefined elliptic polarization range, for example, by configuring the first path amplifier Ant Pol1 Gain, the first path phase shifter Ant Pol1 Phase, the second path amplifier Ant Pol2 Gain, and / or the second path phase shifter Ant Pol2 Phase according to any other predefined combination and / or configuration.

[0580] In some exemplary aspects, the processing circuit system 1006 may include a baseband processing circuit system, for example, as described below.

[0581] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processing circuitry system 1006 may include an Rx baseband circuitry system that may be configured to combine a first Rx signal and a second Rx signal into a combined Rx signal at the baseband portion of the Rx chain, for example, as described below.

[0582] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processing circuitry system 1006 may include a Tx baseband circuitry system that may be configured to, for example, split the Tx signal into a first Tx signal and a second Tx signal at the baseband portion of the Tx chain, as described below.

[0583] refer to Figure 18 The diagram schematically illustrates an Rx circuit system 1801 including an Rx polarization control circuit system 1802, based on some exemplary aspects. For example, the polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1802, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Rx polarization control circuit system 1802.

[0584] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1802 may include a dual LNA phase rotator polarization control circuit system, such as the Rx polarization control circuit system 1642. Figure 16 ).

[0585] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1802 may include a first Rx path 1810, which may be configured to receive a first Rx signal 1815 via a first antenna port (denoted as AntPol1) according to a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0586] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, the Rx polarization control circuit system 1802 may include a second Rx path 1820, which may be configured to receive a second Rx signal 1825 via a second antenna port (denoted as AntPol1) according to a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0587] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, the Rx circuit system 1801 may include an Rx processing circuit system 1807, which may be connected to the first Rx path 1810 and the second Rx path 1820.

[0588] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, the Rx processing circuit system 1807 may include an Rx baseband processing circuit system.

[0589] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, the Rx processing circuit system 1807 may include a baseband processor 1806, such as a DSP and / or any other baseband processor.

[0590] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, the first Rx signal 1815 from the first Rx path 1810 and the second Rx signal 1825 from the second Rx path 1820 can be combined, for example, at the baseband processor 1806.

[0591] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 18 As shown, for example, with the use of analog processing circuitry systems (e.g., processing circuitry system 1647). Figure 16Compared to the specific implementation of the Rx processing circuit system 1807, the specific implementation may require a larger physical area for implementation and / or may consume more power. For example, as Figure 18 As shown, the Rx-based digital processing circuitry system 1807 can be configured to support two parallel downconverter chains and two ADCs.

[0592] refer to Figure 19 The schematic diagram illustrates a Tx circuit system 1941, including a Tx polarization control circuit system 1942, according to some exemplary aspects. For example, polarization control circuit system 1002 ( Figure 10 It may include one or more elements of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1942, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the Tx polarization control circuit system 1942.

[0593] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1942 may include a dual PA phase rotator polarization control circuit system, such as the Tx polarization control circuit system 1762. Figure 17 ).

[0594] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1942 may include a first Rx path 1950, which may be configured to transmit a first Tx signal 1955 via a first antenna port (denoted as AntPol1) according to a first polarization (e.g., horizontal polarization).

[0595] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, the Tx polarization control circuit system 1942 may include a second Tx path 1960, which may be configured to transmit a second Tx signal 1965 via a second antenna port (denoted as AntPol2) according to a second polarization (e.g., vertical polarization).

[0596] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, the Tx circuit system 1941 may include a Tx processing circuit system 1947, which may be connected to the first Tx path 1950 and the second Tx path 1960.

[0597] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, the Tx processing circuit system 1947 may include a Tx-based digital processing circuit system.

[0598] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, the Tx processing circuit system 1947 may include a baseband processor 1946, such as a DSP and / or any other baseband processor.

[0599] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, the first Tx signal 1955 in the first Tx path 1950 and the second Tx signal 1955 in the second Tx path 1960 can, for example, be obtained from the Tx signal by the baseband processor 1946. Figure 19 (Not shown in the image) is branched out.

[0600] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 19 As shown, for example, with the use of analog processing circuitry systems (e.g., processing circuitry system 1767). Figure 17 Compared to the specific implementation of the Tx processing circuit system 1947, the specific implementation of the Tx processing circuit system may require a larger physical area for implementation and / or may consume more power. For example, as Figure 18 As shown, the Tx-based digital processing circuitry system can be configured to support two parallel upconverter chains and two DACs.

[0601] In some exemplary aspects, baseband processing circuitry systems (e.g., Rx processing circuitry system 1807) Figure 18 The (and / or Tx processing circuit system 1947) can be implemented to provide a technical solution for supporting the digital setting of the phase and / or amplitude of a first RF signal via a first path of the polarization control circuit system and a second RF signal via a second path of the polarization control circuit system.

[0602] In some exemplary aspects, for example, as referenced above. Figure 16 and Figure 17 Compared to the described analog implementation, setting the phase and / or amplitude digitally can improve accuracy. For example, setting the phase and / or amplitude digitally can support sufficient ADC effective bits per second (ENOB) and / or computational accuracy.

[0603] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processing circuitry system can be implemented to provide technical solutions for making the phase and / or amplitude of each polarization more stable over time (e.g., less sensitive to junction temperature and / or ambient temperature).

[0604] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processing circuitry system can be implemented to provide a technical solution for supporting parallel computing in MIMO radar, which can support the parallel steering of two beams (e.g., a first beam in a first polarization and a second beam in a second polarization).

[0605] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processing circuitry system can be implemented to provide technical solutions for supporting different combinations of different subarrays with different polarizations.

[0606] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processing circuitry system can be implemented to provide a technical solution for supporting, for example, the digital combination of two Rx signals received according to two different polarizations with appropriate relative amplitude and phase.

[0607] In some exemplary aspects, the baseband processing circuitry system can be implemented to provide technical solutions for supporting the polarization of the Tx signal, for example, the polarization can be digitally set with appropriate relative amplitude and phase at two polarization paths.

[0608] refer to Figure 20 It schematically illustrates a method for controlling the polarization of transmitted signals according to some exemplary aspects. For example, Figure 20 One or more of the methods can be performed by: a radar system, such as radar system 900 ( Figure 9 Radar devices, such as radar device 800 ( Figure 8 ); radar front-end, such as radar front-end 804 ( Figure 8 ); controller, such as controller 1040 ( Figure 10 ); and / or polarization control circuitry, such as polarization control circuitry 1002 ( Figure 10 ).

[0609] As indicated in box 2002, the method may include controlling the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a polarization setting. For example, polarization control circuitry system 1002 ( Figure 10 ) can be set to 1005 according to polarization. Figure 10 This is used to control the polarization of the transmitted signal, for example, as described above.

[0610] As indicated in box 2004, controlling the polarization of the transmitted signal may include configuring a phase-offset circuitry system based on the polarization setting to apply a phase offset between a first RF signal to be transmitted in a first RF path via a first antenna port according to a first polarization and a second RF signal to be transmitted in a second RF path via a second antenna port according to a second polarization. For example, the first and second RF signals may correspond to the transmitted signal. For example, controller 1040 ( Figure 10 It can be configured, for example, based on polarization setting 1005 ( Figure 10 To configure the phase offset circuit system 1008 ( Figure 10 ), in the first RF path 1010 ( Figure 10 The first RF signal 1015 in ) Figure 10 ) and the second RF path 1020 ( Figure 10 The second RF signal 1025 in ) Figure 10 Apply a phase offset between them, for example, as described above.

[0611] As indicated in box 2006, controlling the polarization of the transmitted signal may include applying a phase shift between a first RF signal in a first RF path and a second RF signal in a second RF path. For example, phase shift circuitry system 1008 ( Figure 10 ) can be found in the first RF path 1010 ( Figure 10 The first RF signal 1015 in ) Figure 10 ) and the second RF path 1020 ( Figure 10 The second RF signal 1025 in ) Figure 10 Apply a phase offset between them, as described above.

[0612] refer to Figure 21 The illustration schematically depicts a manufactured product 2100 according to some exemplary aspects. Product 2100 may include one or more tangible computer-readable (“machine-readable”) non-transitory storage media 2102, which may include computer-executable instructions (e.g., implemented by logic 2104) that, when executed by at least one computer processor, are operable to enable the at least one computer processor to implement a reference. Figures 1 to 20 The operations and / or functionalities described in any of the figures herein, and / or the operations described herein. The phrases “non-transitory machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable non-transitory storage medium” may refer to all machine- and / or computer-readable media, with the sole exception of transient propagation signals.

[0613] In some exemplary aspects, product 2100 and / or machine-readable storage medium 2102 may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writable or rewritable memory, etc. For example, machine-readable storage medium 2102 may include RAM, DRAM, double data rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content-addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase-change memory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, disk, hard disk, etc. Computer-readable storage media may include any suitable medium involving downloading or transferring a computer program from a remote computer to a requesting computer via a communication link (e.g., modem, radio, or network connection), said computer program being carried by a data signal implemented in a carrier wave or other propagation medium.

[0614] In some exemplary aspects, logic 2104 may include instructions, data, and / or code that, when executed by a machine, enable the machine to perform the methods, processes, and / or operations described herein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, etc., and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, etc.

[0615] In some exemplary aspects, logic 2104 may include or be implemented as software, software modules, applications, programs, subroutines, instructions, instruction sets, computational code, words, values, symbols, etc. Instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, etc. Instructions may be implemented according to predefined computer languages, methods, or syntaxes to instruct the processor to perform specific functions. Instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled, and / or interpreted programming languages, machine code, etc.

[0616] Example

[0617] The following examples involve other aspects.

[0618] Example 1 includes a device comprising: a polarization control circuit system configured to control the polarization of a transmitted signal according to a polarization setting, the polarization control circuit system including: a first radio frequency (RF) path configured to transmit a first RF signal corresponding to the transmitted signal via a first antenna port according to a first polarization; a second RF path configured to transmit a second RF signal corresponding to the transmitted signal via a second antenna port according to a second polarization; a phase shift circuit system including at least one phase shifter in at least one of the first RF path or the second RF path, the phase shift circuit system being configurable to apply a phase shift between the first RF signal in the first RF path and the second RF signal in the second RF path; and a controller configured to configure the phase shift circuit system to apply the phase shift based on the polarization setting.

[0619] Example 2 includes the subject matter according to Example 1, and optionally, wherein the polarization of the transmitted signal is based on the first polarization, the second polarization, and the phase offset.

[0620] Example 3 includes the subject matter described in Example 1 or 2, and optionally, wherein the polarization of the transmitted signal is based on a combination of the first polarization and the second polarization according to the phase shift.

[0621] Example 4 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to configure the phase offset circuitry to apply a first phase offset based on a first polarization setting, and to configure the phase offset circuitry to apply a second phase offset based on a second polarization setting, wherein the first phase offset is different from the second phase offset, and the first polarization setting is different from the second polarization setting.

[0622] Example 5 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, and optionally, the phase shift circuit system includes: a first path phase shifter configured to apply a first path phase shift to a first RF signal in a first RF path; and a second path phase shifter configured to apply a second path phase shift to a second RF signal in a second RF path, wherein the controller is configured to configure the first path phase shifter to apply the first path phase shift and configure the second path phase shifter to apply the second path phase shift based on the polarization settings.

[0623] Example 6 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, and optionally, the phase shifter includes a variable phase shifter.

[0624] Example 7 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, and optionally, the phase shifter includes a phase rotator.

[0625] Example 8 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, and optionally, wherein the first RF path includes a first amplifier for amplifying the first RF signal, and the second RF path includes a second amplifier for amplifying the second RF signal.

[0626] Example 9 includes the subject matter described in Example 8, and optionally, at least one of the first amplifier or the second amplifier includes an adjustable amplifier, wherein the controller is configured to configure the adjustable amplifier according to a gain difference to be applied between the first RF signal in the first RF path and the second RF signal in the second RF path, wherein the gain difference is based on the polarization setting.

[0627] Example 10 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, and optionally, wherein the phase shifter is switchable between a plurality of predefined phase shifter settings corresponding to a plurality of predefined phase shifts, wherein the controller is configured to set the phase shifter to a selected phase shifter setting from the plurality of predefined phase shifter settings based on the polarization settings.

[0628] Example 11 includes the subject matter described in Example 10, and optionally, the phase shifter includes a plurality of phase shifter paths corresponding to the plurality of predefined phase shifter settings, wherein the controller is configured to switch the phase shifter to a selected phase shifter path among the plurality of phase shifter paths based on the predefined phase shift settings.

[0629] Example 12 includes the subject matter described in Example 10 or 11, and optionally, the plurality of predefined phase shift settings include three predefined phase shift settings.

[0630] Example 13 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 10 to 12, and optionally, the phase shifter includes an inductor (L) capacitor (C) (LC) circuit.

[0631] Example 14 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, and optionally, the transmitted signal includes a transmit (Tx) signal, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are based on a split of the Tx signal.

[0632] Example 15 includes the subject matter described in Example 14, and optionally, wherein the first RF path includes a first power amplifier (PA) for amplifying the first RF signal to be transmitted via the first antenna port, and the second RF path includes a second PA for amplifying the second RF signal to be transmitted via the second antenna port.

[0633] Example 16 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, and optionally, the transmitted signal includes a received (Rx) signal, wherein the Rx signal is based on a combination of the first RF signal and the second RF signal.

[0634] Example 17 includes the subject matter described in Example 16, and optionally, wherein the first RF path includes a first low-noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying the first RF signal received via the first antenna port, and the second RF path includes a second LNA for amplifying the second RF signal received via the second antenna port.

[0635] Example 18 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, and optionally, wherein the first RF path is configured to transmit the first RF signal via a first antenna port of the dual-polarized antenna element, and the second RF path is configured to transmit the second RF signal via a second antenna port of the dual-polarized antenna element.

[0636] Example 19 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, and optionally, wherein the first RF path is configured to transmit the first RF signal via a first antenna port of a first antenna element, and the second RF path is configured to transmit the second RF signal via a second antenna port of a second antenna element.

[0637] Example 20 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a plurality of polarization settings.

[0638] Example 21 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 20, and optionally, the phase offset circuit system is configurable to apply substantially any phase offset within a predefined phase offset range.

[0639] Example 22 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 21, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to substantially any polarization setting within a predefined polarization range.

[0640] Example 23 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 22, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a linear polarization setting.

[0641] Example 24 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 23, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to substantially any linear polarization setting within a predefined linear polarization range.

[0642] Example 25 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 24, and optionally, the polarization control circuit system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a selected linear polarization setting from a plurality of linear polarization settings, including a vertical (V) polarization setting, a horizontal (H) polarization setting, and a 45-degree linear polarization setting.

[0643] Example 26 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 25, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a circular polarization (CP) setting.

[0644] Example 27 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 26, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to substantially any circular polarization (CP) setting within a predefined circular polarization range.

[0645] Example 28 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 27, and optionally, the polarization control circuit system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a selected circular polarization setting from a plurality of circular polarization (CP) settings, the plurality of CP settings including a clockwise (CW) CP setting and a counterclockwise (CCW) CP setting.

[0646] Example 29 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 28, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to elliptic polarization.

[0647] Example 30 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 29, and optionally, the polarization control circuitry system is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to substantially any elliptic polarization within a predefined elliptic polarization range.

[0648] Example 31 includes a subject according to any one of Examples 1 to 30, and optionally, wherein the first polarization is orthogonal to the second polarization.

[0649] Example 32 includes a subject according to any one of Examples 1 to 31, and optionally, the first polarization includes vertical (V) polarization and the second polarization includes horizontal (H) polarization.

[0650] Example 33 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 32, and optionally includes a processing circuitry system connected to the first RF path and the second RF path, wherein the processing circuitry system is configured to process the transmitted signal based on the polarization settings.

[0651] Example 34 includes the subject matter described in Example 33, and optionally, the processing circuitry system includes an RF processing circuitry system.

[0652] Example 35 includes the subject matter described in Example 33, and optionally, the processing circuitry system includes a baseband processor.

[0653] Example 36 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 35, which includes a radar processor configured to determine the polarization settings.

[0654] Example 37 includes the subject matter described in Example 36, and optionally, wherein the radar processor is configured to determine the polarization settings based on the steering angle of the antenna array used to transmit the transmitted signal.

[0655] Example 38 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 37, and optionally includes a dual-polarized antenna element comprising a first antenna port and a second antenna port.

[0656] Example 39 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 37, and optionally includes a first antenna element and a second antenna element, the first antenna element including a first antenna port and the second antenna element including a second antenna port.

[0657] Example 40 includes the subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 39, and optionally includes a radar device comprising: a plurality of transmit (Tx) antennas for transmitting radar Tx signals; and a plurality of Rx antennas for receiving radar receive (Rx) signals based on the radar Tx signals, wherein the transmitted signal is a radar signal in either the radar Tx signals or the radar Rx signals.

[0658] Example 41 includes the subject matter described in Example 40, and optionally includes a radar processor configured to generate radar information based on the radar Rx signal.

[0659] Example 42 includes the subject matter described in Example 41, and optionally includes a vehicle including the radar device; and a system controller for controlling one or more systems of the vehicle based on the radar information.

[0660] Example 43 includes a polarization controller according to any one of Examples 1 to 42.

[0661] Example 44 includes an apparatus comprising: a communication interface for transmitting signals via one or more antennas; and a polarization controller according to any one of Examples 1 to 42, the polarization controller being configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signals according to a polarization setting.

[0662] Example 45 includes a radar device comprising a polarization controller according to any one of Examples 1 to 42.

[0663] Example 46 includes a vehicle that includes a polarization controller according to any one of Examples 1 to 42.

[0664] Example 47 includes a product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable nontransitory storage media, the one or more tangible computer-readable nontransitory storage media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, are operable to enable the at least one processor to cause the device to perform any of the operations described in any of Examples 1 to 42.

[0665] Example 48 includes an apparatus comprising means for controlling the polarization of a transmitted signal according to a polarization setting as described in any one of Examples 1 to 42.

[0666] Example 49 includes a method for controlling the polarization of a transmitted signal according to any one of Examples 1 to 42.

[0667] The functions, operations, components and / or features described herein with reference to one or more aspects may be combined with, used in combination with, or vice versa, one or more other functions, operations, components and / or features described herein with reference to one or more aspects.

[0668] While certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and alterations that fall within the true spirit of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: polarization control circuitry configured to control a polarization of a transmitted signal according to a polarization setting, the polarization control circuitry comprising: a first radio frequency (RF) path configured to transmit a first RF signal corresponding to the transmitted signal via a first antenna port according to a first polarization; a second RF path configured to transmit a second RF signal corresponding to the transmitted signal via a second antenna port according to a second polarization; phase offset circuitry comprising at least one phase shifter in at least one of the first RF path or the second RF path, the phase offset circuitry configurable to impose a phase offset between the first RF signal in the first RF path and the second RF signal in the second RF path; and a controller configured to configure the phase offset circuitry to impose the phase offset based on the polarization setting.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the polarization of the transmitted signal is based on the first polarization, the second polarization, and the phase offset.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the polarization of the transmitted signal is based on a combination of the first polarization and the second polarization according to the phase offset.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to configure the phase offset circuitry to impose a first phase offset based on a first polarization setting and to configure the phase offset circuitry to impose a second phase offset based on a second polarization setting, wherein the first phase offset is different from the second phase offset and the first polarization setting is different from the second polarization setting.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phase offset circuitry comprises: a first-path phase shifter configurable to impose a first-path phase shift to the first RF signal in the first RF path; and a second-path phase shifter configurable to impose a second-path phase shift to the second RF signal in the second RF path, wherein the controller is configured to configure the first-path phase shifter to impose the first-path phase shift and the second-path phase shifter to impose the second-path phase shift based on the polarization setting.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phase shifter comprises a variable phase shifter and / or a phase rotator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first RF path comprises a first amplifier for amplifying the first RF signal and the second RF path comprises a second amplifier for amplifying the second RF signal.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first amplifier or the second amplifier comprises a tunable amplifier, wherein the controller is configured to configure the tunable amplifier according to a gain difference to be imposed between the first RF signal in the first RF path and the second RF signal in the second RF path, wherein the gain difference is based on the polarization setting.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the phase shifter is switchable between a plurality of predefined phase shifter settings corresponding to a plurality of predefined phase shifts, wherein the controller is configured to set the phase shifter to a selected phase shifter setting from the plurality of predefined phase shifter settings based on the polarization setting.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the phase shifter comprises a plurality of phase shifter paths corresponding to the plurality of predefined phase shifter settings, wherein the controller is configured to switch the phase shifter to a selected phase shifter path from the plurality of phase shifter paths based on the predefined phase shift setting.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitted signal comprises a transmit (Tx) signal, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are based on a split of the Tx signal.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first RF path comprises a first power amplifier (PA) to amplify the first RF signal to be transmitted via the first antenna port, and the second RF path comprises a second PA to amplify the second RF signal to be transmitted via the second antenna port.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitted signal comprises a receive (Rx) signal, wherein the Rx signal is based on a combination of the first RF signal and the second RF signal.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first RF path comprises a first low noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify the first RF signal received via the first antenna port, and the second RF path comprises a second LNA to amplify the second RF signal received via the second antenna port.

15. The device of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the polarization control circuitry is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a linear polarization setting.

16. The device of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the polarization control circuitry is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a selected linear polarization setting from a plurality of linear polarization settings, the plurality of linear polarization settings comprising a vertical (V) polarization setting, a horizontal (H) polarization setting, and a 45-degree linear polarization setting.

17. The device of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the polarization control circuitry is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a circular polarization (CP) setting.

18. The device of any of claims 1-14, wherein the polarization control circuitry is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to a selected circular polarization (CP) setting from a plurality of CP settings, the plurality of CP settings including a clockwise (CW) CP setting and a counter-clockwise (CCW) CP setting.

19. The device of any of claims 1-14, wherein the polarization control circuitry is configured to control the polarization of the transmitted signal according to an elliptical polarization.

20. The device of any of claims 1-14, comprising processing circuitry connected to the first RF path and the second RF path, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to process the transmitted signal based on the polarization setting.

21. The device of any of claims 1-14, comprising a radar processor configured to determine the polarization setting based on a steering angle of an antenna array used to transmit the transmitted signal.

22. The device of any of claims 1-14, comprising a dual-polarized antenna element, the dual-polarized antenna element comprising the first antenna port and the second antenna port.

23. The device of any of claims 1-14, comprising a first antenna element comprising the first antenna port and a second antenna element comprising the second antenna port.

24. A radar apparatus comprising the device of any of claims 1-23, the radar apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmit (Tx) antennas for transmitting a radar Tx signal; a plurality of Rx antennas for receiving a radar receive (Rx) signal based on the radar Tx signal; and a radar processor configured to generate radar information based on the radar Rx signal, wherein the transmitted signal is a radar signal of the radar Tx signal or the radar Rx signal. The radar apparatus of claim 24; 25. A vehicle comprising: and a system controller for controlling one or more systems of the vehicle based on the radar information.

25. A radar apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmit (Tx) antennas for transmitting a radar Tx signal; a plurality of receive (Rx) antennas for receiving a radar Rx signal based on the radar Tx signal; and a radar processor configured to generate radar information based on the radar Rx signal, wherein the transmitted signal is a radar signal of the radar Tx signal or the radar Rx signal. The radar apparatus of claim 25; and a system controller for controlling one or more systems of the vehicle based on the radar information.

26. A radar apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmit (Tx) antennas for transmitting a radar Tx signal; a plurality of receive (Rx) antennas for receiving a radar Rx signal based on the radar Tx signal; and a radar processor configured to generate radar information based on the radar Rx signal, wherein the transmitted signal is a radar signal of the radar Tx signal or the radar Rx signal. The radar apparatus of claim 26; and a system controller for controlling one or more systems of the vehicle based on the radar information.

27. A radar apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmit (Tx) antennas for transmitting a radar Tx signal; a plurality of receive (Rx) antennas for receiving a radar Rx signal based on the radar Tx signal; and a radar processor configured to generate radar information based on the radar Rx signal, wherein the transmitted signal is a radar signal of the radar Tx signal or the radar Rx signal. The radar apparatus of claim 27; and a system controller for controlling one or more systems of the vehicle based on the radar information.

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