Antenna device for an access point of a multiple wireless access point system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an antenna device for an access point of a multiple wireless access point system. The antenna device comprises a dual-polarized active radiating element for radiating radio waves of two polarizations, and a passive radiating element comprising multiple rhombic conductive elements. The passive radiating element is arranged in a main direction of radiation of the dual-polarized active radiating element in front of the dual-polarized active radiating element. The passive radiating element comprises one or more switches each electrically connecting a respective first rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements with a respective second rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements. The one or more switches are configured to be controlled for reconfiguring the passive radiating element. A multiple wireless access point system access point comprising such antenna device is further disclosed. The antenna device may be used in a Fiber-to-the-Room (FTTR) system.

Description

[0001] ANTENNA DEVICE FOR AN ACCESS POINT OF A MULTIPLE WIRELESS ACCESS POINT SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an antenna device for an access point of a multiple wireless access point system, and to a multiple wireless access point system access point comprising such an antenna device.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Multiple wireless access points systems, such as Wi-Fi networks (e.g. indoor Wi-Fi networks), make use of access point devices (may be referred to as access points) to provide wireless communication, such as an internet connection, to terminals.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] Introducing several co-existing access points improves the possibilities to achieve a robust connection as well as providing additional wireless features such as coordinated beamforming (Co- BF), joint transmission (JTR), etc.

[0008] During operation, access points may be subject to environmental noise and electromagnetic (EM) interferences, such as from other access points in the system. A connection quality, measurable in speed and robustness by key performance indicators (KPIs), such as data rate, may be degraded by the aforementioned noise and interferences.

[0009] Access points may comprise an antenna system that is controlled in order to adapt the hardware of the antenna system in order to provide coverage directions and signal strength for a robust performance in a multiple wireless access points system, such as a Wi-Fi network, against environmental disturbances. For example, the location and / or angles of antennas of the antenna system may be changed in order to adapt the hardware of the antenna system for providing an accurate and stable Wi-Fi coverage. In the antenna system, the antennas may actively radiate radio waves and for adapting the antenna system in order to provide coverage directions and signal strength for a robust performance in a multiple wireless access points system, such as a Wi-Fi network, against environmental disturbances, the antennas may be turned on or off. The antenna systems with coverage adaptation may impose high requirements on switching devices used in the antenna system and the amplifying chain, as these elements conduct active radio frequency (RF) power.

[0010] In view of the above, this disclosure aims to provide an improved antenna device for an access point of a multiple wireless access point system. An objective of this disclosure may be to provide such an antenna device with at least one of dual-polarized beams over and extended angular steering region and a possibility of selecting multiple beams with low correlation among them.

[0011] These and other objectives are achieved by the solution of this disclosure as described in the independent claims. Advantageous implementations are further defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] A first aspect of this disclosure provides an antenna device for an access point of a multiple wireless access point system. The antenna device comprises a dual-polarized active radiating element for radiating radio waves of two polarizations, and a passive radiating element. The passive radiating element comprises multiple rhombic conductive elements. The passive radiating element is arranged in a main direction of radiation of the dual-polarized active radiating element in front of the dual-polarized active radiating element. The passive radiating element comprises one or more switches each electrically connecting a respective first rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements with a respective second rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements. The one or more switches are configured to be controlled for reconfiguring the passive radiating element.

[0013] This reconfiguration has an effect on the electromagnetic coupling between the passive radiating element and the dual-polarized active radiating element and, thus, on a radiation pattern of the antenna device. By controlling the one or more switches and, thus, the layout of the passive radiating element the radiation pattern of the antenna device may be changed. In other words, controlling the one or more switches allows controlling interconnection(s) between the multiple rhombic conductive elements. Changing the layout of the passive radiating element allows changing and, thus, controlling the radiation pattern of the antenna device. Especially, changing the layout of the passive radiating element has an impact on the radiation pattern of the dual- polarized active radiating element received by the passive radiating element and, thus, on the radiation pattern of the antenna device.

[0014] The passive radiating element may change, depending on its configuration (i.e. its current layout due to current interconnection(s) between the multiple conductive elements controlled by the one or more switches), the radiation pattern radiated by the dual-polarized active radiating element. This allows the passive radiating element to control the radiation pattern of the antenna device. The radiation pattern of the antenna device corresponds to a radiation pattern radiated depend on the configuration of the passive radiating element by the passive radiating element in response to ta radiation pattern received by the passive radiating element from the dualpolarized active radiating element.

[0015] The passive radiating element thus allows improving a wireless connection quality impacted by noise or EM interferences by allowing changing the radiation pattern of the antenna device dependent on its configuration, which may be controlled by the one or more switches of the passive radiating element.

[0016] The passive radiating element suits the dual-polarized performance of the dual polarized active radiating element. Since the passive radiating element may be reconfigured by controlling the one or more switches, a biasing of the passive radiating element control may be facilitated.

[0017] The arrangement of the passive radiating element, in a main direction of radiation of the dualpolarized active radiating element, in front of the dual-polarized active radiating element allows a dual-polarization over an extended angular steering region. That is, the arrangement of the passive radiating element with regard to the dual-polarized active radiating element allows dualpolarized beams over and extended angular steering region. The term “extended scanning angular range” may be used as a synonym for the term “extended angular steering region”. Furthermore, the passive radiating element allows an easily controllable implementation for selecting multiple beams with low correlation among them. The passive radiating element allows simpler biasing of the passive radiating element control with lower interference on the dual-polarization active radiating element. Reconfiguring the passive radiating element by controlling the one or more switches imposes lower requirements on the one or more switches and the amplifying chain of the antenna device, as the one or more switches of the passive radiating element do not conduct active radio frequency (RF) power. Since the one or more switches allows reconfiguring interconnections of the multiple rhombic conductive elements of the passive radiating element and, thus, controlling the radiation pattern of the antenna device, the one or more switches allow a real-time reconfiguration of the passive radiating element.

[0018] Each switch is provided for electrically connecting a different pair of two rhombic conductive elements. That is, the one or more switches are configured to be controlled for controlling a conducting path between a respective pair of rhombic conductive elements of the multiple rhombic conductive elements of the passive radiating element. The passive radiating element may comprise multiple of the switches and the multiple rhombic conductive elements may be interconnected by the multiple switches.

[0019] The one or more switches may be configured to be in the conducting state (i.e. activated) and / or in the non-conducting state (i.e. deactivated). This allows generating different radiation patterns of the antenna device. For example, in case a switch connecting a pair of two rhombic conductive elements is in the conducting state, then there is a conducting path between the two rhombic conductive elements. In case the switch connecting the pair of two rhombic conductive elements is in the non-conducting state, then there is no conducting path between the two rhombic conductive elements. The multiple rhombic conductive elements are or form a radiating structure (i.e. passive radiating structure) of the passive radiating element. The one or more switches allow controlling interconnections between the multiple rhombic conductive elements and, thus, allow controlling the radiating structure of the passive radiating element. The term “diamond-shaped” may be used as a synonym for the term “rhombic”. The term “rhombic” may be understood as a quadrilateral with four sides of the same length, and vertexes on top, bottom, left and right (e.g. when dual-polarized active radiating element is configured to radiate with horizontal and vertical polarizations). The term “radiator” may be used as a synonym for the term “radiating element”.

[0020] The dual-polarized active radiating element may be configured to radiate dual-polarized radio waves. The dual-polarized active radiating element may be configured to generate electric fields whose vectors are orthogonal to each other at least in the main propagation directions. The dual polarization active radiating element may be configured to radiate with horizontal and vertical polarizations. Since the passive radiating element is arranged in a main direction of radiation of the dual-polarized active radiating element in front of the dual-polarized active radiating element electromagnetic coupling occurs between the multiple rhombic conductive elements and the dual-polarized active radiating element when the dual-polarized active radiating element radiates radio waves.

[0021] The passive radiating element being arranged in the main direction of radiation of the dualpolarized active radiating element in front of the dual-polarized active radiating element means that the radio waves radiated by the dual-polarized active radiating element in the main direction of radiation are radiated towards the passive radiating element. The term “parasitic” may be used as a synonym for the term “passive”. The term “driven” may be used as a synonym for the term “active”.

[0022] The dual-polarized active radiating element may be configured to be fed (i.e. driven) with one or more radio frequency (RF) signals and radiate radio waves in response to being fed (i.e. driven) with the one or more RF signals. For this, the dual-polarized active radiating element may be electrically connected with one or more feeding lines (may be referred to as RF signal feeding lines). The passive radiating element is not connected to one or more feeding lines, i.e. it is not fed (i.e. driven) with one or more RF signals. The multiple rhombic conductive elements of the passive radiating elements are configured to change a radiation pattern of the dual-polarized active radiating element when the dual-polarized active radiating elements radiates radio waves.

[0023] The multiple rhombic conductive elements may be grounded together. The passive radiating element may be referred to as “reconfigurable passive radiating element”.

[0024] For example, the passive radiating element may comprise eight, sixteen, or more rhombic conductive elements.

[0025] The antenna device may be a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna device. For example, the antenna device is a 2x2 MIMO antenna device. This is only by way of example and, thus, the antenna device may be a MIMO antenna device of higher number.

[0026] The multiple wireless access point system may be a wireless local access network (WLAN) network. Thus, the antenna device may be an antenna device for a wireless local access network (WLAN) access point. The WLAN network may be a WLAN network according to IEEE 802.11. The antenna device may be configured to be used for a Wi-Fi access point. For example, the antenna device is configured to operate at a frequency range according to Wi-Fi 6 (e.g. between 5170 and 5835 MHz). That is, the antenna device may be suitable for a Wi-Fi 6 access point. In addition or alternatively the antenna device may be configured to operate at a frequency range according to Wi-Fi6E, Wi-Fi 7 etc. That is, the antenna device may be suitable for a Wi-Fi6E access point, a Wi-Fi 7 access point etc. For example, the antenna device is configured to operate with 5.2-5.8 GHz bands (IEEE 802.1 l.a / n / ac / ax). For example, the antenna device may have a height smaller than 1 cm (low profile). For example, a surface of the antenna device may fit in 10 x 10 cm.

[0027] An access point of a multiple wireless access point system is an access point that is configured for a multiple wireless access point system. That is, such an access point may be used in a multi access point (multi- AP) architecture.

[0028] The antenna device may be configured to be used in a multi-AP architecture such as P2MP (Point to Multi Point). The access points may backhaul with wireless, coaxial, ethernet, or fiber to a main access point, wherein a backhaul with a fiber is called FTTR (Fiber-to-the-Room) technology. The antenna device may be configured to be used in a FTTR system. A FTTR device, such as a FTTR main fiber-optic unit (MFU) or sub FTTR unit (SFU), may comprise the antenna device.

[0029] FTTR is an in-premises networking technology based on optical fiber. With benefit of optical fiber, FTTR provides high-bandwidth and reliable communications, with topologies and functionalities depending on the use cases. First set of use cases enabled by the Fifth Generation Fixed Network (F5G) includes services to consumers and enterprises with assist of wireless technologies mainly by Wi-Fi. It focuses on optical elements up to connections serving locations of users in home or offices. FTTR allows fiber connection and backhauling for in-premises access networking with a main fiber-optic unit (MFU) connected over fiber to several sub FTTR units (SFUs), e.g. via splitter, by default with one SFU per each room or multiple SFUs in a room. Such solution particularly improves Wi-Fi coverage and throughput in rooms in comparison with legacy Wi-Fi systems, over 5.2-5.8 GHz bands (802.1 l.a / n / ac / ax) where path loss is greater than that of 2.4 GHz. An SFU has advantages of simple and small form which allow its easy installations on any fiber-connected location on the wall (similar to the power outlets), or on the desk. It can easily create point to multi-point networks toward multiple SFUs in a house thanks to a fiber splitter unit. The antenna device may be used in an SFU.

[0030] For example, the antenna device may be used in an optical network terminal (ONT), such as a secondary Wi-Fi ONT. Such ONT may be mounted for example to a wall, a desk, a ceiling etc.

[0031] The antenna device is described as a transmission (not reception) device. However, it can also be operated as a reception device. That is, the antenna device may reciprocally be operated as a reception device.

[0032] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the antenna device comprises a control unit for controlling the one or more switches of the passive radiating element. The control unit may be configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element by controlling the one or more switches.

[0033] The control unit may be configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element by controlling the one or more switches to be in the conducting state and / or non-conducting state. That is, the control unit may be configured to control the one or more switches to be in the conducting state and / or non-conducting state to generate multiple different beam configuration of the antenna device. The control unit may be configured to control the one or more switches by providing control signals to the one or more switches. The antenna device may comprise one or more control lines (may be referred to as control feeding lines) for providing control signals from the control unit to the one or more switches. The one or more control lines may be at least partly arranged at the passive radiating element. The one or more control lines may be one or more biasing lines (may be referred to as biasing feeding lines). For example, the one or more switches may comprise or be one or more positive intrinsic negative (PIN) diodes. In this case, the control signals provided by the control unit to the one or more PIN diodes may bias the respective PIN diode so that the PIN diode is in the conducting state (forward biased) or in the non-conducting state (reversed biased).

[0034] Optionally, the control unit may be configured to control the dual-polarized active radiating element and, thus, a radiation by the dual-polarized active radiating element. For this, the control unit may be configured to control radio frequency signals (RF signals) that are fed to the dual-polarized active radiating element. The control unit may comprise or be at least one of a controller, a microcontroller, a processor, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

[0035] Optionally, the passive radiating element comprises multiple switches. Optionally, the number of switches of the passive radiating elements is such that each pair of adjacent rhombic conductive elements of the multiple rhombic conductive elements is electrically connected by a switch.

[0036] A pair of adjacent rhombic conductive elements of the multiple rhombic conductive elements are two rhombic conductive elements, where one of the two conductive elements immediately precedes or follows the other one of the two rhombic conductive elements.

[0037] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the multiple rhombic conductive elements are arranged in a matrix.

[0038] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the multiple rhombic conductive elements are arranged such that at least one vertex of each rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements is aligned with a vertex of another rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements.

[0039] In an implementation form of the first aspect, each of the one or more switches is electrically connected between a vertex of the respective first rhombic conductive element and a vertex of the respective second rhombic conductive element.

[0040] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the rhombic conductive elements are multiple rhombic patches, and the passive radiating element comprises a planar element on which the multiple rhombic conductive elements are arranged.

[0041] The planar element may be a dielectric substrate, e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The multiple rhombic patches may be implemented as metallization on the dielectric substrate. The multiple patches are passive patches. The multiple rhombic patches may be referred to as “multiple rhombic passive patches”. In an implementation form of the first aspect, the dual-polarized active radiating element is arranged in a first plane, the passive radiating element is arranged in a second plane that is different to the first plane, and the first plane and the second plane are parallel to each other.

[0042] For example, the passive radiating element comprises a planar element on which the multiple rhombic conductive elements are arranged, and the dual-polarized active radiating element comprises a planar element on which a patch is arranged that is configured to radiate radio waves of the two polarizations. The planar element of the passive radiating element and the planar element of the dual-polarized active radiating element may be arranged in parallel to each other.

[0043] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the antenna device comprises a second passive radiating element that is arranged between the dual-polarized active radiating element and the passive radiating element.

[0044] Since the second passive radiating element that is arranged between the dual-polarized active radiating element and the passive radiating element electromagnetic coupling occurs between the passive radiating element, the second passive radiating element and the dual-polarized active radiating element when the dual-polarized active radiating element radiates radio waves.

[0045] The second passive radiating element may be configured to direct the radio waves and, thus, radiation pattern radiated by the dual-polarized radiating element towards the passive radiating element.

[0046] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the second passive radiating element comprises a planar element on which one or more conductive elements are arranged.

[0047] The planar element may be a dielectric substrate, e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. Thus, one or more conductive elements may be implemented on a dielectric substrate, e.g. a PCB. The one or more conductive elements are or form a radiating structure (i.e. passive radiating structure) of the second passive radiating element.

[0048] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more conductive elements are one or more patches. The one or more patches may be one or more rectangular patches. The one or more patches may be implemented as metallization on a dielectric substrate. The one or more patches may be referred to as “one or more passive patches”. The one or more patches are configured to act as a director. The one or more patches may be referred to as “one or more passive director patches”.

[0049] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the dual-polarized active radiating element is arranged in a first plane, the passive radiating element is arranged in a second plane, the second passive radiating element is arranged in a third plane, and the third plane is arranged between the first and second plane. The first plane, the second plane and the third plane may be parallel to each other.

[0050] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the dual-polarized active radiating element comprises a planar element on which a patch is arranged, and the patch is configured to radiate radio waves of the two polarizations.

[0051] The planar element may be a dielectric substrate, e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The patch may be a rectangular patch. The antenna device may comprise a first feeding line, optionally a first microstrip line, accessing one side of the rectangular patch. The first feeding line may feed a first polarization of the two polarization. The antenna device may comprise a second and third feeding line, optional a second and third microstrip line, accessing at two sides of the rectangular patch that are adjacent to the aforementioned side and opposite to each other. The second and third feeding line may feed a second polarization of the two polarizations in a differential way. The patch may be implemented as metallization on a dielectric substrate. The patch may be referred to as “active patch”. The patch is or forms a radiating structure (i.e. active radiating structure) of the dual-polarized active radiating element. The first feeding line, second feeding line and third feeding line may be referred to as first RF signal feeding line, second RF signal feeding line and third RF signal feeding line, respectively.

[0052] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the dual-polarized active radiating element comprises an antenna array configured to radiate radio waves of the two polarizations.

[0053] The antenna array is or forms a radiating structure (i.e. active radiating structure) of the dualpolarized active radiating element. The dual-polarized active radiating element may comprise a planar element on which the antenna array is arranged. The planar element may be a dielectric substrate, e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The antenna array may comprise multiple patches. The multiple patches may be arranged on the planar element of the dual-polarized active radiating element.

[0054] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more switches comprise or are one or more positive intrinsic negative (PIN) diodes.

[0055] The one or more switches may be one or more semiconductor switches. Optionally, the one or more switches may comprise or may be one or more transistors.

[0056] In order to achieve the antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure, some or all of the implementation forms and optional features of the first aspect, as described above, may be combined with each other.

[0057] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a multiple wireless access point system access point. The multiple wireless access point system access point comprises an antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure, as described above. The multiple wireless access point system access point is configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element of the antenna device by controlling the one or more switches of the passive radiating element of the antenna device.

[0058] In other words, the multiple wireless access point system access point is configured to control a radiation pattern of the antenna device by controlling the one or more switches of the passive radiating element of the antenna device.

[0059] Optionally, the multiple wireless access point system access point comprises a control unit for controlling the one or more switches of the passive radiating element. The control unit is configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element by controlling the one or more switches. Thus, the control unit is configured to control a radiation pattern of the antenna device by controlling the one or more switches of the passive radiating element of the antenna device.

[0060] The control unit may be configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element by controlling the one or more switches to be in the conducting state and / or non-conducting state. That is, the control unit may be configured to control the one or more switches to be in the conducting state and / or non-conducting state to generate multiple different beam configuration of the antenna device. The control unit may be configured to control the one or more switches by providing control signal to the one or more switches. The antenna device may comprise one or more control lines for providing control signals from the control unit to the one or more switches. The one or more control lines may be at least partly arranged at the passive radiating element.

[0061] Optionally, the control unit may be configured to control the dual-polarized active radiating element and, thus, a radiation by the dual-polarized active radiating element. For this, the control unit may be configured to control radio frequency signals (RF signals) that are fed to the dual-polarized active radiating element.

[0062] The control unit may comprise or be at least one of a controller, a microcontroller, a processor, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

[0063] A multiple wireless access point system access point is an access point that is configured for a multiple wireless access point system. That is, such an access point may be used in a multi access point (multi- AP) architecture.

[0064] The multiple wireless access point system access point may be an access point according to Fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) technology. The multiple wireless access point system access point is configured to receive information in the form of optical signals from one or more fibers and transmit using the antenna device the received information in the form of radio waves. The multiple wireless access point system access point may be a wireless local access network (WLAN) access point. The WLAN may be WLAN according to IEEE 802.11. The multiple wireless access point system access point may be a Wi-Fi access point. For example, the multiple wireless access point system access point may be a Wi-Fi 6, a Wi-Fi6E or a Wi-Fi 7 access point.

[0065] The above description of the antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure is correspondingly valid for the multiple wireless access point system access point of the second aspect of this disclosure. The above description of the multiple wireless access point system access point of the second aspect of this disclosure is correspondingly valid for the antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure.

[0066] The multiple wireless access point system access point of the second aspect and its implementation forms and optional features achieve the same advantages as the antenna device of the first aspect and its respective implementation forms and respective optional features.

[0067] In order to achieve the multiple wireless access point system access point according to the second aspect of this disclosure, some or all of the implementation forms and optional features of the second aspect, as described above, may be combined with each other.

[0068] It has to be noted that all devices, elements, units and means described in the present application could be implemented in software or hardware elements or any kind of combination thereof. All steps which are performed by the various entities described in the present application as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities. Even if, in the following description of specific embodiments, a specific functionality or step to be performed by external entities is not reflected in the description of a specific detailed element of that entity which performs that specific step or functionality, it should be clear for a skilled person that these methods and functionalities can be implemented in respective software or hardware elements, or any kind of combination thereof.

[0069] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0070] The above described aspects and implementation forms will be explained in the following description of specific embodiments in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0071] FIG. 1 shows an example of an antenna device according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows an example of an antenna device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. FIG. 3 shows an example of an antenna device according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows an example of a multiple wireless access point system access point according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0074] Same elements shown in the Figures (Figs) are labeled with the same reference sign, and may be implemented likewise.

[0075] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0076] FIG. 1 shows an example of an antenna device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The antenna device 1 of FIG. 1 is an example of the antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure. Thus, the description of the antenna device according to the first aspect is correspondingly valid for the antenna device 1 of FIG. 1. The left side of FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the antenna device 1, wherein the right side of FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of an example of a passive radiating element 3 of the antenna device 1.

[0077] The antenna device 1 of FIG. 1 is an antenna device for an access point of a multiple wireless access point system. As shown on the left of FIG. 1, the antenna device 1 comprises a dualpolarized active radiating element 2 for radiating radio waves of two polarizations, and a passive radiating element 3. The passive radiating element 3 is arranged in a main direction of radiation (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 in front of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2. Since according to FIG. 1, the main direction of radiation of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 is to the top, FIG. 1 shows that the passive radiating element 3 is arranged on top of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2. As a result, radio waves radiated by the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 imping on the passive radiating element 3.

[0078] As shown on the right side of FIG. 1, the passive radiating element 3 comprises multiple rhombic conductive elements 31. According to FIG. 1, the passive radiating element 3 comprises sixteen rhombic conductive elements 31. This number is only by way of example and, thus, may be different. According to the example of FIG. 1, the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31 are arranged in a matrix (e.g. a 4 x 4 matrix). This is only by way of example and may be different. As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31 may be arranged such that at least one vertex of each rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31 is aligned with a vertex of another rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31.

[0079] As shown on the right side of FIG. 1, the passive radiating element 3 comprises one or more switches 32 each electrically connecting a respective first rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31 with a respective second rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31. Optionally, the one or more switches 32 may comprise or may be one or more PIN diodes. According to the example of Figure 1, the passive radiating element 3 comprises multiple switches 32, e.g. twenty switches 32. The number of switches 32 shown in FIG. 1 is only by way of example and, thus, may be different. Optionally, the number of switches 32 of the passive radiating elements 3 may be such that each pair of adjacent rhombic conductive elements of the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31 is electrically connected by a switch. In the case of sixteen rhombic conductive elements 31, this would mean that there are twenty-four switches 32.

[0080] The one or more switches 32 are configured to be controlled for reconfiguring the passive radiating element 3. That is, depending on which of the one or more switches 32 are in the conducting state or in then non-conducting state a radiating structure of the passive radiating element 3 may be different. Therefore, controlling the one or more switches 32 allows configuring the radiating structure of the passive radiating element 3 and, thus, reconfiguring the passive radiating element 3.

[0081] The antenna device 1 may comprise a processor or processing circuitry (not shown) configured to perform, conduct or initiate the various operations of the antenna device described herein. The processing circuitry may comprise hardware and / or the processing circuitry may be controlled by software. The hardware may comprise analog circuitry or digital circuitry, or both analog and digital circuitry. The digital circuitry may comprise components such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or multi-purpose processors. The antenna device 1 may further comprise memory circuitry, which stores one or more instruction(s) that can be executed by the processor or by the processing circuitry, in particular under control of the software. For instance, the memory circuitry may comprise a non-transitory storage medium storing executable software code which, when executed by the processor or the processing circuitry, causes the various operations of the antenna device 1 to be performed. In one optional embodiment, the processing circuitry may comprise one or more processors and a non-transitory memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-transitory memory may carry executable program code which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the antenna device 1 to perform, conduct or initiate the operations or methods described herein.

[0082] For further details on the antenna device 1 of FIG. 1 reference is made to the description of the antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure and the description of Figs 2 to 3.

[0083] FIG. 2 shows an example of an antenna device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The antenna device 1 of FIG. 2 corresponds to the antenna device 1 of FIG. 1 with an additional optional feature. Therefore, for describing the antenna device 1 of FIG. 2 reference is made to the description of FIG. 1 and in the following mainly the additional optional feature is described.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna device 2 may comprises a second passive radiating element 4 that is arranged between the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 and the passive radiating element 3. Thus, radio waves radiated by the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 imping on the second passive radiating element 4, which may direct these radio waves to the passive radiating element 3. That is, the second passive radiating element 4 may be configured to direct radio waves and, thus, a radiation pattern radiated by the dual-polarized radiating element 2 towards the passive radiating element 3.

[0085] For further details on the antenna device 1 of FIG. 2 reference is made to the description of the antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure and the description of Figs 1 and 3.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows an example of an antenna device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The antenna device 1 of FIG. 3 corresponds to an example of an implementation form of the antenna device 1 of FIG. 2. Therefore, for describing the antenna device 1 of FIG. 3 reference is made to the description of Figs 1 and 2, and in the following mainly optional features of the implementation form of the antenna device 1 of FIG. 3 are described. As shown in FIG. 3, the rhombic conductive elements 31 of the passive radiating element 3 may be multiple rhombic patches, and the passive radiating element may comprise a planar element 35 on which the multiple rhombic conductive elements 31 are arranged. The planar element 35 may be a dielectric substrate, e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The multiple rhombic patches 31 may be implemented as metallization on the dielectric substrate. The multiple rhombic patches are passive patches.

[0087] Control lines 33 for providing control signals to the one or more switches 32 may be arranged on the planar element 35. The control lines 33 may be electrically connected to a connector 34 that is configured to electrically connect the control lines 33 with a control unit for controlling the one or more switches 32. The control unit may be arranged at the side of the passive radiating element 3, at which the connector 34 is arranged (not shown in FIG. 3). The control unit may optionally be arranged at least partly on the planar element 35. In this case the control unit may comprise the connector 34 or be connected to the control lines 33 without the connector 34 (i.e. the connector 34 may be omitted), which is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 3, the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 may comprise a planar element 22 on which a patch 21 is arranged, wherein the patch 21 is configured to radiate radio waves of the two polarizations. The planar element 22 may be a dielectric substrate, e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The patch 21 may be a rectangular patch, as shown in FIG. 3. The antenna device 1 may comprise a first feeding line 23a, optionally a first microstrip line, accessing one side 21a of the rectangular patch 21. The first feeding line 23a may feed a first polarization of the two polarization. The antenna device 1 may comprise a second and third feeding line 23b, 23c, optional a second and third microstrip line, accessing at two sides 21b of the rectangular patch 21 that are adjacent to the aforementioned side 21a and opposite to each other. The second and third feeding line 23b, 23c may feed a second polarization of the two polarizations in a differential way. The patch 21may be implemented as metallization on a dielectric substrate. The patch 21 is or forms a radiating structure (i.e. active radiating structure) of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2.

[0089] Alternatively or additionally, the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 may comprise an antenna array configured to radiate radio waves of the two polarizations (not shown in FIG. 3). The antenna array is or forms a radiating structure (i.e. active radiating structure) of the dualpolarized active radiating element 2. The antenna array may be arranged on the planar element 22 of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2. The antenna array may comprise multiple patches. The multiple patches may be arranged on the planar element 22 of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2.

[0090] The implementation of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 shown in FIG. 3 is only by way of example and may be different. That is, the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 may be differently implemented. The implementation of the passive radiating element 3 shown in FIG. 3 is also valid in case the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 is differently implemented. This means, the implementation of the passive radiating element 3 does not depend on a specific implementation of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2, such as the example of an implementation of the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 shown in FIG. 3.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 3, the optional second passive radiating element 4 may comprise a planar element 42 on which one or more conductive elements 41 are arranged. According to the example of FIG. 3, one conductive element 41 is arranged. This is only by way of example and may be different, i.e. more than one conductive element 41 may be arranged on the planar element 42. The planar element 42 may be a dielectric substrate, e.g. a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The one or more conductive elements 41 are or form a radiating structure (i.e. passive radiating structure) of the second passive radiating element 4. Thus, the one or more conductive elements 41 may be implemented on a dielectric substrate, e.g. a PCB. Optionally, the one or more conductive elements 41 are one or more patches. The one or more patches may be one or more rectangular patches. The one or more patches may be implemented as metallization on a dielectric substrate. The one or more conductive elements 41, e.g. patches, of the second passive radiating element are configured to act as a director. The implementation of the optional second passive radiating element 4 shown in FIG. 3 is only by way of example and may be different. That is, the optional second passive radiating element 4 may be differently implemented. The description of FIG. 3 is correspondingly valid in case of a different implementation form of the optional second passive radiating element 4.

[0092] As may be derived from Figs 2 and 3, the dual-polarized active radiating element 2 may be arranged in a first plane, the passive radiating element 3 may be arranged in a second plane, the optional second passive radiating element 4 may be arranged in a third plane, wherein the third plane is arranged between the first and second plane. The first plane, the second plane and the third plane may be parallel to each other. Optionally, the optional second passive radiating element 4 may be omitted. The above description of FIG. 3 is correspondingly valid for this case.

[0093] For further details on the antenna device 1 of FIG. 3 reference is made to the description of the antenna device according to the first aspect of this disclosure.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows an example of a multiple wireless access point system access point according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The multiple wireless access point system access point 100 of FIG. 4 is an example of the multiple wireless access point system access point according to the second aspect of this disclosure. Thus, the description of the multiple wireless access point system access point according to the second aspect is correspondingly valid for the multiple wireless access point system access point 100 of FIG. 4.

[0095] The multiple wireless access point system access point 100 of FIG. 4 comprises an antenna device 1 of any one of Figures 1, 2 and 3. The multiple wireless access point system access point 100 is configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element 3 of the antenna device 1 by controlling the one or more switches 32 of the passive radiating element 3 of the antenna device 1.

[0096] For this, the multiple wireless access point system access point 100 may comprise a control unit 101. That is, the control unit 101 of the access point 100 may be configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element 3 of the antenna device 1 by controlling the one or more switches 32 of the passive radiating element 3 of the antenna device 1. The description of the optional control unit of the antenna device of the first aspect is correspondingly valid for the control unit 101 of the access point 100.

[0097] The control unit may comprise or be at least one of a controller, a microcontroller, a processor, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

[0098] The access point 100 may comprise a processor or processing circuitry (not shown) configured to perform, conduct or initiate the various operations of the access point 100 described herein. The processing circuitry may comprise hardware and / or the processing circuitry may be controlled by software. The hardware may comprise analog circuitry or digital circuitry, or both analog and digital circuitry. The digital circuitry may comprise components such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or multi-purpose processors. The access point 100 may further comprise memory circuitry, which stores one or more instruction(s) that can be executed by the processor or by the processing circuitry, in particular under control of the software. For instance, the memory circuitry may comprise a non-transitory storage medium storing executable software code which, when executed by the processor or the processing circuitry, causes the various operations of the access point 100 to be performed. In one optional embodiment, the processing circuitry may comprise one or more processors and a non-transitory memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-transitory memory may carry executable program code which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the access point 100 to perform, conduct or initiate the operations or methods described herein.

[0099] The antenna device and the multiple wireless access point system access point of this disclosure may be configured to be used in a multi-AP architecture such as P2MP (Point to Multi Point). The access points may backhaul with wireless, coaxial, ethernet, or fiber to a main access point, wherein a backhaul with a fiber is called FTTR (Fiber-to-the-Room) technology. The antenna device and the multiple wireless access point system access point of this disclosure may be configured to be used in a FTTR system. A FTTR device may comprise the antenna device of this disclosure. The multiple wireless access point system access point of this disclosure may be a FTTR access point.

[0100] The antenna device of this disclosure may be used in an optical network terminal (ONT), such as a secondary Wi-Fi ONT. Such ONT may be mounted for example to a wall, a desk, a ceiling etc. The multiple wireless access point system access point of this disclosure may be for example an ONT, such as a secondary Wi-Fi ONT.

[0101] The present disclosure has been described in conjunction with various embodiments as examples as well as implementations. However, other variations can be understood and effected by those persons skilled in the art and practicing the claimed matter, from the studies of the drawings, this disclosure and the independent claims. In the claims as well as in the description the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous implementation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An antenna device (1) for an access point of a multiple wireless access point system, wherein the antenna device (1) comprises: a dual-polarized active radiating element (2) for radiating radio waves of two polarizations, and a passive radiating element (3), wherein the passive radiating element (3) comprises multiple rhombic conductive elements (31), the passive radiating element (3) is arranged in a main direction of radiation of the dual-polarized active radiating element (2) in front of the dual-polarized active radiating element (2), the passive radiating element (3) comprises one or more switches (32) each electrically connecting a respective first rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements (31) with a respective second rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements (31), and the one or more switches (32) are configured to be controlled for reconfiguring the passive radiating element (3).

2. The antenna device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna device (1) comprises a control unit for controlling the one or more switches (32) of the passive radiating element (3), and the control unit is configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element (3) by controlling the one or more switches (32).

3. The antenna device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the multiple rhombic conductive elements (31) are arranged in a matrix.

4. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the multiple rhombic conductive elements (31) are arranged such that at least one vertex of each rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements (31) is aligned with a vertex of another rhombic conductive element of the multiple rhombic conductive elements (31).

5. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein each of the one or more switches (32) is electrically connected between a vertex of the respective first rhombic conductive element and a vertex of the respective second rhombic conductive element.

6. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the rhombic conductive elements (31) are multiple rhombic patches, and the passive radiating element (3) comprises a planar element on which the multiple rhombic conductive elements (31) are arranged.

7. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the dual-polarized active radiating element (2) is arranged in a first plane, the passive radiating element (3) is arranged in a second plane that is different to the first plane, and the first plane and the second plane are parallel to each other.

8. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the antenna device (1) comprises a second passive radiating element (4) that is arranged between the dual-polarized active radiating element (2) and the passive radiating element (3).

9. The antenna device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the second passive radiating element (4) comprises a planar element on which one or more conductive elements (41) are arranged.

10. The antenna device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the one or more conductive elements (41) are one or more patches.

11. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the dual-polarized active radiating element (2) is arranged in a first plane, the passive radiating element (3) is arranged in a second plane, the second passive radiating element (4) is arranged in a third plane, the third plane is arranged between the first and second plane, and the first plane, the second plane and the third plane are parallel to each other.

12. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the dual-polarized active radiating element (2) comprises a planar element on which a patch (21) is arranged, and the patch (21) is configured to radiate radio waves of the two polarizations.

13. The antenna device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the dual-polarized active radiating element (2) comprises an antenna array configured to radiate radio waves of the two polarizations.

14. The antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more switches (32) comprise or are one or more positive intrinsic negative, PIN, diodes.

15. A multiple wireless access point system access point (100) comprising: an antenna device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the multiple wireless access point system access point (100) is configured to reconfigure the passive radiating element (3) of the antenna device (1) by controlling the one or more switches (32) of the passive radiating element

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