Active Steering for Millimeter-Wave Signal Transmission

Abstract

An antenna configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies is provided. The antenna includes a substrate and a ground plane. The antenna includes one or more active patch antenna elements that collectively define four corners, and the active patch antenna elements are positioned on a first surface of the substrate. The antenna includes four parasitic patch elements that are coplanar with the active patch antenna elements and adjacent to each respective corner of the active patch antenna elements. The antenna includes a switching circuit configured to dynamically couple the first parasitic patch element, the second parasitic patch element, the third parasitic patch element, and / or the fourth parasitic patch element to the ground plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 347,282, entitled "ACTIVE STEERING FOR MILLIMETER WAVE SIGNALING," filed on May 31, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to antennas configured to operate at millimeter - wave frequencies, and more particularly, to millimeter - wave patch antennas having active beam steering.

Background Art

[0003] Antennas can be used to facilitate wireless communication between devices. Recent developments in long - range communication have enabled communication using millimeter - wave frequency bands between approximately 24 GHz and approximately 300 GHz. Therefore, there is a strong demand for antenna devices capable of communicating at such frequencies.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

[0005] One exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to an antenna configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies. The antenna includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The antenna includes a ground plane, and a first surface of the ground plane is in contact with the second surface of the substrate. The antenna includes an active patch antenna element that defines a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner, the active patch antenna element being positioned on the first surface of the substrate, and the active patch antenna being configured to generate a radiation pattern. The antenna includes a first parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, a corner of the first parasitic patch element being adjacent to the first corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a second parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, a corner of the first parasitic patch element being adjacent to the second corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a third parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, a corner of the first parasitic patch element being adjacent to the third corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a fourth parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, a corner of the first parasitic patch element being adjacent to the fourth corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a switching circuit configured to dynamically couple the first parasitic patch element, the second parasitic patch element, the third parasitic patch element, and / or the fourth parasitic patch element to the ground plane.

[0006] Another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to an antenna configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies. The antenna includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The antenna includes a ground plane, with a first surface of the ground plane in contact with the second surface of the substrate. The antenna includes a plurality of active patch antenna elements disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the plurality of active patch antenna elements collectively forming a two-dimensional shape that defines a plurality of vertices, and each of the plurality of active patch antenna elements being configured to generate a radiation pattern. The antenna includes a plurality of passive patch elements coplanar with the plurality of active patch antenna elements, each of the plurality of passive patch elements defining four vertices, and each vertex of each of the plurality of passive patch antenna elements being adjacent to a vertex of the two-dimensional shape of the plurality of active patch antenna elements. The antenna includes a switching circuit configured to dynamically couple one or more of the plurality of passive patch elements to the ground plane.

[0007] Another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for generating millimeter-wave frequencies. The method includes generating, by an antenna device, a radiation pattern that includes a transmission to a receiving entity, the antenna device comprising a substrate, a ground plane in contact with a first surface of the substrate, and active patch antenna elements and four passive patch elements disposed on a second surface of the substrate, the active antenna patch elements defining four corners, and each of the four passive patch elements being positioned adjacent and coplanar with a respective one of the four corners of the active antenna patch elements. The method includes obtaining, by the antenna device via a single coaxial cable, information indicative of one or more channel quality indicators corresponding to the transmission to the receiving entity. The method includes controlling, by the antenna device, a switching circuit to dynamically couple one or more of the four passive patch antenna elements to the ground plane of the antenna device, at least in part based on the information.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the various embodiments will be better understood with reference to the following description and the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.

[0009] A detailed consideration of embodiments directed to those skilled in the art is described herein, which refers to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided for the purpose of explaining the embodiments, not as a limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in combination with another embodiment to further bring about additional embodiments. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure are intended to cover such changes and modifications.

[0012] Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure relate to a millimeter wave patch antenna assembly. In some antenna applications, such as those utilizing millimeter wave frequencies, it may be useful to have an antenna element or patch antenna element that can implement active beam steering in order to optimize or improve transmission quality and efficiency.

[0013] For example, in one example, it may be useful to provide an active patch antenna element that generates a steerable millimeter-wave radiation pattern by a coplanar passive patch antenna element adjacent to the apex of the active patch antenna element. Additionally, by leveraging Data Over Coax (DOC) technology, both transmission data and control signals can be provided to dynamically couple the passive patch antenna element adjacent to the active patch antenna element, and the radiation pattern of the active antenna element can be actively steered. In such a manner, by leveraging DOC technology alongside millimeter-wave technology, a patch antenna assembly capable of beam steering in the millimeter-wave frequency band can be realized.

[0014] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the antenna assembly can include a substrate (e.g., a circuit board) having a second surface opposite the first surface. The antenna assembly can include a ground plane. The first surface of the ground plane can be in contact with the second surface of the substrate. The antenna assembly can include an active patch antenna element positioned on the first surface of the substrate. Additionally, the antenna assembly can include a plurality of passive patch elements adjacent to the apex of the active patch antenna element. In some embodiments, the antenna assembly can include two or more active patch antenna elements that collectively form a two-dimensional shape defining a plurality of apexes.

[0015] One exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to an antenna configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies. The antenna includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The antenna includes a ground plane, and a first surface of the ground plane is in contact with the second surface of the substrate. The antenna includes an active patch antenna element that defines a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner, and the active patch antenna element is positioned on the first surface of the substrate, and the active patch antenna is configured to generate a radiation pattern. The antenna includes a first parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, and a corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the first corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a second parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, and a corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the second corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a third parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, and a corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the third corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a fourth parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, and a corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the fourth corner of the active patch antenna element. The antenna includes a switching circuit configured to dynamically couple the first parasitic patch element, the second parasitic patch element, the third parasitic patch element, and / or the fourth parasitic patch element to the ground plane.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth parasitic patch elements are each within a distance of the first, second, third, and fourth corners of the active patch antenna element, respectively.

[0017] In some embodiments, the distance includes a maximum distance of λ / 2.

[0018] In some embodiments, the antenna further includes a control circuit configured to control the switching circuit.

[0019] In some embodiments, the control circuit is configured to receive data via a single coaxial cable.

[0020] In some embodiments, data via a single coaxial cable describes control instructions for the control circuit.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the first, second, third, and fourth passive patch elements is configured to reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element when separated from the ground plane.

[0022] In some embodiments, the control circuit is configured to control a switching circuit to dynamically couple the first, second, third, and / or fourth passive patch elements to the ground plane based at least in part on one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs).

[0023] In some embodiments, one or more CQIs indicate the quality of the connection between the antenna and one or more receiving entities.

[0024] In some embodiments, one or more CQIs are related to the connection between the antenna and the receiving entities positioned closest to the first and third passive patch elements. The control circuit is configured to control the switching circuit to dynamically couple the first and third passive patch elements to the ground plane in response to the one or more CQIs.

[0025] In some embodiments, the antenna further comprises a second active patch antenna element positioned on a first surface of the substrate and configured to generate a second radiation pattern, wherein a first corner and a second corner of the second active patch antenna element are adjacent to a third corner and a fourth corner of the active patch antenna element, respectively. The third passive patch element is adjacent to the third corner of the second active patch antenna element, and the fourth passive patch element is adjacent to the fourth corner of the second active patch antenna element.

[0026] In some embodiments, the shape of the first passive patch antenna element is the same as the shapes of the second passive patch antenna element, the third passive patch antenna element, and the fourth passive patch antenna element.

[0027] In some embodiments, the radiation pattern includes frequencies between about 24 GHz and about 300 GHz. As used herein, when the term "about" is used in conjunction with a numerical value, it is intended to refer to within 15% of the recited amount.

[0028] Another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for generating millimeter-wave frequencies. The method includes generating, by an antenna device, a radiation pattern that includes a transmission to a receiving entity, the antenna device comprising a substrate, a ground plane in contact with a first surface of the substrate, and an active antenna patch element and four passive patch elements disposed on a second surface of the substrate, the active antenna patch element defining four corners, and each of the four passive patch elements being positioned coplanarly adjacent to a respective one of the four corners of the active antenna patch element. The method includes obtaining, by the antenna device via a single coaxial cable, information indicative of one or more channel quality indicators corresponding to the transmission to the receiving entity. The method includes controlling, by the antenna device, a switching circuit to dynamically couple one or more of the four passive patch antenna elements to the ground plane of the antenna device, at least in part based on the information.

[0029] Reference is now made to the figures, where exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein.

[0030] FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary antenna 100 configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Antenna 100 includes a substrate and a ground plane 102. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, antenna 100 includes a substrate 102A and a ground plane 102B.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1B, the substrate 102A includes a top surface 103A and a bottom surface 103B. In some embodiments, the substrate 102A may be, or may include, a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board), a circuit board substrate, a material deposited on a substrate, etc. The bottom surface 103B of the substrate contacts the top surface of the ground plane 102B. In some embodiments, the ground plane 102B and the substrate 102A collectively form a circuit board.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 1A, the antenna 100 includes an active patch antenna element 104. The active patch antenna element 104 is positioned on the first surface 103A of the substrate 102A. In addition, the antenna includes a plurality of passive patch elements 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D, etc. In some embodiments, as depicted, the active patch antenna element 104 defines a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner. For example, the depicted active patch antenna element 104 includes a first corner that is the upper left corner, a second corner that is the upper right corner, a third corner that is the lower left corner, and a fourth corner that is the lower right corner. Each of the four passive patch elements 106A - 106D is coplanar with the active patch antenna element 104 and is positioned adjacent to one of the four corners of the active patch antenna element 104. For example, the first passive patch element 106A (e.g., the upper left passive patch element as depicted) can be positioned adjacent to the first corner of the active patch antenna element 104, the second passive patch element 106B (e.g., the upper right passive patch element as depicted) can be positioned adjacent to the second corner of the active patch antenna element 104, the third passive patch element 106C (e.g., the lower left passive patch element as depicted) can be positioned adjacent to the third corner of the active patch antenna element 104, and the fourth passive patch element 106D (e.g., the lower right passive patch element as depicted) can be positioned adjacent to the fourth corner of the active patch antenna element 104.

[0033] In some embodiments, one or more of the passive patch elements 106A - 106D are positioned adjacent to and at a distance from each corner of the active patch antenna element 104 (e.g., not in contact with the active patch antenna element 104). In some embodiments, the distance has a maximum of λ / 2.

[0034] The active patch antenna element 104 is configured to generate a radiation pattern (e.g., for transmitting data). Specifically, the active patch antenna element 104 is configured to generate a radiation pattern in the millimeter - wave frequency band (e.g., 3 GHz to 300 GHz). In some embodiments, data to be transmitted via the radiation pattern can be carried to the antenna 100 via a single coaxial cable 108. Further, in some embodiments, the antenna 100 can utilize data - over - coaxial (DOC) technology to obtain both data and control data via a single coaxial cable 108.

[0035] Each of the passive patch elements 106A - 106D is configured to reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104 when detached from the ground plane 102B. When coupled to the ground plane 102B, the passive patch element 106 ceases to reflect the radiation pattern generated by the active patch antenna element 104. In such a manner, by dynamically coupling the passive patch element 106 adjacent to the active patch antenna element 104, the beam of the antenna 100 can be dynamically steered.

[0036] The antenna includes a switching circuit 110 configured to dynamically couple one or more of the passive patch elements 106A - 106D. In some embodiments, the antenna 100 includes a control circuit 112 configured to control the switching circuit. In some embodiments, the control circuit 112 can be configured to receive control data via a single coaxial cable. For example, the control data obtained via a single coaxial cable 108 can include or describe control instructions for the control circuit. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the control data can include a channel quality indicator (CQI) related to the quality of the radiation pattern generated by the active patch antenna element 104 (e.g., indicating the quality of the connection between the antenna 100 and one or more receiving entities). In some embodiments, based on the CQI, the control circuit 112 can control the switching circuit to dynamically couple or disconnect the passive patch antenna element 106 from the ground plane 102B.

[0037] As an example, the single coaxial cable 108 can provide control data including one or more CQIs related to the connection between the antenna 100 and a receiving entity positioned closest to the first passive patch element 106A and the third passive patch element 106C. The control circuit 112 can be configured to respond to the one or more CQIs by dynamically coupling the first passive patch element 106A and the third passive patch element 106C to the ground plane 102B, and thus control the switching circuit 110 to dynamically disable the signal reflectivity of the first passive patch element 106A and the third passive patch element 106C. In such a manner, by dynamically disabling the first passive patch element 106A and the third passive patch element 106C, the beam of radiation generated by the active patch antenna element 104 can be steered towards the receiving entity, and thus the signal quality can be improved.

[0038] Figure 1A illustrates an antenna having one active antenna patch element, but it should be noted that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the use of one active antenna patch element. Embodiments utilizing multiple active patch antenna elements are considered with respect to Figure 5.

[0039] Figure 2A illustrates a block diagram of the antenna 100 of Figure 1 with respect to a first passive patch element grounding configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Since each of the plurality of passive patch elements 106 is coupled to the ground plane 102B, there is no active reflectivity of the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104 by any of the passive patch elements 106.

[0040] Figure 2B depicts an exemplary plot 202B of an exemplary reflection coefficient. Figure 2B plots the frequency along the horizontal axis and the reflection coefficient (S11) along the vertical axis.

[0041] Figure 2C depicts an exemplary radiation pattern 202C of the normalized gain in the YZ plane, for example, at a frequency of 31 GHz.

[0042] Figure 2D depicts three-dimensional views 205A - 205C of the radiation pattern of the antenna 200 of Figure 2A at 29 GHz, 30 GHz, and 31 GHz, respectively.

[0043] FIG. 3A illustrates a block diagram of an antenna configuration 300 for a second zero-power patch element grounding configuration of the antenna 100 of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, as depicted, the second and fourth zero-power patch elements 106B and 106D of the antenna 100 are separated from the ground plane 102B of the antenna 100 (e.g., via a switching circuit, etc.), and thus do not reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104. Conversely, the first and third zero-power patch elements 106A and 106C are dynamically coupled to the ground plane and thus actively reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104. In such a manner, the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104 can be dynamically steered in a certain direction.

[0044] FIG. 3B depicts an exemplary plot 302B of the reflection coefficient, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B plots the frequency along the horizontal axis and the reflection coefficient (S11) along the vertical axis.

[0045] FIG. 3C depicts an exemplary radiation pattern 302C of the normalized gain in the YZ plane, for example, at a frequency of 31 GHz.

[0046] FIG. 3D depicts three-dimensional views 305A - 305C of the radiation patterns of the antenna 300 of FIG. 3A at 29 GHz, 30 GHz, and 31 GHz, respectively.

[0047] FIG. 4A illustrates a block diagram of an antenna configuration 400 for the antenna 100 of FIG. 1 for a third passive patch element grounding configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, as depicted, the third passive patch element 106C and the fourth passive patch element 106D of the antenna 100 are separated from the ground plane 102B of the antenna 100 (e.g., via a switching circuit, etc.), and thus do not reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104. Conversely, the first passive patch element 106A and the second passive patch element 106B are dynamically coupled to the ground plane, and thus actively reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104. In such a manner, the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 104 can be dynamically steered in a certain direction.

[0048] FIG. 4B depicts an exemplary plot 402B of an exemplary reflection coefficient. FIG. 4B plots the frequency along the horizontal axis and the reflection coefficient (S11) along the vertical axis.

[0049] FIG. 4C depicts an exemplary radiation pattern 402C of the normalized gain in the YZ plane, for example, at a frequency of 31 GHz.

[0050] FIG. 4D depicts three-dimensional views 405A - 405C of the radiation patterns of the antenna 400 of FIG. 4A at 29 GHz, 30 GHz, and 31 GHz, respectively.

[0051] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary antenna 500 configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies, according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, antenna 500 includes two active patch antenna elements 502A and 502B. However, it should be noted that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to one active patch antenna element as illustrated in FIG. 1, or two active patch antenna elements as illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, antenna 500 can include any plurality of active patch antenna elements 502 disposed on a first surface 103A of substrate 102A. The plurality of active patch antenna elements 502 can be arranged to collectively form a two-dimensional shape that defines a plurality of vertices (e.g., corners such as a rectangle, rhombus, polygon, etc.). Each of the plurality of active patch antenna elements 502 can be configured to generate a radiation pattern.

[0052] It should also be noted that there may be a certain amount of space 504 between active patch antenna elements 502A and 502B. For example, the space 504 between active patch antenna elements 502A and 502B can be less than λ / 2.

[0053] In addition, a plurality of feedless elements 106 can be positioned coplanarly adjacent to the plurality of active patch antenna elements 502. Specifically, each of the plurality of feedless patch elements defines four vertices (e.g., a square with four corners). The plurality of feedless elements 106 can be positioned such that each vertex of the plurality of feedless elements 106 is adjacent to a vertex of the two-dimensional shape of the plurality of active patch antenna elements 502.

[0054] As an example, the active patch antenna elements 502A and 502B are arranged such that a two-dimensional shape (e.g., rectangular) is formed. Each of the four passive patch antenna elements 106A to 106D is positioned such that the vertices of each of the passive patch antenna elements 106A to 106D are adjacent to the vertices of the two-dimensional shape (e.g., rectangular) formed by the active patch antenna elements 502A / 502B.

[0055] FIG. 6A illustrates a block diagram of an antenna configuration 600 for the antenna 500 of FIG. 5 for a passive patch element grounding configuration in which each passive patch element 106 is coupled to a ground plane, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Since each of the plurality of passive patch elements 106 is coupled to the ground plane 102B, there is no active reflectivity of the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 502 by any of the passive patch elements 106.

[0056] FIG. 6B depicts three-dimensional views 605A to 605C of the radiation pattern of the antenna 600 of FIG. 6A at 29 GHz, 30 GHz, and 31 GHz, respectively.

[0057] FIG. 7A illustrates a block diagram of an antenna configuration 700 for the antenna 500 of FIG. 5 for a passive patch element grounding configuration in which a subset of the passive patch elements 106 is coupled to a ground plane, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Since only a subset of the plurality of passive patch elements 106 is coupled to the ground plane 102B, there is active reflectivity of the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 502 by the active passive patch elements 106B and 106D (e.g., those not connected to ground). FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary radiation pattern and associated performance metrics for the passive patch grounding configuration illustrated in FIG. 7A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 7B depicts a plot 702B of an exemplary reflection coefficient, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B plots the frequency along the horizontal axis and the reflection coefficient (S11) along the vertical axis.

[0059] FIG. 7C depicts an exemplary radiation pattern 702C of the normalized gain in the YZ plane, for example, at a frequency of 31 GHz.

[0060] FIG. 8A illustrates a block diagram of an antenna configuration 800 for an antenna 500 of FIG. 5, for a passive patch element ground configuration in which different subsets of the passive patch elements 106 are coupled to a ground plane. Since only a subset of the plurality of passive patch elements 106 is coupled to the ground plane 102B, there is an active reflectivity of the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element 502 due to the active passive patch elements 106A and 106C (e.g., those not connected to ground). FIG. 7D illustrates an exemplary radiation pattern and associated performance metrics for the passive patch ground configuration illustrated in FIG. 7C, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 8B depicts an exemplary plot 802B of the reflection coefficient. FIG. 8B plots the frequency along the horizontal axis and the reflection coefficient (S11) along the vertical axis.

[0062] FIG. 8C depicts an exemplary radiation pattern 802C of the normalized gain in the YZ plane, for example, at a frequency of 31 GHz.

[0063] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of an antenna system 900 embodiment, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. The antenna system 900 can include a modal antenna assembly 902. The modal antenna assembly 902 can include an active patch antenna element 904 and a plurality of passive patch elements 906 positioned near the active patch antenna element 904 (such as the assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 1 and / or 9). The modal antenna assembly 902 can be operable in a plurality of different modes, and each mode can be associated with a different radiation pattern.

[0064] A control circuit, such as adjustment circuit 908 (e.g., a control circuit), can be configured to control the electrical characteristics associated with the wireless power patch element 906 in order to operate the modal antenna assembly 902 in a plurality of different modes. The adjustment circuit 908 can be configured to demodulate a control signal from the transmission signal and control the electrical characteristics of the wireless power patch element 906 based on a control instruction associated with the control signal.

[0065] The switching circuit 910 can be coupled to the wireless power patch element 906, and the adjustment circuit 908 can be configured to control the switching circuit 910 to change the electrical connection of the wireless power element 906 to a voltage or current source or sink, such as connecting the wireless power element 906 to a ground plane (e.g., ground plane 102B in FIG. 1B).

[0066] The radio frequency circuit 912 can be configured to transmit an RF signal to the active patch antenna element 904 of the modal antenna assembly 902. For example, the transmission line 914 can couple the radio frequency circuit 910 to the modal antenna assembly 902. In some embodiments, the transmission line 914 can be a single coaxial cable configured to provide data via coaxial functionality. The radio frequency circuit 912 can be configured to amplify or generate an RF signal, which is transmitted (as a component of the transmission signal) through the transmission line 914 to the active patch antenna element 904 of the modal antenna assembly 902.

[0067] In some embodiments, the radio frequency circuit 912 can include a front end module 916 and / or a control instruction circuit 918. The front end module 916 can be configured to generate and / or amplify an RF signal transmitted to the active patch antenna element 904. The control instruction circuit 918 can be configured to modulate a control signal onto the RF signal using amplitude shift keying modulation to generate a transmission signal.

[0068] The transmission line 914 can be coupled to various components configured to assist in the synthesis and / or separation of signals occupying various frequency bands (e.g., using bias-T circuits). For example, the first bias-T circuit 920 can couple the front-end module 916 and the control command circuit 918 to the transmission line 914. The first bias-T circuit 920 can include a capacitor 922 that couples the transmission line 914 to the front-end module 916 and an inductor 924 that couples the control command unit 918 to the transmission line 914. The second bias-T circuit 926 can couple the active patch antenna element 904 and the adjustment circuit 908 to the transmission line 914. The second bias-T circuit 926 can include a capacitor 928 that couples the transmission line 914 to the active patch antenna element 904 and an inductor 930 that couples the transmission line 914 to the adjustment circuit 908.

[0069] The front-end module 916 can transmit an RF signal through the capacitor 922 of the first bias-T circuit 920. The control circuit 918 can modulate a control signal onto the RF signal through the inductor 924 of the first bias-T circuit 120 and generate the control signal in the transmission line 914. The adjustment circuit 908 can demodulate the control signal from the transmission signal through the inductor 930 of the second bias-T circuit 928. The RF signal component of the transmission signal can be transmitted to the active patch antenna element 904 of the modal antenna 902 through the capacitor 928 of the second bias-T circuit 928.

[0070] In some embodiments, the antenna system 900 can include a first circuit board 929 and a second circuit board 931 physically separated from the first circuit board 929. The radio frequency circuit 912 can be disposed on the first circuit board 929, and at least one of the tuning circuit 908 or the modal antenna assembly 902 can be disposed on the second circuit board 931. This can enable physically separating the radio frequency circuit 912 from the tuning circuit and / or the modal antenna assembly 902 without employing a plurality of transmission lines or adversely affecting the operation of the antenna system 900.

[0071] In some embodiments, an RF signal can be defined within a first frequency band, and a control signal can be defined within a second frequency band separate from the first frequency band. For example, the first frequency band can range from about 500 MHz to about 50 GHz, and in some embodiments, from about 1 GHz to about 25 GHz, and in some embodiments, from about 2 GHz to about 7 GHz, such as about 5 GHz. The second frequency band can range from about 10 MHz to about 1 GHz, and in some embodiments, from about 20 MHz to about 800 MHz, and in some embodiments, from about 30 MHz to about 500 MHz, and in some embodiments, from about 50 MHz to about 250 MHz, such as, for example, about 100 MHz. More generally, the frequency band defined by the RF signal can be a millimeter wave frequency band.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 1000 for active steering for millimeter wave signal transmission, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 depicts steps performed in a particular order for illustration and discussion, but the methods of the present disclosure are not limited to the specifically illustrated order or arrangement. The various steps of method 1000 can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and / or adapted in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0073] In 1002, the antenna device can generate a radiation pattern (e.g., between about 24 GHz and about 300 GHz) that includes transmission to a receiving entity (such as a second antenna device, etc.). The antenna device can include a substrate, a ground plane in contact with a first surface of the substrate, and an active antenna patch element and four passive patch elements disposed on a second surface of the substrate. The active antenna patch element can define four corners, and each of the four passive patch elements can be positioned adjacent and coplanar with a respective one of the four corners of the active antenna patch element.

[0074] In 1004, the antenna device can obtain information via a single coaxial cable (e.g., using data over coaxial transmission, etc.). The information can indicate one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs) related to transmission to the receiving entity. For example, the CQI can indicate the quality of the connection between the antenna device and the receiving entity.

[0075] In 1006, based at least in part on the information, the antenna device can control a switching circuit to dynamically couple one or more of the four passive patch antenna elements to the ground plane of the antenna device. For example, the information indicating the CQI may indicate that the transmission quality between the antenna device and the receiving entity is poor. Accordingly, the antenna device can control the switching circuit to dynamically couple one or more of the passive patch elements to the ground plane, thereby shaping the radiation pattern to improve the transmission quality.

[0076] One exemplary size of the patch is from 6 mm to 18 mm.

[0077] Although the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to its specific exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that those skilled in the art can readily make changes, modifications, and equivalents to such embodiments once the above understanding is obtained. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than limitation, and the present disclosure does not exclude including changes, modifications, and / or additions to the present subject matter that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Explanation of Signs

[0078] 100 Antenna 102 Ground Plane 102A Substrate 102B Ground Plane 103A Upper Surface, First Surface 103B Bottom Surface 104 Active Patch Antenna Element 106 Passive Patch Element 106A First Passive Patch Element 106B Second Passive Patch Element 106C Third Passive Patch Element 106D Fourth Passive Patch Element 108 Coaxial Cable 110 Switching Circuit 112 Control Circuit 200 Antenna 202B Plot of Reflection Coefficient 202C Radiation Pattern 205A 3D Diagram of Radiation Pattern of Antenna 200 at 29 GHz 205B 3D Diagram of Radiation Pattern of Antenna 200 at 30 GHz 205C 3D Diagram of Radiation Pattern of Antenna 200 at 31 GHz 300 Antenna, Antenna Configuration 302B Plot of Reflection Coefficient 302C Radiation Pattern 305A 3D Diagram of Radiation Pattern of Antenna 300 at 29 GHz 305B 3D Diagram of Radiation Pattern of Antenna 300 at 30 GHz 3D diagram of the radiation pattern of antenna 300 at 31 GHz 400 Antenna, antenna configuration 402B Plot of reflection coefficient 402C Radiation pattern 405A 3D diagram of the radiation pattern of antenna 400 at 29 GHz 405B 3D diagram of the radiation pattern of antenna 400 at 30 GHz 405C 3D diagram of the radiation pattern of antenna 400 at 31 GHz 500 Antenna 502 Active patch antenna element 502A Active patch antenna element 502B Active patch antenna element 504 Space 600 Antenna configuration, antenna 605A 3D diagram of the radiation pattern of antenna 600 at 29 GHz 605B 3D diagram of the radiation pattern of antenna 600 at 30 GHz 605C 3D diagram of the radiation pattern of antenna 600 at 31 GHz 700 Antenna configuration 702B Plot of reflection coefficient 702C Radiation pattern 800 Antenna configuration 802B Plot of reflection coefficient 802C Radiation pattern 900 Antenna system 902 Modal antenna assembly 904 Active patch antenna element 906 Passive patch element 908 Tuning circuit 910 Switching circuit 912 Radio frequency circuit 914 Transmission line 916 Front-end module 918 Control command circuit 920 First bias tee circuit 922 Capacitor 924 Inductor 926 Second Bias Tee Circuit 928 Capacitor 929 First Circuit Board 930 Inductor 931 Second Circuit Board

Claims

1. An antenna configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies, A substrate having a first surface and a second surface, A ground plane, wherein the first surface of the ground plane is in contact with the second surface of the substrate, An active patch antenna element defining a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner, positioned on the first surface of the substrate and configured to generate a radiation pattern, A first parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, wherein the corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the first corner of the active patch antenna element, A second parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, wherein the corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the second corner of the active patch antenna element. A third parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, wherein the corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the third corner of the active patch antenna element. A fourth parasitic patch element coplanar with the active patch antenna element, wherein the corner of the first parasitic patch element is adjacent to the fourth corner of the active patch antenna element. A switching circuit configured to dynamically couple the first unpowered patch element, the second unpowered patch element, the third unpowered patch element, and / or the fourth unpowered patch element to the ground plane, A control circuit configured to control the switching circuit to dynamically couple the first, second, third, and / or fourth unpowered patch elements to the ground plane, at least partially based on one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs), wherein the one or more CQIs indicate the quality of the connection between the antenna and one or more receiving entities, and the control circuit receives data over a single coaxial cable. An antenna equipped with this feature.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth unpowered patch elements are each located within the distances of the first, second, third, and fourth corners of the active patch antenna element.

3. The antenna according to claim 2, wherein the distance includes the maximum distance of λ / 2.

4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the data transmitted via the single coaxial cable describes a control command for the control circuit.

5. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth unpowered patch elements is configured to reflect the radiation pattern of the active patch antenna element when disconnected from the ground plane.

6. The one or more CQIs relate to the connection between the antenna and the receiving entity positioned closest to the first and third unpowered patch elements, The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the switching circuit to dynamically couple the first and third unpowered patch elements to the ground plane in response to one or more CQIs.

7. The antenna further comprises a second active patch antenna element configured to generate a second radiation pattern positioned on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the first and second corners of the second active patch antenna element are adjacent to the third and fourth corners of the active patch antenna element, respectively. The third unpowered patch element is adjacent to the third corner of the second active patch antenna element, The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the fourth unpowered patch element is adjacent to the fourth corner of the second active patch antenna element.

8. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the first parasitic patch antenna element is the same as the shape of the second parasitic patch antenna element, the third parasitic patch antenna element, and the fourth parasitic patch antenna element.

9. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the radiation pattern includes frequencies between approximately 24 GHz and approximately 300 GHz.

10. An antenna configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies, A substrate having a first surface and a second surface, A ground plane, wherein the first surface of the ground plane is in contact with the second surface of the substrate, A plurality of active patch antenna elements disposed on the first surface of the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of active patch antenna elements is configured to generate a radiation pattern, and the plurality of active patch antenna elements collectively form a two-dimensional shape defining a plurality of vertices. A plurality of parasitic patch elements coplanar with the plurality of active patch antenna elements, wherein each of the plurality of parasitic patch elements defines four vertices, and each vertex of the plurality of parasitic patch antenna elements is adjacent to a vertex of the two-dimensional shape of the plurality of active patch antenna elements, A switching circuit configured to dynamically connect one or more of the plurality of unpowered patch elements to the ground plane, A control circuit configured to control the switching circuit to dynamically couple the first, second, third, and / or fourth unpowered patch elements to the ground plane, at least partially based on one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs), wherein the one or more CQIs indicate the quality of the connection between the antenna and one or more receiving entities, and the control circuit receives data over a single coaxial cable. An antenna equipped with this feature.

11. The antenna according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of active patch antenna elements comprises a first active patch antenna element and a second active patch antenna element, the first active patch antenna element is arranged separately from the second active patch antenna element, and the distance between the first active patch antenna element and the second active patch antenna element is less than λ / 2.

12. A method for generating millimeter wave frequencies, A step of generating a radiation pattern including transmission to a receiving entity using an antenna device, wherein the antenna device comprises a substrate, a ground plane in contact with a first surface of the substrate, an active patch antenna element and four parasitic patch elements disposed on a second surface of the substrate, the active antenna patch element defining four corners, and each of the four parasitic patch elements being positioned adjacent to each of the four corners of the active antenna patch element in a coplanar manner, The steps include obtaining information indicating one or more channel quality indicators corresponding to the transmission to the receiving entity via a single coaxial cable using an antenna device, A step of controlling a switching circuit by the antenna device so as to dynamically couple one or more of the four unpowered patch antenna elements to the ground plane of the antenna device, at least partially based on the information, wherein the information includes one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs), and the one or more CQIs indicate the quality of the connection between the antenna and one or more receiving entities. Methods that include...

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