Radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuit for antenna systems with modal antennas

Abstract

An antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a modal antenna disposed on a circuit board. The modal antenna includes a driven element and a parasitic element. The modal antenna is operable in a plurality of different modes, each of which has a distinct radiation pattern. The antenna system also includes a radio frequency amplifier circuit disposed on the circuit board. The radio frequency amplifier circuit is coupled between the driven element of the modal antenna and a transmission line.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Priority claim

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 965,385, entitled "Radio Frequency (RF) Amplifier Circuit for Antenna Systems Having a Modal Antenna," filed January 24, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Field This disclosure relates generally to antenna systems, and more particularly to RF amplifier circuits for antenna systems having modal antennas.

[0003]

[0003] Modal antennas are increasingly being used in wireless communications, illustratively in smartphone handsets. Such antennas generally offer higher signal quality and smaller form factors than traditional passive antennas. Modal antennas include parasitic elements configured to modify the radiation pattern associated with a driven element. In this manner, modal antennas can be configured into multiple different modes. Furthermore, each of the multiple modes can have a distinct radiation pattern and / or polarization. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004]

[0004] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in part in the description that follows, and can be learned from the description, or can be learned by practice of the embodiments.

[0005]

[0005] In one aspect, an antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a modal antenna disposed on a circuit board. The modal antenna includes a driven element and a parasitic element. The modal antenna is operable in a plurality of different modes, each of which has a distinct radiation pattern. The antenna system further includes a radio frequency amplifier circuit disposed on the circuit board. The radio frequency amplifier circuit is coupled between the driven element of the modal antenna and a transmission line.

[0006]

[0006] In another aspect, an antenna system is provided. The antenna system includes a modal antenna disposed on a first circuit board. The modal antenna includes a driven element and a parasitic element. The modal antenna is operable in a plurality of different modes, each of the plurality of modes having a distinct radiation pattern. The antenna system also includes radio frequency circuitry disposed on the first circuit board. The radio frequency circuitry is coupled between the driven element and a transmission line coupling the first circuit board to a second circuit board.

[0007]

[0007] In yet another aspect, a method of controlling operation of an antenna system having a modal antenna and a radio frequency amplifier circuit disposed on the same circuit board is provided. The method includes obtaining a radio frequency signal through a driven element of the modal antenna. The method includes amplifying the radio frequency signal with a radio amplifier circuit coupled between the driven element and a single-wire coaxial transmission line to generate an amplified radio frequency signal. The method includes providing the amplified radio frequency signal over the single-wire coaxial transmission line to the radio frequency circuit of the antenna system.

[0008]

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification and together with the description, serve to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and explain the principles involved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a block diagram of components of an antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an RF amplifier circuit according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for controlling operation of an antenna system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a modal antenna according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a two-dimensional radiation pattern associated with a modal antenna according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a frequency plot of a multimode antenna according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

[0009] Detailed descriptions of embodiments aimed at those skilled in the art are set forth herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not by way of limitation of the disclosure. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Illustratively, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with other embodiments to yield still further embodiments. Accordingly, it is intended that aspects of the disclosure include such modifications and variations within their scope.

[0012]

[0017] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly can include a modal antenna disposed on a circuit board. The modal antenna can include a parasitic element and a driven element. The modal antenna can be configurable into multiple different modes. Each of the multiple modes can have a distinct radiation pattern. As discussed below, the antenna assembly can also include radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuitry disposed on the circuit board that amplifies RF signals received via the driven element of the modal antenna.

[0013]

[0018] In some embodiments, the RF amplifier circuitry can include a low-noise amplifier. The low-noise amplifier can be in electrical communication with the driven element. In this manner, an RF signal received via the driven element of the modal antenna can be provided to the low-noise amplifier. The low-noise amplifier can be configured to amplify the RF signal. The amplified RF signal can then be provided to RF circuitry (e.g., an RF front-end module) of the antenna system for further processing. In some embodiments, the amplified RF signal can be provided to the RF circuitry through a transmission line (e.g., a coaxial cable). Illustratively, in some embodiments, the RF circuitry can be located on a different circuit board than the RF amplifier circuitry. In such embodiments, the transmission line can provide a communication link between the two circuit boards. In an alternative embodiment, the RF circuitry and the RF amplifier circuitry can be located on the same circuit board. In such embodiments, the transmission line can facilitate communication between the RF amplifier and the RF circuitry.

[0014]

[0019] In some embodiments, the antenna system may include one or more control devices. The one or more control devices may be operably coupled to the RF amplifier circuitry through a transmission line. In this manner, the one or more control devices may provide one or more control signals to the RF amplifier circuitry through the transmission line. Illustratively, in some embodiments, the one or more control signals may be associated with controlling operation of a low-noise amplifier. In this manner, operation of the low-noise amplifier may be controlled without requiring a separate communication line to accommodate the one or more control signals.

[0015]

[0020] In one embodiment, the RF amplifier circuit can include a first switching device and a second switching device. The first switching device can be coupled between the low-noise amplifier and the driven element of the modal antenna, such that the first switching device can selectively couple the low-noise amplifier to the driven element of the modal antenna. The second switching device can be coupled between the low-noise amplifier and the transmission line, such that the second switching device can selectively couple the low-noise amplifier to the transmission line.

[0016]

[0021] In some embodiments, the RF amplifier circuitry can include a third switching device coupled between the transmission line and the driven element of the modal antenna. Illustratively, the RF circuitry can be coupled to the driven element of the modal antenna via the third switching device. In this manner, one or more RF signals provided by the RF circuitry to the driven element of the modal antenna can bypass the low-noise amplifier of the RF amplifier circuitry. In some embodiments, one or more control signals provided by one or more control devices to the RF amplifier circuitry can be associated with a control operation of at least one of the switching devices of the RF amplifier circuitry (e.g., the first switching device, the second switching device, or the third switching device).

[0017]

[0022] Antenna assemblies according to example embodiments of the present disclosure may have numerous technical effects and advantages. Illustratively, because the RF amplifier circuitry is on the same circuit board as the modal antenna, the RF signal received via the driven element of the modal antenna is not provided to the RF amplifier circuitry through a transmission line (e.g., a coaxial cable). Therefore, RF signal attenuation (e.g., about 1 decibel (dB) to about 1.5 dB) due, at least in part, to noise figures associated with transmission lines can be eliminated. In this manner, antenna system performance (e.g., receiver sensitivity) can be improved. Furthermore, by using a transmission line to convey one or more control signals associated with controlling the operation of the RF amplifier circuitry, the need for two separate transmission lines, one to accommodate the output (e.g., the amplified RF signal) of the low-noise amplifier and the other to accommodate one or more control signals associated with controlling the operation of the low-noise amplifier, is eliminated.

[0018]

[0023] As used herein, the terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to denote the location or importance of the individual components.

[0019]

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an antenna system 100 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the antenna system 100 may include a modal antenna 200 disposed on a first circuit board 102 (e.g., an antenna board). The modal antenna 200 may include a driven element 202 and a parasitic element 204. The parasitic element 204 may be positioned proximate to the driven element 202 on the first circuit board 102. The modal antenna 200 may be configurable into a number of different modes. Each of the multiple modes may be associated with a different radiation pattern and / or polarization. In this manner, the modal antenna 200 may provide beam steering functionality to improve link quality with one or more remote devices (e.g., routers, cell towers, etc.) in communication with the antenna system 100.

[0020]

[0025] Although antenna system 100 is shown as having only one modal antenna 200, it should be understood that antenna system 100 may include any suitable number of modal antennas. Illustratively, in some embodiments, antenna system 100 may include two or more modal antennas.

[0021]

[0026] The antenna system 100 may include a tuning circuit 110 disposed on the first circuit board 102. The tuning circuit 110 may be configured to control an electrical characteristic associated with the parasitic element 204 to operate the modal antenna 200 in a plurality of different modes. In one embodiment, the antenna system 100 may include a tunable component 120 disposed on the first circuit board 102. As shown, the tunable component 120 may be coupled between the tuning circuit 110 and the parasitic element 204 of the modal antenna 200. The tuning circuit 110 may be configured to control the operation of the tunable component 120 and change the electrical connectivity of the parasitic element 204 with a voltage or current source or a voltage or current sink, such as coupling the parasitic element 204 to electrical ground.

[0022]

[0027] 1 and 2, the antenna system 100 may include an RF amplifier circuit 300 disposed on the first circuit board 102. The RF amplifier circuit 300 may be in electrical communication with the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200. As shown, the RF amplifier circuit 300 may include a low noise amplifier 310. The low noise amplifier 310 may be configured to amplify an RF signal received via the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200.

[0023]

[0028] In one embodiment, the RF amplifier circuit 300 may include a first switching device 330 and a second switching device 332. As shown, the first switching device 330 may be coupled between the low noise amplifier 310 and the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200. In this manner, the first switching device 330 may selectively couple the low noise amplifier 310 to the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200. The second switching device 332 may be coupled between the low noise amplifier 310 and the transmission line 130. In one embodiment, the transmission line 130 may be a coaxial cable.

[0024]

[0029] It should be appreciated that having the RF amplifier 300 on the same circuit board (e.g., first circuit board 102) as the modal antenna 200 can improve the performance (e.g., noise figure) of the antenna system 100. Illustratively, the RF signal received via the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200 is not provided to the RF amplifier circuit 300 via the transmission line 130. In this manner, the sensitivity of the antenna system 100 can be improved, at least in part, by eliminating attenuation of the RF signal due to losses associated with the transmission line 130.

[0025]

[0030] As shown, in some embodiments, the transmission line 130 may be coupled between the first circuit board 102 and the second circuit board 104 of the antenna system 100. In this manner, the second switching device 332 may selectively couple the low noise amplifier 310 to the transmission line 130 to facilitate transmission of the output of the low noise amplifier 310 (e.g., an amplified RF signal) to one or more components located on the second circuit board 104.

[0026]

[0031] The antenna system 100 may include RF circuitry 140. As shown, the RF circuitry 140 may be located on the second circuit board 104 in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the RF circuitry 140 may be located on the first circuit board 102 (e.g., the antenna board). The RF circuitry 140 may include a front-end module. The front-end module may include, by way of example, one or more power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, impedance matching circuits, etc. In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 140 may be configured to process the output (amplified RF signal) of the low-noise amplifier 310. As discussed below, the RF circuitry 140 may be further configured to transmit the RF signal to the modal antenna 200 over the transmission line 130.

[0027]

[0032] In one embodiment, the RF signal transmitted by RF circuitry 140 may be provided to driven element 202 of modal antenna 200 via low noise amplifier 310. In this manner, low noise amplifier 310 may amplify the RF signal before it is transmitted through driven element 202 of modal antenna 200. As discussed below, in one embodiment, the RF signal transmitted by RF circuitry 140 may bypass low noise amplifier 310.

[0028]

[0033] In one embodiment, the RF amplifier circuit 300 may include a third switching device 334 coupled between the transmission line 130 and the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200. In such an embodiment, the RF signal transmitted by the RF circuit 140 may be provided to the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200, for example, via the third switching device 334. In this manner, the RF signal transmitted by the RF circuit 140 may bypass the low noise amplifier 310 of the RF amplifier circuit 300 such that the RF signal is not amplified by the low noise amplifier 310 before being transmitted through the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200.

[0029]

[0034] It should be appreciated that the switching devices (e.g., first switching device 330, second switching device 332, third switching device 334) of RF amplifier circuit 300 may include any suitable type of switching device. Illustratively, in some embodiments, the switching devices may include one or more contactors. Alternatively, the switching devices may include one or more transistors, one or more silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs), or one or more TRIACs.

[0030]

[0035] The antenna system 100 may include one or more control devices 150. As shown, the one or more control devices 150 may be located on the second circuit board 104 in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the one or more control devices 150 may be located on the first circuit board 102. The one or more control devices 150 may be operatively coupled to the tuning circuit 110 via the transmission line 130. In this manner, the one or more control devices 150 may be configured to control the operation of the tuning circuit 110 to configure the modal antenna 200 into a plurality of different modes. Alternatively and / or additionally, the one or more control devices 150 may be in electrical communication with the RF circuit 140. In this manner, RF signals received via the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200 may be provided to the one or more control devices 150 via the RF circuit 140. Additionally, the one or more control devices 150 may provide data to be modulated onto the RF signals transmitted by the RF circuit 140.

[0031]

[0036] In one embodiment, one or more control devices 150 may be operatively coupled to the RF amplifier circuit 300 via the transmission line 130. In this manner, the one or more control devices 150 may be configured to provide one or more control signals to the RF amplifier circuit 300 via the transmission line 130. Illustratively, in one embodiment, the one or more control signals may be associated with controlling operation of the low noise amplifier 310 of the RF amplifier circuit 300. Alternatively, or in addition, the one or more control signals may be associated with controlling operation of the switching devices of the RF amplifier circuit 300 (e.g., the first switching device 330, the second switching device 332, and the third switching device 334).

[0032]

[0037] As shown, the one or more control devices 150 may include one or more processors 152 and one or more memory devices 154. The one or more processors 152 may include any suitable processing device, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, a logic device, or other suitable processing device. The one or more memory devices 154 may include one or more computer-readable media, including, but not limited to, non-transitory computer-readable media, RAM, ROM, hard drives, flash devices, or other memory devices.

[0033]

[0038] The one or more memory devices 154 may store information accessible by the one or more processors 152. The accessible information includes computer-readable instructions that may be executed by the one or more processors 152. The computer-readable instructions may be any set of instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors 152 to perform an operation. The computer-readable instructions may be software written in any suitable programming language or may be implemented in hardware. In some embodiments, execution of the computer-readable instructions by the one or more processors 152 may cause the one or more processors 152 to perform an operation, such as controlling operation of the modal antenna 200 and / or the RF amplifier circuitry 300.

[0034]

[0039] In some embodiments, the transmission line 130 can be coupled to various components (e.g., using bias-T circuits) configured to aid in the combination and / or separation of signals occupying various frequency bands. For example, the transmission line 130 can be coupled to the RF circuit 140 and one or more control devices 150 via a first bias-T circuit 160. As shown, the first bias-T circuit 160 can include a capacitor 162 and an inductor 164. The transmission line 130 can be coupled to the RF circuit 140 via the capacitor 162 of the first bias-T circuit 160. In this manner, an RF signal transmitted by the RF circuit 140 can be provided to the transmission line 130 via the capacitor 162 of the first bias-T circuit 160. The transmission line 130 can be coupled to one or more control devices 150 via the inductor 164 of the first bias-T circuit 160. In this manner, one or more control signals transmitted by the one or more control devices 150 can be provided to the transmission line 130 via the inductor 164 of the first bias-T circuit 160.

[0035]

[0040] In one embodiment, the transmission line 130 can be coupled to the RF amplifier circuit 300 and the tuning circuit 110 via a second bias-T circuit 170. As shown, the second bias-T circuit 170 can include a capacitor 712 and an inductor 174. The transmission line 130 can be coupled to the RF amplifier circuit 300 via the capacitor 172 of the second bias-T circuit 170. In this manner, an RF signal transmitted by the RF circuit 140 can be provided to the RF amplifier circuit 300 via the capacitor 172 of the second bias-T circuit 170. Similarly, one or more control signals transmitted by one or more control devices 150 can be provided to the RF amplifier circuit 300 via the capacitor 172 of the second bias-T circuit 170. Furthermore, an output of the RF amplifier circuit 300 (e.g., an amplified RF signal) can be provided to the transmission line 130 via the capacitor 172 of the second bias-T circuit 170. Furthermore, the transmission line 130 can be coupled to the tuning circuit 110 via the inductor 174 of the second bias-T circuit 170. In this manner, one or more control signals transmitted by one or more control devices 150 can be supplied to tuning circuit 110 via inductor 174 of second bias-T circuit 170 .

[0036]

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 400 for controlling operation of an antenna system in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion only. It should be understood that, using the disclosure provided herein, one skilled in the art will recognize that various steps of method 400 described herein may be omitted, expanded, performed simultaneously, reordered, and / or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, various steps (not shown) may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, method 400 will be generally discussed with reference to antenna system 100, discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0037]

[0042] At (402), method 400 can include obtaining an RF signal via a driven element of a modal antenna disposed on a circuit board. At (404), method 400 can include amplifying the RF signal with an RF amplifier circuit disposed on the circuit board and coupled between the driven element and the single coaxial transmission line to generate an amplified RF signal. In one embodiment, the RF amplifier circuit can include a low noise amplifier. The RF signal obtained at (402) can be provided as an input to the RF amplifier circuit. Further, an output of the low noise amplifier can be an amplified RF signal.

[0038]

[0043] At 406, the method 400 can include providing the amplified RF signal to RF circuitry of the antenna system over a single coaxial transmission line. At 408, the method 400 can include modulating a control signal onto the RF signal in the RF circuitry of the antenna system to generate a transmit signal. In some embodiments, the control signal can be associated with controlling operation of the RF amplifier circuitry.

[0039]

[0044] At (410), the method 400 can include communicating a transmit signal to an RF amplifier circuit over a single coaxial transmission line. In one embodiment, the transmit signal can be provided to the RF amplifier circuit via a T-circuit that couples the single coaxial transmission line to the RF amplifier circuit. At (412), the method 400 can include demodulating the transmit signal to obtain a control signal.

[0040]

[0045] At (414), method 400 can include controlling operation of the RF amplifier circuitry based at least in part on the control signal. Illustratively, in one embodiment, controlling operation of the RF amplifier circuitry can include controlling operation of one or more switching devices of the RF amplifier circuitry based at least in part on the control signal. Alternatively or additionally, controlling operation of the RF amplifier circuitry can include controlling operation of a low-noise amplifier of the RF amplifier circuitry based at least in part on the control signal.

[0041]

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a modal antenna 200 according to the present disclosure. As shown, the driven element 202 of the modal antenna 200 can be disposed on the first circuit board 102. An antenna volume can be defined between the first circuit board 102 (e.g., with a ground plane) and the driven element 202. The modal antenna 200 can include a first parasitic element 206 positioned at least partially within the antenna volume. The modal antenna 200 can also include a first tuning element 208 coupled to the first parasitic element 206. The first tuning element 208 can be a passive or active component, or a series of components, and can be configured to vary the reactance on the first parasitic element 206 by either a variable reactance or a short to ground. It should be appreciated that varying the reactance of the first parasitic element 206 can result in a frequency shift of the modal antenna 200. It should also be appreciated that the first tuning element 208 may include at least one of a tunable capacitor, a MEMS device, a tunable inductor, a switch, a tunable phase shifter, a field effect transistor, or a diode.

[0042]

[0047] In some embodiments, the modal antenna 200 may include a second parasitic element 210 positioned adjacent to the driven element 202 and outside the antenna volume. The modal antenna 200 may further include a second tuning element 212. In some embodiments, the second tuning element 212 may be a passive or active component, or a series of components, configured to vary the reactance on the second parasitic element 210 by a variable reactance or a short to ground. It should be appreciated that varying the reactance of the second parasitic element 210 may result in a frequency shift of the modal antenna 200. It should also be appreciated that the second tuning element 212 may include at least one of a tunable capacitor, a MEMS device, a tunable inductor, a switch, a tunable phase shifter, a field effect transistor, or a diode.

[0043]

[0048] In one embodiment, the operation of at least one of the first tuning element 208 and the second tuning element 212 can be controlled to adjust (e.g., shift) the antenna radiation pattern of the driven element 202. For example, the reactance of at least one of the first tuning element 208 and the second tuning element 212 can be controlled to adjust the antenna radiation pattern of the driven element 202. Adjusting the antenna radiation pattern can be referred to as "beam steering." However, in instances where the antenna radiation pattern includes a null, a similar operation, commonly referred to as "null steering," can be performed to shift the null to an alternative location around the driven element 202 (e.g., to reduce interference).

[0044]

[0049] 5 illustrates an antenna radiation pattern associated with the modal antenna 200 of FIG. 4 in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the modal antenna 200 can be configured into multiple modes by controlling the operation of at least one of the first parasitic element 206 and the second parasitic element 210. It should also be appreciated that the modal antenna 200 can have a distinct antenna radiation pattern or antenna polarization when configured into each of the multiple modes.

[0045]

[0050] In one embodiment, when modal antenna 200 is configured in a first mode of the plurality of modes, modal antenna 200 may have a first antenna radiation pattern 500. Additionally, when modal antenna 200 is configured in a second mode of the plurality of modes, modal antenna 200 may have a second antenna radiation pattern 502. Furthermore, when modal antenna 200 is configured in a third mode of the plurality of modes, modal antenna 200 may have a third antenna radiation pattern 504. As shown, first antenna radiation pattern 500, second antenna radiation pattern 502, and third antenna radiation pattern 504 may be distinct from one another. In this manner, modal antenna 200 may have distinct radiation patterns when configured in each of the first, second, and third modes.

[0046]

[0051] 6 illustrates an example frequency plot of the modal antenna 200 of FIG. 3 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the electrical characteristics (e.g., reactance) of at least one of the first parasitic element 206 and the second parasitic element 210 can be controlled. In this manner, adjusting the electrical characteristics of at least one of the first parasitic element 206 and the second parasitic element 210 can shift the frequency at which the modal antenna 200 operates.

[0047]

[0052] In one embodiment, disabling (e.g., switching off) the first parasitic element 206 and the second parasitic element 210 can tune the modal antenna 200 to a first frequency f. Alternatively and / or additionally, shorting the second parasitic element 210 to ground can tune the modal antenna 200 to a frequency f. L and f H Furthermore, by shorting both the first parasitic element 206 and the second parasitic element 210 to ground, the modal antenna 200 can be tuned to frequency f4. Furthermore, by shorting the first parasitic element 206 and the second parasitic element 210 to ground, the modal antenna 200 can be tuned to frequencies f4 and f0. It should be understood that other configurations are possible within the scope of this disclosure. For example, more or fewer parasitic elements may be employed. The positioning of the parasitic elements may be varied to achieve additional modes that may exhibit different frequencies and / or frequency combinations.

[0048]

[0053] 4-6 illustrate, for purposes of illustration and discussion only, one example of a modal antenna having multiple modes. However, using the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other modal antennas and / or antenna configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, "modal antenna" refers to an antenna that can operate in multiple modes, each mode associated with a distinct radiation pattern.

[0049]

[0054] While the present subject matter has been described in detail above with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that, upon gaining an understanding of the foregoing, modifications, variations, and equivalents to such embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is illustrative rather than limiting, and the present disclosure does not exclude the inclusion of such modifications, variations, and / or additions to the present subject matter, as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. 1. An antenna system comprising: a modal antenna disposed on a circuit board, the modal antenna including a driven element and a parasitic element, the modal antenna being operable in a plurality of modes, each of the plurality of modes having a distinct radiation pattern; a radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuit disposed on the circuit board, the RF amplifier circuit coupled between a transmission line and a driven element of the modal antenna; one or more control devices configured to transmit one or more control signals to the RF amplifier circuit through the transmission line; Equipped with An antenna system wherein the RF amplifier circuitry includes a low noise amplifier, and the one or more control signals are associated with controlling operation of the low noise amplifier.

2. 2. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the low noise amplifier is configured to amplify an RF signal received via a driven element of the modal antenna.

3. 2. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a coaxial cable.

4. 10. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the one or more control devices are located on a different circuit board than the modal antenna and the RF amplifier circuitry.

5. 10. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the RF amplifier circuit further comprises: a first switching device coupled between a low noise amplifier of the RF amplifier circuit and a driven element of the modal antenna, the first switching device being configured to selectively couple the low noise amplifier to the driven element of the modal antenna; a second switching device coupled between the low noise amplifier and the transmission line, the second switching device configured to selectively couple the low noise amplifier to the transmission line; 1. An antenna system comprising:

6. 6. The antenna system of claim 5, further comprising: a third switching device coupled between the transmission line and the driven element, the third switching device configured to selectively couple the driven element to the transmission line to bypass the low noise amplifier.

7. 7. The antenna system of claim 6, wherein the one or more control signals are associated with controlling operation of at least one of the first switching device, the second switching device, or the third switching device.

8. 1. An antenna system comprising: a modal antenna disposed on a first circuit board, the modal antenna including a driven element and a parasitic element, the modal antenna being operable in a plurality of modes, each of the plurality of modes having a distinct radiation pattern; a radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuit disposed on the first circuit board, the RF amplifier circuit including a low noise amplifier coupled between a driven element of the modal antenna and a transmission line coupling the first circuit board to a second circuit board; one or more control devices disposed on the second circuit board configured to transmit one or more control signals to the RF amplifier circuit through the transmission line; Equipped with An antenna system wherein the one or more control signals are associated with controlling operation of the low noise amplifier.

9. 9. The antenna system of claim 8, wherein the transmission line comprises a coaxial cable.

10. 9. The antenna system of claim 8, wherein the RF amplifier circuit further comprises: a first switching device coupled between the low noise amplifier and a driven element of the modal antenna, the first switching device configured to selectively couple the low noise amplifier to the driven element of the modal antenna; a second switching device coupled between the low noise amplifier and the transmission line, the second switching device configured to selectively couple the low noise amplifier to the transmission line; 1. An antenna system comprising:

11. 11. The antenna system of claim 10, further comprising: a third switching device coupled between the transmission line and the driven element, the third switching device configured to selectively couple the driven element to the transmission line.

12. 12. The antenna system of claim 11, wherein the one or more control signals are associated with controlling operation of at least one of the first switching device, the second switching device, or the third switching device.

13. 12. The antenna system of claim 11, wherein the RF signal is transmitted to the driven element through a third switching device of the RF amplifier circuit such that the RF signal bypasses a low noise amplifier of the RF amplifier circuit.

14. 1. A method of controlling the operation of an antenna system comprising a modal antenna and an RF amplifier circuit including a low noise amplifier, the modal antenna and the RF amplifier circuit each being disposed on a circuit board, the method comprising: obtaining an RF signal via a driven element of said modal antenna disposed on a circuit board; amplifying the RF signal with the RF amplifier circuitry disposed on the circuit board and coupled between the driven element and a single coaxial transmission line to produce an amplified RF signal; providing the amplified RF signal to RF circuitry of the antenna system via the single coaxial transmission line; providing one or more control signals to the RF amplifier circuit over the single coaxial transmission line; The method, wherein the one or more control signals are associated with a control operation of the low noise amplifier.

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