Integrated antenna array with feed and calibration networks

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an integrated antenna array with feed and calibration networks. These components are integrated together on a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB). This integration on the PCB allows the array to be smaller, more cost-effective while achieving the required array performance for 5G NR FR1 mMIMO radios and supporting both single and multi-beam applications. The antenna array utilizes electrically small antennas with high-permittivity dielectrics to minimize both size and mutual coupling effects.

Description

[0001] INTEGRATED ANTENNA ARRAY WITH FEED AND CALIBRATION NETWORKS

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to the f ield of telecommunications , and more specif ically to an antenna array for use with cellular networks .

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] As demand for data and speed increases from cellular devices , so does the need for better telecommunications standards . Today, 5G New Radio (NR) is the fastest standard, having both lower frequencies ( FR1 ) and higher frequencies ( FR2 ) . For 5G mMIMO radios capable of beamforming require antenna arrays .

[0006] Unfortunately, many of the 5G NR FR1 mMIMO antenna arrays have a larger physical size due to the radio operating frequency and the number of antenna elements in the array itself . Some of those arrays use elevated patch antennas with air gaps , such as the one shown in Figure 14 , which also contribute to larger physical dimensions . These antenna arrays are so large that they cannot practically accommodate dummy antennas , which would contribute to an increased size of the array . However, dummy antennas are useful and typically serve to minimize edge ef fects on signal radiation and improve beam performance .

[0007] Therefore , there is currently a need for a smaller, more compact and cost -ef fective 5G NR FR1 mMIMO antenna arrays , preferably one that supports dual polarization and that is comprised of live antennas surrounded by dummy antennas . The present disclosure describes such an antenna array, which comprises an integrated antenna array with feed and calibration networks , whereby the antenna elements are designed and soldered on the antenna board as components and the antenna board preferably consists of a low-cost multi layer PCB with integrated antenna feed and calibration networks .

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] In an aspect , the present disclosure provides an integrated antenna array comprising : a plurality of antennas to transmit and receive a signal ; a calibration network electrically connected to the plurality of antennas ; and, a feed network electrically connected to the calibration network and the plurality of antennas , wherein the plurality of antennas , the calibration network and the feed network are integrated together on a multi - layer printed circuit board assembly ( PCBA) to reduce a physical size of the integrated antenna array .

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The following f igures serve to illustrate various embodiments of features of the disclosure . These f igures are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting .

[0012] Figure 1A is a schematic top view of an antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0013] Figure IB is circuit diagram of a feed network for the antenna array of Figure 1A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0014] Figure 2 is circuit diagram of a calibration network for the antenna array of Figure 1A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0015] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the antenna array of Figure 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0016] Figure 3B is a perspective view of an antenna array within a radome , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0017] Figure 4 is a cross - sectional side view along the lines Fig . 4 - Fig .4 shown in Figure 3B , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0018] Figure 5A is a top view of a single polarization patch antenna having a single feeding via for use with the present antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0019] Figure 5B is a top view of a dual polarization patch antenna having two feeding vias for use with the present antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ; Figure 6 is an underside view of the patch antenna of Figure 5A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0020] Figure 7 is a graphical representation of a broadside beam that can be generated by the antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0021] Figure 8 is a graphical representation of a 30 -degree horizontal plane beam that can be generated by the antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0022] Figure 9 is a graphical representation of a 60 -degree horizontal plane beam that can be generated by the antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0023] Figure 10 is a graphical representation of a dual -beam in the horizontal plane that can be generated by the antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0024] Figure 11 is a graphical representation of a 30 -degree vertical plane beam that can be generated by the antenna array, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0025] Figure 12 is the antenna array surrounded by the radome of Figure 3 , the antenna array emitting a broadside beam, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ;

[0026] Figure 13 is the antenna array surrounded by the radome of Figure 3 , the antenna array emitting a 30 -degree horizontal plane beam, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure ; and,

[0027] Figure 14 is an image of a conventional mMIMO antenna array with air gaps , according to the prior art . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting . It will be appreciated that various modif ications and / or alterations to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the disclosure and any modif ications and / or alterations are within the scope of the contemplated disclosure .

[0029] With reference to Figures 1A, IB and 2 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , an integrated antenna array 10 is shown comprising a plurality of patch antennas 15 to transmit and receive a signal , a calibration network 20 electrically connected to the antennas 15 and a feed network 25 electrically connected to the antennas 15 and the calibration network 20 . In a preferred embodiment , the calibration and feed networks 20 , 25 are integrated within an antenna array board 30 , the antenna array board 30 in electrical connection with the antennas 15 and comprising a transceiver 35 . As shown, the antenna array 10 has a plurality of antennas 15 surrounded by dummy antennas 40 . These dummy antennas 40 minimize the undesirable edge ef fects on signal radiation and improve beam performance . Together, the antennas 15 and calibration and feed networks 20 , 25 are integrated together on a multi - layer printed circuit board assembly ( PCBA) . This type of integrated antenna array 10 i s preferably optimal for 5G NR FR1 operation . A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the antennas 15 are surface mount devices (SMD) , which allows easy installation and soldering onto the PCBA .

[0030] With reference to Figures 3A, 3B and 4 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , an integrated antenna array 10 is shown, the array 10 having a plurality of antennas 15 and dummy antennas 40 positioned on a printed circuit board ( PCB) 42 . More specif ically, Figure 3B shows the array 10 contained within a radome 45 , the radome 45 being generally cuboid shape with rounded edges . The array 10 supports both single and multi -beam operations whereby each beam can be controlled independently .

[0031] With reference to Figures 5A and 5B and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure , enlarged top views of two types of patch antennas are shown . The patch antennas are two- layer PCBs 60 , whereby Figure 5A specif ically illustrates the top layer of a single polarization patch antenna 50 having a single feeding via 52 , whereas Figure 5B specif ically illustrates the top layer of a dual -polarization patch antenna 55 having two feeding vias 57 , 58 . The patches 50 , 55 are soldered onto a PCB (42 as shown in Figure 3A) and the feed network (not shown) allows antennas 50 , 55 to be electrically connected individually . In this embodiment , the antenna array board is a multilayer printed circuit board ( PCB) as shown in Figure 3A . In a preferred embodiment , low- loss substrates suitable for operating in 5G NR FR1 frequency are used in the PCB (not shown) to reduce the RF loss in the antenna calibration and feed networks (not shown) . Each antenna 50 , 55 on the PCB ( shown in Figure 3A) is separated one from the other on the PCB by a gap . Using patch antenna as a separate component concept does not cause a weight issue , as the dielectric regions cover only 15 - 16% of the area on the PCB (not shown) . This is owed to the choice of individual patch antenna-element concept and high-permittivity dielectrics . As such, the size of the antennas 50 , 55 is minimized, as well as the dielectric supporting the antenna 50 , 55 . The antennas 50, 55 are comprised of smooth truncated corners to maximize the bandwidth of the via- fed patch.

[0032] With reference to Figure 6 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an underside view of the single polarized patch antenna 50 is shown. A plurality of recessed pins 65 are provided, surrounded by a solder mask 70. The feed line 53 is also shown aligned with single feeding via 52 of the antenna 50.

[0033] With further reference to Figures 5A, 5B and 6, each antenna 50, 55 is configured to be built separately and soldered onto the PCB (not shown) . Preferably, the antennas 50, 55 are electrically small (~ X / 5) to allow for maximization of element- to-element spacing, which minimizes mutual coupling effects. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the size and dimension of the patch antenna 50, 55 is determined by operating frequency. Isolation of 17-27 dB is achieved between adjacent and nearby elements. The antennas 50, 55 are designed on high-permittivity dielectrics to further minimize their size.

[0034] With reference to Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, various beam steering formations of the antenna array (not shown) are shown. Figure 7 shown a broadside beam 75, Figure 8 shown a 30-degree horizontal plane beam 75, Figure 9 shows a 60-degrees horizontal plane beam 75, Figure 10 shows dual -beam 75, 77 operation in the horizontal plane, and Figure 11 shows a 30- degree vertical plane beam 75. As shown, the antenna array (not shown) can send the beam 75 to any arbitrary direction in space within the ± 60-degree design target, including any such angles in the horizontal and vertical planes or in between the two planes .

[0035] With reference to Figures 12 and 13 , the antenna arrays 10 within the radome 45 are shown with the superimposed beams 75 whose directions are shown in Figures 7 and 8 , respectively .

[0036] Many modif ications of the embodiments described herein as well as other embodiments may be evident to a person skilled in the art having the benef it of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings . It is understood that these modif ications and additional embodiments are captured within the scope of the contemplated disclosure , which is not to be limited to the specif ic embodiment disclosed .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An integrated antenna array comprising : a plurality of antennas to transmit and receive a signal ; a calibration network electrically connected to the plurality of antennas ; and, a feed network electrically connected to the calibration network and the plurality of antennas , wherein the plurality of antennas , the calibration network and the feed network are integrated together on a multi - layer printed circuit board assembly ( PCBA) to reduce a physical size of the integrated antenna array .2 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 wherein the plurality of antennas are patch antennas .3 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 wherein the plurality of antennas is further comprised of live antennas and dummy antennas to minimize edge ef fects on signal radiation and improve beam performance .4 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 3 wherein the live antennas are surrounded by the dummy antennas to improve beam performance .5 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 wherein the physical size of the integrated antenna array is directly proportional to an operating frequency .6 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 wherein the plurality of antennas and the feed and calibration networks are operable in single and multi -beam applications .7 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of antennas is a surface mount device (SMD) individually soldered onto the PCBA and electrically interconnected .8 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 7 wherein each one of the plurality of antennas is separated one from another by a gap .9 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 7 wherein the dielectric region of the antenna array is < 20% of the surface area of the PCBA, thereby reducing a weight of the integrated antenna array .10 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 conf igured to operate in a frequency of 5G FR1 .11 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 further comprising a radome , the radome being generally cuboid shape with rounded edge and encasing the integrated antenna array .12 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of antennas are comprised of smooth, truncated corners to maximize a bandwidth of a via- fed patch .13 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 2 wherein the patch antennas are at least one of : at least one single polarized patch antenna and at least one dual -polarized patch antenna .14 . The integrated antenna array of Claim 2 wherein at least one of the patch antennas is further comprised of :a plurality of recessed pins on an underside of the patch antennas ; and, a solder mask surrounding the plurality of recessed pins , wherein a feed line positioned on the underside is aligned with a feeding via .15 The integrated antenna array of Claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of antennas has an approximate size of X / 5 to maximize element - to-element spacing and minimize mutual coupling .

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