Scalable mmWave Phased Array Architecture for Full-Coverage MIMO
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mmWave radio front end modules face challenges in providing complete directional coverage and managing polarization, while also dealing with atmospheric attenuation loss and the complexity of massive MIMO systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of a scalable phased array radio transceiver architecture (SPARTA) with co-located mmWave and NFC antennas, along with on-package matching networks and intermediate frequency (IF)-to-RF companion chips for compatibility and modularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If phased array antennas are used to provide beam steering for complete directional coverage, then directional coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device is divided into multiple antenna arrays, with each array responsible for a specific polarization (vertical or horizontal). Each antenna array further contains multiple antenna elements that can be independently controlled for beam steering. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete directional coverage by combining the capabilities of vertically and horizontally polarized arrays, while keeping each individual array's complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed to support both vertical and horizontal polarizations using identical antenna array structures. Each antenna element can be configured to operate in different polarization modes, and the beam steering mechanism works uniformly across both polarizations. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide complete directional coverage without requiring fundamentally different antenna designs for each polarization.
2Reliability
If multiple antennas with varying polarities and directions are used to maintain signal strength, then signal coverage is improved, but spatial space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar antenna arrangements to three-dimensional antenna arrays with elements positioned at different heights and spatial locations. By utilizing the vertical dimension and creating立体 (spatial) antenna configurations, the system achieves diverse radiation patterns and polarization capabilities without requiring proportional increases in horizontal footprint. This dimensional approach allows multiple antennas with varying polarities and directions to be packed into a smaller overall device area.
Data Source
AI summary
Millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, apparatuses, and methods that relate to transceivers, receivers, and antenna structures for wireless communications are described. The various aspects include co-located millimeter wave (mmWave) and near-field communication (NFC) antennas, scalable phased array radio transceiver architecture (SPARTA), phased array distributed communication system with MIMO support and phase noise synchronization over a single coax cable, communicating RF signals over cable (RFoC) in a distributed phased array communication system, clock noise leakage reduction, IF-to-RF companion chip for backwards and forwards compatibility and modularity, on-package matching networks, 5G scalable receiver (Rx) architecture, among others.