Antenna structures and methods thereof for adjusting an operating frequency range of an antenna

• US 9,362,619 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2014
• Issued: 06/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SkyCross Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
• Inventors: Montgomery, Mark T., Caimi, Frank M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Tan H
• Application Number:
  US14/467,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20150118974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 455/75, 455/129, 343/700, 343/702, 343/722, 343/745, 343/749, 343/725, 343/853, 343/841, 343/821, 343/893, 343/746, 343/600, 343/861, 343/750, 343/713, 370/312, 370/328, 370/329, 370/281, 370/280, 235/439, 235/893
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 23/02 Arrangements for measuring frequency, e.g. pulse repetition rate; Arrangements for measuring period of current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 25/00 Arrangements for measuring phase angle between a voltage and a current or between voltages or currents
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/0807 characterised by the application
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/10 Radiation diagrams of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0009 Transmission of position information to remote stations involving assistance data G01S5/0236
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/521 reducing the coupling between adjacent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/103 with variable reactance for tuning the antenna tuning resonant circuits H03J
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/00 Antenna arrays or systems arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/0006 Particular feeding systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/12 Parallel arrangements of substantially straight elongated conductive units travelling-wave antennas comprising transmission line loaded with transverse elements H01Q11/02; Yagi antennas H01Q19/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/34 by electrical means active lenses or reflecting arrays H01Q3/46
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/00 : Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements combinations of separate active antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system H01Q21/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/22 : RF wavebands combined with non-RF wavebands, e.g. infrared or optical
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/371 : Branching current paths
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/40 : Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/48 : Combinations of two or more dipole type antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/04 : Resonant antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 : with particular tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/145 : by varying the electrical length
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 : with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/28 : Conical, cylindrical, cage, strip, gauze, or like elements having an extended radiating surface; Elements comprising two conical surfaces having collinear axes and adjacent apices and fed by two-conductor transmission lines waveguide horns or mouths H01Q13/00; slot antennas H01Q13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 : with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/40 : Element having extended radiating surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 : with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/15 : Tuning of resonator by means of digitally controlled inductor bank
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/0245 : Discontinuous tuning using an electrical variable impedance element, e.g. a voltage variable reactive diode, in which no corresponding analogue value either exists or is preset, i.e. the tuning information is only available in a digital form microprocessor tuning H03J1/0008
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/242 : used exclusively for band selection
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/244 : using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0053 : with common antenna for more than one band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 : Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/401 : for selecting or indicating operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/024 : Co-operative use of antennas of several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0404 : the mobile station comprising multiple antennas, e.g. to provide uplink diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 : MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 : Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0608 : Antenna selection according to transmission parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0628 : Diversity capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0632 : Channel quality parameters, e.g. channel quality indicator [CQI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0691 : using subgroups of transmit antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 : Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 : for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 : by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 : using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/12 : based on transmission quality or channel quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 : based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a circuit for obtaining a desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure, adjusting a bandwidth of the antenna to achieve the desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure, and tuning the antenna to a new resonant frequency to accommodate transmitting or receiving RF signals at a desired band of operation. The antenna at the new resonant frequency is at least approximately at the desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

responsive to a first determination that interband carrier aggregation is not necessary, adjusting, by a circuit comprising a processor and an antenna, a reactive element of the antenna to reduce an operating bandwidth of the antenna and to reduce desensitization due to transmission outside a passband of the antenna;

responsive to a second determination that intraband carrier aggregation is necessary, adjusting, by the circuit, the reactive element of the antenna to increase the operating bandwidth of the antenna; and

tuning, by the circuit, the antenna to a new resonant frequency to accommodate transmitting or receiving RF signals at a desired band of operation, wherein the antenna at the new resonant frequency has the reduced or increased operating bandwidth of the antenna.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive element comprises one of a tunable capacitor, a tunable inductor, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a frequency of operation of a base station, wherein the adjusting of the reactive element is based on the frequency of operation of the base station.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a frequency offset in an operating frequency of the antenna, wherein the tuning of the antenna is responsive to detecting the frequency offset.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a magnitude difference between a first signal supplied to the antenna and a second signal radiated by the antenna, wherein the frequency offset is detected according to the magnitude difference.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining a phase difference between a first signal supplied to the antenna and a second signal radiated by the antenna, wherein the frequency offset is detected according to the phase difference.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising measuring a change in reactance of the antenna, wherein the frequency offset is detected according to the change in reactance of the antenna.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive element of the antenna comprises a tunable inductance, and wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the tunable inductance.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive element of the antenna comprises a tunable capacitance, and wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the tunable capacitance.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive element of the antenna is adjusted by adjusting an electrical length of the antenna.

11. A method, comprising:

responsive to a first determination that carrier aggregation is not necessary, adjusting, by a circuit comprising a processor and an antenna, a quality factor of the antenna to reduce an operating bandwidth of the antenna and to reduce desensitization due to transmission outside a passband of the antenna;

responsive to a second determination that carrier aggregation is necessary, adjusting, by the circuit, the quality factor of the antenna to increase the operating bandwidth of the antenna; and

tuning, by the circuit, the antenna to a new resonant frequency to accommodate transmitting or receiving RF signals at a desired band of operation, wherein the antenna at the new resonant frequency has the reduced or increased operating bandwidth of the antenna.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the quality factor of the antenna is adjusted by adjusting a reactive element of the antenna.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reactive element comprises one of a tunable capacitor, a tunable inductor, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising obtaining a frequency of operation of a wireless access point, wherein the adjusting of the quality factor is based on the frequency of operation of the wireless access point.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting a frequency offset in an operating frequency of the antenna, wherein the tuning of the antenna is responsive to detecting the frequency offset.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining one of a magnitude difference between a first signal supplied to the antenna and a second signal radiated by the antenna, a phase difference between the first signal supplied to the antenna and the second signal radiated by the antenna, a change in reactance of the antenna, or any combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the frequency offset is determined from one of the magnitude difference, the phase difference, the change in reactance of the antenna, or any combination thereof.

18. A communication device, comprising:

an antenna structure; and

a circuit coupled to the antenna structure, wherein the circuit performs operations comprising;

obtaining a desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure;

responsive to a determination that interband aggregation is not necessary, adjusting a bandwidth of the antenna to achieve the desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure to reduce desensitization due to transmission outside a passband of the antenna structure; and

tuning the antenna to a new resonant frequency to accommodate transmitting or receiving RF signals at a desired band of operation, wherein the antenna at the new resonant frequency is at least approximately at the desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure.

19. The communication device of claim 18, wherein the adjusting further comprises obtaining a reactive parameter from a look-up table to achieve the desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure.

20. The communication device of claim 19, wherein the adjusting further comprises adjusting a reactive element of the antenna structure according to the reactive parameter to achieve the desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure.

21. The communication device of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise adjusting of the desired bandwidth of operation responsive to determining that intraband aggregation is necessary.

22. The communication device of claim 21, wherein the adjusting of the desired bandwidth of operation of the antenna structure increases the bandwidth of the antenna structure to accommodate intraband aggregation.