Antenna structures and methods thereof that have a common operating frequency range

• US 9,413,065 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2014
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SkyCross Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SkyCross, Inc.
• Inventors: Caimi, Frank M., Montgomery, Mark T., Kishler, Mark W., Giometti, Bob, Weiner, Warren
• Primary Examiner(s): Huang, David S
• Application Number:
  US14/307,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20150117560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 375/267
• 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 receiving a request to initiate a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication session, and configuring a first antenna module and a second antenna module of a communication device to enable the MIMO communication session. The MIMO communication session can combine at least a portion of spectrum between a plurality of bands shared by the first antenna module and the second antenna module. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. An antenna structure, comprising:

a first antenna module comprising;

a first plurality of antenna ports; and

a first plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the first plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a different one of the first plurality of antenna ports; and

a second antenna module comprising;

a second plurality of antenna ports; and

a second plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the second plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a different one of the second plurality of antenna ports,

wherein the first antenna module operates in a plurality of frequency bands, and wherein the first plurality of antenna elements are configured to have a first reduced radio frequency (RF) signal correlation between the first plurality of antenna ports,

wherein the second antenna module operates in the plurality of frequency bands, wherein the second plurality of antenna elements are configured to have a second reduced RF signal correlation between the second plurality of antenna ports, and

wherein the first antenna module and the second antenna module are utilized in a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication session that combines at least a portion of spectrum between the plurality of bands.

2. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the first reduced RF signal correlation corresponds to a reduced far-field antenna pattern correlation.

3. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the second reduced RF signal correlation corresponds to a reduced far-field antenna pattern correlation.

4. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of antenna elements are configured to have the first reduced RF signal correlation between the first plurality of antenna ports when common mode currents and differential mode currents of the first plurality of antenna elements are combined.

5. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of antenna elements are configured to have the second reduced RF signal correlation between the second plurality of antenna ports when common mode currents and differential mode currents of the second plurality of antenna elements are combined.

6. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the MIMO communication session is utilized for simultaneous MIMO communications between a first communication system and a second communication system by assigning a first portion of spectrum from the plurality of bands to the first communication system and a second portion of spectrum from the plurality of bands to the second communication system.

7. The antenna structure of claim 6, wherein the antenna structure is utilized by a first communication device, wherein the first communication device is communicatively coupled to the first communication system and the second communication system, wherein a second communication device is communicatively coupled to the first communication system, and wherein the first communication device provides the second communication device a communication bridge to the second communication system by way of the first communication system, or the first communication device serves as a repeater between the first communication system and the second communication system for retransmitting communication data provided by the second communication device by way of the first communication system.

8. The antenna structure of claim 6, wherein the first communication system comprises a macro cellular base station, wherein the second communication system comprises a small cell communication system.

9. The antenna structure of claim 8, wherein the small cell communication system comprise one of a micro cellular base station, a pico cell, a femto cell, or a wireless fidelity access point.

10. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the first antenna module comprises one or more coupling elements electrically coupling the first plurality of antenna elements such that electrical currents on one antenna element of the first plurality of antenna elements flow to a neighboring antenna element of the first plurality of antenna elements and bypass at least in part one of the first plurality of antenna ports coupled to the neighboring antenna element, the electrical currents flowing through the one antenna element and the neighboring antenna element being of similar magnitude, such that an antenna mode excited by the one of the first plurality of antenna ports increases electrical isolation from a mode excited by another of the plurality of antenna elements at a given signal frequency range.

11. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the second antenna module comprises one or more coupling elements electrically coupling the second plurality of antenna elements such that electrical currents on one antenna element of the second plurality of antenna elements flow to a neighboring antenna element of the second plurality of antenna elements and bypass at least in part one of the second plurality of antenna ports coupled to the neighboring antenna element, the electrical currents flowing through the one antenna element and the neighboring antenna element being of similar magnitude, such that an antenna mode excited by the one of the plurality of antenna ports increases electrical isolation from a mode excited by another of the second plurality of antenna elements at a given signal frequency range.

12. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the first antenna module and the second antenna module are coupled to a plurality of radio frequency (RF) receiver circuits and a plurality of RF transmitter circuits.

13. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein a controller shares information with a communication system descriptive of the first antenna module and the second antenna module, and wherein the communication system utilizes the information to configure communications with a communication device utilizing the first antenna module and the second antenna module for engaging in the MIMO communications.

14. The antenna structure of claim 1, wherein the first antenna module and the second antenna module are utilized by a portable communication device.

15. The antenna structure of claim 1, comprising a controller that performs operations comprising:

detecting a frequency offset of one of the first antenna module, the second antenna module, or a combination thereof; and

adjusting an operating frequency of one of the first antenna module, the second antenna module, or a combination thereof to mitigate the frequency offset of one of the first antenna module, the second antenna module, or a combination thereof.

16. A communication device, comprising:

a first antenna module comprising;

a first plurality of antenna ports; and

a first plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the first plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a different one of the first plurality of antenna ports,

wherein the first antenna module operates in a plurality of frequency bands;

a second antenna module comprising;

a second plurality of antenna ports; and

a second plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the second plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a different one of the second plurality of antenna ports,

wherein the second antenna module operates in the plurality of frequency bands;

a memory to store instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the first antenna module and the second antenna module, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processer performs operations comprising configuring the first antenna module and the second antenna module to enable a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication session that combines at least a portion of spectrum between the plurality of bands, wherein the first plurality of antenna elements are configured to have a first reduced radio frequency (RF) signal correlation between the first plurality of antenna ports, and wherein the second plurality of antenna elements are configured to have a second reduced RF signal correlation between the second plurality of antenna ports.

17. A machine-readable storage device, comprising instructions, wherein responsive to a circuit executing the instructions, the circuit performs operations comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication session; and

configuring a first antenna module and a second antenna module of a communication device to enable the MIMO communication session, wherein the MIMO communication session combines at least a portion of spectrum between a plurality of frequency bands shared by the first antenna module and the second antenna module,

wherein the first antenna module comprises;

a first plurality of antenna ports; and

a first plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the first plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a different one of the first plurality of antenna ports,

wherein the first antenna module operates in the plurality of frequency bands,

wherein the second antenna module comprises;

a second plurality of antenna ports; and

a second plurality of antenna elements, wherein each of the second plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a different one of the second plurality of antenna ports,

wherein the second antenna module operates in the plurality of frequency bands, and

wherein the first plurality of antenna elements are configured to have a first reduced radio frequency (RF) signal correlation between the first plurality of antenna ports, and wherein the second plurality of antenna elements are configured to have a second reduced RF signal correlation between the second plurality of antenna ports.