Wireless local area network antenna array

• US 9,666,933 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cambium Networks Limited (Cambium Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Xirrus Incorporated
• Inventors: Hartenstein, Abraham
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US14/630,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20150340755A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 343793, 343872, 343873, 343878, 343879, 343798, 343810, 343893
• 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 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/523 between antennas of an array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/18 having two or more spaced reflecting surfaces H01Q19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 25/00 Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A wireless local area network (“WLAN”) antenna array (“WLANAA”) is disclosed. The WLANAA may include a circular housing having a plurality of radial sectors and a plurality of primary antenna elements. Each individual primary antenna element of the plurality of primary antenna elements may be positioned within an individual radial sector of the plurality of radial sectors.

Claims

1. A wireless local area network (“

WLAN”

) antenna array (“

WLANAA”

) comprising;

a circular housing having a plurality of radial sectors; and

a plurality of primary antenna elements and a corresponding plurality of radios, wherein

each individual primary antenna element of the plurality of primary antenna elements is positioned within an individual radial sector of the plurality of radial sectors,

each radio of the plurality of radios is connected to a corresponding primary antenna element of the plurality of primary antenna elements, and

the plurality of primary antenna elements and corresponding radial sectors are configured to generate a plurality of radiation patterns corresponding to the plurality of radios and to provide isolation between adjacent radial sectors.

2. The WLANAA of claim 1, further including a plurality of main reflector elements wherein each main reflector element of the plurality of main reflector elements is located adjacent to each primary antenna element.

3. The WLANAA of claim 2, wherein the plurality of main reflector elements are part of a continuous main reflector element that is circular in shape.

4. The WLANAA of claim 2, wherein each primary antenna element is located a quarter wavelength away from each main reflector element.

5. The WLANAA of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna elements are coupled line dipoles.

6. The WLANAA of claim 5, wherein the coupled line dipoles are configured to operate in a band of frequencies described by IEEE 802.11a.

7. The WLANAA of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna elements are a pair of coupled line dipoles.

8. The WLANAA of claim 7, wherein the pair of coupled line dipoles are configured to operate in a band of frequencies described by IEEE 802.11a.

9. The WLANAA of claim 1, further including a plurality of secondary antenna elements within the circular housing, wherein each secondary antenna element of the plurality of secondary antenna elements is located within a radial sector of the circular housing.

10. The WLANAA of claim 9, wherein each secondary antenna element is a single bent monopole antenna sharing a radial sector with one of the primary antenna elements.

11. The WLANAA of claim 10, wherein the single bent monopole antennas are configured to operate in a band of frequencies described by IEEE 802.11 b.

12. The WLANAA of claim 10, wherein the single bent monopole antennas are configured to operate in a band of frequencies described by IEEE 802.11g.

13. The WLANAA of claim 9, wherein each secondary antenna element is a two element array of bent monopole antennas sharing a radial sector with one of the primary antenna elements.

14. The WLANAA of claim 13, wherein the two element array is configured to operate in a band of frequencies described by IEEE 802.11 b.

15. The WLANAA of claim 13, wherein the two element array is configured to operate in a band of frequencies described by IEEE 802.11g.

16. The WLANNAA of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of absorber elements wherein each absorber element of the plurality of the absorber elements is located between an adjacent pair of primary antenna elements.

17. The WLANAA of claim 16, further including a plurality of deflector elements wherein each deflector element of the plurality of deflector elements is located adjacent to each primary antenna element.