Method and system for configuring a leaky wave antenna utilizing micro-electro mechanical systems

• US 9,417,318 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2015
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Ahmadreza
• Primary Examiner(s): Purvis, Sue A
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, AMAL A
• Application Number:
  US14/737,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20150280325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/06 Systems determining position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10316 using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers antennas in general H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/32225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73204 the bump connector being embedded into the layer connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13091 Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MOSFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2283 mounted in or on the surface of a semiconductor substrate as a chip-type antenna or integrated with other components into an IC package
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/20 Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/22 Longitudinal slot in boundary wall of waveguide or transmission line H01Q13/203 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/006 Selective devices having photonic band gap materials or materials of which the material properties are frequency dependent, e.g. perforated substrates, high-impedance surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0066 said selective devices being reconfigurable, tunable or controllable, e.g. using switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/23 Combinations of reflecting surfaces with refracting or diffracting devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/06 using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens radome H01Q1/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0458 Arrangements for matching and coupling between power amplifier and antenna or between amplifying stages matching circuits in general H03H
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/24 for communication between two or more posts wireless communication networks H04W

Abstract

Methods and systems for configuring a leaky wave antenna (LWA) utilizing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) are disclosed and may include configuring a resonant frequency of one or more LWAs in a wireless device utilizing MEMS actuation. RF signals may be communicated using the LWAs. The LWAs may be integrated in metal layers in a chip, an integrated circuit package, and/or a printed circuit board in the wireless device. The LWAs may include microstrip waveguides where a cavity height of the LWAs may be dependent on a spacing between conductive lines in the microstrip waveguides. The LWAs may be configured to transmit the wireless signals at a desired angle. The integrated circuit package may be affixed to a printed circuit board and an integrated circuit may be flip-chip-bonded to the integrated circuit package. An air gap may be integrated adjacent to one or more of the metal layers for the MEMS actuation.

Claims

1. A leaky wave antenna, comprising:

a reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic energy;

a partially reflective surface spaced apart from the reflective surface by a given distance to form a cavity, the partially reflective surface being configured to reflect a first portion of the electromagnetic energy into the cavity, a second portion of the electromagnetic energy radiating from a side of the partially reflective surface that is opposite the cavity; and

a plurality of feed points, each located at a different distance with respect to the reflective surface, each of the plurality of feed points presenting a different input impedance for the leaky wave antenna, the plurality of feed points being configured to provide the electromagnetic energy into the cavity,

wherein the partially reflective surface includes a plurality of slots configured to allow the second portion of the electromagnetic energy to radiate from the side of the partially reflective surface that is opposite the cavity,

a spacing between the plurality of slots is configured to set a bandwidth of the leaky wave antenna, and

the spacing of the plurality of slots is adjustable via micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) to set the bandwidth of the leaky wave antenna.

2. The leaky wave antenna according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface and the partially reflective surface are planar.

3. The leaky wave antenna according to claim 2, wherein the cavity is a uniform height throughout defined by the given distance.

4. The leaky wave antenna according to claim 3, wherein the given distance is adjustable via micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

5. A communication device, comprising:

a power amplifier configured to generate electromagnetic energy that includes communication information; and

a leaky wave antenna, including;

a reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic energy,

a partially reflective surface spaced apart from the reflective surface by a given distance to form a cavity, the partially reflective surface being configured to reflect a first portion of the electromagnetic energy into the cavity, a second portion of the electromagnetic energy radiating from a side of the partially reflective surface that is opposite the cavity, and

a plurality of feed points, each located at a different distance with respect to the reflective surface, each of the plurality of feed points presenting a different input impedance for the leaky wave antenna, the plurality of feed points being configured to provide the electromagnetic energy into the cavity

wherein the partially reflective surface includes a plurality of slots configured to allow the second portion of the electromagnetic energy to radiate from the side of the partially reflective surface that is opposite the cavity,

a spacing between the plurality of slots is configured to set a bandwidth of the leaky wave antenna, and

the spacing of the plurality of slots is adjustable via micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) to set the bandwidth of the leaky wave antenna.

6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the reflective surface and the partially reflective surface are planar.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the cavity is a uniform height throughout defined by the given distance.

8. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the given distance is adjustable via micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

9. A communication device, comprising:

a power amplifier configured to generate electromagnetic energy that includes communication information; and

a leaky wave antenna, including;

a reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic energy,

a partially reflective surface spaced apart from the reflective surface by a given distance to form a cavity, the partially reflective surface being configured to reflect a first portion of the electromagnetic energy into the cavity, a second portion of the electromagnetic energy radiating from a side of the partially reflective surface that is opposite the cavity, and

a plurality of feed points, each located at a different distance with respect to the reflective surface, each of the plurality of feed points presenting a different input impedance for the leaky wave antenna, the plurality of feed points being configured to provide the electromagnetic energy into the cavity,

wherein the partially reflective surface includes a plurality of patches to reflect the first portion of the electromagnetic energy into the cavity,

a spacing between the plurality of patches is configured to set a bandwidth for the leaky wave antenna, and

the spacing of the plurality of patches is adjustable via micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) to set the bandwidth of the leaky wave antenna.