DIRECTIONAL RADIATION CONTROL DEVICES

In some examples, a device can include an antenna to emit waves in a radiation pattern having a first beamwidth, a directional radiation control device located in a path of the waves, where the directional radiation control device is to receive the waves from the antenna and is shaped to cause the waves to be directed in a different radiation pattern having a second beamwidth that is larger than the first beamwidth.

BACKGROUND

Users of computing devices may utilize their computing devices for various purposes. A computing device can allow a user to utilize computing device operations for work, education, gaming, multimedia, and/or other general use. Certain computing devices can be portable to allow a user to carry or otherwise bring with the computing device while in a mobile setting, while other computing devices may not be portable but allow a user to utilize the computing device in an office or home setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A user may utilize a computing device for various purposes, such as for business and/or recreational use. As used herein, the term “computing device” refers to an electronic system having a processor resource and a memory resource. Examples of computing devices can include, for instance, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, an all-in-one (AlO) computer (e.g., a computing device in which computing hardware and a display device are included in a single housing), a mobile device, among other types of computing devices.

Certain computing devices can utilize an antenna for wireless communication with other devices. As used herein, the term “antenna” refers to a device that converts radio waves into an electrical signal or vice-versa. For example, the antenna of the computing device can receive and/or transmit information (e.g., via radio waves) to a different computing device in order to communicate with the different computing device or any other device capable of wireless communication.

For certain communication types, a particular type and/or amount of antennas can be utilized that can provide a user of the computing device with a positive user experience. For example, the particular type and/or the amount of antennas can be chosen in order to allow for the computing device to wirelessly communicate with other devices seamlessly to minimize communication wait time to send and/or receive information to and/or from other devices.

An antenna used for wireless communication can, in some instances, be a directional antenna. As used herein, the term “directional antenna” refers to an antenna which radiates or receives power in specific directions. For example, a directional antenna can radiate power in a particular radiation pattern, sending waves in the particular radiation pattern. As used herein, the term “radiation pattern” refers to a directional dependence of strength of radio waves emitted from an antenna. For instance, the directional antenna can radiate waves in a particular radiation pattern in order to minimize communication wait time to send and/or receive information with another device.

The particular radiation pattern can have an associated antenna beamwidth. As used herein, the term “beamwidth” refers to an angle from which a majority of an antennas power radiates. The antenna beamwidth can determine an expected signal strength given a radiation pattern and radiation distance of an antenna.

While the particular type and/or amount of antennas can be chosen in order to allow for the computing device to wirelessly communicate with other devices seamlessly, power consumption in computing devices by such antennas may be higher, which can result in a shortened battery life for the computing device. Additionally, certain computing devices are being designed with a smaller form factor. In such approaches, it can be difficult to include the particular amount of antennas within such a smaller form factor due to space constraints of the smaller form factor.

Directional radiation control devices according to the disclosure can allow for radio waves emitted by an antenna in a particular radiation pattern to be directed in another radiation pattern. The redirected radiation pattern can increase the beamwidth. Such an approach can increase antenna performance as a result of increasing the beamwidth, allowing for better beamforming coverage as compared with previous approaches. Additionally, the increased beamwidth can allow for the amount of antennas included in a computing device to be reduced while still providing sufficient performance, reducing costs as compared with previous approaches.

FIG.1is a side view of an example of a device100including an antenna102and a directional radiation control device106consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.1, the antenna102emits waves104in a radiation pattern108.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the device100includes an antenna102. As mentioned above, the antenna102can radiate power/emit waves104in a particular direction. The direction can be a radiation pattern108. For example, the antenna102can emit waves104with a directional dependence of strength in the direction (e.g., the radiation pattern108) towards a directional radiation control device106, as is further described herein.

In some examples, the antenna102can be a millimeter (mm) wave (mmWave) antenna. As used herein, the term “mmWave antenna” refers to an antenna that utilizes the 30 to 300 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band or the 1 centimeter (cm) to 1 mm wavelength range for communication. For instance, the antenna102can emit waves in the 30 to 300 GHz frequency band for communication with other devices. Utilizing the mmWave antenna (e.g., and the associated frequency band/wavelength range) can allow for resolution of spectrum crowding issues while permitting communication at high data rates. Additionally, the short wavelengths can allow for the antenna102to have high directivity while being compact in size. Accordingly, such an antenna102may be utilized in devices where space considerations may be a design factor.

In some examples, the device100may include mobile device communication capabilities. For example, the device100may communicate with other computing devices via a mobile/cellular communications network. Such a network may include a 5G network, among other types of cellular communication networks. In some examples, the mmWave antenna can be utilized for communication on such networks.

As mentioned above, the waves104can be electromagnetic radio waves. As used herein, the term “electromagnetic radio waves” refers to a type of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths between 30 to 300 GHz. For example, the waves104emitted by the antenna102can be in the 30 to 300 GHz frequency band.

The radiation pattern108associated with the emitted waves104can have a first beamwidth. As used herein, the term “beamwidth” refers to an angle from which a majority of an antenna's power radiates. In other words, the beamwidth is the area where most of the power is radiated. For example, the waves104emitted by the antenna102can have a first beamwidth of 90°. Since the beamwidth can determine an expected signal strength (e.g., given a direction and radiation distance of the antenna102), the first beamwidth of the radiation pattern108can be associated with a particular signal strength.

While the device100is attempting to/in communication with another device (e.g., not illustrated inFIG.1), a signal strength with the other device may be lower than desired. The waves104can be directed, using the directional radiation control device106, in a different radiation pattern having a larger beamwidth than the first beamwidth of the radiation pattern108to provide better antenna performance, as is further described herein.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the device100includes a directional radiation control device106. As used herein, the term “directional radiation control device” refers to a device that is shaped to cause waves traveling through one side of the device in a first direction to be redirected a second direction traveling through another side of the device. For example, the directional radiation control device106can cause the waves104to be directed in a different radiation pattern110that is different from the radiation pattern108, as is further described herein.

The directional radiation control device106can be located in a path of the emitted waves104. For example, the antenna102can emit the waves104in the radiation pattern108and the directional radiation control device106can be located in the device100in the path of the waves104such that the waves104can be received from the antenna102.

The directional radiation control device106can be shaped to have a cross-section having differing thicknesses. For example, as illustrated inFIG.1, the directional radiation control device106can be shaped having a triangular cross-section. Accordingly, the directional radiation control device106can be a triangular prism.

While the directional radiation control device106is illustrated inFIG.1as being an isosceles triangular prism, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the directional radiation control device106can be an equilateral, right, scalene, acute, or obtuse triangular prism, among other examples.

Additionally, while the directional radiation control device106is described herein as being a triangular prism, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the directional radiation control device106can be any other shape having a cross-section with differing thicknesses so that waves104are directed from the radiation pattern108to a different radiation pattern110, as is further described herein.

The directional radiation control device106can be of a dielectric material. For example, the directional radiation control device106can be a material that transmits electric force without conduction. In other words, the directional radiation control device106can be made of a material so that the directional radiation control device106acts as an insulator. The directional radiation control device106can be, for example, glass, plastic, etc, so that waves104pass through the directional radiation control device106at the first radiation pattern108but change angle to the second radiation pattern110.

As mentioned above, the directional radiation control device106can be in the path of the emitted waves104in order to receive the waves104from the antenna. The directional radiation control device106can receive the waves104in the first radiation pattern108, and can be shaped to cause the waves104to be directed in the second radiation pattern110. For example, the directional radiation control device106, being made of a dielectric material having a cross-section with differing thicknesses can cause refraction of the waves104such that the waves104are directed in the second radiation pattern110. As used herein, the term “refraction” refers to a phenomenon of waves being deflected when passing through a medium. That is, the directional radiation control device106causes the waves104, received at a first surface (e.g., a left side surface of the triangular shape of the directional radiation control device106as illustrated inFIG.1) in the first radiation pattern108, to be refracted (e.g., deflected) as the waves travel through the directional radiation control device106and out (e.g., not illustrated inFIG.1) from a second surface (e.g., a right side surface of the triangular shape of the directional radiation control device106as illustrated inFIG.1) in the second radiation pattern110.

The second radiation pattern110can have a second beamwidth. The second beamwidth of the second radiation pattern110can be larger than the first beamwidth of the first radiation pattern108. For example, the refracted waves from the directional radiation control device106can have a second beamwidth of 130°, which is larger than the first beamwidth of 90°. The second beamwidth can be associated with a signal strength with another device that is greater than a signal strength with the another device associated with the first beamwidth. Accordingly, refracting the emitted waves104via the directional radiation control device106can improve the performance of the antenna102.

FIG.2is a perspective view of an example of a directional radiation control device206consistent with the disclosure. The directional radiation control device206can be, for example, utilized to cause refraction of waves (e.g., similar to the directional radiation control device106, previously described in connection withFIG.1), as is further described herein.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the directional radiation control device206can be a prism having one side with a concave shape. The prism having the concave shape can include a cross-section having differing thicknesses.

Similar to the triangular prism previously described in connection withFIG.1, the prism having the concave shape can be located in a path of emitted waves from an antenna. For example, waves emitted by the antenna in a first radiation pattern can be received by the concave shaped side of the directional radiation control device206, the first radiation pattern having an associated first beamwidth. The concave shape of the directional radiation control device206can cause the waves in the first radiation pattern to be refracted in a second radiation pattern as the waves travel through the directional radiation control device206, where the second radiation pattern has an associated second beamwidth that is larger than the first beamwidth.

While the directional radiation control device206is described as being a prism having one side with a concave shape (e.g., and the directional radiation control device106, previously described in connection1, is described as being a triangular prism), examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the directional radiation control device206can have any other shape having a cross-section having differing thicknesses.

FIG.3is a side view of an example of a device300including an antenna302and a directional radiation control device306causing waves304to be directed in different radiation patterns consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.3, the antenna302emits waves304in various radiation patterns308.

Similar to the device100previously described in connection withFIG.1, the device300can include an antenna302and a directional radiation control device306. The device300can further include a controller316having a processor and instructions stored in memory. The antenna302can be connected to the controller316.

The processor can be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, and/or other hardware device suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium (e.g., memory). As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, the processor may include an electronic circuit comprising a number of electronic components for performing the operations of the instructions in the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium.

The memory can be, for example, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. Thus, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may be, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), an Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disc, and the like.

The controller316(e.g., via the processor and instructions stored in the memory) can cause the antenna302to beamform waves304in a first radiation pattern308-1having a first beamwidth. As used herein, the term “beamform” refers to directional signal transmission or reception. For example, the controller316can cause the antenna302to beamform waves304in various radiation patterns, as is further described herein.

The directional radiation control device306can be located in a path of the beamformed waves304having the first radiation pattern308-1, where the first radiation pattern308-1has an associated first beamwidth. The directional radiation control device306can receive the waves304from the antenna302. The shape of the directional radiation control device306(e.g., having the cross-section with differing thicknesses) can cause the waves304in the first radiation pattern308-1to be refracted in a second radiation pattern310-1as the waves travel through the directional radiation control device306, where the second radiation pattern310-1has an associated second beamwidth that is larger than the first beamwidth.

As such, the device300can operate similarly to the device100, previously described in connection withFIG.1. However, in some examples, antenna performance may be further improved by beamforming the waves304in a different direction by the antenna302(e.g., prior to being refracted by the directional radiation control device306). Accordingly, the controller316can cause the antenna302to beamform the waves304in a different direction, as is further described herein.

The controller316can cause the antenna302to beamformed waves304in a second radiation pattern308-2having the first beamwidth. Similarly, the directional radiation control device306can be located in a path of the beamformed waves304having the second radiation pattern308-2. The directional radiation control device306can receive the waves304from the antenna302. The shape of the directional radiation control device306(e.g., having the cross-section with differing thicknesses) can cause the waves304in the second radiation pattern308-2to be refracted in a further radiation pattern310-2as the waves travel through the directional radiation control device306, where the further radiation pattern310-2has an associated third beamwidth that is larger than the first beamwidth. Additionally, the third beamwidth can be larger than the second beamwidth.

Additionally, in some examples, the controller316may cause the antenna302to beamform waves304in a third radiation pattern308-3having the first beamwidth. The directional radiation control device306can cause the waves304in the third radiation pattern308-3to be refracted in another radiation pattern310-3having a beamwidth that is different from the first, second, and third beamwidth.

The beamwidth of radiation pattern310-3can be the largest beamwidth, and the beamwidth of radiation pattern310-2can be the smallest beamwidth, where the beamwidth of radiation pattern310-1can be between the beamwidth of radiation patterns310-3and310-2. In other words, the controller316can determine which beamwidth would be the ideal beamwidth to use for a given communication situation, as is further described herein.

The controller316can determine which beamwidth is ideal based on gain. As used herein, the term “gain” refers to a measure of how strong a signal an antenna can send or receive in a specified direction. For example, the controller316can determine the gain of the antenna302when the antenna is beamforming the waves304in the radiation pattern308-1(e.g., and the waves being refracted in the radiation pattern310-1). In response to the gain being below a threshold amount (e.g., of gain), the controller316can cause the antenna302to beamform the waves304in another radiation pattern308(e.g.,308-2). Accordingly, the controller316can cause the antenna302to beamform waves304in a particular direction according to the performance of the antenna302.

FIG.4Ais a side view of an example of a computing device412including an antenna402, a directional radiation control device406-1in a first position, a motor414, and a controller416to rotate the directional radiation control device406-1consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.4, the directional radiation control device406-1is in the first position.

Similar to the device100previously described in connection withFIG.1, the computing device412can include an antenna402and a directional radiation control device406. The computing device412can further include a controller416having a processor and memory. The antenna402can be connected to the controller416.

The controller416can cause the antenna402to beamform waves404in a first radiation pattern408-1having a first beamwidth. As used herein, the term “beamform” refers to directional signal transmission or reception. For example, the controller416can cause the antenna402to beamform waves404in various radiation patterns.

The directional radiation control device406can be located in a path of the beamformed waves404having the first radiation pattern408-1, where the first radiation pattern408-1has an associated first beamwidth. The directional radiation control device406can receive the waves404from the antenna402. The shape of the directional radiation control device406(e.g., having the cross-section with differing thicknesses) can cause the waves404in the first radiation pattern408-1to be refracted in a second radiation pattern410-1as the waves travel through the directional radiation control device406, where the second radiation pattern410-1has an associated second beamwidth that is larger than the first beamwidth.

As such, the antenna402and the directional radiation control device406-1can operate similarly to the device100previously described in connection withFIG.1. Additionally, antenna performance may be further improved by beamforming the waves404in a different directions by the antenna402(e.g., prior to being refracted by the directional radiation control device306), and as such, the antenna402and the directional radiation control device406-1can operate similarly to the device300previously described in connection withFIG.1.

As illustrated inFIG.4A, the motor414can be connected to the directional radiation control device406-1via a connecting arm420. As used herein, the term “connecting arm” refers to a member connected to a first device and a second device. In some examples, the controller416can cause the directional radiation control device406-1to be rotated (e.g., via the motor414) to further allow for the directional radiation control device406-1to direct the beamformed waves404in further different radiation patterns, as is further described herein.

As previously described in connection withFIG.3, the directional radiation control device406-1can cause the beamformed waves404to be refracted in various radiation patterns410-1,410-2,410-3. However, in some examples, the directional radiation control device406-1can be rotated to allow for different radiation patterns. In such an example, the controller416can determine a gain of the antenna402while the directional radiation control device406-1is in the first position (e.g., as illustrated inFIG.4A).

In response to the gain of the antenna402being less than a threshold gain amount, the controller can cause the directional radiation control device406-1to rotate from the first position to a second position. As illustrated inFIG.4A, the computing device412further includes a motor414connected to the directional radiation control device406-1. As used herein, the term “motor” refers to a device that supplies mechanical energy to another device. For example, the controller416can cause the motor414to rotate the connecting arm420, which causes the directional radiation control device406-1to rotate from the first position (e.g., as illustrated inFIG.4A) to a second position (e.g., as is further described in connection withFIG.4B). That is, the controller416can cause the directional radiation control device406-1to rotate from the first position to the second position using the motor414,

FIG.4Bis a side view of an example of a computing device412including an antenna402, a directional radiation control device406-2in a second position, a motor414, and a controller416to rotate the directional radiation control device406-2consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.4, the directional radiation control device406-1is in the second position.

As illustrated inFIG.4B, the directional radiation control device406-2is oriented at a slightly different angle in the second position than in the first position, but while still being located in a path of the beamformed waves404, Accordingly, while the antenna402can beamform waves404in the various radiation patterns408-1,408-2,408-3, the directional radiation control device406-2can cause the beamformed waves404to be refracted in various radiation patterns410-4,410-5,410-6, which are different from the radiation patterns410-1,410-2,410-3, previously described in connection withFIG.4Awhen the directional radiation control device406-2is in the first position.

Accordingly, the directional radiation control device406-2can receive the waves404from the antenna402in the various radiation patterns408-1,408-2, or408-3. The shape of the directional radiation control device406-2(e.g., having the cross-section with differing thicknesses) can cause the waves404in the radiation patterns408-1,408-2, or408-3to be refracted in radiation patterns410-4,410-5, or410-6, respectively, as the waves travel through the directional radiation control device406-2while the directional radiation control device406-2is in the second position, where the radiation patterns410-4,410-5, or410-6have associated beamwidths that are different from the beamwidths of the radiation patterns410-1,410-2, or410-3.

Although not illustrated inFIGS.4A and4B, the computing device412can include an additional radiation control device controlled by the motor414or by an additional motor. The additional directional radiation control device can also be located in a path of the beamformed waves404having the first radiation pattern408-1, where the first radiation pattern408-1has an associated first beamwidth. The additional directional radiation control device can receive the waves404from the antenna. The shape of the additional directional radiation control device (e.g., having the cross-section with differing thicknesses) can be the same shape as the directional radiation control device406-1, a mirrored shape of the directional radiation control device406-1, etc. The additional directional radiation control device can cause the waves in the first radiation pattern to be refracted in a second radiation pattern as the waves travel through the additional directional radiation control device, where the second radiation pattern has an associated second beamwidth that is larger than the first beamwidth. Additionally, the additional directional radiation control device can be rotated (e.g., similar to the directional radiation control device406-1/406-2, as described above) by the motor414or by the additional motor (e.g., not illustrated inFIG.4A or4B).

FIG.5is a perspective view of an example of a computing device512having antennae502-1,502-2and directional radiation control devices506-1,506-2, consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG.5, the computing device512can include a housing518having the antennae502-1,502-2and the directional radiation control devices506-1,506-2disposed therein.

For example, the housing518can include antenna502-1to beamform electromagnetic waves in a first radiation pattern having a first beamwidth, and a directional radiation control device506-1disposed in the housing518proximate to the antenna502-1and located in a path of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna502-1. The directional radiation control device506-1can receive the electromagnetic waves from the antenna502-1and be shaped to cause the electromagnetic waves from the antenna502-1to be refracted in a second radiation pattern having a second beamwidth in order to improve the performance of the antenna502-1.

Similarly, the housing518can include antenna502-2to beamform electromagnetic waves in a first radiation pattern having a first beamwidth, and a directional radiation control device506-2disposed in the housing518proximate to the antenna502-2and located in a path of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna502-2. The directional radiation control device506-2can similarly cause the electromagnetic waves from the antenna502-2to be refracted to improve the performance of the antenna502-2.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the computing device512can include multiple antennae502-1,502-2. Utilizing the directional control devices506-1,506-2, respectively, the beamwidths of the antennae502-1,502-2emitting waves in radiation patterns508-1,508-2, respectively, can be modified to allow for increased performance utilizing the techniques as described above.

While the antennae502-1,502-2and directional radiation control devices506-1,506-2are illustrated as being in the particular periphery locations in the computing device512inFIG.5, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the antennae502-1,502-2and directional radiation control devices506-1,506-2can be located in other parts of the housing518of the computing device512.

Such an approach utilizing directional radiation control devices506-1,506-2can allow for increased beamforming coverage as compared with previous approaches. Additionally, in some examples the increased beamwidth utilizing the antennae502-1,502-2and directional radiation control devices506-1,506-2can allow for the use of less antennae (e.g., two instead of three, as illustrated inFIG.5) as compared with previous approaches while still providing sufficient antennae (e.g., and wireless communication) performance, reducing costs as compared with previous approaches.

In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further, as used herein, “a” can refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral102may refer to element102inFIG.1and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral302inFIG.3. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated to provide additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

It can be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “coupled with” another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is “directly coupled to” or “directly coupled with” another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.