Tripod radiating element

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna includes: a ground plane; a central support extending from the ground plane, the central support having two feeding probes, each of the feeding probes having a first part and a second part, each of the first part and the second part being separated from one another and from the first and second parts of the other feeding probe; and four radiating arms, one radiating arm extending from each of the first and second parts of each feeding probe, wherein at least a portion of at least two of the radiating arms extends in directions different from orientations of their respective parts of the feeding probes. In a second aspect, an antenna array includes: a plurality of antennas disposed in an array on a common ground plane, wherein each of the antennas comprises: a central support extending from the common ground plane, the central support having two feeding probes, each of the feeding probes having a first part and a second part, each of the first part and the second part being separated from one another and from the first and second parts of the other feeding probe; and four radiating arms, one radiating arm extending from each of the first and second parts of each feeding probe, wherein at least a portion of at least two of the radiating arms extends in directions different from orientations of their respective parts of the feeding probes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to antenna architectures requiring “tripod” dual-polarized radiating elements, which enable conventional +45° and −45° slanted E-electromagnetic field polarizations to be achieved, despite the elements themselves being oriented vertically and horizontally.

BACKGROUND

In antenna architectures of this type, the “tripod” radiating elements either share a central element or two central elements are used. In case of the latter, the two central elements are placed near one another, leading to poor port-to-port isolation. Moreover, the related balun arrangement, that is, current balance, is quite weak in these standard designs.

There is a need to improve the RF (radio frequency) performances of such antenna designs, particularly, the isolation between ports.

“Tripod” dual-polarized radiating element arrangements are used for particular antenna arrays, in which, for example, there is no room to place conventional +45° and −45° slanted elements, or in which some decoupling performance is needed against other radiating elements from the same frequency band or from different frequency bands.

Usually, the +45° and −45° slanted polarizations are linked to the physical orientation of the radiating elements, such as a simple double dipole, two dipoles crossing one another at a 90° angle.

It is possible to achieve such +45° and −45° slanted polarizations while the dipole topology itself is not mechanically slanted, meaning that the dipole topology does not have elements placed vertically and horizontally, by having each of the two +45° and −45° signal feed one vertical and one horizontal branch of the radiating element arrangement. Then, the slanted +45° and −45° E-electromagnetic fields are reformed by the summation of one 0° and 90° E-electromagnetic fields, and the other 0° and −90° E-electromagnetic fields.

As previously noted, the “tripod” radiating elements either share a central element or two central elements are used. As a consequence, the central element can either be shared by the two slanted polarizations, or the two slanted polarizations may be split between two central elements. Nevertheless, when split, the two central elements are kept near each other to achieve an almost identical center of phase for the reformed slanted +45° and −45° E-electromagnetic fields.

SUMMARY

In a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an antenna comprises: a ground plane; a central support extending from the ground plane, the central support having two feeding probes, each of the feeding probes having a first part and a second part, each of the first part and the second part being separated from one another and from the first and second parts of the other feeding probe; and four radiating arms, one radiating arm extending from each of the first and second parts of each feeding probe, wherein at least a portion of at least two of the radiating arms extends in directions different from orientations of their respective parts of the feeding probes.

The central support may extend perpendicularly from the ground plane. The four radiating arms may extend perpendicularly from their respective feeding probes and parallel to the ground plane.

The first and second parts of one of the feeding probes may be aligned with one another in a first direction, and the first and second parts of the other of the feeding probes may be aligned with one another in a second direction different from said first direction. The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

The first and second parts of one of the feeding probes may not be aligned with respect to one another, and the first and second parts of the other feeding probe may not be aligned with respect to one another.

At least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, and at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes in opposite directions perpendicular to that of the two of the radiating arms extending parallel to one another.

At least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes in opposite directions.

At least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, and at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another. At least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes in a direction opposite to that of the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms.

At least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, and at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend perpendicularly from their respective parts of the feeding probes.

In a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an antenna array comprises: a plurality of antennas disposed in an array on a common ground plane, wherein each of the antennas comprises: a central support extending from the common ground plane, the central support having two feeding probes, each of the feeding probes having a first part and a second part, each of the first part and the second part being separated from one another and from the first and second parts of the other feeding probe; and four radiating arms, one radiating arm extending from each of the first and second parts of each feeding probe, wherein at least a portion of at least two of the radiating arms extends in directions different from orientations of their respective parts of the feeding probes.

In at least one of the antennas, at least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes in opposite directions. The plurality of antennas in the array may be disposed on the common ground plane around a common center, and the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms extending from their respective parts of the feeding probes in opposite directions may be disposed outermost from said common center.

In at least one of the antennas, at least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, and at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes in opposite directions perpendicular to that of the two of the radiating arms extending parallel to one another. The plurality of antennas in the array may be disposed on the common ground plane around a common center, and the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms extending from their respective parts of said feeding probes parallel to one another may be disposed innermost toward said common center.

In at least one of the antennas, at least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, and at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of said feeding probes parallel to one another, and the at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes in a direction opposite to that of the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms. The plurality of antennas in the array may be disposed on the common ground plane around a common center, and the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms extending from their respective parts of said feeding probes parallel to one another, and the at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms extending from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, may be oriented in a direction perpendicular to a line from the central support to the common center.

In at least one of the antennas, at least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, and at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend perpendicularly from their respective parts of the feeding probes. The plurality of antennas in the array may be disposed on the common ground plane around a common center, and the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms extending from their respective parts of said feeding probes parallel to one another may be disposed outermost from said common center. Alternatively, the plurality of antennas in the array may be disposed on the common ground plane around a common center, and the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms extending from their respective parts of said feeding probes parallel to one another may be disposed innermost toward said common center.

In at least one of the antennas, the first and second parts of one of the feeding probes may not be aligned with respect to one another, and the first and second parts of the other feeding probe may not be aligned with respect to one another. At least a portion of two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another, and at least a portion of the remaining two of the radiating arms may extend from their respective parts of the feeding probes in opposite directions perpendicular to that of the two of the radiating elements extending parallel to one another. The plurality of antennas in the array may be disposed on the common ground plane around a common center, and the at least a portion of two of the radiating arms extending from their respective parts of the feeding probes parallel to one another may be disposed innermost toward said common center.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced. A user equipment (UE)110, radio access network (RAN) node170, and network element(s)190are illustrated. In the example ofFIG. 1, the user equipment (UE)110is in wireless communication with a wireless network100. A UE is a wireless device, such as a mobile device, that can access the wireless network. The UE110includes one or more processors120, one or more memories125, and one or more transceivers130interconnected through one or more buses127. Each of the one or more transceivers130includes a receiver, Rx,132and a transmitter, Tx,133. The one or more buses127may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers130are connected to one or more antennas128. The one or more memories125include computer program code123. The UE110includes a module140, comprising one of or both parts140-1and/or140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module140may be implemented in hardware as module140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors120. The module140-1may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module140may be implemented as module140-2, which is implemented as computer program code123and is executed by the one or more processors120. For instance, the one or more memories125and the computer program code123may be configured, with the one or more processors120, to cause the user equipment110to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE110communicates with RAN node170via a wireless link111.

The RAN node170in this example is a base station that provides access to wireless devices, such as the UE110. The RAN node170may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also called New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node170may be an NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB or an ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control-plane protocol terminations toward the UE, and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC, such as, for example, the network element(s)190. The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. In one of several approaches, the NG-RAN node may include multiple network elements, which may also include a centralized unit (CU) (gNB-CU)196and distributed unit(s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs), of which DU195is shown. Note that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected with the gNB-DU. The F1 interface is illustrated as reference198, although reference198also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node170and centralized elements of the RAN node170, such as between the gNB-CU196and the gNB-DU195. The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or ng-eNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface198connected with the gNB-CU. Note that the DU195is considered to include the transceiver160, for example, as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver160as part of a separate RU, for example, under control of and connected to the DU195. The RAN node170may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station or node. The preceding paragraph describes one way of splitting the gNB functions:

other splits are possible as well with different distributions of [LOW-PHY/HIGH-PHY/PHY]MAC/RLC/PDCP[/SDAP]/RRC functions across the various network nodes and different interfaces for connecting the network nodes.

The RAN node170includes one or more processors152, one or more memories155, one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s))161, and one or more transceivers160interconnected through one or more buses157. Each of the one or more transceivers160includes a receiver, Rx,162and a transmitter, Tx,163. The one or more transceivers160are connected to one or more antennas158. The one or more memories155include computer program code153. The CU196may include the processor(s)152, memories155, and network interfaces161. Note that the DU195may also contain its own memory/memories and processor(s), and/or other hardware, but these are not shown.

The RAN node170includes a module150, comprising one of or both parts150-1and/or150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module150may be implemented in hardware as module150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors152. The module150-1may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module150may be implemented as module150-2, which is implemented as computer program code153executed by the one or more processors152. For instance, the one or more memories155and the computer program code153are configured, with the one or more processors152, to cause the RAN node170to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module150may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU195and the CU196, or be implemented solely in the CU196.

The one or more network interfaces161communicate over a network such as via the links176and131. Two or more gNBs170may communicate using, e.g., link176. The link176may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards.

The one or more buses157may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers160may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH)195for LTE or a distributed unit (DU)195for gNB implementation for 5G, with the other elements of the RAN node170possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH/DU, and the one or more buses157could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a centralized unit (CU), gNB-CU) of the RAN node170to the RRH/DU195. Reference198also indicates those suitable network link(s).

It is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360° area so that the single base station's coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So, if there are three 120° cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of six cells.

The wireless network100may include a network element or elements190that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links181with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functionality for 5G may include access and mobility management function(s) (AMF(S)) and/or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and/or session management function(s) (SMF(s)). Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity)/SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely exemplary functions that may be supported by the network element(s)190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node170is coupled via a link131to a network element190. The link131may be implemented as, for example, an NG interface for 5G, or an S1interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element190includes one or more processors175, one or more memories171, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s))180, interconnected through one or more buses185. The one or more memories171include computer program code173. The one or more memories171and the computer program code173are configured, with the one or more processors175, to cause the network element190to perform one or more operations.

The user equipment110may also refer to Internet of Things (IoT) devices, massive industrial networks, smart city infrastructure, wearable devices, networked medical devices, autonomous devices, etc. These types of UE devices may operate for extended periods of time without human intervention (e.g., perform maintenance, replace or recharge an on-device battery, etc.), may have reduced processing power and/or memory storage, may have reduced battery storage capability due to having small form factors, may be integrated into machinery (e.g., heavy machinery, factory machinery, sealed devices, etc.), may be installed/located in hazardous environment or difficult to access environments, etc.

FIGS. 2 and 3show an example of New Radio (NR) architecture having the 5G core (5GC) and the NG-RAN. The base stations gNB are coupled to the 5GC by the interface to core NGs, and the gNBs are coupled to each other by the inter-base station interface Xn.

In the present disclosure, an improvement for a balun configuration for “tripod” radiating elements is proposed. A balun is an electrical device that converts between a balance signal and an unbalance signal, such as by balancing or unbalancing the feeding currents of a system, in the present case, radiating elements. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balun.

A shortcoming of present designs for “tripod” dual-polarized radiating element arrangements is that the currents of the +45° and −45° slanted channels are not conveniently balanced with each other. This leads to high couplings between the ports of the radiating elements, and, consequently, weak port-to-port isolation values.

In order to improve the decoupling performance, not only must the currents and associated transformation impedances be balanced, but, in addition, improved isolation values must be reached by orienting the parts of the radiating elements in an improved manner.

FIG. 4schematically shows a perspective view of a conventional dual-polarized slanted dipole400. The dipole400includes a ground plane402, a central support404, and four radiating arms406. More specifically, dipole400is actually a double dipole in the form of two crossed dipoles, each including the two radiating arms406oriented in the same direction; that is to say, radiating arms406a,406bform one of the crossed dipoles and radiating arms406c,406dform the other of the crossed dipoles. The dipole400extends 115 mm from the ground plane402to the top of the radiating arms406, and 170 mm across from the end of one of the radiating arms406to the end of the opposite radiating arm406. The radiating arms406each have a director408. Directors408are shown inFIG. 4as being separated from their respective radiating arms406for the sake of clarity. In actuality, the directors408are physically attached to their respective radiating arms406by printed-circuit-board or plastic material, as will be illustrated below inFIGS. 21 to 26. That is to say, radiating arms406and directors408may be conductive tracks on the printed circuit board. Directors408are used here and in the exemplary embodiments to be described below to tune and broaden the related [S] performances.

The central support404, in this dipole400, is shared by the radiating arms406. The central support404includes two feeding probes405, each having two parts, one for each of the radiating arms406. Each of the two parts of feeding probes405is separated from the others by a gap410. The feeding probes include feed lines412, which cross gap410to reach the other radiating arm406of a given pair making up a dipole.

Dipole400is designed and tuned to perform around 0.7 to 1 GHz, as is shown graphically inFIG. 5. More precisely, dipole400is tuned to operate within the 694 to 960 MHz band, which is part of the so-called Low Band (LB) from approximately 500 MHz to 6000 MHz.

When actually in use, the conventional dual-polarized slanted dipole400is oriented such that the ground plane402is mounted vertically, the central support404is then horizontal, and the radiating arms406are located in a vertical plane. For this reason, the radiating arms406may alternately be described as vertical arms.

FIG. 6schematically shows a perspective view of a conventional “tripod” radiating device600tuned to the same frequency band, around 0.7 to 1 GHz. The conventional “tripod” radiating device600includes a ground plane602, a central support604, and four radiating arms606. Two of the four radiating arms606b,606care parallel to one another; the other two radiating arms606a,606dextend in opposite directions perpendicular to the two parallel radiating arms606b,606c. The device600extends 130 mm from the ground plane602to the top of the radiating arms606, and 190 mm across from the end of radiating arm606ato the end of radiating arm606d. Each of the radiating arms606has a director608, which is as described above.

The central support604, in this device600, is split, as shown inFIG. 7, which is a plan view of the device600taken perpendicularly from above ground plane602, and as shown inFIG. 8, which is a side view of the device600taken as indicated inFIG. 7. InFIG. 7, it is apparent that radiating arms606b,606care parallel to one another, while the other two radiating arms606a,606dextend in opposite directions from the central support604.

The central support604again includes two feeding probes605, each having two parts, one for each of the radiating arms606. Each of the parts of the feeding probes605is separated from the others by a gap610. The feeding probes605include feed lines612, which do not cross gap610to reach the other radiating arm606of a given pair making up the device600. More specifically, radiating arms606a,606bform one of the dipoles and radiating arms606c,606dform the other dipole.

As indicated above, device600is designed and tuned to perform in the same frequency band, around 0.7 to 1 GHz, as is shown graphically inFIG. 9. However, compared to a conventional mechanically slanted dual-polarized dipole like dipole400, [S] performances are degraded: frequency bandwidth is shrunk, and isolation between the two access ports is reduced from more than 40 dB initially to about 15 dB on average within the 0.7 to 1 GHz band.

The current exemplary embodiments are designed to improve the balance of the feeding circuitry in order to reach better port-to-port isolation values. To achieve this result, the central support is fully split.

In a first exemplary embodiment, shown in a perspective view on ground plane1002inFIG. 10, the central support1004of the device1000is made up of two feeding probes1005, which each have two aligned parts, and which cross those of the other feeding probe at a 90° angle. Moreover, the intersection between the feeding probes1005making up the central support1004is split or open. The radiating arms1006again each have a director1008, which is as described above.

The central support1004includes two feeding probes1005, each having two parts, one for each of the radiating arms1006. Each of the parts of the feeding probes1005is separated from the others by a gap1010. The feeding probes include feed lines1012, which cross gap1010to reach the other radiating arm1006of a given pair making up a dipole. More specifically, radiating arms1006a,1006cform one of the dipoles and radiating arms1006b,1006dform the other dipole.FIGS. 11 and 12are perspective views of the device1000from alternate directions relative to that ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 13is a plan view of the device1000viewed perpendicularly from above ground plane1002showing that the feeding probes1005making up the central support1004form an angle of 90° with respect to one another. Moreover, two radiating arms1006b,1006care aligned with one another, making angles of 45° relative to their respective feeding probes1005. The other two radiating arms1006a,1006dare oriented in opposite directions to one another, each making an angle of 45° relative to their respective feeding probes1005, and each being perpendicular to the two parallel radiating arms1006b,1006c.

FIG. 14is a side view of the device1000taken as indicated inFIG. 13. There, feedlines1012for the dipoles formed by radiating arms1006a,1006cand radiating arms1006b,1006dare shown crossing gap1010.

FIG. 15graphically illustrates the tuning of the device shown inFIGS. 10 to 14. It can be seen inFIG. 15that the operational bandwidth of dipole1000has been increased, based on S11and S22, and the average port-to-port isolation has been improved from −15 dB initially to about −20 dB, averaged within the 0.7 to 1 GHz band.

In a second exemplary embodiment, shown in a perspective view on ground plane1602inFIG. 16, the achieved performance can be further improved by modifying the angles formed at the gap1610between the parts of the feeding probes1605. There, the central support1604of the device1600is characterized by oblique angles. Moreover, the intersection between the parts of the feeding probes1605making up the central support1604is split or open. The radiating arms1606are joined to their respective parts of the feeding probes1605, and again each have a director1608, which is as described above.

The central support1604includes two feeding probes1605, each of which has two parts, one for each of the radiating arms1606. The two parts of each feeding probe1605are not aligned with one another. Each of the parts of the feeding probes1605is separated from the others by a gap1610, which is seen most clearly inFIGS. 18 and 19. The feeding probes1605include feed lines1612, which cross gap1610to reach the other radiating arm1606of a given pair making up a dipole. More specifically, radiating arms1606a,1606cform one of the dipoles and radiating arms1606b,1606dform the other dipole.

FIG. 17is a perspective views of the device1600from an alternate direction relative to that ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18is a plan view of the device1600viewed perpendicularly from above ground plane1602showing that the feeding probes1605making up the central element1604form oblique angles. More specifically, pairs of adjacent feeding probes1605are oriented perpendicularly to one another, while angles of 45° and 135° separate the perpendicular pairs from one another. Moreover, two radiating arms1606b,1606care parallel to one another, making angles of 22.5° relative to their respective feeding probes1605. The other two radiating arms1606a,1606dare oriented in opposite directions to one another, each making an angle of 22.5° relative to their respective feeding probes1605, and each being perpendicular to the two parallel radiating arms1606a,1606d.

FIG. 19is a side perspective view of the device1600taken as indicated inFIG. 18. There, feedlines1612for the dipoles formed by radiating arms1606a,1606cand radiating arms1606b,1606dare shown crossing gap1610.FIG. 20graphically illustrates the tuning of the device shown inFIGS. 16 to 19. Compared to the results shown inFIGS. 9 and 15, the averaged port-to-port isolation improved from −15 dB to about −20 dB, and then to about −25 dB averaged within the 0.7-1 GHz band.

FIGS. 21 to 26illustrate other potential variations of such “tripod” arrangements for the purpose of compactness and greater integration and aggregation of the same or different frequency bands in one antenna. Each ofFIGS. 21 to 26shows an array of four devices which fall within the teachings of the present disclosure.

Referring first toFIG. 21, four devices2100are arrayed on a common ground plane2102. Each of the four devices2100is based on device1000shown inFIGS. 10 to 14, although radiating arms2106do not form a “tripod.” Instead, radiating arms2106a,2106ddo not take orientations directly opposite to one another at central support2104, but take the same orientation as their respective parts of feeding probes2105up to points2107, from which radiating arms2106a,2106dare oriented in opposite directions to one another. In contrast, radiating arms2106b,2106ctake the same orientation as their respective parts of feeding probes2105without any change in direction. It should be noted that directors2108are shown inFIG. 21, and that radiating arms2106have terminal extensions2109at their distal ends.

Devices2100are arranged on their common ground plane2102such that radiating arms2106a,2106dare outward of the center of the array formed by the four devices2100.

FIG. 22shows four devices2200arrayed on a common ground plane2202. Each of the four devices2200is substantially the same as device1000shown inFIGS. 10 to 14. Radiating arms2206a,2206dtake orientations directly opposite to one another at central support2204. As inFIGS. 10 to 14, radiating arms2206b,2206care aligned parallel to one another from their respective parts of feeding probes2205.

Devices2200are arranged on their common ground plane2202such that radiating arms2206a,2206dare outward of the center of the array formed by the four devices2200, and the radiating arms2206b,2206c, which are parallel to one another for each device2200, are oriented toward the center of the array.

FIG. 23shows four devices2300arrayed on a common ground plane2302. Each of the four devices2300is based on device1000shown inFIGS. 10 to 14, although radiating arms2306do not form a “tripod.” Instead, radiating arms2306a,2306ddo not take orientations directly opposite to one another at central support2304, but take orientations parallel to one another from their respective parts of feeding probes2305. In the same way, radiating arms2306b,2306calso are aligned parallel to one another from their respective parts of feeding probes2305, as they are inFIGS. 10 to 14. As a consequence, radiating arms2304a,2304bare aligned with one another, as are radiating arms2304c,2304d.

Devices2300are arranged on their common ground plane2302such that radiating arms2306a,2306b,2306c,2306dare oriented in directions perpendicular to that oriented toward the center of the array formed by the four devices2300.

FIG. 24shows four devices2400arrayed on a common ground plane2402. Each of the four devices2400is based on device1000shown inFIGS. 10 to 14, although radiating arms2406do not form a “tripod.” Instead, radiating arms2406a,2406ddo not take orientations directly opposite to one another at central support2604, but take orientations perpendicular to their respective parts of feeding probes2405. Radiating arms2406b,2406care aligned parallel to one another from their respective parts of feeding probes2405, as they are inFIGS. 10 to 14.

Devices2400are arranged on their common ground plane2402such that radiating arms2406b,2406care oriented in directions away from the center of the array formed by the four devices2400.

FIG. 25shows four devices2500arrayed on a common ground plane2502. Each of the four devices2500is based on device1000shown inFIGS. 10 to 14, although radiating arms2506do not form a “tripod.” Instead, each of the radiating arms2506a,2506dhas a portion, beginning at a point2507, which is parallel to, or aligned with, a portion of the other. Each of radiating arms2506a,2506dhas a portion, beginning at point2509, which is oriented perpendicularly to the rest of its respective radiating arm2506a,2506d.

Devices2500are arranged on their common ground plane2502such that parallel portions of radiating arms2506b,2506care oriented in directions toward the center of the array formed by the four devices2500.

FIG. 26shows four devices2600arrayed on a common ground plane2602. Each of the four devices2600is based on device1600shown inFIGS. 16 to 19. Radiating arms2606a,2106dtake orientations directly opposite to one another at central support2604. As inFIGS. 16 to 19, radiating arms2606b,2606care aligned parallel to one another from their respective parts of feeding probes2605.

Devices2600are arranged on their common ground plane2602such that parallel radiating arms2606b,2606care oriented in directions toward the center of the array formed by the four devices2600.

In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

While various aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

It should thus be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components, such as integrated circuit chips and modules, and that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be realized in an apparatus that is embodied as an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, or circuits, may comprise circuitry, as well as possibly firmware, for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or data processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For example, while the exemplary embodiments have been described above in the context of advancements to the 5G NR system, it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited for use with only this one particular type of wireless communication system. The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure presented herein are explanatory and not exhaustive or otherwise limiting of the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

The following abbreviations may have been used in the preceding discussion:

GHz Gigahertz

LB Low Band

LTE Long Term Evolution

NR New Radio (5G)

PCB Printed Circuit Board

RX Receive

TX Transmit

UE User Equipment

The description of the present exemplary embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting embodiments thereof.

Although described in the context of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a number of modifications and various changes to these teachings may occur. Thus, while the examples have been particularly shown and described with respect to one or more disclosed embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain modifications or changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth above, or from the scope of the claims to follow.