Aspects provided herein provide methods, systems, and a non-transitory computer storage media storing computer-useable instructions for operating a multi-stack phased antenna array in a network. The method of operating a multi-stack antenna array begins with receiving at least one signal from at least one user equipment (UE) at a multi-stack phased antenna array, wherein the at least one signal is received by each antenna element of the multi-stack phased antenna array. The at least one signal is then modified by adjusting a received signal from each antenna element in time and phase to maximize in-phase signal strength. The antenna array includes at least two antenna element layers with the at least two antenna element layers comprising a matrix of individual antenna elements, wherein each individual antenna element is electrically connected to a modular ratio combining engine. At least one dielectric layers is disposed between the at least two antenna element layers.

BACKGROUND

Phased antenna array systems have been increasingly used for a variety of applications. The phased antenna array systems are desirable for their high directivity, narrow beams, beam-forming and scanning in systems as diverse as data links, radar communications, and synthetic aperture imaging. The transmitting elements used in phased antenna arrays have been microstrip patch, Vivaldi antennas, and dipoles because of their high gain and directionality. The narrow beamwidth and linear polarization restricts use of phased antenna arrays in many applications, such as wireless networks.

SUMMARY

A high-level overview of various aspects of the present technology is provided in this section to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description section of this disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

According to aspects herein, methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for a multi-stack antenna. The method of operating a multi-stack antenna begins with receiving at least one signal from at least one user equipment (UE) at a multi-stack phased antenna array. The at least one signal is received by each antenna element of the multi-stack phased antenna array. The at least one signal is then modified by adapting a received signal from each antenna element in time and phase to maximize in-phase signal strength.

In a further embodiment, a multi-stack phased antenna array is provided. The antenna includes at least two antenna element layers with the at least two antenna element layers comprising a matrix of individual antenna elements. Each individual antenna element is electrically connected to a modular ratio combining engine. At least one dielectric layers is disposed between the at least two antenna element layers.

An additional embodiment provides a non-transitory computer storage media storing computer-useable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors cause the processors to receive at least one signal from at least one UE at a multi-stack phased antenna array, with the at least one signal being received by each antenna element of the phased antenna array. The received signal is then adapted by the processors to adjust a received signal from each antenna element in time and phase to maximize in-phase signal strength.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this disclosure, several acronyms and shorthand notations are employed to aid the understanding of certain concepts pertaining to the associated system and services. These acronyms and shorthand notations are intended to help provide an easy methodology of communicating the ideas expressed herein and are not meant to limit the scope of embodiments described in the present disclosure. The following is a list of these acronyms:3G Third-Generation Wireless Technology4G Fourth-Generation Cellular Communication System5G Fifth-Generation Cellular Communication System6G Sixth-Generation Cellular Communication SystemAI Artificial IntelligenceCD-ROM Compact Disk Read Only MemoryCDMA Code Division Multiple AccesseNodeB Evolved Node BGIS Geographic/Geographical/Geospatial Information System gNodeB Next Generation Node BGPRS General Packet Radio ServiceGSM Global System for Mobile communicationsiDEN Integrated Digital Enhanced NetworkDVD Digital Versatile DiscsEEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only MemoryLED Light Emitting DiodeLTE Long Term EvolutionMIMO Multiple Input Multiple OutputMD Mobile DeviceML Machine LearningPC Personal ComputerPCS Personal Communications ServicePDA Personal Digital AssistantPDSCH Physical Downlink Shared ChannelPHICH Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator ChannelPUCCH Physical Uplink Control ChannelPUSCH Physical Uplink Shared ChannelRAM Random Access MemoryRET Remote Electrical TiltRF Radio-FrequencyRFI Radio-Frequency InterferenceR/N Relay NodeRNR Reverse Noise RiseROM Read Only MemoryRSRP Reference Transmission Receive PowerRSRQ Reference Transmission Receive QualityRS SI Received Transmission Strength IndicatorSINR Transmission-to-Interference-Plus-Noise RatioSNR Transmission-to-noise ratioSON Self-Organizing NetworksTDMA Time Division Multiple AccessTXRU Transceiver (or Transceiver Unit)UE User EquipmentUMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications SystemsWCD Wireless Communication Device (interchangeable with UE)

Further, various technical terms are used throughout this description. An illustrative resource that fleshes out various aspects of these terms can be found in Newton's Telecom Dictionary, 25th Edition (2009).

By way of background, a traditional telecommunications network employs a plurality of base stations (i.e., nodes, cell sites, cell towers) to provide network coverage. The base stations are employed to broadcast and transmit transmissions to user devices of the telecommunications network. An base station may be considered to be a portion of a base station that may comprise an antenna, a radio, and/or a controller. In aspects, a base station is defined by its ability to communicate with a user equipment (UE), such as a wireless communication device (WCD), according to a single protocol (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, or 6G, and the like); however, in other aspects, a single base station may communicate with a UE according to multiple protocols. As used herein, a base station may comprise one base station or more than one base station. Factors that can affect the telecommunications transmission include, e.g., location and size of the base stations, and frequency of the transmission, among other factors. The base stations are employed to broadcast and transmit transmissions to user devices of the telecommunications network. Traditionally, the base station establishes uplink (or downlink) transmission with a mobile handset over a single frequency that is exclusive to that particular uplink connection (e.g., an LTE connection with an EnodeB). In this regard, typically only one active uplink connection can occur per frequency. The base station may include one or more sectors served by individual transmitting/receiving components associated with the base station (e.g., antenna arrays controlled by an EnodeB). These transmitting/receiving components together form a multi-sector broadcast arc for communication with mobile handsets linked to the base station.

As used herein, “base station” is one or more transmitters or receivers or a combination of transmitters and receivers, including the accessory equipment, necessary at one location for providing a service involving the transmission, emission, and/or reception of radio waves for one or more specific telecommunication purposes to a mobile station (e.g., a UE), wherein the base station is not intended to be used while in motion in the provision of the service. The term/abbreviation UE (also referenced herein as a user device or wireless communications device (WCD)) can include any device employed by an end-user to communicate with a telecommunications network, such as a wireless telecommunications network. A UE can include a mobile device, a mobile broadband adapter, or any other communications device employed to communicate with the wireless telecommunications network. A UE, as one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate, generally includes one or more antennas coupled to a radio for exchanging (e.g., transmitting and receiving) transmissions with a nearby base station. A UE may be, in an embodiment, similar to device600described herein with respect toFIG.6.

As used herein, UE (also referenced herein as a user device or a wireless communication device) can include any device employed by an end-user to communicate with a wireless telecommunications network. A UE can include a mobile device, a mobile broadband adapter, a fixed location or temporarily fixed location device, or any other communications device employed to communicate with the wireless telecommunications network. For an illustrative example, a UE can include cell phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, small cell network devices (such as micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, or similar devices), and so forth. Further, a UE can include a sensor or set of sensors coupled with any other communications device employed to communicate with the wireless telecommunications network; such as, but not limited to, a camera, a weather sensor (such as a rain gage, pressure sensor, thermometer, hygrometer, and so on), a motion detector, or any other sensor or combination of sensors. A UE, as one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate, generally includes one or more antennas coupled to a radio for exchanging (e.g., transmitting and receiving) transmissions with a nearby base station.

In aspects, a UE provides UE data including location and channel quality information to the wireless communication network via the base station. Location information may be based on a current or last known position utilizing GPS or other satellite location services, terrestrial triangulation, an base station's physical location, or any other means of obtaining coarse or fine location information. Channel quality information may indicate a realized uplink and/or downlink transmission data rate, observed signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) and/or signal strength at the user device, or throughput of the connection. Channel quality information may be provided via, for example, an uplink pilot time slot, downlink pilot time slot, sounding reference signal, channel quality indicator (CQI), rank indicator, precoding matrix indicator, or some combination thereof. Channel quality information may be determined to be satisfactory or unsatisfactory, for example, based on exceeding or being less than a threshold. Location and channel quality information may take into account the user device capability, such as the number of antennas and the type of receiver used for detection. Processing of location and channel quality information may be done locally, at the base station or at the individual antenna array of the base station. In other aspects, the processing of said information may be done remotely.

A service state of the UEs may include, for example, an in-service state when a UE is in-network (i.e., using services of a primary provider to which the UE is subscribed to, otherwise referred to as a home network carrier), or when the UE is roaming (i.e., using services of a secondary provider providing coverage to the particular geographic location of the UE that has agreements in place with the primary provider of the UE). The service state of the UE may also include, for example, an emergency only state when the UE is out-of-network and there are no agreements in place between the primary provider of the UE and the secondary provider providing coverage to the current geographic location of the UE. Finally, the service state of the UE may also include, for example, an out of service state when there are no service providers at the particular geographic location of the UE.

The UE data may be collected at predetermined time intervals measured in milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, or days. Alternatively, the UE data may be collected continuously. The UE data may be stored at a storage device of the UE, and may be retrievable by the UE's primary provider as needed and/or the UE data may be stored in a cloud based storage database and may be retrievable by the UE's primary provider as needed. When the UE data is stored in the cloud based storage database, the data may be stored in association with a data identifier mapping the UE data back to the UE, or alternatively, the UE data may be collected without an identifier for anonymity.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure a method of operating a multi-stack antenna is provided. The method begins with receiving at least one signal from at least one user equipment (UE) at a multi-stack phased antenna array. The signal from the UE is received by each antenna element of the multi-stack phased antenna array. The at least one signal is then adapted by adjusting a received signal from each antenna element in time and phase to maximize in-phase signal strength.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a multi-stack phased antenna array. The antenna includes at least two antenna element layers with the at least two antenna element layers comprising a matrix of individual antenna elements. Each individual antenna element is electrically connected to a modular ratio combining engine. At least one dielectric layers is disposed between the at least two antenna element layers.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a non-transitory computer storage media storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by one or more processors, cause the processors to receive at least one signal from at least one UE at a multi-stack phased antenna array, wherein the at least one signal is received by each antenna element of the phased antenna array. The received signal is then adapted by the processors to adjust a received signal from each antenna element in time and phase to maximize in-phase signal strength.

FIG.1illustrates an example of a network environment100suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The network environment100is but one example of a suitable network environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the disclosure. Neither should the network environment100be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement to any one or combination of components illustrated.

Network environment100includes user equipment (UE) devices102,104,106,108, and110, base station114(which may be a cell site or the like), multi-stack antenna array144, and one or more communication channels112. The communication channels112can communicate over frequency bands assigned to the carrier. In network environment100, UE devices may take on a variety of forms, such as a personal computer (PC), a user device, a smart phone, a smart watch, a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a mobile device, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, a CD player, an MP3 player, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a video player, a handheld communications device, a workstation, a router, a hotspot, and any combination of these delineated devices, or any other device (such as the computing device (600) that communicates via wireless communications with the base station114using multi-stack antenna array144in order to interact with a public or private network.

In some aspects, each of the UEs102,104,106,108, and110may correspond to computing device600inFIG.6. Thus, a UE can include, for example, a display(s), a power source(s) (e.g., a battery), a data store(s), a speaker(s), memory, a buffer(s), a radio(s) and the like. In some implementations, for example, devices such the UEs102,104,106,108, and110comprise a wireless or mobile device with which a wireless telecommunication network(s) can be utilized for communication (e.g., voice and/or data communication). In this regard, the user device can be any mobile computing device that communicates by way of a wireless network, for example, a 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, CDMA, or any other type of network.

In some cases, UEs102,104,106,108, and110in network environment100can optionally utilize one or more communication channels112to communicate with other computing devices (e.g., a mobile device(s), a server(s), a personal computer(s), etc.) through multi-stack antenna array144mounted on base station114. Base station114may be a gNodeB in a 5G or 6G network as described herein.

The network environment100may be comprised of a telecommunications network(s), or a portion thereof. A telecommunications network might include an array of devices or components (e.g., one or more base stations), some of which are not shown. Those devices or components may form network environments similar to what is shown inFIG.1, and may also perform methods in accordance with the present disclosure. Components such as terminals, links, and nodes (as well as other components) can provide connectivity in various implementations. Network environment100can include multiple networks, as well as being a network of networks, but is shown in more simple form so as to not obscure other aspects of the present disclosure.

The one or more communication channels112can be part of a telecommunication network that connects subscribers to their immediate telecommunications service provider (i.e., home network carrier). In some instances, the one or more communication channels112can be associated with a telecommunications provider that provides services (e.g., 3G network, 4G network, LTE network, 5G network, and the like) to user devices, such as UEs102,104,106,108, and110. For example, the one or more communication channels may provide voice, SMS, and/or data services to UEs102,104,106,108, and110, or corresponding users that are registered or subscribed to utilize the services provided by the telecommunications service provider. The one or more communication channels112can comprise, for example, a 1× circuit voice, a 3G network (e.g., CDMA, CDMA2000, WCDMA, GSM, UMTS), a 4G network (WiMAX, LTE, HSDPA), or a 5G network or a 6G network.

In some implementations, base station114is configured to communicate with a UE, such as UEs102,104,106,108, and110, that are located within the geographic area, or cell, covered by radio antennas or multi-stack antenna arrays144of base station114. The radio antennas of base station114may incorporate multi-stack antenna arrays144as described below inFIG.3. Base station114may include one or more base stations, base transmitter stations, radios, antennas, antenna arrays, power amplifiers, transmitters/receivers, digital signal processors, control electronics, GPS equipment, and the like. In particular, base station114may selectively communicate with the user devices using dynamic beamforming.

As shown, base station114is in communication with a network component130and at least a network database120via a backhaul channel116. As the UEs102,104,106,108, and110collect individual status data, the status data can be automatically communicated by each of the UEs102,104,106,108, and110to the base station114. Base station114may store the data communicated by the UEs102,104,106,108, and110at a network database120. Alternatively, the base station114may automatically retrieve the status data from the UEs102,104,106,108, and110, and similarly store the data in the network database120. The data may be communicated or retrieved and stored periodically within a predetermined time interval which may be in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, and the like. With the incoming of new data, the network database120may be refreshed with the new data every time, or within a predetermined time threshold so as to keep the status data stored in the network database120current. For example, the data may be received at or retrieved by the base station114every 10 minutes and the data stored at the network database120may be kept current for 30 days, which means that status data that is older than 30 days would be replaced by newer status data at 10 minute intervals. As described above, the status data collected by the UEs102,104,106,108, and110can include, for example, service state status, the respective UE's current geographic location, a current time, a strength of the wireless signal, available networks, and the like.

The network component130comprises a memory132, a maximum ratio combining (MRC) engine134, and a scheduler136. All determinations, calculations, and data further generated by the MRC engine134and scheduler136may be stored at the memory132and also at the data store140. Although the network component130is shown as a single component comprising the memory132, MRC engine134, and the scheduler136, it is also contemplated that each of the memory132, MRC engine134and scheduler136may reside at different locations, be its own separate entity, and the like, within the home network carrier system.

The network component130is configured to retrieve signal information, UE device information, latency information, signal information, antenna information, and metrics from the base station114, multi-stack antenna array144, or one of the UEs102,104,106,108, and110. The MRC engine134determines which antenna or antennas of the multi-stack antenna on base station114is used by a given UE to communicate. The scheduler136can monitor the activity of the UEs102,104,106,108in the network. The MRC engine134determines which antenna or antennas of the multi-stack antenna array144are used by each of UEs102,104,106,108, and110for communication and acts in conjunction with the scheduler136to schedule the transmissions. Once the MRC engine134has computed the diversity combining for a UE the scheduler sends the antenna information to the UE.

FIG.2depicts a cellular network suitable for use in implementations of the present disclosure, in accordance with aspects herein. For example, as shown inFIG.2, each geographic area in the plurality of geographic areas may have a hexagonal shape such as hexagon representing a geographic area200having cells212,214,216,218,220,222,224, each including base station or base station114, backhaul channel116, antenna for sending and receiving signals over communication channels112, network database120and network component130. The size of the geographic area200may be predetermined based on a level of granularity, detail, and/or accuracy desired for the determinations/calculations done by the systems, computerized methods, and computer-storage media. A plurality of UEs may be located within each geographic area collecting UE data within the geographic area at a given time. For example, as shown inFIG.2, UEs202,204,206,208, and210, may be located within geographic area200collecting UE data that is useable by network component130, in accordance with aspects herein. UEs202,204,206,208, and210can move within the cell currently occupying, such as cell212and can move to other cells such as adjoining cells214,216,218,220,222and224.

FIG.3depicts a diagram of an exemplary multi-stack antenna, suitable for use in a network environment, in accordance with aspects herein. The multi-stack antenna assembly300illustrates an antenna array arranged in a 4×4×4 element configuration. Each antenna element layer has a 4×4 configuration of antenna elements and each antenna element layer is separated from other antenna element layers by a substrate. A first substrate302has first antenna element layer304overlaid. First antenna element layer304includes 16 antenna elements304A-304P arranged in a 4×4 configuration. On top of first antenna element layer304is second substrate layer306. On top of second substrate layer306is second antenna element layer308with another 4×4 array of antenna elements308A-308P, with 16 total antenna elements. Other designs for the antenna element layers are possible, with one embodiment providing eight columns with eight outputs. On top of second antenna element layer308is third substrate layer310. On top of third substrate layer310is third antenna element layer312with another 4×4 array of antenna elements312A-312P, with 16 total antenna elements. On top of third antenna element layer312is fourth substrate layer314with fourth antenna element layer316on top. Third antenna element layer312also has a 4×4 array of 16 antenna elements316A-316P.

The dimensions of the antenna elements, such as316A-316P, the spacing between each antenna element and the spacing between each antenna element layer determines the antenna polarization, beamwidth, beam direction, and sidelobes in conjunction with the frequency band and the center frequency of the multi-stack antenna assembly300. In addition, the depth or thickness of each antenna layer as well as the thickness of the substrate layer also affect antenna polarization, beamwidth, beam direction, and sidelobes. Then antennas of each layer, are connected together and then the multiple layers are connected together through a maximum ratio combining (MRC) engine134ofFIG.1. For example, the antennas of first antenna element layer304are connected together, the antennas of second antenna element layer308are connected together, the antennas of third antenna element layer312are connected together, and the antennas of fourth antenna element layer316are connected together via the MRC engine134. Then first antenna element layer304is connected to second antenna element layer308, second antenna element layer308is connected to third antenna element layer312, and third antenna element layer312is connected to fourth antenna element layer316via the MRC engine134.

FIG.4is a diagram of a maximum ratio combining (MRC), in which implementations of the present disclosure may be employed, in accordance with aspects here. MRC is a method of diversity combining in which the signals from each channel are added together at selected phases and timing to maximize signal from a specific direction. In the multi-stack antenna shown inFIG.3, each layer may be added together. The gain of each layer may be made proportional to the root-mean-square (RMS) signal level and made inversely proportional to the mean square noise level in that channel. Different proportionality constants may be used for each channel.

FIG.4depicts eight antenna signals combined in MRC. The MRC combining may be performed for each antenna layer ofFIG.3. In addition, the antenna layers ofFIG.3, that is, antenna layers304,308,312, and316may also undergo MRC. Additional layers of antennas may be added. In MRC each signal branch is multiplied by a weight factor that is proportional to the signal amplitude. The result is the total output shown inFIG.4.

FIG.5is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for operating a multi-stack phased antenna array, in accordance with aspects herein. The method500begins with receiving at least one signal from at least one UE at a multi-stack phased antenna array in step502. The at least one signal is received by each antenna element of the multi-stack phased antenna array. The method then continues in step504with adapting the at least one signal by adjusting the received signal from each antenna element in time and phase to maximize in-phase signal strength. The method500may also provide for generating at least one signal to be transmitted to the at least one UE. The signal is sent to the modular ratio combining engine where the signal is split to provide a portion of the signal to each antenna element in each discrete phase to maximize the transmitted beam strength. The modification of the signal may be further adapted to transmit to a second UE, with the portion of the signal sent to each antenna element being modified. The modification is selected to increase the gain of the antenna, and it may be increased to one. A weighting factor may also be used to increase the gain and the gain may be increased in each branch of a signal. The weight factor may be proportional to an amplitude of the signal.

FIG.6depicts an exemplary computing device suitable for use in implementations of the present disclosure, in accordance with aspects herein. With continued reference toFIG.6, computing device600includes bus602that directly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory604, one or more processors606, one or more presentation components608, input/output (I/O) ports612, I/O components610, radio616, transmitter618, and power supply614. Bus602represents what may be one or more busses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Although the devices ofFIG.6are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one may consider a presentation component such as a display device to be one of I/O components610. Also, processors, such as one or more processors606, have memory. The present disclosure hereof recognizes that such is the nature of the art, and reiterates thatFIG.6is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing environment that can be used in connection with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. Distinction is not made between such categories as “workstation,” “server,” “laptop,” “handheld device,” etc., as all are contemplated within the scope ofFIG.6and refer to “computer” or “computing device.”

Computing device600typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computing device600and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. Computer storage media does not comprise a propagated data signal.

Memory604includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. Memory604may be removable, nonremovable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary memory includes solid-state memory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device600includes one or more processors506that read data from various entities such as bus602, memory604or I/O components610. One or more presentation components608present data indications to a person or other device. Exemplary one or more presentation components608include a display device, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc. I/O ports612allow computing device600to be logically coupled to other devices including I/O components610, some of which may be built into computing device600. Illustrative I/O components610include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc.

The radio616represents one or more radios that facilitate communication with a wireless telecommunications network. While a single radio616is shown inFIG.6, it is contemplated that there may be more than one radio616coupled to the bus602. In aspects, the radio616utilizes a transmitter618to communicate with the wireless telecommunications network. It is expressly conceived that a computing device with more than one radio616could facilitate communication with the wireless telecommunications network via both the first transmitter618and an additional transmitters (e.g. a second transmitter). Illustrative wireless telecommunications technologies include CDMA, GPRS, TDMA, GSM, and the like. The radio616may additionally or alternatively facilitate other types of wireless communications including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, NR, VoLTE, or other VoIP communications. As can be appreciated, in various embodiments, radio616can be configured to support multiple technologies and/or multiple radios can be utilized to support multiple technologies. A wireless telecommunications network might include an array of devices, which are not shown so as to not obscure more relevant aspects of the invention. Components such as a base station, a communications tower, or even base stations (as well as other components) can provide wireless connectivity in some embodiments.