Antenna array system

The present disclosure provides an antenna array system that includes a plurality of antenna array units and a processor. The antenna array units are evenly arranged in different orientations, where each antenna array unit comprises a plurality of antenna elements with different azimuth angles, and the different azimuth angles of the antenna elements in the each antenna array unit form a vector, where the vectors corresponding to the antenna array units constitute a vector matrix that matches a predetermined rule. The processor is electrically connected to the antenna array units.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 107206338, filed May 15, 2018, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of Invention

The present disclosure relates to antenna structure, and more particularly, an antenna array system.

Description of Related Art

Multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) is an abstract mathematical model used to describe multi-antenna wireless communication systems. The MIMO can independently transmit signals by using multiple antennas at the transmitting end, and receive information by using multiple antennas at the receiving end.

However, in the conventional multi-antenna wireless communication system, the antennas are mostly oriented in the same direction, which result in the directionality limitation. Therefore, the conventional multi-antenna wireless communication system is difficult to operate in a complicated environment of many people.

In view of the foregoing, there exist problems and disadvantages in the current technology, and further improvements are required for those ordinarily skilled in the art to solve the above-mentioned problems. For the forgoing reasons, there is a need for improving the diversity of angles of the antennas.

SUMMARY

In one or more various aspects, the present disclosure is directed to an antenna array system to solve the problems in the prior art.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is related to an antenna array system that includes a plurality of antenna array units and a processor. The antenna array units are evenly arranged in different orientations, where each antenna array unit includes a plurality of antenna elements with different azimuth angles, and the different azimuth angles of the corresponding antenna elements in the each antenna array unit form a vector, where the vectors corresponding to the antenna array units constitute a vector matrix that matches a predetermined rule. The processor is electrically connected to the antenna array units.

In one embodiment, each azimuthal difference between any adjacent two of the antenna elements in the each antenna array unit is identical in value, and each azimuthal difference between two corresponding antenna elements of any adjacent two of the antenna array units is identical in value.

In one embodiment, the number of the antenna array units is four, there are four sets of the vectors, and the vector matrix is a 2×2 vector matrix, and the predetermined rule comprises that each difference between two vector heads of any two adjacent vectors of the four sets of the vectors is identical in value.

In one embodiment, the number of the antenna array units is nine or sixteen, so there are nine sets of the vectors when the number of the antenna array units is nine. Moreover, there are sixteen sets of the vectors when the number of the antenna array units is sixteen. The vector matrix of the nine sets of the vectors is a 3×3 vector matrix, and the vector matrix of the sixteen sets of the vectors is a 4×4 vector matrix. The predetermined rule includes that the sum of each row, column and diagonal of RMS (Root mean square) values of the vectors in the vector matrix is substantially equal.

In one embodiment, vector heads are selected from the vectors in the vector matrix to constitute a head matrix, and the predetermined rule comprises that the sum of each row, column and diagonal of values of the head matrix is substantially equal.

In one embodiment, vector heads are selected from the vectors in the vector matrix as selected values to constitute a head matrix. The selected values of the head matrix are simplified to be index integers to constitute an index matrix, wherein the order of the index integers depends on the magnitude of the selected values, and the predetermined rule comprises that the sum of each row, column and diagonal of values of index integers of the index matrix is substantially equal.

In one embodiment, the 3×3 vector matrix matches the predetermined rule, any row and any column of the 3×3 vector matrix have a plurality of azimuth clustered sets respectively, each azimuth clustered set corresponds to a set of antenna elements, and the set of antenna elements are electrically connected to each other, so as to facilitate operation by the processor.

In one embodiment, the antenna array system further includes a plurality of virtual loads, a plurality of wireless transceivers, first conducting wires and second conducting wires. The wireless transceiver units are electrically connected to the processor. Two ends of each of the first conducting wires are electrically connected to a corresponding one of antenna array units and a corresponding one of virtual loads. The second conducting wires are interlaced with the first conducting wires, where two ends of each of the second conducting wires are electrically connected to a corresponding one of the wireless transceiver units and a ground.

In one embodiment, the antenna array system further includes electronic switches. Each of the electronic switches is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the first conducting wires and the corresponding one of the second conducting wires.

In one embodiment, the each of the electronic switches is a diode, an anode of the diode is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the first conducting wires, and a cathode of the diode is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the second conducting wires.

Technical advantages are generally achieved, by embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna array system of the present disclosure can improve the diversity of angles of the antennas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes reference to the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the terms “comprise or comprising”, “include or including”, “have or having”, “contain or containing” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1Ais a block diagram of an antenna array system100aaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1A, the antenna array system100aincludes a plurality of antenna array units110,120,130and140, and a processor150. Base on this structure, the processor150is electrically connected to the antenna array units110,120,130and140. The antenna array units110,120,130and140are evenly arranged with different orientations. Specifically, inFIG. 1A, the different azimuth angle of any adjacent two of the antenna array units110,120,130and140is 90 degrees, and the antenna array units110,120,130and140are equidistantly arranged in an around arrangement.

In practice, each antenna array unit includes a plurality of antenna elements with different azimuth angles. As shown inFIG. 1A, the antenna array unit110includes an antenna element A0000with an azimuth angle 0 degree, an antenna element A0120with an azimuth angle 120 degrees, and an antenna element A0240with an azimuth angle 240 degrees. The antenna array unit120includes an antenna element A1090with an azimuth angle 90 degrees, an antenna element A1210with an azimuth angle 210 degrees, and an antenna element A1330with an azimuth angle 330 degrees. The antenna array unit130includes an antenna element A2180with an azimuth angle 180 degrees, an antenna element A2300with an azimuth angle 300 degrees, and an antenna element A2060with an azimuth angle 60 degrees. The antenna array unit140includes an antenna element A3270with an azimuth angle 270 degrees, an antenna element A3030with an azimuth angle 30 degrees, and an antenna element A3150with an azimuth angle 150 degrees. It should be noted that the azimuth angle can be obtained by each antenna unit with respect to a reference azimuth angle as a reference for the layout. For example, in the embodiment, the antenna element A0000is used as the reference for the reference azimuth angle.

In one embodiment, each azimuthal difference between any adjacent two of the antenna elements in the each antenna array unit is identical in value. Specifically, in the antenna array unit110, the azimuthal difference between the antenna element A0000and the antenna element A0120is 120 degrees, the azimuthal difference between the antenna element A0120and the antenna element A0240is 120 degrees, and the azimuthal difference between the antenna element A0240and the antenna element A0000is 120 degrees. The azimuthal difference between any adjacent two antenna elements in any other antenna array unit is 120 degrees, and the present disclosure is not repeated herein.

In one embodiment, each azimuthal difference between two corresponding antenna elements of any adjacent two of the antenna array units is identical in value. Specifically, the azimuthal difference between the antenna element A0000of the antenna array unit110and the antenna element A1090of the antenna array unit120is 90 degrees, the azimuthal difference between the antenna element A0120of the antenna array unit110and the antenna element A1210of the antenna array unit120is 90 degrees, and the azimuthal difference between the antenna element A0240of the antenna array unit110and the antenna element A1330of the antenna array unit120is 90 degrees.

In one embodiment, the antenna array unit110is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit112, and the wireless transceiver unit112is electrically connected to the processor150. The antenna array unit120is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit122, and the wireless transceiver unit122is electrically connected to the processor150. The antenna array unit130is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit132, and the wireless transceiver unit132is electrically connected to the processor150. The antenna array unit140is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit142, and the wireless transceiver unit142is electrically connected to the processor150.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the antenna array unit140is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit142through a switch unit. The switch units147,142and145are electrically connected to the antenna elements A3270, A3030and A3150respectively. In real operation, the processor150or other device can switch the switch units147,142and145. The switch units147,142and145are configured to turn on or off the antenna elements A3270, A3030and A3150.FIG. 1Aillustrates three switch units147,142and145for concisely illustrative purpose only. In practice, the other antenna elements and wireless transceiver units can be electrically connected to the corresponding switch units. Those with ordinary skill in the art may flexibly design the switch units depending on the desired application.

FIG. 1Bis a block diagram of an antenna array system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The difference betweenFIG. 1BandFIG. 1Ais that the antenna array unit110further includes a main antenna element111as a main antenna or a driving antenna, and the antenna elements A0000, A0120and A0240is a passive antenna or a parasitic antenna. The main antenna element111is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit112, and the wireless transceiver unit112is electrically connected to the processor150.

Similarly, the antenna array unit120further includes a main antenna element121as a main antenna, and the antenna elements A1090, A1210and A1330is a parasitic antenna. The main antenna element121is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit122, and the wireless transceiver unit122is electrically connected to the processor150.

Similarly, the antenna array unit130further includes a main antenna element131as a main antenna, and the antenna elements A2180, A2300and A2060is a parasitic antenna. The main antenna element131is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit132, and the wireless transceiver unit132is electrically connected to the processor150.

Similarly, the antenna array unit140further includes a main antenna element141as a main antenna, and the antenna elements A3270, A3030and A3150is a parasitic antenna. The main antenna element141is electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit142, and the wireless transceiver unit142is electrically connected to the processor150.

Similarly, in one embodiment, each parasitic antenna of each antenna array unit can be electrically connected to the wireless transceiver unit through a switch unit as mentioned above, and thus, the present disclosure is not repeated herein.

In one embodiment, the different azimuth angles of the antenna elements in the each antenna array unit form a vector. The antenna elements A0000, A0120and A0240of the antenna array unit110correspond to a vector (000,120,240). The antenna elements A1090, A1210and A1330of the antenna array unit120correspond to a vector (090,210,330). The antenna elements A2180, A2300and A2060of the antenna array unit130correspond to a vector (180,300,060). The antenna elements A3270, A3030and A3150of the antenna array unit140correspond to a vector (270,030,150).

The vectors correspond to the antenna array units110,120,130and140constitute a vector matrix as follows.

In above 2×2 vector matrix, vector heads (i.e., a first vector component) of the vectors constitute a head matrix as follows.

The above head matrix based on the vector heads matches a predetermined rule. Specifically, the number of the antenna array units110,120,130and140is four, the vectors is four sets of the vectors, and the vector matrix is a 2×2 vector matrix, and the predetermined rule comprises that each difference between two vector heads of any two adjacent vectors of the four sets of the vectors is identical in value. For example, the vector head of the vector (000,120,240) is 000 corresponding to 360, and the vector head of the vector (270,030,150) is 270, where 360−270=90. The vector head of the vector (270,030,150) is 270, and the vector head of the vector (180,300,060) is 180, where 270−180=90. The vector head of the vector (180,300,060) is 180, and the vector head of the vector (090,210,330) is 90, where 180−90=90. The vector head of the vector (090,210,330) is 90, and the vector head of the vector (000,120,240) is 000, where 90−0=90.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram of an antenna array system200according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 2, the antenna array unit210includes antenna elements A120, A210, A300and A030. The antenna array unit220includes antenna elements A320, A050, A140and A230. The antenna array unit230includes antenna elements A040, A130, A220and A310. The antenna array unit240includes antenna elements A080, A170, A260and A350. The antenna array unit250includes antenna elements A160, A250, A340and A070. The antenna array unit260includes antenna elements A240, A330, A060and A150. The antenna array unit270includes antenna elements A280, A010, A100and A190. The antenna array unit280includes antenna elements A000, A090, A180and A270. The antenna array unit290includes antenna elements A200, A290, A020and A110.FIG. 2does not illustrate a processor and so forth for concisely illustrative purpose only. In practice, the antenna array unit210,220,230,240,250,260,270,280and290are electrically connected to the processor and so forth (e.g., the processor150inFIG. 1A).

In the antenna array system200, the number of the antenna array units210,220,230,240,250,260,270,280and290is nine, the vectors is nine sets of the vectors, the vector matrix of the nine sets of the vectors is a 3×3 vector matrix as follows.

The above 3×3 vector matrix matches the predetermined rule. In the antenna array system200, the antenna array units are evenly arranged in different orientations and are equidistantly arranged in an around arrangement. Each azimuthal difference between any adjacent two of the antenna elements in the each antenna array unit is identical in value. Each azimuthal difference between two corresponding antenna elements of any adjacent two of the antenna array units is identical in value. Compared with the 2×2 vector matrix, the 3×3 vector matrix matches “magic square” included in the predetermined rule that includes that the sum of each row, column and diagonal of RMS (Root mean square) values of the vectors in the vector matrix is substantially equal. For an example, the RMS values of the vectors constitute a 3×3 RMS matrix as follows.

The sum of each row, column and diagonal of the above 3×3 RMS matrix is described as follows.
548.3+932.0+403.7=1884
474.8+623.4+776.5=1875
854.0+336.7+699.6=1890
548.3+474.8+854.0=1877
932.0+623.4+336.7=1892
403.7+776.5+699.6=1880
548.3+623.4+699.6=1872
403.7+623.4+854.0=1881

In view of the above, the sum of each row, column and diagonal of RMS values of the vectors is substantially equal. Accordingly, the above 3×3 RMS matrix matches the magic square.

As to the magic square, for another example, the vector heads (i.e., a first vector component) of the 3×3 vector matrix constitute a head matrix as follows.

The sum of each row, column and diagonal of the above 3×3 head matrix based on the vector heads is described as follows.
120+320+040=480
080+160+240=480
280+000+200=480
120+080+280=480
320+160+000=480
040+240+200=480
120+160+200=480
040+160+280=480

Accordingly, the sum of each row, column and diagonal of the above 3×3 matrix based on the vector heads is equal (i.e., 480). The above 3×3 matrix based on the vector heads matches the magic square.

For yet another example, the above 3×3 matrix based on the vector heads can be further simplified as a 3×3 index matrix. The 3×3 index matrix includes index integers, where the order of the index integers depends on the magnitude of the vector heads. The 3×3 index matrix is described as follows.

The sum of each row, column and diagonal of index integers of vector heads is described as follows.
4+9+2=15
3+5+7=15
8+1+6=15
4+3+8=15
9+5+1=15
2+7+6=15
4+5+6=15
2+5+8=15

Accordingly, the sum of each row, column and diagonal of the 3×3 index matrix is equal (i.e., 15). The above 3×3 index matrix matches the magic square.

In view of the above, the 3×3 vector matrix is on the basis of the magic square, and rows and columns of the 3×3 vector matrix have a plurality of azimuth clustered sets respectively as the following table.

In view of the above table, in the 3×3 vector matrix based on the magic square, a first row R1has an azimuth clustered set of 30, 40 and 50 degrees, an azimuth clustered set of 120, 130 and 140 degrees, and an azimuth clustered set of 300, 310 and 320 degrees.

Similarly, in the 3×3 vector matrix based on the magic square, a second row R2, a third row R3, a first column C1, a second column C2, a third column C3, a first diagonal D1and second diagonal D2have respective azimuth clustered sets as described in the above table, and thus are not repeated herein.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram of aggregated groups11and12according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, in the aggregated group11, the azimuth clustered set of 30, 40 and 50 degrees of the first row R1corresponds to a set of antenna elements A030, A040and A050electrically connected to each other, so as to facilitate operation by the processor (e.g., the processor150inFIG. 1A), where the antenna element A030is selected from the antenna array unit210, the antenna element A040is selected from the antenna array unit230, and the antenna element A050is selected from the antenna array unit220. Similarly, the azimuth clustered set of 120, 130 and 140 degrees of the first row R1corresponds to a set of antenna elements A120, A130and A140electrically connected to each other. The azimuth clustered set of 300, 310 and 320 degrees of the first row R1corresponds to a set of antenna elements A300, A310and A320electrically connected to each other.

Similarly, the second row R2and the third row R3in the aggregated group11, and the first column C1, the second column C2, and the third column C3in the aggregated group12correspond to respective sets of antenna elements, and thus are not repeated herein.

FIG. 4is a schematic diagram of an antenna array system400according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 4, the antenna array unit401includes antenna elements A135, A255and A015. The antenna array unit402includes antenna elements A247.5, A007.5and A127.5. The antenna array unit403includes antenna elements A000, A120and A240. The antenna array unit404includes antenna elements A292.5, A052.5and A172.5. The antenna array unit405includes antenna elements A022.5, A142.5and A262.5. The antenna array unit406includes antenna elements A270, A030and A150. The antenna array unit407includes antenna elements A157.5, A277.5and A037.5. The antenna array unit408includes antenna elements A225, A345and A105. The antenna array unit409includes antenna elements A337.5, A097.5and A217.5. The antenna array unit410includes antenna elements A045, A165and A285. The antenna array unit411includes antenna elements A202.5, A322.5and A082.5. The antenna array unit412includes antenna elements A090, A210and A330. The antenna array unit413includes antenna elements A180, A300and A060. The antenna array unit414includes antenna elements A112.5, A232.5and A352.5. The antenna array unit415includes antenna elements A315, A075and A195. The antenna array unit416includes antenna elements A067.5, A187.5and A307.5.

In the antenna array system400, the number of the antenna array units401-416is sixteen, the vectors is sixteen sets of the vectors, the vector matrix of the sixteen sets of the vectors is a 4×4 vector matrix that matches the above-mentioned arrangement. In the antenna array system400, the antenna array units are evenly arranged in different orientations and are equidistantly arranged in an around arrangement. Each azimuthal difference between any adjacent two of the antenna elements in the each antenna array unit is identical in value. Each azimuthal difference between two corresponding antenna elements of any adjacent two of the antenna array units is identical in value. The mathematical deduction process and the vector clustering effect of the magic square of the 4×4 vector matrix are similar to that of the 3×3 vector matrix. The RMS values of the vectors constitute a 4×4 RMS matrix, a 4×4 head matrix based on the vector heads (i.e., a first vector component), and a 4×4 index matrix simplified from the 4×4 head matrix are described as follows, where the order of the index integers depends on the magnitude of the vector heads.

Accordingly, the sum of each row, column and diagonal of values of the vectors is substantially equal. The sum of each row, column and diagonal of the vector heads is equal (i.e.,675). For example, the sum of a first row of the vector heads is 135+247.5+0+292.5=675, the sum of a first column of the vector heads is 135+22.5+337.5+180=675, the sum of a first diagonal of the vector heads is 292.5+157.5+45+180=675, and the other can be calculated in the same manner. The sum of each row, column and diagonal of the index integers is equal (i.e.,34). For example, the sum of a first row of the index integers is 7+12+1+14=34, the sum of a first column of the index integers is 7+2+16+9=34, the sum of a first diagonal of the index integers is 14+8+3+9=34, and the other can be calculated in the same manner. Rows and columns of the 4×4 vector matrix have a plurality of azimuth clustered sets respectively as above mentioned embodiments, and thus are not repeated herein.

It should be understood that the above 3×3 or 4×4 vector matrix based on the magic square is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. In practice, those skilled in the art can flexibly increase or decrease the antenna array units to form the antenna array system depending on the desired application.

If it is necessary to expand the coverage space, the foregoing plurality of antenna arrays may connect antennas that correspond to a plurality of positions by a way of diversity and according to the circuit chart of the antenna array system500ofFIG. 5according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the number of the circuits is equal to the number of the antennas. As shown inFIG. 5, the antenna array system500includes a processor660, a plurality of antenna array units601-606, a plurality of virtual loads631-636, a plurality of wireless transceivers651-653, first conducting wires611-616, and second conducting wires621-623. The second conducting wires621-623are interlaced with the first conducting wires611-616. The wireless transceiver units651-653are electrically connected to the processor660. Two ends of each of the first conducting wires611-616are electrically connected to a corresponding one of antenna array units601-606and a corresponding one of virtual loads631-636. Two ends of each of the second conducting wires621-623are electrically connected to a corresponding one of the wireless transceiver units651-653and grounds641-643.

In one embodiment, the antenna array system500further includes electronic switches D11-D14, D21-D24, D31-D34, D41-D44, D51-D54, and D61-D64. Each of the electronic switches is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the first conducting wires and the corresponding one of the second conducting wires. For example, the electronic switch D11electrically connected to the first conducting wire611and the second conducting wire621. The connections of other electronic switches are shown inFIG. 5, and thus are not repeated herein.

Specifically, the each of the electronic switches is a diode, an anode of the diode is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the first conducting wires, and a cathode of the diode is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the second conducting wires. For example, the electronic switch D11is a diode, the anode of the diode is electrically connected to the first conducting wire611, and the cathode of the diode is electrically connected to the second conducting wire621. The connections of diodes are shown inFIG. 5, and thus are not repeated herein.

In addition, the antenna array system500further includes capacitors C and inductors L. The capacitors C are configured to filter low frequency noise, and the inductors L are configured to filter high frequency noise.

In practice, the antenna array arrangement as shown inFIGS. 1A to 4can be applied to the circuit architecture as shown inFIG. 5, and the diode switch can greatly reduce the number of conventional switches, and facilitate control.

In view of above, the antenna array system of the present disclosure can improve the diversity of angles of the antennas. Furthermore, in the antenna array based on the magic square, the different azimuth clusters form antenna azimuths evenly interlaced for convenient control.