Orientation agnostic millimeter-wave radio link

Described herein are architectures, platforms and methods for implementing an orientation-agnostic millimeter-wave (mm-wave) antenna in a portable device.

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of wireless communication standards as applied to a portable device and a trend towards ever smaller, slimmer and lighter portable devices may cause major design challenges for antennas or antennas. Antennas represent a category of components that may fundamentally differ from other components in the portable device. For example, the antenna may be configured to efficiently radiate in free space, whereas the other components are more or less isolated from their surroundings.

Antennas operating at millimeter wave (mm-wave) frequencies—for high data rate short range links—are expected to gain popularity. One example of such a system is called wireless WiGig, which operates at the 60 GHz frequency band. In addition, utilization of the mm-wave radio systems is projected to play a major role for standards such as 5G cellular radio. Typically these short range mm-wave radio systems require an unobstructed line-of-sight (LOS) between a transmitter and a receiving antenna. With the LOS requirement, an orientation of the transmitting and receiving antennas may require their respective main lobe to face each other for maximum radio link. Current antenna designs for mobile devices such as laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. are limited in coverage and incur high losses at mm-wave operating frequencies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are architectures, platforms and methods for implementing an orientation-agnostic millimeter-wave (mm-wave) antenna or antennas in a portable device.

For example, a waveguide structure within the portable device is utilized as a medium for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals such as mm-wave RF signals or mm-wave frequencies. In this example, an open-end of the waveguide structure acts as an antenna. The antenna, in this case, may be disposed in a device chassis-outer surface, a device chassis-inner surface or within close proximity of a housing perimeter of the portable device for line-of-sight (LOS) mm-wave wireless communication with another portable device or base station.

While the open-end of the waveguide structure is utilized as the antenna, its other end may be connected to a RF module through a RF signal transition component such as a RF connector. For example, the RF module may be disposed to a location in a printed circuit board (PCB) of the portable device. In this example, the RF connector may be mounted to the PCB in order to facilitate a transition between two different signal path mediums (i.e., microwave structure medium and a transmission line of the PCB). The transmission line may be, for example, a microstrip line, a stripline, a co-planar wave guide, another waveguide or any other kind of transmission line, or combination or derivative of different transmission line types. In this example, the RF connector receives one end of the waveguide structure, and couples the other one end of the waveguide structure to the transmission line which is linked to the RF module in the PCB. The RF module may be fabricated in the PCB and the transmission line couples the RF module to the mounted RF connector.

In an implementation, impedance matching of the antenna may utilize a plastic material along the edges of the portable device. For example, the open-end of the waveguide structure is disposed on a plastic material cover of the portable device. In this example, the plastic material cover may have a uniform or planar surface that may be configured to have different dielectric materials in order to facilitate impedance matching in the waveguide structure.

FIG. 1is an example arrangement100of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) portable devices during a line-of-sight (LOS) wireless communication. The arrangement100shows a portable device102with antennas104, and another portable device106with antennas108. The arrangement100further illustrates a chassis of the portable device102with corresponding waveguides110for the antennas104, and a radio frequency (RF) module112.

The portable device102may include, but is not limited to, a tablet computer, a netbook, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a multimedia playback device, a digital music player, a digital video player, a navigational device, a digital camera, and the like. The portable device102, for example, may communicate with the other portable device106in a network environment. The network environment, for example, includes a cellular network configured to facilitate communications between the portable device102and the other portable device106.

As shown, the portable device102is a mm-wave portable device due to its feature or capability to operate at WiGig operating frequencies. The portable device102, for example, utilizes the antenna104-2in a LOS wireless communication with the other portable device106. The LOS wireless communication, for example, is operating at frequency range 60-100 GHz where an obstruction in between the portable devices may easily reduce signal strength during the wireless communication. In the above example, the antenna104-2is an open-end of a waveguide structure such as the waveguide110-2.

In an implementation, the antenna104-2is optimally disposed on at least one edge of the portable device102. For example, the waveguide110-2may extend from the RF module112to a top-edge of the portable device102. In this example, the open-end of the waveguide110-2is the antenna104-2that is configured to provide mm-wave wireless communication. Depending upon configured sensitivity of the antenna104-2, the portable device102may enter into LOS wireless communication with the other portable device106in relatively shorter distances (e.g., ten meters).

The antenna104-2of the waveguide110-2may include different shapes and/or configurations. For example, the antenna104-2may have a tapered end, a horn shape, a circular shape, or a conical configuration. In this example, the different shapes and/or configuration may correspond to different radiation patterns, beam configurations, etc. For example, a horn-shaped antenna104-2may have a narrower beam width and higher directivity as compared to a circular-shaped antenna104-2. In this example, other configurations such as waveguide width, waveguide length, etc. may further be considered in arriving at above conclusion.

With continuing reference toFIG. 1, the portable devices102and106may detect which one of their respective antennas are aligned with one another. For example, as shown, the portable devices102and106establish a LOS wireless communication link and thereafter detect which of their respective antennas are aligned with one another. In this example, the portable devices102and106may detect that their respective antennas104-2and108-2may have a higher signal strength as compared to their other antennas such as between the antennas104-4and108-4. Thus, the portable devices102and106may activate and utilize their corresponding antennas104-2and108-2in transmitting or receiving high data rates during the LOS wireless communication. In another implementation, other forms of detection such as a use of separate antenna within the portable devices may be utilized in selecting which antennas104or108are utilized during the LOS wireless communication.

In an implementation, the RF module112facilitates transmission or reception of data in the form of wireless signals through the antenna104. For example, an RF connector (not shown) couples one end of the waveguide110-2to a transmission line (not shown) that links to the RF module112. In this example, the RF module112may utilize the waveguide110-2and its open-end (i.e., antenna104-2) for transmitting or receiving the wireless signals. The RF module112may be assembled in a PCB while the RF connector may be mounted on the PCB.

Although the example arrangement100illustrates in a limited manner basic components of mm-wave wireless communications between the portable devices102and106, other components such as battery, one or more processors, SIM card, etc. were not described in order to simplify the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2illustrates an example apparatus200that is configured to implement mm-wave wireless communications in the portable device102. As shown, the apparatus200includes the RF module112, one or more RF connectors202, transmission lines204, the waveguides110and the antennas104.

As an example of present implementations herein, the portable device102may utilize multiple antennas104during the mm-wave wireless communications. For example, the waveguides110are optimally routed to different locations in the portable device102. In this example, the respective open-ends of the waveguides110are utilized as the antennas104.

The optimal routing of the waveguides110may be based upon: available space in the portable device102, the location of the RF module112, upon a physical size of the antenna104, or a desired radiation pattern or coverage of the antenna104. For example, the waveguide110-2is fabricated to be shorter in length than the waveguide110-4because the antenna104-2is closer to the RF module112as compared to present location of the antenna104-4. In this example, internal dimensions of the waveguide110-2may have a different configuration as compared to the waveguide104-2. The reason being, the difference in waveguide lengths may correspond to different forms of reflection and signal losses within the waveguide (i.e., mm-wave signal paths).

In another example, the waveguide110-4is equal in length to the waveguide110-6because the RF module112is disposed in between the two waveguides, and that the available space within the portable device102allows mirror-like waveguide positioning layout. In this example, the internal dimensions of the waveguides110-4and110-6are the same. The reason being, the open ended waveguides110-4and110-6may be configured to resonate at the same frequency (e.g., 60 GHz). At this resonant frequency and for the same waveguide lengths, the waveguides110-4and110-6may have the same internal dimensions to transfer maximum power.

As an example of present implementations herein, the RF connector202is a RF signal transition component that may facilitate a transition between two different signal path mediums during transmission and reception of the mm-wave wireless signals. For example, the RF module112utilizes the transmission line204to connect to the RF connector202. In this example, the transmission line204is a type of electrical transmission line medium that may be fabricated using printed circuit board (PCB) technology, and is used to convey mm-wave wireless signals. Planar transmission line may, for example, be of a microstrip line, strip line or co-planar waveguide type. Alternatively, the transmission line204may be of no-planar type such as co-axial or another waveguide. Furthermore, the transmission line204may include a conducting piece that is separated from a ground plane by a dielectric layer known as the substrate.

The transmission line204is connected to the RF connector202, which is further linked to another signal path medium i.e., waveguide110. For example, as further discussed below, the RF connector202may include a conductive and/or dielectric housing and a feed-point (not shown) within the housing. Usually the conductive part of the housing is connected to ground. In this example, the RF connector202may be mounted on the PCB and the feed-point is linked to the transmission line204. Furthermore, the housing of the RF connector202may be configured to receive the other end of the waveguide110to complete the mm-wave signal path between the RF module112and the antenna104.

With continuing reference toFIG. 2, the RF module112is configured to transmit or receive mm-wave wireless signals. During transmission or reception, the RF module112may utilize different forms of digital modulation or demodulation, signal conversion methods, etc. to transmit or receive the mm-wave wireless signals. As described above, the RF module112may be integrated or assembled into the PCB of the portable device102.

FIG. 3illustrates an example RF connector202as described in present implementations herein. The RF connector202, for example, is mounted in a PCB300that includes the transmission line204. Furthermore, the RF connector202includes a feed-probe302, a plastic connector housing304, and a metal-part connector housing306that may receive and fit one end of the waveguide110.

As discussed above, the RF connector202facilitates a transition signal path between two different signal path mediums. For example, the first signal path medium is the transmission line204while the other signal path medium is the waveguide110. In this example, the RF connector202facilitates a substantially loss-free signal path transition for transmitting or receiving the mm-wave wireless signals.

In an implementation, the feed-probe302may be utilized to control signal parameters (e.g., power, phase, polarization, radiation pattern, etc.) of the passing mm-wave wireless signal during transmission or reception. Varying a depth of the feed-probe302, for example, along a radiator slot (not shown) may change the amount of power in the transmitted mm-wave wireless signals. In another example, the feed-probe302may be utilized to choose which waveguide110is used during the transmission or reception. For example, the feed-probe302may totally close the radiator slot for a particular waveguide110. In this example, the particular waveguide110may not transmit or receive mm-wave wireless signals through the open-end (i.e., antenna).

In an implementation, the metal part of the connector housing306is integrated to the plastic connector housing304. In this implementation, the plastic connector housing304is fabricated to receive one end of the waveguide110. For example, the one end of the waveguide110is circular in shape and as such, the plastic connector housing304may include a circular hole that receives and encloses the circular end of the waveguide110. As discussed above, the opposite open-end of the waveguide110is utilized as the antenna and is disposed along a housing perimeter of the portable device.

FIG. 4illustrates an example three dimensional electro-magnetic simulation model400for implementing the mm-wave wireless communication as described in present implementations herein. As shown, the simulation model400illustrates a plastic cover402that is a representation of the housing perimeter or material cover of the portable device102. Furthermore,FIG. 4illustrates the waveguide110, the mounted RF connector202, and the PCB300that includes the integrated RF module112.

The waveguide110may be a high-pass filter that is made of a low-loss plastic material and coated with a conducting material. For example, the waveguide110is built of a plastic material with a selected relative permittivity of ∈r=3 and Los Tan of 0.001 at 60 GHz operating frequency. Furthermore, the waveguide110has a diameter of 2 mm and a cut-off frequency approximately 51 GHz—which is suitable for the 60 GHz operating frequency. In this example, a physical configuration of the RF connector202is fabricated based upon these parameters of the waveguide110. For example, the RF connector202has an opening that receives and fits the 2 mm diameter end of the waveguide110. In this example, the RF connector202may further include radiator slots and multiple feed-probes where dimensions of the feed-probes are configured to correspond to the above physical configuration of the waveguide110.

With continuing reference toFIG. 4, the plastic cover402may include a substantially thin plastic wall (e.g., 1 mm thick plastic wall) that simulates an outer cover of the portable device102. Other plastic material parts other than the outer cover may be utilized in the example described inFIG. 4. For example, the waveguide110has an open-end that acts as the antenna. In this example, the antenna may be flushed to the plastic cover402. The plastic cover402may be the outer cover edge, corner, top-side, back-side, outer surface, inner surface or a plastic material within the device depending upon an optimal routing of the waveguide110within the portable device102.

FIGS. 5A-5Cillustrates different impedance matching implementations in the waveguide as described in present implementations herein.

As shown,FIG. 5Aillustrates the waveguide110without an impedance matching, i.e. reference antenna. In this illustration, the mm-wave wireless signals during transmission or reception may encounter a standing wave signal reflection that may affect the signal parameters of the incoming or outgoing mm-wave wireless signals.

FIG. 5Bfurther illustrates the waveguide110that is terminated by a plastic cover502. For example, the plastic cover502is made of a plastic material that is disposed at the open-end (e.g., antenna104-2) of the waveguide110-2. In this example, the plastic cover502, which is flushed to the antenna104-2, may minimize the standing wave signal reflection within the waveguide110-2.

FIG. 5Cillustrates an alternative impedance matching at the antenna104-2of the waveguide110-2. For example, the plastic cover502includes a hole504, which is a cavity that is fabricated in the plastic material structure of the plastic cover502. In this example, a physical dimension or configuration of the hole504may enclose the plugged open-end of the waveguide110-2. In other words, the hole504has a diameter that fits the plugged open-end of the waveguide110-2. With this configuration, the standing wave is furthermore minimized for maximum power transfer in the waveguide110-2.

In another implementation, the plastic cover502is made of layers of different dielectric constants to further provide a good impedance matching at the open-end of the waveguide110-2.

FIG. 6Aillustrates an example switching system600in the RF module112as described in the implementations herein. As shown, the switching system600includes a signal processor602, amplifiers604, and the transmission lines204.

In an implementation, the signal processor602manipulates the mm-wave wireless signal to be transmitted. For example, the signal processor602performs analog to digital conversion, digital modulation, multiplexing, etc. on the mm-wave wireless signal that is to be transmitted through the open-ends of the waveguide110. In this example, the signal processor602may further utilize a particular waveguide110that the signal processor602selects during the transmission.

The selection of the waveguide110may be based upon determination and comparison of different wireless signal strengths at the open-ends of the waveguide110. In another implementation, the signal processor602may utilize another form of detecting the wireless signal strengths such as the presence of another antenna (e.g., wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) antenna) in the portable device.

FIGS. 6B and 6Cillustrate other implementations of the switching system600.

For example, with the detected and selected waveguide110—that includes the open-end with stronger wireless signal strength—inFIG. 6A, the signal processor602may utilize a switching component606in transmitting or receiving of the mm-wave wireless signals. As shown inFIG. 6B, the signal processor602may utilize the switching component606-2when using the waveguide110-2or110-4; or the signal processor602may utilize the switching component606-4when using the waveguide110-6or110-8.

Furthermore, a power divider component608may be utilized by the signal processor602in transmitting or receiving of the mm-wave wireless signals. As shown inFIG. 6C, the signal processor602may utilize the power divider component608-2when transmitting or receiving mm-wave wireless signals through the waveguides110-2and110-4; or the signal processor602may utilize the power divider component608-4transmitting or receiving mm-wave wireless signals through the waveguides110-6and110-8.

In an implementation, the signal processor602may be configured to turn off the other amplifiers604(e.g., amplifiers604-4and604-6) and/or other waveguides110(e.g., waveguides110-4and110-6) when the signal processor602has selected the amplifier604-2and corresponding waveguide110-2for transmission.

In another implementation, the signal processor602may utilize the feed-probe302to control or manipulate parameters of the mm-wave wireless signal or to shut-off or turn ON a particular waveguide110.

At block702, establishing a mm-wave wireless communication link is performed. For example, a portable device (e.g., portable device102) detects a mm-wave wireless signal. In this example, the portable device102may establish the mm-wave wireless communication link, for example, by sending a request-to-join an ad-hoc communication that is initiated by another portable device (e.g., portable device106).

At block704, determining and comparing a wireless signal strength from the open-end of the first waveguide to an open-end of a second waveguide within the portable device is performed. For example, the portable device102includes the first waveguide (e.g., waveguide110-2) whose open-end (e.g., antenna104-2) is directly within line of sight of the other transmitting portable device106. In this example, the portable device102may compare the wireless signal strength from the first waveguide110-2to the second waveguide such as the waveguide110-4or waveguide110-6.

At block706, in response to the determined stronger wireless signal strength, selecting one of the first waveguide is performed. In the example above, the portable device102may select the waveguide110-2that includes a stronger wireless signal strength as compared to the other waveguides110-4and110-6.

At block708, transmitting or receiving mm-wave wireless signals through the selected waveguide is performed. In the example above, the portable device102through a RF module (e.g., RF module112) may transmit or receive mm-wave wireless signals to or from the waveguide110-2. Furthermore, the RF module112utilizes a RF connector (e.g., RF connector202) in transmitting or receiving the mm-wave wireless signals through the selected waveguide110-2. For example, the RF connector202facilitates mm-wave wireless signal transition signal path between two different mediums e.g., transmission line204-2and waveguide110-2.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments:

Example 1 is a device comprising: a waveguide; a radio frequency (RF) module configured to transmit or receive wireless signals through the waveguide; and a RF signal transition that couples the RF module to the waveguide, the RF signal transition is a RF connector that comprises: a connector housing; and a feed-probe disposed within the connector housing, the feed-probe manipulates the transmission or reception of the wireless signals.

In Example 2, the device as recited in example 1, wherein the waveguide is disposed within the device, the waveguide extends to a chassis-outer surface or in close proximity to a chassis-inner surface within the device.

In Example 3, the device as recited in example 1, wherein the waveguide includes an open-end that acts as an antenna.

In Example 4, the device as recited in example 1, wherein the waveguide is a high-pass filter waveguide with a physical parameter that is configured to have a cut-off frequency below 60 GHz frequency.

In Example 5, the device as recited in example 1 further comprising a material layer of different dielectric constants, wherein the material layer is disposed to cover an open-end of the waveguide for impedance matching.

In Example 6, the device as recited in example 5, wherein the material layer at the open-end of the waveguide includes a cavity that fits a plugged open-end of the waveguide.

In Example 7, the device as recited in example 1, wherein the RF module detects and compares a wireless signal strength from the waveguide to a second waveguide.

In Example 8, the device as recited in example 7, wherein the RF module includes a switch to utilize one of the waveguide or the second waveguide having a higher wireless signal strength.

In Example 9, the device as recited in example 7, wherein the RF module includes a power divider that utilizes a single input port and multiple output ports, wherein the single input port is connected to the RF module while each output port is connected to a different waveguide.

Example 10 is a method of coupling in a device comprising: establishing a wireless communication link through an open-end of a first waveguide, the open-end is disposed along an outer or an inner housing perimeter of the device; determining and comparing a wireless signal strength from the open-end of the first waveguide to an open-end of a second waveguide within the device; selecting one of the first waveguide or the second waveguide that has a stronger wireless signal strength, in response to the determining and comparing of the wireless signal strength; and transmitting or receiving wireless signals to the selected waveguide, the selected waveguide is routed to connect a radio frequency (RF) module to the open-end of the selected waveguide.

In Example 11, the method as recited in example 10, wherein the establishing a wireless communication link includes a millimeter-wave (mm-wave) wireless communication link.

In Example 12, the method as recited in example 10, wherein the waveguide is a high-pass filter waveguide with a physical parameter that is configured to have a cut-off frequency below 60 GHz frequency.

In Example 13, the method as recited in example 10, wherein the transmitting or receiving wireless signals includes terminating the open-ends of the first waveguide and second waveguide with an impedance matching material, the impedance matching material includes layers of different dielectric constants that are disposed at the open-end of the first waveguide and second waveguide.

In Example 14, the method as recited in claim13, wherein the impedance matching material is a plastic cover that includes a cavity wherein the open-ends of the first waveguide and second waveguides are plugged.

In Example 15, the method as recited in example 10, wherein the open-ends of the first waveguide and second waveguides include a tapered end.

In Example 16, the method as recited in example 10, wherein the RF module utilizes a RF connector that facilitates wireless signal transition between a transmission line and the selected waveguide, wherein the transmission line is a transmission line, a co-planar waveguide, a coaxial type, or another waveguide.

Example 17 is a antenna system comprising: a flexible waveguide; a terminating impedance-matching material that is disposed to cover an open-end of the flexible waveguide; a radio frequency (RF) signal transition that facilitates transmission and reception of wireless signal at the open-end of the flexible waveguide, the RF signal transition includes a RF connector that comprises: a connector housing; a feed-probe that is disposed within the connector housing, the feed-probe manipulates the transmission or reception of the wireless signals.

In Example 18, the antenna system as recited in example 17, wherein the impedance-matching material is a plastic cover that includes a cavity wherein the open-end of the flexible waveguide is plugged.

In Example 19, the antenna system as recited in example 17, wherein the open-end of the flexible waveguide includes a horn shape-configuration.

In Example 20, the antenna system as recited in example 17, wherein the feed-probe alters a phase shift of the wireless signals.