Patent Publication Number: US-11398668-B2

Title: Communication device and a method in a communication device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/956,475, filed on Jun. 19, 2020, which is a National stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/083832, filed on Dec. 20, 2017, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELDS 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to a communication device comprising a millimetre wave antenna arrangement. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a method in a communication device. Further, aspects of the present invention relate to a computer program. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the fifth-generation millimetre wave mobile communication, the radio application requires the use of antenna arrays with multiple radiating elements to meet the requirements of high gain and beam forming. In general, the antenna array is integrated into a module or package together with the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), or a uniform array is placed at the edges of the communication device. According to the 3GPP definition of performance parameters for the fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) User Equipment (UE) beam-forming, the 5G UE shall use omni-coverage millimetre wave antennas to achieve stable communication in all directions and orientations. By “omni-coverage” is meant that an antenna radiates equally well in all directions. It is difficult to provide omni-coverage for 5G UE due to the limited space in the UE. 
     SUMMARY 
     It has been found by the inventors that the millimetre wave radiation can be easily blocked by the human body, e.g. the hand and/or head. An improved millimetre wave antenna for a mobile device such as a UE is thus required. 
     An object of the embodiments of the invention is thus to provide an improved millimetre wave antenna arrangement for a mobile device (or communication device). 
     Another object of the embodiments of the invention is to counteract the effect of the human body&#39;s blocking of the millimetre wave radiation. 
     According to various embodiments, at least one of the above-mentioned objects of the present invention is attained by providing a communication device comprising: 
     a millimetre wave antenna arrangement comprising a distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element and a corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element; 
     a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit; 
     wherein the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element is arranged together with the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit on a first substrate; 
     wherein the distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element is arranged on at least one second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate; and 
     a switching arrangement configured to selectively connect either the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element to the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit or the distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element to the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can improve the antenna coverage performance of the millimetre wave antenna arrangement and can counteract the influence of the human body effect which is caused by a user&#39;s body (e.g. hands or head) blocking antenna elements of a mobile device. In alternative wording, the radiation coverage is expanded, and the human body effect is reduced. When the human body, e.g. a hand, blocks a fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element, the switching arrangement can disconnect the blocked fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element and instead connect a distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element to the RFIC. Further, the total power consumption will not increase or not significantly increase. Hence, the embodiments of the present invention, an improved millimetre wave antenna arrangement with improved omni-coverage is provided. 
     In one embodiment, the communication device comprises a housing accommodating the millimetre wave antenna arrangement, the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit, the switching arrangement and a processing unit, wherein the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit is connected to the processing unit. An advantage with this implementation form is that an improved millimetre wave antenna arrangement for a communication device is provided. 
     In one embodiment, the processing unit comprises a baseband processor on a main Printed Circuit Board. The main Printed Circuit Board may be spaced apart from the first and second substrates. Consequently, the baseband processor may be spaced apart from the first and second substrates. An advantage with this implementation form is that the flexibility of the antenna arrangement is further improved. 
     In one embodiment, the millimetre wave antenna arrangement comprises a plurality of distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements including the distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element, and a plurality of corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements including the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element. The plurality of distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements may be at least two distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements. The plurality of corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements may be at least two corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements. By having at least two distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements and at least two fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements, the flexibility and efficiency in transmitting and receiving signals to/from a base station is further improved. Advantageously, the switching arrangement is arranged to control the number of distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements and the number of fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements connected to the RFIC. An advantage with this implementation form is that the flexibility of the antenna arrangement is further improved. Further, the millimetre wave omni-coverage of the communication device is further assured. 
     In one embodiment, the millimetre wave antenna arrangement comprises a plurality of second substrates including the at least one second substrate, the second substrates being spaced apart from one another, and each second substrate is provided with at least one distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element. An advantage with this implementation form is that the flexibility and efficiency of the antenna arrangement is further improved. 
     In one embodiment, each distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element is connected to the switching arrangement by a flexible transmission line. An advantage with this implementation form is that the flexibility and efficiency of the antenna arrangement is further improved. 
     In one embodiment, the switching arrangement comprises a plurality of switches, wherein each switch is configured to connect a distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element to the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit while disconnecting a fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element from the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit, and each switch is configured to disconnect a distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element from the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit while connecting a fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element to the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit. An advantage with this implementation form is that a further efficient switching arrangement is provided, providing a further improved communication device. 
     In one embodiment, the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit comprises a plurality of Radio Frequency channels, wherein each Radio Frequency channel is connected to a switch of the switching arrangement. An advantage with this implementation form is that a further efficient switching arrangement is provided, providing a further improved communication device. 
     In one embodiment, the switching arrangement is arranged on the first substrate. An advantage with this implementation form is that the switching arrangement is close to the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit, providing a compact and efficient antenna solution for the communication device. 
     In one embodiment, the communication device comprises a plurality of Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits, wherein the communication device comprises at least one module, each module comprising a millimetre wave antenna arrangement, a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit and a switching arrangement. An advantage with this implementation form is that the assembly of the communication device is facilitated. 
     In one embodiment, the communication device comprises a plurality of modules including the at least one module. An advantage with this implementation form is that the assembly of the communication device is further facilitated. 
     In one embodiment, the housing comprises a front, a back cover and a surrounding frame which mounts the back cover to the front, wherein the surrounding frame has four corners, wherein the first substrate of a first module is located at a first corner whereas the at least one second substrate of the first module is spaced apart from the first corner. An advantage with this implementation form is that a good antenna coverage performance is provided. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one second substrate of the first module is arranged adjacent to the surrounding frame. An advantage with this implementation form is that a good antenna coverage performance is provided. 
     In one embodiment, the first substrate of a second module is located at a second corner diagonally opposite the first corner, whereas the at least one second substrate of the second module is spaced apart from the second corner and arranged adjacent to the surrounding frame. An advantage with this implementation form is that a good antenna coverage performance is provided, and the human body effect can be counteracted in an efficient manner. 
     It is to be understood that the first and second modules and their parts may be arranged in other suitable ways. 
     In one embodiment, the processing unit is configured to control the switching arrangement to connect a distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element and disconnect a fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element when a change of a user scenario is detected. An advantage with this implementation form is that a good antenna coverage performance is provided, and the human body effect can be counteracted in an efficient manner. 
     In one embodiment, the change of the user scenario is the blocking of the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element by the user&#39;s hand or body, which may be called the human body effect. An advantage with this implementation form is that a further improved antenna coverage performance is provided, and the human body effect can be further counteracted in an efficient manner. 
     In one embodiment, the change of the user scenario is the change of the orientation of the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element in relation to a base station antenna to which the communication device connects. An advantage with this implementation form is that a further improved antenna coverage performance is provided. 
     According to various embodiments, at least one of the above-mentioned objects of the present invention is attained by providing a method for a communication device, comprising: 
     Connecting a fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element which is arranged on the same substrate as a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit to the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit; 
     Detecting a change of a user scenario; 
     Disconnecting the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element from the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit and connecting a corresponding distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element which is arranged on a separate substrate as the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit to the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit. 
     By this method, a further improved antenna coverage performance is provided, and the effect of the human body&#39;s blocking of the millimetre wave radiation can be counteracted. 
     According various embodiments, at least one of the above-mentioned objects of the present invention is attained by providing at least one computer program with a program code for performing a method according to the second aspect of the invention when the computer program runs on a computer or processing unit. 
     Embodiments of the invention also relate to a computer program, characterized in code means, which when run by processing means causes said processing means to execute any method according to the present invention. Further, the invention also relates to a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium and said mentioned computer program, wherein said computer program is included in the computer readable medium, and comprises of one or more from the group: ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), Flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically EPROM) and hard disk drive. 
     “Arranged on” is to be understood as mounted on, formed onto or attached to the respective substrate or board etc. By “spaced apart from” is meant that two, or more, entities or units are separated from one another, i.e. a distance is formed between the two entities. However, they may still be electrically connected, directly or indirectly, to one another. By “connected” is meant that two connected units can be electrically connected directly to one another, e.g. via an electrically conductive path, or indirectly connected/coupled to one another through some electrical means, for example a transformer or capacitor. 
     The above-mentioned features and implementations, respectively, may be combined in various possible ways providing further advantageous implementations. Further applications and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The appended drawings are intended to clarify and explain different embodiments of the present invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention with the communication device housing excluded; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the communication device according an embodiment of to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is schematic illustration of an embodiment of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4 a -4 c    are schematic block diagrams illustrating an embodiment of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The communication device  102 ,  202 ,  302  herein disclosed may be denoted as a user device, a User Equipment (UE), a mobile station, an internet of things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a wireless terminal and/or a mobile terminal, enabled to communicate wirelessly in a wireless communication system, sometimes also referred to as a cellular radio system and especially a LTE or New Radio (NR/5G) radio system. The UEs may further be referred to as mobile telephones or cellular telephones with wireless capability. The UEs in the present context are for example portable, pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the radio access network, with another entity, such as another receiver or a server. 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates aspects of the communication device  102 . The communication device  102  includes a millimetre wave antenna arrangement  104 . The millimetre wave antenna arrangement  104  includes three distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  106 ,  108 ,  110  and three corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  112 ,  114 ,  116 . However, the millimetre wave antenna arrangement could also include only one distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element and only one fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element. The number of distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements and fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements can be chosen in dependence on the desired application. The communication device further comprises a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit, RFIC,  118 . The fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  112 ,  114 ,  116  are arranged together with the RFIC  118  on a first substrate  120 . In this embodiment the RFIC  118  and the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  112 ,  114 ,  116  are arranged on opposite sides of the common first substrate  120 . Two of the distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  106 ,  108  are arranged on a second substrate  122  spaced apart from the first substrate  120 . The third distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  110  is arranged on another second substrate  124  spaced apart from the first substrate  118  and the second substrate  122 . The first substrate  120  and the second substrate  122  are rigid, whereas the other second substrate  124  is a flexible substrate, e.g. a Flexible Printed Circuit, FPC. The second substrate  122  may be connected to the first substrate  120  by means of a flexible transmission line  121 , e.g. an Intermediate Frequency, IF, cable. Further, the communication device  102  includes a switching arrangement  126  configured to selectively connect either the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  112 ,  114 ,  116  to the RFIC  118  or the distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  106 ,  108 ,  110  to the RFIC  118 . Each substrate  120 ,  122  may be a dielectric substrate. In this embodiment, the switching arrangement  126  is arranged on the first substrate  120 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the communication device  202  further comprises a housing  204 . The housing  204  accommodates the millimetre wave antenna arrangement  206 , the RFIC  207 , the switching arrangement  212  and a processing unit  214 , wherein the RFIC  207  is connected to the processing unit  214  via a cable  215 , e.g. an IF cable. The communication device  202  comprises at least one module. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the communication device  202  comprises two modules  216 ,  218 . Each module  216 ,  218  includes a millimetre wave antenna arrangement  206 , an RFIC  207  and a switching arrangement  212 . The processing unit  214  may comprise a baseband processor (not shown) on a main Printed Circuit Board, PCB  220 . The processing unit  214  is configured to control the switching arrangement  212  of each module  216 ,  218  to connect a distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  226  and disconnect a fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  234  when a change of a user scenario is detected and vice versa. The change of the user scenario may be the blocking of the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  234  by the user&#39;s hand or body. However, the change of the user scenario may also be the change of the orientation of the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  234  in relation to a base station antenna to which the communication device  202  connects. In the example of  FIG. 2 , each millimetre wave antenna arrangement  206  comprises four distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  226 ,  228 ,  230 ,  232  and four corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240 . The fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240  are provided on the first substrate. The distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  226 ,  228 ,  230 ,  232  are provided on at least one second substrate. The main PCB  220  is separated from the first and second modules  216 ,  218 , and thus also separated from first substrate and the second substrates. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , an example of the arrangement of the modules including distributed and fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element is schematically illustrated. The housing  304  of the communication device  302  comprises a front  306 , a back cover (not shown) and a surrounding frame  308  which mounts the back cover to the front  306 . The surrounding frame  308  has four corners  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 . The first substrate  318  of a first module  320  is located at a first corner  310  whereas the two second substrates  322 ,  324  of the first module  320  are spaced apart from the first corner  310 , but are connected, e.g. by an FPC, to the first substrate  318 . The first substrate  326  of a second module  328  is located at a second corner  314 , whereas the two second substrates  330 ,  332  of the second module  328  are spaced apart from the second corner  314 , but are connected to the first substrate  326  of the second module  328 , e.g. by an FPC. The second substrates  322 ,  324 ,  330 ,  332  of the first and second modules  320 ,  328  are arranged adjacent to the surrounding frame  308 , and can be placed on either the display side/front  306  or on the backside of the communication device  302 . The first substrate  326  of the second module  328  is located at a corner  314  diagonally opposite the first corner  310 . Each second substrate  322 ,  324 ,  330 ,  332  includes a plurality of distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements. Each first substrate  318 ,  326  includes at least one RFIC and a plurality of fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements. It is to be understood that other locations of the modules are possible. The first substrates of the first module and the second module, respectively, may e.g. be placed in two adjacent corners of the communication device. Placing the first substrate of a module close to a side or a corner is advantageous because of a lower risk of blockage of the antenna elements by the user&#39;s hands or head. 
       FIGS. 4 a -4 c    schematically illustrate the switching in an embodiment of the communication device. The switching arrangement  402  comprises a plurality of switches  403 ,  404 ,  405 ,  406 . Each switch  403 ,  404 ,  405 ,  406  is configured to connect a corresponding distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  of the millimetre wave antenna arrangement  419  to the RFIC  408  while disconnecting a corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  422 ,  424 ,  426 ,  428  of the millimetre wave antenna arrangement  419  from the RFIC  408 . Vice versa, each switch  403 ,  404 ,  405 ,  406  is configured to disconnect a corresponding distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  from the RFIC  408  while connecting a corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  422 ,  424 ,  426 ,  428  to the RFIC  408 . Hence, for each pair of fixed and distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element a corresponding switch is provided. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 a   , all four fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  422 ,  424 ,  426 ,  428  are connected to the RFIC  408 , whereas all four distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  are disconnected from the RFIC  408 . This can be considered as a starting point of a switching scenario sequence, when the user has the communication device in his pocket and is called up. The user grabs the communication device with his right hand to answer the call and then holds the communication device next to his head. 
     When the user is talking into the communication device, the processing unit  214  receives information that two fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  422 ,  424  are blocked. The two fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  422 ,  424  may be blocked by the user&#39;s head or hand. Thus, the processing unit  214  controls the switching arrangement  402  to disconnect said fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  422 ,  424  from the RFIC  408  and instead to connect two distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  412 ,  414  to the RFIC  408 . This scenario is shown in  FIG. 4 b   , where two fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  426 ,  428  are still connected to the RFIC  408 , and two distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  416 ,  418  are still disconnected from the RFIC  408 . 
     When the user ends the conversation and hangs up, he grabs the communication device with his both hands to watch a video or read something on the screen of the communication device. The processing unit  214  receives information that the two fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  426 ,  428 , which still are connected, are blocked. The two fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  426 ,  428  may be blocked by the user&#39;s hands. Thus, the processing unit  214  controls the switching arrangement  402  to disconnect said remaining fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  426 ,  428  from the RFIC  408  and instead to connect two distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  416 ,  418  to the RFIC  408 . This scenario is shown in  FIG. 4 c   , where all four fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements  422 ,  424 ,  426 ,  428  now are disconnected from the RFIC  408 , whereas all four distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  are connected to the RFIC  408 . It is to be understood that alternative switching scenarios and alternative millimetre wave antenna arrangements are possible. With reference to  FIG. 4 c   , the RFIC  408  may comprise a plurality of Radio Frequency, RF, channels  430 ,  432 ,  434 ,  436 . Each RF channel  430 ,  432 ,  434 ,  436  is connected to a switch  403 ,  404 ,  405 ,  406  of the switching arrangement  402 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 a -4 c   , the millimetre wave antenna arrangement may, e.g., comprise fewer or more fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements compared to  FIGS. 4 a -4 c   . The millimetre wave antenna arrangement may comprise fewer or more distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements compared to  FIGS. 4 a -4 c   . The number of switches of the switching arrangement  402  can be chosen accordingly. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a schematic diagram illustrates aspects of the method according to the invention. The method in the communication device comprises the operations of: 
     Connecting,  501 , a fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element which is arranged on the same substrate as a RFIC to the RFIC; 
     Detecting,  502 , a change of a user scenario (which can be a scenario disclosed above); 
     Disconnecting,  503 , the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element from the RFIC and connecting,  504 , a corresponding distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element which is arranged on a separate substrate as the RFIC to the RFIC. 
     Provided is also at least one computer program product directly loadable into the internal memory of at least one digital computer or processing unit, comprising software code portions for performing the operations of the above-mentioned method when the product is/are run on the computer or processing unit. 
     It is to be understood that the millimetre wave antenna arrangement may include a plurality of distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements including the distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element. It is to be understood that the millimetre wave antenna arrangement may include a plurality of corresponding fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements including the fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating element. It is to be understood that the millimetre wave antenna arrangement may include a plurality of second substrates including the at least one second substrate, the second substrates being spaced apart from one another. Each second substrate may be provided with at least one distributed millimetre wave antenna radiating element. 
     The fixed millimetre wave antenna radiating elements may be have a broadside radiation pattern and/or an end-fire radiation pattern. 
     Each of the above-mentioned antenna radiating elements may e.g. be a patch antenna, a printed antenna, a dipole antenna or a slot antenna etc. Different mixtures of the mentioned antenna versions, and others, are possible. 
     The features of the different embodiments of the communication device, method and the at least one computer program disclosed above may be combined in various possible ways providing further advantageous embodiments. 
     Finally, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also relates to and incorporates all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claims.