Patent Publication Number: US-2022231401-A1

Title: Transparent package for window mounted transceiver unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/846,135 filed May 10, 2019, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates generally to a transceiver unit and, in particular, to a substantially transparent transceiver unit. Deployment of the 5G network has required the installation of many new antennas. Such antennas are often mounted to buildings, and installation of the antennas typically requires running power cables through windows or walls of the building. Additionally, the antennas themselves and/or their mounting equipment obscure aesthetic architectural features or views through windows once installed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an antenna unit. The antenna unit includes a first antenna plate having a first interior surface and a first exterior surface and a second antenna plate having a second interior surface and a second exterior surface. The second antenna plate is spatially disposed from the first antenna plate and the second interior surface of the second antenna plate faces the first interior surface of the first antenna plate. A glass frame is disposed between the first interior surface of the first antenna plate and the second interior surface of the second antenna plate. The glass frame defines an internal cavity. The antenna unit also includes at least one printed circuit board (PCB), a first integrated circuit (IC) mounted to the at least one PCB, and a second IC mounted to the at least one PCB. The first IC is configured to at least one of send or receive signals at a first frequency. The second IC is configured to at least one of send or receive signals at a second frequency. The second frequency is different from the first frequency. The antenna unit also includes a first wave guide element configured to transmit signals at the first frequency through first waveguide channels between the first antenna plate and the first IC and a second wave guide element configured to transmit signals at the second frequency through second waveguide channels between the second antenna plate and the second IC. The first antenna plate, the second antenna plate, the glass frame, and each of the at least one PCB comprises a material that transmits at least 50% of incident light in the visible spectrum. 
     In another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method in which an antenna unit is mounted to an exterior surface of a window. The antenna unit includes at least one transparent antenna plate, at least one transparent waveguide element, at least one transparent printed circuit board (PCB), and at least one integrated circuit (IC). The at least one IC is mounted to the at least one PCB, and the at least one transparent waveguide element transmits signals between the at least one antenna plate and the at least one IC. A power unit is provided on an interior side of the window, and electrical power is wirelessly transmitted through the window to the antenna unit. 
     In still another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a transceiver unit that includes a power unit configured to wirelessly transmit power through a window and an antenna unit configured to receive power through the window from the power unit. The antenna unit includes at least one antenna plate, at least one printed circuit board (PCB), at least one integrated circuit (IC) mounted to the at least one PCB, and at least one waveguide element configured to transmit signals between the at least one antenna plate and the at least one IC. Each of the at least one antenna plate, the at least one waveguide element, and the at least one PCB comprises a material that transmits at least 50% of incident light in the visible spectrum. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description that follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and the operation of the various embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a transceiver unit mounted to a window, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the transceiver unit of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of the antenna unit of the transceiver unit, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a plan view of an antenna plate, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a plan view of a first coating of a waveguide element, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a plan view of a waveguide element, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a plan view of a second coating of the waveguide element, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a plan view of a printed circuit board having an inductive charging element, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an exploded, perspective view of an antenna unit having two IC on a single PCB, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a transparent transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is constructed primarily of transparent materials such that the transceiver unit can be mounted in a non-obstructive manner. The current buildout of 5G infrastructure involves the dense installation of antennas to direct signals between various points in the network. In many instances, the antennas are mounted to buildings, and the antennas require installation of power or data transmission cables through windows and/or walls of the building. In particular, the antennas need power to operate, and the millimeter waves associated with 5G signals do not penetrate windows and walls very well, requiring a line to transmit the signal into the building. According to the present disclosure, however, the transceiver unit has an antenna unit mounted to the exterior surface of a window that receives 5G signals and transmits them through the window at a lower frequency signal, such as typical Wi-Fi frequency, that is better able to transmit through the building window and walls. Additionally, in embodiments, the antenna unit is wirelessly powered, such as through an inductively coupled power unit mounted to the opposite, interior side of the window. In this way, no significant alterations have to be made to the building to install the transceiver unit, and the optional use of transparent materials allows for the antenna unit to be installed in a non-intrusive manner. A variety of embodiments of the transparent transceiver unit are provided herein. These embodiments are presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a transparent transceiver unit  10 . In the embodiment depicted, the transceiver unit  10  is mounted to a window  12  of a building  14 ; however, in other embodiments, the transceiver unit  10  could be mounted to another flat surface, such as a car window. The transceiver unit  10  includes an antenna unit  16  and a power unit  18 . As will be discussed below, antenna unit  16  and the power unit  18  are mounted to opposite sides of the window  12 , and both are constructed of materials that allow the transceiver unit  10  to be substantially transparent. However, no wires or components extend through the window  12  to physically connect the antenna unit  16  and the power unit  18 . In embodiments, the antenna unit  16  is mounted on an exterior window surface, and the power unit  18  is mounted on an interior window surface. The antenna unit  16  and the power unit  18  can be mounted using, e.g., a silicone adhesive, an optically clear adhesive, transparent tape, an epoxy, a transparent glass or plastic frame, a vacuum silicone seal, etc. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the power unit  18  has a wired connection  20  to a power source (depicted as an outlet  22 ; although, the power unit  18  could instead be hardwired into the electrical power distribution system of the building  14 ). In embodiments, the power unit  18  provides inductive power to the antenna unit  16 , and thus, the power unit  18  and the antenna unit  16  are aligned on a horizontal axis perpendicular to the window  12 . In other embodiments, the power unit  18  may be a microwave power transmitter that is remote from the widow  12 , and in such embodiments, the power unit  18  wirelessly transmits power to a receiver on the antenna unit  16 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the window  12  having the transceiver unit  10  mounted thereon. As can be seen, the antenna unit  16  is mounted to an exterior surface of the window  12  (depicted as a double-pane window), and the power unit  18  is mounted to the interior surface of the window  12 . Electrical power  24  is transmitted from the power unit  18  through the window  12  to the antenna unit  16 . In this way, installation of the transceiver unit  10  does not require installation through surfaces of the building  14 . Additionally, the relatively easy installation of the transceiver unit  10  means that a skilled worker is not needed to place the transceiver unit. That is, the transceiver unit  10  can be installed in the building  14  without having to damage the building  14 . Further, by making the transceiver unit  10  substantially transparent, the transceiver unit  10  does not substantially obscure viewing through the window. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a sectional view of the antenna unit  16 . In the embodiment depicted, the antenna unit  16  includes a first antenna plate  26  and a second antenna plate  28 . In embodiments, the first antenna plate  26  receives data at a first wavelength/frequency, and the second antenna plate  28  broadcasts the data at a second wavelength/frequency. For example, the first antenna plate  26  may be configured to receive 5G signals (e.g., millimeter waves at frequencies of 6 GHz and higher), and the second antenna plate  28  may be configured to broadcast the signal at Wi-Fi frequencies (e.g., 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). In embodiments, the antenna unit  16  broadcasts the received signal at lower frequency that is better able to penetrate the window  12  or interior walls of the building  14 . Similarly, the second antenna plate  28  may also receive signals at the second frequency (e.g., Wi-Fi frequency) that originate within the building  14 , and the first antenna plate  26  may broadcast the signal at the first, higher frequency on the exterior of the building  14 . In other embodiments, the first antenna plate  26  and the second antenna plate  28  may receive and transmit at the same wavelength/frequency. For example, the transceiver unit  10  may operate as a relay, e.g., in which antennas transmit/receive signals in different directions. In other embodiments, the antenna plates  26 ,  28  transmit/receive signals at a frequency of interest for the particular application, including frequencies in the range of 500 MHz to 100 GHz. 
     In order to broadcast and receive signals, the antenna plates  26 ,  28  have a plurality of depressions  30  with patch antennas  32  deposited therein. Further, the antenna plates  26 ,  28  define a cavity  34  therebetween in which the elements for transforming signals is provided. Disposed within the cavity  34  are a first waveguide element  36  and a second waveguide element  38 . On one major surface, the first waveguide  36  has first coating  40 , and on the opposite major surface, the first wave guide  36  has a second coating  42 . Similarly, the second waveguide  38  has a first coating  44  on one major surface and a second coating  46  on the opposite major surface. The first coatings  40 ,  44  face the first antenna plate  26  and the second antenna plate  28 , respectively. Each of the first coatings  40 ,  44  defines a plurality of slots  48  that align with a patch antenna  32  of a respective antenna plate  26 ,  28 . The slots  48  allow for electromagnetic radiation to exit to or enter from the patch antennas  32 . The second coatings  42 ,  46  are provided on the side of the waveguides elements  36 ,  38  facing away from their respective antenna plates  26 ,  28 . The second coatings  42 ,  46  provide transitions from the underlying RF circuitry (discussed below) to their respective waveguide elements  36 ,  38 . 
     Also disposed in the cavity  34  are a first printed circuit board (PCB)  50  and a second PCB  52 . The first PCB  50  has a first side  54  and a second side  56 . The first waveguide element  36  is connected to the first side  54  of the first PCB  50  with one or more soldered connections  58  between conductive traces  60  and the second coating  42 . In embodiments, the soldered connections  58  between the first waveguide element  36  and the first PCB  50  are transparent. In other embodiments, no soldered connections  58  are provided, and the connection between the first waveguide element  36  and the first PCB  50  is made through direct contact (or only a small gap sufficiently close to permit the first waveguide element  36  to transfer energy. One or more first integrated circuits (IC)  62  are connected to traces  60  on the second side  56  of the first PCB  50  with soldered connections  58 . The traces  60  on the first side  52  are connected to traces  60  on the second side  54  using a plurality of vias  64 . In this way, signals generated in the first IC  62  are transmitted through the first PCB  50  to the first waveguide element  36  to the patch antennas  32  of the first antenna plate  26 , or signals received at the patch antennas  32  are transmitted through the first waveguide element  36  to the first IC  62 . 
     In a similar way, the second PCB  52  has a first side  66  and a second side  68 . The second waveguide element  38  is connected to the first side  66  of the second PCB  52  with one or more soldered bumps  63  between conductive traces  60  and the fourth coating  46 . Further, one or more second IC  70  are connected to traces  60  on the second side  68  of the second PCB  52 . The traces  60  on the first side  66  are connected to the traces  60  on the second side  68  are connected using a plurality of vias  64 . Thus, as with the first PCB  50 , signals generated in the second IC  70  are transmitted through the second PCB  52  to the second waveguide element  38  to the patch antennas  32  of the second antenna plate  28 , or signals received at the patch antennas are transmitted through the second waveguide element  38  to the second IC  70 . In embodiments, the first IC  62  is configured to receive/transmit signals of a different frequency than the second IC  70 . As mentioned above, the first IC  62  may be configured to receive/transmit signals according to the 5G standard (e.g., having frequency of 6 GHz or above), and the second IC  70  may be configured to receive/transmit signals according to the Wi-Fi standard (e.g., 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first PCB  50  and the second PCB  52  are connected with interconnects  72 . Thus, for example, the first PCB  50  can be configured to receive 5G signals from the exterior of a building and communicate those signals to the second PCB  52 , which translates those signals to, e.g., Wi-Fi signals that are broadcast to the interior of the building. Further, the second PCB  52  may, for example, receive Wi-Fi signals from the interior of the building and communicate those signals to the first PCB  50 , which translates those signals to, e.g., 5G signals that are broadcast on the exterior of the building. 
     In construction of the antenna unit  16 , the waveguide elements  36   38  are bonded to their respective antenna plates  26 ,  28  using, e.g., adhesive seals or laser welds (shown as joints  74 ). Further, a glass frame  76  is provided between the antenna plates  26 ,  28  and defines a perimeter edge of the antenna unit  16 . The glass frame  76  also is bonded to the antenna plates  26 ,  28  using, e.g., adhesive seals or laser welds (also shown as joints  74 ). 
       FIGS. 4-7  depict various layers and components of the antenna unit  16  in more detail. In particular, the first antenna plate  26 , the first waveguide element  36 , and the first and second coatings  40 ,  42  of the first waveguide element  36  are depicted in  FIGS. 4-7 . The corresponding second antenna plate  28 , the second waveguide element  38 , and the first and second coatings  44 ,  46  of the second waveguide element  38  are substantially similar to the depictions shown in  FIGS. 4-7  as modified according to the particular requirements of the signal frequency. Thus, the discussion pertaining to  FIGS. 4-7  applies as well to those layers and components. 
     Beginning with  FIG. 4 , the first antenna plate  26  is depicted. The antenna plate  26  includes depressions  30  with patch antennas  32 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the patch antennas  32  are arranged in a reception array  78  and a transmission array  80 . In the embodiment depicted, the patch antennas  32  are 1 mm by 1 mm squares having a thickness of 300 nm or more. Such patch antennas  32  are useful for receiving and transmitting signals at 79 GHz. The size of the patch antennas  32  (length, width, and thickness) is dependent on the frequency of the signal that the patch antennas  32  are designed to send and receive. Additionally, the shape of the reception array  78  and the transmission array  80  will vary depending on the particular application for which the antenna unit  16  is deployed. In embodiments, the depressions  30  are deeper than the thickness of the patch antennas  32 . In embodiments, the depressions  30  have a depth of 100 μm to 150 μm. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the first coating  40 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the first coating  40  includes a plurality of slots  48  aligned with the patch antennas  32 . That is, the slots  48  are arranged in the same reception array  78  and transmission array  80  as the patch antennas  32 . In embodiments, the slots  48  have the same length measurement as the patch antennas  32  but have a smaller width. In embodiments, the width is no more than half of the width of the patch antennas  32 . In other embodiments, the width is no more than a quarter of the width of the patch antennas  32 , and in still other embodiments, the width is about 1/20th of the width of the patch antennas  32 . As mentioned above, the slots  48  allow radiation to exit or enter the first waveguide element  36  to or from the patch antennas  32 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts the first waveguide element  36 . As can be seen, the first waveguide element  36  includes waveguide channels  82 . The waveguide channels  82  have a first portion  84  and a second portion  86 . The first portion  84  allows entry and exit of the radiation through the slots  48 , and the second portion  86  transmits the radiation to or from the first IC  62 . The channels  82  are composed of a plurality of vias  88  coated (or filled) with a conductive material. The vias  88  connect the first coating  40  of  FIG. 5  with the second coating  42  of  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second coating  42  includes radiation feed cutouts  90  that are aligned with the second portions  86  of the waveguide channels  82 . The radiation feed cutouts  90  allow for radiation from first IC  62  to enter the waveguide channels  82  to be transmitted to the patch antennas  32  (or for radiation from the patch antennas  32  to be transmitted through the waveguide channels  82  to the first IC  62 ). 
       FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of the second PCB  52 . In general, the second PCB  52  depicted in  FIG. 8  could be substantially similar to the second PCB  52 , but the second PCB  52  in the embodiments depicted is closer to the surface of the window  12  (as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 2 ). Thus, the second PCB  52  is more likely to carry inductive coils  92  for magnetic inductive charging from the power unit  18  (as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 2 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , the second side  68  of the second PCB  52  is depicted. Traces  60  provide electrical connections across the second side  68 , including between the plurality of second IC  70 . The inductive coil  92  is arranged around the periphery of the second PCB  52  and provide power to the second IC  70  through inductive coupling to the power unit  18 . The outermost ring of the inductive coil  92  terminates in a via  64  that connects to another trace  60  on the other side  66  of the second PCB  52 . The backside trace runs across the inductive coil  92  and terminates in a via  64  that goes back to the second side  68  of the second PCB  52 . This arrangement takes the induced current to the power supply of the second PCB  52 , is one of the second IC  70  on the second side  68 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts another embodiment of the antenna unit  16  in which the first IC  62  and the second IC  70  are mounted on the same PCB  50 . As depicted, the two IC  62 ,  70  may both be mounted to the same side of the PCB  50 , but in other embodiments, the first IC  62  may be mounted to a different side of the PCB  50  than the second IC  70 . Notwithstanding, the PCB  50  and IC  62 ,  70  are still positioned between the waveguide elements  36 ,  38 , which in turn are positioned between the antenna plates  26 ,  28 . Providing both IC  62 ,  70  on the same PCB provides the advantage of a thinner overall package for the antenna unit  16 . 
     Having described the general structure of the antenna unit  16 , the materials for each component will be discussed (in relation to  FIG. 3 ) relating to making the antenna unit  16  substantially transparent to visible light. As used herein, in embodiments, “substantially transparent” means that the antenna unit  16  transmits at least 50% of incident light in the visible spectrum, e.g., 400 nm to 700 nm (except through certain components, such as the IC  62 ,  70 , that may not be made or are not currently available in transparent form). In other embodiments, “substantially transparent” means that the antenna unit  16  transmits at least 70% of incident light in the visible spectrum, and in still other embodiments, “substantially transparent” means that the antenna unit  16  transmits at least 80% of incident light in the visible spectrum. In embodiments, the antenna unit  16  may include other coatings or tints that provide, e.g., decorative, light shading, UV-blocking, or color matching functions. 
     The antenna plates  26 ,  28  are made from glass. In particular, the glass is selected to have a dielectric constant (D k ) of 5 or less, such as pure SiO 2 . (D k =3.85) In general, glasses having a low refractive index, e.g., having a refractive index of about 1.46 or lower, also tend to have a dielectric constant of 5 or less and are suitable for use as the antenna plates  26 ,  28 . Additionally, glasses having constituents with low atomic numbers (e.g., ≤20) are also suitable for use as the antenna plates  26 ,  28 . Advantageously, glass is also transparent to radiation in the mm-wavelength range. Exemplary glasses having the requisite dielectric constant include fused silica and lithium potassium borosilicate. In embodiments, the specific glass and the dielectric constant of that glass depend also on the material selected for the waveguide elements  36 ,  38 . In particular, the glass used for the antenna plates  26 ,  28  has a dielectric constant of no more than half the dielectric constant of the material selected for the waveguide elements  36 ,  38 . In embodiments, the patch antennas  32  are thin metallic coatings that remain transparent as a result of their thinness or the size of the metal particle deposited, or the patch antennas  32  may be transparent oxide conductors, such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO), aluminum-zinc-oxide (AZO), or indium-zinc-oxide (IZO). In other embodiments, the patch antennas are thin layers (e.g., 300 nm-500 nm) of carbon nanotubes, and in still other embodiments, the patch antennas are organic conductors, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (“PEDOT”). Metallic coatings may be applied through a variety of deposition techniques, such as photolithographic etching. In embodiments, the depressions  30  formed in the antenna plates  26 ,  28  are produced by etching, lost glass laminates, and/or repressing techniques. 
     The waveguide elements  36 ,  38  are made of a high dielectric constant glass materials, e.g., having a dielectric constant at least twice the dielectric constant of the glass material for the antenna plates  26 ,  28 . In embodiments, the glass materials used for the waveguide elements  36 ,  38  is in the range of 5 to 15, more particularly in the range 8 to 10. In embodiments, glasses having constituents with a relatively high atomic number (e.g., &gt;20) or having a very dense molecular structure are suitable materials for the waveguide elements  36 ,  38 . Additionally, the material of the waveguide elements  26 ,  28  have a low dielectric loss tangent so that RF radiation is not absorbed, which may be achieved by limiting the use of alkali group ions. Lastly, the glass or ceramic must melt to a uniform consistency and be formable as thin sheet. In particular embodiments, the waveguide elements  36 ,  38  have a thickness of 100 μm to 200 μm. An exemplary glass usable for the waveguide elements  36 ,  38  is an alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass, such as Willow® glass available from Corning Incorporated, Corning, N.Y. Other exemplary glasses suitable for use as the waveguide elements  36 ,  38  include glasses with dielectric constants of 10.5 and 13.7, respectively. In other embodiments, the waveguide elements  36 ,  38  are made from aluminum oxide having a thickness of 40 μm to 100 μm. Advantageously, aluminum oxide is transparent from about 20 μm to 80 μm, and at 100 μm, the transparency is still about 80%. In embodiments, the first coatings  40 ,  44  and second coatings  42 ,  46  on the waveguide elements  36 ,  38  are made from a transparent conductive oxide, such as ITO, AZO, or IZO. 
     In embodiments, the PCB  50 ,  52  are made from glass. In particular, the glass may be selected to have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is within 30% of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material used for the waveguide elements  36 ,  38 , more particularly within 20%, or even within 10%. In embodiments, the material selected for the PCB  50 ,  52  are alkali aluminosilicates, such as Gorilla® glass, all available from Corning Incorporated, Corning, N.Y. The traces  60  and vias  64  are made from a transparent conductive oxide, such as ITO, AZO, or IZO. 
     The glass frame  76  is also made from a glass material, particularly from the same glass material used to make the antenna plates  26 ,  28 . Various methods are possible for sealing the antenna plates  26 ,  28  to the glass frame  76 . In embodiments, a bonding agent, such as a UV-curing epoxy can be used, or in embodiments, the antenna plates  26 ,  28  are joined by laser welding. In embodiments, the specific method of joining is selected to provide a transparent joint that is also airtight, watertight, and able with withstand ambient weather conditions (e.g., temperature ranges from −40° C. to 60° C. and humidity from 0 to 100% R.H.). 
     The power unit  18  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  would be constructed of substantially the same materials as the antenna unit  16 . In embodiments, the power unit  18  includes two cover sheets (e.g., a top and bottom sheet). In embodiments, the cover sheets are glass or plastic (e.g., polycarbonate). In embodiments, an inductive coil (such as the inductive coil  92  of  FIG. 8 ) is positioned between the cover sheets. Further, in embodiments, a controller circuit (such as IC  70  as shown in  FIG. 8 ) is also positioned between the cover sheets and could be positioned within the inductive coil as well. In embodiments, a plan view of the power unit  18  would look substantially similar to the depiction in  FIG. 8  with the additional feature of AC/DC power wires connected to the control circuit to provide power to transmit via the inductive coils to the antenna unit  16 . 
     Aspect (1) of this disclosure pertains to an antenna unit, comprising: a first antenna plate having a first interior surface and a first exterior surface; a second antenna plate having a second interior surface and a second exterior surface, the second antenna plate being spatially disposed from the first antenna plate and the second interior surface of the second antenna plate facing the first interior surface of the first antenna plate; a glass frame disposed between the first interior surface of the first antenna plate and the second interior surface of the second antenna plate, the glass frame defining an internal cavity; at least one printed circuit board (PCB); a first integrated circuit (IC) mounted to the at least one PCB, the first IC configured to at least one of send or receive signals at a first frequency; a second IC mounted to the at least one PCB, the second IC configured to at least one of send or receive signals at a second frequency, the second frequency being different from the first frequency; a first waveguide element configured to transmit signals at the first frequency through first waveguide channels between the first antenna plate and the first IC; and a second waveguide element configured to transmit signals at the second frequency through second waveguide channels between the second antenna plate and the second IC; wherein the first antenna plate, the second antenna plate, the glass frame, and each of the at least one PCB comprises a material that transmits at least 50% of incident light in the visible spectrum. 
     Aspect (2) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (1), wherein each of the first antenna plate and the second antenna plate comprises a plurality of antenna patches, each of the plurality of antenna patches being disposed in a depression formed in the respective first or second interior surface of the respective first or second antenna plate. 
     Aspect (3) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (2), wherein each of the first waveguide element and the second waveguide element comprises a first coating facing the antenna patches and a second coating facing the at least one printed circuit board; wherein the first coating contains a plurality of slots, each slot being aligned with one of the plurality of antenna patches; and wherein the second coating contains a radiation feed cutout configured to transmit signals from or to the respective first or second waveguide channels. 
     Aspect (4) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (3), wherein the first coating and the second coating comprise a transparent conductive oxide. 
     Aspect (5) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (4), wherein the transparent conductive oxide is at least one of indium-tin-oxide, aluminum-zinc-oxide, or indium-zinc-oxide. 
     Aspect (6) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of any one of Aspects (1) through (5), wherein the material of the first antenna plate and the second antenna plate is a glass having a dielectric constant of 5 or less. 
     Aspect (7) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of any one of Aspects (1) through (6), wherein the first waveguide element and the second waveguide element comprise a material that transmits at least 50% of incident light in the visible spectrum. 
     Aspect (8) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (7), wherein the material of the first waveguide element and the second waveguide element is an alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass. 
     Aspect (9) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (8), wherein a thickness of each of the first waveguide element and the second waveguide element together is less than 200 μm. 
     Aspect (10) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (8), wherein a thickness of each of the first waveguide element and the second waveguide element is from 100 μm to 200 μm. 
     Aspect (11) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of any one of Aspects (1) through (10), wherein the first frequency is at least 6 GHz. 
     Aspect (12) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of any one of Aspects (1) through (11), wherein the first frequency is from 20 GHz to 80 GHz. 
     Aspect (13) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of any one of Aspects (1) through (12), wherein the second frequency is one of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. 
     Aspect (14) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of any one of Aspects (1) through (13), wherein the at least one PCB comprises a first PCB and a second PCB, wherein the first IC is mounted to the first PCB, and wherein the second IC is mounted to the second PCB. 
     Aspect (15) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of Aspect (14), wherein the first PCB is parallel to and spatially disposed from the second PCB and wherein at least one interconnect provides electrical communication between the first PCB and the second PCB. 
     Aspect (16) of this disclosure pertains to the antenna unit of any one of Aspects (1) through (15), wherein the glass frame is joined to the first antenna plate and to the second antenna plate in a manner that prevents water and air from reaching the internal cavity. 
     Aspect (17) of this disclosure pertains to a method, comprising the steps of: mounting an antenna unit to an exterior surface of a window, the antenna unit comprising at least one transparent antenna plate, at least one transparent waveguide element, at least one transparent printed circuit board (PCB), and at least one integrated circuit (IC), wherein the at least one IC is mounted to the at least one PCB and wherein the at least one transparent waveguide element transmits signals between the at least one antenna plate and the at least one IC; providing a power unit on an interior side of the window; and wirelessly transmitting electrical power through the window to the antenna unit. 
     Aspect (18) of this disclosure pertains to the method of Aspect (17), wherein the step of providing further comprises mounting the power unit to an interior surface of the window. 
     Aspect (19) of this disclosure pertains to the method of Aspect (18), wherein the step of wirelessly transmitting electrical power further comprises inductively powering the antenna unit. 
     Aspect (20) of this disclosure pertains to the method of Aspect (17), wherein the step of wirelessly transmitting electrical power further comprises directing RF-power at a receiver of the antenna unit. 
     Aspect (21) of this disclosure pertains to the method of any one of Aspects (17) through (20), further comprising the steps of receiving a signal having a first frequency at the antenna unit and transmitting a signal from the antenna unit through the window at a second frequency, the second frequency being lower than the first frequency. 
     Aspect (22) of this disclosure pertains to the method of Aspect (21), wherein the first frequency is at least 6 GHz. 
     Aspect (23) of this disclosure pertains to the method of Aspect (21) or Aspect (22), wherein the first frequency is from 20 GHz to 80 GHz. 
     Aspect (24) of this disclosure pertains to the method of any one of Aspects (21) through (23), wherein the second frequency is one of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. 
     Aspect (25) of this disclosure pertains to a transceiver unit, comprising: a power unit configured to wirelessly transmit power through a window; and an antenna unit configured to receive power through the window from the power unit, the antenna unit comprising: at least one antenna plate; at least one printed circuit board (PCB); at least one integrated circuit (IC) mounted to the at least one PCB; and at least one waveguide element configured to transmit signals between the at least one antenna plate and the at least one IC; and wherein each of the at least one antenna plate, the at least one waveguide element, and the at least one PCB comprises a material that transmits at least 50% of incident light in the visible spectrum. 
     Aspect (26) of this disclosure pertains to the transceiver unit of Aspect (25), wherein the at least one antenna plate comprises a first antenna plate having a first interior surface and a first exterior surface and a second antenna plate having a second interior surface and a second exterior surface; wherein the second antenna plate is spatially disposed from the first antenna plate and the second interior surface of the second antenna plate faces the first interior surface of the first antenna plate; and wherein the transceiver unit further comprises a glass frame disposed between the first interior surface of the first antenna plate and the second interior surface of the second antenna plate, the glass frame defining an internal cavity in which the at least one PCB, the at least one IC, and the at least one waveguide element are contained. 
     Aspect (27) of this disclosure pertains to the transceiver unit of Aspect (26), wherein the glass frame is joined to the first antenna plate and to the second antenna plate in a manner that prevents water and air from reaching the internal cavity. 
     Aspect (28) of this disclosure pertains to the transceiver unit of any one of Aspects (25) through (27), wherein each of the at least one antenna plate comprises a plurality of antenna patches, each of the plurality of antenna patches being disposed in a depression formed in the at least one antenna plate. 
     Aspect (29) of this disclosure pertains to the transceiver unit of any one of Aspects (25) through (28), wherein the material of each of the at least one waveguide element is an alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass. 
     Aspect (30) of this disclosure pertains to the transceiver unit of Aspect (29), wherein a thickness of each of the at least one waveguide element is from 100 μm to 200 μm. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more than one component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed embodiments. Since modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosed embodiments should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.