Patent Publication Number: US-11664593-B1

Title: Antenna module with feed elements on a triangular lattice for antenna arrays

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A large and growing population of users is enjoying entertainment through the consumption of digital media items, such as music, movies, images, electronic books, and so on. The users employ various electronic devices to consume such media items. Among these electronic devices (referred to herein as endpoint devices, user devices, clients, client devices, or user equipment) are electronic book readers, cellular telephones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), portable media players, tablet computers, netbooks, laptops, and the like. These electronic devices wirelessly communicate with a communications infrastructure to enable the consumption of the digital media items. In order to communicate with other devices wirelessly, these electronic devices include one or more antennas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present inventions will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a schematic diagram of an antenna module of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a schematic diagram of a first antenna module and a second antenna module of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  1 C  is a schematic diagram of a first antenna module and a second antenna module of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  1 D  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure constructed from antenna modules according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  1 E  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure constructed from antenna modules according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  1 F  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure constructed from antenna modules according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  1 G  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure constructed from antenna modules according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure with an edge between a first antenna module and a second antenna module according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements on an antenna module of a phased array antenna according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a graph of a power distribution of antenna elements of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  3 C  is a graph of a normalized gain as a function of angle (U=sin(θ)) of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  4 A  is a schematic diagram of an antenna module with one shifted antenna element of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a schematic diagram of a first antenna module and a second antenna module of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  4 C  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure constructed from antenna modules with one shifted antenna element according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements  104  with one offset antenna element on an antenna module of a phased array antenna according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a graph of a power distribution of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 C  is a graph of a normalized gain as a function of angle of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements with one offset antenna element on an antenna module of a phased array antenna according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a graph of a power distribution of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  6 C  is a graph of a normalized gain as a function of angle of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a schematic diagram of an antenna module with one row of shifted antenna elements of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure constructed from antenna modules with one shifted row of antenna elements according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  8 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements with one row offset antenna elements on an antenna module of a phased array antenna according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  8 B  is a graph of a power distribution of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  8 C  is a graph of a normalized gain as a function of U of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  9 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements with one row offset antenna elements on an antenna module of a phased array antenna according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  9 B  is a graph of a power distribution of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  9 C  is a graph of a normalized gain as a function of U of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure with antenna elements on a honeycomb lattice pattern according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a block diagram of an electronic device that includes a phased array antenna structure with antenna elements on a triangular lattice on a rectangular antenna module as described herein according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Technologies directed to antenna element arrangements within a module for an array antenna are described. An array antenna, such as a phased array antenna, can include hundreds or thousands of antenna elements. Described herein are arrangements for antenna elements of antenna modules for applications in large array antennas, such as a phased array antenna. The array antenna can be made up of antenna modules, or simply modules, that include a subset of antenna elements with the subset containing one to tens of antenna elements. The modules can be individually manufactured and assembled as an array antenna. For several reasons including manufacturability and ease of assembly, array antennas in microwave and lower millimeter wave (mmWave) are built upon or are supported by Printed Wiring Boards (PWBs) or Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), where the RF interconnects and possibly also the antenna elements are realized. In general, a PWB is similar to a PCB, but without any components installed on it. Tight manufacturing tolerances are needed for microwave antennas, and the larger the board, the more difficult the board is to manufacture while maintaining those tolerances. The antenna modules can be manufactured using one of several techniques, including Organic substrate PWB and Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) circuit. The subset of antenna elements is referred to as an antenna module or a module. The large array antenna can be made up of an array of antenna modules that are attached to another substrate, such as a PWB, for interconnection with a microwave source. Each antenna module thus incorporates an integer number of antenna elements. The antenna modules are often very closely spaced between each other, preventing the insertion of any other component between them. 
     A conventional array antenna includes antenna elements arranged on a regular square lattice. The conventional array antenna operates to form beams (e.g., of electromagnetic radiation) and steer the beams by relying on constructive and destructive interference of electromagnetic waves transmitted by each individual antenna element. When the beam is formed by the conventional array antenna with antenna elements arranged on the square lattice, the beam can have grating lobes, which are undesirable for performance. To form a beam the conventional array antenna requires a large number of antenna elements, while the complexity of an array antenna increased with the number of antenna elements. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure overcome the deficiencies of conventional array antennas by providing an array antenna elements arranged on a triangular lattice. A feed point (such as an antenna feed element) is associated with each antenna element. In order to arrange the antenna elements on a triangular lattice, the feed points can be used as a reference. In other words, the feed points can be placed at each location of a triangular lattice. Arranging antenna elements on a triangular lattice improves performance by removing or reducing the grating lobes and simplifies the array antenna architecture by reducing the number of antenna elements that are required. Reducing the number of antenna elements reduces complexity, cost, mass, and power consumption (or power requirements) of the array antenna. Aspects of the present disclosure can use rectangular antenna modules that are identical to facilitate manufacturing, assembly, and part management. The array antenna is constructed using the antenna rectangular antenna modules. The antenna modules can be manufactured from a ceramic-based material, a Teflon-based material, organic materials, or the like. The antenna elements can be printed on the modules (e.g., using copper). The antenna elements should be printed on the antenna modules in such a way to minimize the space between an edge of the antenna module and one of the antenna elements near the edge. In this way, the antenna elements can be spaced closer together when the antenna modules are assembled together, and the grading lobes can be minimized. 
       FIG.  1 A  is a schematic diagram of an antenna module  102  of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. A phased array antenna structure, such as the phased array antenna structure  100  described with respect to  FIG.  1 D , can be constructed of a set of antenna modules  102  such as antenna module  102 . In one embodiment, the antenna module  102  is coupled to a support structure (not shown in  FIG.  1 A ) of the phased array antenna structure. The phased array antenna structure includes a radio frequency (RF) circuit (e.g., an RF module). Radio frequency front-end (RFFE) is coupled to the RF circuit. The phased array antenna structure further includes a circuit board. In one embodiment, the antenna module  102  is electrically and physically coupled to the circuit board. The antenna module  102  has a rectangular shape and includes a set (e.g., of twelve) antenna elements  104  that are disposed in a triangular arrangement within the rectangular shape. Two adjacent antenna elements  104  of the set of antenna elements are separated by a first distance (d). The first distance can be measured between the centers of any two adjacent antenna elements  104 . Each antenna element  104  is associated with a feed point  106 . An antenna feed (not shown in  FIG.  1 A ) can be coupled to the feed point  106  to feed a signal to the antenna element. As depicted in  FIG.  1 A , the feed point  106  is located at the center of the antenna element  104 . Alternatively, the feed point  106  can be located at other positions of the antenna element  104 . 
     Within the rectangular shape, the first set of antenna elements are organized in a grid of rows and columns. At least one of the multiple rows is offset from at least two of the other rows by a percentage of the first distance. The percentage can be less than twenty-five percent (25%). In one embodiment, the set of antenna elements  104  are organized as a first row, a second row, and a third row of antenna elements. A direction of the offset is along the at least one of the multiple rows. In other words, the offset is in a direction which is parallel to a row and perpendicular to a column in  FIG.  1 A . The offset affects the distance between the vertical edge of the support structure and each antenna element of the row that is offset. 
     In one embodiment, the triangular arrangement of the antenna elements  104  is part of a rhombic lattice (e.g., an isosceles triangular lattice), a hexagonal lattice, an equilateral triangular lattice, or a parallelogrammic lattice (e.g., a scalene triangular lattice). Alternatively, the antenna elements  104  are part of other non-square or non-rectangular lattices. The second row of antenna elements  104  is offset from the first row and the third row of antenna elements  104 . In other words, the second row can be shifted with respect to the first row and the third row while maintaining a same distance between the first row and the second row and the second row and the third row. The second row is offset from the first row and the third row such that a first feed point  106   a  of a first antenna element  104   a  of the first row, a second feed point  106   b  of a second antenna element  104   b  of the second row, and a third feed point  106   c  of a third antenna element  104   c  of the second row form a first equilateral triangle  108   a . In other words, the first feed point  106   a , the second feed point  106   b , and the third feed point  106   c  are located at the vertices of the first equilateral triangle  108   a . Additionally, the third feed point  106   c , a fourth feed point  106   d  of a fourth antenna element  104   d  of the third row, and a fifth feed point  106   e  of a fifth antenna element  104   e  of the third row form a second equilateral triangle  108   b  with the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   a . In other words, the third feed point  106   c , the fourth feed point  106   d , and the fifth feed point  106   e  are located at the vertices of the second equilateral triangle  108   b . Further, the second feed point  106   b , the third feed point  106   c , and the fourth feed point  106   d  form a third equilateral triangle  108   c  with the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   a , but inverted with respect to the first equilateral triangle  108   a . In other words, the second feed point  106   b , the third feed point  106   c , and the fourth feed point  106   d  are located at the vertices of the third equilateral triangle  108   c . It should be noted that any three mutually adjacent feed points  106  within the antenna module  102  are located to form an equilateral triangle with the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   a . An equilateral triangle can also be referred to as an equidistant triangle. Each feed point  106  of the antenna elements  104  are part of a triangular lattice pattern of feed points of the phased array antenna structure. In one embodiment, the triangular lattice pattern is formed by each feed point  106  of each antenna element  104  of the phased array antenna structure and the triangular lattice pattern includes a set of identical equilateral triangles arranged in a uniformly repeating pattern. It should be noted three mutually adjacent feed points  106  refers to a set of three feed points  106  in which each feed point of the set is an adjacent neighbor to each other feed point of the set. 
     In one embodiment, the triangular lattice pattern is a two-dimensional Bravais lattice that is formed by two vectors (e.g., primitive vectors of a triangular lattice) of identical length with a mutual angle of separation of 120 degrees. In another embodiment, the triangular lattice pattern is a two-dimensional Bravais lattice that is formed by two vectors of identical length with a mutual angle of separation of 60 degrees. In either case, each end of each vector represents a lattice point (e.g., a vertex). In one embodiment, feed points  106  of the antenna elements  104  are located at a lattice point in a triangular lattice. The triangular lattice includes a set of lattice points (e.g., vertices). Three mutually adjacent lattice points form an equilateral triangle. In other embodiments, the feed points can be offset from the lattice points. 
     The antenna element  104  can be a patch antenna, a micro-strip antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna, a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, or the like. The antenna element  104  can be a planar element or an antenna element with a ground plane. The feed point  106  can be located at different positions of the antenna element  104  and can be oriented in specific directions. 
     Although depicted in  FIG.  1 A  as having twelve antenna elements  104  and twelve feed points  106 , in other embodiments, the antenna module  102  can have a different number of elements, such as eight, nine, fifteen, eighteen, or another integer number. Further, although the antenna module  102  is depicted as having three rows within the rectangular shape, in other embodiments, the antenna module  102  can have one, two, four, five, or other integer number of rows. Further, although the antenna module  102  is depicted as having four columns within the rectangular shape, in other embodiments, the antenna module  102  can have one, two, four, five, or other integer number of columns. 
       FIG.  1 B  is a schematic diagram of a first antenna module  102   a  and a second antenna module  102   b  of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. The first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  are the same as the antenna module  102  of  FIG.  1 A . The first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  are identical, except for their position on the phased array antenna structure. As depicted, the first antenna module  102   a  is adjacent to (e.g., to the right of) the second antenna module  102   b  (which is to the left of the first antenna module  102   a ). Alternatively, the first antenna module  102   a  can be adjacent to (e.g., to the left of) the second antenna module  102   b  (which can be to the right of the first antenna module  102   a ). The first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  share an edge  110 . 
     In one embodiment, the first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  are coupled to a support structure (not shown in  FIG.  1 B ) of a phased array antenna structure. A first feed point  106   f  of a first antenna element  104   f  of the first antenna module  102   a  is separated from a first feed point  106   i  of a first antenna element  104   i  of the second antenna module  102   b  by at least the first distance (d). This can result from manufacturing limitations for printing or manufacturing an antenna element such that an edge of the antenna element is exactly coincident with an edge of the antenna module. 
     In a further embodiment, a first row of antenna elements  104  of the second antenna module  102   b  is aligned with a first row of antenna elements  104  of the first antenna module  102   a , a second row of antenna elements  104  of the second antenna module  102   b  is aligned with a second row of antenna elements  104  of the first antenna module  102   a , and a third row of antenna elements  104  of the second antenna module  102   b  is aligned with a third row of antenna elements  104  of the first antenna module  102   a . The first feed point  106   f  of the first row of the first antenna module  102   a , a second feed point  106   g  of the second row of the first antenna module  102   a , and a third feed point  106   h  of the third row of the first antenna module  102   a  are located to form a first equilateral triangle  108   d . Further, the first feed point  106   f , the second feed point  106   g , and the first feed point  106   i  of the first row of the second antenna module  102   b  are located to form a second equilateral triangle  108   e  with the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   d , but inverted with respect to the first equilateral triangle  108   d . It should be noted that any three mutually adjacent feed points  106  within the first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  are located to form an equilateral triangle with the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   d . Each feed point  106  of the antenna elements  104  are part of a triangular lattice pattern of feed points of the phased array antenna structure. As described herein, the triangular lattice pattern can be formed with a set of identical equilateral triangles arranged in a uniformly repeating pattern, as a two-dimensional Bravais lattice with different angles of separation. 
       FIG.  1 C  is a schematic diagram of a first antenna module  102   a  and a second antenna module  102   b  of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. The first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  are the same as the antenna module  102  of  FIG.  1 A . The first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  are identical, except for their position on the phased array antenna structure. As depicted, the first antenna module  102   a  is adjacent to (e.g., to the above) the second antenna module  102   b  (which is below the first antenna module  102   a ). Alternatively, the first antenna module  102   a  can be adjacent to (e.g., to the below) the second antenna module  102   b  (which can be above the first antenna module  102   a ). The first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  share an edge  110 . 
     In one embodiment, a first feed point  106   f  of the second row of the first antenna module  102   a , a second feed point  106   g  of the third row of the first antenna module  102   a , and a third feed point  106   h  of the third row of the first antenna module  102   a  are located to form a first equilateral triangle  108   f . Further, the second feed point  106   g , the third feed point  106   h , and a fourth feed point  106   j  of the first row of the second antenna module  102   b  are located to form a second equilateral triangle  108   g  with the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   f , but inverted with respect to the first equilateral triangle  108   f . It should be noted that any three mutually adjacent feed points  106  within the first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b  are located to form an equilateral triangle with the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   f . Each feed point  106  of the antenna elements  104  are part of a triangular lattice pattern of feed points of the phased array antenna structure. As described herein, the triangular lattice pattern can be formed with a set of identical equilateral triangles arranged in a uniformly repeating pattern, as a two-dimensional Bravais lattice with different angles of separation. 
       FIG.  1 D  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  100  constructed from antenna modules  102  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the antenna modules  102  are shown, the antenna modules  102  are the same or similar to the antenna modules  102  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . In particular and for simplicity, the points represent the antenna elements  104 , and the feed points  106  are not shown in  FIG.  1 D . The phased array antenna structure  100  includes a support structure  112 . A first antenna module  104  is coupled to the support structure  112 . As described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the first antenna module  102  has a rectangle shape and a set of antenna elements  104  disposed in a triangular arrangement within the rectangle shape. In one embodiment, the set of antenna elements  104  are disposed on the first antenna module  102 . Any two adjacent antenna elements  104  within the first antenna module  102  are spaced by the first distance (d). Each antenna element  102  has a first size (s) that is less than or approximately equal to half of the first distance. Additionally, a second antenna module  102  that is identical to the first antenna module  102  is coupled to the support structure  112  and is adjacent to the first antenna module  102 . An antenna element  104  of the first antenna module  102  is adjacent to and separated by at least the first distance from an antenna element  104  of the second antenna module  102 . The phased array antenna structure  100  includes a set of antenna modules  102 . The set of antenna modules  102  includes the first antenna module and the second antenna module. In one embodiment, each antenna module of the set of antenna modules  102  includes at least twelve antenna elements  104 . Each antenna module  102  is separated from adjacent antenna modules  102  by an edge  110 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  1 D , each antenna module  102  of the phased array antenna structure  100  includes three rows and eight columns of antenna elements  104 , and twelve total antenna elements  104 . However, in other embodiments, antenna modules can have a different number of rows and columns of antenna elements as well as a different number of total antenna elements. 
     In one embodiment, the phased array antenna structure  100  includes 4992 antenna elements  104  and each antenna module  102  includes twelve antenna elements  104 , therefore the phased array antenna structure  100  includes 416 antenna modules  102 . It should be noted that  FIG.  1 D  does not show every antenna element of the phased array antenna structure  100 . In another embodiment, the phased array antenna structure  100  includes a first number of antenna modules  102  and each antenna module includes a second number of antenna elements  104 . In such a case, the phased array antenna includes a third number of antenna elements  104  equal to the first number multiplied by the second number. In one embodiment, a digital beam former (DBF) of the phased array antenna controls thirty-six antenna elements and the number of antenna elements  104  that an antenna module  102  can include is factor of thirty-six. In another embodiment, a DBF controls a first number of antenna elements and the number of antenna elements that an antenna module can include is a factor of the first number. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  1 D , each row of antenna modules  102  is shifted with respect to an adjacent row of antenna modules  102  by one column of antenna elements  104 . In other embodiments, each row of antenna modules  102  can be shifted with respect to an adjacent row of antenna modules  102  by two, three, four, or more columns of antenna elements  104 . 
     In one embodiment, a radio frequency (RF) module circuit is coupled to the phased array antenna, including the antenna modules  102 , via RFFE circuitry. Alternatively, a microwave radio or other signal source can be coupled to the antenna modules  102 . Each of the antenna modules  102  can be coupled physically to the support structure and electrically coupled to a communication system, such as RF radio or a microwave radio. The antenna modules  102  can be coupled to a circuit board or other types of support structures. 
     Although the antenna modules  102  with antenna elements  104  arranged in a triangular pattern are described as being used for a phased array antenna, in other embodiments any antenna elements can be arranged in a triangular pattern on a rectangular antenna module. 
       FIG.  1 E  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  120  constructed from antenna modules  122  according to one embodiment. The phased array antenna structure  120  is similar to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D  except that it is constructed of antenna modules  122 . Each of the antenna modules  122  includes four rows and five columns of antenna elements  104  (and feed points, not shown in  FIG.  1 E ). Each of the antenna modules  122  includes ten antenna elements  104 . As depicted in  FIG.  1 E , each column of antenna modules  122  is shifted with respect to an adjacent column of antenna modules  122  by one row of antenna elements  104 . In other embodiments, each column of antenna modules  122  can be shifted with respect to an adjacent column of antenna modules  122  by two, three, four, or more rows of antenna elements  104 . 
       FIG.  1 F  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  130  constructed from antenna modules  132  according to one embodiment. The phased array antenna structure  130  is similar to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D  except that it is constructed of antenna modules  132 . Each of the antenna modules  132  includes four rows and three columns of antenna elements  104  (and feed points, not shown in  FIG.  1 F ). Each of the antenna modules  132  includes six antenna elements  104 . As depicted in  FIG.  1 F , each column of antenna modules  132  is shifted with respect to an adjacent column of antenna modules  132  by one row of antenna elements  104 . In other embodiments, each column of antenna modules  132  can be shifted with respect to an adjacent column of antenna modules  132  by two, three, four, or more rows of antenna elements  104 . 
       FIG.  1 G  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  140  constructed from antenna modules  142  according to one embodiment. The phased array antenna structure  140  is similar to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D  except that it is constructed of antenna modules  142 . In  FIG.  1 G , the phased array antenna structure  100  is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D . Each of the antenna modules  142  includes four rows and three columns of antenna elements  104  (and feed points, not shown in  FIG.  1 G ). Each of the antenna modules  142  includes six antenna elements  104 . As depicted in  FIG.  1 G , each column of antenna modules  142  is shifted with respect to an adjacent column of antenna modules  132  by one row of antenna elements  104 . In other embodiments, each column of antenna modules  132  can be shifted with respect to an adjacent column of antenna modules  132  by two, three, or more rows of antenna elements  104 . 
     The phased array antenna structure  140  includes a support structure  112 . A first antenna module  142   a  is coupled to the support structure  212 . The first antenna module  142   a  has a rectangle shape and a first set of antenna elements  104  disposed in a triangular arrangement within the rectangle shape. In one embodiment, the first set of antenna elements  104  is disposed on the first antenna module  202 . Any two adjacent antenna elements  104  within the first antenna module  142   a  are spaced by a first distance. Each antenna element  104  has a first size that is less than or approximately equal to half of the first distance. Additionally, a second antenna module  142   b  that is identical to the first antenna module  142   a  is coupled to the support structure  112  and is adjacent to (in this case, below) the first antenna module  142   a . The second antenna module includes a second set of antenna elements  104 . An antenna element  104  of the first antenna module  142   a  is adjacent to and separated by at least the first distance from an antenna element  104  of the second antenna module  142   b . In one embodiment the first set of antenna elements  104  of the first antenna module  142   a  includes a first column, a second column, and a third column of antenna elements  104 . The second set of antenna elements  104  of the second antenna module  242   b  includes a first column, a second column, and a third column of antenna elements  104 . The first column of the second antenna module  142   b  is aligned with the first column of the of the first antenna module  142   a . The second column of the second antenna module  142   b  is aligned with the second column of the of the first antenna module  142   a . The third column of the second antenna module  142   b  is aligned with the third column of the of the first antenna module  142   a . The second column of the first antenna module  142   a  is offset from the first column and the third column of the first antenna module  142   a  such that a first feed point of a first antenna element  104   j  of the first column of the first antenna module  142   a , a second feed point of a second antenna element  104   k  of the second column of the first antenna module  142   a , and a third feed point of a third antenna element  104   l  of the second column of the first antenna module  142   a  are located to form a first equilateral triangle  108   h . Further, the second column of the second antenna module  142   b  is offset from the first column and the third column of the second antenna module  142   b  such that the first feed point of the first antenna module  142   a , the second feed point of the first antenna module  142   a , and a fourth feed point of a first antenna element  104   m  of the first column of the second antenna module  142   b  are located to form a second equilateral triangle  108   i  that is identical to but inverted with respect to the first equilateral triangle  108   h.    
     In another embodiment, a third antenna module  142   c  is coupled to the support structure  112  and includes a third set of antenna elements  104 . The third set of antenna elements  104  includes a first column, a second column, and a third column of antenna elements  104 . The second column of the third set of antenna elements  104  is offset from the first column and the third column of antenna elements of the third antenna module  142   c  such that a first feed point of a first antenna element  104   n  of the second column, a second feed point of a second antenna element  104   o  of the third column, and a third feed point of a third antenna element  104   p  of the third column are located to form a third equilateral triangle  108   j  that has the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   h . Further, a fourth antenna module  142   d  is coupled to the support structure  112  and includes a fourth set of antenna elements  104 . The fourth set of antenna elements  104  includes a first column, a second column, and a third column of antenna elements  104 . The second column of the fourth set of antenna elements  104  is offset from the first column and the third column of antenna elements of the fourth antenna module  142   d  such that the second feed point of the antenna element  104   o , the third feed point of the antenna element  104   p , and a first feed point of a first antenna element  104   q  of the first column of the fourth antenna module  142   d  form a forth equilateral triangle  108   k  that has the same dimensions as the first equilateral triangle  108   h.    
       FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  200  with an edge  110  between a first antenna module  202   a  and a second antenna module  102   b  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  200  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  200  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D , the phased array antenna structure  120  of  FIG.  1 E , the phased array antenna structure  130  of  FIG.  1 F , or the phased array antenna structure  140  of  FIG.  1 G . The antenna modules  102 , the antenna elements  104 , the feed points  106  of  FIG.  2   , are the same as the antenna modules  102 , the antenna elements  104 , the feed points  106  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 G . An edge  210  separates the first antenna module  102   a  from the second antenna module  102   b . The edge  210  represents a boundary between the first antenna module  102   a  and the second antenna module  102   b . Each antenna module  102  has its own edge. The antenna module  102   a  has an edge  210   a  and the antenna module  102   b  has an edge  210   b . Further each antenna module  102  has at least one antenna element  104  that is the closest to the edge  210 . As depicted in  FIG.  2   , the antenna element  104   a  is closest to the edge  210   a  of the antenna module  102   a  and the antenna element  104   b  is closest to the edge  210   b  of the antenna module  102   b.    
     In the depicted embodiment, the antenna elements  104  are rectangular in shape and two sides of the rectangular shape are parallel with the edge  210 . Each antenna element  104  has a size (s) that is less than half of the first distance in order to prevent any antenna element  104  from physically contacting any other adjacent antenna element  104 . The antenna element  104  that is the closest to the edge  210  of the antenna module  102  has one side  214  that is the closest to the edge  210 . A side  214   a  of the antenna element  104   a  is closest to the edge  210   a  and a side  214   b  of the antenna element  104   b  is closest to the edge  210   b . The edge  210   a  and the side  214   a  are separated by a first margin (e.g., that is measured as a distance). The edge  210   b  and the side  214   b  are separated by a second margin. The first margin and the second margin can be the same or different. The first margin and the second margin are less than half of a first distance (e.g., the first distance (d) as described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 G ) that separates two adjacent antenna elements  104   a  and  104   c  within the antenna module  102   a . Two adjacent antenna elements  104  within two adjacent antenna modules  102  are separated by at least the first distance (≥d) due to the first margin and the second margin. In particular, the antenna element  104   a  is separated from the antenna element  104   b  by at least the first distance and the antenna element  104   b  is separated from the antenna element  104   c  by at least the first distance. The first margin and the second margin can be taken into account in the design and manufacturing of antenna modules  102  such that the triangle  208  is an equilateral triangle. In some other embodiments, the first margin and the second margin are not taken into account in the design and manufacturing of antenna modules  102  such that the triangle  208  is an isosceles triangle. In such a case, the isosceles triangle shape of the triangle  208  can be accounted for by a processing logic that controls the DBF for beam forming and beam steering. In some embodiments, the first margin and the second margin are sufficiently small that the triangle  208  is approximately or effectively an equilateral triangle. 
     In some embodiments, the antenna elements can have another shape other than rectangular, such as triangular, circular, elliptical, and the like. In these cases, the first margin and the second margin are measured as the distance between the edge  210  and the point (or side) of the antenna element that is the closest to the edge  210 . 
       FIG.  3 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements  104  on an antenna module  102  of a phased array antenna structure  300  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  300  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  300  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D . The antenna module  102  and the antenna elements  104  are the same as the antenna modules  102  and the antenna elements  104  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . 
       FIG.  3 B  is a graph of a power distribution  320  of antenna elements of a phased array antenna structure  300  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  300  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  300  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D . The shape of the power distribution  320  represents the shape of the phased array antenna structure  300 . In other words, antenna modules are arranged such that the antenna elements are organized on a triangular lattice in the same shape as the power distribution  320 . In the depicted embodiments, a first set of antenna elements that are in the center of the phased array antenna structure  300  are set to a first power level  301  of between approximately 0 decibels (dB) and −2 dB, a second set antenna elements that are further out from the center of the phased array antenna structure  300  are set to a second power level  303  of between approximately −2 dB and −6 dB, and a third set antenna elements that are furthest from the center of the phased array antenna structure  300  are set to a third power level  305  of approximately −6 dB to −10 dB. Each antenna element in the first set is set to the first power level  301 . Each antenna element in the second set is set to the second power level  303 . Each antenna element in the third set is set to the third power level  305 . In the depicted embodiment, there are 4992 antenna elements, and their respective power is tapered from the center to the edge in three steps. 
       FIG.  3 C  is a graph of a normalized gain  340  as a function of angle (U=sin(θ)) of a phased array antenna structure  300  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  300  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  300  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D . In one embodiment, a normalized gain can be obtained by taking a Fourier transform of the power distribution  320  of  FIG.  3 B . The normalized gain  340  can be obtained by taking slices of the Fourier transform of the power distribution  320  and overlaying each slice. In the depicted embodiment, an array factor peak and side lobes are optimized for −29 dBc. Further, a beam profile is maximal at approximately an angle of U=0 and there are grating lobes (e.g., side lobes) at U≈±0.2 and U≈±0.5 to ±0.7. This graph shows that there is a reduction in the grating lobes. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a schematic diagram of an antenna module  402  with one shifted antenna element  404  of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. The antenna module  402  is similar to the antenna module  102  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  except with one antenna element  404  that is shifted off of the triangular arrangement (e.g., a feed point  406  of the antenna element  404  is shifted to be off of the triangular lattice pattern). Each antenna element  104  and feed element  106  is the same as the antenna elements  104  and the feed elements  106  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . The antenna elements  104  form equilateral triangles  108  as described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . Adjacent antenna elements  104  are separated by a first distance (d). The antenna elements  404  and the feed points  406  are identical to the antenna elements  104  and the feed points  106 . In one embodiment, each feed point  106  of the antenna module  102  is located at a lattice point of an equilateral triangular lattice except a first feed point  406  of an antenna element  404  that is offset from a corresponding lattice point by an offset distance (Δ). The offset distance is a percentage value of the first distance. The antenna element  404  is adjacent to an edge  110  of the antenna module  402 . In one embodiment, the triangular arrangement of the antenna elements  104  is part of at least one of a rhombic lattice (e.g., an isosceles triangular lattice), a hexagonal lattice, an equilateral triangular lattice, or a parallelogrammic lattice (e.g., a scalene triangular lattice). 
     In one embodiment, the antenna elements  104  and the antenna element  404  are organized as a first row, a second row, and a third row. The antenna element  404  is part of the second row. A direction of the offset of a feed point  406  of the antenna element  404  can be in a direction along the second row. The feed point  406  of the antenna element  404 , a first feed point  106   a  of a first antenna element  104   a  of the first row, and a second feed point  106   b  of a second antenna element  104   b  of the second row form a first scalene triangle  408   a . The feed point  406 , the feed point  106   b , and a feed point  106   c  of an antenna element  104   c  of the third row form a second scalene triangle  408   b  that has the same dimensions as but is inverted with respect to the first scalene triangle  408   a . The antenna element  404  is separated from the antenna element  104   a  of the first row and the antenna element  104   c  of the third row by a second distance (d 2 ) that is less than the first distance. The antenna element  404  is separated from the antenna element  104   b  of the second row by a third distance (d 3 ) that is less than the first distance and the second distance. 
     In one embodiment, feed points  106  of the antenna elements  104  are located at a lattice point in a triangular lattice. The triangular lattice includes a set of lattice points and three mutually adjacent lattice points form an equilateral triangle. The feed point  406  of the antenna element  404  is offset (e.g., shifted) from a corresponding lattice point that forms an equilateral triangle with two mutually adjacent lattice point. The feed point  406  is shifted so as to increase a distance between the feed point  406  and the edge  110 . 
     In other embodiments, the antenna element  404  can be shifted off of the triangular grid by the offset distance and by a second offset distance that is perpendicular to the offset distance. In this case, the antenna element  404  is shifted off of the second row. 
       FIG.  4 B  is a schematic diagram of a first antenna module  402   a  and a second antenna module  402   b  of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. The first antenna module  402   a  and the second antenna module  402   b  are the same as the antenna module  402  of  FIG.  4 A . The first antenna module  402   a  and the second antenna module  402   b  are identical, except for their position on the phased array antenna structure. As depicted, the first antenna module  402   a  is adjacent to (e.g., to the right of) the second antenna module  402   b  (which is to the left of the first antenna module  402   a ). Alternatively, the first antenna module  402   a  can be adjacent to (e.g., to the left of) the second antenna module  402   b  (which can be to the right of the first antenna module  402   a ). The first antenna module  402   a  and the second antenna module  402   b  share an edge  110 . In one embodiment, the first antenna module  402   a  and the second antenna module  402   b  are coupled to a support structure (not shown in  FIG.  4 B ) of a phased array antenna structure. 
     In a further embodiment, a first row of antenna elements  104  of the second antenna module  402   b  is aligned with a first row of antenna elements  104  of the first antenna module  402   a , a second row of antenna elements of the second antenna module  402   b  is aligned with a second row of antenna elements  104  and antenna element  404  of the first antenna module  402   a , and a third row of antenna elements  104  of the second antenna module  402   b  is aligned with a third row of antenna elements  104  of the first antenna module  402   a . A feed point  406  of the antenna element  404  of the second row of the first antenna module  402   a , a feed point  106   a  of the antenna element  104   a  of the first row of the first antenna module  402   a , and a feed point  106   b  of an antenna element  104   b  of the first row of the second antenna module  402   b  are located to form a first scalene triangle  408   c . Further, the feed point  406 , the feed point  106   b , and a feed point  106   c  of an antenna element  104   c  of the second row of the second antenna module  402   b  form a second scalene triangle  408   d . Each feed point  106  of the antenna elements  104  are part of a triangular lattice pattern of feed points with offset feed points  406  of the antenna elements  404  of the phased array antenna structure. 
     In one embodiment, the antenna element  404  of the second row of the first antenna module  402   a  is separated from the antenna element  104   b  of the first row of the second antenna module  402   b  by a fourth distance (d 4 ). The antenna element  404  is separated from the antenna element  104   c  of the second row of the second antenna module  402   b  by a fifth distance (d 5 ). The fourth distance and the fifth distance are larger than the first distance (d) as described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . The fifth distance is larger than the fourth distance. 
       FIG.  4 C  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  400  constructed from antenna modules  402  with one shifted antenna element  404   a  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the antenna modules  402  are shown, the antenna modules  402  are the same or similar to the antenna modules  402  of  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B . In particular and for simplicity, the points represent the antenna elements  104  and  404 , and the feed points  106  and  406  are not shown in  FIG.  4 C . The phased array antenna structure  100  includes a support structure  112 . Each antenna element  104  that is not adjacent to an antenna element  404  is located to form an equilateral triangle with corresponding adjacent antenna elements  104 . Antenna elements  104  that are adjacent to a shifted antenna element  404  are located to form scalene triangles as described with respect to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B . The antenna elements  404  are represented as squares and the antenna elements  104  are represented as circles in  FIG.  4 C . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  4 C , each antenna module  402  of the phased array antenna structure  400  includes three rows and eight columns of antenna elements  104 , and twelve total antenna elements (e.g., eleven antenna elements  104  and one antenna element  404 ). However, in other embodiments, antenna modules can have a different number of rows and columns of antenna elements as well as a different number of total antenna elements (e.g., a different number of antenna elements  104  and a different number of antenna elements  404 ). 
     In one embodiment, the phased array antenna structure  400  includes 4992 antenna elements and each antenna module  402  includes eleven antenna elements  104  and one antenna element  404 , therefore the phased array antenna structure  400  includes 416 antenna modules  402 . It should be noted that  FIG.  4 C  does not show every antenna element of the phased array antenna structure  400 . 
     In one embodiment, a RF module circuit is coupled to the phased array antenna, including the antenna modules  402 , via the RFFE circuitry. Alternatively, a microwave radio or other signal source can be coupled to the antenna modules  402 . Each of the antenna modules  402  can be coupled physically to the support structure and electrically coupled to a communication system, such as RF radio or a microwave radio. The antenna modules  402  can be coupled to a circuit board or other types of support structures. 
       FIG.  5 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements  104  with one offset antenna element  404  on an antenna module  402  of a phased array antenna structure  500  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  500  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  500  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  400  of  FIG.  4 C . The antenna module  402  and the antenna elements  404  are the same as the antenna modules  402  and the antenna elements  404  of  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C . The antenna elements  104  are the same as the antenna elements  104  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . In the depicted embodiment, the offset distance (Δ) is five percent (5%) of the first distance (d) (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D ). 
       FIG.  5 B  is a graph of a power distribution  520  of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure  500  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  500  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  500  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  400  of  FIG.  4 C . The shape of the power distribution  520  represents the shape of the phased array antenna structure  400 . In other words, antenna modules are arranged such that the antenna elements are organized on a triangular lattice in the same shape as the power distribution  520 . In the depicted embodiments, a first set of antenna elements that are in the center of the phased array antenna structure  500  are set to a first power level  501  of between approximately 0 dB and −2 dB, a second set antenna elements that are further out from the center of the phased array antenna structure  500  are set to a second power level  503  of between approximately −2 dB and −6 dB, and a third set antenna elements that are furthest from the center of the phased array antenna structure  500  are set to a third power level  505  of approximately −6 dB to −10 dB. Each antenna element in the first set is set to the first power level  501 . Each antenna element in the second set is set to the second power level  503 . Each antenna element in the third set is set to the third power level  505 . In the depicted embodiment, there are 4992 antenna elements, and their respective power is tapered from the center to the edge in three steps. 
       FIG.  5 C  is a graph of a normalized gain  540  as a function of angle (U=sin(θ)) of a phased array antenna structure  500  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  500  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  500  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  400  of  FIG.  4 C . In one embodiment, a normalized gain can be obtained by taking a Fourier transform of the power distribution  520  of  FIG.  5 B . The normalized gain  540  can be obtained by taking slices of the Fourier transform of the power distribution  520  and overlaying each slice. In the depicted embodiment, an array factor peak is 36.3 dBi and side lobes are optimized for −29 dBc. Further, a beam profile is maximal at approximately U=0 and there are grating lobes (e.g., side lobes) at U≈±0.2 and U≈±0.5 to ±0.9. 
       FIG.  6 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements  104  with one offset antenna element  404  on an antenna module  402  of a phased array antenna structure  600  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  600  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  600  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  400  of  FIG.  4 C . The antenna module  402  and the antenna elements  404  are the same as the antenna modules  402  and the antenna elements  404  of  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C . The antenna elements  104  are the same as the antenna elements  104  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . In the depicted embodiment, the offset distance (Δ) is ten percent (10%) of the first distance (d) (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D ). In other embodiments, the offset distance can be another percent of the first distance that does not result in two antenna elements overlapping. 
       FIG.  6 B  is a graph of a power distribution  620  of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure  600  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  600  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  600  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  400  of  FIG.  4 C . The shape of the power distribution  620  represents the shape of the phased array antenna structure  400 . In other words, antenna modules are arranged such that the antenna elements are organized on a triangular lattice in the same shape as the power distribution  620 . In the depicted embodiments, a first set of antenna elements that are in the center of the phased array antenna structure  600  are set to a first power level  601  of between approximately 0 dB and −2 dB, a second set antenna elements that are further out from the center of the phased array antenna structure  500  are set to a second power level  603  of between approximately −2 dB and −6 dB, and a third set antenna elements that are furthest from the center of the phased array antenna structure  600  are set to a third power level  605  of approximately −6 dB to −10 dB. Each antenna element in the first set is set to the first power level  601 . Each antenna element in the second set is set to the second power level  603 . Each antenna element in the third set is set to the third power level  605 . In the depicted embodiment, there are 4992 antenna elements, and their respective power is tapered from the center to the edge in three steps. 
       FIG.  6 C  is a graph of a normalized gain  640  as a function of angle (U=sin(θ)) of a phased array antenna structure  600  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  600  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  600  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  400  of  FIG.  4 C . In one embodiment, a normalized gain can be obtained by taking a Fourier transform of the power distribution  620  of  FIG.  6 B . The normalized gain  640  can be obtained by taking slices of the Fourier transform of the power distribution  620  and overlaying each slice. In the depicted embodiment, an array factor peak is 36.3 dBi and side lobes are optimized for −29 dBc. Further, a beam profile is maximal at approximately U=0 and there are grating lobes (e.g., side lobes) at U≈±0.2 and U≈±0.5 to ±1. 
       FIG.  7 A  is a schematic diagram of an antenna module  702  with one row of shifted antenna elements  704  of a phased array antenna structure according to one embodiment. The antenna module  702  is similar to the antenna module  102  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  except with one row of antenna elements  704  that is shifted off of the triangular arrangement (e.g., a row of feed points  706  of the antenna elements  704  is shifted to be off of the triangular lattice pattern). Each antenna element  104  and feed element  106  is the same as the antenna elements  104  and the feed elements  106  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . Antenna elements  104  are separated by a first distance (d) from adjacent elements within the same row. Antenna elements  704  are separated by the first distance from adjacent antenna elements  704 . The antenna elements  704  and the feed points  706  are identical to the antenna elements  104  and the feed points  106 . In one embodiment, each feed point  106  of the antenna module  102  is located at a lattice point of an equilateral triangular lattice except a row of feed points  706  of antenna elements  704  that is offset from a corresponding lattice point by an offset distance (Δ). The offset distance is a percentage value of the first distance. The row of antenna elements  704  is adjacent to an edge  110  of the antenna module  702 . A direction of the offset of antenna elements  704  can be in a direction along the row of antenna elements  704 . 
     In one embodiment, the triangular arrangement of the antenna elements  104  is part of at least one of a rhombic lattice (e.g., an isosceles triangular lattice), a hexagonal lattice, an equilateral triangular lattice, or a parallelogrammic lattice (e.g., a scalene triangular lattice). 
     In one embodiment, the antenna elements  104  and the antenna elements  704  are organized as a first row, a second row, and a third row. The first row includes antenna elements  104 . The second row includes antenna elements  704 . The third row includes antenna elements  104 . A first feed point  106   a  of a first antenna element  104   a  of the first row, a first feed point  706   a  of a first antenna element  704   a  of the second row, and a second feed point  706   b  of a second antenna element  704   b  of the second row are located to form a first scalene triangle  708   a . The first antenna element  704   a  is separated from the second antenna element  704   b  by the first distance. The first antenna element  704   a  is separated from the first antenna element  104  by a second distance. The first antenna element  104   a  is separated from the second antenna element  704   b  by a third distance. The first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are all different. Further, the first feed point  106   a , a second feed point  106   b  of a second antenna element  104   b  of the first row, and the second feed point  706   b  are located to form a second scalene triangle  708   b  with the same dimensions as, but inverted with respect to, the first scalene triangle  708   a.    
     In one embodiment, feed points  106  of the antenna elements  104  are located at a lattice point in a triangular lattice. The triangular lattice includes a set of lattice points and three mutually adjacent lattice points form an equilateral triangle. The feed points  706  of the antenna elements  704  are arranged in a row that is offset from a corresponding row of lattice points that form an equilateral triangle with two mutually adjacent lattice points of the plurality of lattice points. The offset is a percentage value of the first distance. The row is shifted so as to increase a distance between the feed point  706   a  and the edge  110 . In other words, a direction of the offset is along the shifted row. 
       FIG.  7 B  is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  700  constructed from antenna modules  702  with one shifted row of antenna elements  704  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the antenna modules  702  are shown, the antenna modules  702  are the same or similar to the antenna modules  702  of  FIG.  7 A . In particular and for simplicity, the points represent the antenna elements  104  and  704 , and the feed points  106  and  706  are not shown in  FIG.  7 B . The phased array antenna structure  700  includes a support structure  112 . Sets of three adjacent antenna elements  104  are located to form an equilateral triangle with corresponding adjacent antenna elements  104 . Sets of three adjacent antenna elements including one antenna element  104  and two antenna elements  704  are located to form a scalene triangle. Sets of adjacent antenna elements including two antenna elements  104  and one antenna element  704  are located to form a scalene triangle. The antenna elements  704  are represented as squares and the antenna elements  104  are represented as circles in  FIG.  7 B . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  7 B , each antenna module  702  of the phased array antenna structure  700  includes three rows and eight columns of antenna elements  104 , and twelve total antenna elements (e.g., eight antenna elements  104  and four antenna elements  704 ). However, in other embodiments, antenna modules can have a different number of rows and columns of antenna elements as well as a different number of total antenna elements (e.g., a different number of antenna elements  104  and a different number of antenna elements  704 ). 
     In one embodiment, the phased array antenna structure  700  includes 4992 antenna elements and each antenna module  702  includes eight antenna elements  104  and four antenna elements  704 , therefore the phased array antenna structure  700  includes 416 antenna modules  702 . It should be noted that  FIG.  7 B  does not show every antenna element of the phased array antenna structure  700 . 
     In one embodiment, a RF module circuit is coupled to the phased array antenna, including the antenna modules  702 , via RFFE circuitry. Alternatively, a microwave radio or other signal source can be coupled to the antenna modules  702 . Each of the antenna modules  702  can be coupled physically to the support structure and electrically coupled to a communication system, such as RF radio or a microwave radio. The antenna modules  702  can be coupled to a circuit board or other types of support structures. 
       FIG.  8 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements  104  with one row offset antenna elements  704  on an antenna module  702  of a phased array antenna structure  800  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  800  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  800  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  700  of  FIG.  7 B . The antenna module  702  and the antenna elements  704  are the same as the antenna modules  702  and the antenna elements  704  of  FIGS.  7 A- 7 B . The antenna elements  104  are the same as the antenna elements  104  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . In the depicted embodiment, the offset distance (Δ) is five percent (5%) of the first distance (d) (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D ). 
       FIG.  8 B  is a graph of a power distribution  820  of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure  800  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  800  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  800  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  700  of  FIG.  7 B . The shape of the power distribution  820  represents the shape of the phased array antenna structure  800 . In other words, antenna modules are arranged such that the antenna elements are organized on a triangular lattice in the same shape as the power distribution  820 . In the depicted embodiments, a first set of antenna elements that are in the center of the phased array antenna structure  800  are set to a first power level  801  of between approximately 0 dB and −2 dB, a second set antenna elements that are further out from the center of the phased array antenna structure  800  are set to a second power level  803  of between approximately −2 dB and −6 dB, and a third set antenna elements that are furthest from the center of the phased array antenna structure  800  are set to a third power level  805  of approximately −6 dB to −10 dB. Each antenna element in the first set is set to the first power level  801 . Each antenna element in the second set is set to the second power level  803 . Each antenna element in the third set is set to the third power level  805 . In the depicted embodiment, there are 4992 antenna elements, and their respective power is tapered from the center to the edge in three steps. 
       FIG.  8 C  is a graph of a normalized gain  840  as a function of angle (U=sin(θ)) of a phased array antenna structure  800  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  800  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  800  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  700  of  FIG.  7 B . In one embodiment, a normalized gain can be obtained by taking a Fourier transform of the power distribution  820  of  FIG.  8 B . The normalized gain  840  can be obtained by taking slices of the Fourier transform of the power distribution  820  and overlaying each slice. In the depicted embodiment, an array factor peak is 36.3 dBi and side lobes are optimized for −29 dBc. Further, a beam profile is maximal at approximately U=0 and there are grating lobes (e.g., side lobes) at U≈±0.2 and U≈±0.5 to ±0.7. 
       FIG.  9 A  is a schematic diagram of a triangular arrangement of antenna elements  104  with one row offset antenna elements  704  on an antenna module  702  of a phased array antenna structure  900  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  800  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  900  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  700  of  FIG.  7 B . The antenna module  702  and the antenna elements  704  are the same as the antenna modules  702  and the antenna elements  704  of  FIGS.  7 A- 7 B . The antenna elements  104  are the same as the antenna elements  104  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . In the depicted embodiment, the offset distance (Δ) is ten percent (10%) of the first distance (d) (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D ). In other embodiments, the offset distance can be another percent of the first distance that does not result in two antenna elements overlapping. A direction of the offset of antenna elements  704  can be in a direction along the row of antenna elements  704 . 
       FIG.  9 B  is a graph of a power distribution  920  of antenna elements of the phased array antenna structure  900  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  900  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  900  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  700  of  FIG.  7 B . The shape of the power distribution  920  represents the shape of the phased array antenna structure  900 . In other words, antenna modules are arranged such that the antenna elements are organized on a triangular lattice in the same shape as the power distribution  920 . In the depicted embodiments, a first set of antenna elements that are in the center of the phased array antenna structure  900  are set to a first power level  901  of between approximately 0 dB and −2 dB, a second set antenna elements that are further out from the center of the phased array antenna structure  900  are set to a second power level  903  of between approximately −2 dB and −6 dB, and a third set antenna elements that are furthest from the center of the phased array antenna structure  900  are set to a third power level  905  of approximately −6 dB to −10 dB. Each antenna element in the first set is set to the first power level  901 . Each antenna element in the second set is set to the second power level  903 . Each antenna element in the third set is set to the third power level  905 . In the depicted embodiment, there are 4992 antenna elements, and their respective power is tapered from the center to the edge in three steps. 
       FIG.  9 C  is a graph of a normalized gain  940  as a function of angle (U=sin(θ)) of a phased array antenna structure  900  according to one embodiment. Although not all components of the phased array antenna structure  900  are shown, the phased array antenna structure  900  is the same or similar to the phased array antenna structure  700  of  FIG.  7 B . In one embodiment, a normalized gain can be obtained by taking a Fourier transform of the power distribution  920  of  FIG.  9 B . The normalized gain  940  can be obtained by taking slices of the Fourier transform of the power distribution  920  and overlaying each slice. In the depicted embodiment, an array factor peak is 36.3 dBi and side lobes are optimized for −29 dBc. Further, a beam profile is maximal at approximately U=0 and there are grating lobes (e.g., side lobes) at U≈±0.2 and U≈±0.5 to ±0.9. 
       FIG.  10    is a schematic diagram of a phased array antenna structure  1000  with antenna elements  1004  on a honeycomb lattice pattern according to one embodiment. The phased array antenna structure  1000  can be referred to as a thinned phased array antenna structure. The phased array antenna structure  1000  can be constructed with antenna modules  1002 . In one embodiment, an antenna module  1002  includes six antenna elements  1004  arranged with a honeycomb pattern. The antenna elements are the same as the antenna elements  102  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . In another embodiment, the antenna module  1002  includes three antenna elements  1004   a  arranged on a first equilateral triangular pattern and three antenna elements  1004   a  arranged on a second equilateral triangle pattern with the same dimensions but rotated with respect to the first equilateral triangular pattern. In another embodiment, the phased array antenna structure  1000  can be obtained by removing (e.g., intentionally removing) each antenna element of a triangular lattice that falls on an intersection of three antenna modules  1002  and each antenna element that falls at a center of each antenna module  1002 . 
     In one embodiment, antenna elements that fall on an intersection of three antenna modules  1002  can be terminated with a matched load. In a further embodiment, antenna elements that fall in the center of each antenna module  1002  can be terminated with a matched load. A terminated element is an antenna element that is terminated to a matched load. 
     In one embodiment, antenna elements that would fall on an intersection of three antenna modules  1002  can be not printed at the time of manufacturing of the antenna modules. In a further embodiment, antenna elements that would fall in the center of each antenna module  1002  can be not printed at the time of manufacturing of the antenna modules. 
       FIG.  11    is a block diagram of an electronic device  1100  that includes a phased array antenna structure with antenna elements on a triangular lattice on a rectangular antenna module as described herein according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  100  of  FIG.  1 D . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  120  of  FIG.  1 E , the phased array antenna structure  130  of  FIG.  1 F , or the phased array antenna structure  140  of  FIG.  1 G . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  200  of  FIG.  2   . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  300  of  FIG.  3   . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  400  of  FIG.  4 C . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  500  of  FIG.  5   . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  600  of  FIG.  6   . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  700  of  FIG.  7 B . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  800  of  FIG.  8   . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  900  of  FIG.  9   . In another embodiment, the electronic device  1100  includes the phased array antenna structure  1000  of  FIG.  10   . Alternatively, the electronic device  1100  may be other electronic devices, as described herein. 
     The electronic device  1100  includes one or more processor(s)  1130 , such as one or more CPUs, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, or other types of processors. The electronic device  1100  also includes system memory  1106 , which may correspond to any combination of volatile and/or non-volatile storage mechanisms. The system memory  1106  stores information that provides operating system component  1108 , various program modules  1110 , program data  1112 , and/or other components. In one embodiment, the system memory  1106  stores instructions of methods to control operation of the electronic device  1100 . The electronic device  1100  performs functions by using the processor(s)  1130  to execute instructions provided by the system memory  1106 . 
     The electronic device  1100  also includes a data storage device  1114  that may be composed of one or more types of removable storage and/or one or more types of non-removable storage. The data storage device  1114  includes a computer-readable storage medium  1116  on which is stored one or more sets of instructions embodying any of the methodologies or functions described herein. Instructions for the program modules  1110  may reside, completely or at least partially, within the computer-readable storage medium  1116 , system memory  1106  and/or within the processor(s)  1130  during execution thereof by the electronic device  1100 , the system memory  1106  and the processor(s)  1130  also constituting computer-readable media. The electronic device  1100  may also include one or more input devices  1118  (keyboard, mouse device, specialized selection keys, etc.) and one or more output devices  1120  (displays, printers, audio output mechanisms, etc.). 
     The electronic device  1100  further includes a modem  1122  to allow the electronic device  1100  to communicate via a wireless connections (e.g., such as provided by the wireless communication system) with other computing devices, such as remote computers, an item providing system, and so forth. The modem  1122  can be connected to one or more radio frequency (RF) modules  1186 . The RF modules  1186  may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) module, a wide area network (WAN) module, wireless personal area network (WPAN) module, Global Positioning System (GPS) module, or the like. The antenna structures (antenna(s)  100 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 600 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900 / 1000 ,  1185 ,  1187 ) are coupled to the front-end circuitry  1190 , which is coupled to the modem  1122 . The front-end circuitry  1190  may include radio front-end circuitry, antenna switching circuitry, impedance matching circuitry, or the like. The antennas  100 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 600 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900 / 1000  may be GPS antennas, Near-Field Communication (NFC) antennas, other WAN antennas, WLAN or PAN antennas, or the like. The modem  1122  allows the electronic device  1100  to handle both voice and non-voice communications (such as communications for text messages, multimedia messages, media downloads, web browsing, etc.) with a wireless communication system. The modem  1122  may provide network connectivity using any type of mobile network technology including, for example, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), EDGE, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Single-Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1×RTT), Evaluation Data Optimized (EVDO), High-Speed Down-Link Packet Access (HSDPA), Wi-Fi®, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE Advanced (sometimes generally referred to as 4G), etc. 
     The modem  1122  may generate signals and send these signals to antenna(s)  100 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 600 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900 / 1000  of a first type (e.g., WLAN 5 GHz), antenna(s)  1185  of a second type (e.g., WLAN 2.4 GHz), and/or antenna(s)  1187  of a third type (e.g., WAN), via front-end circuitry  1190 , and RF module(s)  1186  as descried herein. Antennas  100 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 600 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900 / 1000 ,  1185 ,  1187  may be configured to transmit in different frequency bands and/or using different wireless communication protocols. The antennas  100 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 600 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900 / 1000 ,  1185 ,  1187  may be directional, omnidirectional, or non-directional antennas. In addition to sending data, antennas  100 / 200 / 250 / 300 / 400 / 1000 ,  1185 ,  1187  may also receive data, which is sent to appropriate RF modules connected to the antennas. One of the antennas  100 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 600 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900 / 1000 ,  1185 ,  1187  may be any combination of the antenna structures described herein. 
     In one embodiment, the electronic device  1100  establishes a first connection using a first wireless communication protocol, and a second connection using a different wireless communication protocol. The first wireless connection and second wireless connection may be active concurrently, for example, if an electronic device is receiving a media item from another electronic device via the first connection) and transferring a file to another electronic device (e.g., via the second connection) at the same time. Alternatively, the two connections may be active concurrently during wireless communications with multiple devices. In one embodiment, the first wireless connection is associated with a first resonant mode of an antenna structure that operates at a first frequency band and the second wireless connection is associated with a second resonant mode of the antenna structure that operates at a second frequency band. In another embodiment, the first wireless connection is associated with a first antenna structure and the second wireless connection is associated with a second antenna. 
     Though a modem  1122  is shown to control transmission and reception via antenna ( 100 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 600 / 600 / 700 / 800 / 900 / 1000 ,  1185 ,  1187 ), the electronic device  1100  may alternatively include multiple modems, each of which is configured to transmit/receive data via a different antenna and/or wireless transmission protocol. 
     In the above description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the description. 
     Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work most effectively to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is used herein, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “inducing,” “parasitically inducing,” “radiating,” “detecting,” determining,” “generating,” “communicating,” “receiving,” “disabling,” or the like, refer to the actions and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
     Embodiments also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, Read-Only Memories (ROMs), compact disc ROMs (CD-ROMs) and magnetic-optical disks, Random Access Memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions. 
     The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the present embodiments are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the present embodiments as described herein. It should also be noted that the terms “when” or the phrase “in response to,” as used herein, should be understood to indicate that there may be intervening time, intervening events, or both before the identified operation is performed. 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the present embodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.