Patent Publication Number: US-10312586-B2

Title: Integrated transceiver with focusing antenna

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/EP2015/053817, filed Feb. 24, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     The present invention relates to wireless communication systems, more specifically to wireless transceivers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional wireless transceivers, like fully integrated self-contained wireless transceivers, are known in the art and are provided and designed for a short range communication. The problem with this kind of transceivers is that due to the short range communication they cannot provide for a simple extension of the link, rather, additional active elements, like repeater elements, are needed. The gain and the transmission distance achievable by the antenna are also limited by the antenna inside the self-contained wireless transceiver so that a further disadvantage is that it is not possible to modify or adapt the gains and achievable transmission distances to specifics of the environment in which the self-contained wireless transceiver is to be used. The self-contained wireless transceiver which includes the radio signal processing circuitry and the antenna within a package or a housing has an antenna which dictates the shape and direction of the beams emitted by the antenna which does not allow for providing a desired antenna emission characteristic that is different from the original one defined by the antenna provided originally in the self-contained wireless transceiver. 
     To provide for a long range communication, conventional approaches are known, like in satellite communication systems, in which a receive or feed antenna is provided together with a reflector, however, there is no full integration of the wireless radio system. For example in the field of satellite communication there is a satellite LNB with the intermittent frequency interface and a separated modem for the signal processing. 
     Another approach is to provide dedicated high gain antenna and feeding structures instead of a reflector, as is for example described by P. Serbe et al. “Sencity™ link 60—a wireless point-to-point transparent ethernet bridge,” in 8 th  European Conference on Fixed Wireless Networks and Technologies, 2007. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first embodiment, an apparatus may have: a radio device including an antenna; and an antenna element, wherein the radio device and the antenna element are arranged such that a radio signal emitted by the antenna of the radio device is amplified in at least one predefined spatial direction, characterized in that the radio device is a fully integrated self-contained radio device including a housing or a package for housing the antenna and radio signal processing circuitry, wherein the antenna is an integrated antenna including an antenna chip, an antenna in package or an antenna board; the radio device includes an interface configured to receive a digital data signal and output a digital data signal, and a radio signal processing circuit coupled to the interface and to the antenna, wherein the radio signal processing circuit is configured to receive the digital data signal from the interface, to process the received digital data signal for generating the radio signal, and to provide the radio signal to the antenna for emitting the radio signal, and to receive the radio signal from the antenna, to process the received radio signal for generating the digital data signal, and to provide the digital data signal to the interface; the an antenna element is a passive focusing antenna; and the apparatus includes a mounting structure configured to receive the radio device at a first position and to receive the antenna element at a second position, wherein the mounting structure is configured to provide for a mechanical adjustment of the relative position between the antenna element and the radio device to steer a beam emitted by the antenna element. 
     According to another embodiment, a system may have: a first inventive apparatus; and a plurality of second inventive apparatus arranged at different positions distant from the first apparatus so as to allow for a point-to-mulitpoint communication or relay communication. 
     The present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a fully integrated self-contained radio device including an antenna, and an antenna element, wherein the radio device and the antenna element are arranged such that a radio signal emitted by the antenna of the radio device is amplified in at least one predefined spatial direction. 
     In accordance with embodiments the radio device and the antenna element are arranged such that the antenna element directs a radio signal received from the at least one predefined spatial direction to the antenna of the radio device. 
     In accordance with embodiments the radio device includes an interface configured to receive a data signal and output a data signal, and a radio signal processing circuit coupled to the interface and to the antenna, wherein the radio signal processing circuit is configured to receive the data signal from the interface, to process the received data signal for generating the radio signal, and to provide the radio signal to the antenna for emitting the radio signal, and to receive the radio signal from the antenna, to process the received radio signal for generating the data signal, and to provide the data signal to the interface. 
     In accordance with embodiments the radio device further includes at least one of a control signal interface configured to receive a control signal and a power supply interface configured to receive a power signal. 
     In accordance with embodiments the interface of the radio device is configured to receive at least one of a control signal and a power supply signal. 
     In accordance with embodiments the interface of the radio device comprises a serial interface configured to receive and output digital data. 
     In accordance with embodiments the antenna of the radio device comprises an antenna chip, an antenna in package or an antenna board. 
     In accordance with embodiments the antenna of the radio device emits a wide angled radio signal with an emission angle larger than the radio signal reflected by the antenna element. 
     In accordance with embodiments the antenna element is configured to focus energy transmitted by the antenna of the radio device towards a focus point, and to focus received energy towards the antenna of the radio device. 
     In accordance with embodiments the antenna element comprises a reflectarray antenna or a planar lens antenna. 
     In accordance with embodiments the radio device comprises a housing or a package for housing the antenna and radio signal processing circuitry. 
     In accordance with embodiments the apparatus comprises a mounting structure configured to receive the radio device at a first position and to receive the antenna element at a second position. 
     In accordance with embodiments the mounting structure is configured to provide for a mechanical adjustment of the relative position between the antenna element and the radio device to steer a beam emitted by the antenna element. 
     In accordance with embodiments the apparatus comprises at least one further fully integrated self-contained radio device including an antenna, wherein the radio device and the further radio device are arranged with respect to the antenna element such that radio signals emitted by the antennas of the radio devices are amplified in at least two different spatial directions. 
     The present invention provides a system comprising a first inventive apparatus having a mounting structure configured to receive the radio device at a first position and to receive the antenna element at a second position, wherein the mounting structure is configured to provide for a mechanical adjustment of the relative position between the antenna element and the radio device to steer a beam emitted by the antenna element, or having at least one further fully integrated self-contained radio device including an antenna, wherein the radio device and the further radio device are arranged with respect to the antenna element such that radio signals emitted by the antennas of the radio devices are amplified in at least two different spatial directions, and a plurality of second inventive apparatuses arranged at different positions distant from the first apparatus so as to allow for a point-to-mulitpoint communication or relay communication. 
     Thus, in accordance with the present invention, an integrated self-contained wireless transceiver which is intended for a short range communication is used in combination with a passive focusing antenna to established a long range directive communication link. 
     When compared to conventional approaches, more specifically to conventional integrated self-contained wireless transceivers, a massive link extension is achievable without additional active elements like repeaters or the like. It is possible to scale the apparatus to specific antenna gains and distances as desired and to provide additional antenna patterns so as to allow for desired antenna characteristics, for example fan beams. The inventive approach is advantageous as it allows for a simple mechanical construction with a substantial size and weight reduction when compared to conventional approaches, like the above mentioned satellite communication systems, as the originally highly integrated self-contained wireless transceiver is provided together with a reflector without the need for providing additional, separated communication elements. Using mass market products and mass production technologies allows reducing the costs of the apparatus. A further advantage is that no additional feeding losses occur for the large antenna aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequently referring to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an integrated self-contained wireless transceiver that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 a - b    shows an embodiment of the present invention depicting an example for mounting the transceiver and the antenna element with respect to each other, in which  FIG. 3( a )  depicts a side view of the structure, and  FIG. 3( b )  is a top view of the structure of  FIG. 3( a ) ; 
         FIG. 4  shows the different positions of the transceiver when using an adjustable support as depicted with regard to  FIG. 3  in accordance with an example; 
         FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the present invention including two integrated self-contained wireless transceivers arranged at different positions with respect to the reflector; and 
         FIG. 6  shows an example of a system including three transceiver/reflector combinations as taught by the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail with respect to the accompanying drawings in which elements having the same or a similar function have associated therewith the same reference signs. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a self-contained transceiver  100  which includes an antenna and a modem or radio signal processing circuitry. The transceiver  100 , also referred to as radio device, includes an interface  102  to which an external connection line  104  is connected. The interface may be a serial digital interface for receiving a data signal, for example data bits, over the line  104 . The received data signals are processed by the modem inside the transceiver  100  and are provided to the antenna transceiver  100  for emitting a wide-angled radio signal  106 . The apparatus further comprises an antenna element  108  which may be a reflectarray. The transceiver  100  and the antenna element  108  are arranged in such a way that the radio signal  106  emitted by the antenna of the transceiver  100  is directed towards the antenna element  108  which is structured in such a way that a focused radio signal  110  is reflected into a desired direction. In accordance with embodiments, the transceiver  100  operates as a transmitter, whereas in other embodiments it may also operate as a receiver. When operating as a receiver, the antenna element  100  receives a radio signal and directs the received radio signal or reflects the radio signal onto the antenna of the transceiver  100 . Thus, in accordance with embodiments, as is shown in  FIG. 1 , the fully integrated self-contained wireless transmitter and receiver (transceiver)  100  is placed in front of the focusing reflector  108  such that the transmitted energy  106  from the transceiver antenna is focused towards a remote station and that the energy coming from a remote station is focused towards the transceiver antenna. 
     In accordance with examples, the focusing reflector  108  is built as a passive reflectarray comprising a printed circuit board  112  on which a number of reflecting elements or patches  114  of a specific form or shape are placed. The design of the individual reflecting elements  114  causes planar radio waves coming from a certain direction to be focused towards a focus point. The size and the properties of the reflector and the patches are adapted to the transmit pattern of the transceiver antenna, the feeding antenna, and to the position of the transceiver  100  relative to the reflector  108 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an integrated self-contained wireless transceiver that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The transceiver  100  includes the integrated antenna A which may be an antenna on a chip, an antenna in a package or an antenna board. The integrated antenna A emits the wide-angled radio signal  106  and receives signals. The radio device  100  further includes a radio signal processing circuit S connected or coupled between the interface  102  and the antenna A. The circuitry S receives signals via the interface  102 , for example data signals, generates a radio signal for transmission and provides the radio signal for emission by the antenna A. Also, the circuitry S receives radio signals from the antenna A processes the radio signals to generate data signals output via the interface  102 . The interface  102  may be a digital data interface, for example a serial interface such as an ethernet interface or a USB interface. The interface  102  may also allow for interfacing control signals and power supply signals to the transceiver  100 . Alternatively, instead of embedding or integrating the control signal and power supply interfaces with the interface  102 , separate interfaces, for example a separate control signal interface and a separate power supply interface may be provided. 
     As is schematically depicted in  FIG. 2 , the transceiver  100  includes a housing H or a package in which the respective elements of the transceiver  100 , namely the antenna A and the circuitry S, are arranged so that the element  100  is a fully integrated self-contained wireless communication device which itself allows for a short range wireless communication as other conventional wireless communication devices. The inventive approach as described with regard to  FIG. 1  allows extending the short communication range of the transceiver  100  substantially without the need for any modifications of the wireless communication device so that, for example, any conventional short range wireless transceiver can be used with the inventive approach and the communication distance can be improved by using such a conventional self-contained fully integrated transceiver together with the reflectarray, thereby allowing for the above summarized advantages with regard to the achievable communication properties. 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the present invention depicting an example for mounting the transceiver and the antenna element  108  with respect to each other. In  FIG. 3( a )  depicts a side view of the structure, and  FIG. 3( b )  is a top view of the structure of  FIG. 3( a ) . In accordance with embodiments a mounting structure  116  is provided, which comprises a base  118  resting on a floor or a mounting surface  120 . The reflector element  108  may be attached to the base  118  to be stationary. The mounting structure  116  further comprises a support arm  122  having a first end mounted to the base  118  and a second end to which the transceiver  100  is mounted. The mounting structure  118  includes a first hinge or pivot point  124  so as to allow a rotation of the support arm  122  around the base  118  in the x/y-plane, as is schematically indicated by the arrow  126  in  FIG. 3( b ) . Embodiments of the invention may provide a mounting structure  116  including at the second end a further hinge structure  128  for mounting the transceiver to be inclined by a desired angle with respect to the mounting surface  120 , as is indicated schematically by the arrow  130  (see  FIG. 3( a ) ). In addition, the support arm  122  may include an intermediate hinge  132  allowing for a vertical displacement of the transceiver  100  with respect to the base  118 . 
     While  FIG. 3  depicts a mounting structure  116  allowing for a mechanical adjustment of the transceiver position with respect to the reflectarray  108 , other embodiments may provide for a mounting structure which does not allow for a mechanical adjustment but only provides for a mounting of the transceiver  100  and the reflector  108  with respect to each other in such a way that the signals from the antenna of the transceiver  100  are reflected by the reflectarray into a desired direction or such that signals received at the reflector are directed to the antenna of the transceiver  100 . 
     Providing the possibility for a mechanical adjustment for the transceiver position is advantageous as it allows to steer the beam  110  emitted from the reflector  108  or the receive signals from different directions via the reflector  108 .  FIG. 4  shows the different positions of the transceiver  100  when using an adjustable support as depicted with regard to  FIG. 3  in accordance with an example. In  FIG. 4 , the solid lines represent a first position of the transceiver  100 , and the signal  106  output from the transceiver towards the reflector  108  and the reflected signal  110 . The mechanical adjustment is schematically represented by the arrow  134  so that the position of the transceiver  100  changes relative to the position of the reflector  108 , thereby steering the beam  110  into a different direction as is indicated by the beam  110 ′. 
     In accordance with further embodiments, two or more integrated transceivers  100  may be provided.  FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the present invention including two integrated self-contained wireless transceivers  100  and  200  arranged at different positions with respect to the reflector  108 . The further transceiver  200  may have the same structure as the transceiver  100  and outputs the wide-angled radio signal  206 , which is reflected by the reflector  108  as the focused signal  210 . Providing two or more integrated transceivers in a way as depicted with regard to  FIG. 5  allows for a transmission of signals in different reflection angles, as is shown by focused signals  110  and  210 , and also allows for different focus points and a transmission with different polarizations. 
     In accordance with further embodiments, the present invention provides a system integrating multiple transceivers and reflectors so as to allow for a point-to-multipoint communication and/or a relay communication.  FIG. 6  shows an example for such a system including three transceiver/reflector combinations as taught by the present invention. A first apparatus or combination may be, for example, the one as described with regard to  FIG. 5  including the two transceivers  100  and  200 . In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver including the mounting structure allowing for the mechanical adjustment as shown in  FIG. 4  may be provided. The system includes further apparatuses including the transceiver  300  and the reflector  308  and the transceiver  400  and the reflector  408 . In this structure, a communication from the first apparatus including the transceivers  100  and  200  to different points at which the receivers  300  and  400  are arranged in achieved. 
     The present invention has been described in the context of a reflectarray, however, other antenna elements providing for the focused signal  110  may be provided, for example a planar lens antenna or the like. 
     The present invention as described above with respect to different embodiments provides a combination formed of a radio part for a digital data communication with a separate antenna element such that the radio signals emitted by the integrated antenna of the radio part or radio device are amplified in respective spatial directions, wherein the radio device is fully self-contained and exchanges data via a digital, serial interface, and the antenna element may be a reflectarray or a planar lens. 
     Although some aspects of the described concept have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, where a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several advantageous embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The research work that led to these results has been promoted by the European Union.