Patent Description:
Active Antenna Systems (AAS) is an important part of LTE (Long Term Evolution) and an essential part of <NUM>. AAS is a generic term that is often used to describe base stations that incorporate a large number of separate transmitters and antenna elements that can be used for MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and beamforming as an integrated product. This will be one of the key aspects of <NUM> as the industry moves higher up in frequency and more complex array antenna geometries are needed to achieve the desired link budget.

Often the IBW (instantaneous bandwidth) of AAS products is lower than the actual need/wish du to hardware limitations. This can be a limitation if the operator has access to a larger frequency band or scattered sub-bands.

One solution is to split the product into two parts. This would enable two separate IBW:S and make it possible to use frequencies in different parts of a wide band. However, half the antenna size and half the number of transmit/receive-branches will decrease the up-link (UL) budget by 3dB, and the down-link (DL) budget by 3dB (6dB relative to max for one beam).

Existing AAS systems are often UL-limited due to limited UE output power, hence a degraded UL budget of 3dB can be a severe problem.

The document <CIT> discloses compact base station antenna devices and systems having a balanced link budget, and discloses transmission using two different frequency channels and reception using different polarizations.

"<NPL> ET AL) discloses using switches for antenna selection at a certain frequency in a massive MIMO system.

There is thus a need to provide an antenna system without the above limitations, in particular without degrading UL performance.

It is an object of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna system that is efficiently handles the available communication resources for taking advantage of the available bandwidth or bandwidths. It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a corresponding method and wireless communication node.

Said object is obtained by means of an antenna system according to claim <NUM> and a method for configuring an antenna system according to claim <NUM>.

In this way, larger or scattered communication resources can be supported, enabling a lower product cost.

According to some aspects, at least one communication resource at least comprises one of a frequency channel, a time slot. and a coded channel.

This means that many types of communication resources are supported by means of the present disclosure.

According to some aspects, the first transmitter is adapted for transmission of signals within a first frequency band and the second transmitter is adapted for transmission of signals within a second frequency band that at least partly is spectrally separated from the first frequency band. The receiver is adapted for reception of signals within a third frequency band that comprises at least the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

According to some aspects, the antenna system comprises a switch assembly that is adapted to switch the sets of antenna ports to either the transmitter arrangement or to the receiver arrangement.

This enables TDD (Time Division Duplex).

According to some aspects, the first transmitter is adapted for transmission of signals within a first frequency band and the second transmitter is adapted for transmission of signals within a second frequency band. The receiver is adapted for reception of signals within a third frequency band and a fourth frequency band, where all the frequency bands are mutually spectrally separated.

According to some aspects, the antenna system comprises a filter assembly that is adapted to filter signals between on one hand the antenna ports and on the other hand the transmitter arrangement and the receiver arrangement.

This enables FDD (Frequency Division Duplex).

According to some aspects, each frequency band corresponds to a corresponding instantaneous bandwidth.

According to some aspects, the antenna system is an active antenna system (AAS).

This means that the present disclosure can be applied to AAS:s.

According to some aspects, the antenna system comprises an antenna arrangement which in turn comprises at least one antenna device of a first polarization.

According to some aspects, the antenna system comprises an antenna arrangement which in turn comprises at least one antenna device of a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization.

This means that the present disclosure can be applied to antenna systems where an antenna arrangement either is single polarized or dual polarized.

According to some aspects, each set of antenna ports comprises at least one antenna port connected to at least one antenna device of the first polarization and at least one antenna port connected to at least one antenna device of the second polarization. Different antenna ports are here connected to different antenna devices.

According to some aspects, the first set of antenna ports comprises antenna ports connected to at least one antenna device of a first polarization, and where the second set of antenna ports comprises antenna ports connected to at least one antenna device of a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization. Different antenna ports are here connected to different antenna devices.

According to some aspects, the antenna system comprises an antenna arrangement which in turn comprises a first number of rows of antenna devices and a second number of columns of antenna devices.

According to some aspects, the first set of antenna ports is connected to a first set of columns comprising a comprising a third number of columns and the second set of antenna ports is connected to a second set of columns, separate from the first set of columns and comprising a fourth number of columns. The third set of antenna ports comprises each one of the first set of antenna port and the second set of antenna ports.

In this way, two antenna sub-arrays are formed and placed side by side.

According to some aspects, the first set of antenna ports is connected to a first set of rows comprising a fifth number of rows, and the second set of antenna ports is connected to a second set of rows, separate from the first set of rows and comprising a sixth number of rows. The third set of antenna ports comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports and the second set of antenna ports.

In this way, two antenna sub-arrays are formed, where one antenna sub-array is placed on top of the other antenna sub-array.

The present disclosure also relates to a wireless communication node and a method, which are associated with the advantages mentioned above.

With reference to <FIG>, there is a wireless communication node <NUM> that comprises at least one antenna system <NUM>, 1a, 1b. In the following, one such antenna system <NUM> will be described.

With reference to <FIG> there is an antenna system <NUM> used for wireless communication according to a first example, where the antenna system <NUM> comprises a first set of antenna ports <NUM>, a second set of antenna ports <NUM> separate from the first set of antenna ports <NUM>, and a third set of antenna ports <NUM> that comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>. The antenna system further comprises a transmitter arrangement <NUM> and a receiver <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the antenna system <NUM> comprises an antenna arrangement <NUM> which in turn comprises four antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a first polarization P1 and four antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a second polarization P2 that is orthogonal to the first polarization P1.

According to some aspects, the first set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises four antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> where each one is connected to a corresponding antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first polarization P1 and the second set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises four other antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> where each one is connected to a corresponding antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second polarization P2. Different antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to different antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each set of antenna ports is thus connected to a corresponding polarization P1, P2.

According to the present disclosure, with reference also to <FIG> and according to the first example, the transmitter arrangement <NUM> comprises a first transmitter 4a adapted for transmission of signals within a first frequency band <NUM> via the first set of antenna ports <NUM>, and a second transmitter 4b adapted for transmission of signals within a second frequency band <NUM>, that is spectrally separated from the first frequency band <NUM>, via the second set of antenna ports <NUM>. Furthermore, the receiver <NUM> is adapted for reception of signals within a third frequency band <NUM> via the third set of antenna ports <NUM>, where the frequency band <NUM> comprises at least the first frequency band <NUM> and the second frequency band <NUM>. This means that the first transmitter 4a is adapted for downlink (DL) transmissions via the first frequency band <NUM>, the second transmitter 4b 4a is s adapted for DL transmissions via the second frequency band, and the receiver <NUM> is adapted for uplink (UL) transmissions via both frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some aspects the antenna system <NUM> comprises a switch assembly <NUM> that is adapted to switch the sets of antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM> to either the transmitter arrangement <NUM> or to the receiver arrangement <NUM>.

This enables all branches to be used for UL, keeping the uplink performance. Meanwhile, the transmit branches are split in two parts that enable larger frequency bands or scattered frequency bands. This is feasible when the receiver <NUM> can handle more bandwidth than the transmitter <NUM>.

The first example, describe above, relates to a TDD (Time Division Duplex) system, where different time slots are assigned by means of the switch assembly <NUM>. There exist other types of systems for accomplishing the present disclosure, for example an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) system that will be described below as a second example.

With reference to <FIG>, there is an antenna system <NUM>' having an antenna arrangement <NUM> antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of two mutually orthogonal polarizations P1, P2, as well as sets of antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the same type as described for the first example, where, according to some aspects, the sets of antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be connected as described for the first example.

With reference also to <FIG>, the antenna system <NUM>' further comprises a transmitter arrangement <NUM>' and a receiver <NUM>'. The transmitter arrangement <NUM>' comprises a first transmitter 4a' that is adapted for transmission of signals within a first frequency band <NUM> and the second transmitter <NUM>'b is adapted for transmission of signals within a second frequency band <NUM>. The receiver <NUM>' is adapted for reception of signals within a third frequency band <NUM> and a fourth frequency band <NUM>, where all the frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are mutually spectrally separated. This means that there are two DL frequency bands that correspond to the first frequency band <NUM> and the second frequency band <NUM>. There are also two UL frequency bands that correspond to the third frequency band <NUM> and a fourth frequency band <NUM>.

For this purpose, the antenna system <NUM>' comprises a filter assembly <NUM> that is adapted to filter signals between on one hand the first and second sets antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM> and on the other hand the transmitter arrangement <NUM>' and to the receiver arrangement <NUM>'. The filter assembly <NUM> comprises one filter <NUM>-<NUM> for each antenna port <NUM>-<NUM>, each filter <NUM>-<NUM> being connected to, on one hand, a corresponding antenna port <NUM>-<NUM> and, on the other hand to the transmitter arrangement <NUM>' and the receiver <NUM>'. Each filter <NUM>-<NUM> is arranged for filtering the signal to and from the corresponding antenna port <NUM>-<NUM> between the DL frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM> for the transmitter arrangement <NUM>' and the UL frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM> for the receiver <NUM>'. According to some aspects, the DL frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned relatively close to each other, or adjacent, and constitute a common DL frequency band. Correspondingly, the UL frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned relatively close to each other, or adjacent, and constitute a common UL frequency band.

Generally, the first transmitter 4a, 4a' is adapted for transmission of signals by means of a first downlink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and a second transmitter 4b, 4b' adapted for transmission of signals by means of a second downlink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the second set of antenna ports <NUM>. The receiver <NUM>, <NUM>' is adapted for reception of signals by means of a first uplink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> and a second uplink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the third set of antenna ports <NUM>, where each communication resource defines, or is associated with, a certain bandwidth.

According to some aspects, at least one communication resource at least comprises one of a frequency channel, a time slot, and a coded channel.

In the following, some different types of realizations of the antenna system according to the present disclosure will be discussed. These realization are independent of the kind of communication resources used.

According to the claimed invention, the first set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first polarization P1 and to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second polarization P2. The second set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second polarization P2 and to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first polarization P1. Different antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to different antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each set of antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM> is thus connected to both polarizations.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to some aspects, there is an antenna system <NUM>, <NUM>' that comprises an antenna arrangement <NUM> which in turn comprises a first number n of rows <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and a second number p of columns <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the number n is four and the number p is also four.

According to some aspect, with reference also to <FIG> showing an example of an antenna system 1a based on the above, the first set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a first set of columns <NUM>, <NUM> comprising a comprising a third number m1 of columns and where the second set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a second set of columns <NUM>, <NUM>, separate from the first set of columns <NUM>, <NUM> and comprising a fourth number m2 of columns, where the third set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>. The antenna elements can here be single or dual polarized, in <FIG> they are shown as single polarized. Here two antenna sub-arrays #<NUM>, #<NUM> are formed and placed side by side.

According to some aspect, with reference also to <FIG> showing another example of an antenna system 1b based on the above, the first set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a first set of rows <NUM>, <NUM> comprising a fifth number n1 of rows, and where the second set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a second set of rows <NUM>, <NUM>, separate from the first set of rows <NUM>, <NUM> and comprising a sixth number n2 of rows, where the third set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>. The antenna elements can here be single or dual polarized, in <FIG> they are shown as single polarized. Here two antenna sub-arrays #<NUM>, #<NUM> are formed and where one antenna sub-array #<NUM> is placed on top of the other antenna sub-array #<NUM>.

As follows from the above, the antenna elements can thus be only single polarized or dual polarized.

According to some aspects, the number of antenna ports in the first set of antenna ports <NUM> falls below the number of antenna ports in the second set of antenna ports <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the antenna system <NUM> is an active antenna system (AAS).

According to some aspects, each frequency band <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> corresponds to a corresponding instantaneous bandwidth (IBW).

The present disclosure is not limited to the above, but may vary freely within the scope of the appended claims. For example, there can be any number of antenna ports, there is however at least two antenna ports.

The third set of antenna ports <NUM> at least partly comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the communication resources are re-configurable for each antenna port <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The present disclosure also relates to a wireless communication node <NUM> comprising at least one antenna system <NUM>, <NUM>'; 1a, 1b according to the above.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the present disclosure relates to a method of configuring an antenna system <NUM>, <NUM>' using a first set of antenna ports <NUM>, a second set of antenna ports <NUM> separate from the first set of antenna ports <NUM>, a third set of antenna ports <NUM> that at least partly comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>, a transmitter arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>' with a first transmitter 4a, <NUM>'a and a second transmitter 4b, <NUM>'b, and a receiver <NUM>, <NUM>'. The method comprises arranging S1 the first transmitter 4a, 4a' for transmission of signals by means of a first downlink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the first set of antenna ports <NUM>, and arranging S2 the second transmitter 4b, 4b' for transmission of signals by means of a second downlink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the second set of antenna ports <NUM>. the method further comprises arranging S3 the receiver <NUM>, <NUM>' for reception of signals by means of a first uplink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> and a second uplink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the third set of antenna ports <NUM>, where each communication resource defines, or is associated with, a certain bandwidth.

According to some aspects, the at least one communication resource at least comprises one of a frequency channel, a time slot. and a coded channel.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the present disclosure relates to an antenna system <NUM>, <NUM>' that is adapted to be configured. The antenna system antenna system <NUM>, <NUM>' comprises a first set of antenna ports <NUM>, a second set of antenna ports <NUM> separate from the first set of antenna ports <NUM>, a third set of antenna ports <NUM> that at least partly comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>, a transmitter arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>' with a first transmitter 4a, <NUM>'a and a second transmitter 4b, <NUM>'b, and a receiver <NUM>, <NUM>'.

Generally, the present disclosure relates to an antenna system <NUM>, <NUM>' comprising:.

The transmitter arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>' comprises a first transmitter 4a, 4a' adapted for transmission of signals by means of a first downlink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and a second transmitter 4b, 4b' adapted for transmission of signals by means of a second downlink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the second set of antenna ports <NUM>. The receiver <NUM>, <NUM>' is adapted for reception of signals by means of a first uplink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> and a second uplink communication resource <NUM>, <NUM> via the third set of antenna ports <NUM>, where each communication resource defines, or is associated with, a certain bandwidth.

According to some aspects, the first transmitter 4a is adapted for transmission of signals within a first frequency band <NUM> and the second transmitter 4b is adapted for transmission of signals within a second frequency band <NUM> that at least partly is spectrally separated from the first frequency band <NUM>, wherein the receiver <NUM> is adapted for reception of signals within a third frequency band <NUM> that comprises at least the first frequency band <NUM> and the second frequency band <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the antenna system <NUM> comprises a switch assembly <NUM> that is adapted to switch the sets of antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM> to either the transmitter arrangement <NUM> or to the receiver arrangement <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the first transmitter <NUM>'a is adapted for transmission of signals within a first frequency band <NUM> and the second transmitter <NUM>'b is adapted for transmission of signals within a second frequency band <NUM>, and where the receiver <NUM>' is adapted for reception of signals within a third frequency band <NUM> and a fourth frequency band <NUM>, where all the frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are mutually spectrally separated.

According to some aspects, the antenna system <NUM>' comprises a filter assembly <NUM> that is adapted to filter signals between on one hand the antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM> and on the other hand the transmitter arrangement <NUM>' and the receiver arrangement <NUM>'.

According to some aspects, the antenna system <NUM> comprises an antenna arrangement <NUM> which in turn comprises at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a first polarization P1.

According to some aspects, the antenna system <NUM> comprises an antenna arrangement <NUM> which in turn comprises at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a second polarization P2 that is orthogonal to the first polarization P1.

According to some aspects, each set of antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM> comprises at least one antenna port <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first polarization P1 and at least one antenna port <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second polarization P2, different antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being connected to different antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the first set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a first polarization P1, and where the second set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected to at least one antenna device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a second polarization P2 that is orthogonal to the first polarization P1, different antenna ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being connected to different antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the antenna system <NUM> comprises an antenna arrangement <NUM> which in turn comprises a first number n of rows <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and a second number p of columns <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of antenna devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the first set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a first set of columns <NUM>, <NUM> comprising a comprising a third number m1 of columns and where the second set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a second set of columns <NUM>, <NUM>, separate from the first set of columns <NUM>, <NUM> and comprising a fourth number m2 of columns, where the third set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the first set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a first set of rows <NUM>, <NUM> comprising a fifth number n1 of rows, and where the second set of antenna ports <NUM> is connected to a second set of rows <NUM>, <NUM>, separate from the first set of rows <NUM>, <NUM> and comprising a sixth number n2 of rows, where the third set of antenna ports <NUM> comprises each one of the first set of antenna ports <NUM> and the second set of antenna ports <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An antenna system (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising:
- a first set of antenna ports (<NUM>),
- a second set of antenna ports (<NUM>) separate from the first set of antenna ports (<NUM>),
- a third set of antenna ports (<NUM>) that comprises the first set of antenna ports (<NUM>) and the second set of antenna ports (<NUM>),
- a transmitter arrangement (<NUM>, <NUM>'), and
- a receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>'),
where the transmitter arrangement (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises a first transmitter (4a, 4a') adapted for transmission of signals by means of a first downlink communication resource (<NUM>, <NUM>) via the first set of antenna ports (<NUM>) and a second transmitter (4b, 4b') adapted for transmission of signals by means of a second downlink communication resource (<NUM>, <NUM>) via the second set of antenna ports (<NUM>),
wherein the receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>') is adapted for reception of signals by means of a first uplink communication resource (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a second uplink communication resource (<NUM>, <NUM>) via the third set of antenna ports (<NUM>), where each communication resource defines, or is associated with, a certain bandwidth, wherein each of the first set of antenna ports (<NUM>) and the second set of antenna ports (<NUM>) comprises antenna ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) connected to at least one antenna device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a first polarization (P1), and comprises antenna ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) connected to at least one antenna device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a second polarization (P2) that is orthogonal to the first polarization (P1), different antenna ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being connected to different antenna devices (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) such that each set of antenna ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to both polarizations.