Patent Description:
The described technology provides an integrated antenna array device including a circuitry component layer having bounds defining a circuitry zone. The circuitry component layer includes beam steering circuitry. The integrated antenna array device also includes an antenna component layer affixed to the circuitry component layer in the circuitry zone. The antenna component layer includes a radiating region and an interconnecting region. The radiating region is outside the circuitry zone and includes one or more antenna arrays having radiating antenna elements. The interconnecting region is substantially defined within the circuitry zone and interconnects the beam steering circuitry with the one or more radiating elements.

The described technology also provides a communication device having an interior and an exterior. The communication device includes a radiofrequency (RF) shielding display assembly on a display side of the communication device. A bezel region on the display side of the communication device between the RF shielding display assembly and an edge of the communication device is capable of passing RF radiation between the interior and the exterior of the communication device. An integrated antenna array device includes a circuitry component layer having bounds defining a circuitry zone. The circuitry component layer includes beam steering circuitry (and potentially transceiver circuitry). The integrated antenna array device also includes an antenna component layer affixed to the circuitry component layer in the circuitry zone. The antenna component layer includes a radiating region and an interconnecting region. The radiating region is outside the circuitry zone and includes one or more antenna arrays having radiating antenna elements. The interconnecting region is substantially defined within the circuitry zone and interconnects the beam steering circuitry with the one or more radiating elements. The one or more radiating elements are positioned in the bezel region of the communication device to allow the passing of RF radiation between the interior and the exterior of the communication device through the bezel region.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description.

In at least one implementation of the described technology, an integrated antenna array device includes a circuitry component layer having bounds defining a circuitry zone on a first axis and a second axis, the first and second axes being mutually orthogonal, the circuitry component layer including beam steering circuitry. Furthermore, an integrated antenna array device includes an antenna component layer affixed to the circuitry component layer in the circuitry zone on a third axis, the third axis being mutually orthogonal to the first and second axes, the antenna component layer including a radiating region and an interconnecting region, the radiating region being outside the circuitry zone and including one or more antenna arrays having radiating antenna elements, the interconnecting region being substantially defined within the circuitry zone and interconnecting the beam steering circuitry with the radiating antenna elements.

<FIG> illustrates an example communication device <NUM> including an example projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> as an integrated antenna array device. The dashed lines indicate that the corresponding structure is located behind a surface of the communication device <NUM>. A three-dimensional axis system is shown with respect to the communication device <NUM> to provide example directional relationships among different components in the communication device <NUM>.

The projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is positioned at a bezel region <NUM> between a display <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> and an edge <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>. In this example, the edge <NUM> is a top edge, but other edges may be employed. Furthermore, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is shown in the center (along the X-axis) of the communication device <NUM>, but the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> may be positioned at any distance along the edge <NUM> or any other edge or corner of the communication device <NUM>.

The display <NUM> and some of its constituent components (collectively, the "display assembly") act to substantially shield radiofrequency (RF) radiation from exiting the communication device <NUM>. In this manner, the display assembly is considered "RF opaque" with respect to RF radiation passing between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM>, although this term may apply to materials or components that do not block all such radiation (e.g., a material blocking substantially all or most of the RF radiation may be considered RF opaque).

Accordingly, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is positioned at the bezel region <NUM> in which the shielding material is not located. Instead, the bezel region <NUM> is considered "RF transparent" because it passes most or all of the RF radiation passing between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM>, although this term may apply to materials or components that do block some amount of such radiation (e.g., a material passing substantially all or most of the RF radiation may be considered RF transparent or even RF translucent). As shown in the expanded view <NUM>, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is positioned near the edge <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>, with antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> positioned in the bezel region <NUM> so that RF radiation may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>.

The projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> includes a circuitry component layer <NUM>, including at least beam steering circuitry (and potentially transceiver circuitry) for operating antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>. Such beam steering circuitry (and potentially, transceiver circuitry) is typically located within a shield can (not shown). In one implementation, the beam steering circuitry includes, for each antenna array element, a phase shifter in the circuitry component layer <NUM>. In another implementation, transceiver circuitry is added to the beam steering circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM>, for each antenna array element, wherein the transceiver circuitry includes a transmitting channel (e.g., including a transmitting amplifier and a transmitting mixer) and a receiving channel (e.g., including a receiving amplifier and a receiving mixer), although other configurations are contemplated.

The circuitry component layer <NUM> is affixed to (e.g., through bonding, soldering, ceramic deposition, thin film deposition, or adhesives) an antenna component layer <NUM>. The combination of the circuitry component layer <NUM> and the antenna component layer <NUM> form a component device that can be installed in the communication device <NUM>. The antenna component layer <NUM> extends beyond the dimensions of the circuitry component layer <NUM> (in the Y-direction in this illustrated configuration) in a portion that includes the four antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>. The portion of the antenna component layer <NUM> that extends beyond the dimensions of the circuitry component layer <NUM> defines an "antenna zone," including one or more antenna array elements. When the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is positioned within the communication device <NUM>, the antenna zone is projected into the bezel region <NUM> to allow RF radiation from the antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. In contrast, the portion of the antenna component layer <NUM> that substantially overlaps the dimensions of the circuitry component layer <NUM> defines a "circuitry zone. " In various implementations, the circuitry zone does not include antenna elements intended to radiate through the bezel region <NUM> between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM>.

If the antenna elements are all directional, then the configuration shown in <FIG> provides one direction of RF radiation (i.e., out the front of the bezel region <NUM> along the Z-axis). Alternatively, the antenna arrays may include omnidirectional antenna elements. In radio communication, an omnidirectional antenna is a class of antenna that radiates and/or receives substantially equal radio power in all directions perpendicular to an axis (i.e., in azimuthal directions), with power varying with the angle to the axis (elevation angle), declining substantially to zero on the axis. It should be understood that some omnidirectional antenna configurations can yield directional radiation (e.g., not substantially equal radio power in all directions perpendicular to an axis) when augmented by a proximate coupling element (e.g., a nearby ground plane). This is in contrast to an isotropic antenna that radiates and/or receives substantially equally in all directions and to a directional antenna radiates and/or receives greater power in specific directions, thereby allowing increased performance in those specific directions and reducing interference from unwanted sources in other directions. Directional antennas can provide increased performance over dipole antennas-or omnidirectional antennas, in general-when a greater concentration of radiation in a certain direction is desired. Omnidirectional and directional antennas may be used in combination in the same communication device.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a front view of the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>. In <FIG>, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>, as an integrated antenna array device, includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>. A portion <NUM> of the antenna component layer <NUM> extends beyond the dimensions of the circuitry component layer <NUM>. The portion of the antenna component layer <NUM> that overlaps the circuitry component layer <NUM> substantially defines an interconnection region. The portion of the antenna component layer <NUM> that includes radiating antenna elements substantially defines the radiating region and does not overlap the circuitry component layer <NUM>. In <FIG>, the circuitry component layer <NUM> is hidden behind the antenna component layer <NUM> in the circuitry zone.

In the antenna zone, the antenna component layer <NUM> includes four antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, and <NUM>. The antenna array elements may be directional or omnidirectional. An example directional antenna element is a patch antenna, which is backed by a ground plane. Example omnidirectional antennas include without limitation monopole antennas, dipole antennas, slot antennas, and Yagi antennas, although such antennas may be made to provide more directional radiation in the proximity of a ground plane.

The circuitry component layer <NUM> includes beam steering circuitry (as described previously) to drive the antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, and <NUM>. The antenna component layer <NUM> includes an interconnection region between the circuitry component layer <NUM> and the individual antenna array elements to allow transmitting and receiving signals to be communicated between them (interconnecting elements not shown in <FIG>). In one implementation, the interconnection region includes a multilayer substrate, such as a multi-layer low-temperature co-fired ceramic substrate or a multi-layer RF substrate, although other interconnection substrates may be employed.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> installed in a communication device <NUM> and having an omnidirectionally radiating antenna element <NUM>.

The projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>, as an integrated antenna array device includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>, the latter of which includes an antenna array (see the omnidirectional antenna element <NUM>, e.g., a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, a slot antenna). The RF radiation represented by the curved sequences of lines extends from the antenna array over more than a <NUM>-degree angle.

The portion of the antenna component layer <NUM> that overlaps the circuitry component layer <NUM> substantially defines an interconnection region. The portion of the antenna component layer <NUM> that includes radiating antenna elements substantially defines the radiating region and does not overlap the circuitry component layer <NUM>.

The communication device <NUM> includes a display cover glass <NUM>, which is RF transparent, as is the edge surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the communication device case. A display assembly <NUM> is positioned some distance from the top edge of the communication device <NUM>, and this RF transparent distance defines the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. In contrast, the display assembly <NUM> is not RF transparent and, therefore, will block all or most of the RF radiation from passing through the display assembly <NUM> between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM>. Accordingly, all or more of the RF radiation may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. By positioning the antenna zone of the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> within the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>, the omnidirectional RF radiation emitted from (and received by) the antenna element <NUM> may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through cover glass <NUM> within the RF transparent bezel region <NUM> and through the RF transparent material of the edge surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the communication device case.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> installed in a communication device <NUM> and having a directionally radiating antenna element <NUM> (see the patch antenna).

The projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>, as an integrated antenna array device, includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>, the latter of which includes an antenna array with the directional antenna element <NUM> (see, e.g., the patch antenna with a nearby ground plane <NUM>). The RF radiation represented by the curved sequences of lines extends from the antenna array within less than a <NUM>-degree angle.

The communication device <NUM> includes a display cover glass <NUM>, which is RF transparent, as is the edge surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the communication device case. A display assembly <NUM> is positioned some distance from the top edge surface <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>, and this RF transparent distance defines the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. In contrast, the display assembly <NUM> is not RF transparent and, therefore, will block all or most of the RF radiation from passing through the display assembly <NUM> between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM>. Accordingly, all or more of the RF radiation may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. By positioning the antenna zone of the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> within the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>, the omnidirectional RF radiation emitted from (and received by) the antenna element <NUM> may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through cover glass <NUM> within the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>.

It should be understood that subject to thickness constraints imposed by the design of the communication device <NUM>, a second antenna component layer may be positioned on the opposite side of the circuitry component layer <NUM> to provide directional RF radiation in the opposite direction of that from the antenna element <NUM>. Other configurations to provide multiple antenna arrays and supplemental RF radiation directions are contemplated as taught in the multiple implementations described herein.

<FIG> illustrates an example communication device <NUM> including an example projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> having two antenna arrays radiating in different directions. The dashed lines indicate that the corresponding structure is located behind a surface of the communication device <NUM>. A three-dimensional axis system is shown with respect to the communication device <NUM> to provide example directional relationships among different components in the communication device <NUM>.

The projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>, as an integrated antenna array device, is positioned at a bezel region <NUM> between a display <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> and an edge <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>. In this example, the edge <NUM> is a top edge, but other edges may be employed. Furthermore, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is shown in the center (along the X-axis) of the communication device <NUM>, but the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> may be positioned at any distance along the edge <NUM> or any other edge or corner of the communication device <NUM>.

Accordingly, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is positioned at the bezel region <NUM> in which the shielding material is not located. Instead, the bezel region <NUM> is considered "RF transparent" because it passes most or all of the RF radiation passing between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM>, although this term may apply to materials or components that do block some amount of such radiation (e.g., a material passing substantially all or most of the RF radiation may be considered RF transparent or even RF translucent). As shown in the expanded view <NUM>, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> is positioned near the edge <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>, with antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> positioned in the bezel region <NUM> so that RF radiation may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. In contrast to the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> in <FIG> also includes antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> positioned at the edge <NUM> so that RF radiation may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through RF transparent material in the edge <NUM>.

If the antenna elements are all directional, then the configuration shown in <FIG> provides two directions of RF radiation (i.e., out the front of the bezel region <NUM> along the Z-axis and out the top of the edge <NUM> in the X-direction). Alternatively, one or both of the antenna arrays may include omnidirectional antenna elements. The antenna arrays positioned at different surfaces are shown as interleaved, but such interleaving is not necessary for all implementations.

<FIG> illustrates a side view of an example projected geometry antenna array component device having two antenna arrays radiating in different directions, and <FIG> illustrates a front view of the projected geometry antenna array component device. The dashed lines indicate that the corresponding structure is located behind another surface shown in the view.

In <FIG>, the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>, as an integrated antenna array device, includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>. A portion <NUM> of the antenna component layer <NUM> extends beyond the dimensions of the circuitry component layer <NUM>. In <FIG>, the circuitry component layer <NUM> is hidden behind the antenna component layer <NUM> in the circuitry zone.

In the antenna zone, the antenna component layer <NUM> includes four antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, and <NUM>. Additionally, in the antenna zone, the antenna component layer <NUM> also includes four antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The antenna array elements may be directional or omnidirectional.

An example directional antenna element is a patch antenna, which is backed by a ground plane. Example omnidirectional antennas include without limitation monopole antennas, dipole antennas, slot antennas, and Yagi antennas.

The circuitry component layer <NUM> includes beam steering circuitry (as described previously) to drive the antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The antenna component layer <NUM> includes an interconnection region between the circuitry component layer <NUM> and the individual antenna array elements to allow transmitting and receiving signals to be communicated between them. In one implementation, the interconnection region includes conductive interconnecting routes <NUM> and <NUM> (among others) in a multilayer substrate, such as a multi-layer low-temperature co-fired ceramic substrate or a multi-layer RF substrate, although other interconnection substrates may be employed. In implementations according to the invention, the interconnection region includes a waveguide connecting the beam steering circuitry to an array of radiating apertures in one or more surfaces in the antenna zone of the antenna component layer <NUM>. In other implementations, conductive interconnecting routes and waveguides may be employed together.

If the antenna elements are all directional, then the configuration shown in <FIG> provides two directions of RF radiation (i.e., out the front of the bezel region of the communication device along the Z-axis and out the top of the edge of the communication device in the X-direction). Alternatively, one or both of the antenna arrays may include omnidirectional antenna elements. The antenna arrays positioned at different surfaces are shown as interleaved, but such interleaving is not necessary for all implementations.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an example projected geometry antenna device <NUM>, as an integrated antenna array device, having a waveguide <NUM> shown in dashed lines in a first geometry. The dashed lines indicate that the corresponding structure is located behind another surface shown in the view. The example projected geometry antenna device <NUM> includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>. The waveguide <NUM> includes a dielectric material encased in elongated conductive walls extending much of the length of the antenna component layer <NUM>.

A radiating aperture <NUM> at the end of the waveguide <NUM> emits and receives RF radiation and is connected to beam steering circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM> via the waveguide <NUM> and a tap (not shown) that connects the beam steering circuitry to the waveguide <NUM>. The other radiating apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are also positioned at the end of similar waveguides (not shown). The radiating apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, in an alternative implementation, may be rotated <NUM> degrees on the edge surface of the projected geometry antenna device <NUM>, providing a <NUM> degree shifted polarization.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an example projected geometry antenna device, as an integrated antenna array device, having a waveguide <NUM> shown in dashed lines in a second geometry. The dashed lines indicate that the corresponding structure is located behind another surface shown in the view. The example projected geometry antenna device <NUM> includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>. The waveguide <NUM> includes a dielectric material encased in elongated conductive walls extending much of the length of the antenna component layer <NUM>.

A radiating aperture <NUM> at the end of the waveguide <NUM> emits and receives RF radiation and is connected to beam steering circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM> via the waveguide <NUM> and a tap (not shown) that connects the beam steering circuitry to the waveguide <NUM>. The waveguide <NUM> includes an abrupt transition point <NUM> in which the thin rectangular profile of the waveguide <NUM> changes to a square profile toward the radiating aperture <NUM>. The other radiating apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are also positioned at the end of similar waveguides (not shown).

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an example projected geometry antenna device, as an integrated antenna array device, having a waveguide <NUM> shown in dashed lines in a third geometry. The dashed lines indicate that the corresponding structure is located behind another surface shown in the view. The example projected geometry antenna device <NUM> includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>. The waveguide <NUM> includes a dielectric material encased in elongated conductive walls extending much of the length of the antenna component layer <NUM>.

A radiating aperture <NUM> at the end of the waveguide <NUM> emits and receives RF radiation and is connected to beam steering circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM> via the waveguide <NUM> and a tap (not shown) that connects the beam steering circuitry to the waveguide <NUM>. The waveguide <NUM> includes a tapered transition region <NUM> in which the thin rectangular profile of the waveguide <NUM> changes to a square profile toward the radiating aperture <NUM>. This waveguide <NUM> with a tapered transition region <NUM> may operate like a horn antenna. The other radiating apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are also positioned at the end of similar waveguides (not shown).

<FIG> illustrates example shapes of radiating apertures of a waveguide antenna at a surface of a projected geometry antenna array component device as an integrated antenna array device; <FIG> illustrates radiating apertures of two example waveguide antenna arrays (Array <NUM> and Array <NUM>) at a surface of a projected geometry antenna array component device; <FIG> illustrates radiating apertures of another two example waveguide antenna arrays (Array <NUM> and Array <NUM>) at a surface of a projected geometry antenna array component device; and <FIG> illustrates radiating apertures of yet another two example waveguide antenna arrays (Array <NUM> and Array <NUM>) at a surface of a projected geometry antenna array component device. The rotated relationship between the two arrays in <FIG> yields RF radiation with a horizontal polarization in Array <NUM> and RF radiation with a vertical polarization in Array <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a side view of an example projected geometry antenna array component device having two antenna arrays radiating in different directions, and <FIG> illustrates a front view of the projected geometry antenna array component device. wherein one of the antenna arrays includes waveguide antennas. The dashed lines indicate that the corresponding structure is located behind another surface shown in the view.

In the antenna zone, the antenna component layer <NUM> includes four antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which are shown as directional antennas, although they could alternatively include omnidirectional antennas. In <FIG>, the antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are depicted as dielectrically loaded waveguide antennas, which are configured to radiate at the thin edge (e.g., top edge) of the communication device.

The antenna array elements in various locations may be directional or omnidirectional. Example directional antenna elements include without limitation a patch antenna, which is backed by a ground plane, and a dielectrically loaded rectangular waveguide antenna. Example omnidirectional antennas include without limitation monopole antennas, dipole antennas, slot antennas, and Yagi antennas. In some implementations, more than one antenna array in a projected geometry antenna array component device may include dielectrically loaded rectangular waveguide antennas. Such antennas may support different polarizations (e.g., horizontal and vertical) and be integrated into an advanced module ceramic packaging that accommodates the waveguide antennas and the mmWave front end circuitry that drives the antenna elements.

In one implementation, the dielectrically loaded rectangular waveguide antenna elements (antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) may be fabricated from ceramic with a dielectric constant of <NUM>, although other dielectric constant values may also be employed. Table <NUM> shows a selection of waveguide dimensions ('a' and 'b') for different values of dielectric loading in millimeter units.

Table <NUM> illustrates the positive size reductions of dielectrically loaded waveguides with different dielectric constants. The dimensions "a" and "b" for the air loaded waveguide (with a dielectric constant = <NUM>) represent the industry standard dimensions for a W28 waveguide, which is often used in <NUM> mmWave band products. As the dielectric constants increases, the dimensions can adjust accordingly (as shown in Table <NUM>, for example). As such, by dielectrically loading the waveguide antenna elements, a total thickness of about <NUM> can be achieved while operating in at least the n360 and n261 frequency sub-band ranges (i.e., centered at <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively). Other dimensions and frequency ranges of operations are also achievable.

A broadband waveguide launch technique is employed as a feed structure for each dielectrically loaded waveguide antenna (antenna array element). The antenna array element <NUM> is interconnected to the circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM> via a tap <NUM>, which generates/detects an RF signal in the waveguide <NUM>. The antenna array element <NUM> is interconnected to the circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM> via a tap <NUM>, which generates/detects an RF signal in the waveguide <NUM>. The antenna array element <NUM> is interconnected to the circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM> via a tap <NUM>, which generates/detects an RF signal in the waveguide <NUM>. The antenna array element <NUM> is interconnected to the circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM> via a tap <NUM>, which generates/detects an RF signal in the waveguide <NUM>. Each dielectrically loaded waveguide antenna radiates from an aperture at an end of the waveguide, such as the apertures at the top edge of the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>.

The circuitry component layer <NUM> includes beam steering circuitry (as described previously) to drive the antenna array elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The antenna component layer <NUM> includes an interconnection region between the circuitry component layer <NUM> and the individual antenna array elements to allow transmitting and receiving signals to be communicated between them. In one implementation, the interconnection region includes conductive interconnecting routes (not shown) in a multilayer substrate, such as a multi-layer low-temperature co-fired ceramic substrate or a multi-layer RF substrate, although other interconnection substrates may be employed. In another implementation, the interconnection region may include a waveguide connecting the beam steering circuitry to an array of radiating apertures in one or more surfaces in the antenna zone of the antenna component layer <NUM> (see, e.g., the portions of the waveguides in extending from the taps to the radiating apertures). In other implementations, conductive interconnecting routes and waveguides may be employed together.

If the antenna elements are all directional, then the configuration shown in <FIG> provides two directions of RF radiation (i.e., out the front of the bezel region of the communication device along the Z-axis and out the top of the edge of the communication device in the X-direction). The antenna arrays positioned at different surfaces are shown as interleaved, but such interleaving is not necessary for all implementations. Additional antenna arrays may be configured in other implementations, including directional and/or omnidirectional antenna elements.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> installed in a communication device <NUM> and having two antenna arrays, wherein one of the antenna arrays includes waveguide antenna elements. One antenna array includes an antenna element <NUM>, and the other antenna array includes an antenna element <NUM> (e.g., a radiating aperture of a dielectric-loaded waveguide antenna). In the illustrated implementation, the antenna element <NUM> and the other antenna element <NUM> are shown in the cross-sectional plane. In an alternative implementation, the antenna element <NUM> and the other antenna element <NUM> could be positioned so as not to overlap, in which case, they would not share the same cross-section plane.

The projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM>, as an integrated antenna array device, includes a circuitry component layer <NUM> and an antenna component layer <NUM>. The antenna component layer <NUM> includes an antenna array having one or more waveguides, e.g., a waveguide <NUM>. The waveguide <NUM> includes elongated dielectric material (e.g., ceramic) encased in conductive walls, terminating at the top edge of the antenna component layer <NUM> in a radiating aperture that operates as an antenna element <NUM>. The waveguide <NUM> is fed from a tap <NUM> connecting it to the beam steering circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM>. The antenna component layer <NUM> also includes an antenna array with the antenna element <NUM> (see, e.g., the patch antenna with a nearby ground plane formed from the conductive wall of the waveguide <NUM>). The patch antenna is fed from a conductive routing (not shown) connecting it to the beam steering circuitry in the circuitry component layer <NUM>. The antenna element <NUM> is shown as a directional antenna, but it could also be configured with an omnidirectional antenna in alternative implementations.

The communication device <NUM> includes a display cover glass <NUM>, which is RF transparent, as is the edge surface <NUM> and the back surface <NUM> of the communication device case. A display assembly <NUM> is positioned some distance from the top edge surface <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>, and this RF transparent distance defines the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. In contrast, the display assembly <NUM> is not RF transparent and, therefore, will block all or most of the RF radiation from passing through the display assembly <NUM> between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM>. Accordingly, all or more of the RF radiation may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>. By positioning the antenna zone of the projected geometry antenna array component device <NUM> within the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>, the directional RF radiation emitted from (and received by) the antenna element <NUM> may pass between the interior and exterior of the communication device <NUM> through cover glass <NUM> within the RF transparent bezel region <NUM>.

It should be understood that, subject to thickness constraints imposed by the design of the communication device <NUM>, a second antenna component layer may be positioned on the opposite side of the circuitry component layer <NUM> to provide directional RF radiation in the opposite direction of that from the antenna element <NUM>. Other configurations to provide multiple antenna arrays and supplemental RF radiation directions are contemplated as taught in the multiple implementations described herein.

<FIG> illustrates an example communication device <NUM> for implementing the features and operations of the described technology. The communication device <NUM> is may be a client device, such as a laptop, mobile device, desktop, tablet; a server/cloud device; an internet-of-things device; an electronic accessory; or another electronic device. The communication device <NUM> includes one or more processor(s) <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> generally includes both volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory). An operating system <NUM> resides in the memory <NUM> and is executed by the processor(s) <NUM>.

In an example communication device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, one or more modules or segments, such as communication software <NUM>, application modules, and other modules, are loaded into the operating system <NUM> on the memory <NUM> and/or storage <NUM> and executed by processor(s) <NUM>. The storage <NUM> may store communication parameters and other data and be local to the communication device <NUM> or may be remote and communicatively connected to the communication device <NUM>.

The communication device <NUM> includes a power supply <NUM>, which is powered by one or more batteries or other power sources and which provides power to other components of the communication device <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may also be connected to an external power source that overrides or recharges the built-in batteries or other power sources.

The communication device <NUM> may include one or more communication transceivers <NUM> which may be connected to one or more antenna(s) <NUM> to provide network connectivity (e.g., mobile phone network, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®) to one or more other servers and/or client devices (e.g., mobile devices, desktop computers, or laptop computers). The communication device <NUM> may further include a network adapter <NUM>, which is a type of communication device. The communication device <NUM> may use the adapter and any other types of communication devices for establishing connections over a wide-area network (WAN) or local-area network (LAN). It should be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and that other communication devices and means for establishing a communications link between the communication device <NUM> and other devices may be used.

The communication device <NUM> may include one or more input devices <NUM> such that a user may enter commands and information (e.g., a keyboard or mouse). These and other input devices may be coupled to the server by one or more interfaces <NUM>, such as a serial port interface, parallel port, or universal serial bus (USB). The communication device <NUM> may further include a display <NUM>, such as a touch screen display.

The communication device <NUM> may include a variety of tangible processor-readable storage media and intangible processor-readable communication signals. Tangible processor-readable storage can be embodied by any available media that can be accessed by the communication device <NUM> and includes both volatile and nonvolatile storage media, removable and non-removable storage media. Tangible processor-readable storage media excludes intangible communications signals and includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable storage media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as processor-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Tangible processor-readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other tangible medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the communication device <NUM>. In contrast to tangible processor-readable storage media, intangible processor-readable communication signals may embody processor-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data resident in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other signal transport mechanism. By way of example, and not limitation, intangible communication signals include signals traveling through wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of a particular described technology.

Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Claim 1:
An integrated antenna array device (<NUM>) comprising:
a circuitry component layer (<NUM>) having bounds defining a circuitry zone, the circuitry component layer (<NUM>) including beam steering circuitry; and
an antenna component layer (<NUM>) affixed to the circuitry component layer (<NUM>) in the circuitry zone, the antenna component layer (<NUM>) including a radiating region and an interconnecting region, the radiating region being outside the circuitry zone and including one or more antenna arrays having radiating antenna elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the interconnecting region being substantially defined within the circuitry zone and interconnecting the beam steering circuitry with the radiating antenna elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the interconnecting region includes a waveguide at least partially contained in the interconnecting region, wherein at least one of the radiating antenna elements includes a radiating aperture of the waveguide in the radiating region.