Patent Description:
The <NUM> communication system is considered to be implemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., <NUM> or <NUM> bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates.

In the <NUM> system, Hybrid FSK and QAM Modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi carrier(FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access(NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology have been developed.

The concept of Massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) is aimed at improving the coverage and spectral efficiency of the next generation of telecommunication systems. In the next generation of telecommunication systems, users are dedicated with one or multiple spatial directions for the intended communication purposes. Massive MIMO-based systems generate multiple beams and form beams subjectively for a user or a group of users in order to increase the desired radiation efficiency. Some massive MIMO antenna systems have a large number of antenna elements. Therefore, the overall system's performance relies on the performance of individual elements which have a high gain and a reasonably small structure compared to the wavelength at the operating frequency. The operating frequency can range from <NUM>-<NUM> and/or <NUM>-<NUM>.

Because of the design frequency and resulting wavelength, difficulties arise in designing an antenna element with a gain of equal or better than ~<NUM> dB and a wideband radiation over a range of <NUM>-<NUM> while maintaining a simple and cost-effective overall antenna structure that can be mass-produced. <CIT> relates to a small microwave low-band multi-frequency high-gain dual-polarized microstrip antenna. <CIT> relates to a broadband low-beam-coupling dual-beam phased array.

In this disclosure, the terms antenna module, antenna array, beam, and beam steering are frequently used. An antenna module may include one or more arrays. One antenna array may include one or more antenna elements. Each antenna element may be able to provide one or more polarizations, for example vertical polarization, horizontal polarization or both vertical and horizontal polarizations simultaneously. Simultaneous vertical and horizontal polarizations can be refracted to an orthogonally polarized antenna. An antenna module radiates the accepted energy in a particular direction with a gain concentration. The radiation of energy in the particular direction is conceptually known as a beam. A beam may be a radiation pattern from one or more antenna elements or one or more antenna arrays.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout the present disclosure.

Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughout the present disclosure.

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:.

<FIG>, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system.

Therefore, the <NUM> or pre-<NUM> communication system is also called a "beyond <NUM> network" or a "post LTE system.

The <NUM> communication system is considered to be implemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands and sub-<NUM> bands, e.g., <NUM> bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates. To decrease propagation loss of the radio waves and increase the transmission coverage, the beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, an analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques and the like are discussed in <NUM> communication systems.

In addition, in <NUM> communication systems, development for system network improvement is under way based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul communication, moving network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP) transmission and reception, interference mitigation and cancellation and the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the wireless network <NUM> includes a gNB <NUM>, a gNB <NUM>, and a gNB <NUM>. The gNB <NUM> communicates with the gNB <NUM> and the gNB <NUM>. The gNB <NUM> also communicates with at least one network <NUM>, such as the Internet, a proprietary Internet Protocol (IP) network, or other data network.

The gNB <NUM> provides wireless broadband access to the network <NUM> for a first plurality of UEs within a coverage area <NUM> of the gNB <NUM>. The first plurality of UEs includes a UE <NUM>, which may be located in a small business (SB); a UE <NUM>, which may be located in an enterprise (E); a UE <NUM>, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); a UE <NUM>, which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE <NUM>, which may be located in a second residence (R); and a UE <NUM>, which may be a mobile device (M), such as a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA, or the like. The gNB <NUM> provides wireless broadband access to the network <NUM> for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area <NUM> of the gNB <NUM>. The second plurality of UEs includes the UE <NUM> and the UE <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more of the gNBs <NUM>-<NUM> may communicate with each other and with the UEs <NUM>-<NUM> using <NUM>, LTE, LTE-A, WiMAX, WiFi, or other wireless communication techniques.

Depending on the network type, the term "base station" or "BS" can refer to any component (or collection of components) configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as transmit point (TP), transmit-receive point (TRP), an enhanced base station (eNodeB or gNB), a <NUM> base station (gNB), a macrocell, a femtocell, a WiFi access point (AP), or other wirelessly enabled devices. Base stations may provide wireless access in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols, e.g., <NUM> <NUM>rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) new radio interface/access (NR), long term evolution (LTE) , LTE advanced (LTE-A) , high speed packet access (HSPA), Wi-Fi <NUM>. 11a/b/g/n/ac, etc. For the sake of convenience, the terms "BS" and "TRP" are used interchangeably in the present disclosure to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Also, depending on the network type, the term "user equipment" or "UE" can refer to any component such as "mobile station," "subscriber station," "remote terminal," "wireless terminal," "receive point," or "user device. " For the sake of convenience, the terms "user equipment" and "UE" are used in the present disclosure to refer to remote wireless equipment that wirelessly accesses a BS, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile telephone or smartphone) or is normally considered a stationary device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine).

As shown in <FIG>, the gNB <NUM> includes multiple antennas 205a-205n, multiple radiofrequency (RF) transceivers 210a-210n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry <NUM>, and receive (RX) processing circuitry <NUM>. In various embodiments, the antennas 205a-205n may be a high gain and large bandwidth antenna that may be designed based on a concept of multiple resonance modes and may incorporate a stacked or multiple patch antenna scheme. For example, in various embodiments, each of the multiple antennas 205a-205n can include one or more antenna panels that includes one or more unit cells (e.g., the unit cell <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> or the unit cell <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>).

The controller/processor <NUM> can include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB <NUM>. For example, the controller/processor <NUM> could control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceivers 210a-210n, the RX processing circuitry <NUM>, and the TX processing circuitry <NUM> in accordance with well-known principles. The controller/processor <NUM> could support additional functions as well, such as more advanced wireless communication functions. For instance, the controller/processor <NUM> could support beam forming or directional routing operations in which outgoing/incoming signals from/to multiple antennas 205a-205n are weighted differently to effectively steer the outgoing signals in a desired direction. Any of a wide variety of other functions could be supported in the gNB <NUM> by the controller/processor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, an antenna comprises at least one unit cell. The at least one unit cell comprises a flap layer including a plurality of flaps, a feed network positioned below the flap layer, the feed network including a plurality of feed lines, each of the plurality of feed lines including an excitation port and a transmission line, and a patch having a quadrilateral shape, the patch positioned above flap layer such that an air gap is present between the patch and the flap layer.

In some embodiments, the antenna further comprises a plurality of slots positioned between the flap layer and the feed network. Each of the transmission lines extends past one of the plurality of slots and has an end point between opposing ones of the plurality of slots.

In some embodiments, a cavity is formed by the plurality of flaps in the flap layer above a layer for the feed network, the flap layer is a layer of electromagnetic material with the plurality of flaps machined therefrom, and the plurality of flaps include four flaps positioned around the cavity.

In some embodiments, the antenna further comprises an antenna panel. The at least one unit cell comprises a plurality of unit cells positioned adjacent to each other in the antenna panel at an approximately forty-five degree angle relative to each other.

In some embodiments, the flap layer is formed on one side of a substrate and the feed network is formed on the other side of the substrate, and the plurality of flaps and the transmission lines are formed from one or more electromagnetic materials.

In some embodiments, the antenna further comprises an antenna panel. The at least one unit cell comprises a plurality of unit cells positioned adjacent to each other in the antenna panel.

In some embodiments, the patch includes a slit in each corner of the patch.

In some embodiments, the at least one unit cell comprises two unit cells forming a sub-array, the unit cells in the sub-array sharing a common feed network.

In some embodiments, the sub-array includes an orthogonal polarization with difference of +<NUM> and -<NUM> degrees; and the difference is introduced via the common feed network.

In some embodiments, the antenna further comprises an antenna panel including a plurality of sub-arrays, each of the sub-arrays including two unit cells sharing a common feed network.

In some embodiments, the feed network is an asymmetric stripline feed network.

In some embodiments, the antenna further comprises a plurality of pins, each pin connected to the excitation port of one of the plurality of feed lines and connected to the asymmetric stripline feed network.

According to various embodiments, the base station comprises an antenna including at least one unit cell. The at least one unit cell comprises a flap layer including a plurality of flaps arranged around a void, a feed network positioned below the flap layer, the feed network including a plurality of feed lines, each of the plurality of feed lines including an excitation port and a transmission line, and a patch having a quadrilateral shape, the patch positioned above the void in the flap layer such that an air gap is present between the patch and the flap layer. The base station comprises a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via the antenna and a controller configured to control the transceiver to transmit and receive the signals.

In some embodiments, the at least one unit cell further includes a plurality of slots positioned between the flap layer and the feed network. Each of the transmission lines extends past one of the plurality of slots and has an end point between opposing ones of the plurality of slots.

In some embodiments, the sub-array includes an orthogonal polarization with difference of +<NUM> and -<NUM> degrees and the difference is introduced via the common feed network.

In some embodiments, the antenna further comprises a plurality of pins, each pin connected to the excitation port of one of the plurality of feed lines and connected to the feed network.

<FIG> illustrate a unit cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of a unit cell <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a cut through view of the unit cell <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an exploded view of the unit cell <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrate one example of the unit cell <NUM>, various changes can be made to the unit cell <NUM>. For example, various components in <FIG> could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added.

The unit cell <NUM> can include a first layer including a patch <NUM>, a flap layer <NUM> including a plurality of flaps <NUM>, a layer including a plurality of slots <NUM>, and a substrate layer <NUM> that includes a feed network <NUM>. The flap layer <NUM> includes a plurality of flaps <NUM>. The unit cell <NUM> can be arranged on an antenna panel that is included in any one of the antennas 205a-205n.

The first layer including the patch <NUM> is the top layer of the unit cell <NUM>. The patch <NUM> can be a quadrilateral shape and include slits <NUM> in each corner of the patch <NUM>. For example, the patch <NUM> can be structured in the shape of a square or rectangle and include a slit <NUM> at each corner. In other embodiments, the patch <NUM> can be a circular shape and include four slits <NUM>. For example, the four slits <NUM> can each be located ninety degrees apart. In some embodiments, the patch <NUM> can be a dielectric material in a layer of electromagnetic (EM) material such that EM radiation can pass through the dielectric material. Even though the present disclose describes a quadrilateral shape as an example of the shape of the path antenna, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Some embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to the patch antenna having an any type of a polygon (e.g., triangle, hexagon).

The first layer including the patch <NUM> can be arranged directly on top of the flap layer <NUM>. The patch <NUM> is the main radiation element of the unit cell <NUM>. The slits <NUM> can be used to widen the bandwidth of the unit cell <NUM>.

The flap layer <NUM> is arranged under the patch <NUM>. The flap layer <NUM> comprises a plurality of flaps <NUM> that form a cavity <NUM>. In this embodiment, the flap layer <NUM> is a layer of EM material (e.g., a metal or other EM material) from which the plurality of flaps <NUM> is machined. The plurality of flaps <NUM> of the flap layer <NUM> are machined from (or otherwise formed in) a layer of any suitable EM material. In this embodiment, the plurality of flaps <NUM> include four flaps that are positioned around the cavity <NUM>.

The cavity <NUM> is created when the plurality of flaps <NUM> are machined from the flap layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cavity <NUM> may be filled with a dielectric material, and thus may be considered to be a cavity of EM material in that no EM material is present in the cavity. In other embodiments, the cavity <NUM> can be filled with air and represent an absence of the EM material in the flap layer <NUM>. Additionally, as illustrated in <FIG>, an air gap <NUM> is present between the layer including the patch <NUM> and the flap layer <NUM>.

The feed network <NUM> includes a plurality of feed lines <NUM>. Each of the plurality of feed lines <NUM> includes an excitation port <NUM> and a transmission line <NUM>. The excitation port <NUM> receives power from a power source to power the unit cell <NUM>. The transmission line <NUM> extends from the excitation port and has an end point below (when assembled) the cavity <NUM> created by the plurality of flaps <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the plurality of feed lines <NUM> can be included in a common feed network that comprises the feed networks <NUM> of multiple unit cells <NUM>. The feed network <NUM> can be implemented using any suitable techniques, such as a series feeding network, a corporate feeding network, a strip line feeding network, an asymmetric strip line, or an uneven strip line feeding network. The plurality of feed lines <NUM> can comprise one or more EM materials. For example, the plurality of feed lines <NUM> can be machined from any suitable EM material. Each of the plurality of feed lines <NUM> can be deposited onto the substrate layer <NUM>.

For example, the excitation of a unit cell <NUM> can be realized by using an asymmetric strip line. A strip line can be formed by sandwiching metallic transmission lines between two grounded dielectric substrates, such as dielectric slabs, where the substrates are in touch with the transmission lines and the ground planes of the substrates are at the exterior. When one of the substrates is replaced with air, the strip line structure becomes asymmetric in comparison to the counterpart strip line. The structure of the asymmetric strip line can be adopted into the structure of the unit cell <NUM> to provide excitation and unidirection radiation by the plurality of slots <NUM>.

The substrate layer <NUM> can be constructed of any suitable material for a massive MIMO antenna. For example, the substrate layer <NUM> can be constructed using FR4, a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material. In some embodiments, the flap layer <NUM> can be deposited onto one side of the substrate layer <NUM> and the feed network <NUM> can be deposited onto the opposite side of the substrate layer <NUM>.

The unit cell <NUM> also includes a plurality of slots <NUM>. In these embodiments, the plurality of slots <NUM> are formed by the absence of EM material in a layer of EM material positioned between the substrate layer <NUM> and the flap layer <NUM>. The plurality of slots <NUM> can be machined out of the layer of EM material that is on top of the substrate layer <NUM>. When assembled, each of the transmission lines <NUM> extend past one of the plurality of slots <NUM> and end between opposing ones of the plurality of slots <NUM>. The layer of EM material for the slots <NUM> can be metal or any other material that is a suitable conductor. The plurality of slots <NUM> is structured to allow EM energy to pass through the EM layer of material toward the patch <NUM>. In some embodiments, the plurality of slots <NUM> can be present on one side of the substrate layer <NUM> and the feed network <NUM> can be deposited onto the opposite side of the substrate layer <NUM>.

In this illustrative example, the plurality of slots <NUM> can include four separate slots <NUM>. The four slots <NUM> can include a first set including two slots <NUM> arranged substantially parallel to each other and a second set including two slots <NUM> arranged substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first set of slots <NUM>. Each transmission line <NUM> can be associated with a separate slot <NUM>. Each transmission line <NUM> can extend past one of the plurality of slots <NUM> and have an end point between opposing ones of the plurality of slots <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the unit cell <NUM> can include a plurality of pins <NUM>, each of which is connected to the bottom of the excitation port of one of the plurality of feed lines <NUM> and connected to the feed network <NUM>. Each of the plurality of pins <NUM> may a coaxial cable and supply EM energy in the form of a modulated electrical current to the unit cell <NUM>. The plurality of pins <NUM> is the point of excitation of the unit cell <NUM>.

The structure of the unit cell <NUM> has a variety of advantages. In some embodiments, the unit cell <NUM> can be assembled without soldering, resulting in a cost-effective and less time consuming assembly. In some embodiments, the unit cell <NUM> can achieve a bandwidth of approximately <NUM> (<NUM>) without sacrificing gain as a result of coupling the slits <NUM> with the spaces between the edge pieces of the flap layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the unit cell <NUM> utilizes strip-line feeding or asymmetric strip line feeding resulting in low mutual coupling. In some embodiments, the strip line feeding or asymmetric strip line feeding structure can include a filter.

Although described herein as a single unit comprising a variety of layers, this description is for illustration only. In some embodiments, each of the layers described herein can include a plurality of components for multiple unit cells <NUM>. For example, the layer including the patch <NUM> can include a layer including a plurality of patches <NUM>. The flap layer <NUM> including a plurality of flaps <NUM> can include more than one plurality of flaps <NUM>. The substrate layer <NUM> can include multiple feed networks <NUM>. When each of the layers described are arranged in a specific arrangement, for example in the arrangement described in <FIG>, an antenna panel may be created that includes a plurality of unit cells <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an antenna panel including a plurality of unit cells in a staggered arrangement according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a cut through view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an exploded view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, each of the unit cells <NUM> can be one of the unit cells <NUM>.

The antenna panel <NUM> includes a plurality of unit cells <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the antenna panel <NUM> can include eight unit cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can include more or less than eight unit cells <NUM>. The antenna panel <NUM> can be included in an antenna, for example in any one of the antennas 205a-205n.

The antenna panel <NUM> can be comprised of multiple layers described in <FIG>. In particular, <FIG> illustrates the multiple layers with components of lower layers illustrated in dashed-lines for the ease of understanding of the structure of the antenna panel <NUM>. For example, the antenna panel <NUM> can include a first layer <NUM> including a plurality of patches <NUM>, a second layer <NUM> including multiple pluralities of flaps <NUM> and multiple cavities <NUM>, and a third layer <NUM> including a plurality of feed networks <NUM>. The antenna panel can include an air gap <NUM> between the second layer <NUM> and the third layer <NUM>. Each unit cell <NUM> in the antenna panel <NUM> can include a patch <NUM>, plurality of flaps <NUM>, and a feed network <NUM>. The patch <NUM> can be the patch <NUM>. The plurality of flaps <NUM> can be the plurality of flaps <NUM>. The feed network <NUM> can be the feed network <NUM>.

The unit cells <NUM> can be positioned adjacent to each other in the antenna panel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the unit cells <NUM> can be arranged into four sub-arrays <NUM>. Each sub-array <NUM> can includes two unit cells <NUM>. The two unit cells <NUM> included in the sub-array <NUM> can be arranged in a 1x2 arrangement at an approximately forty-five degree angle relative to one another. As discussed in greater detail below, in some embodiments, the two unit cells <NUM> in the sub-array <NUM> can include a common feed network <NUM>. The common feed network <NUM> can include the feed networks <NUM> of each of the unit cells <NUM>.

The structure of a plurality of unit cells <NUM> arranged in sub-arrays <NUM> can increase performance of the antenna panel <NUM>. Arranging the unit cells <NUM> with sub-arrays <NUM> in a staggered arrangement can result in a more efficient common feed network <NUM> that allows the antenna panel <NUM> to achieve an overall improved radiation performance over a desired frequency band and moderate gain characteristics. The arrangement of the antenna panel <NUM> utilizing plurality of unit cells <NUM> can result in a gain of approximately <NUM> dB. The arrangement of the sub-arrays <NUM> on the antenna panel <NUM> can result in a gain of approximately <NUM> dB and provide wideband radiation over a range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

The common feed network <NUM> can include an excitation port and a transmission line that feeds both unit cells <NUM> in the sub-array <NUM>. The common feed network <NUM> is described in greater detail in the description of <FIG> and <FIG> below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the antenna panel <NUM> includes eight unit cells <NUM> arranged in a staggered configuration. For example, the unit cells <NUM> are positioned in the antenna panel <NUM> in a 2x4 arrangement with a <NUM> degree offset relative to each other. Although the unit cells <NUM> are shown in a 2x4 arrangement with a <NUM> degree offset relative to each other, this arrangement is for illustration only. Other embodiments are possible. For example, the antenna panel <NUM> can include sixteen unit cells <NUM> arranged in a 4x4 arrangement with a <NUM> degree offset relative to each other. In other embodiments, any number of unit cells <NUM> in any arrangement may be suitably used.

In some embodiments, although the feed networks <NUM> are incorporated into the common feed network <NUM> that feeds both unit cells <NUM> of the sub-array <NUM>, the unit cells <NUM> can retain isolated polarizations. For example, the common feed network <NUM> can support a staggered arrangement of the unit cells <NUM>, resulting in a polarization difference between the two unit cells <NUM>. The polarization difference is introduced to each of the unit cells <NUM> by the common feed network <NUM>. By feeding each of the feed networks <NUM> of both unit cells <NUM> of the sub-array <NUM> and retaining isolated polarizations, an associated RF circuit can provide a single differential feed for a subjective polarization by the common feed network <NUM>. In various embodiments, each of the sub-arrays <NUM> can incorporate any suitable arrangement of feed networks, such as a series feeding network, a corporate feeding network, or a strip line feeding network. The common feed network <NUM> is used to optimize the beam-steering capability of the beams produced by the antenna panel <NUM>.

The staggered configuration of the unit cells <NUM> in the sub-arrays <NUM> has several advantages. For example, in some embodiments, the staggered configuration may improve the side lobe level and beam steering performance of the beams transmitted from the antenna <NUM>. In some embodiments, the staggered configuration may reduce cross-polarization radiation, improving the efficiency of the beams transmitted from the antenna <NUM>. For example, the sub-arrays <NUM> can include a cross-polarization rejection ratio of <NUM> dB. The staggered configuration may further results in low-scan loss.

In some embodiments, the staggered configuration of the unit cells <NUM> provides an opportunity for the unit cells <NUM> of the sub-arrays <NUM> to also be coupled with unit cells <NUM> of different sub-arrays <NUM>. For example, a sub-array <NUM> can include two unit cells 405a and 405b. The single unit cell 405a in the staggered configuration can be coupled with an adjacent unit cell 405c that is not included in the same sub-array <NUM> as the unit cell 405a. The single unit cell 405a can be observed to have a coupling of, for example, approximately -<NUM> dB with the unit cell 405c at a frequency of <NUM>. In addition, the unit cell 405a can be observed to have a coupling of, for example, approximately -<NUM> dB with another unit cell <NUM> adjacent to the unit cell 405a at a frequency of <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the unit cells <NUM> are not arranged into sub-arrays <NUM>. Arranging the unit cells <NUM> in a staggered arrangement but without arranging the unit cells <NUM> into sub-arrays can result in various advantages. For example, the bandwidth of the antenna panel <NUM> can be improved and measured up to and including <NUM>. The efficiency of the controlled-beam may be enhanced while reducing the complexity of the overall antenna system.

<FIG> illustrate an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a bottom perspective view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, each of the unit cells <NUM> can be one of the unit cells <NUM> or unit cells <NUM>.

The antenna panel <NUM> includes a plurality of unit cells <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the antenna panel <NUM> can include eight unit cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can include more or less than eight unit cells <NUM>. The antenna panel <NUM> can be included in an antenna, for example in any one of the antennas 205a-205n. The antenna panel <NUM> can include the multiple layers described in <FIG>. In particular, similarly to <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates the multiple layers with components of lower layers illustrated in dashed-lines for the ease of understanding of the overall structure of the antenna panel <NUM>. For example, the antenna panel <NUM> can include a first layer <NUM>, a second layer <NUM>, and a third layer <NUM>. The first layer <NUM> can have the same structure as the first layer <NUM>, the second layer <NUM> can have the same structure as the second layer <NUM>, and the third layer <NUM> can have the same structure as the third layer <NUM>.

The unit cells <NUM> can be positioned adjacent to each other in the antenna panel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the unit cells <NUM> can be arranged into four sub-arrays <NUM>. Each sub-array <NUM> includes two unit cells <NUM>. The two unit cells <NUM> included in the sub-array <NUM> can be arranged in a 1x2 arrangement side by side one another. The two unit cells <NUM> in the sub-array <NUM> can include a common feed network <NUM>. The common feed network <NUM> can include the feed networks <NUM> of each of the unit cells <NUM>.

Each of the feed networks <NUM> can include the same structure as the feed network <NUM>. For example, each of the feed networks <NUM> includes transmission lines <NUM> and an excitation port <NUM>.

The common feed network <NUM> includes an excitation port and a transmission line that feeds both unit cells <NUM> in the sub-array <NUM>. The common feed network <NUM> is described in greater detail in the description of <FIG> and <FIG> below.

The antenna panel <NUM> can include eight unit cells <NUM> arranged in a side by side configuration. For example, the unit cells <NUM> are positioned in the antenna panel <NUM> in a 2x4 arrangement side by side with each other. Although the unit cells <NUM> are shown in a 2x4 arrangement, this arrangement is for illustration only. Other embodiments are possible. For example, the antenna panel <NUM> can include sixteen unit cells <NUM> arranged in a 4x4 arrangement. In other embodiments, any number of unit cells <NUM> in any arrangement may be suitably used.

In some embodiments, the structure of a plurality of unit cells <NUM> arranged in sub-arrays <NUM> can increase performance of the antenna panel <NUM>. Arranging the unit cells <NUM> with sub-arrays <NUM> in this arrangement results in a more efficient common feed network <NUM> that allows the antenna panel <NUM> to achieve an overall improved radiation performance over a desired frequency band and moderate gain characteristics. In some embodiments, the arrangement of the sub-arrays <NUM> in the antenna panel <NUM> can result in a gain of equal to or greater than <NUM> dB and provide wideband radiation over a range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

In some embodiments, although the feed networks are incorporated into the common feed network <NUM> that feeds both unit cells <NUM> of the sub-array <NUM>, the unit cells <NUM> can retain isolated polarizations. For example, the common feed network <NUM> can support a staggered arrangement of the unit cells <NUM>, resulting in a polarization difference between the two unit cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sub-array includes a polarization difference of +<NUM> and -<NUM> degrees. The polarization difference is introduced to each of the unit cells <NUM> by the common feed network <NUM>. By feeding each of the feed networks <NUM> of both unit cells <NUM> of the sub-array <NUM> and retaining isolated polarizations, the associated RF circuit can provide a single differential feed for a subjective polarization by the common feed network <NUM>. In various embodiments, each of the sub-arrays <NUM> can incorporate any suitable feed network, such as a series feeding network, a corporate feeding network, or a strip line feeding network. The common feed network <NUM> is used to optimize the beam-steering capability of the beams produced by the antenna panel <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can achieve close to <NUM> measured input impedance bandwidth using the sub-array <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the feed network <NUM> can be deposited onto one side of the third layer <NUM> and the slots <NUM> can be present on the opposite side of the third layer <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a sub-array <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The sub-array <NUM> includes two unit cells <NUM> included in an antenna panel <NUM>. In various embodiments, the unit cells <NUM> can be any one of the unit cell <NUM>, the unit cell <NUM>, or the unit cell <NUM>. In various embodiments, the sub-array <NUM> can be the sub-array <NUM> or the sub-array <NUM>. In various embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can be the antenna panel <NUM> or the antenna panel <NUM>.

The sub-array <NUM> includes two unit cells <NUM> arranged in the antenna panel <NUM>. Each of the two unit cells <NUM> include an individual feed network <NUM> and share a common feed network <NUM>. Each of the individual feed networks <NUM> include two excitation ports <NUM>. Each of the two excitation ports <NUM> are connected to a transmission line <NUM>.

The common feed network <NUM> is a feed network that feeds each of the unit cells <NUM> in the sub-array <NUM>. The common feed network <NUM> includes two excitation ports <NUM>. Each of the two excitation ports <NUM> are connected to a transmission line <NUM> that connects to each of the unit cells <NUM>. For example, the excitation port 632a includes a transmission line 634a that connects to both the unit cell 605a and the unit cell 605b. The excitation port 632b includes a transmission line 634b that connects to both the unit cell 605a and the unit cell 605b.

The transmission lines <NUM> connect to each of the unit cells <NUM> in the same configuration. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the transmission line 634a connects to each of the unit cells 605a and 605b on the west portion of the unit cells <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the transmission line 634b connects to the each of the unit cells 605a and 605b on the east portion of the unit cells <NUM>. The terms "west" and "east" are for illustration only. Although illustrated in <FIG> as connecting to the west and east portions of the unit cells <NUM>, the transmission lines <NUM> can connect to the unit cells <NUM> in any configuration that includes the transmission line 634a connected to the analogous location of each of the unit cells <NUM> and the transmission line 634b connected to the analogous location of each of the unit cells <NUM> that is different from the connection point of the transmission line 634a.

Each unit cell <NUM> includes a plurality of slots <NUM>. The plurality of slots <NUM> can be the plurality of slots <NUM>. Each of the transmission lines <NUM> and <NUM> can extend past one of the plurality of slots <NUM> and have an end point between opposing ones of the plurality of slots <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the sub-array <NUM> arrangement can be utilized in the antenna panel <NUM> or the antenna panel <NUM>. The sub-array <NUM> arrangement can be utilized to improve the gain of the antenna panel <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the utilization of the sub-array <NUM> arrangement can result in a realized gain of approximately <NUM> dB.

<FIG> illustrates a sub-array <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The sub-array <NUM> includes two unit cells <NUM> arranged in an antenna panel <NUM>. In various embodiments, the unit cells <NUM> can be any one of the unit cell <NUM>, the unit cell <NUM>, or the unit cell <NUM>. In various embodiments, the sub-array <NUM> can be the sub-array <NUM> or the sub-array <NUM>. In various embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can be the antenna panel <NUM> or the antenna panel <NUM>.

The sub-array <NUM> includes two unit cells <NUM> arranged in the antenna panel <NUM>. Each of the two unit cells <NUM> include an individual feed network <NUM> and share a common feed network <NUM>. Each of the individual feed networks <NUM> include an excitation port <NUM>. Each of the excitation ports <NUM> are connected to a transmission line <NUM>. The two unit cells <NUM> also include a shared transmission line <NUM>. One end of the shared transmission line <NUM> ends at the unit cell 705a and the other end of the shared transmission line <NUM> ends at the unit cell 705b.

In these embodiments, the shared transmission line <NUM> introduces, within the sub-array <NUM>, a polarization difference of +<NUM> and -<NUM> degrees for the sub-array <NUM>, or a <NUM> degree polarization difference between the unit cells 705a and 705b. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shared transmission line <NUM> does not include an excitation port. However, other embodiments are possible. For example, the shared transmission line <NUM> can include a separate excitation port.

The common feed network <NUM> is a feed network that feeds each of the unit cells <NUM> in the sub-array <NUM>. The common feed network <NUM> includes an excitation port <NUM>. The excitation port <NUM> is connected to a transmission line <NUM> that connects to multiple locations of each unit cell <NUM>. For example, the transmission line <NUM> includes a first portion 734a that splits into two branches 734a-<NUM> and 734a-<NUM> and a second portion 734b that splits into two branches 734b-<NUM> and 734b-<NUM>. Branch 734a-<NUM> connects to the south portion of unit cell 705a and branch 734a-<NUM> connects to the south portion of unit cell 705b. Branch 734b-<NUM> connects to the north portion of unit cell 705a and branch 734b-<NUM> connects to the north portion of unit cell 705b. Although illustrated as connecting to the "south" and "north" portions of the unit cells <NUM>, the transmission line <NUM> can connect to the unit cells <NUM> in any configuration that includes the first portion 734a connecting to the analogous location of the each of the unit cells <NUM> and the second portion 734b connecting to the analogous location of each of the unit cells <NUM> that is different from the connection point of the first portion 734a.

The common feed network <NUM> allows each of the unit cells <NUM> to provide at least one of vertical, horizontal, or orthogonal polarizations through a proper excitation setting. The individual feed networks <NUM> can be associated with orthogonal polarizations. The orthogonal polarizations are highly isolated resulting in a desired cross polarization rejection ratio. In a sub-array <NUM> including two or more unit cells <NUM>, the individual feed networks <NUM> of each of the unit cells <NUM> can be linked together to form the common feed network <NUM> for a particular polarization orientation. For example, the individual feed networks <NUM> of each of the unit cells <NUM> can be linked together to form the common feed network <NUM> for an orthogonal polarization.

Each unit cell <NUM> includes a plurality of slots <NUM>. The plurality of slots <NUM> can be the plurality of slots <NUM>. Each of the transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can extend past one of the plurality of slots <NUM> and have an end point between opposing ones of the plurality of slots <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the sub-array <NUM> arrangement can be utilized in the antenna panel <NUM> or the antenna panel <NUM>. The sub-array <NUM> arrangement can be utilized to improve the gain of the antenna panel <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the utilization of the sub-array <NUM> arrangement can result in a cross-polarization rejection ratio of <NUM> dB.

<FIG> illustrate a unit cell <NUM> according to various examples of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of a unit cell <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a cut through view of a unit cell <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an exploded view of a unit cell <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrate one example of a unit cell <NUM>, various changes may be made to <FIG>. Various components in <FIG> could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs.

The unit cell <NUM> can include three layers. The unit cell <NUM> includes a first layer including a top circular patch <NUM>, a second layer including a bottom square patch <NUM>, and third layer <NUM> that includes a feed network <NUM>.

The unit cell <NUM> can be arranged in an antenna panel that is included in any one of the antennas 205a-205n. The bottom square patch <NUM> includes supports <NUM> to maintain the second layer including the bottom square patch <NUM> a distance above the third layer <NUM>. The top circular patch <NUM> includes legs <NUM> to maintain the first layer including the top circular patch <NUM> in a position above the second layer including the bottom square patch <NUM> in relation to the third layer <NUM>.

The top circular patch <NUM> can be placed on the bottom side of a first dielectric sheet or replace a portion of the first dielectric sheet that has been removed. The bottom square patch <NUM> can be placed on the bottom side of a second dielectric sheet or replace a portion of the second dielectric sheet that has been removed. The first and second dielectric sheets can comprise the same material. For example, the first and second dielectric sheets can be <NUM> thick Rogers <NUM> and include a permittivity of <NUM> and a loss-tangent of <NUM>. The second layer including the bottom square patch <NUM> can be held a first distance above the third layer <NUM> by the supports <NUM>. For example, the first distance can be <NUM>. The first layer including the top circular patch <NUM> can be held a second distance above the third layer <NUM> by the legs <NUM>. For example, the second distance can be <NUM>. The feed network <NUM> can be located on the third layer <NUM>. For example, the feed network <NUM> can be machined or deposited onto the third layer <NUM>.

The feed network <NUM> includes vertical feeds 830a and horizontal feeds 830b. The vertical feeds 830a transfer a current that is received on the feed network <NUM> vertically through the unit cell <NUM>. Each of the vertical feeds 830a is surrounded by a pin <NUM>. The pins <NUM> stabilize the vertical feed 830a and are connected to the excitation port of the feed network <NUM>. In some embodiments, the pins <NUM> can additionally maintain proper spacing between the layer including the bottom square patch <NUM> and the third layer <NUM>. The horizontal feeds 830b transfer the current horizontally through the unit cell <NUM>.

The feed network <NUM> can comprise a built-in <NUM>° hybrid. The feed network <NUM> provides the differential excitation to the top circular patch <NUM> and the bottom square patch <NUM> as an approach to improve the cross-polarization rejection ratio. In some embodiments, the cross-polarization can be independent of the observation angle.

The unit cell <NUM> can be used in a characteristic mode based antenna design (CMA). In some embodiments, the unit cell <NUM> can be used in an antenna benefitting the concept of CMA that utilizes stacked or multiple antennas to improve the radiated gain of the antenna. For example, the antenna can be a Yagi-Uda antenna. The use of stacked or multiple antennas can increase the bandwidth of the antenna. Various embodiments of the present disclosure combine the use of CMAs and multiple resonator antennas to increase the bandwidth while achieving a high gain.

<FIG> illustrate an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells according to various examples of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a cut-through view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an exploded view of an antenna panel <NUM> including unit cells <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, each of the unit cells <NUM> can be one of the unit cells <NUM>.

The antenna panel <NUM> includes a plurality of unit cells <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the antenna panel <NUM> can include eight unit cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can include more or less than eight unit cells <NUM>. The antenna panel <NUM> can be in an antenna, for example in any one of the antennas 205a-205n.

The antenna panel <NUM> can be comprised of multiple layers described in the description of the unit cell <NUM> in <FIG>. For example, the antenna panel <NUM> can include a first layer <NUM> including a plurality of top circular patches <NUM>, a second layer <NUM> including multiple bottom square patches <NUM>, and a third layer <NUM> including a plurality of feed networks <NUM>. Each unit cell <NUM> in the antenna panel <NUM> can include a top circular patch <NUM>, a bottom square patch <NUM>, and a feed network <NUM>.

The unit cells <NUM> can be positioned in the antenna panel <NUM> in any suitable arrangement. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the unit cells <NUM> can be positioned in a staggered arrangement in which the unit cells <NUM> are arranged in a 2x4 arrangement with a <NUM> degree offset relative to each other. In another embodiment, the unit cells <NUM> can be arranged in a 2x4 arrangement with no offset. Some embodiments of the antenna panel <NUM> can include more than eight unit cells <NUM>. For example, if the antenna panel <NUM> includes sixteen unit cells <NUM> then the unit cells <NUM> can be arranged in 4x4 or 2x8 arrangements.

In some embodiments, the unit cells <NUM> can be arranged in a sub-array <NUM>. The sub-array <NUM> can include two unit cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sub-array <NUM> can include a common feed network <NUM> that that allows the antenna panel <NUM> to achieve an overall wideband radiation performance over a desired frequency band and moderate gain characteristics.

In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can achieve a measured, radiated gain of greater than <NUM> dB. In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can achieve a cross-polarization rejection ration (CPRR) of greater than <NUM> dB. In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can achieve a measured return loss (RL) of greater than <NUM> dB. In some embodiments, the sub-arrays <NUM> of the antenna panel <NUM> can achieve a measured, port-to-port isolation of greater than <NUM> dB. In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can achieve a measured in-plane of greater than <NUM> dB. In some embodiments, the antenna <NUM> can achieve a measured cross-coupling of greater than <NUM> dB. In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM> can achieve a measured bandwidth (BW) of <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the antenna panel <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, results in various advantages when used, for example, in massive MIMO antenna arrays. The antenna panel <NUM> is a modular, cost-effective design that can be produced with relative ease. The antenna panel <NUM> includes a built-in differential feed network and backplane excitation, the structure of which results in an antenna panel <NUM> that can be integrated relatively easily. Structurally, the antenna <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> is stable and durable, while maintaining a light weight for ease in integration into an antenna array.

In some embodiments, the gradual progression of the phase of the electromagnetic waves is the result of the progression of a phase shift in the feed networks of the antenna panel. For example, the beam can be steered by manipulating the cross-polarization of the feed networks by using the RF currents received through the excitation ports.

Although the present disclosure has described an antenna equipped in a base station as an example, it is for convenience of description, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The antenna according to the various embodiments of the disclosure can be equipped a user equipment, a TRP, a remote radio head (RRH), a digital unit (DU), an access unit (AU), or any device that performs the multi-antenna communications.

Claim 1:
An antenna comprising:
at least one unit cell (<NUM>), the at least one unit cell (<NUM>) comprising:
a substrate layer (<NUM>),
a flap layer (<NUM>) including a plurality of flaps (<NUM>) forming a cavity (<NUM>), disposed onto one side of the substrate layer (<NUM>), wherein each of the plurality of flaps (<NUM>) is positioned between a corner of the flap layer (<NUM>) and the cavity (<NUM>), the flap layer (<NUM>) is a layer of electromagnetic material with the plurality of flaps (<NUM>) machined therefrom, and the plurality of flaps (<NUM>) include four flaps positioned around the cavity (<NUM>),
a feed network (<NUM>) disposed onto another side of the substrate layer (<NUM>), the feed network (<NUM>) including a plurality of feed lines, each of the plurality of feed lines including an excitation port and a transmission line,
a patch (<NUM>) having a quadrilateral shape, the patch (<NUM>) positioned above flap layer (<NUM>) such that an air gap (<NUM>) is present between the patch (<NUM>) and the flap layer (<NUM>).