Patent Description:
TeraHertz (THz) communication systems are an emerging technology in beyond <NUM> networks and <NUM> networks. THz communications systems utilize operation frequencies above <NUM> to achieve improved channel capacity usage. At frequencies above <NUM>, the architecture of THz communications systems encounter significant challenges in order to fulfill power requirements and compensate for relatively high losses and the challenges associated with the implementation at high frequencies (e.g., mmWave and sub-mmWave) hardware. The challenges associated with the hardware are particularly due to using components that are miniaturized or of a reduced size, in particular passive parts such as antenna hardware, power dividers, interconnects, etc., the sizes of which are determined by the operational wavelength.

The following publications are related to antenna arrays:.

Much of the hardware does not sufficiently fulfill the power requirements and compensate for the relatively high losses associated with THz communication systems. Much of the hardware that is capable of fulfilling the power requirements and compensates for the relatively high losses requires significant material and manufacturing costs. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide cost-effective hardware that fulfills the power requirements of THz communication systems and compensates for the relatively high losses associated with THz communication systems.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an antenna array and a wireless communication device including an antenna array as defined in the appended claims.

In this disclosure, the terms antenna, 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 at or around the same time. Vertical and horizontal polarizations at or around the same time 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. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

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 as defined by the appended claims 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 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> 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).

The gNB <NUM> could communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to the network <NUM>.

However, gNBs come in a wide variety of configurations and <FIG> does not limit the scope of this disclosure to any particular implementation of a gNB.

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.

The RF transceivers 210a-210n receive, from the antennas 205a-205n, incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by UEs in the wireless network <NUM>.

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>.

In addition, various components in <FIG> could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. As described in greater detail below, an antenna array <NUM> can be implemented in the gNB <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a user equipment (UE) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the UE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is for illustration only, and the UEs <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> can have the same or similar configuration. However, UEs come in a wide variety of configurations, and <FIG> does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation of a UE.

The UE <NUM> includes one or more transceivers <NUM>, transmit (TX) processing circuitry <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, and receive (RX) processing circuitry <NUM>. The UE <NUM> also includes a speaker <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) interface <NUM>, an input <NUM>, one or more sensors <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a display <NUM>. The memory <NUM> includes an operating system (OS) program <NUM> and one or more applications <NUM>.

The transceiver <NUM> receives an incoming signal transmitted by a gNB of the wireless network <NUM> of <FIG>. The transceiver <NUM> down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal.

The RF transceiver <NUM> receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuitry <NUM> and up-converts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted by the transceiver <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> can include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute the OS program <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> in order to control the overall operation of the UE <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> can control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceiver <NUM>, the RX processing circuitry <NUM>, and the TX processing circuitry <NUM> in accordance with well-known principles.

The processor <NUM> can execute other processes and programs resident in the memory <NUM>, such as operations for NZP or ZP CSI-RS reception and measurement for systems described in embodiments of the present disclosure as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor <NUM> can move data into or out of the memory <NUM> as part of an executing process. In some embodiments, the processor <NUM> is configured to execute the applications <NUM> based on the OS program <NUM> or in response to signals received from gNBs or an operator. The processor <NUM> is also coupled to the I/O interface <NUM>, which provides the UE <NUM> with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. The I/O interface <NUM> is the communication path between these accessories and the processor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> is also coupled to the input <NUM> (e.g., keypad, touchscreen, button etc.) and the display <NUM>. The operator of the UE <NUM> can use the input <NUM> to enter data into the UE <NUM>. The display <NUM> can be a liquid crystal display or other display capable of rendering text and/or at least limited graphics, such as from web sites.

The memory <NUM> can include at least one of a random-access memory (RAM), Flash memory, or other read-only memory (ROM).

As described in more detail below, the UE <NUM> can perform signaling and calculation for CSI reporting. Although <FIG> illustrates one example of UE <NUM>, various changes can be made to <FIG>. For example, various components in <FIG> can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components can be added according to particular needs. As a particular example, the processor <NUM> can be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Although <FIG> illustrates the UE <NUM> as a mobile telephone or smartphone, UEs can be configured to operate as other types of mobile or stationary devices.

As shown in <FIG>, the gNB <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and the UE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> communicate as components of the wireless network <NUM>. For example, signals transmitted by the transceiver <NUM> can be received by the antennas <NUM>, and signals transmitted by the antennas <NUM> can be received by the transceiver <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, operation of the transceiver, the antennas <NUM>, or both can be challenging, particularly when implemented in high-frequency hardware.

Embodiments of the present disclosure recognize the significant challenges associated with high-frequency hardware. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure recognize the challenges associated with components of reduced size that are determined by the operation wavelength and their fabrication tolerances nearly reach many of fabrication tolerances such as PCB and LTCC. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide cost-effective hardware that fulfills the power requirements of THz communication systems and compensates for the relatively high losses associated with THz communication systems. More particularly, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a single layer THz array antenna for wide angle beam steering. While various embodiments are discussed as being used in connection with THz communication systems, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any frequency range communication system, including for example, GHz, MHz, <NUM>, <NUM>, LTE, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. communication systems.

<FIG> illustrate a unit cell according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of a unit cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top view of a unit cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a side view of a unit cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The unit cell <NUM> includes a single dielectric substrate layer <NUM>. The dielectric substrate layer <NUM> can be provided on a ground plane <NUM> disposed under the unit cell <NUM>. The ground plane <NUM> forms the bottom layer of the unit cell <NUM> and can be any suitable conducting surface used in an antenna array that includes the unit cell <NUM>. The ground plane <NUM> supports various propagation fundamental modes and improves the mechanical stability of the unit cell <NUM>. Throughout the present disclosure, the terms "upper" and "lower" are not to be construed as limiting and are used only to describe the relative layers of the unit cell <NUM>. For example, rotation of the unit cell <NUM> can result in the ground plane <NUM> being viewed as a top layer of the unit cell <NUM>.

The dielectric substrate <NUM> can be any suitable insulating surface used in an antenna array that includes the unit cell <NUM>. In various embodiments, the dielectric substrate <NUM> can be described as a single layer that includes each and every element of the unit cell <NUM>. In other embodiments, the unit cell can be described as including the ground plane <NUM> as an additional layer of the unit cell <NUM>. Various other components of the unit cell <NUM> can be disposed on or within the dielectric substrate <NUM> as described herein.

The unit cell <NUM> includes a patch <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the patch <NUM> can be a microstrip patch disposed on top of the dielectric substrate <NUM>. In various other embodiments, the dielectric substrate <NUM> can include a machined section of material removed and the patch <NUM> can be disposed within the removed section of the dielectric substrate <NUM>. In this embodiment, the patch <NUM> can be described as disposed within the dielectric substrate <NUM>. The patch <NUM> can be provided in a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or a square shape.

The patch <NUM> includes at least two insets, or notches, <NUM> disposed on a diagonal axis <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the patch <NUM> includes two insets 332a, 332b disposed on the diagonal axis <NUM>. However, other embodiments are possible and the patch <NUM> can include more than two insets. For example, as illustrated in the unit cell <NUM> in <FIG>, a patch <NUM> can include four insets 632a, 632b, 632c, and 632d disposed on two diagonal axes. Other embodiments can include six insets disposed on three diagonal axes, eight insets disposed on four diagonal axes, or ten insets disposed on five diagonal axes. The first inset 332a is disposed one hundred-eighty degrees from the second inset 332b, corresponding to the diagonal axis <NUM>. The at least two insets <NUM> reduce radiation and allow a beam to be more precisely steered.

The unit cell <NUM> includes two transmission lines 340a, 340b. The transmission lines <NUM> are series-fed diagonally into and out of, respectively, each of the two insets <NUM> of the unit cell <NUM> and connect the unit cell <NUM> to another unit cell <NUM>, a termination cell <NUM>, or a metallic carrier <NUM>. The transmission lines <NUM> carry transmissions between the unit cell <NUM>, a termination cell <NUM>, and the metallic carrier <NUM>. The transmission lines <NUM> further control a phase input and phase output of the unit cell <NUM>. Each of the transmission lines 340a, 340b include a matching network section 345a, 345b, respectively, that matches, or connects, the transmission lines 340a, 340b to the insets 332a, 332b of the patch <NUM>. The diagonal axis <NUM> where the transmission lines 340a, 340b connect to the insets 332a, 332b of the patch <NUM> provide a slanted polarization of approximately forty-five degrees.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of a unit cell <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, <FIG> illustrates the dielectric substrate <NUM> and a patch <NUM>. The patch <NUM> is similar to the patch <NUM> and is provided in an irregular, circular shape in comparison to the patch <NUM>. The patch includes a diagonal axis <NUM>, at least two insets 365a, 365b, two transmission lines 370a, 370b, and matching network sections 375a, 375b. The diagonal axis <NUM> can be an equivalent axis to the diagonal axis <NUM>. The at least two insets 365a, 365b can be equivalent to the at least two insets 335a, 335b. The two transmission lines 370a, 370b can be the transmission lines 340a, 340b. The matching network sections 375a, 375b can be equivalent to the matching network sections 345a, 345b.

The unit cell <NUM> can be implemented in various wireless communication devices, such as the UE <NUM> or the gNB <NUM>. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a UE <NUM> that includes one or more arrays, where each array includes a plurality of unit cells <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> can include a plurality of sub-arrays that each includes a plurality of unit cells such as the unit cell <NUM>.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure recognize the challenges associated with linear antenna arrays including multiple unit cells <NUM>. In particular, antennas that include linear antenna arrays can produce unwanted reflection of power back through a particular linear array. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an element for passive termination to prevent the residual power from reflecting back to the linear antenna array. The element can be provided in the same, single layer THz array antenna for wide angle beam steering as multiple unit cells <NUM>.

For example, <FIG> illustrate a termination cell according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of a termination cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top view of a termination cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a side view of a termination cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the termination cell <NUM> can be provided in an antenna array that includes one or more unit cells <NUM>.

The termination cell, or termination unit cell, <NUM> includes a single dielectric substrate layer <NUM>. The dielectric substrate layer <NUM> can be provided on a ground plane <NUM> disposed under the termination cell <NUM>. The ground plane <NUM> forms the bottom layer of the termination cell <NUM> and can be any suitable conducting surface used in an antenna that includes the termination cell <NUM>. The ground plane <NUM> supports various propagation fundamental modes and improves the mechanical stability of the termination cell <NUM>. Throughout the present disclosure, the terms "upper" and "lower" are not to be construed as limiting and are used only to describe the relative layers of the termination cell <NUM>. For example, rotation of the termination cell <NUM> can result in the ground plane <NUM> being viewed as a top layer of the termination cell <NUM>.

The dielectric substrate <NUM> can be any suitable insulating surface used in an antenna that includes the termination cell <NUM>. In various embodiments, the dielectric substrate <NUM> can be described as a single layer that includes each and every element of the termination cell <NUM>. In other embodiments, the unit cell can be described as including the ground plane <NUM> as an additional layer of the termination cell <NUM>. Various other components of the termination cell <NUM> can be disposed on or within the dielectric substrate <NUM> as described herein. In some embodiments, the ground plane <NUM> can be the ground plane <NUM> and the dielectric substrate <NUM> can be the dielectric substrate <NUM>. In these embodiments, an antenna can include a single dielectric substrate disposed on a single ground plane that includes one or more unit cells <NUM> and a termination cell <NUM>.

The termination cell <NUM> includes a patch <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the patch <NUM> can be a microstrip patch disposed on top of the dielectric substrate <NUM>. In various other embodiments, the dielectric substrate <NUM> can include a machined section of material removed and the patch <NUM> can be disposed within the removed section of the dielectric substrate <NUM>. In this embodiment, the patch <NUM> can be described as disposed within the dielectric substrate <NUM>. The patch <NUM> can be provided in a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or a square shape.

The patch <NUM> includes at least one inset <NUM>, or notch, disposed on a diagonal axis <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the patch <NUM> includes an inset <NUM> disposed on the diagonal axis <NUM>. However, other embodiments are possible and the patch <NUM> can include more than one inset. For example, a termination cell provided in an antenna array with the unit cell <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> can include two insets disposed on two diagonal axes. Other embodiments can include three insets disposed on three diagonal axes, four insets disposed on four diagonal axes, or five insets disposed on five diagonal axes.

The termination cell <NUM> includes a transmission line <NUM>. The transmission line <NUM> connects the termination cell <NUM> to a unit cell <NUM>. The transmission line <NUM> carries transmissions between the termination cell <NUM> and a unit cell <NUM>. The transmission line <NUM> includes a matching network section <NUM> that matches, or connects, the transmission lines <NUM> to the inset <NUM> of the patch <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of a termination cell <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, <FIG> illustrates the dielectric substrate <NUM> and a patch <NUM>. The patch <NUM> is similar to the patch <NUM> and is provided in an irregular, circular shape in comparison to the patch <NUM>. The patch includes a diagonal axis <NUM> and an inset <NUM>. The diagonal axis <NUM> can be an equivalent axis to the diagonal axis <NUM>. The inset <NUM> can be equivalent to the inset <NUM>.

The termination cell <NUM> is the termination point for a sub-array that includes the termination cell <NUM> and one or more unit cells <NUM>. As a transmission is carried through the array, the transmission is carried from unit cell <NUM> to unit cell <NUM>. The termination cell <NUM> is provided at the end of the sub-array. The transmission can terminate, or cease, at the termination cell <NUM> or the transmission can be carried back in the opposite direction from which it was originally transmitted. The arrangement of a sub-array and the transmission mechanism is described in more detail in the description of <FIG> below.

The termination cell <NUM> can be implemented in various wireless communication devices, such as the UE <NUM> or the gNB <NUM>. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a UE <NUM> that includes one or more arrays, where each array includes a plurality of unit cells <NUM> and a termination cell <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an antenna array <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna array <NUM> can be a THz antenna panel included in a UE <NUM> or a gNB <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> includes a dielectric substrate <NUM>, a metallic carrier <NUM>, and a plurality of sub-arrays 530a-530n.

The dielectric substrate <NUM> can be the dielectric substrate <NUM> or the dielectric substrate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the dielectric substrate <NUM> can be of a sufficient size such that multiple unit cells and termination cells can be disposed on or within the dielectric substrate <NUM>. The dielectric substrate <NUM> includes metallic carriers <NUM> on opposite ends of the antenna array <NUM> with the plurality of sub-arrays 530a-530n disposed between the metallic carriers <NUM>. The metallic carrier <NUM> can be a bonded wire and matching circuit that assists providing power to the antenna array <NUM>.

The plurality of sub-arrays 530a-530n are disposed on the dielectric substrate <NUM>. Each of the plurality of sub-arrays 530a-530n include a plurality of unit cells <NUM>, a termination cell <NUM>, and a transmission line <NUM>. Each of the plurality of unit cells <NUM> can be the unit cell <NUM>. The termination cell <NUM> can be the termination cell <NUM>. The transmission line <NUM> can be the transmission line <NUM>, <NUM> that connects a unit cell <NUM> to another unit cell <NUM> or the termination cell <NUM>. Each of the plurality of sub-arrays 530a-530n are provided in a linear arrangement to facilitate the efficient and compact arrangement of multiple sub-arrays 530n on the antenna array <NUM>.

The antenna array <NUM> can include various embodiments of the plurality of sub-arrays 530a-530n. For example, sub-array 530a includes eight unit cells <NUM>, a transmission line <NUM>, and a termination cell <NUM>. The sub-array 530a is not coupled to a metallic carrier <NUM>. Sub-array 530b includes eight unit cells, a transmission line <NUM>, and a termination cell <NUM>. In contrast to the sub-array 530a, the transmission line <NUM> of sub-array 530b is coupled to a metallic carrier <NUM> at the end distal to the termination cell <NUM>. In other words, one end of the transmission line <NUM> terminates at the termination cell <NUM> and the other end terminates at the metallic carrier <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a magnified view <NUM> of part of the metallic carrier <NUM> forming the matching circuit. The magnified view <NUM> illustrates a portion of the dielectric substrate <NUM> and a portion of the metallic carrier <NUM>. The metallic carrier includes a port comprising a first portion <NUM> with a diameter <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> with a diameter <NUM>. The diameter <NUM> is greater than the diameter <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrates two distinct portions of the metallic carrier <NUM>, various embodiments are possible. For example, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> can be tapered such that the first portion <NUM> between the second portion <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> has a greater diameter <NUM> than the diameter of the second portion <NUM>.

The port, comprising the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, are configured to receive the transmission line <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the transmission line <NUM> includes a first portion 536a and a second portion 536b. In the assembled antenna array <NUM>, the second portion 536b is housed within the second portion <NUM> and the first portion 536a is housed within the first portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the first portion 536a can have a greater diameter than the second portion 536b. The diameters of the first portion 536a and the first portion <NUM> can correspond while the diameters of the second portion 536b and the second portion <NUM> can correspond.

Although <FIG> illustrates two distinct portions of the transmission line <NUM>, various embodiments are possible. For example, the first portion 536a and the second portion 536b can be tapered rather than provided as two distinct portions. In embodiments where the first portion 536a and the second portion 536b are tapered, the first portion 536a has a greater diameter that the diameter of the second portion 536b.

The metallic carrier <NUM> can also include a plurality of posts <NUM>. The posts <NUM> are provided in between each of the transmission lines <NUM> to control leakage between the transmission lines <NUM>. Controlling the leakage reduces cross-contamination of multiple linear sub-arrays 530n.

<FIG> illustrates a sub-array 530n according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The sub-array 530n illustrated in <FIG> can be any of the sub-arrays 530a-530n illustrated in <FIG>. The sub-array 530n illustrated in <FIG> includes eight unit cells <NUM>, a termination cell <NUM>, and a transmission line <NUM>. The transmission line <NUM> is provided to feed into and out of each unit cell <NUM> and feed into the termination cell <NUM>. The eight unit cells <NUM>, termination cell <NUM>, and transmission line <NUM> are provided in a linear arrangement. The arrangement of the sub-array 530n will be described further in the description of FIGS.

The sub-array 530n depicted in <FIG> is presented for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various embodiments of the sub-array 530n are possible. For example, a sub-array 530n can include more than eight unit cells <NUM> or less than eight unit cells <NUM>. The end of the transmission line <NUM> opposite of the termination cell <NUM> can terminate within a metallic carrier <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

To increase the capacity of the antenna array <NUM>, the unit cells can be dual-polarized rather than single-polarized. For example, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide unit cells that are dual-polarized and an antenna that includes sub-arrays that include the dual-polarized unit cells. More particularly, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide antennas with dual-polarized unit cells to provide relatively wide-angle beam steering and lower the possibility of scan blindness.

<FIG> illustrate a unit cell according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the unit cell <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various embodiments of the unit cell <NUM> are possible. <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of a unit cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a top view of a unit cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a side view of a unit cell <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The unit cell <NUM> includes a single dielectric substrate layer <NUM>. The dielectric substrate layer <NUM> can be provided on a ground plane <NUM> disposed under the unit cell <NUM>. The ground plane <NUM> forms the bottom layer of the unit cell <NUM> and can be any suitable conducting surface used in an antenna that includes the unit cell <NUM>. The ground plane <NUM> supports various propagation fundamental modes and improves the mechanical stability of the unit cell <NUM>. Throughout the present disclosure, the terms "upper" and "lower" are not to be construed as limiting and are used only to describe the relative layers of the unit cell <NUM>. For example, rotation of the unit cell <NUM> can result in the ground plane <NUM> being viewed as a top layer of the unit cell <NUM>.

The dielectric substrate <NUM> can be any suitable insulating surface used in an antenna that includes the unit cell <NUM>. In various embodiments, the dielectric substrate <NUM> can be described as a single layer that includes each and every element of the unit cell <NUM>. In other embodiments, the unit cell can be described as including the ground plane <NUM> as an additional layer of the unit cell <NUM>. Various other components of the unit cell <NUM> can be disposed on or within the dielectric substrate <NUM> as described herein.

The patch <NUM> includes at least four insets, or notches, <NUM> disposed on two diagonal axes. For example, the patch <NUM> can include two insets 632a, 632b disposed on a first diagonal axis <NUM> and two insets 632c, 632d disposed on a second diagonal axis <NUM>. The first inset 632a is disposed one hundred-eighty degrees from the second inset 632b, corresponding to the first diagonal axis <NUM>. The third inset 632c is disposed one hundred-eighty degrees from the fourth inset 632d, corresponding to the second diagonal axis <NUM>. The four insets <NUM> reduce radiation and allow a beam to be more precisely steered.

The unit cell <NUM> includes four transmission lines <NUM> that can connect the unit cell <NUM> to another unit cell <NUM>, a termination cell such as the termination cell <NUM>, or the metallic carrier <NUM>. The transmission lines <NUM> carry transmissions between the unit cell <NUM>, a termination cell <NUM>, and a metallic carrier <NUM>. Each of the transmission lines <NUM> connect to the unit cell <NUM> at an inset <NUM>. For example, a separate transmission line <NUM> connects to the unit cell <NUM> at each of the insets 632a, 632b, 632c, and 632d.

The unit cell <NUM> is dual-polarized by the transmission lines <NUM>. The diagonal axis <NUM>, <NUM> where each of the transmission lines <NUM> connect to one of the insets 632a, 632b, 632c, and 632d of the patch <NUM> provide a slanted polarization of approximately forty-five degrees. For example, the transmission line <NUM> connected to the inset 632b provides a plus forty-five degree slanted polarization while the transmission line <NUM> connected to the inset 632c provides a minus forty-five degree slanted polarization. Although described herein as plus or minus forty-five degree polarization, various embodiments are possible. For example, as described below in the descriptions of <FIG>, a unit cell can be dual-polarized in a forty-five degree slanted dual-polarization, a vertical/horizontal dual-polarization, or any other suitable arrangement of dual-polarization. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure, such as those illustrated in <FIG>, provide a single layer THz array antenna for wide angle beam steering that is cost-effective, fulfills the power requirements of THz communication systems, and compensates for the relatively high losses associated with THz communication systems.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. More particularly, <FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> comprising regularly distributed sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each of the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> include patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> can be included in the unit cell <NUM> described in <FIG>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM> are provided in a horizontal/vertical dual-polarization arrangement. For example, vertical polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the first transmission line 640a while horizontal polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the second transmission line 640b. Each of the first transmission line 640a and the second transmission line 640b carry a transmission from the first patch 630a to the second patch 630b. Based on the horizontal/vertical dual-polarization of the patches <NUM> in the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the antenna array <NUM> provides horizontal/vertical polarized radiation. In some embodiments, each sub-array <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provides differential feeding to each unit cell in the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The patches <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are provided in a regularly distributed array. Regular distribution refers to the rows and columns in which the patches <NUM> of the sub-arrays <NUM>-<NUM> are provided. For example, the patches <NUM> of each sub-array <NUM>-<NUM> are provided in a linear row. The first patch 630a of each sub-array <NUM>-<NUM> is provided in a column, the second patch 630b of each sub-array <NUM>-<NUM> is provided in another column, and so on. In this manner, the unit cells of the first sub-array <NUM> are in a forward in-phase feed while the unit cells of the second sub-array <NUM> are in a backwards, out-of-phase feed.

In some embodiments, the regular distribution of the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can result in high mutual coupling. The amount of mutual coupling is dependent on the angles between each unit cell that includes the patches <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> according to the claimed invention. More particularly, <FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> comprising staggered sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each of the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> include patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> can be included in the unit cell <NUM> described in <FIG>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM> are provided in a horizontal/vertical dual-polarization arrangement. For example, vertical polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the first transmission line 640a while horizontal polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the second transmission line 640b. Each of the first transmission line 640a and the second transmission line 640b carry a transmission from the first patch 630a to the second patch 630b. Based on the horizontal/vertical dual-polarization of the patches <NUM> in the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the antenna array <NUM> provides horizontal/vertical polarized radiation. In some embodiments, each sub-array <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provides differential feeding to each unit cell in the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The patches <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are provided in a staggered distribution array. Staggered distribution refers to the staggered, forty-five degree offset of distribution of the patches <NUM> of the first sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the second sub-array <NUM>, the patches <NUM> of the second sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the third sub-array <NUM>, and the patches <NUM> of the third sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the fourth sub-array <NUM>. For example, the patch 630a, which is provided in sub-array <NUM>, is offset forty-five degrees from the patch 630c, which is provided in sub-array <NUM>. In this manner, the unit cells of the first sub-array <NUM> are in a forward in-phase feed while the unit cells of the second sub-array <NUM> are in a backwards, out-of-phase feed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in <FIG>, change the angle between the unit cells including the patches <NUM> to reduce mutual coupling between individual elements. For example, the staggered distribution of the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can reduce mutual coupling between the individual elements. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide relatively wide-angle beam steering and lower the possibility of scan blindness by using a staggered arrangement of dual-polarized unit cells in multiple sub-arrays.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. More particularly, <FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> comprising regularly distributed sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each of the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> include patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> can be included in the unit cell <NUM> described in <FIG>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM> are provided in a slanted, plus/minus forty-five degree dual-polarization arrangement. For example, plus forty-five degree polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the first transmission line 640a while minus forty-five degree polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the second transmission line 640b. Each of the first transmission line 640a and the second transmission line 640b carry a transmission from the first patch 630a to the second patch 630b. Based on the slanted, plus/minus forty-five degree dual-polarization of the patches <NUM> in the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the antenna array <NUM> provides slanted, plus/minus forty-five degree polarized radiation.

The patches <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are provided in a regularly distributed array. Regular distribution refers to the ninety-degree distribution of the patches <NUM> of the first sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the second sub-array <NUM>, the patches <NUM> of the second sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the third sub-array <NUM>, and the patches <NUM> of the third sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the fourth sub-array <NUM>. For example, the patch 630a, which is provided in sub-array <NUM>, is provided at a ninety-degree angle from the patch 630c, which is provided in sub-array <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the regular distribution of the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can result in high mutual coupling. The mutual coupling depends on the angles between each unit cell that includes the patches <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> according to the claimed invention. More particularly, <FIG> illustrates an antenna array <NUM> comprising staggered sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each of the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> include patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> can be included in the unit cell <NUM> described in <FIG>. The patches <NUM> and transmission lines <NUM> of the antenna array <NUM> are provided in a slanted, plus/minus forty-five degree dual-polarization arrangement. For example, plus forty-five degree polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the first transmission line 640a while minus forty-five degree polarization of the second patch 630b is provided by the second transmission line 640b. Each of the first transmission line 640a and the second transmission line 640b carry a transmission from the first patch 630a to the second patch 630b. Based on the slanted, plus/minus forty-five degree dual-polarization of the patches <NUM> in the sub-arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the antenna array <NUM> provides horizontal/vertical polarized radiation.

The patches <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are provided in a staggered distribution array. Staggered distribution refers to the staggered, forty-five degree offset of distribution of the patches <NUM> of the first sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the second sub-array <NUM>, the patches <NUM> of the second sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the third sub-array <NUM>, and the patches <NUM> of the third sub-array <NUM> relative to the patches <NUM> of the fourth sub-array <NUM>. For example, the patch 630a, which is provided in sub-array <NUM>, is offset forty-five degrees from the patch 630c, which is provided in sub-array <NUM>.

The antenna arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be implemented in various wireless communication devices, such as the UE <NUM> or the gNB <NUM>. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a UE <NUM> that includes one or more arrays, such as the antenna arrays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An antenna array (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first and second plurality of unit cells (<NUM>) respectively connected in series via respective transmission lines (<NUM>), each of the unit cells (<NUM>) including a microstrip patch (<NUM>) having two insets (632a, 632b) on a first axis (<NUM>) of the microstrip patch (<NUM>), the microstrip patch (<NUM>) being connected to a first and a second of the transmission lines (<NUM>) at the two insets (632a, 632b), respectively;
a first and second termination unit cell (<NUM>, <NUM>) each connected in series to a corresponding one unit cell of the first and second plurality of unit cells (<NUM>, <NUM>) via one of the transmission lines (<NUM>, <NUM>), each termination unit cell (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a microstrip patch (<NUM>, <NUM>) having an inset (<NUM>, 632a, 632b) on a second axis (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the microstrip patch (<NUM>, <NUM>), the microstrip patch (<NUM>, <NUM>) being connected to the one transmission line (<NUM>, <NUM>) at the inset (<NUM>, 632a, 632b); the antenna array further comprising
a first sub-array (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising the first plurality of unit cells (<NUM>) and the first termination unit cell (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a forward in-phase feed,
a second sub-array (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising the second plurality of unit cells (<NUM>) and the second termination unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) cell in a backwards, out-of-phase feed,
wherein the first sub-array (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second sub-array (<NUM>, <NUM>) provide differential feeding to each unit cell (<NUM>) of the first plurality of unit cells (<NUM>) and the second plurality of unit cells (<NUM>) via the first and second transmission lines (<NUM>),
wherein the second plurality of unit cells (<NUM>) are provided in a staggered arrangement at an offset relative to the first plurality of unit cells (<NUM>),
wherein the microstrip patch (<NUM>) of each of the unit cells (<NUM>) further has a third inset (632c) and a fourth inset (632d), the microstrip patch (<NUM>) being connected to third and fourth transmission lines (<NUM>) at the third inset (632c) and the fourth inset (632d), respectively, whereas the third inset (632c) and the fourth inset (632d) are disposed on a third axis (<NUM>) perpendicular to the first axis (<NUM>), and
wherein the first plurality of unit cells (<NUM>) is arranged linearly on a fourth axis parallel to a fifth axis on which there is linearly arranged the second plurality of the unit cells (<NUM>).