Patent Description:
Mobile devices are equipped with an assortment of antennas, each designed to provide access to a different radio access technology (RAT). As an example, a mobile device may have different antennas to support third generation (<NUM>), fourth generation (<NUM>), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and/or fifth generation (<NUM>) New Radio (NR) wireless communications, and to access Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), and / or global positioning satellite (GPS) signals. United States patent application <CIT> discloses an antenna structure having a waveguide configured to operate as at least a portion of an antenna and having a hole configured to operate as a second antenna. United States patent application <CIT> discloses an antenna module, a first antenna and a second ground conductor operating as a ground electrode of the first antenna as well as a second antenna. United States patent application <CIT> discloses an electronic device including a circuit board and radiators. The electronic device is provided with a first feeding signal to transmit or receive a wireless signal in a first frequency band and an additional feeding signal to transmit or receive a wireless signal in various frequency bands that are lower than the first frequency band.

Cellular phones have become slimmer with large display areas, limiting the bezel area typically appropriated for antenna placement. Therefore, as the number of antennas within a mobile device has increased, in contrast, the allotted footprint for these antennas has decreased. It is therefore beneficial to provide methods and structures for a compact arrangement and design for multiple antennas in electronic devices.

This disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments are merely illustrative of specific configurations and do not limit the scope of the claimed embodiments. Features from different embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments unless noted otherwise. Variations or modifications described with respect to one of the embodiments may also be applicable to other embodiments. Further, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

While the inventive aspects are described primarily in the context of an antenna system operating over sub-<NUM> gigahertz (GHz) and millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies, it should also be appreciated that these inventive aspects may also be applicable to other antennas operating over other frequency spectrums, which can also take advantage of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Furthermore, while the various embodiments presented in this disclosure are described primarily in the context of an antenna system on a mobile device, the resulting antenna system may provide wireless communication in a base station that can benefit from antenna placement and antenna arrangement compactness.

The emergence of data heavy applications, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), three-dimensional (3D) media, ultra-high definition transmission video, and the like, have created a significant growth in the volume of data exchanged within wireless networks. Fifth generation (<NUM>) New Radio (NR) cellular mobile communication can provide a wireless network framework for these types of applications. <NUM> NR provides for an increased bandwidth, higher data rates, and higher system capacity than in currently available communication technologies.

A common deployment strategy for the transition from LTE to <NUM> NR is the addition of <NUM> NR base stations (i.e., gNB or gNodeB) to existing Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless communication networks, which provide a wide coverage layer to the network operators. To support new, current, and previous generation of networks, mobile devices are equipped with a variety of antennas to provide operational capabilities within <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/LTE/<NUM> NR. This is in addition to other antennas that may provide support for, for example, data or power transference (e.g., global positioning satellite (GPS), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and near field communications (NFC), etc.).

Embodiments of this disclosure provide structures and methods for arrangement and design of compact antenna systems capable of operating over multiple radio access technologies (RATs). According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an antenna system and a method of operation and assembly are provided. The antenna system includes a sub-<NUM> antenna and a millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna, supporting sub-<NUM> and mmWave frequency spectrums, respectively. In an embodiment, the feed network for the mmWave antenna is embedded within a transmission line medium, which concurrently provides a signal return path for the sub-<NUM> antenna and, optionally for the mmWave antenna, to a ground plane. This arrangement allows for a more compact design and an improvement in component placement volumetric efficiency within the host device.

The transmission line medium may be, for example, a stripline or a microstrip. The sub-<NUM> antenna may be an inverted-F antenna (IFA), a loop antenna, a slot antenna, or any other antenna type having a signal return path to a ground plane. An example of the mmWave antenna may be a dual-polarized patch array antenna. The mmWave antenna may support both horizontal and vertical polarizations with main beams pointing away from the mobile device and in the same direction. In certain embodiments, grounded via structures within the transmission line medium may provide for an improved isolation between the mmWave antenna signal and the sub-<NUM> antenna signal. In some embodiments, the sub-<NUM> antenna may include a plurality of openings or cavities. In such an embodiment, the mmWave antenna may include an array of antenna elements configured to radiate at mmWave carrier frequencies, and each antenna element in the array of antenna elements may radiate through a different one of the plurality of openings, or cavities, of the sub-<NUM> antenna. In another embodiment, the mmWave antenna may be a patch antenna located above the sub-<NUM> antenna, where a radiator of the sub-<NUM> antenna is a ground plane of the mmWave antenna.

In an embodiment, the mmWave antenna includes an array of antenna elements, a flex circuit, a circuit clip (c-clip), printed circuit boards (PCBs) connected to via c-clips, and an integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, the PCB may be a flex a circuit board. In some embodiments, the mmWave antenna can be arranged within a metal frame of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the sub-<NUM> antenna can include a dielectric cover facing the outside portion of the mobile device and an internal metal frame or a metal on top of a dielectric carrier facing the interior portion of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit is located on an opposing side to the array of antenna elements. In another embodiment, the mmWave antenna is connected to a PCB of the mobile device through a board-to-board connector and the flex circuit. The flex circuit can electrically connect the IC to the main PCB housing a processor and a modem. In an example embodiment, the mmWave antenna can include a first (e.g., 1x4 patch array) and a second (e.g., 2x2 patch array) array of patch antennas. Each patch antenna of the first array may radiate through a respective opening of a metal frame of the electronic device located perpendicular to a display side of the electronic device, providing coverage for the side of the phone. Each patch antenna of the second array may radiate through a dielectric back cover of the electronic device located opposite the display side of the electronic device, providing coverage for the back of the phone. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna can include a single polarized dipole array. Each element in the single polarized dipole array may radiate between the metal frame and the display side of the electronic device, providing coverage for the front of the phone. These and other details are discussed in greater detail below.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment electronic device <NUM> capable of operating over multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may be any user-side device configured to access a network, such as a cellular device, a tablet, a personal computer, a mobile station (STA), a smartwatch, a vehicle, or any other wirelessly enabled user-side device. The user-device may provide wireless access to a base station, a global positioning satellite (GPS), a user equipment (UE), an inductive power source, or the like.

In other embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may be any network-side device configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as an enhanced Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a gNB, a transmit/receive point (TRP), a macro-cell, a femtocell, a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP), and other wirelessly enabled devices. Base stations may provide wireless access in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols, e.g., 5th generation new radio (<NUM> NR), LTE, LTE advanced (LTE-A), High Speed Message Access (HSPA), Wi-Fi <NUM>. 11a/b/g/n/ac, etc. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include various other wireless devices, such as modems, sensors, graphics processors, etc..

As shown, the electronic device <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a modem <NUM>, and an antenna system <NUM>, which may (or may not) be arranged as shown. The processor <NUM> may be any component or collection of components adapted to perform computations and/or other processing related tasks, and the modem <NUM> may be any component or collection of components adapted to generate communication signals for execution by the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> and the modem <NUM> may be housed within a main printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> is shown to have a single processor. However, in some embodiments multiple processors may be included in the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include different types of processing units, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), etc..

The UE <NUM> may include additional components not depicted in <FIG>, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium, long-term storage (e.g., non-volatile memory, etc.) or a phase locked loop.

The antenna system <NUM> includes N number of antennas, antenna <NUM><NUM> to antenna N <NUM>. Each antenna is capable of accessing a same or a different network, satellite, or device. The antenna is used to radiate or to receive signals, and able to operate across a variety of frequency spectrums.

The antenna system <NUM> also includes M number of integrated circuits (ICs), IC <NUM><NUM> to IC M <NUM>. The ICs connect the various components of the host device to one another, to amplify a signal, to filter out signals, etc. In an embodiment, each antenna (e.g., Ant <NUM><NUM> to Ant N <NUM>) is connected to the processor <NUM> and modem <NUM> through an integrated circuit or a discrete circuit. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may connect multiple antennas to the processor <NUM> and modem <NUM>. In other embodiments, some antennas may share a common integrated circuit for connection to the processor <NUM> and / or modem <NUM>.

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a space saving structure that allows a transmission line medium used for a signal return path of one antenna to be used as a feed network for a second antenna. In some embodiments, the signal return path for the first antenna may also be the signal return path for the second antenna. The ground structure of the transmission line medium additionally isolates the signal of the second antenna from the signal of the first antenna.

A mmWave antenna, be it an antenna on board (AoB) type or antenna in package (AiP) type, generally has no electrical direct current (DC) connection with a sub-<NUM> antenna. The mmWave antenna exists separately from the sub-<NUM> antenna, each radiating separately without sharing any common components. However, embodiments of this disclosure provide a mmWave antenna that all or portions of the antenna may connect with all or portions of the sub-<NUM> antenna. The connection between the two antennas may be a high impedance line, or lines, that may be used as ports of the sub-<NUM> antenna. In other words, the mmWave antenna implementation in, for example a <NUM> system, can coexist with a sub-<NUM> radio within a shared volume.

<FIG> illustrate multi-angular views of an embodiment antenna system <NUM> that includes a compact arrangement of shared components in a first antenna and a second antenna. In particular, <FIG> illustrates a top angular view of the embodiment antenna system <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates an enlarged front-side of the embodiment antenna system <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates an enlarged back-side view of the embodiment antenna system <NUM>. The first antenna of the antenna system <NUM> is capable of operating over the sub-<NUM> frequency spectrum. The second antenna of the antenna system <NUM> is capable of operating over the mmWave frequency spectrum.

The first antenna may be any type of antenna having a signal return path to a ground plane and capable of operating over the sub-<NUM> frequency spectrum. The first antenna includes a radiating element <NUM>, a feed network <NUM>, and a signal return path <NUM>. The ground plane for the sub-<NUM> antenna is electrically connected to a common ground of the antenna system <NUM> through the signal return path <NUM>.

Any type of transmission line medium, such as a stripline, a microstrip, a waveguide, or the like, that includes a conductive path separate from the signal return path may be used for the signal return path <NUM>. In an embodiment, the signal return path <NUM> may be a stripline transmission line that includes a strip of conductive metal sandwiched between two parallel ground plates and insulated by a dielectric material. The parallel ground plates provide a signal return path for both the first and the second antenna. In such embodiments, the conductive metal provides the feed path for the second antenna. In some embodiments, via structures may connect the parallel ground plates of the transmission line medium to each other, creating a walled plane on the sides of the conductive metal. The parallel ground plates and the walled via structure provide isolation for the feed path of the second antenna from outside signals that may interfere with signal distribution.

As shown, the first antenna may be an inverted-F antenna (IFA) capable of operating over the sub-<NUM> (i.e., below <NUM>) frequency spectrum. In some embodiments, the inverted-F antenna may be used in a planar implementation for wireless circuitry in the form of a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA), a printed inverted-F antenna, a meandered printed inverted-F antenna, a patch antenna, a shorted patch antenna, or the like. The inverted-F antenna may be constructed within, for example, a microstrip electromagnetic transmission line medium. In such embodiments, the antenna element is wide with the ground plane located underneath. In other embodiments, the sub-<NUM> antenna may be a loop antenna, a slot antenna, or any other type of antenna used to support operational functionality in the below <NUM> frequency spectrum.

The second antenna may be any type of antenna having a feed network implemented in a conductive component of a transmission line that also includes a ground plane providing a signal return path for the sub-<NUM> antenna. The second antenna includes a radiating element <NUM>, a signal trace <NUM>, and a signal return path <NUM>. In some embodiments, the signal return path <NUM> of the first antenna may be the signal return path <NUM> of the second antenna.

As shown, the second antenna is a 1x4 dual polarized patch array antenna capable of operating over the millimeter wave frequency spectrum (i.e., between <NUM> and <NUM>). The number of patch array elements and the arrangement (row and / or column) of the elements are non-limiting, and other arrangements of varying quantities may be contemplated. The illustration of the second antenna being a dual polarized patch array antenna is a non-limiting example and, in other embodiments, the second antenna may be a single polarized patch array antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, an aperture antenna, or the like.

In one embodiment, the radiator of the sub-<NUM> antenna (e.g., inverted-F antenna) may use the metal frame <NUM> around the mobile phone and the sub-<NUM> antenna may include a plurality of openings <NUM> or cavities. In such an embodiment, the mmWave antenna may include an array of antenna elements configured to radiate at mmWave carrier frequencies, and each antenna element in the array of antenna elements may radiate through a different one of the plurality of openings <NUM> or cavities of the sub-<NUM> antenna. It is also contemplated that in some other embodiments, two or more antenna elements may share and radiate through a same opening or cavity of the sub-<NUM> antenna.

In another embodiment, each patch antenna array element may face an opening of the sub-<NUM> antenna radiator and radiate through the openings. In such embodiments, the metal portion in-between the openings may improve isolation between the patch array elements.

Optionally, in another embodiment, the mmWave antenna may be a patch antenna located above the sub-<NUM> antenna, where a radiator of the sub-<NUM> antenna is a ground plane of the mmWave antenna.

<FIG> illustrate gain patterns in a horizontal and a vertical polarization corresponding to the second antenna of the embodiment antenna system <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> is a realized horizontal gain pattern of the second antenna operating over the millimeter-wave frequency spectrum. <FIG> is a realized vertical gain pattern of the second antenna operating over the millimeter wave frequency spectrum.

The realized gain patterns shown in <FIG> illustrate the realized gain pattern of the embodiment 1x4 dual polarized patch antenna radiating through the openings of the exterior frame of a host device. As shown, the mmWave antenna supports both horizontal and vertical polarizations. The main beams point away from the mobile device, and in the same direction.

It should be appreciated that the first antenna and the second antenna, of the antenna system <NUM>, are isolated from each other at greater than <NUM> dB up to, at least, <NUM> and at some frequencies at greater than <NUM> dB. This isolation is greater in the vertical polarization, where it is consistently greater than <NUM> dB up to, at least, <NUM>.

The system efficiency of the first antenna may be greater than -<NUM> dBp. In particular, at frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>, the system efficiency is greater than -<NUM> dBp. The return loss of the first antenna may be less than <NUM> dB. In particular, at frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>, the return loss of the first antenna may be between <NUM> and <NUM> dB, depending on the particular frequency.

<FIG> illustrate multi-angular views of an embodiment antenna system <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an angular front-side view of the embodiment antenna <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an angular front-side view of the embodiment antenna system <NUM> placed within a metal frame of a mobile device. In this embodiment, the metal frame of the mobile device may act as the ground plane of the sub-<NUM> antenna.

The antenna system <NUM> includes a patch array antenna <NUM> operating over the mmWave frequency spectrum. The antenna system <NUM> also includes a second antenna <NUM> configured to operate over the sub-<NUM> frequency spectrum.

As shown, the patch array antenna <NUM> is shown to have four elements arranged in a single row (i.e., 1x4 patch array antenna). In other embodiments, the patch array antenna <NUM> may include different number of elements, which may be arranged in different configurations. Therefore, it should be understood that the number of elements in the patch array antenna <NUM> is non-limiting, and may have varying number of elements that may be arranged in a variety of configurations.

The patch array antenna <NUM> radiates through an opening <NUM> of the mobile device, for example, an opening <NUM> on the side metal frame <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The patch array antenna <NUM> provides side coverage perpendicular to the side of, and away from, the mobile device. The metal frame <NUM> may act as a ground structure for the second antenna <NUM>, which may also be shared as a ground structure for the first patch array antenna <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the second antenna <NUM> may have openings allowing for the patch array antenna <NUM> to radiate through. In some embodiments, the patch array antenna <NUM> may be located on top of the second antenna <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the patch array antenna <NUM> uses the radiator of the second antenna <NUM> as a ground plane. In some embodiments, the second antenna <NUM> may be a device with a dielectric cover on the outside and an internal metal frame. In other embodiments, the second antenna <NUM> may be a device with a dielectric cover on the outside and a metal on top of dielectric carrier as the antenna.

<FIG> illustrates an angular backside view of the embodiment antenna <NUM>. In this embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM> is located on the backside of the patch array antenna <NUM>. The IC <NUM> is connected to the patch array antenna <NUM> through the metal frame structure and to the main board <NUM> of the mobile device. The main board <NUM> may be a printed circuit board (PCB) that may include the processor <NUM>, the modem <NUM>, and a board-to-board connector <NUM>. The board-to-board connector may be any type of interface that allows for an electrical connection access to and / or from the components of the main board <NUM>. The IC <NUM> may be connected to the board-to-board connector <NUM> using a connector <NUM>. In some embodiments, the circuit <NUM> may be a flex circuit.

<FIG> illustrates an angular backside view of the embodiment antenna <NUM> with an alternative arrangement of components and electrical connections than the embodiment shown in <FIG>. In this embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM> is located on a sub-board <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sub-board <NUM> may be a printed circuit board. In other embodiments, the sub-board <NUM> may be a flex circuit board. The sub-board <NUM> is connected to the main board using a circuit clip (c-clip) <NUM>. The sub-board <NUM> may is connected to the patch array antenna <NUM> using a connector <NUM> in the form of a flex circuit.

<FIG> illustrate multi-angular views of an embodiment antenna system <NUM>. In particular, <FIG> illustrates an angular topside view of the antenna system <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an angular side-view of the antenna system <NUM>. The antenna system <NUM> includes a first patch array antenna <NUM> and a second patch array antenna <NUM>, each operating over the mmWave frequency spectrum. The antenna system <NUM> also includes a third antenna <NUM> configured to operate over the sub-<NUM> frequency spectrum.

As shown, the first patch array antenna <NUM> is shown to have four elements arranged in a single row (i.e., 1x4 patch array antenna). Likewise, the second patch array antenna <NUM> is shown to have four elements. However, the four elements are arranged in two columns and two rows (i.e., 2x2 patch array antenna). The 1x4 patch array antenna <NUM> radiates through an opening of a mobile device, for example, an opening on the side metal frame. The 1x4 patch array antenna <NUM> provides coverage at the side of the phone.

The patch array antenna <NUM> may be positioned on the backside of the mobile device. In an embodiment, the backside of the mobile device may be a dielectric structure (i.e., back cover). In such an embodiment, the patch array antenna <NUM> provides backside reception coverage for the mobile device.

In other embodiments, the patch array antennas <NUM> and <NUM> may each include different number of elements and may be arranged in different configurations. As an example, in an alternative configuration and design, the first patch array antenna <NUM> may have eight elements arranged in a single row (i.e., 1x8 patch array antenna). In another configuration and design, the first patch array antenna <NUM> may have six elements arranged in two rows (i.e., 2x3 patch array antenna). Similarly, in an embodiment, the second patch array antenna <NUM> may have <NUM> elements arranged in two columns and four rows (i.e., 2x4 patch array antenna). In another embodiment, the second patch array antenna <NUM> may have <NUM> elements arranged in four columns and four rows (i.e., 4x4 patch array antenna). Therefore, it should be understood that the number of elements in each patch array antenna <NUM> and <NUM> is non-limiting and each may have varying number of elements in a variety of configurations.

<FIG> illustrate multi-angular views of an embodiment antenna system <NUM>. The antenna system <NUM> includes three different patch array antennas providing a three sided reception and transmission coverage for a host device. <FIG> illustrates an angular top-side view of the antenna system <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an angular side-view of the antenna system <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an angular bottom-side view of the antenna system <NUM>. The antenna system <NUM> includes a first patch array antenna <NUM>, a second patch array antenna <NUM>, and a third patch array antenna <NUM>. Each patch array antenna is configured to operate over the mmWave frequency spectrum. The antenna system <NUM> also includes a fourth antenna <NUM> configured to operate over the sub-<NUM> frequency spectrum.

As shown, the first patch array antenna <NUM> and the third patch array antenna <NUM> are shown to have four elements arranged in a single row (i.e., 1x4 patch array antenna). Likewise, the second patch array antenna <NUM> is shown to have four elements. However, the four elements in the second patch array antenna <NUM> are arranged in two columns and two rows (i.e., 2x2 patch array antenna).

The first patch array antenna <NUM> is shown as a 1x4 dual-polarized patch array antenna. The second patch array antenna <NUM> is shown as a 2x2 dual-polarized patch array antenna. The third patch array antenna <NUM> is shown as a 1x4 single-polarized patch array antenna.

The first patch array antenna <NUM> may be placed on a side of a host device, providing a coverage area in the direction perpendicular to the side structure and away from the internal components of the host device. The structure of the host device may include openings in a metal frame in which the elements of the first patch array antenna <NUM> may be able to radiate. In an embodiment, the metal side frame may be a ground plane for the fourth antenna <NUM> and the first patch array antenna <NUM>.

The second patch array antenna <NUM> may be placed on the backside of the host device, providing a coverage area in the direction perpendicular to the backside and away from the internal components of the host device. The backside of the host device may include a dielectric back cover (i.e., non-metal) that allows for the elements of the second patch array antenna <NUM> to radiate outwards without being reflected back to the device. The backside cover may additionally provide protection from damage without having the second patch array antenna <NUM> being directly exposed to natural elements.

The third patch array antenna <NUM> may be placed on the opposite plane to the second patch array antenna <NUM>. In such an arrangement, the third patch array antenna <NUM> may be able to radiate between the metal frame and the display of the host device. The third patch array antenna <NUM> may then provide a coverage area in the direction perpendicular to the front-side of the and away from the internal components of the host device.

In other embodiments, the patch array antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may each include different number of elements and may be arranged in different configurations. Therefore, it should be understood that the number of elements in each patch array antenna <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is non-limiting, and each antenna may have varying number of elements that are arranged in a variety of configurations.

<FIG> illustrate an embodiment host device <NUM>. <FIG> is a front side view of the host device <NUM> and <FIG> is a backside view of the host device <NUM>. The host device <NUM> may be a cellular phone, a tablet device, or the like capable of operating over multiple RATs. As shown, the host device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes an front surface 352a, an back surface 352b, and side surfaces 352c. The front surface 352a includes a display region <NUM>. Optionally, the back surface 352b may be a removable or non-removable back cover made of a dielectric material.

The housing of the electronic device <NUM> is generally composed of a conductive metal (e.g., aluminum, magnesium, etc.), plastic (polycarbonates, etc.), glass (e.g., aluminosilicate glass, etc.), and/or other materials (e.g., composites) that provide similar rigidity, strength and/or durability. In an embodiment, parts of the metal in the panels may be used as an external antenna. In another embodiment, the panels may be made of metal and have plastic or glass openings or be made of plastic or glass to allow for reception or transmission of an internal antenna.

The host device <NUM> may host one or more of the antennas previously disclosed in this disclosure. In an example, the antennas <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> may be located at the side portions 352c and radiate outwardly and away from the host device <NUM>. In another example, the antenna <NUM> in <FIG> may be located at the side portions 352c and the antenna <NUM> may be located at the back surface 352b. The antennas <NUM> and <NUM> radiate outwardly and away from the host device <NUM>. As another example, the antenna <NUM> in <FIG> may be located at the side portions 352c, the antenna <NUM> may be located at the back surface 352b, and the antenna <NUM> may be located at the front surface 352a. In this example, the antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> radiate outwardly and away from the host device <NUM>.

Generally, each antenna is strategically placed to reduce the signal interference with respect to the signal radiating from other antennas of the device. One effective method to improve isolation is by physically separating the antennas from each other. Another method to improve isolation is by placing the antennas such that the polarization of the antennas are orthogonal to each other. As an example, antennas may be arranged at a horizontal and/or vertical offset in relation to each other, as the signal coupling is generally reduced as a function of its distance. As another example, antennas may be placed perpendicular to each other to create different polarizations.

Most modern wireless devices have several antennas of a number of varieties. Generally, a wireless device may have a primary cellular antenna, a diversity cellular antenna, a global positioning satellite (GPS) antenna, a WiFi antenna, and a near field communication (NFC) antenna. Other antennas may be included to achieve specific communication goals. Alternatively, some antennas may be omitted, for example, to reduce the size, complexity and/or cost of the wireless device. Additionally, to improve performance or as an alternative to the primary antenna, a wireless device may have one or more of each type of antenna. Some non-cellular antennas may be for receivers, such as in a GPS antenna, while other non-cellular antennas, such as in the WiFi antenna, may be for a transmitter and a receiver.

In a cellular device, the primary cellular antenna is the primary communication antenna and is responsible for the transmission and reception of analog and digital signals. Generally, for a mobile phone, the location of the primary cellular antenna is at the lower vertical position of the cellular device. This is typically done to reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR) and increase the total radiated power (TRP) by moving the bulk of the antenna away from the human head.

The primary cellular antenna may typically be of a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA), a folded inverted-F antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, microstrip patch antenna, a folded inverted conformal antenna type, or a modified version of any one of the foregoing or other type of antennas. In general, many different types of antennas may be used to support the various regulatory and system requirements specific to different carriers.

In some devices, secondary cellular antennas or diversity antennas are added as an alternative to the primary cellular antenna. In a typical antenna configuration, the secondary cellular antenna or the diversity antenna is for receiving only (or for receiving and transmitting when transmit diversity is supported). As a signal is being transmitted from, for example, a cellular tower to a wireless cellular device, the receiving device may receive more than one copy of the original signal due to the multipath propagation, as a result of signal reflection and dispersion. The secondary cellular antenna may be a same antenna type as the primary cellular antenna. Alternatively, the secondary cellular antenna may be a different type of antenna that operates at a same frequency as the primary cellular antenna.

In a wireless device having multiple diversity antennas, the wireless data modem selects the strongest signal from the various signal copies received at the multiplicity of antennas. Alternatively, the wireless data modem may combine the received signals to increase the received signal power level and the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal by combining and weighing the signals from the different paths. Furthermore, in an antenna diversity scheme, multiple methods can be used to increase signal reliability.

In addition to diversity antennas, modern cellular devices may take advantage of multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technology. Typically, a simple wireless communication system is usually of a single-input and single-output (SISO) type. In a SISO system, a single antenna may be used as a transmitter and a single antenna may be used as the receiver. MIMO is a smart antenna technology that uses a multiplicity of antennas to take advantage of multipath propagation to send and receive signals simultaneously over the same radio channel. MIMO technology can be of the diversity type to improve the reliability of the signal or of the spatial-multiplexing type which increases data throughput. Other MIMO type techniques are available that improve both the reliability and data throughput. In all instances, MIMO relies on a plurality of antennas to improve wireless communication performance. MIMO technology may have two or more antennas at each of the transmit or receive ends of the communication paths. A 2x2 MIMO is a configuration where two antennas are at the transmit end and two antennas are arranged in the receive end. A 4x4 MIMO is a configuration where four antennas are at the transmit end and four antennas are at the receive end. As another example, an 8x8 MIMO is a configuration with eight antennas at each of the transmit and receive ends. In general, the greater the number of antennas, the greater the bandwidth capacity, data speed transfer, and signal reliability.

The physical proximity of the primary and diversity antennas in a wireless device may contribute to correlation of received signal from different antennas, and as a result reduce diversity gain and MIMO throughput. Typically, the diversity antenna is arranged at the upper vertical position of the cellular device to maximize the distance between it and the primary antenna. In an embodiment, an antenna arrangement is disclosed that increases isolation and reduces correlation between the primary and secondary antennas in a device with an extended display. In another embodiment, a ground plane slot structure separates the two ground plane regions to improve isolation and reduce correlation between antennas.

<FIG> is a diagram of a network <NUM> for communicating data. The network <NUM> includes a base station <NUM> having a coverage area <NUM>, a plurality of UEs <NUM>, and a backhaul network <NUM>. As shown, the base station <NUM> establishes uplink (dashed line) and/or downlink (dotted line) connections with the UEs <NUM>, which serve to carry data from the UEs <NUM> to the base station <NUM> and vice-versa. Data communicated over the uplink/downlink connections may include data communicated between the UEs <NUM>, as well as data communicated to/from a remote-end (not shown) by way of the backhaul network <NUM>. As used herein, the term "base station" refers to any network-side device configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as an enhanced Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a gNB, a transmit/receive point (TRP), a macro-cell, a femtocell, a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP), and other wirelessly enabled devices. Base stations may provide wireless access in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols, e.g., 5th generation new radio (<NUM> NR), LTE, LTE advanced (LTE-A), High Speed Message Access (HSPA), Wi-Fi <NUM>. 11a/b/g/n/ac, etc. As used herein, the term "UE" refers to any user-side device configured to access a network by establishing a wireless connection with a base station, such as a mobile device, a mobile station (STA), a vehicle, and other wirelessly enabled devices. In some embodiments, the network <NUM> may include various other wireless devices, such as relays, low power nodes, etc. While it is understood that communication systems may employ multiple access nodes capable of communicating with a number of UEs, only one base station <NUM>, and two UEs <NUM> are illustrated for simplicity.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of another embodiment processing system <NUM> for performing methods described herein, which may be installed in a host device. As shown, the processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> which may (or may not) be arranged as shown in <FIG>. The processor <NUM> may be any component or collection of components adapted to perform computations and/or other processing related tasks, and the memory <NUM> may be any component or collection of components adapted to store programming and/or instructions for execution by the processor <NUM>. In an embodiment, the memory <NUM> includes a non-transitory computer readable medium. The interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be any component or collection of components that allow the processing system <NUM> to communicate with other devices/components and/or a user. In an embodiment, one or more of the interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be adapted to communicate data, control, or management messages from the processor <NUM> to applications installed on the host device and/or a remote device. As another embodiment, one or more of the interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be adapted to allow a user or user device (e.g., personal computer (PC), etc.) to interact/communicate with the processing system <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> may include additional components not depicted in <FIG>, such as long-term storage (e.g., non-volatile memory, etc.).

In some embodiments, the processing system <NUM> is included in a network device that is accessing, or part otherwise of, a telecommunications network. In one embodiment, the processing system <NUM> is in a network-side device in a wireless or wireline telecommunications network, such as a base station, a relay station, a scheduler, a controller, a gateway, a router, an applications server, or any other device in the telecommunications network. In other embodiments, the processing system <NUM> is in a user-side device accessing a wireless or wireline telecommunications network, such as a mobile station, a user equipment (UE), a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a wearable communications device (e.g., a smartwatch, etc.), a wireless capable vehicle, a wireless capable pedestrian, a wireless capable infrastructure element or any other device adapted to access a telecommunications network.

In some embodiments, one or more of the interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connects the processing system <NUM> to a transceiver adapted to transmit and receive signaling over the telecommunications network. <FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a transceiver <NUM> adapted to transmit and receive signaling over a telecommunications network. The transceiver <NUM> may be installed in a host device. As shown, the transceiver <NUM> comprises a network-side interface <NUM>, a coupler <NUM>, a transmitter <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, a signal processor <NUM>, and a device-side interface <NUM>. The network-side interface <NUM> may include any component or collection of components adapted to transmit or receive signaling over a wireless or wireline telecommunications network. The coupler <NUM> may include any component or collection of components adapted to facilitate bi-directional communication over the network-side interface <NUM>. The transmitter <NUM> may include any component or collection of components (e.g., up-converter, power amplifier, etc.) adapted to convert a baseband signal into a modulated carrier signal suitable for transmission over the network-side interface <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> may include any component or collection of components (e.g., down-converter, low noise amplifier, etc.) adapted to convert a carrier signal received over the network-side interface <NUM> into a baseband signal. The signal processor <NUM> may include any component or collection of components adapted to convert a baseband signal into a data signal suitable for communication over the device-side interface(s) <NUM>, or vice-versa. The device-side interface(s) <NUM> may include any component or collection of components adapted to communicate data-signals between the signal processor <NUM> and components within the host device (e.g., the processing system <NUM>, local area network (LAN) ports, etc.).

The transceiver <NUM> may transmit and receive signaling over any type of communications medium. In some embodiments, the transceiver <NUM> transmits and receives signaling over a wireless medium. In some embodiments, the transceiver <NUM> may be a wireless transceiver adapted to communicate in accordance with a wireless telecommunications protocol, such as a cellular protocol (e.g., long-term evolution (LTE), etc.), a wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi, etc.), or any other type of wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), etc.). In such embodiments, the network-side interface <NUM> comprises one or more antenna/radiating elements. In some embodiments, the network-side interface <NUM> may include a single antenna, multiple separate antennas, or a multi-antenna array configured for multi-layer communication, e.g., single input multiple output (SIMO), multiple input single output (MISO), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), etc. In other embodiments, the transceiver <NUM> transmits and receives signaling over a wireline medium, e.g., twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, optical fiber, etc. Specific processing systems and/or transceivers may utilize all of the components shown, or only a subset of the components, and levels of integration may vary from device to device.

Claim 1:
An antenna system configured to be in an electronic device (<NUM>), the antenna system (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a first antenna (<NUM>) configured to operate at sub-<NUM> gigahertz, GHz, frequencies; and
a second antenna (<NUM>) configured to operate at millimeter-wave frequencies, wherein a feeding network of the second antenna (<NUM>) is embedded within a transmission line medium of a signal return path (<NUM>) of the first antenna (<NUM>),
wherein the electronic device (<NUM>) comprises a first printed circuit board, PCB, comprising a processor (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a modem (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the second antenna (<NUM>) further comprises:
a flex circuit (<NUM>);
a circuit clip, c-clip (<NUM>);
a second PCB or a flex circuit board (<NUM>) electrically coupled to the first PCB using the c-clip (<NUM>); and
an integrated circuit, IC (<NUM>), mounted on the second PCB or the flex circuit board (<NUM>), the IC (<NUM>) configured to electrically couple to the second antenna (<NUM>) using the flex circuit (<NUM>).