Patent ID: 12218416

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are multi-band MIMO panel antennas. The multi-band MIMO panel antennas are configurable to have heavy-duty construction and fully IP67 waterproof, for use in a variety of applications. Suitable applications include internet of things (IOT) gateway and IoT routers, high definition (HD) video streaming, transportation, and remote monitoring applications. The multi-band MIMO panel antennas are designed for simple secure attachment using, for example, 3M® two-sided foam adhesive. Additionally, the multi-band MIMO panel antennas can deliver MIMO coverage technology for worldwide 4G LTE bands at 698 to 960 MHz/1710 to 2170 MHz/2490 to 2690 MHz/3300 to 3600 MHz, Satellite Band, dual-band 2.4/5.8 GHz WiFi, and GNSS (GPS-GLONASS-BeiDou). In addition to L-band, other bands can be used including, for example, K-band, S-band, and C-band. As such the multi-band MIMO panel antenna eliminates the need for device designers to specify multiple antennas.

FIGS.1A-Cillustrate several different views of an embodiment of a multi-band MIMO panel antenna100according to the disclosure. A plurality of antenna elements are positioned on the interior of the enclosure101so that the antenna elements are located on the inside of the top surface110of the enclosure101and away from the interior of the bottom surface148of the enclosure101. By positioning the antenna elements within the enclosure closest to the surface that faces away from the mounting surface, antenna RF performance will be optimized. The device is designed to be mounted on a non-conductive surface (e.g., glass, plastic or composite). However, in some implementations the device is mounted on a conductive surface (e.g., metal). Mounting the device on a conductive surface significantly degrades the antenna RF performance. Constructing the device to create as much space as possible between the antenna elements in the interior of the enclosure and the mounting surface minimizes the performance degradation. An adhesive layer (not shown) can be provided on an exterior surface of the panel antenna100so that the panel antenna is mounted so that the electronics inside the antenna are positioned towards the sky. Typically the adhesive layer is positioned on the top surface110when the panel antenna is mounted on an interior surface and on the bottom surface148when the panel antenna is mounted on an exterior surface.

FIG.1Ais a front view of the multi-band MIMO panel antenna100with enclosure101, or housing, having a primarily rectangular shape of low profile and uniform thickness. Enclosure101has a top surface110and, as illustrated, has a first side102, a second side104, a third side106and a fourth side108, numbered clockwise when viewed from above. Suitable dimensions of the enclosure101are a length L1of about 140-150 mm, a width W1of 130-140 mm, and a thickness of about 15-25 mm (e.g., height of second side104). As illustrated, a first arc112forms a corner between fourth side108and first side102; second arc114forms a corner between first side102and second side104; third arc116forms a corner between second side104and third side106; fourth arc118forms a corner between third side106and fourth side108. The resulting perimeter of enclosure101is that of a rectangle with rounded corners. Additionally, the top surface110can be curved towards the side surfaces (102-108). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the electronics and orientation of the electronics positioned within the enclosure101can vary.

Along third side106are a first cable pass-through grommet120and a second cable pass-through grommet122, numbered sequentially from left to right as viewed from above, each of which provides pass-through for three antenna cables from exterior to the interior of enclosure101. The two separate coaxial cable entry points of the first cable pass-through grommet120and the second cable pass-through grommet122balance the pull force of the coaxial cables across a width of the housing where the cable pass-through grommets are positioned. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the cable pass-through grommets are shown positioned along the third side. However, the cable pass-through grommets can be positioned on any surface of the housing without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

A first cable124, second cable126, and third cable128, all pass-through the cable pass-through grommet120from left to right as viewed from above. Fourth cable130, fifth cable132, and sixth cable134, all pass-through the cable pass-through grommet122from left to right as viewed from above. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, cables passing through a particular grommet can be changed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The quantity, type and location of the coaxial cables can vary widely. The order of thee cables illustrated are an example of an optimal mechanical orientation for efficient construction for a particular antenna configuration. Other cable orientations can be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The use of inline rubber plug gaskets creates a water seal between the coaxial cables and the interior of the enclosure101(and thus protects the electronics within the housing from moisture). The use of inline rubber plug gaskets also allows for the use of a single enclosure part number for a wide variety of antenna elements and coaxial cable options. This allows for minimum tooling supporting a wide variety of product configurations. The rubber gasket apertures (or holes) can be sealed at one end with, for example, an elastomer layer or membrane. Other sealing material can be used including, for example, silicone or rubber. Sealing the rubber gasket apertures allows a single rubber gasket part number to be used for a wide variety of options by simply pushing a selected coaxial cable through the elastomer membrane. The elastomer membrane may be pierced by the coaxial cable itself or a tool and may self-seal around the exterior of the coaxial cable.

The cables (124-134) are selected from the group comprising RG174 and KSR200-P. Each cable (124-134) has a connection end (136-146) selected from the group comprising: connector type RG174, and connector type KSR200-P.

Each cable (124-134) further includes a label (170-180) which provides identifying information selected from: the type of cable, the type of connector and/or the type of antenna. An additional label182can be provided which is empty and/or includes a bar code. Other mechanisms for identifying the cable type and/or antenna can be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure including for example, color coding of the cable and/or connector.

TABLE 1Exemplar Cables, Connectors and AntennasCONNECTORCABLECABLE TYPETYPEANTENNAFirst Cable 124KSR200-PKSR200-P2G/3G/4G MMO2SMA(M) STSecond Cable 126RG174RG174 SMA(M)GPS-GLONASS-BEIDUThird Cable 128KSR200-PKSR200-P RP-2.4/5 GH MMO2SMA(M) STFourth Cable 130KSR200-PKSR200-P RP-2.4/5 GH MMO1SMA(M) STFifth Cable 132KSR200-PKSR200-PL-BandSMA(M) STSixth Cable 134KSR200-PKSR200-P2G/3G/4G MMO1SMA(M) ST

For attachment to external electronics, first cable has a typical length C1for each of the cables of about 1 meter. The labels are positionable at a distance of about C2from the connector end of the cables, where C2is 65-75 mm. For connection to external electronics each cable is provided with a typical end SubMiniature version A (SMA) connector.

Illustrated inFIG.1Bis a bottom view of enclosure101. Enclosure101has a bottom surface148and, as illustrated, has a first side102, a second side104, a third side106and a fourth side108, numbered counter-clockwise when viewed from below. As illustrated, first arc112resides between first side102and fourth side108; fourth arc118resides between fourth side108and third side106; third arc116resides between third side106and second side104; second arc114resides between second side104and first side102. The resulting perimeter of enclosure101is that of a rectangle with rounded corners. Along fourth side106are a first cable pass-through grommet120and a second cable pass-through grommet122, numbered sequentially from right to left as viewed from below, each of which provides pass-through for three antenna cables from exterior to the interior of enclosure101.

First cable124, second cable126, and third cable128, all pass-through the cable pass-through grommet120from right to left as viewed from below. Fourth cable130, fifth cable132, and sixth cable134, all the cable pass-through grommet122from right to left as viewed from below.

Illustrated inFIG.1Cis a perspective view of enclosure101. Evident in the illustration is top surface110, first side102, second side104, third side106, fourth side108, first arc112, second arc114, third arc116, fourth arc118, first cable pass-through grommet120, and second cable pass-through grommet122, as described inFIGS.1A-B. First cable pass-through grommet120, has a plurality of apertures to facilitate connection of cables from the internal antennas to external electronics. First aperture150, second aperture152, and third aperture154numbered from left to right are illustrated. Second cable pass-through grommet122, has a plurality of apertures to facilitate connection of cables from the internal antennas to external electronics. Fourth aperture156, fifth aperture158, and sixth aperture160numbered from left to right are illustrated.

FIG.2is a table of antenna and filter specifications for BeiDou-GPS-GLONASS frequencies. It includes specifications for passive antenna, low-noise amplifier and filter electrical properties, and complete specification from antenna through low-noise amplifier and filter.FIG.3is a table of antenna specifications for 2G/3G/4G LTE frequencies. It includes efficiency, average gain and peak gain data for each LTE antenna for a variety of cable lengths as well as other data.FIG.4is a table of antenna specifications for 2.4 GHz/5 GHz WiFi frequencies. It includes efficiency, average gain and peak gain data for each WiFi antenna for a variety of cable lengths as well as other data.FIG.5is a table of antenna specifications for Satellite Band 1621 MHz. It includes axial ratio, polarization, average gain, peak gain and efficiency numbers.FIG.6is a table of mechanical and environmental specifications for an antenna according to the disclosure. It includes dimension, weight, operating and storage temperatures. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, satellite band can include L-band, K-band, S-band, C-band, and any other band that achieves satellite communication.

Components of the disclosure can be provided in kit form. For example, a multi-band MIMO panel antenna comprising a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface which encloses multi-band MIMO panel antenna electronics having a plurality of apertures along an exterior surface configurable to engage a plurality of cables, wherein a first aperture is configurable to engage a 2G/3G/4G coaxial cable, a second aperture is configurable to engage a GPS-GLONASS-BeiDou coaxial cable, a third aperture is configurable to engage a satellite band coaxial cable, and two or more apertures are configurable a to engage a 2/4/5 GHz WiFi coaxial cable; and a plurality of cables selected from a 2G/3G/4G coaxial cable, a GPS-GLONASS-BeiDou, an L-band coaxial cable, and a 2/4/5 GHz WiFi coaxial cable which are packaged for commercial sale to an end user. Labels can be preinstalled on the cables or provided in the package.

FIG.7Ais a figure of the panel antenna100affixed to an interior window of a vehicle710. The window is a non-conductive surface and the panel antenna is mounted so that the antenna elements within the panel antenna are close to the window712.FIG.7Bis a figure of the panel antenna100affixed to an exterior surface of a vehicle720on a conductive surface such as a trunk lid722. Where the panel antenna100is affixed to an exterior surface, the antenna elements inside the panel antenna are positioned away from the conductive surface.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.