Patent ID: 12237582

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes an adaptive mmWave antenna radome, for example, for 5G mmWave communications and is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed subject matter in the context of one or more particular implementations.

Various modifications, alterations, and permutations of the disclosed implementations can be made and will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined may be applied to other implementations and applications, without departing from scope of the disclosure. In some instances, details unnecessary to obtain an understanding of the described subject matter may be omitted so as to not obscure one or more described implementations with unnecessary detail inasmuch as such details are within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the described or illustrated implementations, but to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the described principles and features.

In a wireless communications system, especially with the development of a 5G system, a mobile phone may need to accommodate more and more 2G/3G/4G LTE, as well as 5G New Radio (NR) antennas and mmWave antennas. The area left for antennas can be limited due to the fact that industrial design (ID) of phones becomes slimmer on thickness and its bezel area becomes smaller while the display becomes bigger.

In some implementations, unlike the sub 6 GHz antenna normally implemented as a single antenna element, a mobile phone can include an antenna system or antenna module that includes one or more antenna elements. For example, a phase antenna array can be used in mmWave frequency to achieve higher gain and beamforming scanning to compensate high signal attenuation during propagation through air interfaces. The antenna system can be, for example, an antenna in package (AiP), an antenna on board (AoB), or an antenna in Module (AiM). Antenna in package (AiP) is currently a mainstream format for 5G mmWave antenna module. However, the standard AiP antenna design and calibration are based on characteristics of the AiP in free space for mass production purposes. However, when the AiP is placed inside a device (e.g., a mobile phone), a device cover (e.g., a phone back cover, a phone front cover, or a side or edge cover) with high dielectric constant (DK) material such as glass might have significant impacts on the antenna performance. Moreover, multiple AiP modules might be used in a single device, and the surroundings of the antenna system can be even more complicated and different from that in free space, especially when the size of the phone is getting thinner and the distance between the device cover and the antenna system becomes smaller.

For example, a device cover is typically bigger than 10 times the size of an AiP. The device cover with such a large size above the AiP can cause guided waves inside the device cover to be uncontrollable, rather than focusing on an intended radiation direction. In some implementations, as a distance between the device cover and the AiP becomes closer, the main beam of an antenna beam pattern of the AiP becomes narrower and the sidelobe of the antenna beam pattern of the AiP becomes higher. In one implementation, when the distance between the AiP and the glass cover increases to or becomes larger than 3.8 mm, the beam pattern of the AiP becomes similar to the one in free space. However, most devices are limited on thickness and the antenna system with conventional devices experience degraded antenna performances.

The disclosure provides techniques for solving the above problems. The described antenna system can help improve or optimize antenna performances of mmWave antenna systems (e.g., a standardized AiP) under different circumstances for mmWave communications. For example, the described techniques can help a standardized AiP achieve or approach an optimal antenna performance when AiP is under a dielectric cover of a device. The described techniques allow design and implementation of an adaptive mmWave antenna radome system. In some implementations, an adaptive mmWave antenna radome system can include a device cover and an antenna system underneath the device cover, wherein the device cover is separated from the antenna system (e.g., with a distance less than 3.8 mm) and wherein the device cover includes a PMC (perfect magnetic conductor) equivalent material surrounding the antenna system without overlapping the antenna system.

In some implementations, instead of physically truncating the device cover, the PMC equivalent material can be used to form a PMC boundary condition that can electronically truncate the device cover to a finite size similar to an antenna array aperture. As such, the guided wave inside of the device cover as well as the antenna aperture size can be controlled, so that the antenna performance can be less affected by the surrounding environment such as the device dielectric covers. The PMC equivalent material on the device cover can help form an mmWave antenna radome that is adapted to the surrounding environment of the antenna, such as, the device dielectric cover. In some implementations, the PMC equivalent material can form a loop, a closed path, a U shape, or another different shape (e.g., as a frame, ring, band, etc.) surrounding the antenna and have different dimensions (e.g., length, width, and thickness). In some implementations, the width of the shape along the device dielectric cover formed by the PMC equivalent material is equal to or larger than λd/2, wherein λdis an effective wavelength of a guided wave in the device cover.

For example, a PMC equivalent material can be used to form a PMC boundary condition surface that is at least λd/2 wide to surround an AiP underneath a back cover of a mobile phone. The PMC boundary condition surface can effectively function as a magnetic conductor over a certain frequency range. The PMC boundary condition surface can electronically truncate the back cover to a finite size similar to the antenna array aperture. The PMC boundary condition surface effectively helps form an antenna radome for the AiP underneath the back cover of the mobile phone.

A PMC equivalent material can be an artificial electromagnetic (EM) material that can achieve or approximate a PMC boundary condition that has high impedance and is nearly lossless. A PMC equivalent material can be implemented using an artificial EM material with different structures, such as, an electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure or a photonic bandgap (PBG) structure. PBG structures are generally infinite periodic structures of dielectric materials that prevent propagation of EM waves at certain frequencies. For finite rather than infinite PBG structures, the propagating signal is attenuated over a specified frequency band. Although “photonic” refers to light, the principle of “bandgap” applies to electromagnetic waves of all wavelengths. PBGs provide some degree of three-dimensional control of the propagation of EM waves. In some implementations, truly three-dimensional PBGs are needed for full control via the effects of PBGs.

The described techniques also allow a co-design of an mmWave antenna system of a device and the dielectric cover of the device so as to implement a radome for the mmWave antenna system adaptive to different surroundings of the device. For example, various parameters of the PMC equivalent material (e.g., a structure, a dimension, etc.), the antenna (e.g., a type, a radiation pattern, etc.), the back cover (e.g., a type of material, a shape, size, etc.), and other factors in the surrounding environment can be designed or otherwise configured to optimize or otherwise improve antenna performance. For example, the PMC equivalent material can include multiple metallic elements, wherein a shape and dimension of each of the multiple metallic elements are determined based on dielectric parameters of the device cover and a distance between the device cover and the antenna system. In some implementations, the PMC equivalent material can include multiple holes in a dielectric substrate, wherein a shape and dimension of each of the multiple holes are determined based on dielectric parameters of the device cover and a distance between the device cover and the antenna system.

In some implementations, an antenna gain at 3-dB beamwidth can be achieved by an mmWave antenna system with an adaptive mmWave antenna radome compared to the one of the mmWave antenna system in free space. In some implementations, the described techniques enable mmWave antenna implementations inside of a compact mobile device (e.g., a 5G mobile device) to achieve an enhanced capacity in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) diversity system.

FIG.1Ais a schematic diagram100illustrating an example mmWave AiP105underneath a glass cover115, according to an implementation.FIG.1Bis a schematic diagram150illustrating a cross-sectional view of the example mmWave AiP105underneath the glass cover115. In some implementations, the mmWave AiP105(e.g., an AiP antenna array) can be an example of an mmWave antenna system of a device (e.g., a mobile phone). The glass cover115can be an example of a dielectric cover of the device. For example, the glass cover115can be an example of a dielectric back cover of a mobile phone that extends beyond the example mmWave AiP105and forms an entirety of the back of the mobile phone. The mmWave AiP105is placed on a printed circuit board (PCB)125. As such, the glass cover115can serve as a superstrate of the mmWave AiP105, whereas the PCB125can serve as a ground plane or a substrate of the mmWave AiP105.

In some implementations, the mmWave antenna system can excite guided waves inside of a dielectric cover of a device, especially when the dielectric cover has a relatively high DK (e.g., DK>3). As illustrated inFIGS.1A-B, the mmWave AiP105excite the guided waves110inside of the glass cover115. In some implementations, the guided waves110inside the glass cover115and surface waves120on the PCB125might foster each other's propagation. In some implementations, the guided wave (e.g., guided waves110) inside of a dielectric cover enlarges an actual radiating aperture of the mmWave antenna system, causing the actual radiating aperture to be bigger than its radiating aperture would be in free space, which can result in narrower beamwidth and scanning capability of the mmWave antenna system.

FIG.2Ais a schematic diagram illustrating an example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system200, according to an implementation.FIG.2Bis a schematic diagram250illustrating a cross-sectional view of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system200. In some implementations, the adaptive mmWave antenna radome system200includes an example mmWave antenna system205underneath a device cover215and a PMC surface235included on the device cover215. The device cover215is separated from the example mmWave antenna system205in a first dimension (i.e., the vertical direction along the z-axis in this example) with a distance less than 3.8 mm. In some implementations, the distance between the device cover215and the mmWave antenna system205can be 3 mm or less. As such, the PMC surface235and the example mmWave antenna system205are not on the same plane but are separated in the first dimension as well.

In some implementations, the mmWave antenna system205can be an mmWave AiP205(e.g., an AiP antenna array), an mmWave AoB, or an mmWave AiM. In some implementations, the antenna system can include one or more antennas configured to operate in mmWave frequency.

The device cover215can be an example of a dielectric cover of a device (e.g., a mobile phone). In some implementations, the mobile phone cover can be a mobile phone front cover covering a front side of the mobile phone, wherein the front side includes a screen (e.g., a touch screen or a display) of the moible phone. In some implementations, the mobile phone cover can be a mobile phone back cover covering a back side of the mobile phone, wherein the back side opposing a screen of the moible phone. In some implementations, the dielectric cover can be, for example, a dielectric back cover of a mobile phone that extends beyond the example mmWave antenna system205and forms an entirety of the back of the mobile phone. For example, the device cover215can be a glass cover similar to the glass cover115inFIGS.1A-B. The device cover215can serve as a superstrate of the mmWave antenna system205. The device cover215can include a substrate (e.g., a glass substrate), wherein a first surface (e.g., an inner surface) of the substrate facing the mmWave antenna system205underneath the substrate. The substrate is separated from the mmWave antenna system205in the first dimension (i.e., the vertical direction along the z-axis in this example).

In some implementations, a PMC equivalent material can be disposed, deposited, placed, or othewise included on the device cover215. For example, the PMC equivalent material can be disposed on the first surface of the substrate of the device cover215, facing towards the mmWave antenna system205. In some implementations, the thickness or height of the PMC material is significantly less than its length and width along the first surface of the substrate of the device cover215, forming a PMC surface235surrounding the mmWave antenna system205. The PMC surface235underneath the device cover215can be used to suppress the guided wave (e.g., microwaves up to 300 MHz in frequency) inside the device cover215, reducing or eliminating energies going in unwanted directions.

Effectively, the PMC surface235helps form an adaptive mmWave antenna radome of the adaptive mmWave antenna radome system200. For example, the PMC surface235can in effect electronically truncate the device cover215that forms an entirety of the back of the mobile phone and that would have had uncontrollable guided waves (such as the guided waves110shown inFIGS.1A-B) to a finite device cover315that has a similar size to an actual antenna array aperture of the mmWave antenna system305in free space, as shown inFIGS.3A-B. In some implementations, the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system200as shown inFIGS.2A-Bcan be similar or substantially equivalent to the example mmWave antenna system305as shown inFIGS.3A-B, in terms of the performance of the antenna system. Specifically,FIG.3Ais a schematic diagram300illustrating the example mmWave antenna system305underneath a finite device cover315in free space, according to an implementation.FIG.3Bis a schematic diagram350illustrating a cross-sectional view of the example mmWave antenna system305underneath the finite device cover315. The finite device cover315does not extend beyond what has been shown inFIGS.3A-3Band does not form an entirety of the mobile device. The finite device cover315has a similar size to the actual antenna array aperture of the mmWave antenna system305in free space.

As illustrated inFIG.2A, the PMC surface235has a rectangular frame shape with a width along the first surface of the substrate of the device cover215. The width can be equal to or larger than λd/2, wherein λdis an effective wavelength of a guided wave in the device cover215. The PMC surface235can have another shape and have different dimensions. In some implementations, the PMC surface235and the mmWave antenna system205can be co-designed, for example, by selecting the type of the PMC equivalent material, the shape and dimensions (length, width, and depth) of the PMC surface, and configurations of the mmWave antenna system205to improve or optimize the performance of the mmWave antenna system205underneath of the device cover215of the device. For example, the shape of the PMC surface235can be chosen to be the same as, similar to, or otherwise matching the shape of the mmWave antenna system205. The size of the PMC surface235can be slightly larger than the size of the mmWave antenna system205so that the PMC surface235encloses or otherwise surrounds the mmWave antenna system205. In some implementations, the PMC surface235can be as close as possible but not overlapping with the mmWave antenna system205along the first surface of the substrate of the device cover215. For example, a lateral distance between the PMC surface235and the mmWave antenna system205can be λdor less.

FIG.4Ais a schematic diagram illustrating an example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system400, according to an implementation.FIG.4Bis a schematic diagram450illustrating a cross-sectional view of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system400. In some implementations, the adaptive mmWave antenna radome system400includes an mmWave AiP405underneath a device cover415and a PMC ring435on the device cover415surrounding the mmWave AiP405. The device cover415is separated from the mmWave AiP405in a first dimension (i.e., the vertical direction along the z-axis in this example). As such, the PMC ring435and the mmWave AiP405are not on the same plane but are separated in the first dimension as well.

The mmWave AiP405can be an example of an mmWave antenna system inside a device (e.g., a mobile phone), such as the mmWave antenna system205. The device cover415can be an example of a dielectric cover of a device (e.g., a mobile phone). The dielectric cover can be, for example, a dielectric back cover of a mobile phone that extends beyond the example mmWave AiP405and forms an entirety of the back of the mobile phone. For example, the device cover415can be a glass cover similar to the glass cover115inFIGS.1A-B. The mmWave AiP405is placed on a printed circuit board (PCB)425. As such, the device cover415can serve as a superstrate of the mmWave AiP405, whereas the PCB425can serve as a ground plane or a substrate of the mmWave AiP405. As shown inFIG.4A, the mmWave AiP405includes a 2×2 28 GHz antenna patch array. The mmWave AiP405is surrounded by the PMC ring435. The PMC ring435has a width of 4 mm. Note that the PMC ring435surrounds but does not overlap with the mmWave AiP405.

FIG.5Ais a schematic diagram illustrating an example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system500, according to an implementation. The adaptive mmWave antenna radome system500includes an mmWave AiP505underneath a device cover515and a PMC equivalent material560that forms a PMC surface535surrounding the example mmWave AiP505.FIG.5Bis a schematic diagram550illustrating a cross-sectional view of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system500.FIG.5Cis a schematic diagram555illustrating a top view of the adaptive mmWave antenna radome system500.FIG.5Dis a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of an example structure of the PMC equivalent material560that forms the PMC surface535surrounding the example mmWave AiP505, according to an implementation.

The mmWave AiP505can be an example of an mmWave antenna system inside a device (e.g., a mobile phone), such as the mmWave antenna system205. The device cover515can be an example of a dielectric cover of a device (e.g., a mobile phone). The dielectric cover can be, for example, a dielectric back cover of a mobile phone that extends beyond the example mmWave AiP505and forms an entirety of the back of the mobile phone. For example, the device cover515can be a glass cover similar to the glass cover115inFIGS.1A-B. The mmWave AiP505is placed on a printed circuit board (PCB)525. As such, the device cover515can serve as a superstrate of the mmWave AiP505, whereas the PCB525can serve as a ground plane or a substrate of the mmWave AiP505.

As shown inFIGS.5B and5C, the mmWave AiP505is surrounded by the PMC surface535. As shown inFIG.5D, the PMC surface535is made of a PMC equivalent material565with a PGB structure, where the PMC equivalent material565is constructed by drilling or etching spherical holes564in a dielectric material562. In the example shown inFIG.5D, the diameter of each of the circular holes564is 0.6 mm. The diameters of the circular holes564can have other values, for example, in the range of 0.3-0.8 mm. In some implementations, the diameter and placement of each of the spherical holes564can be designed or otherwise configured, for example, to optimize or otherwise improve the impedance or other properties of the PMC equivalent material565to better suppress guided waves in the device cover515. In some implementations, a shape and dimension of each of the spherical holes564are determined based on dielectric parameters of the device cover515and a distance between the device cover515and the antenna system505in the first dimension (i.e., the vertical direction along the z-axis in this example).

FIG.6Ais a plot illustrating an electric field (E-field)600of an example 2×2 patch antenna array605on a ground plane602in free space without any device cover, according to an implementation.FIG.6Bis a plot illustrating an E-field630of an example one patch antenna element615on a ground plane612under a glass cover614, according to an implementation.FIG.6Cis a plot illustrating an E-field660of an example one patch antenna element625on a ground plane622under a glass cover624with a PMC surface635, according to an implementation. The PMC surface635surrounds but does not overlap with the one patch antenna element625. The PMC surface635is formed by a PMC equivalent material with a PGB structure. As can be seen inFIGS.6A-C, guided waves in the glass cover624and surface waves on the ground plane622can be partially suppressed with the PMC surface635.

FIG.7Ais a plot illustrating an antenna gain pattern700of an example AiP antenna array on a PCB ground plane in free space without any device cover, according to an implementation. The antenna gain pattern700shows a peak gain of 9.9 dB for the example AiP antenna array705on a PCB ground plane in free space without any device cover.FIG.7Bis a plot illustrating an antenna gain pattern730of an example AiP antenna array on a PCB ground plane under a glass cover, according to an implementation. The antenna gain pattern730shows a peak gain of 8.4 dB for the example AiP antenna array on the PCB ground plane under the glass cover.FIG.7Cis a plot illustrating an antenna gain pattern760of an example AiP antenna array on a PCB ground plane under a glass cover with a PMC surface, according to an implementation. The antenna gain pattern760shows a peak gain of 10.1 dB for the example AiP antenna array on the PCB ground plane under the glass cover with the PMC surface.

As can be seen inFIGS.7A-C, with PMC equivalent material on the glass cover, there is 1.7 dB improvement on peak gain potential of the antenna gain pattern760of the example AiP antenna array under the glass cover with the PMC surface than that of the antenna gain pattern730of the example AiP antenna array under the glass cover without a PMC surface. Also, the antenna gain pattern760is much smoother than the antenna gain pattern730. The antenna gain pattern760has less ripples and its side lobes are much lower than those of the antenna gain pattern730due to controlled reflection between the glass cover and the PCB ground plane.

FIG.8Ais a plot800illustrating a gain vs. angle pattern805of an example AiP antenna array in free space without any device cover, a gain vs. angle pattern815of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover, and a gain vs. angle pattern825of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover with a PMC surface, in an E-field plane, according to an implementation.

FIG.8Bis a plot850illustrating a gain vs. angle pattern804of an example AiP antenna array in free space without any device cover, a gain vs. angle pattern814of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover, and a gain vs. angle pattern824of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover with a PMC surface, in a magnetic field (H-field) plane, according to an implementation. The gain vs. angle patterns805,815,825,804,814, and824are all measured at phi=90° at 28 GHz frequency.

As can be seen inFIGS.8A-8B, side lobes and back lobes of the gain vs. angle patterns825and824of the example AiP antenna array under the glass cover with a PMC surface are closer to the counterpart patterns805and804in free space without any device cover, and are smoother than the counterpart patterns815and814of the example AiP antenna array under the glass cover without a PMC surface.

FIG.9Ais a schematic diagram illustrating another example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system900, according to an implementation. The example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system900includes an mmWave AiP905underneath a device cover915and a PMC equivalent material960that forms a PMC surface935surrounding the example mmWave AiP905.

FIG.9Bis a schematic diagram950illustrating a cross-sectional view of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system900.FIG.9Cis a schematic diagram955illustrating a top view of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system900.FIG.9Dis a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of an example structure of the PMC equivalent material960that forms the PMC surface935surrounding the example mmWave AiP905, according to an implementation.

The mmWave AiP905can be an example of an mmWave antenna system inside a device (e.g., a mobile phone), such as the mmWave antenna system205. The device cover915can be an example of a dielectric cover of a device (e.g., a mobile phone). The dielectric cover can be, for example, a dielectric back cover of a mobile phone that extends beyond the example mmWave AiP905and forms an entirety of the back of the mobile phone. For example, the device cover915can be a glass cover similar to the glass cover115inFIGS.1A-B. The mmWave AiP905is placed on a printed circuit board (PCB)925. As such, the device cover915can serve as a superstrate of the mmWave AiP905, whereas the PCB925can serve as a ground plane or a substrate of the mmWave AiP905.

As shown inFIGS.9B and9C, the mmWave AiP905is surrounded by the PMC surface935made of a PMC equivalent material960. As shown inFIG.9D, the PMC equivalent material960with a PGB structure, where the PMC equivalent material969has a periodic structure of rectangular holes964in a dielectric material962. In the example shown inFIG.9D, each of the rectangular holes964is arranged in a snow-flake shape with an outer contour of a length of 0.8 mm. The diameters of the circular holes964can have other values, for example, in the range of 0.6-1 mm. In some implementations, the dimension and placement of each hole964can be designed or otherwise configured, for example, to optimize or otherwise improve the impedance or other properties of the PMC equivalent material960to better suppress guided waves in the device cover915.

FIG.10is a schematic diagram1000illustrating another example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1000, according to an implementation. The example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1000includes an mmWave AiP1005underneath a device cover1015and a PMC surface1035on the device cover1015.

The mmWave AiP1005can be an example of an mmWave antenna system inside a device (e.g., a mobile phone), such as the mmWave antenna system205. The mmWave AiP1005as shown includes 4 antenna elements. In some implementations, the mmWave AiP1005can include another number of antenna elements (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, etc.) The device cover1015can be an example of a dielectric cover of a device (e.g., a mobile phone). The dielectric cover can be, for example, a dielectric back cover of a mobile phone that extends beyond the example mmWave AiP1005and forms an entirety of the back of the mobile phone. For example, the device cover1015can be a glass cover similar to the glass cover115inFIGS.1A-B. The mmWave AiP1005is placed on a printed circuit board (PCB)1025. As such, the device cover1015can serve as a superstrate of the mmWave AiP1005, whereas the PCB1025can serve as a ground plane or a substrate of the mmWave AiP1005. As shown inFIG.10A, the mmWave AiP1005includes 4 antenna elements with 1×4 horizontal placement. The mmWave AiP1005is surrounded by the PMC surface1035. Note that the PMC surface1035does not overlap with the mmWave AiP1005.

FIG.11Ais a schematic diagram illustrating another example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1100, according to an implementation. The example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1100includes an mmWave AiP1105underneath a device cover1115of a device1150and PMC bands1135on the device cover1115.FIG.11Bis a schematic diagram1130illustrating a zoomed-in view of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1100.FIG.11Cis a schematic diagram1160illustrating a top view of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1100.

The mmWave AiP1105is perpendicularly mounted on a ground plane1125. The ground plane1125can be in plane or parallel with a plane where a screen (e.g., a touch screen or display, not shown inFIG.11A) of the device1150is located. For example, the ground plane1125can be a front plane where the screen of the of the device1150is located. As another example, the ground plane1125can be a back plane opposing the front plane where the screen of the device1150is located.

The mobile phone cover comprises a mobile phone side or edge cover covering a side or edge of the mobile phone, wherein As shown in FIG.11A, the mmWave AiP1105is placed on a side (e.g., a top or bottom side) or edge of the device1150. The side or edge can be peripheral to the screen of the moible phone, substantially spanning a thickness dimension of the device1150. The device cover1115comprises a plane covering the ground plane1125(can be referred to as a back cover) and a plane covering the side or edge of the device1150(can be referred to as a side or edge cover). Multiple PMC bands1135are disposed on the device cover1115that surrounds an mmWave AiP1105. The mmWave AiP1105is located underneath the mobile phone side or edge cover of the device cover1115. The mmWave AiP1105includes 4 antenna elements with 1×4 horizontal placement.

The mmWave AiP1105is enclosed by the device cover1115. The device cover1115can serve as a superstrate of the mmWave AiP1105. As shown inFIG.11C, the mmWave AiP1105is separated from the device cover1115in both a first dimension (e.g., along the x axis in the horizontal plane in this example) and a second dimension (e.g., along the y axis in the horizontal plane in this example). The PMC bands1135form a U shape that surrounds the mmWave AiP1105.

As shown inFIG.11A, the device cover1115is a folded cover, for example, that includes a back cover and a side or edge cover. The device cover1115can be an example of a dielectric cover of a device (e.g., a mobile phone). The dielectric cover can be, for example, a dielectric cover of a mobile phone spanning at least a top or bottom side or edge of the mobile phone.

As shown inFIGS.11A-C, the mmWave AiP1105is surrounded by three PMC bands1135except on the ground plane1125to suppress guided waves in the device cover1115. The PMC bands1135are disposed an inner surface of the device cover1115that is facing towards the mmWave AiP1105. Note that the PMC bands1135do not overlap with the mmWave AiP1105. In some implementations, a dimension (e.g., a length, width, or thickness) of each of the PMC bands1135can be configured or co-designed with the mmWave AiP1105, the device cover1115, or other factors in the surrounding environment of the mmWave AiP1105to electronically truncate the device cover1115and form an antenna radome for the mmWave AiP1105.

FIG.12is a schematic diagram1200illustrating an example structure of a PMC equivalent material that forms the PMC surfaces1135of the example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1100, according to an implementation. The PMC equivalent material has a PGB structure with periodic circular holes1164in a dielectric material1162, similar to the PMC equivalent material565inFIG.5. In some implementations, the dimensions and placement of each circular hole1164can be designed or otherwise configured, for example, to optimize or otherwise improve the impedance or other properties of the PMC equivalent material to better suppress guided waves in the device cover1115. In some implementations, the PMC equivalent material that forms the PMC surfaces1135can have another structure or pattern. For example, the PMC equivalent material that forms the PMC surfaces1135can have a structure similar to the PMC equivalent material960inFIG.9D.

FIG.13Ais a plot illustrating an electric field (E-field)1300of an example 1×4 patch antenna array1305perpendicularly mounted on a PCB ground plane1325in free space without a glass cover, according to an implementation.FIG.13Bis a plot illustrating perspective view1302of the E-field1300of the example 1×4 patch antenna array1305perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane1325in free space without a glass cover.

FIG.13Cis a plot illustrating an electric field (E-field)1330of the example 1×4 patch antenna array1305(e.g., an antenna system of a device) perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane1325with a glass cover1315(e.g., a device cover), according to an implementation. The glass cover1315, covers the example 1×4 patch antenna array1305and the PCB ground plane1325.FIG.13Dis a plot illustrating perspective view1332of the E-field1330of the example 1×4 patch antenna array1305perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane1325with the glass cover1315.

FIG.13Eis a plot illustrating an electric field (E-field)1360of the example 1×4 patch antenna array1305perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane1325with the glass cover1315as well as surrounding PMC surfaces, according to an implementation.FIG.13Fis a plot illustrating a perspective view1362of the E-field1360of the example 1×4 patch antenna array1305perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane1325with the glass cover1315as well as surrounding PMC surfaces1335. The example 1×4 patch antenna array1305perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane1325with the glass cover1315as well as surrounding PMC surfaces1335can be an example adaptive mmWave antenna radome system1100ofFIGS.11A-C. Guided waves in the glass cover1315and surface waves on the ground plane1325as shown in the E-field1330can be partially suppressed with the surrounding PMC surfaces1335as shown in the E-field1360.

FIG.14Ais a plot illustrating an antenna gain pattern1400of an example AiP antenna array (e.g., an 1×4 AiP) perpendicularly mounted on a PCB ground plane in free space without any device cover (as shown inFIGS.13A-B), according to an implementation. The antenna gain pattern1400shows a peak gain of 10.9 dB for the example AiP antenna array1405on the PCB ground plane in free space without any device cover.FIG.14Bis a plot illustrating an antenna gain pattern1430of an example AiP antenna array perpendicularly mounted on a PCB ground plane under a folded glass cover (as shown inFIGS.13C-D), according to an implementation. The antenna gain pattern1430shows a peak gain of 8.8 dB for the example AiP antenna array perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane under the folded glass cover.FIG.14Cis a plot illustrating an antenna gain pattern1460of an example AiP antenna array perpendicularly mounted on a PCB ground plane under a folded glass cover with a PMC surface (as shown inFIGS.13E-F), according to an implementation. The antenna gain pattern1460shows a peak gain of 10.3 dB for the example AiP antenna array perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane under the folded glass cover with the PMC surface.

As can be seen inFIGS.14A-C, due to the folded glass cover, the main lobe (peak gain) direction of the example AiP antenna array when it is perpendicularly mounted on the PCB ground plane tilts upwards (towards the folded glass cover). With the PMC surfaces on the folded glass cover surrounding the example AiP antenna array, guided waves propagating in the glass will be suppressed. As a result, the main lobe direction will move back towards the horizontal plane, 1.5 dB improvement on peak gain and smaller back lobe can be achieved.

FIG.15Ais a plot1500illustrating a gain vs. angle pattern1505of an example AiP antenna array in free space without any device cover (e.g., as shown inFIGS.13A-B), a gain vs. angle pattern1515of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover (e.g., as shown inFIGS.13C-D), and a gain vs. angle pattern1525of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover with PMC surfaces (e.g., as shown inFIGS.13E-F), in an E-field plane, according to an implementation.

FIG.15Bis a plot1550illustrating a gain vs. angle pattern1504of an example AiP antenna array in free space without any device cover (e.g., as shown inFIGS.13A-B), a gain vs. angle pattern1514of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover (e.g., as shown inFIGS.13C-D), and a gain vs. angle pattern1524of an example AiP antenna array under a glass cover with PMC surfaces (e.g., as shown inFIGS.13E-F), in a magnetic field (H-field) plane, according to an implementation. The gain vs. angle patterns1505,1515,1525,1504,1514, and1524are all measured at phi=90° at 28 GHz frequency.

As can be seen inFIGS.15A-15B, side lobes at the glass cover side of the gain vs. angle patterns1525and1524of the example AiP antenna array under the glass cover with PMC surfaces are suppressed compared to the counterpart patterns1515and1514of the example AiP antenna array under the glass cover without a PMC surface.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in tangibly embodied computer software or firmware, in computer hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented, in combination, in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations, separately, or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although previously described features may be described as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Other implementations, alterations, and permutations of the described implementations are within the scope of the following claims as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. While operations are depicted in the drawings or claims in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed (some operations may be considered optional), to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking or parallel processing (or a combination of multitasking and parallel processing) may be advantageous and performed as deemed appropriate.

Moreover, the separation or integration of various system modules and components in the previously described implementations should not be understood as requiring such separation or integration in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Accordingly, the previously described example implementations do not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.