# US 10,164,346 B2 · Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) omnidirectional antenna > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,164,346 B2 - Document ID: US10164346B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/436,941 - Filed: 2017-02-20 - Published: 2017-08-24 - Granted: 2018-12-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-18 - Assignees: Alpha Wireless Limited - Applicants: Alpha Wireless Limited - Inventors: Cao Ming; Fergal Lawlor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10164346B2 ## CPC - H01Q 21/26: Turnstile or like antennas comprising arrangements of three or more elongated elements disposed radially and symmetrically in a horizontal plane about a common centre - H01Q 1/246: {specially adapted for base stations} - H01Q 1/42: Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome - H01Q 21/00: Antenna arrays or systems (arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00) - H01Q 21/205: {providing an omnidirectional coverage (turnstile aerials H01Q21/26)} - H01Q 21/24: Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction {(circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001)} - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) omnidirectional antenna comprising three or more column sets arranged in a centrosymmetricly. Each column set comprises two or more antenna columns, each having a plurality of radiators mounted thereon. Each antenna column receives no more than two signals to be transmitted, and is arranged axisymmetricly about a radially-directed axis created between the center point of the antenna and a transverse cross-sectional midpoint on the antenna column. Therefore, each radiation pattern established by each of the three or more column sets is centrosymmetric about the center point of the antenna and axisymmetric about the radially-directed axis. The MIMO omnidirectional antenna can fit within a radome of small diameter, while providing relatively uniform radiation plot coverage across a microcell where it is deployed. As no phase shifting is utilized, there is little ripple effect and all of the ports have a similar gain. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) omnidirectional antenna comprising three or more column sets, where the three or more column sets are arranged in a centrosymmetric arrangement about a centre point of the antenna; each column set comprising two or more antenna columns and each of the antenna columns mounting a plurality of radiators thereon; whereby, each antenna column receives no more than two signals to be transmitted, and, each of the antenna columns is arranged to be axisymmetric about a radially-directed axis which extends between the centre point of the antenna and a transverse cross-sectional midpoint on the antenna column; such that, each radiation pattern established by each of the three or more column sets is centrosymmetric about the centre point of the antenna, and, is axisymmetric about the radially-directed axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna is a 4×4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output antenna comprising six antenna columns arranged in a hexagonal arrangement. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna is a 8×8 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output antenna comprising twelve antenna columns arranged in a dodecagonal arrangement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, each radiation pattern established by each of the three or more column sets is both centrosymmetric and axisymmetric for both amplitude and phase. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 2, wherein, each radiation pattern established by each of the three or more column sets is both centrosymmetric and axisymmetric for both amplitude and phase. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 3, wherein, each radiation pattern established by each of the three or more column sets is both centrosymmetric and axisymmetric for both amplitude and phase. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna comprises three column sets. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna comprises six column sets. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 2, wherein the 4×4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna comprising a plurality of radiators mounted on six antenna columns, with each of the six antenna columns mounting a plurality of radiators; each of the six antenna columns being substantially rectangular in shape such as to comprise side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge whereby the side edges are longer than the top and bottom edges; each of the six antenna columns being positioned adjacent to two of the remaining antenna columns along its side edges, such that the six antenna columns are arranged to have a substantially hexagonal transverse cross-section; wherein, the 4×4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna comprises four antenna ports for receiving four signals to be transmitted; two of the four ports being connected to three of the six antenna columns and the other two ports being connected to the other three antenna columns; whereby, the antenna columns are configured such that an antenna column connected to two of the antenna ports is situated intermediate two adjacent antenna columns connected to the other two ports. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 3, wherein the 8×8 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna comprising a plurality of radiators mounted on twelve antenna columns, with each of the twelve antenna columns mounting a plurality of radiators; each of the twelve antenna columns being substantially rectangular in shape such as to comprise side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge whereby the side edges are longer than the top and bottom edges; each of the twelve antenna columns being positioned adjacent to two of the remaining antenna columns along its side edges, such that the twelve antenna columns are arranged to have a substantially dodecagonal transverse cross-section; wherein, the 8×8 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna comprises eight antenna ports for receiving eight signals to be transmitted; a first pair of the eight ports being connected to a first group of three of the twelve antenna columns; a second pair of the eight ports being connected to a second group of three of the twelve antenna columns; a third pair of the eight ports being connected to a third group of three of the twelve antenna columns; and a fourth pair of the eight ports being connected to a fourth group of three of the twelve antenna columns; whereby, the antenna columns are configured such that one of the antenna columns in the first group is situated adjacent one of the antenna columns in the second group; with said antenna column in the second group being situated adjacent one of the antenna columns in the third group; and said antenna column in the third group being situated adjacent one of the antenna columns in the fourth group. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 9, wherein, each of the antenna columns comprises four radiators. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 10, wherein, each of the antenna columns comprises six radiators. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, each of the antenna columns is substantially rectangular in shape such as to comprise side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge whereby the side edges are longer than the top and bottom edges. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 13, wherein, the radiators are mounted substantially vertically in a linear fashion along the length of the rectangular-shaped antenna columns. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the radiators are dual polarised antenna elements. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 14, wherein, the radiators are dual polarised antenna elements. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, none of the plurality of radiators are phase shifted. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 9, wherein, the 4×4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna operates as a dual band 2×2 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna is housed within a tubular shaped radome. ### Claim 20 (depends on 9) The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna as claimed in claim 9, wherein, the 4×4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output omnidirectional antenna is housed within a tubular shaped radome.