US 10,256,528 B2 · Portable device with configurable distributed antenna array

Abstract

A portable device for wireless communication is disclosed. The portable device comprises an antenna array having N array elements distributed on and conforming to the surfaces of the portable device, N being an integer greater than 1. The N array elements output N signals to a frontend unit. The frontend unit receives the N signals and generates N digital signals. A digital beam forming network, coupled to the frontend unit, processes M digital signals selected from the N digital signals, M being an integer less than or equal to N, and generates K beams based on the M digital signals, K being an integer greater than 1. A controlling unit, coupled to the digital beam forming network, computes dynamically a beam weight vector for each of the K beams based on data on orientation and position of the portable device and data on geometry of the antenna array and hub directions. A position information unit, coupled to the controlling unit, generates the data on position and orientation of the portable device. A memory, coupled to the controlling unit, stores the data on geometry of the antenna array and hub directions.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A portable device for wireless communication having surfaces, the portable device comprising:

an antenna array having N array elements distributed on the surfaces, the N array elements conforming to the surfaces, N being an integer greater than 1, the N array elements outputting N signals;
a frontend unit coupled to the N array elements, the frontend unit receiving the N signals and generating N digital signals;
a digital beam forming network coupled to the frontend unit, the digital beam forming network processing M digital signals selected from the N digital signals, M being an integer less than or equal to N, and generating K beams based on the M digital signals, K being an integer greater than 1;
a controlling unit coupled to the digital beam forming network, the controlling unit computing dynamically a beam weight vector for each of the K beams based on data on orientation and position of the portable device and data on geometry of the antenna array and hub directions;
a position information unit coupled to the controlling unit, the position information unit generating the data on position and orientation of the portable device;
and
a memory coupled to the controlling unit, the memory storing the data on geometry of the antenna array and hub directions.

4 more elements

A method for wireless communication using a portable device having surfaces, the method comprising:

providing an antenna array having N array elements distributed on the surfaces, the N array elements conforming to the surfaces, N being an integer greater than 1;
outputting N signals from the N array elements;
receiving the N signals via a frontend unit coupled to the N array elements;
generating N digital signals via the frontend unit;
processing M digital signals selected from the N digital signals via a digital beam forming network coupled to the frontend unit, M being an integer less than or equal to N;
generating K beams based on the M digital signals via the digital beam forming network, K being an integer greater than 1;
computing dynamically a beam weight vector for each of the K beams based on data on orientation and position of the portable device and data on geometry of the antenna array and hub directions via a controlling unit coupled to the digital beam forming network;
generating the data on position and orientation of the portable device via a position information unit coupled to the controlling unit;
and
storing the data on geometry of the antenna array and hub directions via a memory coupled to the controlling unit.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Portable device with configurable distributed antenna array

Life of this patent

Portable device with configurable distributed antenna array

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20