# US 10,873,385 B2 · Beamforming architecture for multi-beam multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,385 B2 - Document ID: US10873385B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/081,470 - Filed: 2016-04-01 - Published: 2019-08-22 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Yeong-Sun Hwang; Yuan Zhu; Elmar Wagner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873385B2 ## CPC - H04B 7/088: {using beam selection} - H04B 7/0413: MIMO systems - H04B 7/0617: {for beam forming} - H04B 7/086: {using weights depending on external parameters, e.g. direction of arrival [DOA], predetermined weights or beamforming} - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract In various aspects, a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna array configuration, a wireless communication device, and a method for receiving multiple beamformed signals are described herein. According to at least one aspect, a MIMO antenna array configuration is described to include a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains, a plurality of antenna elements, and a plurality of phase shifters. In some aspects, the antenna elements and phase shifters form a plurality of antenna arrays. The number of antenna arrays is, in at least one aspect, larger than the number of RF chains. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna array configuration, comprising: a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains; a plurality of antenna elements; and a plurality of phase shifters, wherein the plurality of antenna elements and plurality of phase shifters form a plurality of antenna arrays that are coupled to the RF chains, wherein a number of antenna arrays in the plurality of antenna arrays is larger than a number of RF chains in the plurality of RF chains, wherein a number of the plurality of antenna elements and phase shifters that form a first of the antenna arrays is the same as a number of the plurality of antenna elements and phase shifters that form a second of the antenna arrays, wherein the first antenna array and second antenna array are symmetric relative to a field of view boundary. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 1, wherein each neighboring antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays is coupled to a different RF chain of the plurality of RF chains. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 1, wherein each antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays covers a distinct range of directions for transmission and reception of signals, and distinct ranges of directions supported by the plurality of antenna arrays partially overlap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 1, wherein a same number of the plurality of antenna elements and phase shifters form each antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 1, wherein the MIMO antenna array configuration supports full-rank MIMO. ### Claim 6 A wireless communications device, comprising: a plurality of antenna arrays configured for a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna array configuration; a receiver coupled to the MIMO antenna array configuration to receive signals; and a transmitter coupled to the MIMO antenna array configuration to transmit signals, wherein the MIMO antenna array configuration comprises a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains coupled to the plurality of antenna arrays, wherein the number of antenna arrays is larger than the number of RF chains, wherein a number of antenna elements and phase shifters that form a first of the antenna arrays is the same as a number of antenna elements and phase shifters that form a second of the antenna arrays, wherein the first antenna array and the second antenna array are asymmetric relative to a field of view boundary. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The wireless communications device of claim 6, wherein each neighboring antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays is coupled to a different RF chain of the plurality of RF chains. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The wireless communications device of claim 6, wherein each antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays covers a distinct range of directions for transmission and reception of signals, and distinct ranges of directions supported by the plurality of antenna arrays partially overlap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The wireless communications device of claim 6, wherein the receiver receives the signals carried by receive beams via the MIMO antenna array configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The wireless communications device of claim 6, wherein the transmitter transmits the signals carried by transmit beams via the MIMO antenna array configuration. ### Claim 11 A Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna array configuration, comprising: a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains; a plurality of antenna elements; and a plurality of phase shifters, wherein the plurality of antenna elements and plurality of phase shifters form a plurality of antenna arrays that are coupled to the RF chains, wherein a number of antenna arrays in the plurality of antenna arrays is larger than a number of RF chains in the plurality of RF chains, wherein a number of the plurality of antenna elements and phase shifters that form a first of the antenna arrays is different than a number of the plurality of antenna elements and phase shifters that form a second of the antenna arrays, wherein the first antenna array and the second antenna array are asymmetric relative to a field of view boundary. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 11, wherein each neighboring antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays is coupled to a different RF chain of the plurality of RF chains. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 11, wherein each antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays covers a distinct range of directions for transmission and reception of signals, and distinct ranges of directions supported by the plurality of antenna arrays partially overlap. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 11, wherein a different number of the plurality of antenna elements and phase shifters form each antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 11, wherein the MIMO antenna array configuration supports full-rank MIMO. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 11, wherein the plurality of antennas arrays comprises four antenna arrays arranged in a four-sided rectangular configuration, wherein the four antenna arrays include the first antenna array and the second antenna array. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 1, wherein the first antenna array and the second antenna array point in opposite directions that are perpendicular to the field of view boundary. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas arrays comprises four antennas arrays arranged in a four-sided rectangular configuration, wherein the four antenna arrays include the first antenna array and the second antenna array. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The MIMO antenna array configuration of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas arrays comprises six antennas arrays arranged in a six-sided hexagonal configuration, wherein the six antenna arrays include the first antenna array and the second antenna array. ### Claim 20 (depends on 6) The wireless communications device of claim 6, wherein the receiver and transmitter are configured to communicate with a base station. ### Claim 21 (depends on 6) The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the wireless communication device includes a baseband processor.