US 12,614,862 B2 · Hybrid antenna array

Abstract

The disclosed technology is generally directed to a hybrid antenna module. In one example of the technology, an apparatus comprises a first substrate that includes a first antenna module and a controller. The first antenna module includes: antenna patches; floating patches; and switches. The controller is configured to cause the first antenna module to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode such that at least a portion of the antenna patches and at least a portion of the floating patches are switched together via the switches in the second mode and not in the first mode, and in which a resonant antenna frequency of the first antenna module is controlled at a first frequency in the first mode and at a second frequency in the second mode. The second frequency is different from the first frequency.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a first substrate that includes a first antenna module, wherein the first antenna module includes:
a first antenna patch and a second antenna patch on the first substrate, wherein the first antenna patch and the second antenna patch are each discrete antenna elements in an antenna array;
a first floating patch on the first substrate;
and
a first plurality of switches on the first substrate;
and
a controller that is configured to cause the first antenna module to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein:
in the first mode, the first antenna patch and the second antenna patch are each operable as discrete antenna elements at a first resonant frequency to form a first antenna array;
and
in the second mode, the first antenna patch and the second antenna patch are switched together with the first floating patch via the first plurality of switches to form a second antenna element operable at a second resonant frequency that is less than the first resonant frequency.

7 more elements

A processor-readable storage medium, having stored thereon processor-executable code that, upon execution by at least one processor, enables actions, comprising:

causing a first antenna module to operate in a first mode, wherein the first antenna module includes a first antenna patch and a second antenna patch, a first floating patch, and a first plurality of switches, and wherein, in the first mode, the first antenna patch and the second antenna patch are each controlled as discrete antenna elements to operate at a first resonant frequency to form a first antenna array;
determining whether the first antenna module should change operation from the first mode to a second mode;
responsive to determining that the first antenna module should change operation from the first mode to the second mode, causing the first antenna module to change operation from the first mode to a second mode, such that, in the second mode, the first antenna patch and the second antenna patch are switched together with the first floating patch via the first plurality of switches to form a second antenna element, wherein a resonant antenna frequency of the second antenna element is controlled at a second resonant frequency in the second mode, wherein the second resonant frequency is different from the first resonant frequency;
determining whether the first antenna module should change operation from the second mode to the second mode;
and
responsive to determining that the first antenna module should change operation from the second mode to the first mode, causing the first antenna module to change operation from the second mode to the first mode.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hybrid antenna array

Life of this patent

Hybrid antenna array

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20