High performance patch-type radiating elements for massive MIMO communication systems

An antenna, comprising:

• a cross-polarized feed signal network configured to convert first and second radio frequency (RF) input feed signals to first and second pairs of cross-polarized feed signals at respective first and second pairs of feed signal output ports;
• a patch radiating element electrically coupled to the first and second feed signal output ports, said patch radiating element having an electrically conductive forward-facing surface thereon that is segmented into four quadrants by four generally L-shaped slots within the electrically conductive forward-facing surface, said four generally L-shaped slots positioned back-to-back relative each other so that a cross-shaped portion of the electrically conductive forward-facing surface extends between the four generally L-shaped slots and radially outward towards four respective points on a perimeter of the patch radiating element;
• and
• four metallized-polymer probes, which are electrically connected to metallized contact patches on a rear-facing surface of the patch radiating element substrate;
• and wherein the metallized contact patches are electrically connected by respective plated through-holes within the patch radiating element substrate to corresponding quadrants of the electrically conductive forward-facing surface.

An antenna, comprising:

• a cross-polarized feed signal network configured to convert first and second radio frequency (RF) input feed signals to first and second pairs of cross-polarized feed signals at respective first and second pairs of feed signal output ports;
• and
• a patch radiating element electrically coupled to the first and second feed signal output ports, said patch radiating element having an electrically conductive forward-facing surface thereon that is segmented into four quadrants by four generally L-shaped slots within the electrically conductive forward-facing surface, said four generally L-shaped slots positioned back-to-back relative each other so that a cross-shaped portion of the electrically conductive forward-facing surface extends between the four generally L-shaped slots and radially outward towards four respective points on a perimeter of the patch radiating element;
• wherein the patch radiating element comprises a polymer patch radiating element substrate;
• and wherein the four generally L-shaped slots extend entirely through the polymer patch radiating element substrate.