# US 8,787,849 B2 · Wireless communication using multi-port distributed antenna > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,787,849 B2 - Document ID: US8787849B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/930,119 - Filed: 2013-06-28 - Published: 2013-10-31 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-03 - Assignees: Broadcom Corporation - Applicants: Broadcom Corporation - Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran; Maryam Rofougaran - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8787849B2 ## CPC - H04W 52/0209: {in terminal devices} - H01P 5/12: Coupling devices having more than two ports (H01P5/04 takes precedence) - H01Q 1/40: Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material - H01Q 21/08: the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path {(waveguide fed H01Q21/0037)} - H01Q 21/29: Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic (H01Q25/00 takes precedence) - H01Q 23/00: Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them - Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H01P: WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE (operating at optical frequencies G02B) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract Methods and systems for receiving signals via a multi-port distributed antenna are disclosed and may include selectively enabling one or more low noise amplifiers (LNAs) coupled to the antenna. The selective enabling may be based on a desired gain level applied to a signal received from the antenna. The LNAs may be coupled to ports on the antenna based on an input impedance of the LNAs and an impedance of the ports. Each of the LNAs may be configured for optimum linearity in different gain ranges, which may be proportional to the input impedance of the LNAs. The antenna may be integrated on a chip with the LNAs, or may be located external to the chip. The antenna may include a microstrip antenna. The LNAs may include variable gain and may be enabled utilizing a processor. Linearity on demand may be enabled via the selective enabling of the LNAs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wireless communications device comprising: a distributed antenna having a plurality of antenna ports; at least one variable gain amplifier coupled to one of said plurality of antenna ports and configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received from said distributed antenna; a circuit configured to vary a gain of said at least one variable gain amplifier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is coupled to said one of said plurality of antenna ports based on an input impedance of said at least one variable gain amplifier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is coupled to said one of said plurality of antenna ports based on an impedance of said one of said plurality of antenna ports. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier further comprises a switch to enable decoupling of said at least one variable gain amplifier from said one of said plurality of antenna ports. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The wireless communications device of claim 4, wherein said switch comprises a CMOS transistor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein said distributed antenna and said at least one variable gain amplifier are integrated on a chip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wireless communications device of claim 1, further comprising another circuit coupled to said at least one variable gain amplifier and configured to receive said RF signal amplified by said at least one variable gain amplifier. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein said distributed antenna comprises a microstrip antenna. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wireless communications device of claim 1, wherein said distributed antenna comprises a coplanar waveguide antenna. ### Claim 10 A method comprising: utilizing a processor to vary a gain of at least one variable gain amplifier in a wireless communication system, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received from a microstrip antenna; receiving said radio frequency (RF) signal from said microstrip antenna over one or more paths through said at least one variable gain amplifier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is enabled based on a desired gain level to be applied to said RF signal received from said microstrip antenna. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising utilizing said processor to decouple said at least one variable gain amplifier from said microstrip antenna. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising utilizing a switch to decouple said at least one variable gain amplifier from one of a plurality of antenna ports of said microstrip antenna. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein said switch comprises a CMOS transistor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is coupled to one of a plurality of antenna ports of said microstrip antenna based on an input impedance of said at least one variable gain amplifier. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is coupled to one of a plurality of antenna ports of said microstrip antenna based on an impedance of said one of said plurality of antenna ports. ### Claim 17 A method comprising: utilizing a processor to vary a gain of at least one variable gain amplifier in a wireless communication system, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received from a coplanar waveguide antenna; receiving said radio frequency (RF) signal from said coplanar waveguide antenna over one or more paths through said at least one variable gain amplifier. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising utilizing said processor to decouple said at least one variable gain amplifier from said coplanar waveguide antenna. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is coupled to one of a plurality of antenna ports of said coplanar waveguide antenna based on an input impedance of said at least one variable gain amplifier. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one variable gain amplifier is coupled to one of a plurality of antenna ports of said coplanar waveguide antenna based on an impedance of said one of said plurality of antenna ports.