US 9,438,278 B2Granted

Multi-array antenna

AssigneeQuintel Technology Limited

InventorsDavid Edwin Barker, Lance Darren Bamford, Peter Chun Teck Song, David Sam Piazza

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Abstract

In one example, the present disclosure describes an antenna system with at least two linear antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements. Each array is designed to transmit and receive signals from different respective spectrum bands. The first antenna array and second antenna array are arranged to form one longer, combined linear array of antenna elements. In addition, at least one antenna element is shared between the first and second antenna arrays. In one example, the first antenna array is connected to a first RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the first antenna array and the second antenna array is connected to a second RF distribution and phase-shifting network to distribute RF power and impart a phase profile across the second antenna array.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An antenna system, comprising:

at least two linear antenna arrays comprising:
a first linear antenna array comprising a first plurality of antenna elements;
and
a second linear antenna array comprising a second plurality of antenna elements, wherein the first linear antenna array is for transmitting and receiving signals in a first spectrum band, and wherein the second linear antenna array is for transmitting and receiving signals in a second spectrum band that is different from the first spectrum band;
wherein the first linear antenna array and second linear antenna array are arranged to form a combined linear array of antenna elements, wherein a length of the combined linear array of antenna elements is greater than a length of the first linear antenna array and a length of the second linear antenna array;
and
wherein at least two consecutive antenna elements are common for both the first plurality of antenna elements and the second plurality of antenna elements, wherein the at least two consecutive antenna elements are deployed in a region of overlap between the length of the first linear antenna array and the length of the second linear antenna array, wherein the region of overlap includes the at least two consecutive antenna elements and does not include antenna elements of the first plurality of antenna elements that are exclusive to the first linear antenna array and does not include antenna elements of the second plurality of antenna elements that are exclusive to the second linear antenna array, wherein the at least two consecutive antenna elements operate contiguously across a range of frequencies between and including the first spectrum band and the second spectrum band.

4 more elements

A method for communication using an antenna system, the method comprising:

receiving a first input signal for transmission in a first spectrum band;
receiving a second input signal for transmission in a second spectrum band;
transmitting the first input signal from a first linear antenna array of the antenna system in the first spectrum band, the first linear antenna array comprising a first plurality of antenna elements;
and
transmitting the second input signal from a second linear antenna array of the antenna system in the second spectrum band, the second linear antenna array comprising a second plurality of antenna elements, wherein the first linear antenna array and second linear antenna array are arranged to form a combined linear array of antenna elements, wherein a length of the combined linear array of antenna elements is greater than a length of the first linear antenna array and a length of the second linear antenna array, wherein at least two consecutive antenna elements are common for both the first plurality of antenna elements and the second plurality of antenna elements, wherein the at least two consecutive antenna elements are deployed in a region of overlap between the length of the first linear antenna array and the length of the second linear antenna array, wherein the region of overlap includes the at least two consecutive antenna elements and does not include antenna elements of the first plurality of antenna elements that are exclusive to the first linear antenna array and does not include antenna elements of the second plurality of antenna elements that are exclusive to the second linear antenna array, wherein the at least two consecutive antenna elements operate contiguously across a range of frequencies between and including the first spectrum band and the second spectrum band.

2 more elements

A method for communication using an antenna system, the method comprising:

receiving a first signal in a first spectrum band via a first linear antenna array of the antenna system, the first linear antenna array comprising a first plurality of antenna elements;
receiving a second signal in a second spectrum band via a second linear antenna array of the antenna system, the second linear antenna array comprising a second plurality of antenna elements, wherein the first linear antenna array and second linear antenna array are arranged to form a combined linear array of antenna elements, wherein a length of the combined linear array of antenna elements is greater than a length of the first linear antenna array and a length of the second linear antenna array, wherein at least two consecutive antenna elements are common for both the first plurality of antenna elements and the second plurality of antenna elements, wherein the at least two consecutive antenna elements are deployed in a region of overlap between the length of the first linear antenna array and the length of the second linear antenna array, wherein the region of overlap includes the at least two consecutive antenna elements and does not include antenna elements of the first plurality of antenna elements that are exclusive to the first linear antenna array and does not include antenna elements of the second plurality of antenna elements that are exclusive to the second linear antenna array, wherein the at least two consecutive antenna elements operate contiguously across a range of frequencies between and including the first spectrum band and the second spectrum band;
outputting the first signal via a first radio frequency distribution and phase-shifting network that is connected to the first linear antenna array;
and
outputting the second signal via a second radio frequency distribution and phase-shifting network that is connected to the second linear antenna array.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/186,524Filed 21 Feb 2014 · us provisional application
Priority: 22 Feb 2013
Published: US 2014/0242930 A128 Aug 2014
Granted: 6 Sep 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H04B 1/0053
Adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges: with common antenna for more…
H01Q 1/246
Used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM: specially adapted for base stations
H01Q 5/42
Imbricated or interleaved structures; Combined or electromagnetically coupled arrangements, e.g. comprising two or more non-connected fed…: using…
H01Q 21/08
Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart: the units being spaced along or adjacent to a rectilinear path

Family

Application61/767,964Us provisional application · filed 22 Feb 2013
US 2014/0242930 A1Pre-grant publication · published 28 Aug 2014
US 9,438,278 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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