IP Library Granted Patent US 9,923,591
Granted Patent B2
US 9,923,591 · App. 14/539,611 · Granted Mar 20, 2018

Array antennas including non-uniform antenna elements

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,923,591
App. No.
14/539,611
Granted
Mar 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Network nodes including a non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements coupled to transceiver circuitry configured to provide communications in a cellular or short-range wireless network are provided. Sizes of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements, distances between adjacent ones of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements, tilt of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements, and/or antenna types of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements differ among the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements.

Claims (24)

1. A network node comprising:

transceiver circuitry configured to provide communications in a cellular or short-range wireless network; and

a non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements on a common, continuous flat plane and coupled to the transceiver circuitry, the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements comprising a plurality of columns and/or a plurality of rows of array antenna elements on the common, continuous flat plane,

wherein sizes of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements, antenna types of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements, and/or tilt angles of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements differ among the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements,

wherein the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements comprises at least one hundred antenna elements on the common, continuous flat plane,

wherein the plurality of columns and/or plurality of rows of array antenna elements comprises a first group of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements adjacent a second group of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements,

wherein the first group comprises an array comprising the plurality of columns and/or plurality of rows of antenna elements,

wherein each antenna element in the array is coupled to a different antenna feed, and

wherein the second group comprises a sub-array comprising a plurality of antenna elements that are coupled to a same antenna feed.

2. The network node of claim 1 , wherein the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements comprises a patch antenna element and a monopole antenna element.

3. The network node of claim 1 , wherein the sub-array is configured to be controlled by the circuit to mechanically tilt independently of the first group of the non-uniform plurality of antenna elements.

4. The network node of claim 1 , further comprising a processor coupled to the transceiver circuitry and configured to:

receive an uplink pilot signal; and

feed the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements with a signal that is based on the uplink pilot signal.

5. The network node of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver circuitry comprises massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) cellular base station transceiver circuitry coupled to the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements.

6. The network node of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver circuitry comprises Wi-Fi base station transceiver circuitry coupled to the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements.

7. The network node of claim 1 , wherein some, but not all, of the non-uniform plurality of array antenna elements comprise patch antenna elements.

8. The network node of claim 1 ,

wherein the sub-array comprises a first sub-array comprising a first plurality of antenna elements that are coupled to a first same antenna feed, and

wherein the second group further comprises a second sub-array comprising a second plurality of antenna elements that are coupled to a second same antenna feed.

9. The network node of claim 8 , further comprising a third group comprising third and fourth sub-arrays comprising third and fourth pluralities of antenna elements, respectively,

wherein the third plurality of antenna elements are coupled to a third same antenna feed,

wherein the fourth plurality of antenna elements are coupled to a fourth same antenna feed, and

wherein the array comprising the plurality of columns and/or plurality of rows of antenna elements is between the second and third groups of sub-arrays.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2019
From: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048691/0134 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 038542/0224 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2014
From: BENGTSSON, ERIK; YING, ZHINONG
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034158/0001 →